2021

The second book in this trilogy--escapism reading in fine form, perfection for escaping the horror show in America in January 2021.

2021 

I very much enjoyed this series and love the writing style of Will Carver--and English author that deserves a bigger audience in the USA. My only quibble is that I question the pull of a women to get a psychopath do her bidding. I look forward to reading more...as there are rumors that January is coming back.

2020

I was mesmerized by this book set in my home town of Pittsburgh, PA-- even though I do not like think of women getting raped here. What I liked best was the author's message. Sometimes you don't perhaps get the full justice you deserve but sometimes you get enough to fill in the cracks. 

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The second installment in Mr. Curtin's--Manny Rivera Series. The series continues to be clever with interesting mysteries admist the grandeur of the Utah back country.

2023

Book #4 in the Larry Macklin series. Larry is freshly back on the force and on the trail of a serial killer that has resurfaced after 15 years. Does Larry solve this or is it just another instance of accidently being the right place at the right time... Like these books regardless.

2022

Second book in the Harry McCoy Scottish noir series and they just keep getting better--can't wait to March on...

2021

Set right before American joined WWII - a glimpse into the literary and creative world of NYC at that time. These were apparently "top dogs" during those years. Some of the names I vaguely recognized but mostly not--didn't really care for any of them. It all seemed to play into the trope--if you want to be creative it pays to be tortured, an alcoholic, perhaps gay, depressed, a trifle insane and insecure--then by golly you must be a genius. What do I know I haven't read or listened to or watched or saw any of their works--nor am I likely to. But this book was very well written and gave a fascinating look at who was who at that time.

2020

Other reviewers seemed to not like this book--it is grim and sad but I mean after all it is a book about woman grieving the tragic loss of her husband after he was lost at sea. I found it to be a compelling well written book. 

2024

I wanted to like this book as much as everyone else seems to...but I have never been much of a fan of "fever dream' writing. At the end of the book I was torn between wondering what actually happened and if I even really cared.

2021

This is my second reading of Middlemarch, a forever book, that remains on my shelf to be read time and again.

One of my favorite Mr. Brook's quotes: "I went into science a great deal myself at one time; but I saw it wouldn't do. It leads to everything; you can let nothing alone."

2022

I don't read a lot of romance books. They irritate me. One example from this book... Attractive woman (although of course she doesn't believe that she is) flees end of marriage (and her perfectly remodeled NYC townhome) to handsome philandering husband (who of course, has realized his mistake and wants her back by the end) to beautiful idyllic location (of course to the fabulous beach side home where she spent her summers as a tween) only to catch the eye of the handsome single men on the island (not just one or two--but three). Irritation aside it was a quick read and I enjoyed the somewhat farfetched mystery attached.

2023

Larry has a new female partner whom he is struggling to work with--mostly he doesn't like her because she's not his previous partner--Pete. Even though she is often right about Larry she is a bit of a ball buster. We also get a more of Larry's back story as one of his ex's rolls into town--she's a bit of a crazy nut job. Once again Larry "solves the case" by being at the right place at the right time. That's the thing about Larry and it certainly doesn't take away from my enjoyment as I fly through this series.

2022

Way back in '80's I was a huge fan of Ms. Pilcher but many years of passed since I have read any of her books. I love the Englishness but lately "romance" has begun to irritate me...I may have to stop reading them altogether. I have these silly notions that sometimes being sensible is the way to go...and what's wrong with finding yourself before you worry about finding a man. But apparently here the heroine must be saved from herself by manly intervention. This was a bit hard to take, Ms. Pilcher, aside.

2024

It is a shame. Ms. Kogan has a way with words and this book is quite readable in each of its MANY segments but as a cohesive story not so much. As I often find myself think as I read books today--PICK A LANE, if you can't figure how to advance a plot line then DROP IT--don't just let it dangle. My lesson is to put more value on my reading time, it is a precious commodity. 

2023

Larry Macklin #6. Larry's ex partner Pete gets himself in a spot of trouble and the prime suspect in a murder investigation when his daughter's ex boyfriend turns up dead. Mr. Howe doesn't disappoint and this is another entertaining go round with Larry and the gang.

2021

I have wanted to read this for several years now. Glad that I finally have--plan on reading more of her books after this. Light springy and romantic. It was reminiscent of The Durrells of Corfu. If not for COVID I'm sure I would be off to the Mediterranean Sea right now.

2023

Larry Macklin #7. Another good outing with Larry and the gang. This case hits close to home as a body is found murdered at the vet clinic where his girlfriend Cara works. The case turns out to be drug related which brings back Larry's old nemesis, DEA agent, Matt Greene. I really like this series and this installment was definitely reading time well spent.

2021

I was experiencing difficulty in finding a book I wanted to read that featured "May" in the title and Peter May kept popping up in my various searches. So I figured why not and selected the beginning of the Enzo files simply because my husband has a cat named Enzo. I painted a watercolor of said cat this spring. The book is pretty good am I am planning on reading the second installment of the Enzo files next May.

2023

2023 has turned out to be a lot. In times of stress I read a lot BUT I don't retain a lot...it has been that kind of a year to put it mildly.

A bit of a twist as this mystery doesn't take place in Adams County. Larry and his dad, with girlfriends in tow go on "vacation" on the Florida coast, but of course murder follows along.

2021

I had collected this book awhile back for my Book of the Month Club category. This is one of the best fiction books I have read in 2021 so far. A story that reaches across generations and continents through the viewpoint of multiple characters, it also slides back and forth through time, revealing unexpected links between the characters. It is very well done and well worth the reading time.

In honor of 2024's international Woman's Month I decided to devote some reading time to some unsung females and their often heroic contributions to history--even if most of their accomplishments were often shoved "under the rug".

Hedy Lammar, well known as a famous and beautiful 1940's Hollywood starlet. Born in Austria to Jewish parents, she became a scandalous actress, but soon married an Austrian arms dealer with connections to Hitler and the Nazi regime. She escapes to America and Hollywood. However, the truly fascinating part of her story was that born out the fascination with her father's work as an engineer and his tutelage, through study she became a bit of an engineer, herself. With the help of an American scientist she developed technology that would have enabled Allied submarines to locate and target Nazi submarines using a wireless locating device. Of course, as a woman, she wasn't believed, and even after testing that proved it's effiency, it was still discounted and not approved by the Military--because no "respected" man could ever be expected to trust a woman's work in this field. I like reading about these unsung women but wow, the misogeny of the patriarchy is very hard to swallow.

Long after the rights to her patented technology expired another man finally "recongized" it's genious and used the technology towards the creation of modern communication and the internet. This is a fictionalized version of part of Ms. Lammar's life, and maybe I'm biased but I prefer autobiographies and thoroughly fleshed out ones at that. It is because I read this book sandwiched between two Sonia Purnell books--this left me wanting more. 

In honor of 2024's international Woman's Month I decided to devote some reading time to some unsung females and their heroic contributions to history--even if most of their accomplishments were shoved "under the rug". Such is the story of Baltimore socialite, Virgina Hall, an American spy who changed the course of WW2 by lighting the flame of the French Resistance. If you haven't read this book-- I highly recommend that you do--although it is more than a little discouraging to read--how the mysogynistic "old white guy" patriarchy downplayed her accomplishments, considerable knowledge, highly developed skills and bravery---simply because she was a woman who dared to presume she was more than capable of doing "manly" deeds.

This book had been lurking in one of my many TBR piles for several years. I have to say I am glad to have finally read it, and it is amazing that this story behind the legendary 1893 World Fair in Chicago is not common knowledge. 

For the most part I enjoyed this book. It was given to me by a friend. It is a translation from Swedish: a Nordic thriller and the Ms. Larsson admits in her author's note at the back of the book that she struggled getting this book to come together. Later in the series of books she has written featuring Rebekka Martinsson and while I'm sure it's me "not her" that I didn't really connect with the story.

One of my reading projects is known as Book of the Month Club where my goal read a book with that particular month in the title for as long as the books hold out. I have separated out my reads into each month as it just looks cleaner that way.

First book I've read by this author, surprising as she has written so many. While this book never quite hit its stride I enjoyed it nevertheless. I look forward to reading more by this author. And this is one of her more quirkier books--according to the author herself.

2023 has turned out to be a lot. In times of stress I read a lot BUT I don't retain a lot...it has been that kind of a year to put it mildly.

I enjoyed this book. I plan on reading more from this author. Nicely plotted and an intriguing story.

I did a re-read of this book as my son was finally getting around to reading it himself. Still a good read, even with all the surprises revealed and I needed the refresher as I plan to read Ready Player Two.

Dark as books about serial killers often are... I enjoyed this book. I believe it is the beginning of a series and I am definitely interested in reading more from this author.

This is the first book in Ms. Jemisin's "Broken Earth" series. It has been awhile since have read books in the fantasy genre. Glad my taste for fantasy has come back around. A very good read and I am looking forward to reading the entire series. In fact I am most likely continue to read books from this author. Intricate plot and very well developed alternate world building.

The second book in the 4MK triology. I was a bit worried as it had been sometime since I read the first book (The Fourth Monkey Killer) but the author provided enough backstory for me to plow on. Deeper and more complex. Very interested to read the final installment and how this all plays out.

This book marks the conclusion of the 4MK trilogy. This outing marks the end of a very satisfying series of books. It never disappoints. Reading time very well spent. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

This is the first book I can remember reading by Ms. Coulter. It is deep into her series revolving around the FBI agents Sherlock and Savich but surprisingly I was able to jump right in with out missing anything. Nor did author indulge in excessive reiterating. It was a nicely plotted swift paced novel of a skilled author. I look forward to going back to the beginning...lots of prior books. This was reading time well spent.

A category devoted to widows and widowers. I sorrow for their loss but read for my delight.

I was lured in by all the good reviews. It read like a confused manic fever dream. Very over the top melodramatic. While no doubt it kept me reading I'm still confused and if truthful disappointed. The author couldn't pick a lane and I am still not sure who was villan and who was the victim. Like Claire keeps muttering to herself at the end --none of it is true. Maybe her other books are better.

This category points: North, South, East, West and all the compass ponits in between.

A category for books with a Castle in the title of the book.

While belonging to a book club has been a bucket list dream of mine--I've come to the conclusion that apparently this is not be--and believe me I've tried 3-4 clubs. Finger's crossed the Vignovic Book Club (found under V) has a few titles to its name. Therefore the category has switched gears. I originally intended it to contain books I read as part of a book club but now it  will contain books about book clubs.

Bloody books. Need I elaborate more?

A category devoted to books about Bees and books with Bee in the titles.

You guessed it. All these books have "River" in the title. 

In 2023 I picked up a few books on this subject, with innocent intentions, as I wanted to learn more about the recent scientific research into the behavioral disorders associated with anxiety, so that I could be of better help to others who were suffering from anxiety. Ironically, I found these books to be talking about my symptoms...Well as they say on airplanes (put your own oxygen mask of first) and in Ala-Non (you can only fix your own head)...so for the record this is a list of the books that have most helped me.

As a category this is one is pretty self explanatory. Angel, Demon, or both must be in the title to make this list. Just for the Hell of it I may even go back and give Angels and Demon's a Heavenly re-read.

This category promises to be quite the mixed bag of titles...so far it extends from the evolution of morals to the amoral activities of serial killers. And yes monkeys. 

2021

I ordered this as a used book on Amazon. It came missing the first 17 pages but the seller quickly refunded my money. Still one not to want to waste a mostly intact book...I sourced out the first 17 pages for free from Google Books. Once again, Google to the rescue. A book for July and a book about WWI was just what I wanted. I really enjoyed this book, a fictional look into one of the most horrific battles of WWI. I really enjoyed this author and look forward to reading more of her books. Next August I am starting a non fiction book about the start of WWI.

2022

This was a so so read. It didn't turn out to be what I thought it was going to be about. But it did keep me reading til the end so it has that going for it.

2023

2023 has turned out to be a lot. In times of stress I read a lot BUT I don't retain a lot...it has been that kind of a year to put it mildly.

I do remember a bit of this plot but as it involves the unexpected murder of a co-worker I don't want to spoil too much. Another good round with Larry and the gang. I do count myself in the group of readers and characters that believe that Larry is using Eddie a bit too much. Eddie has fared well thus far and is in early recovery--I want him to stay that way.

2021

I had originally had another title in mind for my August book title but when I stumbled across this one I couldn't resist and changed course. It is about a young girl and her female therapist, most of it being set in the office during her analysis. It is told from perspective of the therapist and some of the chapters deal with her own personal life. I really enjoyed this book and hope to read more by this author, new to me, but apparently quite well known for writing Looking for Mr. Goodbar.

2023 has turned out to be a lot. In times of stress I read a lot BUT I don't retain a lot...it has been that kind of a year to put it mildly.

I enjoyed this I'm sure. The author has yet to dissapoint and I always enjoy his books, so no doubt the same applies here, I just don't remember the plot.

2022

This book is modeled after one of my favorite books--Enchanted April. I liked it for what is was but it is a pale comparison to Elizabeth von Armin's classic.