Bleak and heart breaking this book also shows the resilience of women as they support each other and their families in the face of prejudice, violence, and poverty. I thought this book was fantastic.

Could this book have been any more charming? Likely not. A quartet of residents of a retirement community who like to get together and attempt to solve cold murder cases find themselves with a current murder to solve. Everyone around them may underestimate them and think they are too old but this group has the skills and experience to get the job done. Such a fun read and the sequel advances to the top of my TBR.

Two bodies are found in a small Northumberland town. Vera and her team are still struggling to find a connection when suddenly there is a third. I found the ending of this installment especially satisfying for some reason. It all came together and I had no idea who the killer was.

I didn‘t love this one as much as everyone else did.. I wanted more Arctic adventure and less courtroom antics. I was entertained but not especially engaged.

This is now definitely one of my favorites of Kearsley‘s books. I loved how it tied to a couple other of her books. If I were to give a straight summary of the plot it wouldn‘t seem like much really but somehow I was drawn in by the search for the history of the carved firebird said to be the treasured gift from a Russian queen. Only a couple more unread books by Kearsley on my shelves and I will be so sad when I have read them.

I loved this book about a family, back and forth through the years, illustrating how love can be so entwined with regret. Told in multiple point of views, I felt for each character and they sought forgiveness and understanding from each other and themselves.

Best friends Grace and Vivian have always dreamed of leaving their small town and moving to London. When they do make the move instead of the glamour of big city life they quickly find themselves in a city at war as WWII commences. Light historical fiction that still packs an emotional punch and features a book store and the love of reading, how could I rate this anything other than a pick?

After not particularly loving the last book in this series I was a bit wary about this one but after a slow start I was pretty engrossed.

This book made my blood boil more than I thought it would with the rampant sexism that main character Elizabeth Zott endures. There is so much to love in this book from some of the most memorable characters including the much lauded Six-thirty. Reading all of the Litsy reviews I questioned how great a character a dog could really be. Answer- pretty freaking great. This wasn‘t quite the light hearted romp of a read I was expecting. It was better.

I really enjoyed this book about two women trying to defy expectations and forge a path for themselves, one as a spy during World War I and the other as a young, unmarried woman looking for answers about her missing cousin. I had to put the book down a few times to calm myself when I was worried about what was about to happen so I was clearly emotionally invested. Happy to find a new to me historical fiction author I am excited to read more from.

A good escape but not my favorite in the series so far. A writers‘ retreat where the attendees start being killed off. Vera‘s crankiness was less endearing this time around and it all seemed to drag on a bit.

When Amy‘s husband is diagnosed with Alzheimer‘s he decides he wants to die while he still himself. Amy supports his decision and after much research they find Dignitas an organization in Zurich that can help them. Living with her changing husband and managing the myriad details that need to happen to make Dignitas a possibility, she is also a loving and grieving wife. A raw and candid memoir that hit me hard .

Backman feels like an author I shouldn‘t like but reading my second book of his proves that I really do. Strangers taken hostage at an apartment viewing by a failed bank robber get to know each other and find more than what they were looking for. A tear or two was shed. Guess I will be reading more Backman.

A teenage boy writes letters to a judge to give his testimony about a crime but enjoys writing so much that he tells the judge the story around the story- about his half sister who is determined to have her revenge on a panther and the hunt she drags him on along with two men they fall in with along the way. It is a western but don‘t be put off if westerns aren‘t usually your thing. Ben‘s voice and his sister‘s determination make for quite a tale.

This novel is engaging and entertaining but still taught me so much about the Deaf community and gave me a lot to reflect on. I listened to the audio version and got some extra steps in every day when I didn‘t want to stop listening. Highly recommend.

Finally ordered myself a couple of book sleeves and could not have been more excited when they arrived. No more worrying about damaging books in my bag.

I usually love Kearsley‘s books but this was my least favorite of those I have read so far. Told in two alternating storylines, one about a woman hired to run a soon to be open historic home as a museum and the the other about two of the home previous inhabitants during the Seven Year War, I found myself bored more than once. Neither the history nor the romances had me enthralled.

When Vera heads into the gym steam room after a swim she discovers the body of a dead woman. My favorite book in the series so far despite being the only time I guessed the killer from the beginning. I always guess but I am usually wrong…

While I didn‘t like this one as much The Clergyman‘s Wife, I did still enjoy reading a book centered around Anne de Bourgh - seeing other characters from Pride & Prejudice from her eyes and envisioning a life for her outside of being the sickly girl Darcy‘s aunt expects him to marry. A fun read for any Austen fan.

At first I was dismayed by how long and slow moving this book seemed until suddenly I was so in love with all of the characters. I felt like I knew them deeply and worried about every hurt I saw coming. There is a lot of ground covered from whether your family history decides your fate, escaping or staying in a small town, class, etc. but my love for Lucy and circle will be what lingers making it hard to pick up another book for awhile.

Still slowly making my way through this series. I have liked each book more as I get to know Vera better. I do miss the Shetland setting of the Perez series but I am becoming a fan.

Roommates Hazel and Alfie have just hooked up and are concerned about the effect it‘ll l have on their lives. Before they figure it out Hazel's sister and her wife arrive starting a series of events that prevent Hazel and Alfie from ever dealing with their night together until they can no longer ignore the night that started it all. The miscommunication would have driven me crazy if I wasn't so invested in seeing where it was all going.

I love it when I am pleasantly surprised by a book. Hanna is still in school when she is sent to live with her aunt and uncle who throw her in the path of SS Captain 20 years her senior. At the same time Tilde is trying to survive and hoping the fact that she is half Jewish will stay hidden long enough to get her and her loved ones out of Berlin. A quick read that I will be recommending to all of the historical fiction lovers in my life.

I put this audiobook on hold as soon as I finished her first one. Now I am very much hoping she is working on a third. I may have liked the previous one slightly more but this book still had me laughing, nodding along, and deeply moved by the stories she shares. Consider me a huge fan.

Thank you so much Jee for the birthday surprise. I opened it first thing this morning and was excited. I have been eying it every time I am in a book store. The bookmarks are wonderful too! I so appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness.

Just let myself open the package containing my birthday presents for myself. #bookmail

A slim book that left me much to mull over about A translator who doesn‘t seem to speak much herself trying to find her place in a new country and a new relationship. She has to interpret what those around her truly think and feel in her personal life even as she works to translate during a war crimes trial. The mood of this book lingered long after I finished it.

A really enjoyable memoir that touches on finding your place in the world. This is so meaningful through the eyes of Tran who as an immigrant grew up facing violence in the home and racism outside of it. He develops a love of punk and literature and finds a group of true friends as he finds his identity.

After finishing the Shetland series I was excited to start on the Vera books as everyone told me it was the series they preferred. Then I didn‘t love the first book. I picked up this book with markedly less enthusiasm but enjoyed it so much more. The decade old murder of a teenage girl is reopened and Vera must launch her own investigation. Plenty of small town secrets and twists. My appreciation for Vera has grown.

Audio was definitely the way to go as I think Meryl‘s narration made me enjoy this more than I would have otherwise. A comedic look at a divorce that felt a little one note to me. It didn‘t help that so much of the humor was dated in a way that was uncomfortable. Since this based on Ephron‘s own divorce from Carl Bernstein I did find that I cared enough to google whether or not he ever married the woman he had an affair with.

I am glad I waited awhile before reading this because had I read it when the hype was at its highest I‘m not sure I would have enjoyed as much as I did. This book wasn‘t quite what I expected but in some ways that made it better. I laughed at the post office scenes, felt my blood pressure rise reading the reflections on Brexit and immigration, and was so charmed by the friendship at the heart of it. I am eager to carry on with the rest of quartet.

I don‘t often like short story collections but Litsy did not steer me wrong with this one. Each story gives us a glimpse at what lies beneath the polite facade we show others- desire, guilt, shame, a yearning for freedom. I really enjoyed the audio version.

In 1618 Katharina is accused of being a witch. Katharina Is many things- a widow, a mother, illiterate, a busy body, incredibly fond of her cow. What she is not is a witch. Galchen did her research while writing this book and I think the parts I liked best were the statements made by neighbors that she adapted from historical documents.This book still ended up being #morelikedthanloved. It could be that I am a little over books about witch trials.

Even with all of the love it has received on Litsy I didn‘t expect to feel so strongly about this book- trying to cram in a few pages while I ate lunch at work, texting people when I was only half way through to tell them they had to read it. It made me squirm. It made me laugh. It made me sad and angry and irritated. So many books I read and know I will soon have forgotten their details. This is not one of them.

I was very excited about Black finally writing adult fantasy so there may have been some squealing when this ARC arrived. Charlie is trying hard to put her past as a con artist and thief behind her and focus on important things like sending her sister to college. The problem is that Charlie is a damn good thief and a magnet for trouble. This was a really fun read with interesting world building. I am looking forward to more about Charlie.

I was so pleasantly about surprised by how candid Union is about not only the difficulties she has experienced but also in sharing stories where she does not get portrayed in the best light. This collection of essays has it all- laughter, tears, serious reflection- exactly like a night spent talking with your best friend as you go through a bottle or two. Cannot wait to listen to her later book.

I went into this book pretty much blind. I had heard some good buzz and read a previous book by the author which was enough for me to want to give it a try. From the first sentence I was swept away on a tumult of feelings as the narrator faced his own head-on. This is a slim novel that says so much about parenthood, abortion, and marriage. Unflinching and still tender, I read it one sitting.

Intertwining stories about a mother a daughter, one killed right after the birth of the other, this book ensnares you from its first sentence. As you read about Naomi forced to become a runaway slave and hide in a brothel you are also watching with her as her daughter grows up at the end of the Civil War. Both are little more than girls when subjected to brutality making this book difficult to read at times but it was impossible to put down.

I went into this audiobook with no real expectations. I knew next to nothing about the author but had read a couple of good reviews. I ended up surprised by how compelling it was to listen to Ratajkowski talk about her body and being beautiful and the ways she has become a commodity. There are many contradictions but that made it seem more real to me as if she is still reconciling her feelings.

Last day in Denver and one more Tattered Cover visited. Another small #bookhaul. I had this audiobook on hold at the library but couldn‘t pass up a signed copy. Such a great bookstore.

Spending a long weekend in Denver with a friend who recently moved here. When he asked me what I wanted to do all I said was Tattered Cover. We went to two locations yesterday and I was good but still HAD to buy something.

So many mixed reviews for this one and I totally get it. Brevity is not a word you can use in conjunction with any Tana French books, this one least of all. I was still captivated by the highly unreliable narrator and the mystery of the skull in the backyard and could have forgiven almost any flaws until the ending which I hated. Not my favorite French by far but still an enjoyable ride.

Susanna Kearsley is a mood for me and I can just sink into her books like a bubble bath. Verity gets a job archeological dig that the ghost of a Roman soldier keeps watch over. Is the dig the whim of a madman or should Verity trust in the supernatural leanings of those around her? A dash of romance, some intrigue, and a Scottish setting made this a perfect escape read.

A sad but quietly lovely, book about a father and son still reeling after the death of their wife/ mother a decade earlier. Anger, blame, sadness, love, and regret tinge every page.

Every bit as amazing as everyone has been saying. I listened to the audiobook but will be buying a copy for my shelves so that I can revisit the things that struck me the most and the places where my attention lagged (which tends to happen to me with audiobooks).

I hate that I didn‘t love this more. Perhaps my expectations were too high after adoring the first in the series but I found myself bored in many places. The stakes weren‘t as high in this book and for me the plot a bit too similar to book one in some ways as well. Hopefully this sets up a stellar third novel which I will read eventually.

This book has it all- adventure, romance, found family, a mildly telepathic cat , I could not have asked for more (unless the book came with said mildly telepathic cat). I had such a good time reading this Jessie Mihalik has more than earned a place on my list of auto-buy authors. I cannot wait to see what future books in the series have in store for these characters and look forward to getting to know the rest of the crew even better. Out 2/1/22

Not my favorite of the trilogy as I felt there was already too much going on in Maureen‘s life she did not need to be involved in another mystery. It was still a strong conclusion to everything else that has been brewing in the series. Maureen continues to spiral downwards drinking more and making impulsive decisions as she can no longer ignore her demons. I definitely want to read more Mina. Any recommendations on what I should pick up next?

I didn't think I was ready to read a book set during the pandemic but I could not ignore a new Sarah Moss. Honestly, this book proves again why she is a writer I will jump to read. In less than 200 pages she manages to give us such a complete, vivid peek into the heads of four distinct individuals as they go through one day of November 2020. It is intense and gripping and makes me want to immediately read all of her books that I have not yet read.

This started off really strong with some interesting world building that had me convinced I would be buying the rest of the series before the weekend ends but then it really went downhill for me. Tons of intrigue but not much plot, I don‘t mind a slow read but this felt so overly long I was happy to reach the end.