Wow. I read The Women via an audio edition. How to start? Not everyone will be able to read this book. It is raw and for many of us who were old enough to be US citizens during the Vietnam war and the years that followed it, this brings home so many issues, some that … Continue reading The Women – Kristin Hannah (audio narrator Julia Whelan)
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.
The House of Eve – Sadeqa Johnson (Audible Narrators – author, Ariel Blake, Nicole Lewis)
Sadeqa Johnson has officially become a "read everything she writes" person. I didn't notice at first that this novel that was making a splash various places I go was by the author of "The Yellow Wife," a novel I read last year about the mixed race "wife" of a Richmond slave jail owner. The House … Continue reading The House of Eve – Sadeqa Johnson (Audible Narrators – author, Ariel Blake, Nicole Lewis)
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine – Gail Honeyman (Audible Narrator – Cathleen McCarren)
This is a belated coming of age book about a thirty year old woman who experienced severe childhood trauma that left her physically and mentally scarred. Her effort at a relationship in her 20s did not work out. And she decides that living alone and going to her accounts receivable job and not knowing how … Continue reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine – Gail Honeyman (Audible Narrator – Cathleen McCarren)
Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism – Rachel Maddow (audio – read by Maddow)
Rachel Maddow reads Prequel to us, this wonderfully told tale of prominent American fascists from post WW1 through WW2, whose movements led to seditious acts, high level cover ups and friendly relations with and funding from Hitler. I always enjoy Maddow on her show but now I plan to go back and buy her other … Continue reading Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism – Rachel Maddow (audio – read by Maddow)
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers – Jesse Q. Sutanto (Audible – Eunice Wong Narrator)
Vera Wong, an older stereotypical Chinese mother whose lawyer son sets boundaries, owns a tea shop that has seen better days. She has one customer, Alex, who she serves for free. He's an older man whose wife has dementia. When she comes down from her apartment to the shop one morning, there's a dead man … Continue reading Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers – Jesse Q. Sutanto (Audible – Eunice Wong Narrator)
Carpet Diem – Justin Lee Anderson (Audible)
LOL. I pulled this out of Audible's plus catalogue and initially didn't get into "Carpet Diem: or ... How to Save the World by Accident." Recently I tried again and I'm glad because this is a hell of a fun book, easily characterized as a "romp." Simon inherited his uncle's money and home and he … Continue reading Carpet Diem – Justin Lee Anderson (Audible)
The Curse of Penryth Hall – Jess Armstrong (Audio Version)
Darn. I checked to see if this novel is part of an ongoing series because the characters definitely merit ongoing status. If it is, The Curse of Penryth Hall is the debut entry in the series. This is an easy to read historical fiction mystery set in Exeter and Cornwall a few years after the … Continue reading The Curse of Penryth Hall – Jess Armstrong (Audio Version)
Unnatural Death – a Scarpetta Novel –Patricia Cornwall
I thoroughly enjoyed Kay Scarpetta's return to Northern Virginia with Pete Marino. I read a lot of the series but missed a few of the more recent novels as some of the changes were less interesting to me. I do like that Kay is married to Benton and was surprised her sister Dorothy has married … Continue reading Unnatural Death – a Scarpetta Novel –Patricia Cornwall
My Father the Whale – Gina Perry (audio version)
I read the audio version of My Father the Whale, a story set in "almost" all of Australia. It is a lovely debut novel and I think about it a lot. Ruby and her father Mitch travel all over the country, living in a "Kombi," which is part camper van, part tent, as they use … Continue reading My Father the Whale – Gina Perry (audio version)
The Running Grave – Robert Galbraith (Audio) (JK Rowling pseudonym)
Happy to have another Cormoran Strike Novel under my belt. More please! While the compelling core case in the story involves a cult with many characteristics of authoritarian cults we've all read about in the news, there are several ongoing cases that keep us aware this is a busy office with a caseload and a … Continue reading The Running Grave – Robert Galbraith (Audio) (JK Rowling pseudonym)
They Called me Bookworm 