White King is the third entry in a trilogy (so far) about Antonia Scott, her partner Jon Guitterez and their boss, "Mentor." Antonia is part of the Red Queen program, an international group of geniuses serving the government in matters of high crime and espionage. We know from the beginning that she believes a man … Continue reading White King – Juan Gomez-Jurado
Category: Book Reviews
Nemesis – Gregg Hurwitz (Orphan X number 10)
I think, although I am not sure, that this is my favorite Orphan X novel. Evan Smoak, formerly "Orphan X" and now the "Nowhere Man" has sadly found himself at serious odds with his only adult friend and weapons provider Tommy Stojak. Early on, they meet and Tommy lets Evan know that he should never … Continue reading Nemesis – Gregg Hurwitz (Orphan X number 10)
Red Clay – Charles Fancher (audio narrator Dion Graham)
Red Clay is definitely a 2025 favorite for me. We learn the stories of a formerly enslaved family and the family that owned them through a shared oral history that takes place in 1943 after the death of Felix Parker. Addie Parker, now 90, was a member of the Parker family who owned Felix. She … Continue reading Red Clay – Charles Fancher (audio narrator Dion Graham)
Blood Ties – Jo Nesbo
I don't know how he does it, but Jo Nesbo always gets me to root for the rule breakers and, in the case of Carl and Roy Opgard for stone cold murderers and accessories to murder. The brothers live in Os. They were introduced to us in The Kingdom in 1921, back when I still … Continue reading Blood Ties – Jo Nesbo
Lone Wolf – Gregg Hurwitz (Orphan X #9)
When I open an Orphan X book, the writing, somehow casual, yet meticulous, immediately makes that novel a "can't put down" read. In Lone Wolf, in a topsy-turvy this can only happen to Evan Smoak, the search for a lost dog turns into high drama. Evan is often unable to feel human connections to people … Continue reading Lone Wolf – Gregg Hurwitz (Orphan X #9)
The Boxcar Librarian – Brianna Labuskes
Three women's stories start in three different decades and merge eventually in a super satisfying piece of historical fiction about strong women who make their way in Montana. in 1914, Collette is part rough and tumble, part self-educated and pro-union. Her father, who is raising Collette is a miner, self educated and a strong union … Continue reading The Boxcar Librarian – Brianna Labuskes
The Quiet Librarian – Allen Eskens
Hana, a Bosnian refugee, dresses in frumpy clothes and stays out of the way as an employee at a library in Minnesota. And then, one day, a detective comes in to ask her about her friend, Amina. She is dead. Her grandson, a seven year old orphan, now has no family. And Hana fears the … Continue reading The Quiet Librarian – Allen Eskens
Atonement – Ian McEwan (Audio Narrator- Jill Tanner)
Believe me friends, I do still read print! I just tend to zoom through audiobooks at increased speed while getting things done. This time, I turned to a novel that shows up on top {name your number} books of the last {name the number of years or centuries}. I have avoided reading Atonement, because the … Continue reading Atonement – Ian McEwan (Audio Narrator- Jill Tanner)
Peace like a River – Leif Enger (Audio Narrator – Chad Lowe)
After reading "I Cheerfully Refuse" by Leif Enger, I eagerly looked for his past work. This is the first one I read and it has all of the lyrical writing, character development and compassion as well as challenges, evil and confusion about right and wrong that I found in his newer book, yet it is … Continue reading Peace like a River – Leif Enger (Audio Narrator – Chad Lowe)
I’m Glad My Mom Died – Jennette McCurdy (audio read by Jennette McCurdy)
Jennette McCurdy has a horrific child star story, but thad he enormous strength and luck of some kind to succeed in overcoming severe issues with disordered eating. Her memoir about her "close" relationship with her mother (read smothering) unfolds as an almost stereotypical story. Well, stereotypes come from somewhere. In this case, McCurdy knew she … Continue reading I’m Glad My Mom Died – Jennette McCurdy (audio read by Jennette McCurdy)
They Called me Bookworm 