Monday, January 29, 2018

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah


Summary:


Alaska, 1974. Untamed. Unpredictable. A story of a family in crisis struggling to survive at the edge of the world, it is also a story of young and enduring love. Cora Allbright and her husband Ernt, a recently-returned Vietnam veteran scarred by the war, uproot their thirteen-year-old daughter Leni to start a new life in Alaska. Utterly unprepared for the weather and the isolation, but welcomed by the close-knit community, they fight to build a home in this harsh, beautiful wilderness.  At once an epic story of human survival and love, and an intimate portrait of a family tested beyond endurance, The Great Alone offers a glimpse into a vanishing way of life in America.



My Thoughts:

     I would first like to admit that this is only my second time reading Kristin Hannah. My first was, of course, the amazing hit of a couple of years ago, The Nightingale.  I was completely surprised and thrilled to get the opportunity to read her latest in advance.
     I had no idea what the book was about going in but I still would have bee excited to read had I known they synopsis.  That being said, this book is so beautiful! There is struggle, love, friendships and redemption.  Ms. Hannah seems to be able to write about anything and make it meaningful to you no matter the subject.
  The characters were people you could really care about and feel sympathy for even when you really don't like them. And the setting of Alaska was a whole character in and of itself.  There are some scenes of domestic violence that may bother some but this is really a story of strength and love.  Have tissues near by! 4.5/5 stars

P.S. Be sure the read the author's acknowledgments at the end to see the personal connection to Alaska-makes the story even better.


Favorite quotes:

"You know what they say about finding a man in Alaska-the odds are good , but the goods are odd."

"The world could tumble, change radically in two days, with just one less person in it."

"Everyone up here had two stories: the life before and the life now.  If you wanted to pray to a weirdo god or live in a school bus or marry a goose, no one in Alaska was going to say crap to you."

"Families and futures are fragile."

 

 

 

Author's site: https://kristinhannah.com/

 




Monday, January 22, 2018

Need to Know by Karen Cleveland


Summary:


In pursuit of a Russian sleeper cell on American soil, a CIA analyst uncovers a dangerous secret that will test her loyalty to the agency—and to her family.

What do you do when everything you trust might be a lie?

Vivian Miller is a dedicated CIA counterintelligence analyst assigned to uncover the leaders of Russian sleeper cells in the United States. On track for a much-needed promotion, she’s developed a system for identifying Russian agents, seemingly normal people living in plain sight.

After accessing the computer of a potential Russian operative, Vivian stumbles on a secret dossier of deep-cover agents within America’s borders. A few clicks later, everything that matters to her—her job, her husband, even her four children—are threatened.

Vivian has vowed to defend her country against all enemies, foreign and domestic. But now she’s facing impossible choices. Torn between loyalty and betrayal, allegiance and treason, love and suspicion, who can she trust?





My Thoughts:


     I can't quite decide how to tell you how I feel about this one.  On one hand, there were moments where I was frowning saying "How can she not see this?" and "Why is she still shocked by this?".  But....one hand #2, I kept reading and I could barely make myself put this one down so I could do life things!?  
     Maybe I just love me some spy thrillers or maybe I just liked Vivian or maybe I just wondered, what would I do in this situation? Who knows! I can tell you this is definitely a page turner full of deceit and doubts. Although it didn't quite end like I thought it would, it did surprise me and that is always good.  I am really hoping there will be another book.  
4/5 stars

Author's site: http://karen-cleveland.com/

Friday, January 19, 2018

The Matter of the Crown by Linda Ferreri


The Matter of the Crown

The Crown of the Andes, one of the world's most precious and beautiful sacred objects, has been stolen right off the stage at Satterling's Auction House in New York City. Five pounds of magnificent baroque gold that ransomed the Inca Ruler Atahaulpa, and hundreds of perfect Colombian emeralds, all gone without a trace! Will this legendary treasure be destroyed for its gold and emeralds? One woman is dead and another one in hot pursuit.
Purchase from Amazon UKhttp://amzn.to/2jd6bEd








About Linda Ferreri

Linda Ferreri is a well-known art lawyer and author.  Her books include novels about the Crown of the Anes, a novella entitled The King of UNINI, and whimsical hand-illustrated iBooks.  She is known, also, for her drawings.   She divides her time between Italy and the United States, and lectures widely around the world about art and history.  Her next novel is in progress.








Monday, January 15, 2018

Only a Hummingbird Flies Backward by John J. Quick


Summary:


     A racial divide threatens to split apart a small southern town in 1967: a white child disappears, a community market burns to the ground, and a young black man stands accused of both crimes. When an elderly grandmother attempts to hide an old family secret, she unwittingly pushes her grandchildren into the middle of a dark tale of violence, deception, prejudice, and redemption, as Boo Radley's shadow appears in the less innocent 60s.


My Thoughts:


     Only a Hummingbird is a thought provoking novel with a good mystery element that will keep you guessing.  It is reminiscent of To Kill a Mockingbird in the evoking of childhood fears and innocence while dealing with tough, adult issues.  I will say that the beginning could use a bit more of an introduction so that you get a better feel for your main character and whose point of view you are seeing things through.
     A clever, short read that will keep you engaged with interesting characters and enough twists and turns to keep things lively!  


Author's Good Reads page: 


https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/40578.John_J_Quick

Monday, January 8, 2018

The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

 

Summary:


     If you were told the date of your death, how would it shape your present?
     It's 1969 in New York City's Lower East Side, and word has spread of the arrival of a mystical woman, a traveling psychic who claims to be able to tell anyone the day they will die. The Gold children—four adolescents on the cusp of self-awareness—sneak out to hear their fortunes.
     Their prophecies inform their next five decades. Golden-boy Simon escapes to the West Coast, searching for love in '80s San Francisco; dreamy Klara becomes a Las Vegas magician, obsessed with blurring reality and fantasy; eldest son Daniel seeks security as an army doctor post-9/11, hoping to control fate; and bookish Varya throws herself into longevity research, where she tests the boundary between science and immortality.



My Thoughts:


     I loved the idea behind this book and it is what drew me to want to review it.  What would you do with your life if you knew the exact day you would die? If you knew exactly how much time you had to live?  Also, that cover? It's gorgeous!
     This story revolves around the four Gold children and how each of them lived their lives after finding out exactly how long they had to do so.  I don't want to go into any details and spoil any of their stories but I will say they are varied and troubled, each in a different way.
     I cannot say that I particularly liked any of the characters as they were all rather selfish and self absorbed.  Simon was especially but his story is the one that touched me the most and the only one I could truly forgive for his selfishness.  All of the stories are touching in their own way and each gives you a different perspective on life and teaches you something.  This is the exact reason I read this book. 
     I will say that the last story did drag a bit and felt less emotional and cold to me but I think that that was Ms. Benjamin's point.  While this may not be my favorite book ever, I think the story and lessons inside the story are important and I would recommend The Immortalists if this premise intrigues you at all.  4/5 stars*

*small warning: there is one small section of a chapter with      
   very naughty bits-I was a bit taken by surprised so I thought I would 
   let everyone know!

Author's site: https://www.chloebenjaminbooks.com/

Thursday, January 4, 2018

2017 Most Viewed Posts

 
 

Here is a quick little list of the top six viewed posts for 2017 from my lovely little blog. 

 
#1- Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders: probably my most despised book of the year and you guys viewed it the most? Sickos! :)
 
#2- He Said/She Said by Erin Kelly:  an enjoyable read that was perfectly timed for the big eclipse this year. 
 
#3- Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak:  another family drama that I just couldn't make myself like and again you guys enjoyed my suffering!?
 
#4- We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgie Hunter:  an amazing story of a family surviving WWII that I loved and so did you!
 
#5- The Girl Before by JP Delaney: this was a psychological thriller that fell a little flat for me.
 
#6-  The Best Kind of People by Zoe Whittall:  great possibilities but I didn't like any of the characters and that is a death sentence for me. 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thanks guys for stopping by and continuing to and I hope you have an amazing 2018 filled with love, laughter, good health and LOTS of great books!

Monday, January 1, 2018

The English Wife by Lauren Willig


Summary:


     Annabelle and Bayard Van Duyvil live a charmed life: he’s the scion of an old Knickerbocker family, she grew up in a Tudor manor in England, they had a whirlwind romance in London, they have three year old twins on whom they dote, and he’s recreated her family home on the banks of the Hudson and renamed it Illyria. Yes, there are rumors that she’s having an affair with the architect, but rumors are rumors and people will gossip. But then Bayard is found dead with a knife in his chest on the night of their Twelfth Night Ball, Annabelle goes missing, presumed drowned, and the papers go mad. Bay’s sister, Janie, forms an unlikely alliance with a reporter to uncover the truth, convinced that Bay would never have killed his wife, that it must be a third party, but the more she learns about her brother and his wife, the more everything she thought she knew about them starts to unravel. Who were her brother and his wife, really? And why did her brother die with the name George on his lips?

Release date: January 9, 2018

My Thoughts:


     The English Wife is one part historical fiction and one part mystery/thriller! If you are a Book of the Month Club member and you were smart enough to pick this one for December, good job! This one is full of twists you won't see coming.
     There are several characters but the two main perspectives you get are Janie Van Duyvil and Annabelle's.  You will quickly realize that you are not sure who you can trust or if you can trust any of these characters AT ALL!? There are good guys and bad guys and people you will just love to hate-a whole enjoyable cast of characters.  I will say there were a few points where things dragged a bit and were quite bleak and dark but those moments quickly pass.  Overall this is a great winter-y, chilling read! 4.5/5 stars

Author's site: http://www.laurenwillig.com/




P.S. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!