One Summer by David Baldacci

One Summer by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this stand alone novel by David Baldacci!!! Jack and his daughter Mikki were such great characters, they are flawed but sincere going through a very devastating family crisis. I could not put this book down; it beautifully covers death, grief, family and family problems. I loved the resolution of this story of one man's grief and how moving to a summer home changes his life.

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Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand

Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this story of a family wedding on Nantucket- the daughters follow their dead mother's notebook of what Jenna's wedding should entail, their father, Doug, remarried is still in love with Beth who died of cancer quickly over 7 months. What should be a happy weekend is so much more than that with many disagreements, lies, and drama. I could not stop turning the pages (I am like this with all Elin's books) such a great read, beautiful setting, characters you want to throttle, characters that make you laugh, and a great plot. A great summer read!

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American Squire (American Queen, #3.6) by Sierra Simone

American Squire by Sierra Simone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A new series in the American Queen series continues presidential aide Ryan Belvedere (his president has been murdered) in his pursuit of a book for Merlin.

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Maybe Not (Maybe, #1.5) by Colleen Hoover

Maybe Not by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A sizzling romance in the Maybe series by Colleen Hoover between Warren and Bridgette who is a new roommate. This novella had me laughing as Warren persisted in trying to woo nasty Bridgette, will he win her heart, or NOT?

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Detour Ahead by Pamela Ehrenberg & Tracey Lopez

Detour Ahead by Pamela Ehrenberg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this story of the friendship between Jewish Gilah who is neurodiverse & Guillermo who has just moved to Washington, D.C. who becomes friends with Gilah as they navigate life, family & friendship in Washington, D.C. in this awesome middle grade novel in verse. A must read!

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Crook Manifesto (Ray Carney, #2) by Colson Whitehead

Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This 2nd in the Ray Carney series is a historical panorama of the 70s in Harlem with Ray who has been on the straight and narrow but soon circumstances turn Ray back to his crooked ways. I loved this look through Carney's eyes (with narrator Deon Graham doing such an awesome job) as lawlessness, murder, mayhem, and seediness happen in Harlem.

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Good Gone Bad (The Fallen Men, #3) by Giana Darling

Good Gone Bad by Giana Darling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 3rd book in The Fallen Men series & Harleigh Rose & Lionel Danner's history was riveting. I could not put this book down & my old fave characters (HR's family Zeus Garros, etc) were dealing with alot in this book! Lots of sizzling chemistry, mystery and violence between the motorcycle gang, the police, and family drama.

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Dear Student by Elly Swartz

Dear Student by Elly Swartz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As Autumn begins middle school, her best friend has moved away and she is devastated (but they do keep in touch!!!) She makes 2 new friends and is awarded the coveted SECRET Dear Students letters. This throws her life into turmoil because there are letters that cause much drama with Autumn caught between her 2 friends! What will she do? Keeping in touch with her friend who has moved away & the teacher who believes she is the best for this voice, help her as she navigates this year in school and life. I love Elly Swartz's book, everyone should read this one!

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Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango

Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this debut novel in verse which do well with middle school and YA with the issues (PTSD, death, grief, anger, mental illness) Iveliz presents. Iveliz has a journal which the reader knows is from her heart and since her father's death, which she blames herself for, she is suffering, feels she can't talk to anyone (especially Mami) and even though she looked forward to a newer better year in 7th grade, she has run ins with friends and family and school. I rooted for Iveliz to share her burdens with others like her psychologist, friend Amir and her grandmother. A must read!

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The Elephant Girl by James Patterson and award-winning author Ellen Banda-Aaku

The Elephant Girl by James Patterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this sad, poignant story about a young African girl, her love of elephants, her loss, and her redemption. Jama relates to animals, less so with her friends, family and villagers. When poachers try to kill a mother elephant Jama has become attached to, the villagers & the rangers do not understand when the fearful elephant, trying to protect her baby, stampedes and kills Jama's mother. What transpires is an insightful, uplifting story for Jama who only wants to take care of elephants and expose the poachers. this is an issue that happens time and time again in Africa and other countries as the elephants are poached for their tusks, rendering baby elephants orphans and terrifying the natural order of the elephants. A must read!

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Leader of the Pack (Andy Carpenter, #10) by David Rosenfelt

Leader of the Pack by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is definitely a whodunit and one Andy gets sucked into when an old case he lost rears its ugly head again. Andy has continued to stay in touch visiting convicted killer, Joey Desimone in jail. When he asks Andy to check in on his uncle, things begin to spiral when Joey's uncle is murdered after a visit by Andy and his dog, Tara. Will Andy get the chance to get Joey a new trial? Another suspenseful, hysterical read in the Andy Carpenter series!

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One Dog Night (Andy Carpenter, #9) by David Rosenfelt

One Dog Night by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Andy does need or want another client but when he hears Noah Galloway admit to the crime, then talks to his wife who convinces him this cold case needs investigation, this case jumps into killing after killing to try to keep the truth from getting out & the cover up from being exposed. Another great Andy Carpenter mystery you must read!

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Dog Tags (Andy Carpenter, #8) by David Rosenfelt

Dog Tags by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this Andy Carpenter mystery because Milo, a German Shepherd is a highly trained dog that Andy ends up representing. His owner is in jail and the reader soon finds that both the owner & Milo are in danger. I love Willie who runs the Tara Foundation, Laurie & Marcus & especially Andy because he is so funny, spineless, but the best lawyer to those he defends. I can't wait to read #9!!!

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Eb & Flow by Kelly J. Baptist

Eb & Flow by Kelly J. Baptist
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Two seventh graders get into a fight in the cafeteria; they are expelled and have 2 weeks to think about their actions...will they be able to look into themselves and see they are not so different? I loved this middle grade novel in verse about 2 black children getting to trouble and the resulting decisions they make through contemplation, discussions with family & friends & school teachers. A must read!

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Answers in the Pages by David Levithan

Answers in the Pages by David Levithan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This middle grade book is a must read for children and parents- using a book being read by a class- Donovan leaves his book out, his mother reads it & objects to him reading it and proceeds to start in motion a book challenge that divides everyone. The book also contains the story of The Adventurers book starring Rick & Oliver which contains the content Donovan's mom objects to. But Donovan & his mom do not talk about it...I loved the many students voices, their teacher, and the author of The Adventurers book---a tense book but a good book!

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The Umbrella House by ColleenNelson

The Umbrella House by Colleen Nelson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ruby and Scout decide to try to save their neighborhood from a rich real estate mogul who wants to buy their apartment building. As they dig for information about the history of the Umbrella House, they have questions they need answers to, one of them Who is this Midnight Muralist & can they help? I loved the beauty of this neighborhood, the authors' words and the power of so many people to save their neighborhood. A must read for middle school, one that will make you root for Ruby, Scout, their families and friends!

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The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline

The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved so many of the women characters in this historical fiction novel about women who suffer at the hands of society and are sentenced to jail in London's Newgate Prison, only to be sent to Australia because they are deemed a menace to society. Also the whites have pushed put the Aboriginal people and one of their own, Mathinna, becomes a focal part of this story with Evangeline and Hazel. There was terror going by boat from London to Australia, not only seasickness but sailors who rape the prisoners. You will be riveted by this story of strong female friendship, survival, and hardship! A must read!

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Before and After: THe Incredible Real-Life Stories of Orphans Who Survived the Tennessee Children's Home Society by Judy Christie and Lisa Wingate

Before and After: The Incredible Real-Life Stories of Orphans Who Survived the Tennessee Children's Home Society by Judy Christie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for the Albright College Zoom Book Club and the stories these adoptees had to tell, as well as those that they met (new family & new friends) was engrossing. There were about 15 stories and this book came about as a result of the novel published by Lisa Wingate-Before We Were Yours which explored the Georgia Tan Adoption Scandal that stole babies from unwed mothers, mothers, parents and placed them with those who wanted to adopt babies. The reunion in Memphis was very special and poignant to all who came. A must read!

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Sunshine by Jarrett J. Krosocozka

Sunshine: A Graphic Novel by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I so loved Hey Kiddo & this book is just as great--as a teen Jarrett becomes a camp counselor for kids with terminal illnesses and as fearful as he is, once he gets to Camp Sunshine, he sees it as so much more (for himself, the kids & parents, & the staff who do this every summer) There are many funny, sad, and fierce moments & Krosoczka is masterful in his telling, drawing, and thoughts. A must read for middle school & high school!

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The Sun Does Sine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton

The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This audiobook forward was read by Bryan Stevenson & narrated by Kevin R. Free. This nonfiction story written by Anthony Ray Hinton is about his 30 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. He is a good man who is first astonished he is convicted & then remains in angry stony silence for a few years because he can't imagine why this travesty happened to him. But when he begins to let himself turn a corner because his mother and best friend visit him weekly; he also gets involved in reading & sharing it with his fellow prisoners in a book club. Bryan Stevenson is the lawyer who changed things for Anthony Ray---becoming his friend and believing in his innocence. This is a must read that will make you angry and make you cry, but Anthony Ray keeps a positive outlook and believes he will one day be free--but he sees many of his prisoner/friends die in the electric chair as he fights the battle for his freedom.

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The Little Flower Shop (Indiana Summers Series, #2) by Lori Foster

The Little Flower Shop by Lori Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this latest book in the Indiana Summers Series! Emily & Saul are good people in small town where gossip is a favorite past time. The story of how they CONNECT is a great read; full of fun and laughter.

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