The Oceanography of the Moon by Glendy Vanderah

The Oceanography of the Moon by Glendy Vanderah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This latest book by Glendy Vanderah effectively uses "magic" as the two main narrators/characters meet and their pasts are revealed/collide. I loved the narration by Brittany Pressley & Zachary Johnson as Riley and Vaughn meet at Riley's adoptive home where her brother, Kieran is a very special intuitive child where the all important magic resides. Since both Riley and Vaughn are hiding things, it will take trust, especially from Vaughn, if his past resurfaces. Once again, I loved the redemption in this book, the magic & beauty & healing of nature, and the strong characters who believe in forgiveness, family, and finding happiness in the future.

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Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG what a great audiobook/read---Cassandra Campbell did a superlative job narrating the story of Marsh Girl, Kya, last child of a drinking, lying, abusive father who sees her mother walk out and never return. With her exodus, so do all her brothers and sisters until she is the only one (age 6) left behind with her father. This is such a beautiful, spine tingling story of nature vs nurture, a wild girl who is educated by a friend of her brother's, and a murder mystery and trial. I could not stop listening---Campbell's voice was mesmerizing as she described the beauty of this small North Carolina swamp (as seen by Kya) ---the gulls, the flora, and Kya's love of her natural family. The characters were all distinctly drawn - loved Tate and Jumpin, & his wife Mabel---hated Chase and the mean spirited townspeople. I rooted for Kya and Tate (he was so sweet and in love with her---but knew how skittish she was and how he had hurt her) would there be a future for them? Great surprise ending- highly recommended!

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