Book Journey

Not exactly what I was hoping for – but still interesting. ~ Sheila

This book is the unknown manuscript that Lucy had been writing about her life. Following her death on April 26th (interestingly enough, the day I am writing this review), 1989, her children found the 300-page unpublished manuscript among her belongings.

The book is a detailed look into her early days and subsequent marriage to Desi Arnaz, and this in part, is why the book was not published during her life, as it is said that she did not want to cause pain to her ex-husband.

I was looking forward to hearing more about Lucy’s career, and while I did get that, there was a long lead-in about how the manuscript was discovered and a lot of extra stuff that seemed (IMO) to take a lot of time to get into the story I wanted to know more about.

I did enjoy this book on audio and loved the narration of her daughter, Lucie Arnaz. Honestly, she sounded just like Lucy, and I have to believe that Lucy would have loved that.

Rated: 3 out of 5
Read Author Before: No
Read Author Again: –
Where Read: Home

Bookclub Worthy: Possibly yes. Memoirs I think, make for good discussion if it is centered around someone that your group knows/grew up with. There’s an opportunity here to discuss your favorite shows as a child/teen. Did you watch Lucy? Did you enjoy it? Did you know anything about her real life before the book?

To level up you could watch a popular episode together. Research food that was on the show (simple American) and funny food moments ( Beef Goulash, Burgers, Salad, sardines w/ Mashed potatoes ( on an episode), and Spaghetti.

Well….. ` is a little Moriarty better than no Moriarty? Sheila

Honey Beckett can’t believe her husband, Barney, is dead. Tech genius, brilliant with money – and had plenty of it.

Yet, here she is driving to his funeral, so it must be true. And – he was more than twice his age, so there’s that as well.

On a whim, she decided to sit next to his three ex-wives, Rita, Svetlana, and Meredith – all having been betrayed by Barney –

Honey is no exception. And there is more to come.

I was so excited to see Liane Moriarty have a new book coming out, I immediately pre-ordered this title on audio.
What I did not catch was that this was a short story, and the audio was 56 minutes long ( 34 minutes when you listen at a faster speed like I do).

While fabulous in the way that Moriarty is – I am not a fan of short stories – I like to dig into a good read, and this had all the makings of a full-length book.

Admittedly – disappointed.

Rated: 2.5 out of 5 – due to length – or lack thereof
Read Author Before: Yes
Read Author Again: Yes but I will pay attention to page count 🙂
Where Read: Home

Bookclub Worthy: Nope.

Twenty-two years ago, Caitlin Dale died at an exclusive country club on the 4th of July. Now, all these years later, Alice, Caitlin’s cousin, has returned to her hometown to uncover the truth. They said that Caitlin’s death was an accident, but Alice knows better, and she’s about to prove it.

But a town’s secrets, as Alice is about to learn, like to stay buried. And some will go to great lengths to keep it that way.

Old Money is a good twisty mystery with plenty of fingers being pointed. If anything, that may have been the downfall for me… while much of the read was good and interesting, I found my mind wandering and not fully engaged enough to pick up on everything. (Honestly, it could have just been me as well)

Rated: 2.75 out of 5
Read Author Before: No
Read Author Again: unsure
Where Read: Home

Bookclub Worthy: Most mysteries are, and I imagine the review of the story itself – what happened and its believability are all topics of discussion
The Country Club theme lends itself to some fun drinks and appetizers for the get-together of book clubs

Not what I was expecting, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing,` Sheila

Lulu Mayfield, a 1950s housewife, lives a perfect suburban life, keeps a perfect home for her husband and her son, and is known in her neighborhood for her amazing jello salads. That is, until the birth of her second child.

Motherhood never came easy to Lulu, and juggling two children and a home and keeping up with all the things – the shopping, the cooking, the cleaning… ALL OF IT is exhausting. Every morning she gazes at the empty house across the street imaging what it would be like to live there on her own and shut out all the daily demands.

When the home across the street is sold, and the new neighbors move in, the wife, Bitsy, is nice but distant, and now the house fantasy for Lulu is gone. As the days go one Lulu feels as though everything is piling on – to the point that she can not get out of bed and is exhausted even thinking about what is on her to-do list.

I get tired even thinking about the things the housewives of the 50s had to do. This is not my first read on the subject of this era and the women’s roles, and while fascinating… also frustrating. I can not even imagine having to stay home and care for everyone and everything… I’d have trouble getting out of bed as well.

An interesting read with a little mystery intertwined, which helps the book from feeling too heavy.

Rated: 3.5 out of 5
Read Author Before: No
Read Author Again: Possibly
Where Read: Home

Bookclub Worthy: yes. While my club has discussed this subject before, this is a different twist on the 1950s woman. Depression and suicide are both subjects to discuss.
Food would be fun – the 1950s gatherings give you plenty of ideas for a neighborhood party, and of course, someone needs to bring the jello salad.

If you enjoy Christina’s TV and move pressence, this one is one to give a go. I learned much… and I had no idea. ~Sheila

You may know Christina ( as I do) from her early career years on the sitcom Married With Children, as Kelly Bundy, or the 1991 movie, Don’t Tell Mom. You may know her for the 2002 Movie The Sweetest Thing, one of my personal favorites – or maybe hor her most recent Dead To Me ( 2019 – 2022 series).

If you know who she is, you most likely know of her MS diagnosis in 2021- but you may not know of a tragically hard childhood being subjected to horrible things, a horrific relationship ( or two), as well as her cancer diagnosis.
Throughout it all, Christina has maintained a work ethic ( to a fault) with her head held high ( for the most part) – and for at least as long as she can.

While never a fan of Married With Children, I have enjoyed quite a few movies Christina has been in, and through the years, really begun to appreciate her skills as an actress. When I heard about this memoir, I was all in, always enjoying the behind-the-scenes dishing of stars I grew up with, the funny things we don’t know, as well as the harder truths.

This book was definitely harder truths than I bargained for. Christina shares a lifetime of happenings that left me sad for her rise to stardom despite some insane odds, only to be knocked down by an unforgiving disease that knows no boundaries.

If there was ever a time to say something was not fair…

Christina is pretty real and raw – at times a little too real and raw as you pick up on the bitterness ( rightfully so) of all she has been through to land here – walking with a cane, and in pain most of the time, as well as a few graphically described moments as she is narrating. Still – even though parts are HARD – there are parts I loved…. her behind-the-scenes antics with Cameron Diaz made me think that if I were in her circles, we would have been friends.

While not the easiest read – suggested for fans – it’s important to know it all.

Rated: 4 out of 5
Read Author Before: No
Read Author Again: I think this is a one-and-done for her
Where Read: Home

Bookclub Worthy: I don’t believe our book club has even done a memoir, and I think it would be interesting to do one over a person’s story that we are familiar with. This book could be one that could make for an interesting discussion – not only about memoirs but also about our personal history with the author – tv, movies, etc…

Yes there is food in the book – the one that stands out for me is the shrimp and Christina hiding to eat two…. (WYKTK) Oof.

April Masterson and her hit YouTube Channel can tell you all about making melt-in-your-mouth lemon bars or how not to burn the edges of your brownies. She lives in a right-out-of-a-movie-style suburb with her husband, Elliot, and son, Bobby. All of this gives her the perfect wholesome, well-rounded media presence.

But when anonymous messages start being delivered to April… her perfect world begins to unravel. Someone is messing with April… someone who knows her deepest, darkest secrets. And the options of who it could be…. are many.

So yeah… I know. McFadden. Here we are again. I love her. And sometimes I don’t. This one falls in between. A lot was going on here…. while true to McFadden style… for me, it was too much going on. So many different ways this could have gone. In the end, I think I was so confused I didn’t care.

Was it me? Possibly. Maybe it was the wrong time for this one, and I was distracted. But not my fav.

Rated: 2.75ish out of 5
Read Author Before: yes
Read Author Again: yes because I do often enjoy her
Where Read: Back home after Vacation

Bookclub Worthy: I’m going to say no and probably for personal reasons – I want books for book club that make you think – that bring something to the discussion. Sure – you can talk about who did it and who we suspected – yes, there are some great ideas for food here with all the baking… but for myself…. I want more.

Only put this one down to use the bathroom! ~ Sheila

Emily can not believe her luck when she meets Adam Banks. He is good-looking, funny, and kind, and they seem like the perfect fit.
What Emily did not count on was another woman who loves Adam so fiercely that she would do anything to destroy his relationship with Emily.

Meet Pammie – Adam’s mother.

Oh, sweet team with a lemon slice! Was this crazy, crazy good! Pammie pulls out every trick in the book, from feigning frailty, the inability to care for herself, to inviting Emily’s nemesis to Emily’s bridal shower weekend. Adam, of course, is blind to it all – having an excuse for every one of Pammie’s behaviors to the point that it makes Emily look like she is the one being the mega B.

I found this book at a little free library area of the RV park we were staying at in Florida recently. I left a nice bundle of the books I had finished reading and scooped a few more on the way home. I kind of love that Sarah Pekkanen’s quote is on the front cover, as I have just finished her newest book as well.

Highly recommend picking this one up – it surprised me in all the good ways …. in fact, I actually looked at the page # when I finally got the “Oh wait a minute…. ” moment. It was page 285.

Rated: 4 out of 5
Read Author Before: Yes
Read Author Again: You Bet
Where Read: Georgia – on our way home from Florida by RV

Bookclub Worthy: Yes! There is a lot of detective work we can flesh out – almost building your own crime scene board…. the “Who did it and the motives” A whole glass-free meeting would be fun as well… pulling food items such as Pizza and Nachos ( comfort foods during meetings between Stella and Rose) – also Tea, Wine

Rated: 5 out of 5
Read Author Before: I don’t think so
Read Author Again: I would!
Where Read: Illinois – on our way home from Florida by RV

Bookclub Worthy: YES! What fun conversation you cna have about mothers/mothers-in-law…. if anyone has a story they wish to share, the red flags with Adam, the “where would you call it and move on moment”, and so much more I can’t say without spoilers 🙂

Food – Curry, Take Out, Wine