I first discovered this series in the Audible Plus catalog and so have always chosen to read the audio books. This one will be out on August 11, 2026. Every single Barker and Llewellyn story, bar none, each one, got that -- is excellent! Each novel gives us some picture of specific social and political … Continue reading For Services Rendered – Will Thomas (Barker and Llewelyn Historical Mystery, Book 17) – Audio Narrated by Antony Ferguson)
Category: Book Reviews
Tsubaki Stationary Store – Ito Ogawa
This is a sweet story of family and families of choice, of dedication and coming of age in one's twenties, of finding meaning in one's life each day. There are three different sets of scripts in Japan to engage in written communication, hiragana, katakana and kanji and writers also use some of the Roman alphabet, … Continue reading Tsubaki Stationary Store – Ito Ogawa
The Typing Lady – Ruth Ozeki
Ruth Ozeki is such a favorite author for me that I just requested this book without realizing it is a short story collection and… that's okay. Because this master of seeing the quirkiness in the ordinary, in adding little touches of magic that might be "real" or might be in a corner of the characters' … Continue reading The Typing Lady – Ruth Ozeki
Heart of Glass – Jennifer Hillier (Audio Book Narrators – Brittany Pressley; Chris Brinkley; Eunice Wong; Ferdelle Capistrano; and January LaVoy)
I will say at the outset that I would have read Wonderland, the first book in this now two part series first if possible. In fact, this book is so good that I'm going to make up for that even though it appears that Heart of Glass gives us many Wonderland spoilers. This totally engaging … Continue reading Heart of Glass – Jennifer Hillier (Audio Book Narrators – Brittany Pressley; Chris Brinkley; Eunice Wong; Ferdelle Capistrano; and January LaVoy)
There’s Only One Sin in Hollywood – Rasheed Newson (Audio Narrator – Jelani Alladin)
I have no idea except for one movie, which of the movies and which of the people are real or fictional in this amazing take on being gay and famous and in the Hollywood studio system. Best version of that story I have ever read. In this case, I read the audio version, beautifully narrated … Continue reading There’s Only One Sin in Hollywood – Rasheed Newson (Audio Narrator – Jelani Alladin)
Ghalen – Walter Mosley
Walter Mosley is probably my favorite author and I am so grateful to Harper Collins for approving my reading the ARC of this incredible novel. For once, the publisher's blurb is spot on perfect, so be sure to read that. Ghalen, the protagonist, is central to this story but it is decidedly an ensemble story … Continue reading Ghalen – Walter Mosley
Enormous Wings – Laurie Frankel (narrated by Becky Ann Baker)
This is my review of the audio version of Enormous Wings, narrated by Becky Ann Baker. Wow. Just… wow. Enormous Wings is the whole package, a study of all aspects of returning abortion access to the states written in a thoughtful, scarily believable, entertaining and comprehensive way. Pepper, aged 77 has a minor car accident … Continue reading Enormous Wings – Laurie Frankel (narrated by Becky Ann Baker)
Mad Mabel – Sally Hepworth (Audio narrated by Hannah Fredericksen and Jenny Seedsman)
Mad Mabel is a favorite novel for me this year. I ended up listening to the audio book, which was quite satisfyingly, narrated by Hannah Fredericksen and Jenny Seedsman. We meet Elsie at age 81, describing herself to us as being six feet tall with a sturdy backbone, ensuring we do not underestimate her. She's … Continue reading Mad Mabel – Sally Hepworth (Audio narrated by Hannah Fredericksen and Jenny Seedsman)
The Hired Man – Sandra Dallas (Audio Narrator – Jesse Vilinsky)
I read the audio version of The Hired Man, narrated by Jesse Vilinsky who did a marvelous job. Many a fine book has been written about life in the Dust Bowl and Sandra Dallas's entry is right up there. The setting is a farm in Colorado in 1937. Martha Helen, a young teen, is in … Continue reading The Hired Man – Sandra Dallas (Audio Narrator – Jesse Vilinsky)
AntiHero – Gregg Hurwitz (Orphan X #11)
The Orphan X/Nowhere Man series has been favorite of mine from book one and Antihero, the eleventh entry in the series, is amazing. It is also profoundly disturbing, but anyone who is a fan has come to expect this from Gregg Hurwitz. The first part of the story focuses on the kidnapping and assault of … Continue reading AntiHero – Gregg Hurwitz (Orphan X #11)
They Called me Bookworm 