Xóchitl González‘s sophomore novel stars strong, creative women of color. Read my full review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#anita-de-monte-laughs-last
Publication is expected March 5.
#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #AnitadeMonteLaughsLast
Xóchitl González‘s sophomore novel stars strong, creative women of color. Read my full review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#anita-de-monte-laughs-last
Publication is expected March 5.
#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #AnitadeMonteLaughsLast
It had its moments, but dragged for a good long time. Happy ending. Lots of different types of relationships.
I really should have bailed. One good twist toward the end doesn‘t make up for an overall whiny, angsty book.
I really tried—bailed at 41%, in Chapter 9. I found it so tedious and unpleasant. The saddest part is that it's been hogging an Overdrive hold spot since September [now it's mid-February]. I hate when that happens!
It took my library so very long to add this to the Overdrive collection after I suggested it to them that I have no recollection whatsoever as to why I wanted it. It's very basic. The best thing about reading it with my ears is that the author has a lovely, reassuring British accent.
Read a third time in preparation for the long-awaited sequel, which I will crack open soon. My lobster bought me a signed edition of this for my birthday. 💙
The fourth Finlay Donovan is every bit as fun as the books before it. Read my full review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#finlay-donovan-rolls-the-dice-4
Publication is expected March 5.
#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #MinotaurBooks #FinlayDonovanRollstheDice
This is very possibly the least thrilling “thriller” I‘ve ever read! When is something going to happen? I‘m done. [bailed @ 30%]
The audio edition includes a long author interview with her 100-year-old inspiration.
I picked this up solely because it was written by Dave Eggers. I didn't so much as glance at the publisher's blurb. So, imagine my surprise when I discovered quickly that it is a totally transparent satire of the Trump administration and the horrible damage he/it did to our country and the world. Dare I hope that anyone might rethink their allegiance to MAGA politics by reading this “The Emperor's New Clothes“-style tale?
This reads like a thinly veiled Princess Diana rip-off, with William (the first-born/the heir) & Harry (the one who marries an American celebrity) smushed into one character. It apparently wants to be both romance and mystery—it falls more heavily to mystery, I suppose. It was OK, but didn't wow me. I would have preferred something more original.
Content warnings include child sexual abuse, assault, and rape; racism, including physical violence; and emotional abuse. These are not the only reasons for my rating, but they definitely contributed to my lack of enjoyment in the book.
“Learning the Ropes“ (the pirate story) and “The Big Nap“ were quite amusing. The rest? Not so much.
Sixth in a long series, this installment has all the things that makes the series fun, including good friends, incompetent bad guys, outrageous adventures, Southern sass, and more.
The whole book was unpleasant. Throughout, there is the middle-grade version of Mean Girls. Then, in the last roughly twenty percent, there is the ghost story/horror aspect. I didn't find any compelling redeeming features.
Wow—Julián, like his creator's illustrations, is fabulous!
Frankel‘s new family dramedy lived up to my high expectations for it. Read my full review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#family-family
Publication is expected January 23.
#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #FamilyFamily
Emma Lord‘s latest is sweet and engaging. Read my full review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#the-getaway-list
Publication is expected January 23.
#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #TheGetawayList
It's a fine cozy mystery. I'm not mad I read it, but I wouldn't want a steady diet of it.
I've been working on preserving my calm, so I've been looking forward to this long-awaited sequel. Fun!
This mild romance between opposites was a welcome cozy read. Read my full review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#love-naturally
Publication is expected January 16.
#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #LoveNaturally
Low pick for me, but might be a high pick for you. Try if you like YA romance and can tolerate the immaturity. Good things: mostly POC characters; several LGBTQ characters; strong sense of family; artists (multimedia); female main character into planning.
I don't remember how I came to the book. Some of the nuggets (one or a few to a page) were good, but the actual narrative text was a bit basic.
It's too similar to the Harry Potter series in general framework (and some specific details).
I'm glad to have been able to borrow (vs. buy) this conversational bio/memoir.
I‘m a late joiner to this cozy mystery series starring a British expat who owns a Sherlock Holmes–themed bookstore on Cape Cod. Read my full review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#the-sign-of-four-spirits-sherlock-ho...
Publication is expected January 9.
#NetGalley #DreamscapeMedia #TheSignofFourSpirits
This debut cozy mystery goes above and beyond a typical cozy in its entertainment value. Read my full review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#the-expectant-detectives
Publication is expected January 9.
#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #MinotaurBooks #TheExpectantDetectives
My mouth is watering, big-time! [further comments forthcoming]
This could have been better by being leaner. That being said, I definitely enjoyed this sci-fi/mystery mash-up. [More-complete review may come.]
This collection of humorous literary comics is an absolute delight! Read my mini review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#revenge-of-the-librarians
What a blessing for the family to have such a powerful final year's journey for/with their mom.
This installment (#5) was better than the previous two—back to the level of the first two installments. It was a fun, sure thing—just what I needed!
The only reason I didn't bail is that I was too tired to pick another book to read.
I only read the first five stories, which amounts to 29% of the 500-page collection. A couple of the stories were better than the others, but none of them really wowed me. So, I'm moving on in my pipeline.
I'm not generally a fan of short stories, which may have contributed to my meh feeling. Hopefully, you'll enjoy the offerings thoroughly.
book equivalent of a Hallmark Christmas movie
I may have read some of these essays previously. If I did, they bore rereading.
As is customary for the Reacher series, the level of violence is high. There are a couple of fairly satisfying twists.
This is twisty heist action for the teen set. I don't appreciate—but completely understand—the cliffhanger ending. Rights were sold for two books, though the second doesn't seem to have a title or publication date yet.
Looking for some post-Christmas cozy reading? Family bakery co-owner Lyndsay is back to breaking cases before the cops can in this third Spice Isle Bakery mystery. Read my review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#coconut-drop-dead-spice-isle-bakery-...
Publication is expected December 26.
#NetGalley #DreamscapeMedia #CoconutDropDead
I liked Nina in her work persona, along with supporting characters of Nina's father, best friend(s), and baby-daddy. [soft pick]
Just what I expected: mostly lighthearted/fun, despite understandable teen angst.