Tasha lives with her abusive husband and her teenaged son. She has tried to leave (unsuccessfully), aTasha and Madison live in very different worlds.
Tasha lives with her abusive husband and her teenaged son. She has tried to leave (unsuccessfully), and is trying to ride this hell out until her son graduates high school later this year. Madison is the wife of a very rich man and spends her time making sure she still looks young and beautiful to be sure he doesn’t trade her in for a newer, younger wife.
One night, Tasha has tried to leave again and is on her way back home because she cannot leave her son behind- a beautiful woman dressed to the nine’s runs towards her car as she is leaving a parking garage wanting to get into the car with her and there is a man in a tux chasing after her. She lets Tasha into her car…and into her life.
The story quickly turns into a fast paced, twisty ride. You won’t be able to guess what will happen next or who to trust.
The description says that author L.S. Stratton wrote this as a spin on Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train (a movie I’ve never seen) but I love how Stratton weaved in the differences and inequities of gender, class and race to this story.
Emma Hunt is a single mom of 2 sons; Jacob is 18 and has Asberger’s, Theo is 15 and he is neurotypical. Emma shapes her entire life around Jacob. The Emma Hunt is a single mom of 2 sons; Jacob is 18 and has Asberger’s, Theo is 15 and he is neurotypical. Emma shapes her entire life around Jacob. The food they eat, the shows they watch and at what time, the colors that are OK are in her house but not the colors that give Jacob unease (full on meltdowns). He is also incredibly interested (obsessed) with Forensic science. Jacob’s world is black and white - no gray areas- he lives by the House Rules his mother has set up for the family. Jacob has a tutor, Jess Olgilvy - she is a grad student and helps Jacob learn social and conversational skills.
Jess becomes a missing person and later on her body is found. Jacob is a suspect - is the justice system ready for Jacob’s twitches, routines and unconventional communication?
This story is presented to you in alternating points of view as is Jodi Picoult’s style. While this was a good story I didn’t feel it was one of her best. I didn’t feel that strong connection to the characters that she has been able to give to me with other books....more
3.5 rounded to 4 stars This is Sonny’s story. She is the young narrator of this book. She, her parents and her 2 older brothers live in North Carolina 3.5 rounded to 4 stars This is Sonny’s story. She is the young narrator of this book. She, her parents and her 2 older brothers live in North Carolina in the 1950’s where her dad had a cotton farm. She loved to work with him and he taught her all that he knew about farming. One day while her and her brothers were working with him he was bitten by a rattlesnake and died.
Their neighbor, Mr. Fowler offered to make a deal with their mom to help them plant cotton and get a crop if they would give him a percentage. Sonny’s mom agrees and life gets worse for the whole family from there.
As Sonny tells the story you will learn that Mr. Fowler is a rotten, racist, homophobic, evil man.
There are not a lot of bright spots in this book but there are probably a lot of people that need to read this coming of age story to learn about how recently in the United States’ history that the klan was an acceptable part of society.
I closed this book with a pit in my stomach thinking about the fact that there are still too many people in this world like Mr. Fowler
If you are in an abusive relationship and need help please call The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.7233 https://www.thehotline.org/...more
This sister story takes place post Covid pandemic on the San Juan islands near Seattle. Elena and Sam are in their 20’s and grew up in the same house This sister story takes place post Covid pandemic on the San Juan islands near Seattle. Elena and Sam are in their 20’s and grew up in the same house they are living in now. Their mother is terminally ill and they each work low paying jobs as well as take care of her. Sam works concession on the ferry system and one day she sees a bear swimming. The next day - the bear is outside the front door of their house!
Their day in/day out life of going to work, taking care of mom and going to bed disrupts each of the sisters in a different way. The presence of the bear fascinates Elena and she is not afraid. Sam is afraid and wants animal control to get it off the island.
This was a pensive and sort of somber story that was well written but it didn’t seem to click with me. If there were a theme song for this book I think it would be Fast Car by Tracy Chapman....more
4 stars Carla is a waitress in Phoenix and although she is in her 30’s she doesn’t really have her life put together yet. One night before closing a ha4 stars Carla is a waitress in Phoenix and although she is in her 30’s she doesn’t really have her life put together yet. One night before closing a handsome and witty man comes in alone… after a little flirting on both sides she goes to his house (a really NICE house in Paradise Valley!). He makes her a delicious meal and they go to bed together.
Carla doesn’t let herself get close to anyone so while he’s in the shower she takes a Polaroid photo out of his bedside drawer - a souvenir to remember him by. He seems to want to keep this thing going, make her breakfast, go back to bed…. She gets out of there instead. Turns out he is connected to a powerful guy. A guy who is also running for president and it so happens that this photo would expose him for the person he really is - a dangerous person.
Carla decides to disappear and takes off. She ends in Homer, Alaska and now the story really begins.
Lots of surprises in this one. It was an exciting and fun read with some good messages threaded throughout....more
This historical fiction tells the story of 1 very special combat nurse who served 2 tours in a crazy, un-winnable war in There WERE women in Vietnam.
This historical fiction tells the story of 1 very special combat nurse who served 2 tours in a crazy, un-winnable war in which survivors weren’t even able to come home to a hero’s welcome. Frankie McGrath is young and naive when her brother is having a going away party for his service in the Navy in Vietnam. She decides to go to nursing school and do what she can to help. This is her story- both during the war and after her return. Frankie is an imperfect person(as we all are) and the author doesn’t hold back when she shows this to us. Nevertheless, I was routing for Frankie the whole time.
The war is over for most people after 1973, but not for the people that lived it. A tough and brutal read at times but any level of uncomfortable feelings do not hold a candle to what the people who lived through it experienced.
Kristin Hannah gives credit where it is due in her acknowledgements at the end of the book. I will definitely be checking out some of the resource books that she recommends.
I am so happy I finally picked this one up off of my shelf. This book deserves to be read. ...more
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. I had to go back to my Goodreads profile to determine whether it was 3 or 4 stars for me. It was well written and I did hav3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. I had to go back to my Goodreads profile to determine whether it was 3 or 4 stars for me. It was well written and I did have a connection with the main character who is also the narrator of this book.
In the 1930’s a group of British hikers are attempting to get to the summit of the 3rd tallest mountain in the Himalayas; Kangchenjunga. A group about 30 years ago attempted to climb the same route and all but 2 of them died. Michelle Paver did a great job researching the area and her Author’s note at the end is worth reading. She does mention that she kept the language,old spellings and the character’s attitudes (including some racist names for the porters that are assisting the group of Englishmen).
This was not an explosive story that you’ll be tearing through the pages for, but it is a slow and conscious build that turns out to be absolutely terrifying. I won’t be going into the details of the story, that’s for the reader to experience on their own but I will say that I was satisfied by the ending and the dog doesn’t die.
The sections describing altitude sickness, its symptoms and the treatments for it back then were fascinating to me as well.
Our narrator, Hig is a survivor (whether he wanted to be or not) The flu and the “blood sickness”along with climate change and drought has killed mostOur narrator, Hig is a survivor (whether he wanted to be or not) The flu and the “blood sickness”along with climate change and drought has killed most people in the world and it’s just him, his dog Jasper and his 1 human connection Bangley.
They are living outside of Denver near an abandoned airport. Hig still has his Cessna and knows a safe place to get fuel. He can circle the perimeter from above to be sure no one is coming into their safe space. He fishes whatever fish are left (climate change has killed off the trout but there are some carp), he keeps a garden (potatoes, string beans), he hunts deer which becomes Jerky for them. Bangley has an armory and he keeps watch from a tower he built.
You’ll learn the story of what he has lost, you’ll feel his grief to your core and you will understand why he makes some of his decisions that take him out of this relatively “comfortable” space he is living in this post apocalyptic world to seek out something more.
I think the sort of clipped writing took a minute for me to get “into” but once I did I was definitely engaged in Hig’s survival and well being. There will be a lot for you to think about after you close the cover of this book. Peter Heller really gets you to think about the different types of people there are in the world. If you were presented with these types of scenarios would you be a killer? A caregiver? A loner? A person that keeps some human connections? A person that takes advantage of other’s weaknesses? Would you keep caring but not so much that it will kill you?
I hope that if it ever comes to it, there are lots of Higs...more
This book made me feel so many feelings so deeply.
If you are as lucky as Evelyn Hugo was (and as lucky as I am) to know true love this book will haveThis book made me feel so many feelings so deeply.
If you are as lucky as Evelyn Hugo was (and as lucky as I am) to know true love this book will have you feeling all the feels too.
The Seven Husbands: Poor Ernie Diaz Goddamn Don Alder Gullible Mick Riva Clever Rex North Brilliant, Kindhearted, Tortured HarryCameron (oh Harry ...more
Strong 4 stars. It was a little bit of a slow starter for me and it took me a minute to figure out who the characters were and also when they were- buStrong 4 stars. It was a little bit of a slow starter for me and it took me a minute to figure out who the characters were and also when they were- but once I got that straight in my head it was quite an engrossing read.
Mom & Dad: Malia and Augie The kids: Dean, Naninoa and Kaui
Malia & Augie - high school sweethearts whose love is still strong are living hand to mouth on The Big Island of Hawaii in the late 1990’s with their 3 kids. The sugar cane plantation shuts down and Augie loses his job. They try to make ends meet as long as they can but soon realize they need to reach out to family for help and move to Kalihi on O’ahu. Before they leave, Augie gets the family tickets for a glass bottomed boat tour. The events that take place on this boat change their lives forever. Middle son, Naninoa (Noa) falls overboard and a group of sharks save him, carefully placing him back on the boat unharmed. The family moves to O’ahu and realizes their young son now has some very special healing “powers”.
Dean & Kaui essentially become glass children, even though they have some incredible talents of their own and the author takes us through each character’s life with alternating point of view chapters.
It was heart wrenching to read but I was definitely sucked into each family member’s story. Hawaiian traditions, beliefs and lore play a big role in the family’s story of love and grief.
4 Short Stories. 4.5 stars as a whole but I will rate each story individually.
You should know that I am a Stephen King fan. I have been a constant re4 Short Stories. 4.5 stars as a whole but I will rate each story individually.
You should know that I am a Stephen King fan. I have been a constant reader for over 35 years. One of the things I like best about his books is that he has a way of slowly building the story and the characters around my brain until I am completely surrounded. Short stories do not always give that feeling to me but if they are well written and interesting I will still enjoy them.
Mr. Harrigan’s Phone was a 4 star for me with the character of young Craig and his relationship with Mr. Harrigan reminding me a little of Fairy Tale. I would not have minded if this one was a bit longer.
The Life of Chuck was 3.5-4 stars. I enjoyed Chuck’s story a little more than Marty’s but I do think that if Marty’s character was given more time he could have had his own interesting story separate from Chuck.
If it Bleeds was 4 star and featured Holly Gibney (a character you may already know). Definitely a stressful (in a good and entertaining way) story about another “Outsider”. This story was the centerpiece of the collection and Holly Gibney fans will love it. I was satisfied with the ending.
Rat was probably my favorite of the 4 stories and was a 5 star for me. It was classic King and gave me vibes from some previous books but not in a way that I felt that it was a re-hash in any way. Very spooky. Very Maine. Very King. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️...more
I started reading this in July but didn’t finish it within the Libby timespan so it was sucked away from my Kindle. I had to “get back in line” to borI started reading this in July but didn’t finish it within the Libby timespan so it was sucked away from my Kindle. I had to “get back in line” to borrow it from the library again. Today it became available and I was finally able to finish!
Mary Russell is an intelligent young woman who has lost her parents to an accident. She has a sizable trust but has to have her lazy, greedy aunt live with her until she is an adult. She is walking through the fields one day and comes across a man studying some bees on a flower. That man is the retired Sherlock Holmes.
He recognizes her intellect and challenges her with critical thinking projects, long games of chess and even some local small level mysteries to solve with him. The relationship grows and she becomes almost a daughter or niece to him but an also a trusted and respected partner.
As they become involved in some more serious and dangerous cases the slow build of this book gets more exciting. Will they survive this last one !?
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