Elizabeth George is one of my favorite authors and this was a fine addition to the Inspector Lynley series. NOTE: this review sort of assumes you have followed this series and know some of the continuing characters. If you haven't you've got 20 books to read that should precede this. The focus in Something to … Continue reading Something to Hide – Elizabeth George
Author: Emily Leader
I have been an avid reader since Dick and Jane met Sally. At age 7, I read my parents' first edition of "To Kill a Mockingbird." I am a retired lawyer and so read almost only fiction for pleasure. I'm adding in nonfiction these days, largely on social justice matters but also history, biography, and weird topics that catch my imagination. I used to read only serially, one book at a time. Presently, I read paperbacks, hardcovers, listen to audible, listen to CDs and read online through Net Galley. Covid-19 has caused me to read a lot so I have re-upped my Goodreads challenge for 2021 and am starting to review at least my favorite finds annd, perhaps, some stinkers.
Harlem Shuffle – Colson Whitehead
Harlem Shuffle is a three-part book about a furniture store owner at 125th Street and Morningside in New York City in 1959, 1961, 1964. Harlem itself is a character in this novel, its hierarchy, its ordinary families, its upper crust and those trying to change their lives or to preserve the status quo. I sat … Continue reading Harlem Shuffle – Colson Whitehead
All Day is a Long Time – David Sanchez
David Sanchez has written an important, compelling, disturbing, sympathetic and at times infuriating novel about addiction. It is written from the perspective and random thoughts of protagonist David, who at fourteen tries crack for the first time. It reads like a dream and reminds us always of Davids humanity, as he steals from family, becomes … Continue reading All Day is a Long Time – David Sanchez
The Maid -Nita Prose
Molly is an endearing character, but definitely not perfect. She works as a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, trusted with restoring the fanciest suites to a "state of perfection." Molly is different: She takes people literally, misunderstands their meaning and has trouble with social cues. Her Gran used to help her with this, but … Continue reading The Maid -Nita Prose
The High House – Jessie Greengrass
The High House starts slowly but stick with it. Greengrass soon builds her story and pulls a variety of threads together in this lovely and sad and believable portrayal of a time when it is dramatically foreseeable that human habitation of earth will end due to climate change. Francesca is Caro's stepmother. She is a … Continue reading The High House – Jessie Greengrass
A Poisonous Page – Kitt Crowe
In any mystery genre, I look for a well written book, a good plot, and characters I can relate to. A Poisonous Page checks all the boxes. When I opened this cozy and found it was about a town named "Confection" and the owner of a bookshop called Sweet Fiction with a dog named Cookie … Continue reading A Poisonous Page – Kitt Crowe
A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons- Kate Khavari
In this delightful debut, A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons introduces us to Saffron Everleigh, the only female working in the University College London Biology Department. She is the assistant to Professor Maxwell, a botanist. He is an old family friend, who assigns Saffron substantive work and mentors her, an unusual experience for many … Continue reading A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons- Kate Khavari
Orphan X SERIES – Gregg Hurwitz
What are Orphan X's ten commandments? Assume nothing.How you do anything is how you do everything.Master your surroundings.Never make it personal.If you don't know what to do, do nothing.Question orders.One mission at a time.Never kill a kid.Always play offense.Never let an innocent die. TITLE: ORPHAN X (Number 1) Well done thriller. First of the series. … Continue reading Orphan X SERIES – Gregg Hurwitz
The Vapors: A Southern Family, the New York Mob, and the Rise and Fall of Hot Springs, America’s Forgotten Capital of Vice – David Hill
The Vapors is entertaining, well-written, incredibly well-researched and personal to the author: His sixteen year old grandmother Hazel ended up in Hot Springs in 1935 when her traveling horse trainer father ditched her there to live with 22 year old Hollis Hill-- never mind Hollis was still married. Hot Springs was a tourist town with … Continue reading The Vapors: A Southern Family, the New York Mob, and the Rise and Fall of Hot Springs, America’s Forgotten Capital of Vice – David Hill
The Last House on the Street – Diane Chamberlain
How does Ellie, a twenty year old pharmacy student at University of North Carolina, born and raised the daughter of a pharmacist in Round Hill evolve into a freedom fighter, voter registration worker, civil rights activist in 1965? What does this mean to everything she ever took for granted in life? A personal note: I … Continue reading The Last House on the Street – Diane Chamberlain
They Called me Bookworm 