(2) Brief Book Reviews - Fellowship Point; Alice Elliott Dark and The Night She Disappeared; Lisa Jewell

 

Fellowship Point; Alice Elliott Dark

Scribner/Marysue Rucci Books / Simon & Schuster Audio - 2022

Fellowship Point is an expansive story (nearly 500 pages) about a lifelong friendship of two Quaker women who are now in the eighties.  The women are Agnes Lee, a writer of children's series books entitled ...WHEN NAN.......... which was first published in 1965.  She has also written another six adult novels under a pen name about individuals in her Philadelphia social circle. Agnes has never married and now in her twilight years has found out she has cancer. She is also being pressured by Maud Silver a publicist to write a memoir.

Polly Wister is a loyal wife and mother, her husband and adult son on the other hand are men who are best described as "difficult and self-centered." Agnes and Polly could not be more different but, their shared pasts and the fact that they have vacationed for years on Fellowship Point, a remote, coastal island in Maine.  Now after all these years there is a fear that once the two women are gone their interest in keeping the island and cottages the way it has been dating back to the 19th century, may die with them.  A developer has interest in purchasing the properties to develop a posh resort in place of the cottages and surrounding wildlife sanctuary.  The land was purchased by Agnes' grandfather a wealthy merchant.

Although the first half of this novel moved somewhat slow for me, I loved the writing and depth as well as the build up for what what followed . I loved the way I felt swept away by the trials and tribulations of these women as I read and listened to this well-written novel. The audiobook was narrated by Cassandra Campbell who did an excellent job.

I received an audio download as well as a hardcover copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my unbiased review.

RATING - 4.5/5 stars

The Night She Disappeared; Lisa Jewell

Atria - 2021

The story begins in 2017 with Tallulah, a young mother who also attends college and her boyfriend Zach needing a night out. Tallulah's mother Kim agrees to babysits.  In the morning when Kim realizes Tallulah has not come home, she begins making phone calls and the police become involved but, eventually the case is unsolved.  The only lead they have is that the couple was never seen after a night of partying at a remote country estate where Scarlett, a wealthy college friend lives.  Fast forward to 2019, a young mystery writer new to the town who lives on the edge of the woods notices a sign while out walking in the secluded area. The sign says "DIG HERE."  Is this significant in regards to the missing couple?

This is one of those stories that kept me quickly turning pages and trying to find out what happened,  I thought the dual time periods worked well and the story was well paced as well. 

I received an audio download as well as an advanced reader print copy of this book  from the publisher last year in exchange for my unbiased review.

RATING - 4/5 stars

Some September Reading

 

Hey readers, this week finds me with enough energy to share some bookish thoughts on some more recent  books that  I've read or listened to in September (so that's progress.) 

Dark Tales: Stories; Shirley Jackson

Penguin Audio - 2021

)8 hours - multiple narrators - all excellent

Dark Tales was a collection of (17) short stories.  I enjoyed more than half of the stories and, although all of the stories were new to me, I didn't find them all that scary or creepy.  If anything some of the stories that I didn't care for just seemed just kind of odd. The best part of the collection was the quality of the audio narrators: Ottessa Moshlegh, Kirsten Potter, Kimberly Farr, Karissa Vacker and Mark Deakins.

One very short but powerful story was called; What a Thought, which explored all the different ways a wife considers killing her husband who seems likely a decent guy.  She is obsessed  with these thoughts and the ending was shocking.  Louisa Please Come Home was another one I liked.  A younger girl isn't happy with her home life and runs away, changing her appearance many times.  After being gone for over (3) years and no response to the reward the family has offered, a man she meets convinces her to go home so he can claim the reward.  The family does not recognize their daughter with her changed appearance and the man who brings her home has a history of trying to claim rewards with other missing persons so in the end nothing has changed. The final one I will mention was All She Said Was Yes - A young girl's parents have died in a car accident and the neighbor takes the girl in until some family is able to take her with them.  When trying to talk to the girl about her feelings about her parent's death, her response is a rather flat affect and the claim that she told her parents this would happen to them but, they didn't listen.  The girl has other warnings including one for the neighbor who took her in but, will they heed her warning?

I liked the situations Jackson created with these stories, simple, everyday people and occurrences which suddenly take a darker turn and the reader can easily imagine that things will not end well. Other stories had a locked-room feel.  It was fun to listen to a few of these at a time. Worth trying.

RATING - 4/5 stars

Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six; Lisa Unger

Park Row - 2022

(eGalley)

Three couples all family and friends escape to a luxurious, isolate cabin in Georgia, complete with all amenities including spa and personal chef.  It isn't long before a dangerous storm take hold, internet is out and all communication to the outside comes to a halt.  If things couldn't get much worse one of the group members goes missing.

A thriller with a creepy, locked-room feel, this story is told from multiple POVs and past and present timelines which made this story all too much at times. All of the characters seemed spiteful and full of secrets (except for one individual). I found it hard to keep turning the pages at times and put this aside for several days at one point.  I did love the set up and the setting but, the characters left me mostly disappointed.

RATING - 3.5/5 stars

The Lost Girls of Willowbrook;  Ellen Marie Wiseman

Recorded Books - 2022

(Library audio download - 13_ hours - Morgan Hallett narrator - very good)

This story is based in part on a true story surrounding The Willowbrook State School in Staten Island, New York in the 1970s.

Sage and Rosemary Winters ere identical twins who loved many of the same things, even though Rosemary had some developmental and emotional issues.  At age 13, the girl's mother was killed in a car accident and Sage is led to believe by her step father that her twin sister died of pneumonia.  The truth is Rosemary was sent to Willowbrook because he didn't want to deal with her after the mother's death.

At 16, Sage discovers the truth and goes to Willowbrook to find her sister.  At Willowbrook Sage is mistakenly believed to be Rosemary who had recently gone missing.  While trying to convince staff that she isn't Rosemary she begins to witness first hand the horrors of how residents of the state school are mistreated and abused.

This was a tough read at times to see how those trusted in the state's care were treated prior to this institution being closed in the 1970s.  Although some of the story felt repetitive, I thought that the author did a good job emphasizing the abuses that took place and how administrators looked the other way.  I was happy I decided to listen to the audio which was well done.

RATING - 4/5 stars

We Spread; Iain Reid

Simon ^ Schuster Audio - 2022

(5 hours 58 minutes)

Narrator - Robin Miles - very good)

(audio download sent by publisher)

Penny is an elderly artist who has lived in the same apartment with her long term partner for years and years.  After her partner passed away, she felt comfort in the sameness of her days, surrounded by the things she loved and which brought her comfort. She felt happy and at peace despite the fact her partner had died.

After a few incidents at the apartment, she finds herself uprooted from her apartment and the things that she loves to a strange but beautiful home occupied by several elderly residents her age and some kind staff.  The group dines together, continues with hobbies and socializes. They are supervised by a caring staff who monitors their daily activities but, for Penny it is not the same as her apartment.

This was quick, well-written novel that I very much enjoyed.  It was one of those stories that as a senior myself, made me pause and reflect. It was hard to see many of Penny's prized possessions of her former life packed away as she was moved to her new residence.  Her new life was often clouded by confusion yet it felt quite realistic.

RATING - 4.5/5 stars

Book Review - Fairy Tale; Stephen King - release date September 6th

 

Fairy Tale; Stephen King

Scribner and Simon & Schuster Audio - 9/6/2022

(Narrators: Seth Numrich and Stephen King)

(length - 24 hours)

In Stephen Kin's latest novel which releases on September 6th we meet Charlie Reade whose life hasn't been easy. His mom died when he was a young boy after being hit by a van.  His dad tried to do the best he could but instead he drowned his grief in alcohol until he eventually found the help he needed to get sober. Charlie in turn for a number of years became the responsible one in the household. He was also a good student and talented athlete.

One day Charlie,  now 17, is riding his bike by the home of a recluse named Howard Bowditch. The man's barking dog summoned Charlie to see that Mr.Bowditch had fallen off a ladder and couldn't get up. After Charlie calls for help and Mr, Bowditch is hospitalized for a fractured hip, it's clear the older man will require a lengthy period of rehab, home care and someone to feed Radar, his German Shepard while he is away from home.  Charlie steps in and an unlikely bond of trust and respect is formed between Charlie, Mr. Bowditch and Radar.  Things at Mr. Bowditch's home are a little retro to say the least but, the most mysterious of all are the contents of a safe and a mysterious backyard shed that leads to an alternate universe where those who enter will grapple with good versus evil.  

After Mr. Bowditch dies and Charlie is left a cassette tape from Mr. Bowditch explaining several thing as well as inheriting the property and his elderly dog Radar, the reader will wonder whether Charlie and Radar have what it takes to survive the battle that they will be forced to face.

Best described as a dark fantasy kind of thriller, something I sometimes grapple with, this story pulled me in immediately. Charlie Reade was such a likable character, the kind of teen you would be proud to have for your son and mature beyond his years.  Charlie had a heavy burden to carry sacrificing much to be of service to others. I loved Radar the senior dog and his bond with former master and then with Charlie was heartwarming.  This book is very good and I never found it disturbing either. Once again it amazes me just how very wild and imaginative King's mind is. In this case he created several deeply complex and memorable characters, a unique and odd alternate universe complete with a beautiful palace, glass towers, and even a magical sundial that could turn time around. King fans will not be disappointed.  The audio version was excellent.

Rating - 4.5/5 stars

(NOTE: An audio download was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for my unbiased review.)

A couple catch up reviews - A History of Wild Places; Shea Ernshaw and Dark Matter; Blake Crouch

 

A History of Wild Places; Shea Ernshaw

Simon & Schuster Audio - 2021

(5) different narrators including Cassadra Campbell - very good)

(11 hours - 59 minutes)

Travis Wren has a talent for helping the police find missing persons. Hanging out in places the missing have frequented, holding on to a piece of clothing or possession of the missing has been helpful in giving Travis a feel for what went on in the person's life when they went missing.  Unfortunately, Travis is still haunted by the fact that he was not able to prevent his own sister from taking her own life.

Travis was hired by the family of Maggie St. James, a children's author known for her darker stories. Maggie has been missing for (5) years. Travis travels to Pastoral, a commune community led by a man named Levi who isn't welcoming to outsiders. In addition to Levi, there is a married couple name Theo and Callie and Callie's blind sister, Bee, who is in love with Levi. Bee has a keen sense of observation as a blind person.  So when Travis appears to have gone missing as well, I was drawn into the cult-like mystery anxious to uncover the darker side of this commune.

This is book that my husband and I started out enjoying but, then the story turned in a darker fairy tale like storyline that left me puzzle and I didn't figure out.  I did find it difficult to connect with any of the character except perhaps Bee. This was definitely not the type of book I'm drawn to but thought it was well written, descriptive and atmospheric. I wasn't a fan of the paranormal aspects of the story.

Rating - 3.5/5 stars

(Note: This audiobook download was made available by the publisher in exchange for my unbiasaed review.

Dark Matter; Blake Crouch

Penguin Random House Audio - 2016

Narrated by Jon Lindstrom- very good

(10 hours - 8 minutes)

Dark Matter is my book group's pick for September and, it's one of those books that I would have been  unlikely to have picked up on my own but, I am so happy that I tried it; a riveting story.

As the story opens we meet Jason Dessen, a devoted family man and college professor. His wife Daniela is the love of his life as is his teenaged son Charlie.  Thursday evenings are family night where the family gathers around the kitchen preparing a meal together while catching up on their week.   Since the meal would not be ready for a while, Daniela convinces Jason to run out to congratulate an accomplished former associate who has just been given a prestigious award.   When Jason fails to return home when expected, no one could have predicted how his life would be turned upside down.  Jason is abducted, drugged and wakes up in a life totally different from the one he knew having him question everything he knew to be true.

What follows is a foreboding SF thriller, but one that is not too heavy in effects for readers like me who generally shy away from that genre.  It is a fast paced, addictive story with a theme that explores ambition, past decisions, what constitutes happiness and the road not taken.  Told from Jason's POV,  his character is well-explored and one I found easy to feel for.  His wife and son's character could have been explored more deeply.  This was an easy story to get pulled into from the very beginning, I had to pace myself and I can't wait to discuss this one in a few weeks with my group. Highly recommended.

Rating - 4.5/5 stars (library download)

Book Review - The Ambush of Widows; Jeff Abbott

 

An Ambush of Widows; Jeff Abbott

Grand Central Publishing - 2021

Henry North lives in New Orleans and works as a cyber security expert. Adam Zhang lives in Austin and is a very wealthy venture capitalist.  The men who have little in common and don't appear to know one another have been murdered in a warehouse in Texas.  Henry's wife Kirsten thinks her husband was in New York on business so when she receives a muffled call from her husband's cell phone saying that he is dead which the authorities later confirm, she heads to Austin to deal with the aftermath of her husband's death.  In Austin she meets Flora, the other widow, this one rich unlike Kirsten,  who stands to become an even wealthier woman now that her husband is dead. With both woman a bit under suspicion they find a way to work together in an attempt to find out what was going on, what the men in their lives were hiding and who was involved in their murders.

This was an extremely well-paced story, I liked all the intricate details that quickly drew me into the story. The characters were well explored and, I even found the sections about the hitman to be ones I enjoyed.  I liked Flora and Kirsten both strong women, each who had some interesting things they had been hiding as well.   There were a few chapters set in the past which were important into Henry, Kirsten and her foster brother's background, it felt slightly odd yet, the information was important to the overall story line.  So happy I read this one and will definitely consider some of the other twenty-plus books that have been written by this author.

This book arrived in 2021 from the publisher.  Ambush of Widows was an extremely well written mystery/ thriller. The story had well rounded characters and kept me guessing to the very end and it was one of the books that I found difficult to put down as well.

Rating - 4.5/5 stars

Brief Book Review - The Custom of the Country; Edith Wharton

The Custom of the Country; Edith Wharton

(Combo audio/eBook - library download)

Tantor Media (2011) - 16 hours 20 minutes - read by Lorna Raver - very good)

This was the first book I decided to read from the book bucket list I created a few weeks ago and, I was very glad I tried it.

This is a story about Undine Spragg, a beautiful midwestern girl who has dreams of climbing the social ladder. The thing is, Undine isn't all that high on the ladder to begin with.  She knows how to attract the men that she thinks will help her but, once she gets the man she "thinks" she wants, she is already wondering if there is someone or something better that she can set her sights on. She takes advantage of everyone she meets. From New York to Paris when she meets a millionaire that seems worthy of her, she stops at nothing to make him hers.  She doesn't realize when she tires of him, divorce will be considered a black mark on her going forward.   

A classic satire, the ending shows the reader that even in the end, not much has changed for Undine.  She is still every bit a user. She's vain, obsessed with clothes, jewels and social status.  Although this book is funny and entertaining at times, Although I enjoyed this classic, I found it impossible to root for Undine.

RATING - 4.5/5 stars

Book Review - Godspeed; Nickolas Butler

Godspeed; Nickolas Butler

G.P. Putnam - 2021

Long time friends, Bart, Cole and Teddy, three blue-collar guys have formed a home renovation and construction partnership in the Jackson, Wyoming area.  To date the threesome has mostly focused on renovations and smaller jobs but an opportunity to prove themselves in the luxury home building market presents itself when they are offered an opportunity of a lifetime. A workaholic San Francisco lawyer named Gretchen, a woman with plenty of money at her disposal offers the men the job promising big dollars and multiple six figure bonuses as well. It all has strings attached as the multi million dollar house far off the beaten path, complete with stream, spring and the most stunning views must be completed in four months - by Christmas.  

Almost from the start there is an ominous tone to this story, as a former contractor died on the property. It soon becomes clear that all of the pressure to complete the home on time as winter approaches will not go smoothly for Bart, Cole and Teddy.  I haven't read many books over the years about male friendships and this author does a great job showcasing just how much these three guys care about each other.  I loved how flawed they were and that I was able to still care about them.

Godspeed was crime drama and cautionary tale, it was a one of those books that had me quickly invested in the story - I hated to put it down. Not only was the writing beautiful, it was a compelling story of about male friendships. I do wish that Gretchen's character was more deeply explored - it wasn't until almost the 60% point that we begin to learn more about her - I wanted more.  The story also had a gorgeous setting and it is not just the setting that is beautifully described, it's everything - yes, again, gorgeous prose.  This is my second read by this author, Shotgun Lovesongs was my first - very good as well. Now to catch up on few books that Butler has written in between, a talented writer. If you a looking for something a bit different, slower paced (in a good way) give this one a try.   

I won this trade paperback from a Goodreads Giveaway.

Rating - 4.5/5 stars

Book Review - a winner - Metropolis; B.A. Shapiro

Metropolis; B.A. Shapiro

Algonquin Books - 2022

(ARC sent to me by the publisher)

Metropolis, is a grand, five-level storage facility located in Cambridge, MA near MIT.  As the story opens we know that there has been a 911 call for an accident involving an individual who has fallen into the elevator shaft. The building is in foreclosure and the the young owner, Zach has a company auctioning the contents of the unclaimed units to recoup some money given the potential of a gigantic lawsuit.

As the story progresses the reader gets to know more about six of the individuals who have ties to the storage facility and who have been using the facility for purposes other than short/long term storage.  Most of the characters are dealing with difficult circumstances and I found some of their stories quite moving.  In addition to Zach, who attended Ivy league schools and dealt drugs, we have Rose, the manager of the facility who has several issues on the home front and, she has used her job as manager of the facility as a way to get extra cash by breaking a few of the rules and allowing renters to use their units for purposes other than storing things.  There is Marta, a grad student working on her dissertation who is also trying to stay under the radar and to avoid ICE agents finding her as she has outstayed her visa.  Liddy is a mother of twins who attend a boarding school in Switzerland. She is married to a wealthy, powerful man and is in an abusive situation but, he refuses to let her leave him.  Jason is an attorney who saw the wrong his law firm had done and ventured out on his own even if it meant an uncertain future for him.  Serge is another character who works in a restaurant but is a brilliant street photographer, he makes a deal with Rose to access other rented units for the purposes of taking pictures of the contents.

This is a story that I really enjoyed, it's a bit of mystery and the characters are ones I grew to care about.  I liked the unusual setting, a high end storage facility and learning about the motivations of the individuals using the facility. I liked the way the author had wrapped up this story as well - very satisfying. I loved the author's writing style and I now plan to read a a previous book by this author called: The Art Forger. If you are looking for something different and satisfying - try this book.

RATING - 4.5/5 stars

Book Review - The Shell Seekers; Rosamunde Pilcher

 

The Shell Seekers; Rosamunde Pilcher

St. Martin's Press - 1997

(purchase)

20 Books of Summer

This is a book I've long meant to try and this past week was the perfect times to sit, relax and savor this gem.  Pilcher has a real talent of setting up her story in way where the reader gets to know everything about each character and get a feel for whatever the setting may be. Her books are long but, never a wasted word IMO either.

This is a story about Penelope Keeling, the family matriarch, now 64 years old,  she has just been released from the hospital following a heart attack.  She has (3) adult children, all very different as each views their childhood experiences quite differently and have turned out quite different as adults as well. Nancy, the oldest couldn't be more different from her mother - she is the only one who married and was a fancy woman, who wants everything showy and proper, appearances are everything.  Noel, the middle child was just going through the motions of life, looking to take the easy way to financial security. At 23, when he was still living at home with his mother instead of thinking about making his way in life, Penelope moved and told  him it was time to go out on his own.  Olivia, the youngest, was the most genuine, IMO,  She seemed to be the only one who fondly remembered her childhood. and was most like her mother.  

At the center of the story is a painting called "The Shell Seekers, painted by Penelope's father, Lawrence Stern, when Noel and Nancy realize the painting can sell for a huge amount of money, they encourage their mother to sell it while Olivia, who knows how much it means to their mother, feels it should remain with Penelope as it means so much to her.  It was interesting to learn about Penelope's early life back in Cornwall during WWII, people living with other people, the men in her life, the beautiful moments and life's tragedies.   This is a book to be enjoyed, and savored. You just don't find many gems like these today. Originally written in 1987. Highly Recommended

Rating - 4.5/5 stars

Quotes

• “The greatest gift a parent can leave a child is that parent's own independence.” 
• “As long as Mumma was alive, she knew that some small part of herself had remained a child, cherished and adored. Perhaps you never completely grew up until your mother died.” 
• “She had never lived alone before, and at first found it strange, but gradually had learned to accept it as a blessing and to indulge herself in all sorts of reprehensible ways, like getting up when she felt like it, scratching herself if she itched, sitting up until two in the morning to listen to a concert.” 
• “Living, now, had become not simple existence that one took for granted, but a bonus, a gift, with every day that lay ahead an experience to be savoured. Time did not last forever. I shall not waste a single moment, she promised herself. She had never felt so strong, so optimistic. As though she was young once more, starting out, and something marvelous was just about to happen.” 

Book Review - The Lies I Tell; Julie Clark

The Lies I Tell; Julie Clark

Sourcebooks - 2022

(library loan)

After really enjoying this author's previous book: The Last Flight, I couldn't wait to try her latest thriller - I wasn't disappointed.

Meg Williams, is posing as a LA real estate agent selling high end properties.  She's a con artist and has an agenda that has brought her to LA.  Meg also her two other aliases as this isn't her first con job.   Kat Roberts is a journalist who has been waiting for Meg to surface after 10+ years.  She is ready to get friendly with Meg and then expose her and bring her down. At least initially Kat is determined to settle the score over something that happened a decade earlier. However, once Kat tracks Meg down and gets to know her better she begins to wonder whether she is the con artist she believed her to be or whether they are more alike than she could have ever imagined?

This is a fast-paced, twisty thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat.  Told from dual POVs in the past and present, this is a style that worked very well helping the reader understand why these women acted in the manner they did and why they felt that they had scores to settle. This author has a real talent for creating a propulsive story line that is difficult to put down once you begin reading. I also loved that her characters were fully fleshed making the reader feel like they knew everything there was to know about both women by the end of end of this novel. If you enjoy well written thrillers, be sure to check out everything this author has written. Highly recommended.

Rating - 4.5/5 stars

Book Review - Hatchet Island; Paul Doiron

 

Hatchet Island; Paul Doiron

Macmillan Audio - 2022 - (9 hours - 1 minute)

(narrator - Henry Leyva - very good)

Maine Game Warden, Mike Bowditch and his biologist girlfriend Stacey Stevens have been planning a sea kayaking / camping trip to the Maine Seabird Initiative, a sanctuary to puffins and terns where Stacey had once previously been a project manager.  She had received request from her friend Kendra Ballard asking her to come with Mike after the staff has faced some harassment from disgruntled lobstermen recently.  Things seem to take a more sinister turn when the project manager goes missing and gunshots during the night lead to the deaths of (2) interns.  Mike's job is to figure out what is going on and why a peaceful sanctuary has ended up a crime scene.

This is book #13 in the Mike Bowditch Maine Game Warden series but, this can easily be read as a standalone mystery.  What I love about this series is that it's very easy to pick up any title in the series and not feel lost.  The writing is always very good and the Maine setting, descriptiveness of the area, the people of Maine and all the little nuances that go along with each mystery just work so well and make me want to come back for more. In this case the peacefulness of the sanctuary for puffins and terns contrasted by the darker, sinister happenings gave the island an eerie feel.  The mystery was well-paced, atmospheric and had murder and mayhem to boot; the story held my interest. I liked that it took place over just a couple of days as well. Bowditch fans and newcomers to the series alike should not be disappointed.

Rating - 4.5/5 stars

(NOTE: The audio download was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for my unbiased review.)

Book Review - Vacationland - Meg Mitchell Moore

Vacationland; Meg Mitchell Moore

William Morrow - 2022

Vacationland proved to be a delightful summer story which swept me away, once again, to the beautiful state of Maine.

The story begins with a 29 year old woman named Kristine Turner who has boarded a Greyhound bus in PA with a small suitcase, $761 dollars and a letter left for her by her recently deceased mother.  The letter shares some long withheld information and has brought Kristie to Maine.  A quick visit that turns into a what looks like a much more permanent stay in Maine.

Louisa Fitzgerald McLean is an NYU professor on sabbatical who should be working on her book.  Her husband is mostly unavailable and busy working on a new start up company in Brooklyn. So Louise packs up their (3) children ages, 12, 10 and 7 and is off to Maine to stay with her mother and father. Martin, her father, is a well respected retired judge who has Alzheimers.  He is at the stage while he has some good days, he also requires outside help.  These expenses have caused Louisa's mom to rethink how much longer she can keep their summer home and expenses associate with it.

As Kristie begins to settle in to a Maine lifestyle, meets a nice boyfriend who happens to be the caretaker at the Fitzgerald summer home, it is Kristie's life and the secrets of the past that really propel this story in an unexpected way.  This book was so well written, has great characters -- even the young children have interesting stories that are fun to read about.  I enjoyed this book so much that I immediately purchased (2) other books by this new-to-me author.  Highly recommended.  This was a combo audio book download - (read by Stacey Glemboski - very good) from the library and eGalley provided to my by the publisher. Both were so enjoyable.

Rating - 4.5/5 stars

Book Review - Love & Saffron: A Novel of Friendship, Food and Love; Kim Fay

 

Love & Saffron: A Novel of Friendship, Food and Love; Kim Fay

Penguin Random House Audio - (2022) 3 hours 46 min

Narrated by Kim Fay, Kimberly Farr, Cassandra Campbell, Mark Bramhall

 and Maggi-Meg Reed - all very good

I saw this book mentioned on Mary and JoAnn's Blogs and thought it sounded like a book I needed after a few so so reads. My library had the audio immediately available so I downloaded it. It was delightful.

Set in the 1960's Love & Saffron is an epistolary novel that felt like non-fiction.  Joan Bergstrom is a 27 year old woman and food writer living in LosAngeles. Imogene Fortier is a 59 year old magazine columnist who lives with her husband near Seattle.  On a whim Joan sends Imogene a letter with a package of saffron enclosed and an unexpected friendship develops.

This was an ode to strong women. It was a great escape book to listen to and, the large cast of narrators for a relatively short audiobook, kept me engaged from beginning to end. I loved the references to 1960s events like the Beatles, the Kennedy assassination, civil rights, and feminist authors like Helen Gurley Brown.  This is one of the books that would make a great gift for a friend or relative who enjoys food and cooking.  Try it!

Rating - 4.5/5 stars

(library download)

Book Review - Klara and the Sun; Kazuo Ishiguro

 

Klara and the Sun; Kazuo Ishiguro

Random House Audio - 2021

(Sura Siu - narrator - very good)

Klara is an AF (artificial friend) who shines bright thanks to the sun.  She waits in a store until the time a special human will take her home.  Klara is an older model, there are fancier AFs with more bells and whistles it seems.  Klara is often stuck at the back of the store but, she loves those days she gets moved to the front window so she can enjoy the sun's warmth. Older models like Klara need lots of solar recharging.  

A young girl named Josie wants to take Klara home but, Josie's mother needs time to think about it.  Eventually Klara does become the AF to lonely Josie who doesn't seem to have any real friends except for neighbor boy Rick. Josie is schooled at home.  When Josie grow ill, we are never sure what is wrong with her,  her mother grows very concerned as she has already lost one daughter.   Klara is determined to comfort Josie and to find a way for her to get better and thrive.

I really enjoyed this thought provoking story and thought Klara,  as the narrator worked beautifully. She was such a keen observer and a caring friend to Josie.  It was easy to fall in love with this mechanical girl. 

The audio was delightful, well except for the numerous times that "Melania HouseKeeper" was spoken -- what was up with that??  Despite this minor annoyance, Klara and the Sun, is a real gem. Just the kind of story I needed. Don't miss it!

Rating - 4.5/5 stars

NOTE: Thanks go to Random House Audio for allowing me access to this download in exchange for my unbiased review.

Book Review - Project Hail Mary; Andy Weir

Project Hail Mary; Andy Weir

Ballantine Books and Brilliance Audio - 2021

(audio narrator - Ray Porter - fantastic)

I put this book on the back burner for a while even though I enjoyed The Martian by Andy Weir. It's just that SF is generally not my thing.  After several rave reviews from fellow bloggers, I decide to try a combo (eBook/audio) and I was so glad I did.  

Ryland Grace is a junior high science teacher, concerned about the Earth's dropping temperatures possibly leading to another ice age.  One day he wakes up on a space ship light years away and naked as well except for some breathing apparatus and lots of connected tubes and cameras watching him.  He eventually finds out that he is the sole survivor of a suicide mission and how all that came to be.

There is a character, well okay an alien life form, named Rocky that add so much interest and made for some fun as well as touching moments between he and Ryland.  Learning what actually happened through flashbacks worked so well.  I loved the audio narration but, was glad I had the eBook as well so I could gloss over some of the scientific and math components which bored me a bit.  There was a good amount of funny dialogue which I especially enjoyed. If you'd like to try something different be sure to check this one out. I sure hope the movie is in the works as, I enjoyed The Martian by Andy Weir which I read/reviewed in 2015  - the movie was great as well

Rating - 4.5/5 stars

NOTE: The eBook download was sent to me by the publisher at no cost and the audio book was borrowed from my public library.

Book Review - Remarkably Bright Creatures; Shelby Van Pelt

 

Remarkably Bright Creatures; Shelby Van Pelt

Ecco Books - 2022

Remarkably Bright Creatures was a mostly feel good story about making connections in unexpected ways and unexpected places. 

Tova Sullivan is a 70 year old widow who not only has lost her husband but, she hasn't truly gotten over the loss of her only child, Erik, who died at age 18 some 30 years earlier.  To keep busy Tova takes a part time night job as janitor at the Sewell Bay aquarium where she forms a deep connection with a very bright, giant 60 pound octopus named Marcellus who is living out his remaining days there.  

Marcellus the octopus likes to wander after hours once he discovers a way to escape his tank. One night Tova finds Marcellus in trouble and unable to get back to his tank after he did a little after hours exploring. She helps him and a connection is formed.  He eventually finds a way to pay her back.

Cameron Cassman is new to the Puget Sound area, abandoned by his mother at age nine, Cameron is searching for the father he never knew. He is hired by the Sewell Aquarium on a temporary basis after Tova has a slight accident.

This was a hard story for me to review with giving away too much but, I loved this debut novel which is about the importance of human connection (both human and mammal).  Tova was a strong, compelling character determined to make her own decisions. The story is narrated in part by Tova, part by Cameron and part by Marcellus  -- my favorite POV.  Yes, you have to suspend belief at times but, his intelligence and determination were quite moving.  I loved the ending as well.  I will definitely be looking for future books by this promising new author.

Rating - 4.5/5 stars

NOTE:  Thanks go to Ecco books and Edelweiss for allowing me access to an eGalley download.

Book Review - The Dolphin House; Audrey Schulman

 

The Dolphin House; Audrey Schulman

Europa Editions - 2022

Set in the mid-1960s twenty-something Cora is a hearing-impaired cocktail waitress in Florida. One day tired of being man-handled while forced to wear a tight bunny suit, she buys a one-way ticket to Saint Thomas and her life is changed in a way she hadn't expected.

Dr. Blum is a Harvard research scientist and professor trying to learn more about dolphins but, his methods are rather cruel.  Cora, discovers she has a gift of being able to hear these mammals and as she swims she slowly gains their trust.  Dr. Blum sees something in Cora's way with the dolphins and offers her a job to study the dolphins with a goal of teaching them English.  She is excited about the opportunity but insists that the cruel experimentation stop while she focuses on one particular dolphin named Junior. She even has a homearium built for her and Junior to share as they work together. Her progress and results are fascinating but, not everyone is thrilled.  The other all male researchers see her as unqualified. As the only female and a slim, attractive one at that who has to spend 6-days a week in her swimsuit she is forced to put up with a lot in the days when sexual harassment wasn't taken seriously.

Based in part on a true story about dolphin research conducted by John Lilly, I really loved this story. This is a story that held me captive and had my emotions all over the place. It was so moving to see the progress Cora was able to make as she gained Junior's trust.  There is a touching scene when Cora becomes frustrated but, she soon after discovers that her hard work pays off.  At times I was angry about some of had happened but, the author's talent and involved research made this a very rewarding read.

Rating - 4.5/5 stars

NOTE: Thanks go to Europa Editions and Edelweiss for allowing me access to the satisfying book.

Book Review - Unlikely Animals; Annie Hartnett

Unlikely Animals; Annie Hartnett

Ballantine Books - April 2022

Set in the small fictional town of Everton, New Hampshire, Unlikely Animals was a unique, almost whimsical kind of story, where even the dearly departed buried at the Maple Street Cemetery get to have their say about the residents still living in their town. It is a story of a family in crisis and it is also a story about how the opioid crisis has impacted small town life.

Emma Starling was believed to be born with the gift of healing.  At 22 she drops out of medical school (at least that's her version of the story) to return home to help care for her dying father, Clive.  Clive was forced into retirement as a result of a rare brain disorder that resulted in hallucinations.  Clive sees animals that only he seems to see.  He has even made friends with the ghost of a NH naturalist, Ernest Harold Baynes, a man known for his love and compassion to the gentle creatures who called the woods surrounding his property home.  Clive is also all consumed with helping to find Emma's former best friend, Crystal Nash.

In this story the characters are flawed and animals play a significant part in this novel.  The story is a bit slow moving but, trust me, it is slow and deliberate in the best kind of way. Emma was a well-crafted character and my heart went out to her at times. Her life wasn't turning out anything like she had thought. She'd gone from medical school to a caregiver and long term substitute teacher for fifth graders in town. Clive was also a character I grew to care about even when I didn't expect to as I learned about his past. There were some touching moments in this story and I loved the ending and learning about the author's inspiration for this story as well.  Very enjoyable.  If you are in the mood for something totally different, this just may be the book for you.

RATING - 4.5/5 stars

NOTE: Thanks go to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for allowing me access to an eGalley download.

Book Reviews - Notes on an Execution; Danya Kukafka and The Days of Afrekete; Asali Solomon

Notes on an Execution; Danya Kukafka

William Morrow and Harper Audio - 2022

(combo read/listen) (9 hours 42 min.)

(Mozhan Marno and Jim Meskimen - narrators - very good)

Notes on an Execution caught my eye early on. It is a work of fiction about a serial killer named Ansel Parker sentenced to death for killing several girls years earlier. The story begins with Parker on death row in Texas, 12 hours prior to his execution. Ansel does not want to die, he does want others to understand his story.  As the countdown to his execution plays out we learn of Ansel's past beginning with his mother Lavender, an abused young woman who gave birth to him in a barn at the age of 17 and, then later in pure desperation left him and his infant brother.  We also hear from Hazel, the twin sister of Ansel's wife Jenny who had an early concern for her sister's well being as she saw the ugly side of Ansel when her sister did not. Then there is Saffy, an upstate New York police captain whose job it was to see that justice was served. The two have a shared past in a group home as teens and Saffy also saw the darker side of what turned out to be a serial killer in the making.

This is a dark, exceptionally well written novel which is very different from anything I've read in a long while.  The victims themselves were not well explored but, that in no way detracted from the effectiveness of the story.  I never understood how Ansel Parker was able to do what he did yet, his story was still sometimes sad, compelling and ultimately powerful.  I was satisfied with the way the story played out. This is one of those stories I will not easily forget; it left me with plenty to think about.  Highly recommended for readers who enjoy a darker character driven work of crime fiction. 

(eGalley courtesy of publisher and Edelweiss - audiobook download from my public library)

Rating - 4.5/5 stars

The Days of Afrekete; Asali Solomon

Random House Audio - 2021

Narrated by Karen Chilton - good 

(5 hours and 33 min.)

The Days of Afrekete is a book which recently came to me attention by reading Susan's post on her blog, The Cue Card.  It's a relatively short novel (novella) at just around 200 pages and 5 hours on audio.  I'm still not sure how to classify it.  It's dark, bold and even funny at times but, I thought it was a bit strange as well.

The story begins with a black woman named Liselle Belmont hosting a dinner party to thank her white husband Winn's political supporters for their hard work despite his failed political bid for state legislature in PA.  As the dinner party is about to begin we learn that only Liselle is aware of the FBI's interest in her husband, a former real estate lawyer for some rather sketchy business dealings.  As the uncomfortable party is about begin, Liselle's mind flashes back to some 20 years earlier to her college days at Bryn Mawr and her sexual escapades as a lesbian where she eventually meets a black woman named Selena.  We begin to understand why the lives of these women play out in very different ways. Liselle begins to think given her current situation,  that Selena may be the only person who might really understand her.

Told mostly from the POV of Liselle, the story seemed to focus more on the past including insight into both women as well as  Liselle's mother Verity who a lot of issues of her own.  This is a rather short novel and although the audio, narrated by Karen Chilton, was well done, I just wasn't a huge fan of the way the story played out.

Rating - 3/5 stars

(audio book download from my public library)

Book Review: The Other Dr. Gilmer: Two Men, A Murder and the Unlikely Fight for Justice; Benjamin Gilmer

The Other Dr. Gilmer: Two Men, A Murder and an Unlikely Fight for Justice; Benjamin Gilmer

Ballantine Books and Random House Audio - 2022

On June 28, 2004, a well-respected, small town North Carolina doctor named Vincent Gilmer,  picked up his father from the assisted living facility he lived at, drove him around in his truck to Virginia and strangled him with a dog leash and then cut off his fingers leaving his body on the side of the road. What caused Vincent Gilmer to snap and murder his own father and then show up at his clinic ready to see patients at his Asheville, NC office the following day?

A second Dr. Gilmer, Benjamin Gilmer (no relation) joined the same clinic and learned about what transpired.  He was more than a little concerned about Vince Gilmer finding out about the new doctor with the same last name but, he was also was intrigued and interested in meeting the man who was now spending time in prison.  Benjamin Gilmer working with journalist Sarah Koenig had discovered that Vince had a number of mental health issues and a neurological condition (Huntington's Disease) that may have contributed to the act of violence that landed him his prison sentence.  Benjamin Gilmer was determined to do what he could to help free Vince Gilmer.

This story is hard to read about at times.  At times I sympathized with Gilmer, the killer, after learning what he experienced at the hands of his father.  This is a true story shows the failures of our justice system as the author tries to advocate on Vince Gilmer's behalf to get him released from prison.  I thought this story was very well written and investigated but, it did make me wonder how the author was able to continue his medical practice and meet with, investigate and continue his fight for justice. The author also had a family who needed his emotional and financial support.

This book is highly recommended to readers who enjoy true-crime stories. The audio book was read by the author and was very well done.  Tis audio download was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for my unbiased review.

Rating - 4.5/5 stars