"Commonwealth" by Ann Patchett
Published by HarperCollins

Finished 7/11/17  -   3.5 / 5 stars

The story begins and ends with a bottle gin, with lots of family drama in between. A drunken kiss turns into an affair, separating 2 families yet bringing 6 children together. Well, at least for part of the summers and a little of their adult lives. With each chapter you learn a little more about each character through their current living situation, their memories of the past, and how that past shaped the person they are. Although related by either blood or marriage, each character is quite different and bring a different aspect to the story.

Although not my favorite Ann Patchett book, I did truly enjoy it. Initially I had a hard time keeping straight which child belonged to which adult but eventually that became much easier and it never took away from the enjoyment of the story. I definitely recommend it.

“I Need a Lifeguard Everywhere But the Pool”

By Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella

Finished 6/26/17 – 4/5 stars

“Life gets in the way” is an understatement when it comes to why I haven’t read a book in so long.  But you don’t want to hear about that…..you want to know what I thought about this book.  Well, I loved it!  As I do all the antidotal books this mother/daughter team puts out.  I’m about a decade younger than Lisa, but relate and find plenty of humor in her stories.  And although a different generation than Francesca, I enjoy her stories as well.  I truly enjoy them all and feel like they are family while I read these books.

These stories are just the dose of humor needed.  I’ve read a couple biographies of comedians this year and actually enjoy these books more.  Neither make you laugh ‘til you cry, but I find these stories more relatable and thus more funny and endearing.  They are an easy read to take you away from the chaos of everyday life.  And with it being a book of short stories, you can easily put it down and pick it back up without worrying about where you left off (or you can just read it in two days like me).

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

"Anything is Possible" BOOK REVIEW

"Anything is Possible" by Elizabeth Strout
Published by Random House


Finished 5/9/17  -  3/5 stars

Although I am a fan of some of Elizabeth Strout’s books, I was behind the ball and just recently finally read “My Name is Lucy Barton”.  I figured I should make sure to read it prior to reading the follow-up book of “Anything is Possible”.  “My Name is Lucy Barton” was only a 3 star read for me and unfortunately the same is true for this one.  I’m not reader of compilations of short stories and feel that was really what this book was - that probably influenced my rating.  I do enjoy some of the writing itself, but the characters and storylines just didn’t pull me in.  It took me way too long to read such a short book so that personally tells me a lot.  If I had loved it, I would have read a book this size in just a few days.  I’m truly hoping her next book, with a brand new set of characters, will make me fall back in love with Strout’s writing.

Thank you to Random House and Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.   

"My Name is Lucy Barton" BOOK REVIEW

"My Name is Lucy Barton" by Elizabeth Strout
Published by Random House
Finished 4/16/17  -  3/5 stars

Not my favorite Elizabeth Strout book by far, but I still enjoyed it. At times it was a little confusing, but overall a good story. It has a lot of unanswered questions though. Many times I'd wonder why she even bothered to bring certain details up if she wasn't planning on further explaining them or simply providing a little more detail. I guess there are just parts that are left to your own imagination. Which is probably why the ratings on this book vary so much.....it depends on how much you read into things and put your own spin on it as to how much you enjoy it.

"One Perfect Lie" by Lisa Scottoline BOOK REVIEW

“One Perfect Lie” by Lisa Scottoline

Published by St. Martin’s Press


Finished 4/11/17  -  4/5 stars

Let me be up front – I am a huge fan of Lisa Scottoline.  I have only read a few in her series, but I have read many of her stand-alone books and a few of her non-fiction books written with her daughter (quite funny) so I’m a little surprised that I’m only giving this 4 stars rather than 5.

This is the story of a few boys on a high school baseball team with various backgrounds and up bringings.  They all have their own part in the story but the main character is their new teacher/coach.  There is so much unknown and questionable about him but I really can’t say more without giving away the twists and turns of this page turner.

Part 1 has me hooked, but questioning how the main character could actually be hired to teach and coach at the high school.  Then I’m hearing in the news about high school journalists who unmask issues with their new principal’s background, leading to her resignation just a few days later.  If it can happen in real life, I can more easily believe it in a book so I continue on, wondering just what is about to happen.

Part 2 immediately has me rethinking everything I just read in Part 1. I thought for sure I knew what was going on and what would come but nope, I was wrong.  I had to completely change my mindset and became even more curious as to just what was about to happen.

Then came Part 3.  The first half of this part, continued to keep me on edge and wanting to keep turning those pages but then the second half of this part had me questioning reality again.  It was still good, but this and the final ending had me changing my rating from a 5 to a 4.  I still highly recommend this book, it is a 4 after all.  It’s just not my favorite Lisa Scottoline.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.  I look forward to them every year so would be more than happy to do this for you again J

"Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher BOOK REVIEW

“Thirteen Reasons Why” by Jay Asher

Published by Razorbill

Finished 4/2/17  -  5/5 stars!

This is one of the best YA books I have read!  I’m far from being a young adult anymore (my grey hair kind of gives that away anyway) but I found this book to be impressive in both the way it is written and the content itself. 

Hannah Baker is new to town but it doesn’t take long for classmates to bully her and/or take advantage of her.  When she decides to commit suicide, she also decides that she wants to make certain people aware of why she did it and what their role was in her decision.  She records 7 cassette tapes with a different story on each side along with instructions to ensure the set is passed from person to person that she talks about.  During the book, it’s Clay’s turn to listen.  When the box of tapes arrives at his house, he’s surprised by the instructions within the package and not sure what part he plays, or how many others know about the tapes and have listened before him.  He is determined to listen to them all to find out though.  As he listens, we hear both what Hannah has to say about her short time at her new school and Clay’s reaction to hearing the stories and what he remembers.  Luckily, the font is changed for the recording to help easily determine whose voice you are listening to.

I highly recommend this book to all teenagers and parents of teens.  Actually, I recommend it to everyone but I truly think it is a must read for those.  It’s very insightful.

"Never Let You Go" by Chevy Stevens BOOK REVIEW

“Never Let You Go” by Chevy Stevens

Published by St. Martin’s Press

Finished 3/29/17  -  5/5 stars

This is the book that finally got me out of my reading slump!  It also had me up way past my normal “lights out” so that I could read just a few more pages.  And truly, the last 50-75 pages are best read all in one sitting if possible.   You will not want to put it down.

This is the story of Lindsey and her teenage daughter, Sophie.  When Sophie was just a young girl, Lindsey took her and went into hiding from her controlling, alcoholic, verbally (and sometimes physically) abusive husband.  Skip ahead about 10 years and suddenly there are signs that someone is stalking her.  Could her husband have found them?  As you read along, you will begin to question everyone in their lives….who is the true culprit?  Is it even just one person putting them through this stress or a few?  You will change your mind multiple times as you read along.

Although I’ve had other books by Chevy Stevens on my “to read” list for a long time, this the first one I have actually read.  It will NOT be my last.  She is definitely an author I want to read more from.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this fabulous page turner in return for an honest review.  Loved it!