The Great Gimmelmans

 

“The Great Gimmelmans” by Lee Matthew Goldberg

Published by Level Best Books

 

The story itself is good – I definitely enjoyed it.  It starts out with a little Schitt’s Creek vibe but then turns into a more intense version of We’re The Millers as the family drives around in their RV committing crimes after the stock market crash caused them to lose all their money.  It’s told in the point of view of the middle child – a 12-year-old boy who grows up a lot faster than any tween should have to.  There were many times I had to remind myself that he was just a young boy.  It takes place in the 80s so as a Gen Xer who went through her teens and early 20s during that time, I initially found some of the 80s references fun.  But truly, in the long run they were just too excessive and became a distraction from the story itself.  I think the book would probably have been a 4-star read (and shorter) had there been less unnecessary 80s references and song lyrics, putting more focus on the characters and storyline.  Again, I did like it….I just got annoyed by the 80s overkill.  As long as you don’t think that will bother you, I would recommend it.

 

Thank you to Lee Matthew Goldberg for the complimentary copy of this book.  As always, the opinions expressed within this review are completely my own.

 

Finished 10/6/24 – 3/5 stars

 

#thegreatgimmelmans #leematthewgoldberg #levelbestbooks #2024reads #genxreads #bookstagram

 

 

“The Woman in Me” by Britney Spears
Published by Simon & Schuster Audio
 
Although I like some of her songs, I wouldn’t call myself a fan but was very curious to hear what Britney had to say.  Obviously, the book is just one sided, but I believe the majority of what she is saying and believe she is entitled to every feeling she has.  I honestly think if she had been properly diagnosed and treated for post-partum once her 2^nd son was born, her life would have been completely different.  Instead, her family took advantage of her, didn’t get her to medical/mental assistance she needed, and mis-treated her in various ways.  Unfortunately, in too many cases the abused go back to the abusers and she’ll get wrapped up in her family’s unhealthy ways again.  I hope not though.  No one deserves to be controlled in the ways she was.    
 
Side note – I’m very glad Michelle Williams narrated it.  Britney read the intro and I could not have listened to 6 hours of her non-singing voice.
 
Finished 10/4/24 – 3/5 stars
 
#thewomaninme #britneyspears #simonandschuster #audiobooks #2024reads #genxreads

The Truth About the Accident

 “The Truth About the Accident” by Nicole Trope
Published by Grand Central Publishing
 
I’m honestly not 100% sure how I feel about this book.  The way it’s written is great, but I didn’t like a single character.  Not one.  It’s hard to love a book when you continually want to throw it across the room in frustration of the characters’ actions or lack thereof.  It’s the story of a hit and run of a pedestrian crossing a busy street on a rainy day in Australia.  It’s told in multiple points of view – all women with some form of relationship with the man who has been hit and now lays unconscious in a hospital room.  Throughout the book you are kept wondering if one of them was driving the car that hit him.  You do finally find out at the end just what happened, but no spoilers here.  You’ll have to read it if you really want to know.
 
Finished 9/29/24 – 3/5 stars
 
#thetruthabouttheaccident #nicoletrope #grandcentralpublishing #2024reads #genxreads

Night Road

“Night Road” by Kristin Hannah
Published by St. Martin’s Griffin
 
This is my first Kristin Hannah book that isn’t historical fiction, and I loved it just as much as the others I’ve read.  I was definitely engrossed in the storyline because it actually brought tears to my eyes a few times and I don’t cry easily at books.  I’m guessing that is partly because I have 2 young adult daughters that I recently helped guide through those teen years, so it hit a little too close to home at times.  Overall, I would say it is a story of choices and consequences (both for children and parents alike), trauma and healing, friendships, and above all, family and the love that binds us.  I highly recommend this one. It may be heart wrenching at times but it is also loaded with many other emotions and feel good moments.
 
Finished 9/22/24 – 5/5 stars
 
#nightroad #kristinhannah #stmartinsgriffin #5starreads #2024reads #genxreads #bookstagram

 

The Children Act

 

“The Children Act” by Ian McEwan
Published by Anchor
 
It’s been a while since I’ve read an Ian McEwan book – I had forgotten how well he writes.  The topics within this book will truly make you think and self-reflect as to how you would handle a situation and/or how you would want it handled.  And not just a singular situation, there are multiple of them.  As a judge in England, the main character has to decide the future of some children, but she also has issues in her personal life that she must deal with as well.  Honestly, I wish it had ended differently but overall, it was a really good read and I highly recommend it.
 
Finished 9/16/24 – 4/5 stars
 
#thechildrenact #ianmcewan #anchor #2024reads #genxreads #bookstagram

Things You Save in a Fire

 

“Things You Save in a Fire” by Katherine Center
Published by St. Martin’s Griffin
 
This is a heartwarming story of finding forgiveness for yourself and others. The female lead is strong physically but weak emotionally due to traumas from her childhood 10 years ago.  This is the journey of her healing.  It’s quite predictable but since it’s not a thriller/suspense, I’m OK with it.  I think it works well as a vacation read or a palate cleanser after an intense read, when needing something light.
 
Finished 9/1/24 – 3/5 stars
 
#thingsyousaveinafire @katherinecenter #stmartinsgriffin #2024reads #lynnsbookreviews #genxreads

By Any Other Name

 

“By Any Other Name” by Jodi Picoult
Published by Ballantine Books / Random House
 
I’m a huge Jodi Picoult fan but was actually apprehensive to read this one.  I don’t like Shakespeare and, honestly, have a hard time reading his work.  Knowing the legitimacy of his writings was the focus of this book made me nervous but very interested as well.  I should have just trusted Jodi because I thought it was great.  I initially had a hard time getting into the storyline taking place in the 1500s but once I did, it was smooth sailing.  I actually ended up enjoying the older timeline more than the current one, which is the complete opposite of what I expected.  I definitely recommend this historical fiction whether you’re a Shakespeare fan or not.  It’s two storylines, each with a little romance and strong female leads, with his writings tying the two together.
 
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books/Random House for the complimentary copy of this book.  As always, the opinions expressed within this review are completely my own.
 
Finished 8/28/24 – 4/5 stars
 
#byanyothername #jodipicoult #ballantinebooks #randomhouse #netgalley #2024reads #genxreads