Tag: reading

Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)10 Comments

Second time through this one and still – so so good and laugh out loud worthy ~Sheila

When Ryland Grace awakens, he has no idea where he is and, for that matter, who he is. All he knows is that he has been asleep for a long, long time.

As memories begin to return, he realizes he is on a spaceship, millions of miles from Earth… and in the company of two corpses – his flight mates that did not fare as well as he did.

Memories of earth and what got him here, as well as investigating the vessel that has been his home for 4 years, the fuzzy thoughts just out of reach start to clear… he is on a mission to find the answers to save earth from certain destruction… but he wasn’t meant to do it alone… and he is alone.

Or is he?



Holy all things giddy – I am so thrilled to have a chance to talk about this amazing book (in my case, audio). When this was selected last month as our Bookies Book Club read for September, I was looking forward to a review of this one that I had listened to years ago. While I remember I enjoyed it – I had forgotten how much.

The audio – the narration – the loads of funny moments and snarky comments…. absolutely a joy. Instead of feeling this was a do-over, it felt new… so much I had forgotten.

“Knock-knock-knock
No, that’s not creepy at all. Being in a spaceship twelve light-years from home and having someone knock on the door is totally normal.”
― Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary

“I pull the sheet off the bed and wrap it around my torso a couple of times. I pull one corner over my shoulder from behind my back and tie it to another from the front. Instant toga.

“Self-ambulation detected,” says the computer. “What’s your name?”
“I am Emperor Comatose. Kneel before me.”
“Incorrect.”
― Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary

You don’t need to be a fan of science fiction to enjoy this one – you bet there are scientific terms, but if I say science can be fun, believe me. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much listening to a book.

Hail Mary is set to be a movie coming March 2026. Ryan Gosling is playing Ryland, and I think that is a perfect choice. I will definitely be going to see this. Our Book Club is reviewing this tonight, and I will have another post of the fun food (I have some ideas!) and the discussion as well as their overall rating – stay tuned. 🙂

I recommend Hail Mary for everyone – an absolute delight, and if you are an audio person, I highly recommend that. AMAZE!!!!

Rated: 5 out of 5 – I was going to rate a little lower, but dang… I really enjoyed this
Read Author Before: Yes (The Martian – also a 5 out ot 5)
Read Author Again: I would! Bring it on, space boy!
Who Should Read This: Honestly, everyone… It’s refreshingly different, it’s fun and ummmm Ryan Gosling 😉

The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)7 Comments

A fun and plausible read! ~ Sheila

Frick Island is a tiny town in the middle of Chesapeake Bay with residents who like to keep their business to themselves. Piper Parrish among them.
When Piper’s husband, Tom’s crab boat capsizes, and his body is not found, the young “maybe” widow goes right about life as though Tom is still there… making his breakfast, walking him to the dock in the mornings, meeting him in the evening, and of course their standard Friday night date at The One Eyed-Crab.

When Anders Caldwell, want-to-be podcaster with an actual audience, is given an assignment on Frick Island to cover the annual Cake Walk Fundraiser, he is less than pleased. How are assignments like this going to put him on the map? But Anders finds that he has stumbled onto a much more interesting story, not only about Piper’s eccentric behavior of talking to a husband who is not there, but also watching all the residents of Frick Island pretending Tom is there as well for Piper’s sake. Business owners waving and saying good morning to Tom, acknowledging him right alongside Piper…. well… to Anders… this may be the story that will give him a name.


This is one of those books that has been in my peripheral vision… but for whatever reason, I did not pick up. Don’t pretend you don’t know what I mean… I’m sure you do it too 😀 As much as we may want to read ALL THE BOOKS. You can’t… and I know… It’s heartbreaking.


So many books… so little time….

So… looking for my next listen this summer as I go about my weekly cooking, cleaning, gardening… I chose TIHOFI. And… not disappointed.

My time on Frick Island was enjoyable! Piper is interesting and likable, and the book allows you to explore many outcomes….
Is Tom alive?
Do the residents of Frick Island know something I do not?
Does Piper know something that no one else does?
Is Piper crazy … or crazy in grief?
OR… Or… is something much bigger going on?

Well… I’m not telling. I will tell you, it’s worth a pick up. This is a pleasant, easy, and fun read. And this seems ( at least from my experience) to be Coleen Oakley’s pattern as an author – good books with a touch of fun… as I experienced when I read The Mostly True Story of Tanenr and Louise

Rated: 3 out of 5
Read Author Before: Yes
Read Author Again: Most likely
Who Should Read This: Anyone who enjoys a fun, interesting read that’s not heavy. This is the perfect time of year for Frick Island.

Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon (Bookies Book Club Pick)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)2 Comments

Based on a true story, this retelling of another remarkable woman pulled from history is well worth your time and attention. We have come a long, long way. ~Sheila

It is Maine, 1789, and Martha Ballard, a Midwife, is requested to examine a body found in the icy waters of the Kennebec River. As a Midwife, she knows much about her community and what goes on behind closed doors, recording in her diary every birth, every stillborn, as well as deaths and debacles, and every detail surrounding the circumstances.
Now, as Martha examines the dead man, she recognises him to be one of two respected gentlemen that had been allegedly involved in a rape a few months back. She also sees this death as not an accidental drowning, but murder.
As Martha lives in a time when women should know their place, and their voice is not always respected, when you could instead get an opinion from a man, her battle for justice is an uphill one When her son, Cyrus, is identified as having been in a fight with this man the same night as his death, Cyrus is accused of the murder. Martha knows she has to find a way to justice, no matter what the cost.

My Book Club, The Bookies, chose this as our read for June. I had this book already downloaded and for the life of me, was under the impression I had never finished it and wasn’t sure why… turns out – I just have a poor memory- not only did I read it, I also reviewed it here, as well as on Goodreads in March of 2024 – both I discovered this morning when I went to write this review. Good grief… I think that is a new one for me.

That all said – without reading what I previously wrote – here are my 2025 thoughts (and yes while listening to this one over the past week, I did recognize that I had some knowledge of this book, so there is hope for me yet… ;P
Martha’s story is compelling – not only is the book well written, it is based on an actual person and facts (historical fiction – the author admittedly fills in blanks and takes liberty to make the story flow). The book and the struggles of women having a voice are timely. I recently finished the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale, while certainly not apples to apples – this book gave me some of that same vibe of women struggling for respect and rights.
Often I find some of the more recent books are going for the big shocking “WOW” with nothing to stand behind it but poor writing, loose ends, and a confused reader – this is not one of those books… everything flows well, every storyline comes full circle.
It’s definitely worth the hype surrounding it, and I would absolutely recommend you give this a read.

Bookies Book Club:
The Bookies enjoyed this book very much – there was much to discuss, and women’s rights were definitely part of the discussion. Overall, the rating was a solid 4.5 out of 5. One of our members even stated that when she read this last year, it was her favorite book of the year.
If you are reading this as a book discussion, here are some fun things to include:

Food suggestions – there is not a lot of food talked about in the book, but if you look at the times, here are some thoughts:
Hearty Crusty Bread
A Chowder or Stew (think things you can get from a garden or from animals you raise, like cows, chickens, pigs)
Whole chicken (I went with the rotisserie style I could get from Walmart – already cooked)
Small potatoes, Carrots, Rosemary
Salad
Fruits
And an add-on for us with the Frozen River title – I made frozen Margaritas

Topics to pull for discussion –
Women’s rights ( we had a list of when laws were passed – see below), actually frightening to see how much of this has happened in our lifetime.
Midwifery
Relationships

Rated: 4.25 out of 5
Read Author Before: well, the same book so yes 🙂
Read Author Again: I would- she has a certain style I enjoy
Where Read: Listened on audio between house, car and yard work 🙂

The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose

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Eleven years ago, Attorney Sarah Morgan defended her husband, Adam, from the murder charges of his mistress – unsuccessfully. To Sarah, that was another life as she has moved on from that dreadful past and has started a family with her second husband, Bob Miller. If there is a sense of normalcy, this is it.
Right?

But when Bob has a one-night stand, Sarah immediately files for divorce. Amid this news and navigating the end of a relationship when a child is involved, Sarag also learns that new evidence has been uncovered in the case against Adam and maybe – things were not so cut and dried after all – in fact, new evidence shows that that there was tampering of evidence and the fingers were definitely pointed in the wrong direction, and the wrong person. Unfortunately, this places Sarah back in the spotlight – exactly where she doesn’t want to be during this time of turbulence in her personal life.

Now the woman that Bob had slept with is missing – and Sarah is fearful that life… does indeed seem to be repeating itself…

When I read The Perfect Marriage, I was impressed with this new author (to me). When I learned that the Perfect Divorce was being released shortly after I finished the first book, I was momentarily excited, followed quickly by cautiously making a decision if I wished to read it. How often have we LOVE LOVED a first book only to find the second to be a close repeat of the first and while fun to try to continue the story…. often we find it is not as strong and well-loved as we had hoped…

Have we learned nothing from Frieda McFadden’s Housemaid, the series slowly went from my 5-star rating, to a 3.5 for The Housemaid’s Secret, to my 3 average for The Housemaid Is Watching.

I get it – it’s hard if you have a winning story to not try again, but sadly, I am trying to remember the last time in a book like this that the sequel lived up to its potential.

That all said, The Perfect Divorce was interesting, I love the narration in both books, but in the end… I could have done without this one. The whole time I am making guesses at how and who is involved based on what happened in the first book. And while I did not have all the details, I was correct in my initial guesses.

IMO – read The Perfect Marriage. Skip the Perfect Divorce.

Rated: 3 out of 5
Read Author Before: yes
Read Author Again: yes – in fact, I have another book waiting, and I am excited to see what else she writes
Where Read: Listened to on audio – mostly at home

The One by John Marrs

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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


The Lake of Lost Girls by Katherine Greene

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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

More Or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)6 Comments

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

Inside The O’Brien’s (Huntington Disease)

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

Happy New Year! What Are You Reading? 12th Annual First Book Results Are Here!

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)34 Comments

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.

You Will Be Peter by Jerry Lathan

Keeping Watch: 30 Sheep, 24 Rabbits, 2 Llamas, 1 Alpaca, and a Shepherdess With A Day Job by Kathryn Sletto

A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra

Tranquility by Tuesday by Laura Vanderkam

The Torah Codes by Ezra Barany

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

The Day The World Came To Town: 911 in Gander, Newfoundland

If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

The Brothers Karanazav by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Olive, Mabel, and Me: Life Adventures With Two Very Good Dogs by Andrew Cotter

The Secret History of Audrey James

The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny

Who Will Carry The Fire? Darrell J Pedersen

The Clinic by Cate Quinn

Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci

The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan

Breath: The New Science Of A Lost Art by James Nestor

Lighthouse by Eugenia Price

James by Percival Everett

A Place In The Woods by Helen Hoover

Trust Issues by Elizabeth McCullough Keenan and Greg Wands

Titans by Leila Meacham

Family Doctor by J M Dalgliesh

Rough Pages by Lev AC Rosen

The God Of The Woods by Liz Moore

A Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towles

Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino

Wintering – The Power of Rest and Retreat by Katherine May

When We Had Wings by Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris, and Susan Meissner

CHER The Memoir Part 1 by Cher

Horseman: A Tale Of Sleepy Hollow by Christina Henry

The French Winemaker’s Daughter by Loretta Ellsworth

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

Tell Me Something Good by Court Stevens

How To Be Online and Also Be Happy by Issy Beach

Dog Songs: Poems by Mary Oliver

The Love Of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood

A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg

Lula Dean’s Little Libray of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller

The God Of The Woods by Liz Moore ( second time selected AND the first repeat title!)

The Last Devil To Die by Richard Osman

The Perfect Son by Freida McFadden

Forsaken Country by Allen Eskens

Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik

The Brothers of Karamazov by Fyoder Dostoevsky (second time selected!)

Somewhere Beyond The Sea by TJ Klune

All The Colors Of The Dark by Chris Whitaker

James by Percival Everett (send time selected!)

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig (second time selected!)

Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson

Slammed by Colleen Hoover

The House In The Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca ThorneL

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austin

The Second Mrs Astor by Shana Abe

Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson

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

The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo

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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.

Of course – would love to hear others opinions 🙂

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)4 Comments

A sweet read about love, loss and courage
~Sheila

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.