Audrey

Dystopian plots fascinate me. Many times they're prophetic. It's especially interesting to read one set in the nearish future. Camp Zero has a great premise, but I wish I hadn't spent most of the book trying to figure out what the focus of the book was.    Set in a future suffering from the results of harsh climate change, Rose agrees to work as a spy to provide housing for her mother. Meanwhile, Grant wants to break away from his family's past. The two meet at Camp Zero. It becomes a part that this place is harboring secrets.    As I mentioned, I have no idea what the central focus of this plot is. Climate change is the obvious answer, but with minimal world-building and context so much was lost. From page one it felt like I was supposed to already know what was going on as I entered the story. The names (or lack of) were confusing, the POV shifts added to the trouble getting my bearings... I overall felt like I was left out of the loop.    I enjoyed the writing itself. With more world and character building I think I would have loved it. My feelings are mixed. 

It's been a few months since I've read a psychological thriller and I can't think of a better one to have come back to the genre. With quiet twists and extraordinarily flawed yet lovable characters, I was hooked.    Though Catherine has always had a good relationship with her mother Ruth, she's ready to leave home and begin a life and career of her own. Her plans change when her mother receives an Alzheimer's diagnosis from her doctor. Not willing to waste a minute of the time left with Ruth, she cancels her moving plans.    Ruth begins to write down her life story for her daughter... but not for the reasons one might expect at such a time. She's worked the entirety of Catherine's life to keep her past buried. Not only her past but also the secrets Catherine unknowingly carries. It isn't long before Catherine begins to pick up on the fact something deeper is amiss. How well does she really know her mother?    While the book keeps a slower pace than usually found in these kinds of thrillers, there is a constant string of events weaved in and out. Through Ruth, we get glimpses of her past. Through Catherine, we hear recollections of her mother and the conflict the plot brings into their relationship. I found Catherine's character the most fascinating element of the book. Some might disagree with me, but I also found Ruth's love for her child admirable under the circumstances. I feel she did the best she could with what she had.    I listened to the audiobook version. Kate Mara did a fantastic job narrating. Sometimes I don't love listening to thrillers because the narrator will be too dramatic. There was the perfect amount of emotion and urgency conveyed without becoming theatrical. That said, the story would have benefited from two narrators so each character had their own voice. Nevertheless, the reading experience was not hindered because of the single narrator.    Gone Tonight is easily the best thriller I've read this year. I can't wait to read Sarah Pekkanen's other books.    A huge thanks to Macmillan Audio for inviting me to listen to an audio ARC of this book through NetGalley! I am looking forward to purchasing a hard copy for myself. 

Ruta Sepetys has become one of my favorite historical fiction authors. Her books stand out from others in the genre thanks to the lesser-known/talked about events she chooses to build her plots around.    Joana, Florian, and Emelia narrate their journeys learning up to their departure on the fated Wilhelm Gustloff. In contrast to them is Alfred, a Nazi assigned to the ship. While Alfred's section of the book is largely focuses on his career and his ‘promised' future, Joana, Emelia, and Florian's stories focus on their pasts and hopes of escape.    Despite the extremely short chapters, I found the story was slow to build. Toward the last third, it picked up immensely. The sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff is the worst disaster in maritime history with a death toll nearing 10,000. Ruta Sepetys does a wonderful job of capturing the tragedy. Although the book is about fictional characters, the reader still gets a sense of the individuals who suffered through it.    Compared to The Fountains of Silence and I Must Betray You, it took a significantly longer time for me to get wholly into the plot given how quickly the four POVs jumped around. The lead-in and backstories took up most of the pages. The wait was well worth it even though it's a heartbreaking read. 

The historical events of this book are not a location of history I know much about. I've only caught glimpses in another book or two. I was very excited for the opportunity to delve deeper into this time and place.

Set in Shanghai during the Sino-Japanese War, Lee and Mei's lives intertwine as they go through this turbulent time not only in the world around them but also in their personal lives. The pages are filled with political intrigue, love and its complications, and rich illustrations of this time in history.

I particularly enjoyed Mei's character, however, all of the characters stood out in their own way. I enjoyed both the writing and the story immensely. I'm partial to books that immerse me in another culture.

Unpredictable Winds is the first book by Thomas T. Chin and is quite strong for a debut. I hope more will follow sometime in the future!

A huge thanks to the author for sending me a free digital copy of the book to read and review!

I've read a few espionage novels and though it's not my go-to genre, the descriptions always seem to draw me in. [b:The Sentinels: Fortunes of War 11512170 The Sentinels Fortunes of War Gordon Zuckerman https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328341280l/11512170.SX50.jpg 6731831] stood out in particular in this instance as I'm always looking for a new perspective on the times surrounding World War II. Focusing largely on economics and politics, the book follows six friends as they try to stop a Nazi financial scheme. It's a complex mission with high stakes combining the financial devastation of the Great Depression and the early days of World War II.The plot was interesting, but I would have enjoyed it a lot more with more polished writing. Nothing that can't be improved upon, but the showing vs. telling left me feeling disconnected with the plot and characters. The addition of romance was more of a distraction than anything else. The plot does carry a lot of promise and it was not without some interesting moments. I'm curious how the subsequent books read, however, I wasn't left with much drive to continue. A huge thanks to the publisher for reading out and sending me a free copy of the book to read and review!

I've read a few espionage novels and though it's not my go-to genre, the descriptions always seem to draw me in. Fortunes of War stood out in particular in this instance as I'm always looking for a new perspective on the times surrounding World War II.

Focusing largely on economics and politics, the book follows six friends as they try to stop a Nazi financial scheme. It's a complex mission with high stakes combining the financial devastation of the Great Depression and the early days of World War II.

The plot was interesting, but I would have enjoyed it a lot more with more polished writing. Nothing that can't be improved upon, but the showing vs. telling left me feeling disconnected with the plot and characters. The addition of romance was more of a distraction than anything else. The plot does carry a lot of promise and it was not without some interesting moments. I'm curious how the subsequent books read, however, I wasn't left with much drive to continue.

A huge thanks to the publisher for reading out and sending me a free copy of the book to read and review!

I'm almost always up for a book centered on family drama. Banyan Moon brings this to the table with the extra layers of generational struggles and the differences brought on by being raised in different cultures.    When Minh passes away, her daughter Huong and granddaughter Ann come together to mourn their losses. For Huong, her mourning feels doubled, envious of the good relationship Ann had with Minh that she could never achieve. For Ann, she's also mourning the seemingly perfect life she'd built that began to grumble simultaneously. Together, Ann and Huong strive to mend their own complicated relationship all while uncovering long-kept secrets that had been hiding in Minh's house all along.    I found the book to be a slower pace than I like to read with my eyes. I think I would have gotten more out of it had I listened to the audiobook. Having already purchased the hardcover and long waits at the library I pushed through. Minh was definitely the most interesting part of the story for me. I also very much enjoyed the complicated relationships between the three women. 

I'm a classics fan but I've never been particularly drawn to Virginia Woolf. I picked up a copy of Mrs. Dalloway because the cover was pretty. I hadn't the faintest idea what it was about. When the Audrey app chose this as one of their listen-alongs, I figured now was as good a time as any to read it.

Some classics are wasted on people... this one was wasted on me. I wanted to like it so much given the time it was written and the portrayals of PTSD and mental health disorders. By the time I got to this point, I was painfully bored and cared nothing about the characters. Personally, it was not a good time to read it, either.

Whether it's a matter of the wrong place, the wrong time, or the book itself, it wasn't for me. I know I'm in the minority here but even lively discussion couldn't draw me in. It only made me ask if I was really listening to the same book as everyone else.

This is the third book I'm reading by E.B. Roshan and it was a treat as always. For Better and Worse is the fourth book in the Sevia series but it could potentially be read as a standalone. I've read the first book in the series and this book is the continuation.

Pregnant and nearing her due date, Anna is fearing now more than ever what it will mean to raise a child as war rages on around them. Boris is reluctant to leave Dor, more focused on saving his business — even if it means putting his family in danger.

I enjoyed this book even more than Wrong Place, Right Time. The recurring themes of love and forgiveness filled my heart (especially where the book is written from a Christian perspective). The characters and relationships are realistic and relatable. Mixed in with the dystopian setting, it's an all-around fantastic read.

A huge thanks to the author for sending me a free digital copy of the book to read and review!

The fact that I didn't eat up every word of this book was a major disappointment. 1984 and Animal Farm are among my all-time favorite books. I was ready for another mind-blowing reading experience. Instead, I was bored and desperately searching for a library copy of the exact essays in the audiobook so I could skip over a narration of recipes to see if there was anything I could salvage.    This is a strange assortment of essays. Some belong together in a collection more than others. I found maybe two of them on par with the subject matters of the two novels I've read. Unfortunately, I no longer remember which they were which tells me they probably weren't as on par as I convinced myself to think at the time.    I've never studied anything about Orwell himself. I knew a couple of facts but it was just a scratch on the surface. It was interesting to hear his thoughts and opinions on certain things, but I was gravely disappointed by the anti-Hindu and anti-Catholic sentiments (with negative allusions to other faiths) expressed in a couple of essays. Apparently, this is common knowledge as I discovered upon further research so I'm sure some people reading this are rolling their eyes. Had I known or realized, this isn't something I would have read. I find it disheartening to when people look down on anyone's religion and choose to avoid it whenever possible.    All that said, there were a few positive takeaways. I'm disappointed that at the time of writing this my mind is still stuck on the negative and the downright boring (‘A Nice Cup of Tea', ‘British Cooking'...). If nothing else, it was a new perspective on the world during the times the essays were written. 

Heaven Can Wait and Other Stories is a collection of eight short stories which largely carry a philosophical message of some sort. At only 37 pages, it's incredible how much depth fits so smoothly into this book.    The story that stood out to me the most was ‘Two Apples'. Though short, it was beautiful and spiritual and centered on family. Most of the stories have a spiritual element to them.    I think there are some bits lost in translation, but even still, this is a wonderful little collection of short shorties.    A huge thanks to the author for offering to send me a free copy of the book to read and review! I chose to read this on KindleUnlimited. 

Choosing to read this book while vacationing in Florida was perhaps not the wisest decision, but I guess it did give me a certain level of appreciation that I might not have had otherwise...

Set sometime in a not-so-distant future in an ever-shrinking Florida, Wanda is born in the midst of a terrible storm. The story sees this extraordinary child through to adulthood. In her lifetime she's privy to constant changes in her family and climate. Even when things reach total disaster, she's reluctant to leave her home. 

I loved the writing. It was atmospheric and created vivid imagery. What lacked for me was the characterization. I didn't connect to anyone which kept me from getting fully immersed into the story. A ‘me' issue, I'm sure. I did like it, I just didn't latch onto it. 

Within pages, this book captured my head. Both cozy and emotional, any cat lover will appreciate at least something about this book.

The story follows Miyu, Reina, Aoi, Shino, and their cats. Each cat/human duo is told in their own short story with sections told from the humans' perspectives as well as the cats'. The four stories connect wonderfully together. 

‘Slumber and Sky' was my favorite story in the collection though it's perhaps the most emotional. Aoi's grief is presented so vividly. Watching Cookie try to bring her out of her funk was so heartwarming. 

The only thing that would have made this book more enjoyable would have been choosing a different book to read while traveling so I could have had my cats by my side as I read it!

I was drawn to this book because of the similarities to Daisy Jones & The Six. While the setup is the same and it's set in a similar era, the story is much different.

The book is an interview with Opal and Nev (and others) for an upcoming book on their lives and time on stage. The interviews alternate all while telling a continuous story.

I was much more interested in Opal and Pearl's childhood/upbringing story than I was with the rest of the book which surprised me given how much I loved the music scene in Daisy Jones & The Six. Fewer characters certainly made it easier to follow for which I was appreciative. I found this the more powerful story of the two books, and yet, it just hasn't stuck with me outside of a few annotations. I suppose a large part of that could be how much time I spent comparing the book rather than reading it as its own. That one's on me.

I can confidently say that I have never read a book that has had a character aged 122. Upon hearing this, I was immediately drawn to the plot.

In a matter of weeks, Nora will become the oldest documented living person. Her family wants to throw her a party, but this doesn't come without a list of demands. Meanwhile, Nora decides to leave the nursing home to live with her caretaker Arifa. Though from different times and wars, there is a kinship with the fellow refugee.

I liked a lot about this book. It's a unique plot with wonderful characters. Most importantly, it relays an important message. However, I also struggled with the writing style. The paragraphs had a tendency to trail off without completely finishing the initial thought. This was fairly consistent and made the narration difficult to follow. Nevertheless, the plot and characters do hold their own, making this a worthwhile read.

A huge thanks to HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter for inviting me to read and review the digital ARC through NetGalley!

Before reading, I saw a lot of hype for this book. I get nervous when this happens because more often than not my reading tastes aren't similar to other readers in my various online social circles. I was relieved to see such exquisite writing when I finally opened it up. Though this wasn't a five-star read for me personally, the hype is understandable.

All Lena has ever known is the traveling circus where her father Theo performs as an illusionist. Lena was left unable to walk by a contracted bought of Polio as an infant. Her spirit and desire to live a better-abled life are strong. Eventually, she attempts a new form of treatment to try and recover the use of her legs.

Meanwhile, it's the early days of World War II. Theo and Lena take in a Jewish boy Alexandre. He's Lena's first friend and companion her age. As the war carries on, she ends up separated from them. Though she always wished for the freedom to do what she wishes without her father's constant fretting and concern for her wellbeing, she never would have wished for him to be taken away.

As much as I loved the writing and a great deal of the story, I also felt like some parts were unrealistic. There was also a love of distinct plotlines going on throughout the book. For me, the polio plot was strong enough to stand alone without the addition of the war. It shifted the focus too much late in the book and it felt like a completely different story than the one I started.

My quips aside, I cannot compliment the beautiful writing enough. The opening pages took me in immediately. I'm insanely impressed given The Circus Train is the author's debut novel.

I had decent expectations from this book. I read a lot of books that discuss the dawn of the space age. I haven't yet read a book that focuses so much on Wernher von Braun, though his name naturally makes an appearance in any space book about this era. Breaking the Chains of Gravity certainly keeps a spotlight on him and I was actually disappointed that the rest of the information was largely summarized rather than deeply explored given the title alludes to this era as a whole. 

The book has a mechanical and technological focus going through the history of rockets and the scientists behind them. This information is good, though I noticed inconsistencies (particularly historic dates) with other books and what has become general knowledge for me through my reading. It also leaves a nasty elephant in the room and almost minimizes von Braun's connection to the Nazi party. I understand this book aims to look through a technological lens, but it's hard to look past the fact there was a lot of unmentioned human experimentation going on with enslaved prisoners. I don't know the extent of von Braun's moral story and I'd been hoping through this book to gain more insight, instead, I walked away feeling like everything had been justified. I'll believe the claims that he was trapped into joining the party, but that doesn't mean it will ever sit right with me personally. I'd rather read an account that plainly discusses the good as well as the bad.

Aside from this, the rest of the book was interesting enough. I do like the technical side of things. Under these circumstances, I think I would have taken a dryer telling that didn't include much about the members behind the innovations. I do believe there is a time and place to discuss both sides but the way it was presented here just didn't work for me. I would need to read deeper into von Braun's life to solidify my opinion.

We're back for week two of our favorite writing group! We're still early on in the competition. Two down, fourteen to go.

Most of the names are familiar from the first book, however, we do meet a new face. Once again we are treated to a sampling of the students' writing in their rawest forms. The pace feels faster this time around with the contestants having been established in the first book.

I'd say this book has a better flow than the previous with a lot of timestamps placed throughout. The narration maintains a dark comedic voice and remains relevant and relatable to anyone who's ever picked up a pencil. I have high hopes for the remainder of the series.

I've wanted to read this book for years and kept putting it off. I wish I hadn't waited so long because it's such a lovely story. Outdated in places, certainly, but it shares an overall message about the nurture of nature. 

Mary Lennox is sent to live with a distant uncle after the death of her parents. Having grown up unloved and spoiled, Mary has a sour disposition and temperamental nature. Her uncle Archibald is a widower who spends most of his time away from his locked-up estate. Mary is more confused by the locked doors than the idea of being essentially left to herself. 

Her contrary manner begins to mellow the longer she's in the house. She comes to know the help who show her for the first time what it feels like to be cared for by someone. Soon, she finds herself among friends who have also felt outcast and unwanted through their circumstances. They come together in the secret garden to bring life into the place that has been shut up for a decade.

I always assumed this story was akin to Anne of Green Gables. Though there are some similarities, the narration is far different. I was most impressed by Colin's storyline. I'm always fascinated by the psychology of characters, but to read such a complex example of mental health having the ability to deteriorate the body felt before its time was fascinating. 

Listening to this book on audio while walking enhanced my reading experience. The imagery of nature felt even more vivid while out in it. I wish I hadn't waited so long to experience this story! I'm looking forward to watching the film now. 

We're back for week two of our favorite writing group! We're still early on in the competition. Two down, fourteen to go.

Most of the names are familiar from the first book, however, we do meet a new face. Once again we are treated to a sampling of the students' writing in their rawest forms. The pace feels faster this time around with the contestants having been established in the first book.

I'd say this book has a better flow than the previous with a lot of timestamps placed throughout. The narration maintains a dark comedic voice and remains relevant and relatable to anyone who's ever picked up a pencil. I have high hopes for the remainder of the series.

I had decent expectations from this book. I read a lot of books that discuss the dawn of the space age. I haven't yet read a book that focuses so much on Wernher von Braun, though his name naturally makes an appearance in any space book about this era. [b:Breaking the Chains of Gravity 22312378 Breaking the Chains of Gravity Amy Shira Teitel https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451741581l/22312378.SY75.jpg 41704411] certainly keeps a spotlight on him and I was actually disappointed that the rest of the information was largely summarized rather than deeply explored given the title alludes to this era as a whole. The book has a mechanical and technological focus going through the history of rockets and the scientists behind them. This information is good, though I noticed inconsistencies (particularly historic dates) with other books and what has become general knowledge for me through my reading. It also leaves a nasty elephant in the room and almost minimizes von Braun's connection to the Nazi party. I understand this book aims to look through a technological lens, but it's hard to look past the fact there was a lot of unmentioned human experimentation going on with enslaved prisoners. I don't know the extent of von Braun's moral story and I'd been hoping through this book to gain more insight, instead, I walked away feeling like everything had been justified. I'll believe the claims that he was trapped into joining the party, but that doesn't mean it will ever sit right with me personally. I'd rather read an account that plainly discusses the good as well as the bad.Aside from this, the rest of the book was interesting enough. I do like the technical side of things. Under these circumstances, I think I would have taken a dryer telling that didn't include much about the members behind the innovations. I do believe there is a time and place to discuss both sides but the way it was presented here just didn't work for me. I would need to read deeper into von Braun's life to solidify my opinion.

I forget how much I love Depression-era stories until I come across books like this. There's so much grit to be found, especially when the book is so character driven. I hung on every word and was completely immersed.

When her stepmother dies, Sallie Kincaid is finally called home after being sent away at the age of eight. She's thrilled by this second chance to reclaim her place in her family and redeem herself as a big sister to her half-brother, Eddie. It doesn't take long for her to realize that she might be in over her head. Nevertheless, she refuses to back down from a challenge. She isn't afraid to do whatever it takes to prove herself worthy of her father's affection.

The longer Sallie is home, she realizes that her father is far different from the man she remembers. What's more is that she doesn't know much about her own past, especially surrounding her mother's death. When Duke remarries, even more secrets rise to the surface.

I ate up the in-depth timeline in which the story is told. Most of the events of the book happen in real-time which made it hard to pause reading. It's also extremely character driven which I love. It's overall an emotional and dark story in its way. All that said, there was a lot of information and characters to digest. Honestly, I'd say too many, especially when it comes to Sallie's complicated family tree. I'm still not positive about all of the relationships. Still, I was thoroughly engrossed from start to finish. Sometimes that's difficult for me to find.

(Review contains slight spoilers from the previous series.)

It's always a good day when Jessica Baker releases a new book! I'm super excited about this new series set in Lady Thea's universe.

After following the mysteries and murders that befell Lady Thea, Murder at the Midnight Ball introduces us to new perspectives with familiar faces: Wilhelmina and James. The POV jumps back and forth as they try to solve the murder of Simon Swinton and clear James' cousin Emma from the list of suspects. While Lady Thea does make a few appearances, she's busy with a case of her own.

I loved getting to know James and Wilhelmina more personally. They are such assets in the Lady Thea books and they stand strong in the limelight. Each half of the story flowed together nicely. I also enjoyed the hints of Thea's relationship with Inspector Thayne.

At this point, reading about these characters is like visiting old friends. This series promises to stand strongly and proudly next to the former and I'm excited to watch them, particularly Wilhelmina, continue to grow in future installments. Wonderful as always!

A huge thanks to the author for sending me a free digital ARC of the book! I will also be purchasing a paperback copy.

Continuing with my new hobby of reading the books behind the movies Kelly Macdonald has starred in, I finally arrived at Dirt Music and savored every. single. page. Tell me a book has emotionally damaged characters and there's no need to say more. I'm in.

Though the synopsis centers on the tragic life of Lu Fox, the book is predominantly focused on Georgie Jutland, a woman stuck in an affectionless relationship bound by secrets, hidden pasts, and in general things left unsaid. She's drawn to Lu from the start, watching him from afar as he poaches in her fisherman boyfriend Jim's waters. When they finally meet, she throws herself into an impulsive affair.

Alas, in a small town, there are some secrets that can't be kept for long. When Jim gets an inkling of Georgie and Lu's relationship, Lu takes off knowing better than to tangle with Buckridge. Georgie, too, feels like she needs to run but continues to feel stuck.

This is a slow, long-winded, description-heavy book. The first chapter alone takes up about a fourth of the book. There's a lot of nothing going on (most of the time) in terms of action on the page. I don't normally enjoy this pace, but there was something about the characters that drew me in. I didn't care much for Georgie at first and she ended up being the one I cared most about. As for her romance with Lu, I didn't care what happened with it despite it being a key element of the book.

While the book spent a long time on the mundane moments, there was also an abundance of information and characters coming and going. I couldn't follow or retain a lot of the names and connections despite having taken my time to read and process small sections at a time. My lasting impression is a strange one. Some moments in the book left me perplexed not only wondering if particular moments were necessary to the story. Some of the characters' actions were also unusual. So while I enjoyed the reading experience immensely, I feel as though I've only retained the essence rather than the plot itself.

I've been on a literary kick so this book came along at the perfect time. This might have been the first time all year I read my Book of the Month selection in the same month I chose it.    Malcolm and Jess' marriage is on thin ice. This isn't much of a surprise after a long battle with infertility, financial struggles, and midlife crises. We follow their turbulent lives in the present all while flashing back to various points throughout their relationship.    One of my all-time favorite movies is Two for the Road and this book is very reminiscent of it right down to the way it's told. For that, I absolutely adored it. What I didn't love were the characters. I didn't hate them nor did I find it difficult to sympathize with them, they just felt without a strong identity outside of the active plot. Strong characters in a plot like this are a must for me. Otherwise, I enjoyed the book quite a bit.