Tony's Wife by Adriana Trigiani

Tony's Wife by Adriana Trigiani
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my first Adriana Trigiani book I read after hearing this full of life author speak in Avalon, NJ this summer with my reading buddy and Drexel Lacrosse mom, Becky Avato. I loved this book and will read more---ChiChi was such a great, conflicted character, I loved her family, The Donatelli's. Tony was complex but not a man I admired. I loved the Sea Isle shore and the travels across and around the country. I did not like so much Tony and his "life" and what it did to so many. There were certain parts of the story I wanted to know more about but I realized we were covering the life of these two "famous" singers, songwriters. I just finished listening to Chemistry Lessons by Bonnie Garmus about a strong misunderstood woman during the 50s and 60s...ChiChi was like Elizabeth Zott but ChiChi was not able to fulfill herself---she had a family and a husband to take care of and she outdid herself with her mind for business, songwriting, and family stability. ChiChi has so much important introspection unlike Elizabeth Zott, and she has a family who loves and supports her. I loved this Italian extended family and want to read more of Trigiani's books but I want to read more "successful" female, family stories---I will try her latest and see what happens:)

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The Vanderbeekers Lost and Found (The Vanderbeekers, #4) by Karina Yan Glaser

The Vanderbeekers Lost and Found by Karina Yan Glaser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this 4th book in The Vanderbeekers series---what a great family in a wonderful community, with laughs and drama--I could not stop turning the pages! There is the continued pet zoo that is just so cute, drama with the Homecoming dance and Benjamin; and Orlando with his aunt and uncle, getting ready for the New York Marathon and meetings at the Cat house- all just so important, funny and getting the reader into the loving arms of this big, diverse family in a Harlem neighborhood. A must read!

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Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Narrated by: Miranda Raison with a great question and answer by Bonnie Garmus and Pandora Sykes, this was a great book about societal expectations of women in the 50s and 60s and how Elizabeth Zott with her "different" personality represents ALL women of that time that had hopes and dreams and the low expectations of society stopped them from achieving anything but headaches, gossip, unwanted negative attention, and lies. This story help me captive, there were a few pronunciation errors but that did not stop me from being totally enthralled by Elizabeth's world and her life with Calvin Evans and their time together resulting in a dog, a daughter, and much grief. I loved Harriet Sloane and really detested many of the Hastings employees with their evil, mean-spirited gossip which continued to follow Elizabeth Zott with her jobs and her life. But a satisfying resolution and the author chat at the end were really welcome. A must read!

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Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Bree and her Dad move from Brooklyn to Florida where her life in a new middle school takes unexpected turns. I loved Bree and her Dad's relationship and as she dives into her new life, she meets friends who help her take on learning how to swim, stop the negative thoughts and push only for positive thoughts and friends. I loved the way the author used swimming as a way to bring everyone together, also give a history of race and swimming, and coaching as a strong way to move teams and individuals forward. A must read!

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The Final Gambit (The Inheritance Games, #3) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED every single book in this series! It was addicting, satisfying and so suspenseful with all the twists and turns, games and lies, with Avery being challenged at every turn---with security, snooping journalists (online and around town) and as the GAME ratchets up, there are many characters who may be trying to torpedo Avery's investigations. I love all the Hawthorne brothers, and the friends/Hawthorne characters (head of security and her lawyer) who unite to help Avery try to figure out the final puzzle before she turns 18, time ticks away and with each page turned the suspense was spine tingling! A great series to savor and read!

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A Glorious and Devilish Expanse (Witches if the Isnad, #3) by Katie McGarry

A Glorious and Devilish Expanse by Katie McGarry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this series so much and the 3rd installment had me in so much suspense! The story of Orion & Cassie continues but his malevolent mother has plans that include killing her son, killing Cassie, and killing anyone who is in her way in her to "save" her son. I loved the plot, the characters, and oh the ending was perfect and I was chuckling as I read about Moloch and his charge in the "human world"
As Cassie and Orion battle all that is evil, I rooted they find each other and save the worlds. Totally awesome!

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The Silent Sisters (Charles Jenkins, #3) by Robert Dugoni

The Silent Sisters by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Robert Dugoni has done it again! I could not put down this Charles Jenkins novel; taking place mostly in Russia Jenkins has been called up to remove the final 2 sisters of the Seven sisters who are American spies deeply embedded in Russia. Although once Jenkins arrives in Russia other forces are at work--he tries to help a very drunk prostitute from a bully's fists and it goes down hill from there. The bully is the son of the Mafia queen and it looks as if Jenkins has killed him!!! So begins a cat and mouse chase, I loved the suspense, the many costumes, the Inspector who is to retire imminently but wants his record of solving cases to remain spotless. Jenkins is a character I have loved/enjoyed from the beginning---he is humorous, caring, lethal, honest, and the BEST at what he does. He is in tip-top shape but this case will test him in many ways, foremost in his mind to get home in one piece to his family. A must read, a great series!

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Fury of Ice (Dragonfury, #2) by Coreene Callahan

Fury of Ice by Coreene Callahan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The 2nd in the Dragonfury series, this dragon romance mystery involves the turning of a human into a water dragon and on the bad side, there is an evil dragon who is abducting strong women for a breeding experiment.

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Dead Center (Andy Carpenter #5) by David Rosenfelt

Dead Center by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Laurie comes back into Andy's life with a client the police have arrested and she believes is innocent. Relocating to her hometown, Findlay, WI, Andy sets up being a detective/lawyer in order to delve into the murder mystery.

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Sudden Death (Andy Carpenter #4) by David Rosenfelt

Sudden Death by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Andy is hired to represent a football player accused of killing another football player. While still missing Laurie who is now in another state with her renewed family. Tara the golden is still the best friend and confidante of Andy.

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A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This was an awful sad read/ I loved the narrator, Oliver Wyman but there was no redemption in this novel, frustrating, dismal, and no positivity...I wanted to like Jude but Yanagihara made sure the reader was flumoxed by Jude's life and choices. Such a waste, therapy would have helped Jude and his many friends would have helped but Jude was such a damaged character, no one was able to rescue him.

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Slonim Woods 9: A Memoir by Daniel Barban Levin

Slonim Woods 9: A Memoir by Daniel Barban Levin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Jay Myers, this nonfiction account of a modern cult at Sarah Lawrence College concerns Daniel in his sophomore year and how he becomes involves in a cult with his friends. Daniel is friends with Talia, Santos, Claudia, and Isabella and one day Talia asks these friends if her Dad, Larry Ray, can live with them after he gets out of prison and they all say YES! Once in, Larry takes over at first in a small way, then it more insidious and exploitive, yet the friends do not see how Larry is isolating them, humiliating them and turning them against everyone who loves them. So compelling and a must read!

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Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories edited and compiled by Stephanie Perkins

Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories by Stephanie Perkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED all 12 of these LOVE stories from YA authors; each short story was authentic, important and hopeful. If you like short stories, romance and good endings, you will certainly enjoy this book!

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