Slezkine introduces the reader into the homes and histories of the families living in the House of Government. Their fanatic idealism, close, almost familial, ties to their fellow political revolutionaries is as inspiring as it is melancholy as their friends were behind their downfall and/or death.It is with astonishing to realize many of those who lost everything still considered Stalin their friend and savior. the font is almost painful to read.

This was a harsh, tragic, and beautiful story. It took awhile to get into the story but then it became quite gripping.

A detailed account of the pogroms against Jewish people in Ukraine around the time of the first World War. There is general information but the Author‘s main focus and the context used is that of her family. Having one family as an entry point into this horrible time makes it easier to understand the devastation and lives lost.

This was a short, very nonlinear class in the appreciation of the history and storytelling which aid in resisting the smothering culture. It almost broke my brain in places with the ebb and flow but I was always happy to be able to return to it. Release date: 9/16. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for an advance digital copy.

Gross.....but too gross? There is an impressive amount of information about decomposition in this book in the midst of reanimation of the dead. Friendship, family drama, and mad scientists fill out the rest.

The focus was squarely on the villain and the violence he perpetrates which was reminiscent of the very worst of true crime. The adolescent shock talk and wink-wink, nudge-nudge references to his other creations and pop culture was just annoying. The plot was decent. This just isn‘t for me.

The pace of the story was good but the resolution was predictable and the romance lackluster. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for an advance digital copy. Pub date 8/19.

This was a unique story with a fantastic group of characters and all of the emotions. There is a great exploration of grief and how differently people react to it. The adults were actual complex characters and likable when they weren‘t perfect. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for an advance digital copy. Release date end of August.

This was a thoughtful, sweet, and moderately spicy romance set in a bookstore in London. That is enough, isn‘t it? Great side characters are always a plus. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for an advance copy. Pub date in September.

The plot was convoluted and the characters were many and undeveloped.

For some reason, these are incredibly fun and relaxing. The narrator including the reader in the story reminds me of my magnum pi watching days.

This was a unique take on this story. While some bits of the storyline didn‘t make sense, the completeness of the girls‘ pack was beautiful. Sad, infuriating, hopeful, and lovely.

Why did I pick up a time travel book when i hate reading time travel narratives? Not for me. It didn‘t help that the main character was fun and smart in one narrative and whiny and impulsively stupid in the other. No more time travel tales for me.

It breaks my heart that the author of such beautifully-written gothic tales of mystery and horror is no longer with us. I think I will reread the Shadow of the wind series.

This was a very convoluted tale which should have been edited prior to publication. The drama was extreme and the actual emotions lacking. Unbelievable reactions by characters. The only thing that rang true was the gross behavior of the media.

This was a well-written, well-illustrated story of feeling you have to be someone you are not. The only problem was several of the word bubbles were slightly off so it cut off part of the letters which was irritating.

The discrepancy between how important Saffron's financial independence and career are to her and how much time she actually spends at her job and on her plants was quite large and rather irritating. Also, it felt like there wasn't much of a conclusion to this one. The pacing was good and the relationships were more interesting.

This was a sweet story but I think most kids will lose interest before they hit their reading stride.The ending just sort of ran out.

3.5

The characters were wonderfully vivid. The grinding poverty and desperation were very well described. It is unfortunate that this feels more contemporary than it should.

If you are looking for a linear narrative, you won‘t find it here. These sparkling vignettes told by a generous, sparkling, and restless soul are beautiful to behold while sometimes feeling hard to follow. May she rest in love and beauty.

This ended up being a beautiful story of supportive relationships and strong women. It started out as a rage-inducing story of a man manipulating and taking advantage of a young girl. I almost dnf‘d it. I am in a rage often enough these days. I am glad I finished it.

The main character seemed slightly less impetuous in this one. It was still quite unrealistic to the time period.

A slow, interconnected tale of people, time, and the land. Some of the stories were more engaging than others.

Light pick. This was a fun, cozy mystery set in the 1920s. It is not true to the societal norms of the time. It was interesting.

An interesting collection of trivia. It was quite a bit of information to digest at one time.

Light pick. Atmospheric with an intricate plot. There were certain plot points that seemed to be contradictory to the world building. Still a good time.

This almost reminds me of a less descriptive historical mystery than the Maisie Dobbs series. A quick, fun tale with interesting historic bits.

This book was great fun! I enjoyed figuring out the riddles along with Caspia and her friends.

It was a slow start but when the action finally started, it was amazing. Emotional and hopeful.

This is a plot heavy novel and the pace of the narrative was exhausting at times. It is also the third in a series which I did not know. This was a nice change of pace from my usual books.

I don‘t think this author had a clear idea of where they wanted this story to go. Too many strings and not enough bows.

The Otherwhere Post is a propulsive, magical tale of danger, romance, and secrets. The atmosphere is intense and the characters are vibrant.

Pointless

Cute story of wizards and magical familiars.

The Gentleman Cat makes life decisions and shares his commandments. The illustrations are gorgeous and the short episodes of cat life are warmly amusing.

These novellas are packed with philosophy of the most heartwarming kind.

If someone used AI to write a novel in spanglish with the plot and character development of a game of clue, they could sell it as a fun cozy mystery for $25.

This has the fast-paced adventure of a western but with much more depth of character.

Grit and grief and so much anger lead a young boy to a deplorable act and an expectation of great feats. This was a stellar novel told partially in poetry and partially in epistolary format. Frequent mentions of Sept 11 and the aftermath.

This was fine. It didn‘t have the pull of the first book. Not sure I will continue.

The story of past heartache and a new quest for home unravels slowly. There is much in the way of family drama but it is resolved pretty easily.

This was a great story. It was funny and had a good message but wasn‘t as heavy as many books these days.

Fun and imaginative. This should be required reading for politicians.

This was a rather concise explanation of Ukrainian history region by region which is immensely helpful when dealing with such a contentious shifting of borders. It was conversational. Occasionally, the editing was a bit lax but the info was great. Feel free to use 5-calls to express your thoughts on Ukraine and fascism in our country.

What a lovely melding of stories. The lives of past and present blend together in this story of an Irish village. The characters and atmosphere are superb. I was fortunate to win a give away sponsored by Shawn Breathes Books. @shawnmooney

This was a messy family road trip novel. These complex characters filled the pages with sadness, determination, anger, and regret. However, as the trip progressed, they made room for love. The resolution was a bit quick and frustratingly incomplete. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for an ARC.

I read books about diseases frequently but still learned things from this book geared towards kids.

Hans Fallada survived Nazi Germany, wrote a novel based on the story of Otto and Elise Hampel in 24 days, and then died before its publication. If that wasn‘t tragic enough, his depiction of the grinding away of morality, loyalty, and self-respect to leave a society immersed in fear and loathing is exceptional.

The author spent the first half of this very angsty story working around a storyline instead of telling it. It should have built suspense but for the most part built annoyance. The last bit was much better.

This sequel is quite fun. The pacing was a bit off and some strings should have been tied up but the friendship was great and the characters were complex. The mythological aspects were interesting. Who hasn‘t thought Zeus an unfaithful putz? Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for an ARC.