Watching Over You (The McKenzies of Ridge Trail, Book 3) by Lori Foster

Watching Over You by Lori Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The hot McKenzie family is back stalking bad guys involved in prostitution and trafficking. Madison is the super sleuth using her awesome abilities on the computer. Following a cop (she is very interested in) Madison foils a burglary/shakedown. Det. Albertson is less than happy with her interference. I love how quickly the plot follows Madison, Albertson and their sizzling interest in each other. Both have things to hide and bad guys after them. The plot kept me turning the pages as the McKenzies worked to help Albertson and his family while also foiling a murder plot. I love all the McKenzies and enjoyed the addition of Silver, Hailey, and Albertson and the tension and steam kept on coming! Another awesome romance by Lori Foster!

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The Dead List by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Dead List by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this audiobook narrated by Amy Landon; there is someone stalking teens in Ella's small town and she is attacked by whoever this evil person is, dressed with a clown face and a wig, Ella is attacked and barely survives. She learns how to protect herself with the help of old friend and flame Jensen. Other girls go missing and Ella feels someone is following her, taunting her. Things really get bad when one of the girls is found murdered, then another, and still Ella is being stalked. I loved this mystery!

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My Time Will Come : Amemoir of Crime, Punishment, Hope and Redemption by Ian Manuel

My Time Will Come: A Memoir of Crime, Punishment, Hope, and Redemption by Ian Manuel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As Just Mercy floored me, so did Ian Manuel's gripping biography about his young life in Florida in the slums and with no guidance. Beloved by his grandmother, a father not around and a drug addicted mother, Ian suffers at home, in school and in his neighborhood. With a group of boys at age 14, he holds up a white man and woman in a parking lot, shooting the woman in the face and continuing to shoot as she runs away. Given life without parole, he spends the next 20 years in many jails and many of those years in solitary confinement (enduring unimaginable abuse). Ian's words are harrowing, powerful, beseeching, powerful and he loses hope many times but through reading a bible, writing poetry, he dreams of a day he will go home. I could not put this book down, everyone must read this and they will be changed. Highly reocmmended!

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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Evelyn Hugo's story is mesmerizing and spans the 50s through the 90s, Hollywood movies, and the cut throat nature of the business. Through it all, Evelyn ruthlessly plans her dream to become a famous film actress using her sexuality (boobs and sex) and along the way, many marriages. She is flawed but a strong character and Monique grows as a result of her daily interviews with Evelyn. I read this awesome book in one day; it was compulsively complex.

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Our Violent Ends (Our Violent Delights #2) by Chloe Gong

Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this 2nd book, and Chloe Gong kept the high crime, mystery and adventure pounding as Juliette guards a secret that could destroy her position as heir of the Scarlet gang---not that she wants to rule but she doesn't want her sick twisted cousin to bump her out. And by keeping this secret, Roma now hates her, wants to kill her and has changed. The monsters are still a threat but now the Communists and Nationalists also vie for Shanghai! The worldbuilding, the strong characters and the intense plot all combine for a thoroughly awesome story in a city that is becoming more and more dangerous and evil. What will happen to Roma and Juliette; YA readers will love this final book in These Violent Delights! A must read and highly recommended!

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Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whtehead

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Dion Graham; I loved Graham's many voices, his sighs, his pitch was totally perfect as he tells Ray Carney's life in Harlem in the 1960's. Ray grew up with a bad news father but he studied hard and graduated college, won the girl (much to her parent's dismay) and now owns a furniture shop. And while Ray would like to stay growing the furniture shop, things, like his cousin Freddy and white cops murdering a black boy causing riots that have Ray doing some side work that is questionable (but it will make money). I loved the colorful characters, Ray's somber humor, the mishaps and missteps thrown in Ray's way. But most of all, I loved the way Ray thought, he was able to wriggle out of the "bad stuff" with well thought out connections and scenarios. I loved the time period, the culture, and the tight community as well as the vibrant Harlem life. A must read!

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Out of My Heart by Sharon Draper

Out of My Heart by Sharon M. Draper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Melody, from Sharon Draper's first book, Out of Mind, is older and has a caring neighbor who makes her learn and question things. She also has a voice synthesizer that she uses to communicate since she can't verbalize, but her brain is still intelligent and wants to break out into the big world. I loved Melody's family and their deep commitment to one another. When Melody finds out there could be a summer camp for disabled kids, she does her research and presents it to her parents; Green Gables really knows what they are doing according to the website, they fill out the dense application and wait to see if Melody is accepted. When she gains approval (someone dropped out) they have 2 days to prepare. Once at the camp, Melody's world opens up she rooms with 3 others and their counselors (each camper has their own counselor) and Melody's counselor, Trinity, has spent summers here. Each counselor knows their camper inside and out (the dense application) and the fun begins with trying things like swimming, zip lining, horseback riding and the evening camp fires are the best. Melody becomes friendly with her roommates and meets a boy. The camp experience changes her and I can't wait for a high school adventure with Melody! A must read, highly recommended!

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Pax, Journey Home (Pax, #2) by Sara Pennypacker

Pax, Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, this 2nd Pax book was so awesome; I ached for Peter, Pax, and Pax's young kit. Pennypacker's beautiful plot kept me on edge but kept pulling me back with her message of love and letting love in was both wondrous and beautiful. I jumped up and down with the surprise ending, thankful for the deep details, adventures, and trials Peter and Pax challenge themselves to survive. Told from the alternating perspectives of Pax and Peter, the chapters deal with families, the after effects of the war, the devastation of the land and water, and the new friendships Peter forges. This is such a heart warming read; highly recommended!

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Besties: Work It Out by Kayla Miller and Jeffrey Canino, illustrated by Kristina Luu

Besties: Work It Out by Kayla Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beth and Chanda are 6th grade best friends in this graphic novel that tackles friendship and the ups and downs it takes as they housesit and dog sit for Mrs Langford. Older sister, Lisa, offers solutions but also helps them out when they get themselves into a jam. I loved the dog, Baxter, and both girls loved animals so much, with Chanda desperately wanting to show her parents she can take care of a cat. There are many situations these friends find themselves in and it is how they work them out that middle grade readers will relate and enjoy! The message about friendship is important and positive even during tough times.

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The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner

The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to my sister in law, Donna Gola for recommending such a great book! I listened to this amazing audiobook narrated by Alana Kerr Collins & Jason Culp and could not stop as the reader is swept into Sophie's life and hardships. Sophie is Irish and living miserably in a NY tenement when she answers a mail order bride ad place by a Martin Hocking. Sophie ran from Ireland and now runs to California marrying a man she does not know but he has told her he is a widower and has a young daughter, Kat. She meets and marries him a few hours later and settles into life in a nice home with a husband who travels selling insurance (Martin barely provides any information about his job and travels) and a daughter who does not speak (why?). Sophie falls in love with Kat and spends all her time coaxing her to daughter to speak. The day before the famous 1906 San Francisco Earthquake hits, Sophie's life is thrown into chaos with the arrival of a pregnant woman on her steps. Such a great historical fiction novel about the fierce love of women, the bonds of friendship, and the mess of marriages. Highly recommended!

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Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this book (thank you to my friend, Michelle Romash and Jean Norman) flawlessly narrated by Robin Miles. This is a must read but a difficult read. Isabel Wilkerson's research was thorough, she also used narratives in history, and the dates and data were so important too. Wilkerson discusses race and caste (in the United States, Germany and India) and it's effects throughout history. It is honest and very painful. Highly recommended.

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Frankie & Bug by Gayle Forman

Frankie & Bug by Gayle Forman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh how I loved Gayle Forman's middle grade book! Bug looks forward to her summers at the beach with her brother, Danny while her mom works for the mayor's office. But during this summer of 1987, there is a serial killer on the loose in California. Now Bug's summer has changed and she is so not happy about it. But with the arrival of Frankie, a few years older, Bug's summer expands. Dealing with cultural and social issues; the friendship of Bug and Frankie has many highs and lows. I loved Phillip, Bug's neighbor who is colorful, loves to cook, and calls his friends by their full names, no nicknames, thank you very much. Danny is a very supportive older brother, which Bug knows but she does not understand why they can't go to the beach everyday like they used to and why does he need to be called Daniel anyway? I loved seeing the Venice beach and characters through Bug's eyes and I cheered for Bug's demand to know what secrets her family is keeping from her. I could not stop turning the pages of this lush, lovely book that needs to be read by everyone.

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Curse of the Wolf King (Entangles with Fae, #1) by Tessonja Odette

Curse of the Wolf King by Tessonja Odette
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this awesome take on Beauty and the Beast! I loved Gemma's spunk and King Elliott's journey as they both work together to save the the wolf king from the curse that will claim his life. The world building was so awesome, the characters so interesting, and the plot new and refreshing. I will certainly be reading the other 2 books in this series!

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How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories (The Folk of the Air, 3.5) by Holly Black

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this series book in the The Folk of Air, since I have read all of the books in the series, this latest companion which retells stories lushly and provides wonderful illustrations! I particularly enjoyed the retellings of the boy with the heart of stone, told from different characters point of view Seeing the characters from the series and also adding new characters, providing another look into Cardan's life. There was danger, romance, and adventure in this return to Elfhame!

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The Guilty (Will Robie, #4) by David Baldacci

The Guilty by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This 4th book in the Will Robie series was very enjoyable--Will ran from his Mississippi and his father's beatings and never looked back. Now Will is having trouble; a bad shoot cripples Will's confidence---on his next job he hallucinates and now the Blue Man is asking Will to take a leave ---just as this happens, his father is arrested for murder---should Will return to his father? The twists and turns were so suspenseful and I was glad when Jessica Reel finally joined forces with him again. A totally exciting read! I will be totally upset when this series ends, I love Will; he is such a great character!

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These Silent Woods by Kimmi Cunningham Grant

These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to my Twitter friend, Sierra Dertinger @3SDlovestoread for your awesome recommendation of These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant! Wow what a great suspenseful read with authentic, flawed characters and a beautiful, stark setting. I could not stop turning the pages; the mystery being slowly unfolded as my heart constricted with worry for Cooper and his daughter as his history is revealed. The suspense was taut, Cooper's fear palpable and I just loved his daughter, Finch---she was refreshing, honest, and caring. What both of them become exposed to was hair raising. An awesome, exciting read! Highly recommended!!!

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The Good Turn (Cormac Reilly, #3) by Dervla McTiernan

The Good Turn by Dervla McTiernan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I do not want this series to end!!! I love Cormac Reilly and Peter Fisher! I hope Dervla McTiernan continues with the Cormac or makes a Peter and Carrie spin off. The police corruption in this book really kept me turning the pages, the murders/deaths of seniors, the drug busts and the horror that resulted was documented perfectly by McTiernan, the suspense was relentless and I could not stop listening to this audiobook awesomely narrated by Aoife McMahon.

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Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand

Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this latest book from Elin Hilderbrand and she did a great job drawing me in---loved the Martha Person who guides Vivi, loved the story line of Vivi and Brett Caspian, Willa and Rip, and the trials and grief of her children. I could not stop turning the pages and loved the chapters with the different voices of the characters, Nantucket, & the police chief. The growth of the many characters, both good and not so good, were well drawn---Leo and Marissa (she is such a jealous racist), Carson and her antics, PJ and Savannah, Amy and Dennis, and always I enjoyed Vivi but the one thing I did not really like or understand about her was the dissolving of her marriage. I could have used more of Vivi's insight because I definitely got PJ's again and again. The beauty of Nantucket, the food, the water, the restaurants all held me captive and can't wait til the next book.

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A Stormy and Sultry Sea (Witches of the Island, #2) by Katie McGarry

A Stormy and Sultry Sea by Katie McGarry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 2nd book in the Witches of the Island series and now I can't wait til the 3rd and final book comes out. Cassie and Wren are caring for the demon queen baby and being watched over by demon god, Moloch. Cassie and Orion's romance sizzles and they have a very strong bond- but Orion's mother is against their romance. Will their romance be able to save the earth, the demon baby and the Fae queen----I could not stop turning the pages of this thriller!!!

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Born Behind Bars by Padma Venkatraman

Born Behind Bars by Padma Venkatraman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this book, Kabir's story of courage and optimism as he leaves jail where he was born and knows nothing about life outside the jail in India. But due to the love of his teacher, his Amma, and others in the jail, Kabir is released into the cold, cruel world. Once Kabir meets Rani, a street child who lives in a tree and her parrot, Jay; they set off on a quest to find family. I loved Kabir, Rani, and their adventures, I could not stop turning the pages. A must read!

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Tastre: My Life through Food by Stanley Tucci

Taste: My Life through Food by Stanley Tucci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Tara Smith for lending me this awesome, and oh so honest and funny look at Stanley Tucci's life and his love of food. I love him as an actor and now also as an author. He was so interesting as he gushed about food, provided recipes (yay!), and let us see his life as a youngster through to COVID and a health scare. What I loved most were his exclamations over food---his descriptions were authentic and I hung on every word---especially when he really liked something---we are treated to a big FUCK as the BEST way he can describe tasting food (and he did this a few times) that was just beyond awesome. I enjoyed his parents and their love of food and how it became Stanley's life too and his way to pass on memories through food to his family. A must read!

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The Scholar (Cormac Reilly, #2) by Dervla McTiernan

The Scholar by Dervla McTiernan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cormac's girlfriend Emma discovers a murdered girl (hit and run) as she leaves her lab; calling Cormac immediately, he discovers a grisly murder that he should not investigate due to his relationship with Emma. The murdered girl has an ID on her misidentifying her as Carline Darcy, heir to the Darcy Labs (where Emma works). Once again awesomely narrated by Aoife McMahon, I could not stop listening as the murder investigation spins out of control. I did love Peter Fisher and Carrie, the invesigators. All the other Garda were awful, they don't like Cormac, they spread rumors about him, and even the boss always seems to be setting Cormac up...a solid psychological thriller. Jumping onto the 3rd and maybe the last? (I hope not).

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The Ruin (Cormac Reilly, #1) by Dervla McTiernan

The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG I loved listening to this audiobook from Audible, awesomely narrated by: Aoife McMahon I loved the pacing, the plot, the characters, and narration of this Cormac Reilly detective novel. Taking place in Ireland, as a young detective Cormac was the arriving officer at a decrepit, difficult to find home. He was met at the door by a young girl, there was no heat, no electric and a young boy reading. The young girl, Maude, takes him upstairs where he is astounded to find their mother, dead and she has been there for some time. Even though her death is eerie, it is the 2 children who have definitely been abused that haunt Cormac. Twenty years later, the little boy (Jack) has been found in the woods, while it is ruled suicide, his girlfriend and also his sister, Maude, do not believe Jack killed himself. I could not stop listening to this taut investigative mystery, with Cormac battling his boss in his new job (he took it because his girlfriend takes a job). I can't wait to read the 2nd book in the series, The Scholar!

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Making Rounds With Oscar : The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat by David Dosa

Making Rounds with Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat by David Dosa
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to my mom for passing this little gem to me; a series of stories about a doctor who becomes convinced one of the resident cats at Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rhode Island is able to tell when a resident (many with dementia and Alzheimers) is going to pass. Oscar scampers up to the bed and stays with the resident and family members until they pass. I loved Dr Dosa's insight into his patients and of course being an animal lover I just loved that there were cats in residence for those living in the Center. The stories he tells held me captive and I learned so much to about these two diseases. A must read!

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Worst-Case Collin by Rebecca Caprar

Worst-Case Collin by Rebecca Caprara
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I ached for Collin, mourning his mother's death, questioning just what is going on with his father becoming a hoarder, trying to avoid the 2 bullies in school, and just how awful it feels to keep all of his secrets. But Collin has a way to deal with some of the scary things in life and that happens to be his handy gold notebook with what to do in the event of catastrophic happenings like avalanche, riptides, halitosis, and more. But as his father continues to hoard, Collin feels he is losing him as much as he hates the HOARD taking over every inch of his house. His two best friends might be concerned too (as well as Liam's mom) but if Collin keeps silent, how can they help him deal? This is a must read for a middle grader readers and also teachers, counselors and nurses in the school system. I could not put this awesome book down, highly recommended!

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The Roommate (Cormac Reilly, 0.7) by Dervla McTiernan

The Roommate by Dervla McTiernan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great prequel to the Cormac Reilly series, a young teacher wakes up to find her roommate has been murdered, and her school thinks she had something to do with it. Even though Niamh was not close to her roommate, someone is trying to instill doubt about Niamh's involvement. What is a young teacher to do?

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The Sisters (Cormac Reilly, 0.5) by Dervla McTiernan

The Sisters by Dervla McTiernan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This prequel in the Cormac Reilly series was awesomely narrated by Aoife McMahon. Two sisters, One a Lawyer (barrister) and one with the police (the Guarda)and pulled me in so much that I have listened to all books in this series, Cormac Reilly, and am on the final book (so far) and along with Aoife McMahon's great narration, the mystery of the sisters, the police department and the law firm were riveting. I could not stop listening to Carrie and Aifric's story and the resolution was terrific! On to the next in this series, The Roommate.

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We Keep the Dead Close: A Murder at Harvard and a Half Century of Silence by Becky Cooper

We Keep the Dead Close: A Murder at Harvard and a Half Century of Silence by Becky Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Becky Cooper's ten year investigation into the murder of Jane Britton was thoroughly investigated. A thick tome the reader thoroughly investigates Jane 1969 murder, about Harvard and the anthropology dept and police cover-ups.

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The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Anne Flosnik, this story was devastating - about a time when parents/people could put a person in an insane asylum for the rest of their life for no better reason than they could. Esme was a different child with parents who did not understand her, she was blamed for everything, and as she gets older, her parents could not deal with her. What I did not like with the narration was the abrupt endings in the flashbacks, but that was not the narrator's fault but probably would have been very apparent in the print version. There were too many questions left as the story went on, and this reader would have liked to know more, especially with the ending.

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If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood by Gregg Olsen

If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood by Gregg Olsen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, I could not put this true crime fiction story down! What those sisters suffered, and that mad, evil, awful mother, Shelly, was a BAD SEED! Gregg Olsen does a stellar job and tells a true story of an unbelievable childhood suffered by not one but three sisters and how their mother kept them as silent prisoners and made them watch and endure as their mother and then father beat, tortured, and verbally abused 3 others (brother figure Shane, Kathy, supposedly Shelly's best friend and Ron, another friend she hoodwinked with her pretended love and caring). A must read! I hope all three of those girls got counseling!

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The Chance to Fly by Ali Stroker

The Chance to Fly by Ali Stroker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Nat moves from her beloved California (losing her best friend and wheelchair racing team) to New Jersey she is so not happy. When she accidentally sees a flyer for Wicked try-outs, she decides to be all in for this musical. I loved Nat----she loved life but also railed (inwardly) about the limits of being in a wheelchair---she does not initially like the house they move into that is totally ADA compliant, her mom and dad annoy her with their support, but the best thing to happen is trying out and winning a part in the Wicked musical and from there so many great and not so great things happen to Nat and her new friends. I loved her crush, her friendship with her theatre friends and how they band together to keep their musical going. This was a great book that hyped being in the arts, how Nat's upbringing kept her pushing for what she wanted (trying out new things did not defeat her at all!) and in the process---help those around her---her parents, adults, and her friends see the real Nat! Highly recommended!

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The Heart Remembers (The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, #3) by Jan-Philipp Sendker

The Heart Remembers by Jan-Philipp Sendker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Narrated by: Neil Shah, I loved this 3rd and final book, about eternal love, family, spirituality. I did not like TaTa's voice it was plodding, and too slow and Julia's voice was totally different from the other two books. But the story of TaTa and Julia and their son will be one I will not soon forget! This is a must read sesries!

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The Target (Will Robie, #3) by David Baldacci

The Target by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

These Will Robie books just keep getting better and better; there was alot going on in this book, Will and Jessica are asked by the President to carry off a secret mission all the while there is another plot involving Jessica's past and the final plot line is an assassin from North KOrea whose life was spent in a prison camp. I could not stop turning the pages; I feel like I know and love Will and Jessica and Julie and can't wait for more!

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The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd

The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, I could not stop listening to the compelling story of Eliza Lucas, who as a 16 year old in 1739 in South Carolina, is called upon by her father (who seeks to run for office and fight in Antiqua, their old home) to run their 3 plantations as he continues to mortgage against them. I loved her personality, Like Eliza, I rebelled against the lot of women at that time; the way they were treated, talked to and told what what expected of them--be quiet and marry. Eliza may have been alone in her situation but she men (friends of her father and mother) who were able to guide her, help her and offer aid when needed. The horror of slavery was revisited time and time again in this amazing story based on Eliza Lucas' letters and research. Once Eliza hears about growing and producing Indigo as a means to save the plantations, she works single-mindedly and tirelessly to learn from slaves the secret to indigo dye making. A must read about a little known but famous young woman who against everything pursued a new avenue to help her family (and others) survive and succeed in South Carolina.

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Samira Surfs by Rukhsanna Guidroz

Samira Surfs by Rukhsanna Guidroz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I so enjoyed this middle grade novel in verse about Samira and her family who flee from Burma to Bangladesh while she valiantly tries to repair her trauma of the journey, losing her grandparents and slowly rebuild her life. With her brother, she learns the alphabet and how to read; she makes friends, learns to swim and surf, while keeping it a secret from her parents. I rooted for Samira, loved the illustrations, and think kids who read this will be encouraged to try surfing! There was beauty in learning about her culture, sadness in sharing her losses with her friends, and seeing how the townspeople react to others being persecuted (her people, the Rohingya) and moving into their town.

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A Well-Tempered Heart (The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, #2) by Jan-Philipp Sendker

A Well-Tempered Heart by Jan-Philipp Sendker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Cassandra Campbell, Julia flees to Burma when she begins hearing the voice of a woman who is afraid of black boots. In Burma reunited with her brother after 10 years, U Ba, she finds out who the woman is and tries to find out what happened to the woman (whose voice she hears) and her two sons. I loved Julia's growth in this 2nd book, U Ba is my favorite- he is just the most sensible, kind, loving human being. The story of Nu Nu, her husband and two sons leveled me; I could not stop listening to this compelling story!

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rez dogs by Joseph Bruchac

Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This middle grade novel in verse about a young girl who visits her grandparents (on their reservation) and must stay because the COVID 19 pandemic breaks out was mesmerizing. I loved the beauty of Malian's life with her grandparents and a dog, Malsum, who becomes her protector (as well as her grandparents) but also the horror of what Malian's grandparents and parents endured simply because they were Native Americans. The stories her grandparents tell her change Malian and will change the reader too! Highly recommended, a must read!

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Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Re-read this as part of my Albright College Zoom book discussion and I loved it even more the 2nd time!

My mother gave this book to me and my reader friend Ruth recommended it years ago. I loved seeing Major Pettigrew grow, become bold, become forthright and fall in love with Mrs. Ali. The English village was beautiful but very tough on who and what they considered outsiders. There was humor, sadness, grief and so much more to enjoy in this book about older characters who change, grab at life, and turn their backs on tradition. Readers will enjoy the Major, Mrs. Ali, Grace, Alice, George, Amina, Sandy, and the Vicar and be chagrined with The Major's son, neighbors, Abdul and lots of others. It was a tug of war to see who could win the war of religion, race, and real estate, and I am so glad I was surprised by this book!

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Vespertine (Vespertine, #1) by Margaret Rogerson

Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Caitlin Davies; I loved this enthralling fantasy with Artemesia of Naimes, a socially crippled nun in training who would rather keep to herself than interact with others. When she unwittingly unleashes a revenant (yes Artemesia can hear and talk to spirits) her life as she knew is thrown into chaos. I loved the history, the too powerful Church's involvement, both good and evil, the spirits, and the characters---too many to name, but the Revenant was my favorite and the voice Caitlin Davies used was perfect and I loved the comedy it lent to this fast-paced thriller. I also loved Artemesia's roommate, and the gargantuan possessed soldier (his friends and captain shield him from the people's fear and hysteria) and the characters that seemed good but were evil or vice versa. Rogerson adeptly used magic, saints, evil, secrets, mysteries, and Artemesia's bravery to craft a rich historical fantasy I could not put down & can't wait for the next book in the series. I will be listening to the next book as well- Caitlin Davies was awesome with her compelling voices. YA readers will LOVE this book, highly recommended!

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Room to Dream (Front Desk) by Kelly Yang

Room to Dream by Kelly Yang
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Once again, I just reveled in this new Front Desk series! Mia and her friends are as strong as ever, but Lupe is going up to the high school for classes as Mia and Jason miss her! Mia is getting too many writing rejections and for the first time she is not telling Lupe or Jason... but she is super excited to return to China to visit her grandparents, cousins and aunts and uncles. While there, Mia makes friends with a beloved aging teacher who encourages Mia to submit her articles to youth newspaper in China. Her articles are an instant hit, she gets fan letters, and she begins to confide what she is feeling towards her friends (they will never read it, they are in America!) and her love of writing is
energized. But back at home, the new hotel next door is using dirty tactics to undermine the Calavista and Mia, Hank, and the shareholders are approached to sell the Calavista, what is Mia to do? I just love Kelly Yang's writing; it is real, authentic and students reading this series will find this 3rd book packs alot of punch and will LOVE it---friendship, family, big business, journalism, bias, racism, consent, and adaptability. A must read!

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The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker

The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to my friend, Michelle for recommending this a few times. Awesomely narrated by: Cassandra Campbell, this was a spell binding, gripping, lyrical, and mesmerizing romance of two people in Burma, who end up saving each 0ther. I loved the way Sendker told this awesome historical fiction story---his writing was beautiful, the way Tin Win views the world as a blind man and his romance with Mimi (how he details their lovemaking, his comfort and solace with carrying her on his back, the beauty of MiMi and Kalaw. I loved how this story unfolded and have not been able to stop thinking about the series of events in U Ba's story to Julia about Tin Win and MiMi's life and how affecting it was to Julia and her thinking and her outlook on her life and her father's life in Kalaw. A must read!!!

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The Hit (Will Robie, #2) by David Baldacci

The Hit by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 2nd book in the Will Robie series--if you love suspense, psychological thrillers and assassin, Will Robie is an awesome hero---some of the same characters like Vance and Julie appear which I loved, and this time Robie is tasked with getting rid of an assassin just like him, working for the same team, Jessica Reel. She and Robie trained together and they are the best. So why does Jessica kill 2 of the higher ups in their agency? I really liked Jessica too when you read her back story and as the book progresses, Robie and Rell save each other always keeping in mind---they have targets on their back. I can't wait to move onto the 3rd book in this series. Just as I loved the JohnnPullen series by Baldacci---now I am captivated by this series---Yes!

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Me (Moth) by Amber McBride

Me by Amber McBride
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This YA debut by Amber McBride took me totally by surprise; Moth is so alone after losing her family in a car accident, living with an aunt and going to school feeling lonely and invisible until one day in school, she meets Sani. McBride's descriptions of Sani from Moth's POV were just so beautiful and gripping. How they find each other and becomes friends is a must read for all and oh that ending!

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Hideout by Watt Key

Hideout by Watt Key
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this suspenseful middle grade thriller about Sam, son of a sheriff, and Davey, a boy he meets on a remote island near his Gulf Shore Home. Sam is ultra responsible, but due to circumstances, when his Dad gives him a boat, Sam heads out intending to disobey his father's rules, and then he meets Davey, whose story is unbelievable, he is waiting at his family's old home in the thick of the woods. As Sam helps Davey with supplies and food, they bond as they make this place ready for "his family" but things are so not what they seem. I loved Sam's bravery and rooted for him---readers will too! A must read!

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Muted by Tami Charles

Muted by Tami Charles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great, compelling read---a novel in verse fiercely telling the story of three girls who love singing, harmonize together, and dream of escaping to the music world, singing, becoming famous and staying together----oh this does not happen! Denver and her friends Shak and Dali are 17 yrs old when they see their fave artist, Merc Ellis would be coming to their area, and decide they will make themselves heard, seen and astound Merc. As they get his eye and go back stage, all three are beguiled---what happens is that smooth Merc shows his true self and starts to isolate them---Dali and Denver if they do see it, allow themselves to be swooning over his attention and ignore the warning signals---but Shak does not and she is the first to go. Denver and Dali slip off and become Merc's proteges---but do they really? This is a must read, I could not stop turning the pages and I loved Charles' language in telling this cautionary tale. Going back and forth in time, my fear for Dali and Denver was heightened with each page I turned as they allowed themselves to go deeper and deepper into this den of horror. A must read!

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With a Star in My Hand: Ruben Dario, Poetry Hero by Margarita Engle

With a Star in My Hand: Rubén Darío, Poetry Hero by Margarita Engle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow I just continue to love all the novels in verse Margarita Engles writes and Ruben Dario's life was depicted authentically in this poetic rendering. I loved how Engle uses poetry to tell his story, also how he created the Modernismo literary movement blending poetry and prose. From his first beginnings as a cast away child, listening to the magical stories from his uncle and others and vowing to be like them wandering and speaking and writing like the storytellers who grew up listening to. With the passing of his uncle, life moves on and known as Felix Ruben Garcia Sarmiento as a lad, his adopted family decides to change his name to Ruben Dario and so begins his journey in nature, life and adventures in poetry. This is a must read!

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As Good As Dead (A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, #3) by Holly Jackson

As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I was so so looking forward to this 3rd book in Holly Jackson's A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and the only thing I can say that I continued to love was the team of narrators who did a flawless rendering of this otherwise disappointing book. As I began to listen, I knew Pip was in some trouble because she kept repeating and repeating and repeating---so imagine a whole book of her inner monologue repeating and repeating and repeating!!! I knew all the stuff she kept repeating because I listened to ALL the books, but the fact that Pip did not seek help except through popping pills was a letdown. She was such a strong female character, I knew she could expose the DT Killer but once again and throughout this book, she did not trust the police, she did not confide in her family, and she went off on practically everything---she still had meticulous knowledge but she let her PTSD from the 2nd book drown her and this affected her confidence which the reader heard over and over again with her inner monologues. I listened to the end and was not happy at all with her decisions and how she was miserable and counting days and trying to convince herself (and the reader) she made the right choices to protect them. Come on, the Pip I knew had an arsenal of evidence and facts to turn the case around...instead she goes crazy, makes her friends complicit and then casts them off in the name of protecting them. The Pip I knew could have figured out a different way to convince the police, yet she did not---she takes one comment from the lead policeman and allows that to torpedo what she could have easily proved---but she goes back to the 1st and 2nd books and how the police would not listen to her (mind you- she only shares with Ravi, not her family and friends) I felt Pip kept me hostage the whole book and I did not like it one bit.

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The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne

The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow did I learn SO SO much from this gripping historical fiction taking place in Ireland starring Cyril Avery (who is not a real Avery) who as a 3 day old infant is adopted by Maude and Charles Avery who never should have adopted him! John Boyne's characters are all memorable, some you love and others you detest. Cyril's life is wide open for all of us to see---he has a head on his shoulders, he is gay and in love with his best friend, Julian (since the age of 7 and Julian hasn't a clue) and he lives in homophobic Ireland from the 1940s to present day. Boyne's story is very memorable, I could not stop listening, the narrator was fabulous and his voices, whether male or female, were just so spot on. I laughed, I cried, and I wanted so much for Cyril, I rooted for his happiness and that he would meet his mom. The way Boyne structured conversations with the same things being said over and over again was such a great way to get a point across, emphasize nonsense and to tell this story of being gay in a backward country through so many lenses. A must read for all!

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Oracle Code//A Graphic Novel by Marieke Nijkamp and Manuel Preitano

The Oracle Code by Marieke Nijkamp
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this graphic novel from Marieke Nijkamp about DC Comics Barbara Gordon's teen years! She is shot, lands in a wheelchair and goes to rehab at a place that doesn't sit right with her. As she struggles with her new life, she is angry at her father and exasperated because he will not listen when she tries to sound the alarm that things are not okay here! I loved Barbara and her determination, her friends at the center and Benjamin, her best friend. Artist Manuel Preitano's illustrations were awesome, spooky when they needed to be. Teens will love this DC Comic!

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Woner Twins Vol. 2: The Fall and Rise of the Wonder Twins by Mark Russell and Stephen Byrne

Wonder Twins Vol. 2: The Fall and Rise of the Wonder Twins by Mark Russell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really liked this 2nd Wonder Twins comic; Jayna and Zan are heroes for their part in taking down the League of Annoyance but Jayna's friend is behind bars and wants nothing to do with her. But this is a swift moving and exciting volume as the twins strike out on their own to help their friends and the world!

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