Quite possibly the strangest book i have ever read.

While the second half was tense and atmospheric, the first half felt dull. It was difficult to grasp any real understanding of the inner lives of any of the characters. That said, the ending was quite eerie and ambiguous. #shortyseptember23

Not my favorite. The writing in this misery fest is fantastic, of course.

A conversational style of humorous tales regarding narcolepsy, strange folks, and a rare book store. Come for the books, stay for the fun.

This narnia-like tale has a great storyline and wonderful characters. I will definitely recommend this one.

This was the second in the series. It wasn‘t as good as the first. It is very light and amusing and slightly gross. The main character made many horrible choices.

This is a wham bam mystery. Under 200 pages, it doesn‘t have much in the way of atmosphere, context, or fleshed out characters. That said, it was rather a fun, quick mystery.

Interesting character and funny situations but went on just a bit too long.

After the plot of Angeline Boulley‘s latest novel revolved around NAGPRA, I decided to get more info. This was a short and fascinating look at the collection, theft, and repatriation of artifacts and remains of the Indigenous communities.

Shalvis always writes great characters and a heartfelt and hopeful story.

This kid…..it is funny only because i don‘t have to deal with his antics.

Essays reflecting the Author‘s roots in Nebraska even as she lives in various locales. I wish publishers would set essays in a chronological order in collections. I enjoyed the reflections even as I found some difficult or uncomfortable.

The setting and narrator should have guaranteed an atmospheric read but no. There was no atmosphere. No character depth or growth. No plot. Just vague musings and bits of history jumbled together.

Curiosity, bravery, greed, pride, and ambition brought these two men to the heights of fame and the pit of infamy. Speke, the Burtons, and Bombay come across as imperfect people in a perfect storm of exploration and politics. I am determined to read all of Millard‘s works of nonfiction but I hope she is working on something now as I have only one left.

“There should be a word for when you miss a person in the future. Not just missing memories of them, but missing memories you never got to have with them.” I love this quote and the description of grief from both families. I did feel the author kept circling the issues of gun control, radicalization, and extremism. I would prefer the issue be investigated more in depth versus the vague philosophizing.

Navajo Code Talkers, Victory Gardens and tin collection. This was a lovely story of WWII with a touch of magical realism.

I love the accuracy with which the author portrays the four sixth graders who get lost in the desert following a flash flood. They aren‘t perfect. They bicker. They hold grudges and they learn to forgive. The plot never bogged down and the atmosphere was intense.

The promotion of medical examiners across America was instituted by a wealthy woman in the early 1900s who bankrolled Harvard to set up classes designed to teach the importance of a systematic and educated way of viewing criminal death. This was incredibly interesting! A bit much on her early years but Ms Lee‘s fascination with forensic education and her drive was inspiring.

A fast-paced, humor-filled adventure with great popular culture references. The last half became a bit too much. Too many characters with too much happening for very strange reasons. Fun but not my cup of tea.

Fun and humorous. A light fare on a dark subject.

I knew I was in trouble when the author took the time to rant about how it is unnecessary for the reader to understand what is going on in the story. Sharp points are made about the false relationships between the colonizer and the colonized. However, whatever clarity might be gleaned is short lived with slipping timelines and an over abundance of characters. Read it but don‘t expect to grasp the whole meaning in one go.

How can we change the culture of policing? This book details the work of three police chiefs and their departments. A necessary read. They aren‘t perfect but they are working towards a better future.

This wasn‘t the mystery/adventure story I expected. Instead it was the coming-of-age tragedy of small town bigotry, family secrets, and a star-crossed love. Intensely sad.

This teen murder mystery has great characters, a pacy plot, and a few twists and turns. It also has adults encouraging teens ti behave in dangerous ways and side issues of abandonment and domestic abuse. I will definitely recommend this one.

This author knows how to do nail biting tension. There are heavy topics discussed here but she knows of what she writes. Loved the characters. The mystery got a bit lost in the serious issues but it was still a good read.

This was fantastic. The complexity of the relationships of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and their inner circles was astounding. Scandals and betrayals, commitment and love. The same people were villains and heroes in the span of a day. An extraordinary time.

Too slow, too vague, and very little resolution. It felt incongruent to the time in which it was set.

The characters are well drawn but the atmosphere is lacking. This story could just as easily been set down the street. Also, there was very little in the way of resolution and further doubts were raised at the end of the book.

Anthropology is fascinating. however, when utilizing their skills to identify victims of genocide and mass political violence, surely the knowledge of the perpetrators‘ proximity gives them a few bad nights. The cases in this book are set mainly in Guatemala and Argentina although other places are mentioned. Very interesting and nerve wracking and often quite heartbreaking.

Where do you go when it all falls apart? Takako goes to work at her estranged uncle‘s bookshop. Her uncle, Saturo, has had losses of his own but has managed to find a home for himself in a small community of book lovers. The characters are unique. Stay for them because there isn‘t much of a plot.

A mystery, yes, but also more of a character study. We meet Nurit, her friends, her old lover, a has-been crime writer, and the clueless newbie who is never named other than for his occupation. We view all of their complexities from a cool distance. It is possible to see the trajectory of their investigation and lives but like fate, we just await the happening. Our involvement in the story would not change destiny.

Who would be brave enough to staff his cabinet with powerful political enemies? What kind of leader would make these enemies into friends? This was a great exploration of country, man, and politics.

A 90‘s “hard knocks” story set in an Appalachia drowning in opioids and meth. A retelling of David Copperfield, yes, but only in the most sketched outline sort of way. Demon is a compassionate, stubborn, scrappy character who weaves his way into the hearts of those who still claim to possess one. This is a tale of a beautiful region and a tough people just trying to survive under the cynical gaze of corporate America.

This tale features parts of the philosophy of “The Alchemist” utilizing the humor and sense of fun of “Aladdin”.

A short, informative look at disease in the Civil War and the roles women played in the upheaval.

A quirky fantasy story where upon a tale is told, books are read, and genres are spoofed. Great fun.

There were plot holes aplenty in this cozy. There were so many Karens it almost made it seem like that was the only kind of female character the author could write.

Realistic and grim. Here‘s to the women who wanted more than just survival.

Set in New Zealand, this should have been atmospheric. So much death in such a vibrantly lush place, but no. The pacing was off and the villains were sign posted. It was ok but not great.

The characters are great and there is tons of atmosphere. That said, it was plenty dark without much in the way of resolution.

A cute story of responsibility and family love.

This should have been two books. One could have been an academic treatise on the geology and botanic wonders of Taiwan in which the author could utilize her 5 dollar words. The other book could be the family memoir with the history of Taiwan woven through it.

Hosting a mother-daughter book club and this was their choice. It was wonderful.

A devastating look at life under the tyranny of the head nurse at the mental ward. Packed with racism and misogyny.

This is a much needed look at the ways our society, government, and corporations fail us when it comes to privacy. Everyone utilizing social media and smart devices should read this. It was gut wrenching.

A grim but intensely interesting look at racial disparities in healthcare. I would recommend this for all healthcare providers.

A beautiful and timeless tale.

This was marketed in error. It was made to seem to be a focus on one man‘s entry into farm work instead of an intense look at the history of the cow as meal, religious sacrifice, and cultural being. The author stresses multiple times the history of eating meat as being good for humans. Just as the cows life has changed, so to has our way of living. We have a much more sedentary life.

This was rage-inducing, especially as it feels like we are going backwards in terms of “justice for all”. Thurgood Marshall and the other lawyers and reporters who traveled into danger were amazingly brave.

The housing lark starts in earnest and becomes a bit of a joke to the men trying to save money for a house. However, the women have plans to live a more settled life and band together to get things done. A quick glimpse into the lives of West Indies immigrants. Early #Caribathon pick