Category: Book Reviews

A Very Quick Review: Olive Kitteridge

February 22nd, 2022

I began reading this one with some apprehension as it has such mixed reviews, but I ended up loving it.

Olive Kitteridge is a retired schoolteacher living in Crosby, Maine with her loyal husband Henry and misunderstood son, Christopher. The book follow Olive as she interacts with a host of characters all with their own humanity–joy and suffering. It is not plot driven and at times feels like a series of essays or short stories about a real town, as opposed to a work of fiction.

I am a sucker for real feelings and the complexities of human nature in a story, so I was drawn to Olive and the rest of the residents of Crosby from the get-go. I would say skip if you want something fast-paced and plot driven, grab a cup of coffee, a warm blanket, and settle into your cozy chair if you’re looking for a slow burn.

I can’t wait to read more of Elizabeth Strout’s work.

FIVE STARS

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A Very Quick Review: The Rumor

February 21st, 2022

Oh, Elin Hilderbrand, the queen of the beach read.

After a hectic month and a couple of heavier reading subjects I opted for a beach read in the middle of January. And it was perfect. Heavy with teen drama, an affair, a prostitute ring, lies and, you guessed it, rumors! It was light and unbelievable and set in the magic, Nantucket.

All-in-all nothing spectacular but fun enough to keep my interest and serve as the perfect escape.

THREE STARS

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A Very Quick Review: The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot

February 21st, 2022

This is such a delightful book, full of hope and joy amidst real-life heartache and suffering.

Lenni, a seventeen year old living in the terminal ward, joins an art class against her doctor’s wishes and makes an unlikely friend. Together they tell their 100 year story, weaving them together and making the reader fall in love with both their humanity and resiliency.

I loved this one. It had me grinning and crying, I couldn’t put it down.

FOUR STARS

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A Very Quick Review: The Last Thing He Told Me

February 21st, 2022

The last thing Owen Michaels does before disappearing is send his wife, Hannah, a note: Protect her. Although confused about why, Hannah knows it is referring to Owen’s daughter, Bailey. In an effort to do that and find her husband, Hannah begins to uncover his past and make sense of the man she loves.

This book is marketed and sold as a mystery/thriller, and while is was definitely mysterious, there was NOTHING thrilling about it. I have never read a slower thriller. I found it all a little unbelievable, but not in the way most thrillers are. And the ending, although it tugged on my heart strings a bit, was disappointing.

All-in-all not my fave, I gave it THREE STARS.

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A Very Quick Review: The Family Nextdoor

February 15th, 2022

I have been such a Sally Hepworth fan since reading The Mother-in-Law two summers ago. Her books are full of mystery and suspense, leaving you wondering what’s about to happen without making you pee your pants or sleep with the light on. They’re typically fun, fast-paced, an easy read. The Good Sister was one of my favorite books from last year.

The Family Next Door is follows three women living in Pleasant Court, a neighborhood living up to it’s name. Isabelle Heatherington moves in and immediately does not fit in, being single and childless. The women are determined to learn more about her, using different methods to do so. Hepworth also gives us a look into the three women’s home life and marriages, weaving their stories together.

This is an easy read, it will keep you entertained and wanting more at the end of each chapter. It, however, also left me wanting more at the end of the book. I felt like it fell a bit flat. It has been a while since I finished, so I may be misremembering, but I don’t remember the point of knowing Ange and Fran’s backstories and secrets. Overall, not my favorite Sally Hepworth book.

THREE STARS

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A Very Quick Review: Normal People

February 15th, 2022

This is my second Sally Rooney novel, reading Conversation with Friends a number of years ago, and I have to say I’m a big fan. I understand the polarizing views surrounding her work, but the way she writes characters entrances me. So human, somehow. Honestly, and maybe this won’t sound like a good thing, but the way she makes a seemingly directionless plot interesting and entertaining is remarkable. My one critique, and I’m sure this will come as no surprise to those of you have read her work, is her lack of quotation marks is somewhat maddening.

The story follows on and off again lovers, Connell and Marianne, as they go from high school opposites to university comrades. Rooney does an exceptional job at exploring the nuances of class, family dynamics, and the complexities of young love.

I gave this one: FOUR STARS

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A Very Quick Review: Ruin and Rising

February 15th, 2022

Ruin and Rising, is the third and final book of the Shadow and Bone series, by Leigh Bardugo. It is a Young Adult fantasy book, which is not typically my genre of choice–beyond Harry Potter, of course– but I loved this series.

Ruin and Rising follows familiar characters Alina Starkov–the sun summoner, Mal–tracker extraordinaire, the Darkling–handsome villian, and Nikolai–bastard prince; as well as introduces us to some new faces.

After the other two in the series, I was excited to see how Bardugo finished out the story, bringing home the tension between the Darkling and Alina–who would survive and conquer, darkness or light? There was also the question of who Alina would choose, Nikolai and the crown, or her best friend since childhood, Mal.

All of it was wrapped up nicely, leaving me satisfied.

Was it my favorite series, or my favorite book? No. But was it a nice escape into another world? Yes.

I think ultimately I gave this book FIVE STARS because it was well written, held my attention, was a fast read, and the perfect ending to an enjoyable series.

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A Very Quick Review: Bright and Burning Things

February 15th, 2022

Oh man, in my tiny Instagram Story review I wrote, “this one will stick with me for a long time.” And it will.

Bright Burning Things by Lisa Harding is about Sonya, a young, single mother battling alcoholism. Her four year old son, Tommy, and big rescue dog, Herbie, are often caught in the cross fire of her disorganized life and affections.

I won’t say more for risk of ruining the plot, I did say this was “a very quick review” after all, but this one is hard to read in its brutal honesty. It is fast paced and full of character development. It will leave you filled with both worry and hope. Harding, through Sonya’s character, lent me a new perspective on single motherhood, alcoholism, and strained family relations, for which I am incredibly grateful.

FIVE STARS.

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