Going Home: A Novel
by Tom Lamont
Life Unexpected (12/30/2024)
This was such a beautiful story with rich, complex characters adjusting to the unexpected arrival of? a child, Joel?. I don’t enjoy it when characters feel 'perfect,' and the adults surrounding little Joel ?were written well. Teo, Victor, Sybil, and Ben—?you get to experience their individual perspectives, and you can feel who they are—their flaws, their selfishness, their goodness.
You find yourself outraged for them, amazed at what they take on, ?feeling exasperated at some of their choices, and completely moved by their selflessness. There’s one moment about three-quarters of the way through that shifts everything again, creating another ripple in their already shaken lives. Reading this felt less like watching a story and more like living through it alongside them.
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves richly layered family dramas that explore the complexities of relationships, personal growth, and resilience.
Pony Confidential
by Christina Lynch
A Heartfelt Adventure (8/13/2024)
With a cast of memorable characters, cross-country escapades, and a mystery that wraps up neatly—if not without a few surprises—this story delivers joy. As a fan of cozy mysteries, I particularly enjoy the element of a clever animal leading the charge.
Our Pony embarks on a journey of self-reflection while traveling to reunite with Penny, the girl he once adored (and still does). Initially, he comes across as angry and somewhat self-centered, but through the connections he forms along the way—especially with Rat—he gains self-awareness and learns to empathize with others. Of course, you have to suspend disbelief, but that's part of the fun. There are some poignant moments, but it’s heartwarming to see several of his companions find their true family, with Penny guiding them all.
This story reminded me of the deep bonds we share with our pets and the importance of respecting all creatures. You never know who might offer a helping hand—or hoof. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a mix of adventure, mystery, and heartfelt moments!
The Stolen Child: A Novel
by Ann Hood
A wonderful gem (5/13/2024)
This book shares the life of a man, Nick, facing a gut-wrenching decision during war that shapes his entire existence. As he nears life's end, he revisits his past, supported by unforgettable companions. The characters are compelling and memorable—I found myself longing to know their futures beyond the story.
The setting is beautifully shared, with a suspenseful quest to uncover 'le petit chou' keeping the pages turning. Nick's poignant struggle and its profound impact are deeply moving, while Jenny's evolution and final decisions are heartening.
This novel is a gem that will lift your spirits and also break your heart a little. It weaves elements of intrigue and heartfelt moments into a deeply moving story.
Moscow X: A Novel
by David McCloskey
Slow to Start but Good Finish! (12/7/2023)
As I was reading the book, it was apparently clear that the author knows the intelligence world extremely well, especially in the processes, backstories, and information. The book is a bit slow to get started - there are many characters to keep track of, different locations to take in, and a lot of setting up of the story. I found myself trudging through and putting the book down to pick up others. Once it picks up, however, it goes at a better pace.
The female characters are outstanding (in fact, in situations where most would shrink, they persevere and excel). I really don't like it when characters are 'perfect' and this was not it - most straddle the line between good and bad and are more interesting for it.
Artemis Proctor - and apparently, this is a second book featuring her character - puts together an intricate plan for Moscow X, a covert department within the CIA. She wants to get revenge for a previous snafu, and also gain intelligence assets. Mia, a London lawyer, and Max, a racehorse owner with a ranch in Mexico, are enlisted to help. Sigh. I wish horses were treated better than mere products throughout the book. Moving on. Anna - as part of a business deal - is married to Vadim, who is close to Putin, and she herself is the daughter of a high-ranking Russian businessman. Her father and her husband give her no freedom, and she develops her own angles in all this. It is she who Mia and Max target. Then it reaches the point where covers are blown and it all goes sideways, with the reader not knowing who to trust.
If you love the spy genre, this is a good book to add to your reading list, and in the process, possibly follow the characters take on other missions. Enjoy.
This Is Salvaged: Stories
by Vauhini Vara
Messy and Meaningful Moments (8/5/2023)
This is a beautifully written collection of short stories about the bonds we hold, the grief we share, and the tender and messy relationships that define our memories and actions. The stories are insightful, a few are strange, and all of them are small gems to hold. I recommend not rushing through the book in one sitting, and you may want to read some again to savor them fully. In any short story collection, you will enjoy some more than others, and my favorites were The Hormone Hypothesis, The Eighteen Girls, What Next, and Sibyls. I felt Sybils was the perfect piece to end the collection, and it holds the inspiration for the cover, I believe. I enjoyed this thoughtful, realistic, unflinching, and unique collection of moments.
The September House
by Carissa Orlando
Wow. Just WOW. (5/6/2023)
I don't always jostle a few books at a time, but it was the case here. I had a book to read for my book club, another for a presentation I'm preparing, one more for another event, and of course, The September House. The one I couldn't wait to get back to each time was The September House.
I absolutely loved this book. I enjoyed the world-building and felt the main characters were fully fleshed out and vivid. The two main female characters were not perfect, but you understood their motivations through their thoughts and actions. The story came about organically, and I particularly enjoyed the little secrets and extra story details that came out slowly and surprisingly at different points as Margaret was sharing her story. ("Wait. What? Did I just read that? That changes things.") For instance, Hal - there was a building of his character that felt real, and then you come to realize it's a very different scenario that is happening in this marriage than you initially thought.
At many points in the book, I was scared. Some characters are very troubling, and as you learn more about them, you start to understand the truly terrifying situation Margaret and Hal are in (and later, Katherine). There are questions you have, such as "Why don't they just leave every September and come back in October?" that are answered quite convincingly.
The book was so good that I was worried about how it would end. Would it be satisfying? A million times yes. I finished the book at 3 am - not a particularly great time to finish a horror novel but I couldn't put it down. Although I didn't want the characters to end in the situation they were in, it was bittersweet, it was exhausting, it was awful, it was surprising, and it was satisfying.
The description of the book includes this line: "Margaret is not like most people." This is an understatement, and I'm happy to have made her acquaintance. I hope you enjoy this gem of a horror novel, and the story the talented author has crafted.
The Long Ago: A Novel
by Michael McGarrity
A Good Read (4/6/2023)
This was a good read. At first, due to the book's description, I thought it was a crime thriller, but I soon realized it wasn't. I then thought it might turn into an obsessive stalker situation (with Mr. Manning). That perception fizzled quickly. Then I realized it was the telling of two siblings' stories, and how differently they manage their lives as a result of a less-than-stellar upbringing. A family drama.
There are two things that struck me. First, Ray, is almost perfect. Everyone that meets him loves him, they all see he has great potential, he is attractive, he is virtuous, he heroically saves several people, he is humble, he is appreciative, he does all the right things - he has no flaws, really. You do see one flare-up of temper and pettiness when he mails a shredded-up second letter back to someone who didn't write him a timely response back to his first letter. You don't see this temper again.
The second is that as perceptive, loyal, and deeply caring Roy is, his sister displays none of those qualities. She doesn't perceive the grief she left behind, is ambivalent about not seeing/communicating with her brother and family again, and doesn't seem to feel deeply about anything, really - except she truly doesn't like San Jose. I'm unsure if there's an undercurrent of anger against her family that manifests itself on her leaving and never touching base with them. I'm unsure if it's just because she's 20 and doesn't see the big picture of life and all who love her. She's just unaware, in general, of the feelings of family and friends she leaves behind, and the ripple effects these cause. She's never held to account for her actions either, in fact, she's rewarded.
In spite of these two points, it was a good read. I would have stopped reading in other books, but the author does have a gift of keeping you going, breezing along, adding to the story and giving you a perspective on lives you couldn't imagine. The Vietnam War scenes were sobering, and the characters we lost were hard to lose. I appreciated how descriptive he was and how he kept the story interesting. (I also loved all the diner mentions.) I'm happy to have read the book.
 (1).gif)
