Imagine all the people, Livin’ for today ~Sheila (borrowed from John Lennon)
Its a simple test. You swab your mouth and send it in. Then an email arrives… they have your match. Your Match. The One that is your one. For less than $10 you can request more information… a name of your One. Some details… and..
well the rest is up to you. That is Match Your DNA.
Now, a decade later, millions of people have been matched. Marriages have been destroyed, but really – wouldn’t it be better to be with the one that has been predestined to be your match? The one that will be with you all the days of your life? Even if it puts an end to dating and the joys of finding the person you are meant to be with?
Now – 5 different people are about to find their match to be very different from themselves, but who are they to argue when the Match Your DNA has never had a false Match. Yet.
I really enjoyed The One event, even though it admittedly scared me a bit. Honestly, reading this, it doesn’t seem that far-fetched from something that could really happen. There are apps for almost everything – why not this? You can also see the appeal to something like this… take the work out of making a mistake and choosing poorly… If you can get the right one right off the bat, why not do that? Well… as in many “AI” type situations… it is not a perfect system, and reading this book will give you the insight. An interesting read – it kept me engaged and I think would make for great discussion.
Rated: 4 out of 5 Read Author Before: Yup! (I read Keep It In The Family – creepy good, but I see I never reviewed it. Read Author Again: Most likely – I like the wicked twisty turns Book Club Worthy: I think so, its an interesting topic Where Listened: Home
It’s been 24 years since Lindsay Fadley’s sister Jessica disappeared without a trace. Making it worse, Lindsey, who was a young girl at the time, was the last one to see Jessica as she was getting something out of her car.
Now, Lindsay, a young adult, is still haunted by the last memories she has of her sister and is determined to find answers where the police did not. When a body is found in a nearby lake, Lindsay and her parents are thrust back into the awfulness that surrounded them all those years ago. Will this be the closure the family needs? Or a reopening of a door to the past that someone is desperately trying to keep shut.
We read this book for Book Club, and I listened to it on audio ( recommended to do so by a friend). This is one of those books that I would recommend to my friends who have yet to try audio because it is fantastic! The narration flows flawlessly, and the podcasts pop (I loved this addition to the book!) The storyline was good – I didn’t want to stop listening. I was all in and engaged and felt it flowed well. Here is what it came down to:
Loved – I thought the alternating chapters between the sisters and then and now was well done. Each storyline was well defined, and I never felt lost on who was speaking or where it was going.
The college setting and the pieces entwined that brought even parts of the past story to current were also well done
Charter development was good, I like it when I can “see” each person and have an idea of what they look like and who they are.
When a new narrator comes in at the end, it is also brilliant. I thought was a nice touch.
Liked:
This was a good keep you going suspense read, and while I had guessed correctly (sort of – I didn’t see the twist coming), it made sense (I’m a stickler for things making sense 🙂 )
Disliked:
When it is wrapping up… the “where Jess was” all this time didn’t fly with me. Too disbelievable, and IMO the author could have done so much better with this and made it more believable.
Honestly, it was the almost-end. It turned darker than I expected and made me uncomfortable, which is probably a weird way to describe this .. but it was accurate. Redeemed (a bit): It was the actual ending that pulled my rating up again… for a while there, it had sunk hard. The final words… I still feel it leaves some hard things on those who do not deserve it… but, alas… isn’t that life?
My book club, for the most part, really enjoyed the book, with a couple of exceptions.
Rated: 3.5 out of 5 Read Author Before: No Read Author Again: maybe Where I read: on audio started on our way back from Florida and finished at home in Minnesota
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
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
Set in Chicago, Marilyn and David fell madly in love in the 70’s. Together they raise 4 daughters that turn out to be completely different from each other.
Wendy, widowed, lives on the edge, using her looks and booze to ger what she wants.. or what she thinks she wants.
Violet once an attorney and now a stay at home mom, finds reason for doubt and anxiety at every turn.
Liza a Professor is pregnant with a baby she is not sure she wants with a man she is pretty sure she does not love.
And Grace, the youngest of the four, living a lie that no would ever suspect.
And when 15 year old Jonah Bendt enters the picture – having ties to the family that no one knew…. things get ever more twisted as the family that finds joy in the moments takes a look at what they missed.
“Everyone thinks I know what I’m doing but I actually have no idea what I’m doing and that’s the cruelest trick the universe plays on people who have their shit together, little one; the people who seem like they have it together are the most overlooked, because everyone thinks those people never need anything, but everyone needs things; I need things; thanks for listening.”~Violet
This is one of those books I wanted to love. Thought I was going to love. I was excited to see the book be picked by Reese Witherspoon, and excited to hear the hype around the book. As one of our 2024 Wine and Words authors it just added to the “Must Read”. And don’t get me wrong – it is a good book, and it is a family that you will enjoy diving into and learning more about. There are definitely moments in the book I loved.
Overall for myself, too many characters to keep track of – too much going on and that honestly is just my preference. Sometimes books read at certain times are not the best fit. I would honestly call it that a time when life is busy and sinking deep into a book that required a bit of work was not a great fit for the time.
The Bookies Book Club ready this book for May 2024 and turns out – many of them felt the same. The overall book club rating 3.34 out of 5 most stating the too many characters to follow.
Patrick and Sara met in College and became close friends, almost inseparable. Sara was the first person to tell Patrick her would be famous some day…. She called Patrick out and while his attraction to her was in a sisterly way… he loved her all the same.
As years went on and Patrick did indeed become famous, and Sara fell in love and married Patrick’s brother, the two friends while still close… drifted with Patrick’s crazy schedule and Sara raising her two children. When Sara became sick, Patrick felt he had time to go and see her and vowed to do so…. and then it was too late.
When Patrick goes to the funeral he is asked a big favor from his brother, to watch his niece Maisie (9), and his nephew Grant (6) for a while as things are sorted out.
Thus begins an interesting summer, Patrick know to the kids as Guncle (Gay Uncle) has no idea how to entertain two children, especially two children that has just lost their mother – and his lifestyle is not exactly set up for young houseguests….
But a summer of togetherness may be just what is needed on both sides as the three go through changes, heartbreak, and rebuilding together.
I first heard about The Guncle on line when social media scrolling (don’t pretend you don’t do that…. ;P) After coming off two heavy reads I was looking for something fun and lite and immediately secured myself a copy of The Guncle. It checked the boxed I needed checked. Lite, funny and heartwarming is the best way I can describe this book. You can see the relationship that Patrick and Sara had built the foundation of all those years ago come forth in what could be a very true situation. Author, Steven Rowley does a wonderful job of capturing the essence of the children’s resilience and questions during a hard time. Don’t over think it, if you are looking for a sweet read – pick up The Guncle.
Addie is returning to high school with the weight of the world on her shoulders. Last year, she was part of a student/teacher scandal that resulted in the teacher losing his job. Addie swears she did nothing wrong, however teenagers can be fickle and her once friends now eye her suspiciously and other than making trouble for her, have nothing to do with her.
Eve and Nate are both teachers at this high school. She is a math teacher and he works with poetry. Both have her Addie in their classes – Eve suspiciously keeps an eye on this troubled girl knowing she was the cause of her fellow teacher losing his job, Nate on the other hand, finds Addie to be full of compassion and hurt – all things that make for a good writer.
But can Addie be trusted? What really happened? And if happened once… couldn’t it happen again?
This was my first McFadden book. I was excited to read this as I have seen excellent reviews on this author through trusted fellow reviewers and friends. When our book club nominated this for our April read I was excited to put my vote on this choice.
After reading a series of heavier books, this came as a welcomed easier read. I listened to this on audio and enjoyed the narration by Leslie Howard and Danny Montooth, they flowed well with the story line, so well, that when they switch you do not event notice as it is all part of the story.
I enjoyed the book – although if you read it, you might find that a strange choice of words – but you know what I mean. I did feel that there was a point that was leading to a big plot discovery that I felt this was all going to be a ploy by the author to get us to think one way and shock us with another. Admittedly, I was a little disappointed when instead, it was not a ploy and felt a little like the easy route.
Final over all thoughts – the book did not disappoint. There are twists and turns that keep you turning the page because no matter how you feel about this book, you do want to know how it all comes together…. and that my friends does give me the “WHOA…” I was looking for.
Overall rating by me… a solid 3 (average). I will read her again as I am now curious as what else she brings to the table. There are some elements I plan to bring to the Book Club discussion and food. ;P
When in Key West, you should not miss out on this historical tour and learning more about one of the great authors of our time. ~Sheila
Santiago was a fisherman. Old and without any luxuries of the world, he lived in the same clothes day in and out, the same raggedy blanket that covered him each night, and with the ease of someone who wants nothing from the world. For a while, a boy had fished with him, but after a long stretch of time… more than 80 days of not catching one fish, the boys parents removed the boy from Santiago and put him on another boat that was successful catching fish.
Santiago decides he needs to go our further and deeper than he has been and sets up for a journey alone although the boy offers to go with him. With his eyes and heart set on catching a big fish, Santiago finds he is in for the journey of a life time.
When in Key West, you would be remiss to not take the time to tour the Hemingway Home and Museum. Did you know Hemingway had over 70 cats? Did you know that many of the Hemingway Cats and their descendants still live there? I was going to count the cats… I gave up within 10 minutes. Indoors and outdoors, on his bed, in the book store on a shelf, in a planter sleeping in the sun, on the roof, everywhere outside. It was actually pretty cool – with places for them to sleep and a large feeding area.
The house itself was fascinating, going through his writing space, seeing many pictures or him with actors and learning more about him then I ever knew.
In confession, I have never read a Hemingway book until now. Before leaving I went to the onsite bookstore and chose The Old Man and The Sea. I read this one afternoon in Fort Myers Florida. It is not a large book, easy to read in one or two sittings… but it is a powerful one. I knew the tale before I read the book, however reading it brought it all together for me, and experiencing this was an adventure of my own. Hemingway won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954 and died on July 2nd, 1961.
Through the years I have tried to put on my radar to read the big names of literature. Hemingway is one I can now cross off that list.
Thank you to everyone who sent in a picture for First Book! For such a tipsy turny event this year, I am thrilled to see all the First Books! Below the Photos you will find the book list. While perusing through these great ready – be on the look out for authors – Heather Gudenkauf, Randy Sue Meyers, Lorna Landvik, Cary Griffith, Jill Hannah Anderson, and Fiona Davis who shared the book they are starting the New Year as well. If you find me… you will see I went old school. There is something about the New year that makes me want to re-read an old favorite that brings back the warm fuzzies I had when I first read it. Books… make memories… I hope your year is filled with great reads and amazing adventures.
It’s Happening! I am excited to announce that this is the 11th Year of The First Book Event! If you put “First Book” in the search on this page you can bring up the years and years of fun posts and pictures of people all over the world with their first book of the year that they are planning to read or are reading into the New Year! It’s a great way to get ideas on what is being read and what to add to your own To Be Read list!
So what is First Book? First Book is the first book you plan on reading in the New Year. It can be a long-coveted read you have not had time for, a guilty pleasure read like a re-read of a favorite… really it can be anything – it is…after all…YOUR First Book.
Make it AWESOME.
Once you have picked what it will be -email/ Facebook message/ text me a picture of you with the book (send it to sdechantal@gmail.com). This adds to the excitement of the First Book. You have between now and December 31st to send in your choice. On January 1st I will post all the pics in a collage format of all of you around the world that are doing First Book. I do hope you will join me – friends, family, fellow book lovers, a friend of a friend of a friend… you there in the corner looking at this crazy site for the first time – you as well. I enjoy putting this together every year and seeing all the great books and pics come in really makes my heart smile.
Here are just a few of the over 100 books that came in last year:
It’s fun. It’s easy to do. And honestly… gets me through the New Year.
1. Take a photo of you with the first book you plan to read for 2024
2. send it to me – sdechantal@gmail.com – or if you have my number text it to me or send it on messenger through Facebook.
Book Journey 