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!

View all my reviews

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this thriller as part of my Albright College Zoom Book Club and oh did I love it! Zig zagging between 3rd person description and Rose's journal entries, the reader learns about twins, Rose and Fern, as they grow up and present day. I think Fern is on the spectrum--- she does not like to be touched, going into public like swim meets, restaurants, bowling, all assault her vision and auditory processes (so she does not go) and she is a librarian with such an awesome love for books and the library (yay!) although she does not like to deal with the many questions about printers and computer problems:)
Rose can't have a baby, her husband left her and is away on a job, and Fern thinks she would love to help her sister and will try to have a baby for her. When Wally (Rocco Ryan) enters Fern's life while Rose is away trying to rekindle her marriage, things Fern did not like begin to change as her friendship grows with Wally.
I enjoyed the way Hepworth told this story weaving in and out about the sisters, their relationship with their mother, and their very entwined relationship. Suspenseful, a must read, and I will be reading other Sally Hepworth books!

View all my reviews

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this right after reading What Alice Forgot (which I LOVED) but I found this story a bit chopped up ---all I wanted to read was the letter--and it took me awhile to figure out why each chapter contained different characters...I love Liane Moriarity and this book just took me a longer to get into and I guess I was disappointed. Cecilia and the whole clan of characters were rich and so normal and also so flawed. The secret was devastating and wow what a ripple effect!

View all my reviews

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to Markus Zusak narrate Bridge of Clay; it was a wonderfully sad story of 5 boys who lost their beloved mother, Penny and also their father (they refer to him as The Murderer) who abandons them. Because the story bounces back and forth between past and present often, it was sometimes disconcerting to listen to; I liked Zusak's narration but I think I might have gotten more out of it by reading the book. It is up to their brother, Clay, to go help their father build a bridge; he is the only one their mother told ALL the history and stories to before she died. It is also Clay who is best friends and later more with Carrie Novack, a jockey. I enjoyed all the animals, the references to the Iliad and the Odyssey; recalled Zusak's earlier books (Fighting Ruben Wolfe and Getting the Girl) about boxing brothers and loved Zusak's beauty and sadness in this story of family, the plot and the very human characters.

View all my reviews

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had to read this before Big Little Lies comes to HBO and I am so going to miss Celeste, Madeline, & Jane so much- I could not wait to listen to Caroline Lee's stellar narration of these Australian housewives, their friendship, their families, and the mad goings on at the Trivia Night!!! I really am going to miss them, I was in their world, their minds, and their hearts- what a great narration, great book! Hurry up TV series:)

View all my reviews

Razorhurst by Justine Larbalestier

Razorhurst by Justine Larbalestier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Justine Larbalstier's book of 1920's Australia, ghosts, and a girl who can see and talk to ghosts is a rip roaring good read. Kelpie is a strong female protagonist who has lived on her own since she was young. But she stumbles into a murder and meets Dymphyna who can also see and talk to ghosts. For a look at the fictional town of Razorhurst and the likes of Kelpie and Dymphyna, struggling to survive in a community where mobsters vie for tenuous control; the reader will go on a one of a kind reading adventure and not be disappointed. I love the characters, the plot and setting---all so good. Join the twitter chat with #readyalit 8/2 at 8pm CST!

View all my reviews

Getting the Girl by Markus Zusak

Getting the Girl by Markus Zusak
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In re-reading this book for the 2014 Hub Challenge, I wanted Cameron to succeed, I wanted him to get the girl, and Zusak does a great job of showing Cameron's insecurities, his depth of character, and how getting the girl changes his relationship with Ruben. Even though he doesn't have her for long, and Ruben beats him up, it is his sister who helps Cameron find himself through poems and observations. Cameron is a strong protagonist who finds his place in his family and in the world with his questions and pining about relationships with girls. Cameron gets my vote any day as the Wolfe brother who matters.

View all my reviews

I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusack

I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I re-read this book as part of the 2014 Hub Challenge and it is still one of my favorite books. Ed thinks of himself as a loser; he drives a cab and loves his best friend, Audrey (who doesn't love him back), and I will never forget his coffee drinking dog, The Doorman. When Ed foils a bank robbery, he begins to receive playing cards in the mail, directing him to different situations and we see how well (or not) he handles the different missions. It is the slow, sure way that Ed becomes a different person by helping others that impacted me the most. I loved reading hangdog Ed and seeing him become a better person with each person he helped. A very satisfying read:)

View all my reviews