The Forget-Me-Not Library is a sweet and hopeful novel, part coming of age, part magical- realism-light and generally a story about a small town with a lot to give when a person arrives there in need of some special healing. Juliet, a young woman from Michigan, was struck by lightening. She has physically recovered, but … Continue reading The Forget-me-Not Library – Heather Webber (narrators Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis)
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.
Sisters in the Wind – Angeline Boulley (Audio Book Narration by Isabella Star LaBlanc)
Sisters in the Wind is a lovely book, part coming of age, partly about incredible resilience and a lot about trauma. Lucy's very close to her father. He is very socially conservative and rigid but loving in her upbringing. Her mother died when she was very young. But then, her father starts dating for the … Continue reading Sisters in the Wind – Angeline Boulley (Audio Book Narration by Isabella Star LaBlanc)
Happy People Don’t Live Here – Amber Sparks (Audio Narrator – Erin deWard)
Count me as a person who adored this novel! I read the audio version, well narrated by Erin deWard. It is a fantasy in part. The story, which includes some past trauma for a number of the characters which causes them to life in ways that seek to control their environments in odd and arguably … Continue reading Happy People Don’t Live Here – Amber Sparks (Audio Narrator – Erin deWard)
The Turner House – Angela Flournoy (Amazing audio narrator: Adenrele Ojo)
I've taken far too long to review this amazing novel, wanting to do it justice. the Turner house, a small residence on Yarrow Street in Detroit, was home to Francis and Viola and the thirteen children born to them. Francis and Viola grew up in the same Arkansas town and he did right by her … Continue reading The Turner House – Angela Flournoy (Amazing audio narrator: Adenrele Ojo)
When the Cranes Fly South -Lisa Ridzen
When the Cranes Fly South won Swedish Book of the Year and the translation is lovely. It's told only from the point of view of Bo, a very elderly man. We are in his mind for a few weeks. Bo still lives in the home his parents left to him in a quiet corner of … Continue reading When the Cranes Fly South -Lisa Ridzen
Gray Dawn – Walter Mosely (Easy Rawlins #17)
Walter Mosley is one of my top favorite writers and Easy Rawlins is one of my top favorite characters in literature. In my mind, I've been reading them forever, but I see that it has "only" been since sometime after the 1990 hardback of Devil in a Blue dress was isssued in paperback. ,While any … Continue reading Gray Dawn – Walter Mosely (Easy Rawlins #17)
Ordinary Grace – William Kent Kreuger (Audio Narrator, Rich Orlow)
People died in Bremen MN, the summer of 1961. Frank Drum was 13. The first death was little Bobby Cole, a "simple" boy who played on the railroad tracks and was hit by a train. Forty years later, Frank reflects on that summer that changed his family forever. Each member "coming of age." Frank's dad … Continue reading Ordinary Grace – William Kent Kreuger (Audio Narrator, Rich Orlow)
Everything is Probably Fine- Julia London (Audio Narrator Marni Penning)
Lorna Lott is successful but not liked. She writes emails continuously to her sister that she does not send, till she sent one that left her boss, a boss she likes, at a loss about what to do with their star salesperson. Their problematic supervisor. Lorna must go through a 30 day wellness program paid … Continue reading Everything is Probably Fine- Julia London (Audio Narrator Marni Penning)
The Witch’s Orchard – Archer Sullivan (audio book narrator – Emily Pike Stewart)
The Witch's Orchard introduces us to Annie, a former Air force investigator turned private investigator. Annie grew up in a dysfunctional home in Appalachia. So she finds herself drawn to Max, an 18 year old with a story. Ten years ago, his sister Molly disappeared, the third little girl who disappeared. Jessica, the first was … Continue reading The Witch’s Orchard – Archer Sullivan (audio book narrator – Emily Pike Stewart)
Joy Moody is Out of Time – Kerryn Mayne (audio narrator -Annie Maynard)
Although at times the beginning of this novel seemed slow, it morphed into a real favorite for me! Joy Moody, former social worker and divorcee, raised twin girls who are about to turn 21. Cassie and Andie have always known that Joy is not their biological mother. But the origin story she tells them is … Continue reading Joy Moody is Out of Time – Kerryn Mayne (audio narrator -Annie Maynard)
They Called me Bookworm 