Audrey
It's been so long since I've read a western that I'd forgotten how exciting they can be. Even though I haven't read a bunch of books in this genre, I've never read one with a female protagonist. For this reason, I was particularly curious. School teacher Kathleen O'Dwyer sets off on a wagon train heading to New Mexico but later ends up traveling with a mountaineer named James Colter. Though ambivalent of his character, Kathleen finds herself drawn to him. Together they go forth on a number of adventures from the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains. Along the way, they encounter a mix of people, such as fellow travelers, Native American tribesmen, and missionaries.The book has a lot of action (and occasionally violence), however, there is also a more character-driven side to it. The latter was my favorite part of the story. I liked Kathleen even though I couldn't personally relate much to her. Well-written and keeping a good pace, [b:The Strange Courtship of Kathleen O'Dwyer 64415252 The Strange Courtship of Kathleen O'Dwyer Robert Temple https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1670432350l/64415252.SY75.jpg 99987488] is a nice read. Unfortunately, the ending is awfully abrupt despite the satisfying conclusion. I did a double-take when I reached the acknowledgments page. It's an otherwise rich story for being under 250 pages. I enjoyed it.A huge thanks to the author for reaching out and sending me a free digital ARC to read and review!
It's been so long since I've read a western that I'd forgotten how exciting they can be. Even though I haven't read a bunch of books in this genre, I've never read one with a female protagonist. For this reason, I was particularly curious.
School teacher Kathleen O'Dwyer sets off on a wagon train heading to New Mexico but later ends up traveling with a mountaineer named James Colter. Though ambivalent of his character, Kathleen finds herself drawn to him. Together they go forth on a number of adventures from the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains. Along the way, they encounter a mix of people, such as fellow travelers, Native American tribesmen, and missionaries.
The book has a lot of action (and occasionally violence), however, there is also a more character-driven side to it. The latter was my favorite part of the story. I liked Kathleen even though I couldn't personally relate much to her. Well-written and keeping a good pace, The Strange Courtship of Kathleen O'Dwyer is a nice read. Unfortunately, the ending is awfully abrupt despite the satisfying conclusion. I did a double-take when I reached the acknowledgments page. It's an otherwise rich story for being under 250 pages. I enjoyed it.
A huge thanks to the author for reaching out and sending me a free digital ARC to read and review!
Cats and Christmas? You don't need to tell me much more to get me to read a book.
Kara is struggling to get her cat rescue/clinic/cafe fully up and running. Thanks to an unexpected ad and contest in a magazine, Kara and Charity find a line outside the cafe one morning. While good for the bills, Kara worries that ghosts from her past will come back to haunt her with the sudden attention. At the same time, Ben enters his life, his colleague Schwartz the one responsible for the cat cafe's recent publicity. When a stray kitten brings him back to see Kara, the two slowly begin to realize they're drawn to one another despite their differences.
A Cat Cafe Christmas is sweet, funny, and charming. I laughed out loud multiple times which doesn't happen too often with books for me. And the cat illustrations and bios at the beginning of each chapter are so adorable. Kara's backstory added a good hint of emotion, as did Ben's, to an otherwise cozy story. Perfect for cat-lovers!
I love thought-provoking works of literary fiction, especially when they pull me out of my comfort zone. Eloquently written, Other Worlds Were Possible poses many questions about society as we know it today.
The book follows Sunny, a member of the Eagle Clan, as he's confronted with outsiders infiltrating their homeland. These people bring foreign ideas; money, religion, hierarchy, and so on. Sunny questions these things, trying to understand them while also trying to make strangers understand the beliefs of the clan. Could there be war?
Joss Sheldon is a strong and unabashed writer able to flow effortlessly from dialogue to a more introspective style. This is a book that makes you think. Though I can't say I see eye to eye on some of the viewpoints, I appreciate the way they were presented and articulated. I certainly haven't read anything quite like this before.
A huge thanks to the author for inviting me to read and review a free digital ARC through BookSirens!
Though this book wasn't entirely what I had anticipated it to be, it was a touching, emotional, and inspiring Christmas read.
Paul didn't always hate Christmas. How could he when he had so much good in his life? Married to his high school sweetheart and having two daughters together, his life was what he'd always dreamed of. But as they say, all good things come to an end. One Christmas, everything changes, and he comes to detest the holiday.
Each year, Christmas passes more bitterly than the last. His life is falling apart. Just when he thinks things couldn't get any worse, he finds himself in Bethlehem after an accident. Not sure of who he is or where he came from, he joins a familiar family as they follow the Christmas Star.
I'd expected more of the book to be set in Bethlehem. The first half was entirely focused on Paul and Rebecca's meeting/relationship after the first chapter. I was losing interest, but once it reached the present time of the book (or the years closer to it), I became invested again. The scenes in Bethlehem were also not what I'd expected, but they were touching. All in all, this was a sweet, emotional, and hopeful read.
Romances are such a hit-or-miss for me. I'm very happy to say that this one was a hit! A hit, and a fantastic way to kick off my Christmas reading.
Long overdue for a vacation, Vivian's daughter Maddie convinces her to tag along on a business trip to England (working for the Duchess, no less!). While Maddie is busy dressing royalty, Vivian befriends Malcolm, the Private Secretary to the Queen herself. Though certainly enchanted by her royal surroundings, Vivian is far more interested in this dashing man's company.
I haven't read the previous books in this series, nor has it been on my radar at all. I saw it on someone else's TBR and thought it sounded cute. My reading experience didn't feel hindered given my lack of familiarity. Jasmine Guillory is officially on my go-to author list for when I'm in the mood to read a romance. Vivian and Malcolm are so adorable together and the characters in general are so lovable. Such a treat!
There are a lot of appealing subjects in this book for me: WWII, Paris, and a bookshop. Needless to say, I was instantly drawn in by the cover and title.
Following a duel timeline, the story is set in both 1940s and modern-day France. During the war, we see Jacques and Mathilde's story. While Mathilde seeks safety in the country, Jacques uses his bookshop, La Page Cachée, as a front to hide not only banned books but also refugees. In 2022, the bookshop is rediscovered by Juliette while on vacation in Paris. As she renovates it, she uncovers its past.
Though I typically enjoy duel timelines, the WWII plotline was strong and good enough not to need the modern-day addition. I found myself hurrying through Juliette's part of the story so I could get back to Jacques and Mathilde's. Having to jump back and forth made the book drag in places. Otherwise, the writing was strong and engaging, even if I didn't particularly like certain bits and pieces of the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper360/Avon for providing a free digital ARC of this book to read and review.
I don't know why I let so much time pass between reading The Calculating Stars and The Fated Sky. This series is so immersive and book two was as good as the first. Now that the moon has been colonized, it's time to start preparing for Mars. Thanks to her fame as ‘The Lady Astronaut', Elma is assigned as a crew member on the first Mars flight. The journey isn't easy. Being away from her home, her husband, and her family for three years is a challenge in and of itself, never mind the number of failures that can occur and the tensions between the crew members from being cooped up for so long. The book doesn't mention the events of the first book in too much detail. It sticks to the continuation of this alternate time in history rather than reflecting. People on earth are beginning to forget about the meteor strike. If not forget, then letting it become commonplace and minimizing the repercussions it will likely have on the future of the earth. The pressure is on, especially when ‘Free-Earthers' start causing trouble. Though there are some bits and pieces in the narrative that tend to distract me from the main plot (I'm not entirely sure how to explain it without giving spoilers) and there are some things that feel unsettled or unfinished, I enjoy these books so much. Being set in the mid-20th century it has a nostalgic feel to it while also adding in modern-day elements. The characters are so darling, too. I'd forgotten how attached I'd gotten in the first book. Revisiting them and getting to meet some new ones made me even more invested this time around. I especially liked the dynamic between Elma and Parker this time around.
Being a woman in the early 20th century was no picnic, especially when it came to getting a job. Add a disability to the mix and getting someone to hire you was near impossible. Virginia Hall broke down barriers and excelled over her able-bodied male counterparts. At the start of World War II, Virginia was hired as a spy and was deployed to France. As the war carried on, Virginia (under a number of aliases) became a touchstone for people under occupation and fellow resistance workers.
The more her reputation grew, the more the Nazis wanted her captured. Despite several warnings and close calls, Virginia was reluctant to leave her post in France where so many people had come to rely on her. When staying was no longer an option, she continued to prove her strength both mentally and physically — achieving things that most people without a prosthetic leg couldn't. She continued to do what she could for the war effort no matter where she had to go.
There seems to be no end to the fascinating figures of WWII. Virginia Hall is now among my favorites. The book flowed wonderfully. Nothing dragged and there was always something interesting going on. I appreciated that it went in a linear timeline. I've noticed a lot of non-fiction books like to jump around even if it's following a chain of events. A must-read for WWII buffs.
What a lovely Christmas surprise this was! Picking up after Book 3, we follow Thea and her family at Christmastime... but it isn't all merriment for Thea.
After a year of excitement and danger, a quiet Christmas at Astermore feels a bit foreign. Thea misses her friends — a certain inspector in particular — and feels isolated being thrown back into her familial role. Uncertain of where her relationship with Leslie stands, she doesn't know how to ward off her family's not-so-subtle hints of marrying her off. Meanwhile, little Mercury has been sneaking out of the room. After one of his adventures, he brings Thea a key. A seasoned sleuth at this point, she sees this as a new mystery.
As always, I enjoyed visiting Thea's world. This one has a slightly different vibe than the other books with the absence of some key characters from the rest of the series, but it was interesting getting a glimpse of what Thea was like before they entered her life. There are some appearances from some of the minor characters from past installments which was also fun to see. I'll be on the edge of my seat until the next book!
A huge thanks to the author for sending me a free digital ARC of the book! I will also be purchasing a physical copy.
What a lovely Christmas surprise this was! Picking up after Book 3, we follow Thea and her family at Christmastime... but it isn't all merriment for Thea.
After a year of excitement and danger, a quiet Christmas at Astermore feels a bit foreign. Thea misses her friends — a certain inspector in particular — and feels isolated being thrown back into her familial role. Uncertain of where her relationship with Leslie stands, she doesn't know how to ward off her family's not-so-subtle hints of marrying her off. Meanwhile, little Mercury has been sneaking out of the room. After one of his adventures, he brings Thea a key. A seasoned sleuth at this point, she sees this as a new mystery.
As always, I enjoyed visiting Thea's world. This one has a slightly different vibe than the other books with the absence of some key characters from the rest of the series, but it was interesting getting a glimpse of what Thea was like before they entered her life. There are some appearances from some of the minor characters from past installments which was also fun to see. I'll be on the edge of my seat until the next book!
A huge thanks to the author for sending me a free digital ARC of the book! I will also be purchasing a physical copy.
Before reading, I paid minimal attention to what this book was about. I was halfway through before I realized this is in the true crime genre and not a crime novel. I jumped right into it. Had I realized right away I might have taken it in differently.
In 1959, four members of the Clutter family are murdered in their small-town Kansas home. A well-liked family, their deaths shook the town, and no one was able to figure out a reason as to why. Looking at the background of the Clutters as well as their murderers, we're taken through each movement of the capture and trial.
Not surprisingly, the writing is fantastic. The biggest issue for me was how slow it was. It picked up in the second half, but by then my interest had dwindled. I'm glad to have read it, though. Again, I might have appreciated the pace more if I'd realized off the bat that this was a work of nonfiction. It's interesting to see how much true crime books have evolved since the time of this book's publication.
These Violent Delights has an interesting premise, and frankly, one I liked more than the original Romeo and Juliet tale (sorry, I've never been able to get into Shakespeare...), but I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. My reasoning ultimately boils down to being the wrong demographic.
Set in Shanghai in 1926, the book is reminiscent of the West Side Story take on Romeo and Juliet with gangs, forbidden love, and tragedy. Juliette and Roma serve as our protagonists in this dystopian-like setting.
This had more fantasy elements than I anticipated. I'm picky with this genre, but what got to me the most was the gore. Not for me. The writing was definitely geared toward a younger audience. Of course, I was prepared for this given it's marketed as YA. The setting was fantastic, but the characters were completely unrelatable to me. I continued on due to it being a book club read. If this looks like something you'll enjoy, you probably will.
This is the second book I've read recently that I was made aware of from the movie adaptation. Though this book is a rare case where I like the movie better, I still enjoyed the book immensely.
There are a few plot lines that make up the book. First and foremost is the disappearance of Stephen's daughter years prior. He's haunted by her memory, certain that one day he will find her. With this comes the separation from his wife, Julie, who has moved into seclusion to grieve in her own way. Stephen misses her and wants to reconcile though finds it a lost cause. Meanwhile, he carries on in his professional life the best he can. On this end, he must deal with the mental decline of his friend and publisher, Charles.
As the title suggests, the book ponders the perceptions of childhood and time and how those two things intermingle. Ian McEwan writes solely from Stephen's POV allowing a deeply introspective narrative. To a modern audience, the prose may border on cliche or is an outdated style. I personally enjoyed this, especially because Stephen is blunt in his selfishness and observations. Above else, I enjoyed the psychology behind the characters and the emphasis on how people experience grief in different ways — even between people with a shared trauma.
4.75 (rounded up to 5) - I'm quite fond of Jacqueline Kennedy, though I admit her time as a Kennedy is the majority of what I know about her. Before becoming the First Lady of the United States and Jackie O, she was Jacqueline Bouvier. [b:Jacqueline in Paris 59949718 Jacqueline in Paris Ann Mah https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1647803212l/59949718.SX50.jpg 89017482] gives us a glimpse of Jacquline before she became the woman we know and admire today.Starting in 1949, we follow Jacqueline during her year abroad in Paris. Happy to escape her mother's expectations for the future and enjoy the freedom of being away from constant parental scrutiny, she seeks culture and solitude. She finds this and more, taking in the realities of post-war Europe, a different outlook on politics and intermingling with people she'd be forbidden to associate with back home, and the lasting effects war has had on those who had to suffer the greatest cruelties. Though much of this story is speculation, it's clear there that a great deal of research went into this, especially where the Renty family was involved. I found this subplot to be the most fascinating and was the source of a lot of emotion in the story. It was also interesting getting to see a bit of romance before JFK entered the picture.
I'm quite fond of Jacqueline Kennedy, though I admit her time as a Kennedy is the majority of what I know about her. Before becoming the First Lady of the United States and Jackie O, she was Jacqueline Bouvier. Jacqueline in Paris gives us a glimpse of Jacquline before she became the woman we know and admire today.
Starting in 1949, we follow Jacqueline during her year abroad in Paris. Happy to escape her mother's expectations for the future and enjoy the freedom of being away from constant parental scrutiny, she seeks culture and solitude. She finds this and more, taking in the realities of post-war Europe, a different outlook on politics and intermingling with people she'd be forbidden to associate with back home, and the lasting effects war has had on those who had to suffer the greatest cruelties.
Though much of this story is speculation, it's clear there that a great deal of research went into this, especially where the Renty family was involved. I found this subplot to be the most fascinating and was the source of a lot of emotion in the story. It was also interesting getting to see a bit of romance before JFK entered the picture.
I always get excited when I see a new Marie Benedict book. She always picks such interesting (and perhaps lesser-known) women to write about.
Set between World Wars, the book follows three of the six Mitford sisters: Unity, Diana, and Nancy. A prominent family at the time, they were well known for their support of the Communist, Fascist, and Nazi parties. If these sound like uncomfortable characters to read about, they are. And yet, Marie Benedict manages to humanize them (although that's not to say they're easy to love).
I applaud the research and the writing that went into this book. I don't think I could have stomached writing Unity's storyline in particular. And yet, the discomfort I felt is what I enjoyed most while reading. It was challenging, unsettling, and yet impartial. It was an intimate look at this family who may or may not have known what was to come in the next war.
The story itself didn't engage me as much as the other books I've read by the author. I'm sure a lot of this has to do with not finding the characters likable or their politics and outlooks agreeable. While I can't say it's a book I thoroughly enjoyed, I did appreciate reading something that brought me out of my comfort zone in this way. Unlikableness aside, these characters made for a thought-provoking read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing a free digital ARC to read and review.
I've seen videos on YouTube that talk about the story of Operation Mincemeat but if it was to any extent, I'd forgotten the details. It was the Netflix movie that fully captured my attention. When I happened upon this book in a used bookstore shortly after, I knew I needed to pick it up.
Sometimes the craziest ideas are the ones that work. Such was the case with Operation Mincemeat which involved planting a deceased ‘soldier' carrying fake documents in enemy waters. Finding a corpse that met the criteria was a challenge of its own, never mind having to pull off such an incredible feat. In the day of modern technology in medicine, it's easy to think that this all would be impossible. Even in the early 1940s this deception was a huge risk, but miraculously, it worked.
The book discusses many sides of the operation such as the inventors of the idea, the coroner tasked with finding an unclaimed body, the secretaries involved, the spies, and ‘William Martin' himself. There are sections that drag on and occasionally feel irrelevant, but as a whole, the book is well-researched and fascinating.
I've seen videos on YouTube that talk about the story of Operation Mincemeat but if it was to any extent, I'd forgotten the details. It was the Netflix movie that fully captured my attention. When I happened upon this book in a used bookstore shortly after, I knew I needed to pick it up.
Sometimes the craziest ideas are the ones that work. Such was the case with Operation Mincemeat which involved planting a deceased ‘soldier' carrying fake documents in enemy waters. Finding a corpse that met the criteria was a challenge of its own, never mind having to pull off such an incredible feat. In the day of modern technology in medicine, it's easy to think that this all would be impossible. Even in the early 1940s this deception was a huge risk, but miraculously, it worked.
The book discusses many sides of the operation such as the inventors of the idea, the coroner tasked with finding an unclaimed body, the secretaries involved, the spies, and ‘William Martin' himself. There are sections that drag on and occasionally feel irrelevant, but as a whole, the book is well-researched and fascinating.
This book has been sitting on my shelf waiting to be read for a good ten years or so. I'm not sure why it took me so long to get around to it, but I'm finally here.
Starting her career in the 1990s, Lacey is trying to make her way in the art world. She has a keen eye and appreciation of the paintings she sorts through, eventually honing her skills to tailor to the financial side of the fence. Her view of art changes with this, and along with it, there is a looming question over the story: When did art stop being something for the soul?
The story is narrated by Daniel, an old friend of Lacey's who has watched her through the ups and downs of her career and the industry. He, too, is involved in the art world as a writer. This is how he comes to write about his friend. As the reader, it comes across as a character study.
Steve Martin's writing style is among my favorites (if not my favorite). Right away the voice of the narration here reminded me of the narration of L.A. Story. There's even a nod to the movie early on, mentioning roller skating in the museum. Of course, this is a different story. An Object of Beauty is very much a New York story.
Perhaps more than this being a story about Lacey, it's a reflective look at the art world. I enjoyed this aspect the most. I didn't find Lacey particularly interesting and certainly not likable. Without the atmospheric and pensive prose, I would have put it down. I can't stress enough how much I enjoy Steve Martin's writing, though. For that alone, I would read this again.
I was super excited about this one. The synopsis drew me in, the cover is gorgeous, the setting is fantastic, the premise is promising... but I found myself utterly bored and impatient to finish.
The book mainly follows Maria's story, an Italian immigrant who moved to America with her mother. At the start of World War II, she is working for Mercury Pictures. This was a turbulent time for Hollywood for a lot of immigrants given the stigma against people coming from countries aligned with the Axis powers. As the war carries on, Maria and the others have to navigate the changes that come with wartime as well as figures from Maria's past.
I loved the concept of all of this, but it fell flat for me. There were too many characters. I couldn't name half of them from memory if I tried. The plot was chaotic, or I should say plots. This felt like two different books. There were some funny lines, so I'll compliment the witty writing (actually, it was well-written altogether). Still, I'm not really sure what the full picture of the book was. There were too many jumps and not enough character development.
Of all of the Greek mythology retellings, The Shadow of Perseus has been my favorite. I am inexplicably drawn to these stories even though they make me realize how little I actually know of their origins.
The book follows Danae, Medusa, and Andromeda all relating to and interacting with Perseus in one way or another. Through their stories, a different picture of the epic hero is painted. Was his story truly one of heroism, or was it merely ego? Each of the women are presented in a different time of his life, starting with his mother Danae and with Medusa and Andromeda following in ways that haven't been seen before from what I can gather.
I liked that each of the women had their own section of the book rather than it completely jumping around. It made it a smooth read and there wasn't any confusion. As has been the case with all of the other mythological retellings I've read, I'm realizing this is best appreciated with an extensive knowledge of the characters and their connections. The writing was engaging which kept me interested despite this. I found myself wanting to learn more about their backstories rather than waiting for the book to end. I was definitely still lost, but that is on me and not the story itself.
A huge thanks to Dutton for reaching out and offering me a free ARC of this book through NetGalley to read and review!
This is the first time I've listened to one of the Audible words and music memoirs. Sting has consistently been my number-one artist on my Spotify wrapped and yet I really don't know anything about him aside from his music. It was interesting the learn that The Last Ship was so heavily inspired by his life. It's my favorite album and I've seen the musical... I felt like such a fake fan having been in the dark about this. This was a great, short, and sweet look into the artists' life.