Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley and to Henry Holt and Company for the gifted finished copy! All opinions expressed in this reMany thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley and to Henry Holt and Company for the gifted finished copy! All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on July 30, 2024.
4.5⭐
Revolving around themes of friendship, family, personal growth, self-acceptance and human connection, The Wedding People by Alison Espach is a beautifully written novel that will strike a chord in your heart.
As the story begins, we meet Phoebe Stone, an adjunct professor in literature in her forties, as she arrives alone at the Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island, with a heavy heart. This was a place that she had hoped to visit with her now ex-husband, but here she was, in a green dress and heels with no luggage. Phoebe’s room is the only one not booked for the wedding of twenty-eight-year-old Lila, who has meticulously planned a week-long sequence of pre-wedding activities leading up to the day of her nuptials. Initially mistaken to be one of the wedding people, the misunderstanding is soon cleared up, but much to Lila’s dismay, she realizes that Phoebe’s plans for her own stay would surely ruin her wedding. The narrative follows as Phobe and Lila strike up an unlikely friendship as Phoebe soon becomes one of the wedding people – an experience that might just be the nudge she needs to rethink her own priorities.
There is a lot about this book that is praiseworthy and the glowing reviews are more than justified. The description of the book suggests that this might be a light-hearted read, but this novel proved to be much more than I had expected. The author writes with heart, wisdom and humor. The narrative does suffer from minor pacing issues, but overall, the story flows well. Each of the characters was well thought out - authentic, relatable and endearing. I adored Phoebe and loved how she bonded with a complete group of strangers showing kindness and empathy to those who needed the same but also being strong and forceful in situations that demanded attention. Lila did strike me as a tad immature at times, but I could understand her motivations and why she behaved in certain ways. I loved the coverage of the pre-wedding activities – the chaos, confusion and unforeseen complications – which result in situations both humorous and heartwarming. The author’s strength lies in her characterizations and depiction of complex human emotions and I enjoyed following both Lila's and Phoebe's individual journeys over the course of the events described in this story. The author addresses several sensitive topics such as infidelity, bereavement, infertility, mental health, depression and suicidal ideation with insight and compassion. The story emphasizes the importance of being kind – to one another and oneself – the latter being something many of us forget.
Overall, I found this to be an evocative and thought-provoking read that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who enjoy character-driven fiction.
I listened to the audiobook brilliantly narrated by Helen Laser who made the characters and this story come to life. I couldn’t recommend the audiobook enough!
Forty-four-year-old Camryn Lane has just published her debut novel “ Burnt Orchid” – a commendable achievement after years of unsuccessful attemp3.5⭐️
Forty-four-year-old Camryn Lane has just published her debut novel “ Burnt Orchid” – a commendable achievement after years of unsuccessful attempts, all the while navigating her personal life and responsibilities and her career as a high school counselor. But her joy is short-lived after she receives a caustic email from an unknown sender which is soon followed by a harshly worded one-start review on a popular book review site, which is just the beginning of a disturbing chain of events – a deluge of negative reviews, online trolling and harassment. As the situation escalates, her personal relationships begin to suffer, aspersions are cast on her professional ethics and integrity and she soon realizes that she stands to lose everything she worked so hard to achieve. The narrative follows Camryn as she searches for the person targeting her.
This was my first Robyn Harding novel and I was excited to read it. I loved the premise of the The Haters and thought it was well-crafted. The suspenseful mystery with plenty of twists and surprises made for an engaging read. The narrative is presented in short chapters from Camryn’s first person POV with segments from Camryn’s book interspersed throughout the novel. The author’s depiction of how online trolling and bullying affect the mental health of those who are targeted was realistic and relevant. I could sympathize with Camryn’s plight, but given her age and maturity, I was surprised by some of the choices she made. The final reveal was surprising and though I didn’t find the motive entirely convincing, I’m always happy when my theories are proved wrong and I did like how the author chose to end the novel.
I liked the idea of chapters from Camryn’s book interspersed throughout the narrative but also felt that this messed with the pacing of the primary plot and rendered the novel a tad too long. The chapters from Burnt Orchid were intense, but I failed to see the purpose of including so many chapters into the text of the narrative and found one particular aspect in this regard at the end more than a bit contrived. I'm not a fan of adult fiction (in this genre) wherein teenage drama outweighs other aspects of the story. This is a personal preference, but it detracted from my overall enjoyment of the book. However, I did appreciate the sensitive themes that the author has addressed.
I listened to the audiobook expertly narrated by Megan Tusing and Jess Nahikian, who did a commendable job of breathing life into the story.
It does feel weird giving a (relatively) lower rating to a book that so many of my GR friends have enjoyed, but I assure you I'm not a "hater." I didn’t dislike this one in its entirety, but also didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d expected!
Fifty-year-old Jo Waterstone has been working at Bruebaker’s Books for over two decades. Suffice to say that Jo’s life revolves around her *Audiobook*
Fifty-year-old Jo Waterstone has been working at Bruebaker’s Books for over two decades. Suffice to say that Jo’s life revolves around her work. Bruebaker’s Books has been a fixture in the community for decades and Jo takes pride in her position managing the bookstore and is confident of her ability to help people find the right book for themselves. Managing the bookstore has its fair share of challenges, but Jo takes it all in her stride.
When the news of the owner Mr. Bruebaker’s stroke and subsequent hospitalization reaches her, needless to say, she is distressed. Not only does she share a close friendship with Mr. Bruebaker, but her immediate boss informs her that Mr. Bruebaker’s daughters want to shut down operations and sell the store as soon as possible. Jo believes that Mr. Bruebaker would not agree to the sale, but his family isn’t allowing anyone to contact him. To save the store, Jo devises a plan to barricade herself within the premises, keeping the doors closed but fulfilling all online orders until she can contact Mr. Bruebaker. She is joined in her endeavor by a small group of employees. Jo finds herself navigating her responsibilities of managing a small group in a closed space with both positive and negative group dynamics at play and the upkeep of the store, public support and the influx of online orders and the protests and the obvious displeasure of her boss and her employer’s family, all the while hoping for good news from Mr. Brubaker’s end. The narrative follows these characters over the next few weeks as they make themselves at home among the stacks in their own “city of books.”
An ode to independent bookstores, City of Books by Nicole Meier is a heartwarming story that revolves around teamwork, friendship, community and of course, how our love for books can bring people together. As an avid reader and bibliophile, it would be a dream come true for me to actually live in a bookstore! Naturally, I was intrigued by the premise of this novel and I was not disappointed.
The narrative is presented from Jo’s perspective and flows well. Jo is an endearing protagonist and I admired her resolve, her dedication and her loyalty to the bookstore and her employer. I loved the vivid descriptions of the bookstore and enjoyed getting to know the characters. I thought that the author has done a great job of capturing how the dynamics shifted between the characters over the course of their stay and how their experiences allowed them to not only get to know one another better but also allowed for moments of introspection and self-discovery. Though I did feel that a few of her actions might have been impulsive (and a tad misguided, but that’s more me than the book), there was no reason to doubt her intentions or the fact that heart was in the right place. There was one sub-plot that I felt was unnecessary, but overall, this did not detract from my overall experience. I also liked how the author chose to end this story on a bittersweet yet hopeful note.
I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook (8 Hours, 46 Minutes at 1x speed), narrated by Cindy Kay, who has done a wonderful job of breathing life into these characters and this story.
Many thanks to Dreamscape Media for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Adam Archer was Gin Talcott’s second husband, whom she married not too long after she lost her first husband Eddie. Piper, Plot: 4⭐ Audio Narration: 5⭐
Adam Archer was Gin Talcott’s second husband, whom she married not too long after she lost her first husband Eddie. Piper, Gin’s eighteen-year-old daughter from her first marriage, discovers the gruesome crime scene after a shooter left Adam dead and Gin fighting for her life in their own bed. Piper’s twin brother Daniel, who also might have been present at the time, is believed to have left the scene with the murder weapon, indicating that the twins may have been involved.
Detectives Greta Jessup, who was a friend of Eddie’s, and Finn Pate leave no stone unturned as they do a deep dive into Adam and Gin’s lives. Not only theirs might not have been the happy marriage that everyone assumed, but complicating matters further is the fact that Piper , Daniel and Ruth, Eddie’s sister, know more than they are letting on.
Parallel to the police investigation, we are given insight into the events that led up to that fateful through a letter Gun left for estate attorney Sarah Branford two days before the shooting. As Sarah reads Gin's letter, she is compelled to do some digging of her own.
What follows is a complex web of secrets, lies, deception and much more.
Mad Love by Wendy Walker is a cleverly crafted thriller. Twisty and suspenseful (though a tad convoluted toward the end), this was an engrossing story made even more enjoyable by the brilliant full-cast narration by Julia Whelan, Alexis Bledel, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Finn Wittrock, Damon Daunno and Elizabeth Evans. Easily finished in one sitting, this is perfect if you are looking for a fast-paced quick listen (a little over 4 hours at 1X speed).
“With my pencil I wrote myself into being. I wrote myself to here.”
When James (“Jim”), an enslaved man, hears th*Longlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize*
“With my pencil I wrote myself into being. I wrote myself to here.”
When James (“Jim”), an enslaved man, hears that he is to be separated from his family and sold to a man from New Orleans, he runs away, intending to find a way to secure freedom for himself and his family. He is joined by young Huckleberry Finn, who is running from his abusive father. James is aware of Huck’s plight and is protective of him. The narrative is shared from James’s first-person PoV as he embarks on a life-altering journey.
James by Percival Everett has essentially been described as a reimagining of Mark Twain’s classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In my humble opinion, Percival Everett’s masterpiece is much more than that. The first segment of this novel explores familiar territory from within the framework of the classic that inspired this novel, but presenting the story from James’s PoV adds much depth and perspective to the story many of us have enjoyed over the years. James’s perspective adds a dimension of maturity and a more somber tone to what many of us consider a childhood classic.
“Waiting is a big part of a slave’s life, waiting and waiting to wait some more. Waiting for demands. Waiting for food. Waiting for the end of days. Waiting for the just and deserved Christian reward at the end of it all.”
Frankly, I thought the lighter moments described in this novel were less humorous (the satirical element and the irony evoke amusement) and more thought-provoking. The author never resorts to embellishments, even in the most intense moments. James’s approach to life as an enslaved man compelled to suppress his true self, sharing his wisdom on how to survive and navigate through a world that has mostly been cruel to him and his fellow men, is expressed eloquently but often in a reserved tone.
“White folks expect us to sound a certain way and it can only help if we don’t disappoint them..”
As the narrative progresses, the author takes a detour from his source material and assumes ownership of James’s narrative, presenting our protagonist as a brave, perceptive and wise, self-taught learned person with compassion for his fellow beings. He holds no illusions about the consequences of his actions, fully aware that if caught his fate would differ from that of his fellow runaway Huck. His musings on slavery, racism, religion, the human condition and humanity in general are expressed through his imagined conversations with characters whose works he has been reading in secret.
“How strange a world, how strange an existence, that that one’s equal must argue for one’s equality, that one’s equal must hold a station that allows airing of an argument, that one cannot make that argument for oneself, that premises of said argument must be vetted by those equals who do not agree.”
James’s journey is not an easy one and the author does not try to paint it as such. Each of James’s experiences, the consequences of the choices he makes along the and the people he meets (slavers, tricksters, liars and fellow enslaved men and women who have experienced unimaginable cruelty at the hands of their masters) contribute to his understanding of the world around him and the perils he will inevitably face on the road he has chosen to travel. His companion Huck is often unable to comprehend the dangers James could potentially face , often puzzled by what he assumes is James’ uncharacteristic behavior, leading to many meaningful, heartfelt conversations between the two. Needless to say, some scenes are difficult to read, which is to be expected given the subject matter. Set in the years leading up to the Civil War, James is aware of the growing tensions over the issue of slavery but what does this mean for James and his quest for freedom? Will he be able to protect his family from a fate decided for them by those whose intentions and actions are driven by self-interest and utter disregard for human life? Everett tells a story that will stay with you long after you have finished this novel with a surprise revelation toward the end that will change the way you think about the characters and the books that inspired this one.
Heart-wrenching, brutally honest, yet brilliantly crafted and immersive with superb characterization and emotional depth, James by Percival Everett is a memorable read. This novel is surely going on my list of favorite reads of 2024. I read an ARC of this novel and promptly ordered a finished copy for my personal collection.
After the novel was published, I also listened to the audiobook narrated by Dominic Hoffman who has done a remarkable job of breathing life into the characters and this story. All the stars for the audio narration!
This is my third time reading Percival Everett, after The Trees and Dr. No , and I’m glad to say that with James, he does not disappoint!
Many thanks to Doubleday Books for the gifted ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. James was published on March 19, 2024.
Note: I would suggest reading/revisiting the events described in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn before picking up this novel to better appreciate Percival Everett’s creativity and brilliance in crafting James.
In the early 1960s, four-year-old Ruthie, the youngest daughter of a Mi’kmaq family from Nova Scotia, disappeared from a blueberry field in Maine 4.5⭐
In the early 1960s, four-year-old Ruthie, the youngest daughter of a Mi’kmaq family from Nova Scotia, disappeared from a blueberry field in Maine where her family was employed for the summer. With almost no help from the authorities on account of their “transient” status, Ruthie’s family and their coworkers desperately search for her but to no avail. Ruthie’s brother Joe, six years old at the time, was the last to see her and her disappearance would haunt him for years to come. Devastated and heartbroken, Ruthie’s family struggles to hold on to hope that she is alive and will return to them someday.
“It’s funny what you remember when something goes wrong. Something that would never stick in your memory on an ordinary day gets stuck there permanent.”
Norma has vague memories of her life before she was five years old. Growing up in Maine, the only child of a judge who is a tad distant and an overprotective mother, she is an inquisitive and perceptive child. Her vivid dreams, hushed conversations between her family members and her mother’s nervous reaction to her questions about their family do not escape her attention. She senses that there is much about her life that does not feel right – a belief that follows her into adulthood. Years later, after both her parents have passed on, her aunt shares the truth about their family – a revelation that will leave fifty-four-year-old Norma with more questions than answers.
“Fate is a trickster. He likes to set up all the clues just to see if you can put them together and make sense out of things you never thought to make sense of in the first place.”
The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters is an incredibly moving story that revolves around themes of family, identity, loss, hope and grief. Spanning fifty years, the narrative is shared from dual perspectives in alternating chapters. Despite the non-linear transitions between past and present timelines, the narrative flows well and is not difficult to follow. Please note that there is no mystery here, and it is the journey of these characters that takes center stage in this novel.
The structure of the narrative allows us to explore the contrast between the trajectories of Norma’s and Joe’s lives and how one traumatic event impacts their individual worldviews. The author’s strength lies in her character development and depiction of complex human emotions. Losing Ruthie casts a shadow on Joe’s life and his being the last one to see her before she disappears haunts him throughout his adult life, and though there are aspects about adult Joe that might not arouse sympathy there's no doubt that he is a broken man and the author compels us to take a deeper look into his heart despite his flaws. Norma’s life is one of searching for a sense of belongingness despite growing up in the security of an affluent family who cares for her deeply. Given her trajectory, Norma’s reactions were commensurate with her character, though at times, especially toward the end, I thought Norma’s perspective could have been explored in more depth. However, this does not detract from the overall impact of the novel. The author approaches sensitive topics such as grief, the loss of a child, alcoholism, discrimination, and terminal illness, among others, with much sensitivity and compassion. Overall, I found this novel to be a thought-provoking, compelling read that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who enjoy emotionally charged family sagas.
I look forward to reading more from this talented debut author in the future.
“Even people who exude light and happiness have dark secrets. Sometimes, the lie becomes so entrenched it becomes the truth, hidden away in the deep recesses of the mind until death erases it, leaving the world a little different.”
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Aaliya Warbus and Jordan Waunch, who have done a wonderful job of breathing life into these characters and setting the tone for this beautifully written story.
Many thanks to RB Media and NetGalley for ALC of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Berry Pickers was published in the United States on October 31, 2023.
Beth Heller is a sharp-witted lawyer, temporarily living in Bermuda, setting up a tax haven for her family who are deepPlot: 3.5⭐️ Audio Narration: 5⭐️
Beth Heller is a sharp-witted lawyer, temporarily living in Bermuda, setting up a tax haven for her family who are deep into organized crime. When Serena Steede, the daughter of the owner of the hotel where Beth is staying, approaches her to help clear the name of one of the hotel staff who is accused of murdering an affluent elderly woman in whose house she was also employed, Beth is initially reluctant to take on a new client. But Serena is persistent and Beth ultimately agrees, triggering a requires of events that ultimately has her teaming up with Tony Durant, a lawyer who has left a lucrative career behind and now practices law in Bermuda and Serena, who is smart and resourceful and whose knowledge of the locale and the residents proves to be useful in their investigation of the case and the subsequent situations in which they become embroiled.
With a cast of interesting characters, an evenly paced sequence of intriguing interconnected mysteries involving murder, mayhem and much more and a good dose of humor thrown in for good measure Murder in Bermuda by James Patterson, Aaron Tracy and Thaddeus McCants is an engaging and entertaining listen. I really enjoyed the dynamics between the characters. I won’t describe the plotting as particularly complex, but I did enjoy following the characters as they went out sorting their professional (and personal) dilemmas and thought that the narrators, Mary-Louise Parker, Ronald Peet and Kim Aria Peterson did an excellent job bringing the characters and the setting to life. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the 4 hours of entertainment that this audiobook had to offer!...more
The once-bustling Greenways Mall in Upstate New York now houses several shuttered businesses and is about to close its doors for good.
As the stor3.5⭐️
The once-bustling Greenways Mall in Upstate New York now houses several shuttered businesses and is about to close its doors for good.
As the story begins, we meet Tina Huang, Asian American single mother, once an aspiring artist and is now a hairstylist at Sunshine Clips, a salon operating in the mall. Her nine-year-old son Jackson spends his time after school in the salon. He dreams of becoming a magician and avidly follows videos of famous magicians to learn about the craft. One of Tina’s regular customers is the elderly Ro Goodson, a widow who lives alone and who is kind to Tina and Jackson. Ro isn’t quite liked by her neighbors for her aloof yet judgmental attitude. Among her neighbors is Kevin, an employee at the mall bookstore. Kevin is in a mixed-race marriage to Grace, an academic and poet. Once an aspiring academic, Kevin is struggling to complete his dissertation. Parents to twins, their financial struggles have resulted in them moving into a Tiny Home in Grace's mother’s backyard. We also meet Maria, a high school student, working at a fast food joint in the food court of the mall, who hopes to secure a spot in her high school’s production of West Side Story. All of their stories intersect at the mall where they work/visit. The narrative follows these characters through the ten months preceding the mall’s closure.
I found the premise of You Are Here by Karin Lin-Greenberg to be very interesting. The characters are well defined as are their individual stories. The author touches upon several themes in this novel – family, community, financial uncertainty, discrimination and racism among others. Despite a few relatively lighter moments, overall, the novel is a heavy read. This novel reads like a set of interconnected stories with the failing mall at the center of most of their common interactions. Naturally, there are multiple tracks to follow/subplots that are woven into the narrative. I enjoyed the first half of the novel where we are getting to know these characters, their aspirations, their connections and how the impending closure of the mall might affect their lives. But I feel that too much time is devoted to establishing the characters and thereby limiting how deep we can get into what transpires before the mall closes. As the narrative progresses, I felt that these different tracks remained mostly disjointed until almost the end of the novel. There is a lot that is happening in the lives of our characters and while there are some moving, impactful moments in this novel, I couldn’t help feeling that the story suffered from repetitiveness and overall lacked depth.
Overall, this story had potential and while I do appreciate the concept and the characterizations, I wasn’t quite satisfied with the execution of the story in its totality. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Jennifer Aquino, which was satisfying but sadly not engaging enough to make up for the flaws in the execution of the story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for the ALC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on May 2, 2023.
Set during the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, The Levee by William Kent Krueger follows four men who set out on a rowboat amid a storm to save a famSet during the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, The Levee by William Kent Krueger follows four men who set out on a rowboat amid a storm to save a family trapped in their ancestral home as the waters continue to rise. However, the family in question refuses to leave their home and what was originally a rescue mission turns into a coordinated effort to repair the damaged levee to ensure that the flood waters do not encroach on the property. As the narrative progresses, we get to know more about the men- a former priest and three convicts who have been assigned to service. As they struggle to keep safe from what’s going on outside, it becomes evident that the rising water and the weakening levee are not the only dangers from which they need to shield themselves.
This audio novella clocks at 3 hours and 36 minutes. Though the length of this story does not allow for in-depth character development the author manages to give each of his characters a distinct voice, and address their complex personalities and motivations. The author does marvelous job of building up the tension and I liked how the story plays out. Though it took a while for me to get into the story, after the 25% mark I found myself completely engrossed in this intense and atmospheric narrative. In his Note at the end of the story, the author shares how reading William Faulkner inspired him to write this story and also shares a few facts about The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.
Overall, I did enjoy this audio novella and feel that the narrator J.D. Jackson does a praiseworthy job of voicing the characters and setting the mood for this story. I’ve loved both of William Kent Krueger’s standalone novels ( yet to read the Cork O'Connor series) and while I may not have enjoyed this one as much as Ordinary Grace or This Tender Land, I was happy to have found a new story from this author. I look forward to reading more of his work in the future....more
Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile (recovering from
>
Books:
audiobook
(10)
Loading...
