For all of those voracious readers out there, this page is for you. It is dedicated to literature - and I don't judge - chick lit, mysteries, memoirs, classics, the gang's all here. I will continue to update the page based on what I'm reading. My reviews are short and sweet. Please feel free to comment and tell me about your favorite books.
Unkle Karl likes to read too.
Book club group shot...love these ladies.
Currently reading: 
Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls
I'll let you know how they are!
Previous Reads:
Bond Girl by Erin Duffy
How to Love an American Man by Kristine Gasbarre
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
A Walk Across the Sun by Corbin Addison
50 Shades of Gray Trilogy by E L James
Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin
Summary: Tessa Russo is a stay-at-home mother of two young children and the wife of a renowned pediatric surgeon. Valerie Anderson is an attorney and single mother to six-year-old Charlie—a boy who has never known his father. Although both women live in the same Boston suburb, they are strangers to one another and have little in common, aside from a fierce love for their children. But one night, a tragic accident causes their lives to converge in ways no one could have imagined.This is the moving, luminous story of good people caught in untenable circumstances. Each being tested in ways they never thought possible. Each questioning everything they once believed. And each ultimately discovering what truly matters most.
Review: C+; I personally did not like this book. Mostly due to the fact that it was centered around an affair. I don't mind reading about affairs, broken marriages ect., but in this particular book I didn't feel any connection with the characters nor did I really like either of the main ones. I don't think they developed Tessa's story deep enough, and I had no empathy for her. It just kind of made me think that both of the women were sad and a bit pathetic. It was a quick read - but if you're looking for something upbeat and fun stick with Emily's other books like Something Blue, Something Borrowed, or Love the One Your With...all of which I've read and thoroughly enjoyed.
The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
Summary: Emily Benedict has come to Mullaby, North Carolina, hoping to solve at least some of the riddles surrounding her mother’s life. But the moment Emily enters the house where her mother grew up and meets the grandfather she never knew, she realizes that mysteries aren’t solved in Mullaby, they’re a way of life: Here are rooms where the wallpaper changes to suit your mood. Unexplained lights skip across the yard at midnight. And a neighbor, Julia Winterson, bakes hope in the form of cakes, not only wishing to satisfy the town’s sweet tooth but also dreaming of rekindling the love she fears might be lost forever. Can a hummingbird cake really bring back a lost love? Is there really a ghost dancing in Emily’s backyard? The answers are never what you expect. But in this town of lovable misfits, the unexpected fits right in.
Review: B This book was cute, but a bit too teen novel-esque for me. It was very predictable and the characters weren't that deep or interesting. I thought the story was cute in general, but save it for a summer read on the beach when you are looking to just scan the pages and get a tan.
A Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy
Summary: As World War II draws closer and closer to Guernsey, Vivienne de la Mare knows that there will be sacrifices to be made. Not just for herself, but for her two young daughters and for her mother-in-law, for whom she cares while her husband is away fighting. What she does not expect is that she will fall in love with one of the enigmatic German soldiers who take up residence in the house next door to her home. As their relationship intensifies, so do the pressures on Vivienne. Food and resources grow scant, and the restrictions placed upon the residents of the island grow with each passing week. Though Vivienne knows the perils of her love affair with Gunther, she believes that she can keep their relationship and her family safe. But when she becomes aware of the full brutality of the Occupation, she must decide if she is willing to risk her personal happiness for the life of a stranger.
Review: A I really enjoyed this book, and having already read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society (another good book), I also had a fondness for the island of Guernsey. I love stories that take place during World War II and Leroy does a wonderful job taking you back into that time on Guernsey. It is a love story but at the same time it's a story about survival, heartbreak, and loss. It is very well written and I love how she develops the characters, especially Vivienne. It was a little slow to start, but once you get past those first few chapters it's hard to put down.
The Violets of March by Sarah Jio
Summary: In her twenties, Emily Wilson was on top of the world: she had a bestselling novel, a husband plucked from the pages of GQ, and a one-way ticket to happily ever after. Ten years later, the tide has turned on Emily's good fortune. So when her great-aunt Bee invites her to spend the month of March on Bainbridge Island in Washington State, Emily accepts, longing to be healed by the sea. Researching her next book, Emily discovers a red velvet diary, dated 1943, whose contents reveal startling connections to her own life.
Review: B I read this book in about two days. I must admit that I scan read here and there. It is a love story within a love story and has a bit of mystery as well. I would say it's a good beach read. I thought that at times it was a little trite and easy to figure out the plot. Also, it was frustrating to me when Emily was trying to 'get answers' from her aunt and mother and they both were unwilling to talk. If you truly care about someone - especially family - I would hope you'd be willing to speak with them. Holding grudges for 60 years is a bit long for me.
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Vergh.
Summary: Marion and Shiva Stone are twin brothers born of a secret union between a beautiful Indian nun and a brash British surgeon. Orphaned by their mother’s death and their father’s disappearance, bound together by a preternatural connection and a shared fascination with medicine, the twins come of age as Ethiopia hovers on the brink of revolution.
Moving from Addis Ababa to New York City and back again, Cutting for Stone is an unforgettable story of love and betrayal, medicine and ordinary miracles—and two brothers whose fates are forever intertwined.
Review: A I truly enjoyed this book. It takes a while to get into it. It reminded me of Pride and Prejudice where the beginning is just long, drawn out descriptions and back stories on the characters. After the first 100 pages or so, I was hooked, and it really only took me about 3-4 days to finish the whole book. Abraham is a wonderful writer, and writes which such detail and imagery that you feel as though you personally know the characters and can picture them growing up at Missing in Addis Ababa. If you are interested in medicine you will also like this book. The book is based around a group of characters that are surgeons. If reading in depth descriptions of surgeries or medical matters will leave you squeamish maybe this book isn't the best for you, but otherwise I strongly recommend it. It also has a great message about families, bond, and the love between siblings.
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Summary:A deeply evocative story of ambition and betrayal, The Paris Wife captures a remarkable period of time and a love affair between two unforgettable people: Ernest Hemingway and his wife Hadley.
Chicago, 1920: Hadley Richardson is a quiet twenty-eight-year-old who has all but given up on love and happiness—until she meets Ernest Hemingway and her life changes forever. Following a whirlwind courtship and wedding, the pair set sail for Paris, where they become the golden couple in a lively and volatile group—the fabled “Lost Generation”—that includes Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.
Review: A - This was a wonderful story told from the viewpoint of Hadley Richardson who was Ernest Hemingway's first wife. I loved reading about all of the literary figures that the couple met in Paris including Ezra Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, and James Joyce. I love reading historical fiction novels in general. The book takes you all over Europe and of course is centered around Paris, one of my favorite cities. I wouldn't say it's an overly thrilling, addictive read, but for those looking to read about Paris in the 20's, and the great literary geniuses that frequented it's streets, this book is for you.
A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
Summary: This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog’s search for his purpose over the course of several lives. More than just another charming dog story, A Dog’s Purpose touches on the universal quest for an answer to life's most basic question: Why are we here?
Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden-haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey’s search for his new life’s meaning leads him into the loving arms of 8-year-old Ethan. During their countless adventures Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog.
But this life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey’s journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders—will he ever find his purpose?
Review: A+ I loved this book. If you love dogs read this story. It's as simple as that. The book is told from the dog's point of view, and it focuses on his many lives in search of his 'purpose'. As someone who grew up with dogs I can't imagine life without my little four legged furry friends - RIP: Pebbles, Oscar, Lucy, Marlin & still loving Blue and Lilly Bear - and because of this I can easily relate to the message of this book. It was a quick read that is funny, sad, happy, and smart. Read it.
The Help
Bossy Pants
The Art of Racing in the Rain
One Day
A Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy
Summary: As World War II draws closer and closer to Guernsey, Vivienne de la Mare knows that there will be sacrifices to be made. Not just for herself, but for her two young daughters and for her mother-in-law, for whom she cares while her husband is away fighting. What she does not expect is that she will fall in love with one of the enigmatic German soldiers who take up residence in the house next door to her home. As their relationship intensifies, so do the pressures on Vivienne. Food and resources grow scant, and the restrictions placed upon the residents of the island grow with each passing week. Though Vivienne knows the perils of her love affair with Gunther, she believes that she can keep their relationship and her family safe. But when she becomes aware of the full brutality of the Occupation, she must decide if she is willing to risk her personal happiness for the life of a stranger.
Review: A I really enjoyed this book, and having already read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society (another good book), I also had a fondness for the island of Guernsey. I love stories that take place during World War II and Leroy does a wonderful job taking you back into that time on Guernsey. It is a love story but at the same time it's a story about survival, heartbreak, and loss. It is very well written and I love how she develops the characters, especially Vivienne. It was a little slow to start, but once you get past those first few chapters it's hard to put down.
The Violets of March by Sarah Jio
Summary: In her twenties, Emily Wilson was on top of the world: she had a bestselling novel, a husband plucked from the pages of GQ, and a one-way ticket to happily ever after. Ten years later, the tide has turned on Emily's good fortune. So when her great-aunt Bee invites her to spend the month of March on Bainbridge Island in Washington State, Emily accepts, longing to be healed by the sea. Researching her next book, Emily discovers a red velvet diary, dated 1943, whose contents reveal startling connections to her own life.
Review: B I read this book in about two days. I must admit that I scan read here and there. It is a love story within a love story and has a bit of mystery as well. I would say it's a good beach read. I thought that at times it was a little trite and easy to figure out the plot. Also, it was frustrating to me when Emily was trying to 'get answers' from her aunt and mother and they both were unwilling to talk. If you truly care about someone - especially family - I would hope you'd be willing to speak with them. Holding grudges for 60 years is a bit long for me.
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Vergh.
Summary: Marion and Shiva Stone are twin brothers born of a secret union between a beautiful Indian nun and a brash British surgeon. Orphaned by their mother’s death and their father’s disappearance, bound together by a preternatural connection and a shared fascination with medicine, the twins come of age as Ethiopia hovers on the brink of revolution.
Moving from Addis Ababa to New York City and back again, Cutting for Stone is an unforgettable story of love and betrayal, medicine and ordinary miracles—and two brothers whose fates are forever intertwined.
Review: A I truly enjoyed this book. It takes a while to get into it. It reminded me of Pride and Prejudice where the beginning is just long, drawn out descriptions and back stories on the characters. After the first 100 pages or so, I was hooked, and it really only took me about 3-4 days to finish the whole book. Abraham is a wonderful writer, and writes which such detail and imagery that you feel as though you personally know the characters and can picture them growing up at Missing in Addis Ababa. If you are interested in medicine you will also like this book. The book is based around a group of characters that are surgeons. If reading in depth descriptions of surgeries or medical matters will leave you squeamish maybe this book isn't the best for you, but otherwise I strongly recommend it. It also has a great message about families, bond, and the love between siblings.
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Summary:A deeply evocative story of ambition and betrayal, The Paris Wife captures a remarkable period of time and a love affair between two unforgettable people: Ernest Hemingway and his wife Hadley.
Chicago, 1920: Hadley Richardson is a quiet twenty-eight-year-old who has all but given up on love and happiness—until she meets Ernest Hemingway and her life changes forever. Following a whirlwind courtship and wedding, the pair set sail for Paris, where they become the golden couple in a lively and volatile group—the fabled “Lost Generation”—that includes Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.
Review: A - This was a wonderful story told from the viewpoint of Hadley Richardson who was Ernest Hemingway's first wife. I loved reading about all of the literary figures that the couple met in Paris including Ezra Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, and James Joyce. I love reading historical fiction novels in general. The book takes you all over Europe and of course is centered around Paris, one of my favorite cities. I wouldn't say it's an overly thrilling, addictive read, but for those looking to read about Paris in the 20's, and the great literary geniuses that frequented it's streets, this book is for you.
A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
Summary: This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog’s search for his purpose over the course of several lives. More than just another charming dog story, A Dog’s Purpose touches on the universal quest for an answer to life's most basic question: Why are we here?
Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden-haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey’s search for his new life’s meaning leads him into the loving arms of 8-year-old Ethan. During their countless adventures Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog.
But this life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey’s journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders—will he ever find his purpose?
Review: A+ I loved this book. If you love dogs read this story. It's as simple as that. The book is told from the dog's point of view, and it focuses on his many lives in search of his 'purpose'. As someone who grew up with dogs I can't imagine life without my little four legged furry friends - RIP: Pebbles, Oscar, Lucy, Marlin & still loving Blue and Lilly Bear - and because of this I can easily relate to the message of this book. It was a quick read that is funny, sad, happy, and smart. Read it.
The Help
Bossy Pants
The Art of Racing in the Rain
One Day
Love this page! I bought the kindle when I was in the States and I have been reading like never before. I was just researching my next book. Cutting for Stone it is!
ReplyDeleteJust finished A Paris Wife and A Dog's Purpose. Loved them both. thanks for the reco's!
ReplyDeleteYay! So glad you liked them. You're motivating me to keep up with my reading - and let me know if you read any good ones:)
ReplyDeletejust finished those who save us. i liked it a lot in the beginning and then i got a bit tired of it towards the end. not sure if it's a real reflection of the book or that i may need a break from ww2 era books. i'm due to deliver my baby any week now and need a good page turner for the hospital! i'm assuming you saw the dragon tatoo movie? i thought they did a great job. my husband really liked it, he hadn't read the trilogy.
Delete