May 2, 2021

April 2021 Reading Wrap Up

How was your April reading?

My April was a brilliant eleven-book reading month: five 4.5-5 Star reads; three 4 Star reads; three 3-3.5 Star reads.

My favorite fiction read of the month was The Rose Code by Kate Quinn.

Did we read any of the same books?

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links or my linked reviews.
ARC=Advanced Readers Copy (complimentary copy for review)

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

5+  Stars. Page-turning and unputdownable WW11 historical fiction.

The Warsaw Orphan by Kelly Rimmer

5 Stars. (ARC) Compelling Historical Fiction (WW11). Review coming on June 1, 2021.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

5 Stars. Middle-Grade Historical Fiction (WW11). Not reviewed.

The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba by Chanel Cleeton

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5). (ARC) Interesting Historical Fiction (late 1800s Cuba). Review coming on May 3, 2021.

The Social Graces by Renée Rosen

4.5 Stars  (ARC) Entertaining Historical Fiction (Gilded Age).

Birth and Other Surprises by Kimberly Davis Basso

4 Stars. (Instagram book tour) Light-reading humorous essays on birth and parenthood.

Arsenic and Adobo by Mia Manansala

4 Stars. (ARC) Light-reading Contemporary Cozy Mystery. Review coming May 6, 2021.

(more…)

March 31, 2021

March 2021 Reading Wrap Up

How was your March reading?

March was a great fourteen-book reading month. Because I read several Middle-Grade books for Middle-Grade March, I’m dividing my list between adult and middle grade.

My favorite fiction read of the month is Radar Girls by Sara Ackerman closely followed by The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray, and my favorite nonfiction was Open by Andre Agassi. My favorite middle-grade read was Ghost by Jason Reynolds.

Did we read any of the same books?

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my available reviews are linked.
ARC=Advanced Readers Copy

Radar Girls (ARC) by Sara Ackerman

5  Stars (ARC). Page-turning and unputdownable WW11 historical fiction.
Pub Date: 7/27/21 Review coming July 27, 2021.

The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5). (ARC) Compelling Historical Fiction (French Revolution, WW1, and WW11). My review of Women of Chateau Lafayette here.

Open by Andre Agassi

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5). Nonfiction, Memoir, Sports. My review of Open here.

The Windsor Knot by S.J. Bennett

4 Stars  Light-reading Cozy Mystery featuring Queen Elizabeth. My review of Windsor Knot here.

Hana Kahn Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin

4 Stars. (ARC) Light-reading Contemporary Fiction, Rom-Com. Muslim. Inspired by You’ve Got Mail.
Pub Date: 3/13/2021. Review coming April 13, 2021.

Love at First by Kate Clayborn

3.5-4 Stars. Light-reading Contemporary Fiction. Women’s Fiction. Romance. Not reviewed.
Pub Date: 5/4/21 Review: 5/3/21

(more…)

February 27, 2021

February 2021 Reading Wrap Up

How was your February reading?

It feels like February was a short book-reading month: I had zero five-star reads, six four-star reads, one three-star read, and one two-star read. Find all my February reads listed below in order of Star Rating. Keep in mind that I normally recommend five- and four-star reads on the blog; three-star reads receive mixed reviews from me for various reasons; and two-star reads are books that were not for me. One-star reads are usually shelved as DNF.

My favorite read of the month is Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan followed closely by The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee.

Did we read any of the same books?

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my available reviews are linked.
ARC=Advanced Readers Copy

Surviving Savannah (ARC) by Patti Callahan

4.5  Stars (rounded to 5) (ARC). Compelling and unputdownable historical fiction.
Pub Date: 3/9/21 My review of Surviving Savannah here.

The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee

4 Stars. (YA) Engaging Historical Fiction (non WW11). My review of Downstairs Girl here.

Love Is a Revolution by Renée Watson

4 Stars. (YA)  Contemporary Fiction. Review of Love Is a Revolution here.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

4 Stars  Historical Fiction (classic).

Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West

4 Stars. Contemporary Fiction.

The Woman With the Blue Star (ARC) by Pam Jenoff

4 Stars. (ARC) WW11 Historical Fiction.
Pub Date: 5/4/21 Review: 5/3/21

(more…)

January 31, 2021

January 2021 Reading Wrap Up

How was your January reading?

January was an eleven book reading month: I had zero five-star reads, seven four-star reads, three three-star reads, and one two-star read. I also had one DNF. Find all my January reads listed below in order of Star Rating. Keep in mind that I normally recommend five- and four-star reads on the blog; three-star reads receive mixed reviews from me for various reasons; and two-star reads are books that were not for me. One-star reads are usually shelved as DNF.

My favorite read of the month is the Great Escape From Woodslands Nursing Home by Joanna Nell (contemporary fiction) closely followed by The Invisible Woman by Erika Robuck (WW11 histfic).

Did we read any of the same books?

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my available reviews are linked.

The Great Escape From Woodlands Nursing Home by Joanna Nell

4.5  Stars. (ARC). Heartfelt contemporary fiction. Quirky, mature characters.
Review of The Great Escape From Woodlands Nursing Home here.

The Invisible Woman (ARC) by Erika Robuck

4.5 Stars. (ARC)  Histfic WW11. Pub Date: 2/9/2021. Review of Invisible Woman here.

Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson

4.5 Stars  Contemporary YA fiction. A gentler The Hate U Give with similar themes. Review coming soon.

Inside Out & Back Again by Thannha Lai

4.5-5 Stars. Middle-Grade histfic (Vietnamese refugees). This is a reread and I enjoyed it as much as the first time. My brief review of Inside Out & Back Again can be found in this post.

The Answer Is…Reflections On My Life by Alex Trebek

4 Stars. (NF) Memoir. Candid reflections on his life by beloved game show host of Jeopardy!, Alex Trebek. Review of The Answer Is… here.

(more…)

December 28, 2020

December 2020 Reading Wrap Up

How was your December reading?

December was a twelve book reading month, but it weighed in heavily on the “meh” side with only one five-star read, four four-star reads, six three-star reads, and one two-star read. Find all my December reads listed below in order of Star Rating. Keep in mind that I normally recommend five- and four-star reads on the blog; three-star reads receive mixed reviews from me for various reasons; and two-star reads are books that were not for me. One-star reads are usually shelved as DNF.

My favorite read of the month is The Girl From the Channel Islands by Jenny Lecoat (histfic).

Did we read any of the same books?

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my available reviews are linked.

The Girl From the Channel Islands (ARC) by Jenny Lecoat

5 Stars. (ARC). Compelling and memorable WW11 histfic.
Pub Date: 2/2/2021 Review coming soon.

The Nature of Fragile Things (ARC) by Susan Meissner

4.5 Stars. (ARC.)  Histfic (San Francisco Earthquake)/Suspense/Mystery/Family Drama mashup. Pub Date: 2/2/2021. Review coming soon.

The Paris Library (ARC) by Janet Skeslien Charles

4 Stars (ARC). WW11 histfic featuring the American Library of Paris. A book about books. Pub Date: 2/9/2021. Review coming soon.

The Chanel Sisters (ARC) by Judithe Little

4 Stars (ARC). Interesting imagined story of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel from her sister’s perspective. Pub Date: 12/29/2020. Review coming soon.

(more…)

November 30, 2020

November 2020 Reading Wrap Up

How was your November reading?

November was a nine book reading month. I am happy to report two five-star reads, four four-star reads, two three-star reads, and one two-star read. Find all my November reads listed below in order of Star Rating. Keep in mind that I normally recommend five- and four-star reads on the blog; three-star reads receive mixed reviews from me for various reasons; and two-star reads are books that were not for me. One star reads are usually shelved as DNF.

My favorite read of the month is an unputdownable Memoir: The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Dr. Edith Eva Eger (Holocaust survivor).

My favorite fiction title is The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin.

Did we read any of the same books?

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my available reviews are linked.

The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Dr. Edith Eva Eger

5 Stars. A compelling, inspirational, and heartfelt memoir.
My review of The Choice here.

The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin

5 Stars. (ARC) Memorable WW11 histfic (London). Pub Date: 4/6/2021. Review coming soon.

New Arrivals at Hedgehog Hollow by Jessica Redland

4 Stars (ARC). Light women’s fiction and #2 in the Hedgehog Hollow series. Pub Date: 1/7/2021. My review coming soon.

Tomorrow Will Be Better by Betty Smith

4 Stars (ARC). A republished classic by the author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. My review of Tomorrow will Be Better coming soon.

(more…)

October 31, 2020

October 2020 Reading Wrap Up

How was your October reading?

October was a thirteen book reading month with one DNF. I am happy to report three five-star reads, six four-star reads, three three-star reads, and one two-star reads. Find all my September reads listed below in order of Star Rating. Keep in mind that I normally recommend five- and four-star reads on the blog; three-star reads receive mixed reviews from me for various reasons; and two-star reads are books that were not for me. One star reads are usually shelved as DNF.

My favorite read of the month is a tie between two middle-grade books: Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero and The War I Finally Won.

My favorite adult title is The Sunflower Sisters.

Did we read any of the same books?

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my available reviews are linked.

Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero by Kelly J. Baptist

5 (MG) Stars. Compelling, engaging, and heartfelt middle-grade fiction.
My review of Isaiah Dunn here.

The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradly

5 (MG) Stars. (second book in The War That Saved My Life series) Heartfelt middle-grade fiction with a “found family” theme. (This is a reread and I loved it as much as the first time!) My brief Goodreads review of The War I Finally Won here.

Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly

4.5 rounded up to 5 Stars. (ARC) Number three in the Lilac Girls series. Well-researched, compelling, and engaging historical fiction (Civil War). My review coming soon.

Lemons by Melissa Savage

4 (MG) Stars. Sweet and heartfelt “found family” read. My review of Lemons here.

(more…)

September 30, 2020

September 2020 Reading Wrap Up

How was your September reading?

September was a fourteen book reading month with zero DNFs. I am happy to report five five-star reads, two four-star reads, four three-star reads, and three two-star reads. Find all my September reads listed below in order of Star Rating. Keep in mind that I normally recommend five- and four-star reads on the blog; three-star reads receive mixed reviews from me for various reasons; and two-star reads are books that were not for me. One star reads are usually shelved as DNF.

My favorite read of the month is Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell simply because it made the greatest emotional impact.

Did we read any of the same books?

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my available reviews are linked.

Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell

4.5-5 Stars. Compelling, engaging, and emotional literary fiction.
My review of Hamnet here.

Transcendent Kingdom

4.5-5 Stars. An engaging and poignant family drama that reads like a memoir. My review of Transcendent Kingdom here.

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

4.5-5 Stars. A mash up of light mystery, comedy, and drama in true Backman style. My review of Anxious People here.

The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons

4.5-5 Stars. Multi-generational heartfelt women’s fiction with likable characters and an inspiring theme. My review of The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett here.

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

4.5-5 (MG) Stars. A reread of one of my very favorite middle grade historical fiction books (now I need to reread the sequel). Not yet reviewed.

(more…)

August 31, 2020

August 2020 Reading Wrap Up

How was your August reading?

August was a fourteen book reading month even though I had two DNFs. I am happy to report four five-star reads, six four-star reads, and four three-star reads. Find all my August reads listed below in order of Star Rating. Keep in mind that I normally recommend five- and four-star reads on the blog; three-star reads receive mixed reviews from me for various reasons; and two-star reads are books that were not for me. One star reads are usually shelved as DNF.

My favorite read of the month is a back-list title, Ordinary Grace.

Did we read any of the same books?

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my available reviews are linked.

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

5 Stars. Compelling, engaging, and thought-provoking literary fiction. (You may have read Krueger’s This Tender Land this year.) My review of Ordinary Grace here.

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

5 Stars. An engaging and poignant book about books. A reread which I enjoyed, even more, the second time! My review of A.J. Fikry here.

The Next Great Jane by K.L. Going

5 (MG) Stars. For daughters of Jane Austin fans and their moms. Innocent, engaging, science and writing themes. Not yet reviewed.

Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradly

5 (MG) Stars. CAUTION: because of heavy content involving child abuse and self-harm, I’m encouraging parents to read this FIRST. Not yet reviewed.

All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny

4.5 Stars. (ARC) #16 in the series (please read series in order!) In addition to the mystery to be solved, this story includes poignant family and father/son themes. My full review of All the Devils Are Here.

(more…)

July 31, 2020

July 2020 Reading Wrap Up

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

What Was Your Favorite July Read?

From a numerical standpoint, July was the best reading month I’ve had in a while. I read 15 books (17 if I count the last two I squeaked in at month’s end after I had already written this post…I’ll count them for August). I ended up with two five-star reads (4.5 rounded up) and three four-star reads, nine three-star reads, and one two-star read. I did not have a DNF although I admit to skim-reading my two-star read.

Reading in July looked a bit different for me in that I read quite a few light women’s fiction selections. For some reason, my Pandemic brain craved lighter reads, and then I inadvertently read #4 in a series and I always read series in order, so I needed to go back and read books 1-3! #bookproblems

My favorite fiction read of the month is a tie between The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai and The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel for their page-turning storylines and inspirational characters.

Find all my July reads listed below in order of Star Rating. Keep in mind that I normally recommend five- and four-star reads on the blog; three-star reads receive mixed reviews from me for various reasons; and two-star reads are books I may or may not have finished but they were not for me. One star reads are usually shelved as DNF or perhaps quickly scanned.

Did we read any of the same books?

Under COVID-19 conditions, I hope that you’re all doing well and staying safe!

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links. Titles are Amazon links and available reviews are linked.

The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5). Historical Fiction, Multigenerational Family Drama. Vietnamese. My full review of The Mountains Sing.

The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel

4.5 Stars (Rounded to 5). Historical Fiction. WW11. Engaging and page-turning. My full review of The Book of Lost Names.

Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce

4 Stars. (ARC: Pub Date: 11/24/2020) Historical Fiction/Women’s Fiction/Adventure mashup. Quite a unique read! Review coming soon.

Wish by Barbara O’Connor

4 Stars. (Middle Grade) Heartwarming. Finding a home. Not reviewed.

(more…)