Solito by Javier Zamora

Solito by Javier Zamora
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A gut wrenching memoir written and narrated by the author. When he was 9 Javier was going to finally be with his parents in America. Crossing the border was supposed to take 2 weeks; ended up taking 2 months. It was fierce seeing it from a 9 year old's eyes. A must read!

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All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not put this book down!!! Seeing it on all the book lists, a black sheriff in the town he grew up in- Titus is a formidable law man, having a background of years with the FBI, when a beloved teacher is killed in a school shooting. But as the suspect (Titus is very familiar with him as a law man but grew up with & played football with his father) gives himself up; he says strange things that give Titus pause; and then his deputies shoot him. This opens up a lot of trouble for Titus in a Southern town that tight holds on past prejudices; when the truth comes out after finding evidence in phones, too many do not want to believe the teacher is a murderer and pedophile. I could not stop reading this book; I will definitely be reading S.A. Cosby's other books!!!

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Dear Mothman by Robin Gow

Dear Mothman by Robin Gow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A tough novel in verse about a 6th grade trans child Nora but his close family and friends call him Noah at this request. Noah was best friends with Lewis and they were both trans; after Lewis dies in a car accident, Noah tries to deal with his grief by writing in a journal and leaving it at a favorite tree for Mothman, a cryptid Lewis & Noah believe in. How will Noah survive without his best friend, this is a must read for everyone!

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A Soul of Ash and Blood (Blood and Ash, #5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

A Soul of Ash and Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another totally awesome book in the Blood and Ash series; victorious Poppy, Cas & Kieran make their way to safety but quickly Cas & Kieran realize something is not right---Poppy's skin is freezing then she drops into a deep slumber...there is a very real possibility that if and when Poppy wakes up she will not remember anything & that means her husband and love, Cas and Kieran. It has been suggested that Cas talk to her as Poppy sleeps & talk he does; I could not stop turning the pages as Cas recalls to Poppy and Kieran their history, romance, and linked hearts. Totally awesome read.

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Snow Place Like LA (A Christmas Notch #1.5) by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

Snow Place Like LA by Julie Murphy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great addition to the Christmas Notch series. I loved Luca and Angel's love story! I love Julie Murphy and Simone Sierra's collaboration, bring more great steamy books!

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One Steamy Night (The West Moreland Legacy #6) by Brenda Johnson

One Steamy Night by Brenda Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this 6th book in the Westmoreland Legacy and the story of Nadia & Jaxon, their chemistry, family history, and if they will be together since Nadia is happy to be single and working while Jaxon fell for Nadia and wants to marry her. I loved the plot and could not stop turning the pages & enjoyed all the family relationships. I will continue to read more of Brenda Jackson!

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The Mystery Guest (Molly the Maid, #2) by Nita Prose

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The 2nd of the Molly the Maid series has Molly's love away visiting his family, when a mystery writer event at her hotel goes wildly wrong. Once again the police think Molly is involved & as Molly tries to help the new maid in training, Molly realizes she must dig deeper---into the past; because she & Gran worked for Mr. Grimthorpe, the writer when she was a child. There is a Present & a Past chapter as Molly delves into the past and the why, who, and what of Grimthorpe and his life. Another winner, Molly and Mr. Preston are my favorites, but I really did miss her love interest, looking forward to his return in a 3rd book:)

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Redemption (Amos Decker, #5) by David Baldacci

Redemption by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved the 1st book in this series so much, knew my friends would love this series, so I purchased the whole paperback series! Now on the 5th in the series about Amos Decker & his partner Alex Jamison, I just can't stop turning the pages! I am a huge Baldacci fan & am barreling through all of his series & loving ALL of them. So read this series, I promise your heart will be pumping!

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The Museum of Failures by Thrity Umrigar

The Museum of Failures: A Novel by Thrity Umrigar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another awesome Thrity Umrigar novel; this audiobook narrated by Vikas Adam was addictive; Remy was such a likable character & as his life implodes on a visit to India to adopt a child & visit an ailing mother. What happens in this novel is so sad with decisions made and lived with; will Remy be able to forgive? A must read!!!

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A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this collaboration between Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone! Both funny & sexy the 2 main characters sizzle with chemistry and as they star in a sexy Hope Channel rom-com and soon Winnie becomes the student as Kallum becomes her teacher and oh do the sparks fly. LOVED this opposites attract plot, setting in the snow, & awesome characters.

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Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay

Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to my librarian/reading partner, MaryAlice Briggs-Dicker for lending me this awesome rom-com. I loved the 2 main characters so much; Sam (dyslexic, reading averse chef) & Ben (librarian, reader extraordinaire) meet on a ferry to Martha's Vineyard, what results in a summer of adventure, laughs and falling in love. I learned so much about dyslexia from this book & I loved Sam's gigantic personality. Highly recommended!!!

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First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

The First Ladies by Marie Benedict
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this stellar historical fiction about the lifelong friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt & Mary McCloud Bethune, both powerhouses striving together to change the world, people's racism, and the wrongs of history. Awesomely Narrated by Robin Miles and Tavia Gilbert, this is the Albright College Ladies January selection. This is a must read, I learned so much from these 2 strong women who bonded, collaborated, and tirelessly worked for civil rights. This is a must read!

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Salt in the Wound (Lyonesse) by Sierra Simone

Salt in the Wound by Sierra Simone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this novella about Isolde who wants to become a nun but her father wants her in his company, so he arranges for her to marry a competitor. Thankfully she has an uncle who is her friend & can look out for her where her father does not! Mark Travena is awful, much older than Isolde; I do not see what he wants her for, I will be looking forward to the next book in the series!

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A Fire in the Flesh (Flesh & Fire, #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

A Fire in the Flesh by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Sera, Nyktos and their fight together against Kolis, his lies and betrayals. Another fantastic book in the Flesh and Fire series.

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Hidden Truths by Elly Swartz

Hidden Truths by Elly Swartz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book of 2 middle grade friends who are really tested when a freak accident occurs on a camping trip. Dani and Eric have been friends since 2nd grade & really do everything together. But while on a camping trip, there is a fire one night in their camper & Danny blames himself for forgetting to turn off the stove...as he wrestles with telling Dani, she is burned & told she can't be on the baseball team she just got on! Also she runs into a cool girl while in the hospital & this further drives a wedge between the friends. What will happen to Dani & Eric? I could not stop turning the pages, loved the characters, plot, & different settings. Kids will love this book of friendship, loyalty, and identity! A must read.

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One by One by Ruth Ware

One by One by Ruth Ware
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Tara Smith for this awesome mystery! I loved the snow & isolation in a French Alps setting for a the employees of the SNOOP app. The two partners (Erin & Danny) who aim to please their clients find the going gets rough in their chalet when people begin to go missing & dead!!! As the power goes out, so does the technology, toilets, heat, stoves, etc. I kept turning those pages as the suspense grew. A good mystery thriller!

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The Henna Artist (The Jaipur Trilogy, #1) by Alka Joshi

The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Tara Smith and Pam Smith for this awesome book! The saga of Laksimi living in Jaipur in the 1950s, a single woman who is an amazing henna artist saving for her own home. All that is upended when her past collides with her present. I cana't wait to read the next book in this series.

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Forever, Interrupted by Tara Jenkins Reid

Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Kara McBrien for lending me this book! Elsie and Ben's love story was beautiful, sad, and I ached for Elsie in her grief!

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One Last Kill (Tracy Crosswhite, #10) by Robert Dugoni

One Last Kill by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG I loved this 10th book in the Tracy Crosswhite series! As Tracy is tasked with solving an ages old murder that has darkened the police image, she is paired with Johnny Nolasco who was her boss and enemy. What they find as the investigate is awful, kept me turning the pages & rooting for Tracy and her honest cop friends to solve the serial killer murders!

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The Last Mile (Amos Decker, #2) by David Baldacci

The Last Mile by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amos Decker investigates the incarceration of Melvin Mars, accused of killing his family and finds there are many other similarities to Amos' life; will he solve this case with his "powers" of investigation??? Readers will be turning the pages to find the mysteries, answers, and reasons!

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Stuntboy, In-Between Time (2) by Jason Reynolds and illustrated by Raul the Third

Stuntboy, In-Between Time by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Portico, Zola and Herbert and their goals to help others while they deal with bullies, gangs, and divorce in their apartment building. Laughing constantly with Reynolds words and Illustrator Raúl the Third fantastic drawings, middle grade students will love this graphic novel! They are good kids but they also get themselves into a few scrapes, I could not stop turning the pages!

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Finally Seen by Kelly Yang

Finally Seen by Kelly Yang
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Lina Gao leaves her grandmother in China to finally live with her parents and little sister who went to America 5 years ago, Lina is hit with many things---this new country is strange, her family did not tell her the truth about their life in America, they may lose their home, their father works tirelessly for an organic farmer who is harsh and merciless and this causes fights between her parents. As Lina struggles in school, she meets friends and foes. I really liked the teachers who supported Lina and helped her find her voice. I also loved how Lina sees her family and is able to finally be seen by her mother, father and sister. A must read!

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The Fix (Amos Decker, #3) by David Baldacci

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

I continue to totally love this series, I could not put down this 3rd book in the Amos Decker series!!! At the Hoover Building, Amos witnesses a man murder a woman and looking into the murder, the family man with a government contracting business kills a school teacher. Nothing is what it seems and as Amos and his crew continue to delve into the people, their families, etc nothing is what it seems. I could not stop turning the pages and I loved seeing Melvin Mars return in this book!

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The Fragile Thread of Power (Threads of Power, #1) by V.E. Schwab

The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely Narrated by: Kate Reading, Marisa Calin, Michael Kramer, I loved this latest book by V.E. Schwab, the beginning of a series (which I totally love) but also includes characters from her other books, YAY!!! Returning to the worlds of her previous series, Shades of Magic, characters Delilah Bard, Kell Maresh, and the royal family from Red London are wrestling with Kell's loss of magic and his brother, the king has no magic but cannot be killed. Into this thrilling story line, the reader also meets Kosika, a young girl with powerful magic in White London who becomes Queen. I especially liked Tes, the tinkerer who can see magic---and if it is broken she can fix it. There is an enemy in Red London who wants to topple the king and his kingdom (known as The Hand). I could not stop listening to this 21 hour book!!! I can't wait for the 2nd in the series as the ending in Fragile stopped my heart!!!

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Fever by Mary Beth Keane

Fever by Mary Beth Keane
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this very very sad book for November Albright College Zoom Book Club. Mary's life as an immigrant was far from easy and when Mary becomes the 1st known healthy carrier of Typhoid, her life is irreparably changed. I ached for Mary as she was judged, shunned, and imprisoned on North Brother for 3 years but really her whole life because she was hunted by Dr. Soper who was not a dr. but a medical engineer. A must read, but Mary was tough but she had a rough life.

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Deck the Hounds (Andy Carpenter, #18) by Grover Gardner

Deck the Hounds by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is one of my favorite in the Andy Carpenter series; Dan Carrigan, homeless with a dog as his companion, accepts a gift from Andy. This audiobook has Andy, his wife and son in the Christmas Holiday of giving becoming friends with Dan and his pregnant dog. Readers will love this story of hope, redemption, and dogs!

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Wave by Diana Farid

Wave by Diana Farid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a great book, everyone must read- they will love Ava (Persian American) and Phoenix's voices as OCD, cancer, surfing, families are discussed. The words are beautiful and the beauty of surfing and friendship made this reader so happy to have found this book!!!

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Fury of Persuasion (Dragonfury Scotland, #4) by Coreene Callahan

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

Love this series so much and it finds Vyroth, missing for months trapped in a prison, unable to get to his pack, but a High Energy female Nikki comes to his aid, how will this turn out? You will love it!

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Class Act (New Kids, #2) by Jerry Craft

Class Act by Jerry Craft
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this 2nd book in the New Kid graphic novel series- Gordon, Drew and Liam as 8th graders in private school with issues developing as the school year goes on. Will their friendship survive.

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Things We Left Behind (Knockemout, #3) by Lucy Score

Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 3rd in the Knockemout was awesome- Lucian and Sloane have been staying away from each other whenever they are together, due to what happened to her when she was younger. As the story unravels and we learn more and more about Lucian and Sloane, the reader is drawn into this steamy romance with lots of mystery, lies and secrets!

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Rescued (Andy Carpenter, #17) by David Rosenfelt

Rescued by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This audiobook was flawlessly narrated by Grover Gardner, with a truck carrying many dogs and a murdered driver. When Laurie's ex-boyfriend is accused of the murder; cowardly Andy is jealous and does not want to help Dave Kramer. I loved this audiobook as I love all the books and audiobooks of the Andy Carpenter series!!!

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Unleashed (Andy Carpenter, #11) by David Rosenfelt

Unleashed by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Grover Gardner has me laughing throughout this 11th book (audiobook) in the Andy Carpenter series. Sam is Andy's friend, accountant and hacker. On his way to visit a friend, he hits a dog and that makes him late. His friend crashes in the plane and the dog, renames Crash becomes Sam's beloved dog---but the mystery had me listening and chuckling all day long!!!

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Game Face by Shari Green

Game Face by Shari Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jonah and his friend Ty love hockey; but Jonah is anxious about everything and Ty is the only one who knows. Also Jonah's Dad suffers from anxiety and it has only gotten worse since his mom died in a car accident. It is through working on class projects with his neighbor, Rosie, that Jonah shares his anxieties to Rosie just as she shares her grandmother's worsening dementia. This novel in verse captivated me from the first line; so much power in each word and line, middle grade students will be sharing this gem.

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Fury of Denial (Dragonfury Scotland Book 3) by Coreene Callahan

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

Blind dragon warrior, Wallaig, rescues Elise's best friend and pastry chef, Amantha as the evil rogue pack of dragons closes in, Wallaig is alone against 9 dragons. Will Wallaig and Amantha become lovers or enemies.

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Fury of Shadows (Dragonfury Scotland Book 2) by Coreene Callahan

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

This is the 2nd in the Dragonfury Scotland series with pack leader, Cyprus rescuing a rare book librarian, Elise as he is fighting an enemy. Loved this 2nd book, looking forward to the next dragon adventure!

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Collared (Andy Carpenter, #16) by David Rosenfelt

Collared by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this latest audiobook, awesomely narrated by Grover Gardner! A dog tied to the Foundation's door sets off this legal thriller with Andy's humor and sarcasm. There is dog DNA, real DNA, murder, a drug lord, and Andy representing someone for $1.00. I loved the "Pod Hike" appearance in this book, too.

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The Vanderbeekers Ever After (The Vanderbeekers, #7) by Karina Yan Glaser

The Vanderbeekers Ever After by Karina Yan Glaser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the 7th and final book in the Vanderbeekers series and I am so so sad! I LOVE this series so much!!! The family, their friends and Harlem became so important to me; and this final book was awesome. The Vanderbeeker family has a medical crisis, and when they become daily visitors to Sloane Kettering, the children also find a way to help the patients in the pediatric cancer wing. I could not put this book down, everyone will love this book---buy it & read it! I will be sharing this book with all my adult friends and librarians who have become Vanderbeeker fans!!!

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Fury of a Highland Dragon (Dragonfury: Scotland, #1) by Coreene Callahan

Fury of a Highland Dragon by Coreene Callahan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a 1st book in the Dragonfury: Scotland, #1 series and introduces all the dragons but the main character is Tydrin, a 1/2human dragon who has not been able to forgive himself for accidentally killing a human couple 20 years ago. As he goes to the cemetery for his annual visit, he stumbles upon Ivy Macpherson, crying over her parents deaths, when he also sees 2 men in dark suits with guns, ordering Ivy to surrender. Tydrin rescues her, makes her his, and shows her his dragon side. I could not put this book down, loved the suspense, and the conclusion was perfect! I am going to read this whole series!

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Fall of Wrath and Ruin (Awakening, #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this 1st book in the Awakening series! Lis is a mortal, lowborn Lis is an orphan who has known starvation, abuse and with her friend, Grady they stick together. Lis knows the future just by touching someone, so she doesn't really do that. She saves Grady and her future when she becomes the paramour of the baron of Archwood who is a celestia (mortal descended from the joining of a lowborn) and a Hyhborn (created from the earth) ; they have been living a good life until one night her intuition bades her go out of the castle not knowing what she will find. In the barn, there is a man with blood all over him and stakes pinning him down. What Lis does not know is that she is rescuing and saving Prince Thorn. There is wonderful world building, I loved the chemistry between Lis & Thorn and as the mysteries grow---the suspense is so gripping I read this book in 2 days!!! I can't wait for the 2nd book!!!

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Immortal Longings (Flesh and False Gods, #1) by Chloe Gong

Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A retelling of Antony and Cleopatra, also like Hunger Games, I loved the story of Calla and Anton, not so much August. I also liked the jumping of bodies, that made me want to sail through this lucious book of daring, danger, and backstabbing. Can't wait for #2!!!

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Outfoxed (Andy Carpenter, #14) by David Rosenfelt

Outfoxed by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Tara Foundation is working with prisoners and dogs in a new program and all is going great until one of the prisoners escapes with a dog he has been working with. After his wife and a man are found murdered, Brian is arrested and so begins the fast paced legal thriller including Andy, Laurie, Marcus, Pete and Sam---I Love them all! Another great job by Grover Gardner as narrator!!!

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Who Let the Dog Out (Andy, #13) by David Rosenfelt

Who Let the Dog Out? by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great audiobook read awesomely by Grover Gardner; I chuckled the whole book as Andy delves into another mystery which involves a dog stolen from the Tara Foundation, and when they follow his chip, the dog is found next to a dead man. The dog's owner is arrested and thus begins another rousing mystery and legal thriller with Andy and his friends as Andy dodges criminals who want him dead, as he defends his client, Tommy and finds an even bigger conspiracy!

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Hounded (Andy Carpenter, #12) by David Rosenfelt

Hounded by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As usual I loved Grover Gardner's hysterical narration with just the right intonations with my chuckling at Andy, his situations, etc and all the drama as he solves yet another mystery which includes a dog! His friend also a cop, Pete Stanton is accused of murder and Andy is his lawyer.

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Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls

Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for the Albright College Book Club Zoom and I loved the narration by the author, Jeannette Walls! Sallie was such an awesome, flawed character but a strong woman with her own ideas raised during Prohibition. As a child she was her father's pride and joy, when he marries again, Sallie and his wife do not get along and when she makes a big mistake she is sent away for 9 years. Upon her return, Sallie has to fit in to a dysfunctional family, ruled by her rich father that will not ever bend. The town she lives in, the house she lives in, the business of bootlegging she has been raised in consume her, changing her life and ideas, as much is uncovered. Still Sallie Kincaid was someone you could trust, who had a deep love of her people and their lifestyle of running rum. there was so much heartache but Sallie did not let that destroy her but make her a better person to all.

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Dream Town (Archer, #3) by David Baldacci

Dream Town by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 3rd & final Archer book, tearing through each book as Archer & Liberty try to find work and be happy with their work. But now that Archer has found his calling as a private eye, danger is ever present and that really scares Liberty. As Archer is hired by someone, she is soon missing and as he uncovers more and more in 1950s Hollywood and Los Angeles. He enlists the help of his mentor, Willie Dash. I loved everything about this story but the ending.

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Forever Never by Lucy Score

Forever Never by Lucy Score
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this sizzling story about Remi returning home to her beloved family with a really big secret that will endanger anyone Remi cares about. I loved Brick and his big awesome body that knows something is wrong with Remi (the girl he can never have...) and will stop at nothing to protect her. Will Remi & Brick find each other??? Such a great romance!

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The Brothers Hawthorne (The In heritance Games, #4) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this 4th in the series about the brothers! There was drama, humor, so much angst, but time and time again, the brothers always relied on what they learned from their grandfather and how it brought them thru life time and time again. I enjoyed the 4 boys get togethers to be there for each other. I am SO looking forward to a 5th book!!!

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Two Nights in Lisbon by Chris Pavone

Two Nights in Lisbon by Chris Pavone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

January LaVoy does a spectacular job narrating this taut thriller with so much psychological drama!!! I enjoyed listening to this book, Ariel's husband is kidnapped while they are on a business trip in London. The police and the American Embassy do not take her seriously, until the FBI & CIA are involved. A real who done it!

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The Last Line (Tracy Crosswhite, #8.5) by Robert Dugoni

The Last Line by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A novella in the Tracy Crosswhite series goes back to Del and Fazio, detectives who work with Tracy, when Del first comes Seattle and catches a case, where he finds frustration with each lead he gets, and questions his boss' honesty.

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All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin

All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Teens at a party collide when a picture taken at a party reveals a drunken girl in a room in a compromising position. I could not stop turning the pages. I loved so many of the characters in this tense story---Nina, Tom, Lyla and Finch. Loved the resolution as well, a great read!

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