Beautifully and painfully written – I loved this book. Sheila
It starts when Beth’s brother-in-law kills a dog and goes after their sheep. But – did it? The dog belongs to Gabriel Wolfe, Beth’s one love when she was a teenager, until circumstances broke her heart and separated them for what she felt would be forever. Gabriel has recently returned to the area where he grew up, a now well-known author, recently divorced, and with custody of his young son Leo. Beth is happily married to Frank and lives on the family farm, but Leo reminds Beth of the son she lost to a terrible accident around the same age as Leo is now. As Beth finds time to spend with Leo, she also finds it soothes her heartache to be near this boy, despite Frank’s warnings that this may not be the best idea for more reasons than one. As the past colides with the present, Beth has to choose between he woman she was and the woman she has become.
So – first up. I am not a romance reader. So believe me when I tell you that this book does have elements of romance, of course, but it is written in a way that is also a thriller. The combination works, and I flew through this read wanting to know what would happen, wanting to know how it all would end, but also not wanting it to end.
Beautifully and painfully written, a hard subject for me yet written in a way that also held me captive to the accuracies of losing a child, the feelings of isolation that can come with this, and the pain and struggle of trying to live when not wanting to move forward. Absolutely, I cried. There is so much to this book that I do not want to share because this is one of those reads that as best left to the reader to go in with no guidance and come out the other side with their own full and personal impact.
This is a wonderful read and would make a great discussion with a reading group – there is much to unpack.
Rated: 5 out of 5 Triggers: Child Loss, Immense Grief, Some Sexual Content Read Author Before: No Read Author Again: Absolutely Where Read: at home, over a weekend
I recommend everyone read at least one Genova, Brilliant and Insightful – Every Time. ~Sheila
At 19 years old, Maddy Banks is much like any other stressed out NYU Freshman. With school assignments, navigating relationships, home life, and her job, it’s no wonder she feels off. But when Maddy is given an antidepressant to help her with the lows, she begins to feel good. Really, really good… so good—she feels she can do anything and is pretty sure she is on the path to writing Taylor Swift’s Memoir (with the assistance of Taylor, of course) and working with Netflix on a Comedy series.
Maddy is then diagnosed as having Bipolar Disorder.
As Maddy struggles with medications with big side effects, an overprotective mother, a caring sister, and basically learning to navigate life through the setbacks (two steps forward one mega messy launch backward, repeat…) and, of course, trying to navigate this new life with friendships/ relationships and not real comfortable sharing her diagnosis with everyone… Maddy is in for a learning curve… they all are.
When I ask people if they have ever read Lisa Genova, many times I will get a, “I’m not sure” or a “No” – then when I ask them if they ever heard of the movie Still Alice starring Julianne Moore, who plays a professor at Columbia University who begins to have memory loss of where she is on her daily jogs, and must come to terms with a devastating diagnosis: early-onset Alzheimer’s disease – I almost always get a yes, as they recall this wonderful and sad movie. What they may not have known is that Still Alice was first a book written by Lisa Genova.
I have enjoyed several of Genova’s books throughout the years, each about a different ailment/diagnosis, woven into a wonderful storyline that is both engaging and a learning experience. I have read: Still Alice ( Alzheimer’s) Left Neglected (for a Reading Group) Left Negelected (for myself) – Brain Injury
I really enjoyed this book and Maddy. She is a trainwreck for sure, but she gets there 🙂 Learning about having Bipolar disorder (not being Bipolar, as Maddy would say – you have it, it’s not you. If you eat a pizza, you are not a pizza) was eye-opening. There were a couple of lines – well, more than that, but here are a couple that really caught my attention:
“She is in bed every night by ten, tired from having lived the day rather than tired of living the day.” – page 36
Her disposition is a cottage in the forest inhabited by pharmaceutical dwarfs. She’s sleepy, shaky, thirsty, cranky, unworthy, full-of-shitty, and meh. – page 291
Told in the usual Genova style, the book is engaging and insightful, at times funny, and while you sink into one family’s story, you become a little more knowledgeable along the way. I love that.
I have not read everything by Lisa Genova, but on her website, I see a few titles that I have not read – Every Note Played (ALS) – Love Anthony (Autism) I encourage you to pick up any one of her books that speaks to you – I am quite sure you will be glad you did.
Rated: 4 out of 5 Read Author Before: Yes! Read Author Again: Most likely! Where Read: Started in Florida – read while we traveled back to MN by RV – finished in Georgia
Theo feels she has finally found the person to share her life with. Connor is kind, good looking, and comes from a financially stable family. And (so far) he hasn’t asked too many questions about her past. But now, he has brought her to Idlewood, the Familys Retreat property, and his family – who expects a certain quality to those who plan to marry in, will have questions. Shoot, Theo isn’t even her real name.
Theo has only a small memory of her early years – at the age of 4, after a horrific incident left Theo without her mom and no relatives to step in, her following years placed with a family in a strict household are nothing she cares to share with Conner’s family. After all, they would not be too keen about some things during that time.
It turns out that Idlewood has secrets of its own that it is also reluctant to share. Set deep in the woods where cell reception is nonexistent, the cabins are luxurious except for one. One cabin sits away from the others, abandoned and neglected, and behind its door… secrets that belong to Theo can be found. Secrets – that some will go to great lengths to keep in the dark.
I picked up this book from Book Of The Month. A new author to me and an interesting title and synopsis. I love a good setting in the woods, and Theo’s story was intriguing (if not adding sparks of deja vu as I just recently read a book (First Lie Wins) with the female protagonist using a false name)
There is much I liked about this book. The characters are well developed; I felt as though I could picture them, who they were, and enough back story… the setting as mentioned, perfectly spook worthy, and Theo’s story backs up and made sense as it is revealed… My only small peeve was that as we had a couple of family generations in this setting, occasionally when switching into a new chapter and not revealing who was talking and mentioning “my father” I was left wondering which father? And I would have to read on to finally put it together. Maybe it was just me, but each time that happened, I was pulled out of the story.
Second peeve is the title. It just doesn’t fit the book… yes we are in the winter, but there is no big storm as part of the setting… and believe me… it wasn’t the cold that was causing the killing.
Minor griping aside, I would suggest trying this one for yourself. There are a lot of reviews and opinions on this book that differ from mine 🙂
Evie Porter has her next assignment – Ryan Somner. The name and location have been delivered by her boss Mr. Smith -who she has never met… only communicated by phone and delivered packages and then a deposit into her bank account.
This new job, however, is a little trickier… Ryan is kind and fun to be with and easy on the eyes. Despite herself, Evie likes him and she knows, he likes her too. For the first time… Evie allows herself to envision a different life that does not include lying, deceit, theft, and betrayal. Something that some may call – normal.
But so many things need to happen for that to ever be a reality – first, there is no way out from Mr Smith’s watchful eye… Second, there is a reason that she was assigned to Ryan and there is something shady there… and third – well. Evie Porter is not even her name. Nor were the many names she has called herself that came before that.
I have had a nice streak lately of books that grab me immediately. First Lie Wins was no exception. Not only was this a good thriller – it was different than anything I have read before (also a plus). Often when an author creates as many paths as Ashley Elston does here, there is usually a path that is left unfinished – which can weigh on me like a loose thread… but not here – while there are many moving pieces – in the end, they all fit and you can find how each part, leads to the satisfying hard-earned finish.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book with the one exception that has nothing to do with the storyline or author… just as it was digging in and things were starting to fall into place – there were 17 pages in my copy (pictured above). While I could not wait to get a new copy to move on I trudged forward with the gap and pieced together what I could of what must have happened in the “in-between” of page 278 and page 295.
While a new author to me, I nosed around her website and there are a couple of back titles that caught my eye… if you check it out I am sure you can know which would be right up my alley 🙂
Rated: 4.5 out of 5 Read Author Before: No Read Author Again: I think I would Where Read: Fort Myers Florida
It’s fun to revisit the characters you enjoy – and Millie is definitely one to have on your side. ~Sheila
Millie has a reputation as being “a fixer”. As word got out that Millie had a way to take care of the bad husbands, she had a little stint with the help of a friend cleaning up some messy marriages.
Those days, however – are in the past. Millie still with a record of her jail time, just wants a nice easy job to pay the bills and keep her moving forward. When Douglas Garrick calls about her working for him and his wife – a little housekeeping, a little errand running, a little cooking – Millie says yes. The Garricks seem easy to work for, their house is never dirty and Mr Garrick is pleasant in their encounters. The only thing that makes Millie wonder is Mrs. Garrick, who keeps to herself in her room with some assorted health issues. And the longer she works for the Garrick’s the more mysterious it seems that Mr Garrick does not want Millie to talk to his wife…
What could possibly be going on?
I’m a little proud of myself with this one. I feel like I finally have a bit of a grasp on McFadden’s style and even predicted a couple of things in this one. (Go Me!!!) But – don’t get me wrong… when this story begins to fully unfold – there is the usual McFadden Origami style here that once again – in the end… had me fooled.
I enjoyed this one as a sequel but probably not as much as the first one – still a strong read and I am glad I did 🙂
Rated: 3.5 out of 5 Read Author Before: Yes Read Author Again: Of Course 🙂 Where Read: Listened to audio – finished right before leaving on our RV trip
Every bit as good as I was hoping it would be! ~Sheila
In August of 1975, a Camp counselor awakens to find one of her campers missing. Barbara Van Laar is not just any camper, she is the daughter of the Summer Camp Owners and also the sister of the boy who went missing from his very camp over a decade ago.
As the police are called in, and Counselors, Campers, Camp Staff, as well as Family Members are questioned… a tale begins to unfold like no other of betrayal and deceit, long-time grudges, and long-hidden secrets.
I don’t often get to sit and really READ READ. Like – a qty of time. This was a treat for me with days of RV travel and nothing but time while on the road I read this in two days. I loved this book and had no trouble picking it up and reading it for hours. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the tale told by so many different narrators – usually I do not like a lot of different characters to keep track of but in this case, they were well-developed and easy to follow the narration changes as pieces of the story unfolded from what happened then – to what was happening now.
Kudos also for the timeline that was being focussed on between 1950 – Fall 1975 was at the start of each chart with the timing of that chapter highlighted. I thought that was brilliant and I have never seen this done in such a way before.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend digging into a great campfire tale.
Rated: 5 out of 5 Read Author Before: No Read Author Again: I would! Where Read: In the RV traveling between Minnesota and Tennessee (finished in Tennessee)
Hey all! Happy New Year! If you are wondering where the First Book post is… here it is 😀 I have had a quiet morning of reflection and COFFEE… gone are the days of my staying up past midnight to have this post in your in boxes by 6 am… I’m as devoted as ever… just not as insane about it lol.
I usually make you search for my book choice within the pics… oh I am in there, but I thought this year starting this post off with not only my book choice – but also my word of the year choice : JOY
Again – I hope to review more… get back into a rhythm here which also means writing more…. and learning how to find that balance.
With no further ado… below you will find the First Books of 2025. What a fun selection! Among these book selections, you will also find some authors – keep your eyes out for: Cary Griffith Kaira Rouda Joshilyn Jackson Heather Gudenkauf Lorna Landvik
Fun Facts – very few duplications this year! That actually excites me! While in the past years there may have a been a hot tile that several selected – I love the diversity of what you will see below. I love that first book, as well as all books you choose, are a personal preference. Books/genres speak differently to us at different times in our lives. We have everything here from some heavy hitters, comfort reads, education, historical, non fiction, memoirs, fun, heart-wrenching, a little spooky, a little romantic and MORE! We played participants!
AND – below the pics the book titles (if I was able to read them :D) and links to the books so you too can learn about them and maybe select them for future reads this year. If I missed anyone please let me know and I will post an update tomorrow. There is usually an add-on after I post and with all the ways the pics are sent between texts, emails, and Facebook messages… it is quite possible I missed something.
Every year there are a few people that are head slapping right now going “DOH! I totally forgot to send mine in!” No worries – other years there have been a few that come in later and I add them and repost tomorrow so feel free to send 🙂 Thanks all – this is a project that helps me through the New Year and brings a smile to my face as I see the selections and learn about books that were not on my list to read but now are. (I added quite a few to my TBR this year by putting together this post. Happiest of New Year and Happy Reading! Sheila
Beginnings are exciting… endings, they can be a bit harder. ~Sheila
Ed Kapanash’s experiencing his final summer as Chief of Police and is looking forward to quieter days, sleeping a little longer, and perhaps just enjoying the life he has worked so hard to build…
But – when the call comes in about Richardson’s 22 million dollar home burning to the ground and fingers are being pointed…. Ed’s plans are put on hold.
The Richardsons are new to Nantucket. Bull, a businessman, and his gorgeous and wild wife Leslee (how does one describe Leslee?) have been the talk of the town. Throwing lavish invite-only themed parties that you want to be invited to. You can say a lot about Leslee, but you can never say she does not know how to throw a party. The food, the theme, the service, the drinks – are all over the top and Nantucket residents covet the invite.
Coco, a young aspiring screenwriter, meets Bull in St John and worms her way into a summer job in Nantucket to work for Bull and his wife, looking for the right time to present her screenplay to him… all the while keeping an eye on the gorgeous and off-limits boy they hired to drive their boats…
Nantucket regulars are plenty and when it gets right down to it, there are more than a few people who would not have minded throwing a match to all that the Richardson’s own… But – in the meantime… you might as well grab a drink and enjoy the summer, after all isn’t that what Nantucket is best at?
There is so so so much more to say about this book but I honestly feel you need to dive in (swimsuit-clad or not) and enjoy the ride.
I love books like this where you have the chance to revisit characters you have come to know – much like friends. While this is the 4th book in this Nantucket setting, you do not have to read the other 3 to enjoy this one – although I have a feeling you may wish you had just to get a real feel for the land. As a long -time Hilderbrand fan, I was excited for this book and also sad knowing that this is the last of Hilderbrand’s Nantucket writing as the Author is turning towards other projects including some writing with her daughter.
Overall – I really did enjoy this book and I think if you are a fan of summer beach reads (I swear you can feel the sun as soon as you turn the page!) Pick this one up today and let me know your thoughts 🙂
Elizabeth Zott is anything but ordinary. She is matter of fact. She is brilliant, she is a scientist- and she is ahead of her time.
Set in the early 1960’s, Elizabeth Zott finds herself struggling for every inch as a woman in a field that is best described as a mans. Never taken seriously for her ambitions (although often sought out for her opinion if she did not get credit), Calvin Evans enters her life as a breath of fresh air. Calvin sees her.
REALLY sees her.
As life as it is in science – outcomes can be unpredictable until you find the right formula and Elizabeth’s life takes a turn she that no one seen coming. Certainly, becoming a star of an on air cooking show, owning a dog that is smarter than the average man, and becoming a single mom … was not part of that equation…
yet, like science… we continue to evolve and learn to work with what we are given.
So…. funny story. I bought the book after hearing great things about it. There it sat (as often my books do…) on a shelf, waiting for its time. A not so favorable review by a friend made me think the book was not for me and my interest in this unopened book waivered. Upon stumbling across the mini series on TV one evening, I thought I would give it a try and found it interesting and delightfully different. This still was not enough to get me to open the book….
Then – it was picked as a book club selection with my book club the Bookies. Reluctantly I thought audio may be the better way to go, and honestly this time of year I have more time for audio than I do to sit and read…
Turns out – I adored it. I can not explain if my enjoyment of the mini series helped prep me for this listen (probably) but I did enjoy the quick wit – sometimes dry humor that follows throughout this book that is blended with a true taste of the times. In Lessons On Chemistry, you get a little women’s rights, an example of what life was like for women in a men’s field – and a refreshing look at a character like Elizabeth that broke the mold … said “Why the hell not” and paved a path (fictional or not) for women to reach beyond the invisible limitations set before them.
So many books can be a cookie cutter format of other books. You know the type – you read it and if reminds you of another book with similar bones…. not necessarily bad… but definitely done before. A Lesson In Chemistry felt different to me. Refreshingly so.
Bookies Thoughts: A lot of mixed opinions in our Book Club. Most struggled with it and found it a slow start receiving lower ratings. Only a couple had the same opinions as I did. Most likely the mini series prepped me and helped me with my enjoyment. I would love to hear other opinions on this one. Love it? Hate it? Somewhere inbetween?
I’m not sure when the twisty turny double WOW’s began in books but I sure do love them. ~Sheila
Catherine, 24, finds her mom to be an enigma. Ruth speaks little of her past. She keeps to herself, nothing that really makes her stand out – and honestly, Catherine never really has given it much thought beyond feeling this was normal. The fact that she doesn.t know anything about her father? Well… that can be normal too.
Ruth is anything but ordinary. She may seem like someone who lives a quiet life but no one really knows what she hides of her past… what she fears of the future… and what keeps her awake at night in the present.
Well… almost no one knows..
As Catherine prepares to move to start her career in Baltimore, she finds out her mom may be in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Immediately concerned, Catherine changes her plans to be there for her mother. While looking into their past for clues if this is hereditary, Catherine unearths more than she bargained for…
Leaving her questioning everything.
It was…. juicy good. I like a good twisty mystery.. what I like even more are the books that are doubley twisty… you know the ones… when you think you know…and maybe you do know… but wait!
There’s more!
It has been a fun journey to read Pekkanen for years from her early books to now and see how her writing has changed and become even more addicting. I find myself waiting for what she will do next! A good read!
Book Journey 