January 2016

Brava, Valentine

By Adriana Trigiani

Audiobook

Brava, Valentine  is the second book in the Valentine Trilogy Series by Adriana Trigiani.  It continues the very engaging story of the life and loves of Valentine Roncalli.  Hilarious at times, the story is actually about the entire Roncalli family and the Angelini Shoe Company, The setting and family members bounce between New York City and Italy, and in Brava, Valentine, new family members from South America emerge.  Cassandra Campbell’s narration is perfect for the story.  Definitely a good read and/or an entertaining listen!

Moonlit Garden

By Corina Bowmann

Translated from German by Sandra Dalton

Moonlit Garden was a pleasant surprise from Kindle First. Young widow, Lilly Kaiser, embarks on a journey to find the true owner of a mysterious violin that is dropped in her antiques shop.  Her journey takes her from Germany to England, Italy and the exotic island of Sumatra.  While solving the mystery, she begins to heal her heart.  Moonlit Garden is a sad story with a sweet ending.  The translation from German by Sandra Dalton is excellent.  Definitely a good read!

Perfect Son

By Barbara Claypole White

The Perfect Son was another winning book from Kindle First.  Barbara Claypole White explores families with disabilities. Throughout the book, the Fitzwilliam family deals with heart disease, OCPD and Tourette’s syndrome.  She gives the reader real insight into how individuals and families dealing with these problems cope and survive. Although specifics would be different, probably any number of other issues and disabilities could have been inserted into the equation.  Families in trauma share many commonalities.  Claypole White makes it clear that while it is difficult, life can go on and families can survive difficult situations.  I like that the book did not dwell on sentimentality.  While dark, it was also uplifting.  I especially liked the music listings at the end of the book.  I’m going to look into other books by the Barbara Claypole White.  This was a definitely a significant read!

December 2015

The Prisoner of Castillac: Molly Sutton Mysteries Book 3

By Nell Goddin

I was so happy to receive an advance copy of The Prisoner of Castillac: Molly Sutton Mysteries Book 3, and am equally happy to submit an honest and sincere review.  I love the village of Castillac and have grown fond of all of its citizens.  Molly’s bed and breakfast is filled, but finances are definitely becoming an issue.  Book 3 finds Molly and Ben Dufort involved in a darker, more suspenseful mystery. The mysterious disappearance of Valerie Boutillier comes to the surface again.  Will Molly and Ben finally bring closure to this long-standing mystery?  Definitely a good read!

Miss Dreamsville and the Collier County Women’s Literary Society

by Amy Hill Hearth

Miss Dreamsville and the Collier County Women’s Literary Society is a step back in time to the 1960’s and a more racially segregated south.  Jackie arrives in Naples, Florida from the north, bringing new energy and ideas to the small, conservative, southern town.  Change comes in the form of the new literary society and local radio personality.  Although it’s a novel, the northern/southern differences in culture and racial perspective are historically accurate.  Miss Dreamsville and the Collier County Women’s Literary Society by Amy Hill Hearth is an engaging and significant book.  Definitely a very good read!

The Happiness Project

By Gretchen Rubin

(Audible edition)

I loved The Happiness Project!  As I listened to the Audible edition, I kept thinking that I had read the book.  While I may have, I can’t be sure that I did.   Maybe it was just familiarity with the subject of happiness.  Gretchen Rubin did a great job of narrating her own story.  After an awakening of sorts, she decided to devote a year of her life to her ‘happiness project’.  Each month had a specific focus.  She shares her successes and failures, both those promoting happiness and those that did not.  I found the audio version to be enlightening and entertaining.  I hope Gretchen Rubin and all of her readers/listeners fine continuing success with their ‘Happiness Projects’.  Definitely a valuable listen!

The Earth Moved: on the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms

By Amy Stewart

(Kindle edition)

I haven’t reviewed any of my reading in several months.  Since I visited my frozen earthworms out in the shed recently, I’ve decided to begin with Amy Stewart’s book.  I loved The Earth Moved: on the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms in the same way that I love my frozen earthworms.  It was surprising to find someone else who had the same earthy interest in those small, wiggly creatures.  The fact that they’re not all so small was also a surprise. The book is filled with interesting stories and facts. Would it surprise you to know that there are giant worms living under the soil in some places, like Oregon and Australia?  Did you know that Darwin kept and studied worms in his senior years?

Reading the book gave me a new respect and understanding for the residents of my ‘worm farm’.  They help the earth, but at times can also be a danger.  However, none of it is intentional.  They just do what worms do, which is a lot more than I ever realized.  I’m wondering if any of the worms in my worm farm will survive this cold winter.  If they don’t, I’m seriously thinking about not raising any more little garbage eaters.  I don’t think of them in the same way after reading he Earth Moved: on the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms. It was definitely a significant read!

The Hundred Foot Journey

by Richard C. Morais

Narrated by Neil Shah

Audiobook

The Hundred Foot Journey was a great audiobook.  The narration by Neil Shad was excellent. The book tells the story of the journey of Hassan Haji, from childhood to that of a famous chef.  It was engaging and often hilarious.  I’m anxious to see if the movie is half as good as the audiobook.  It was definitely a great listen and I’m sure the actually reading would have been just as enjoyable.

The Patron Saint of Liars

by Ann Patchett

Audiobook

I love books by Ann Patchett and The Patron Saint of Liars , her debut novel, was not a disappointment.  The story follows the journey of Rose Clinton from California to St. Elizabeth’s, a home for unwed mothers in Kentucky. Relationships are a theme throughout, including friendships, husband and wife, mother and daughter, and, perhaps most importantly, past and present.  Rose appears to be emotionally detached throughout this deeply emotional book.  As in real life, it’s hard to watch her making decisions that affect both her life and the lives of those around her.  Patchett has a way of weaving quirky lives into great literature.  The Patron Saint of Liars was a great debut book.  I enjoyed the audio version with an excellent narration by Julia Gibson.

November 2015

In the Unlikely Event

by Judy Blume

(Kindle edition)

I chose the In the Unlikely Event to read for two reasons.  First, I love books by Judy Blume.  As an elementary school teacher, I shared many of her books with students over the years.  Hopefully, my students loved them all as much as I did.  The second reason for my choosing this book was the fact that I live in New Jersey.  Although a work of fiction, the major events in the story did actually happen.  Knowing the area, but not being aware of the history, made this an interesting read.  I had vaguely heard about problems with planes crashing at Newark Airport in the past, but knew nothing about the details.  Blume brought the events to life with very believable characters involved in heart-wrenching stories.  As I was reading, I smiled at Blume’s use of young adults to tell the story.  One of the best authors of children’s and young adult fiction did not go wrong with In the Unlikely Event.  I was not disappointed.  Definitely a good read!

The Lowland

by Jhumpa Lahiri

(Kindle edition)

I love Jhumpa Lahiri’s beautiful, emotional writing… and The Lowland was no exception.  The book takes the reader directly in to the lives and culture of two brothers and the woman they both loved.  The action moves from revolution in Calcutta, India to a quiet, New England college town.  The character and lives of the brothers are as different as the two settings.  Woven in, is the story of the woman that they both loved and her daughter.  Once started, I couldn’t stop reading.  I wish that I could give it more than five starts.  The Lowland is one of those books that moved and stayed with me.  Jhumpa Lahiri has written another truly exceptional book.

The Lake House

by Kate Morton

Narrated by Caroline Lee

(Audible edition)

I listened to the Audible version of The Lake House, written by Kate Morton and narrated by Caroline Lee.  This is not to be mistaken for the other Lake House that was made into a movie.  It’s an excellent audiobook, and Lee’s narration is perfect for the story.  As in other Morton books, the story is told in flashback format, moving between Cornwall, England in the early 1900s and London in 2003.  The transitions are smooth and make sense.  The themes of family, marriage and sisters are woven into a compelling mystery.  The book had all of the elements of a very good read and a very entertaining listen.

Knot the Usual Suspects: A Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery

By Molly McRae

(Audible edition)

Knot the Usual Suspects is another cozy Yarn Shop Mystery.  I love the recurring characters, Kath Rutledge and her yarn shop cohorts.  The details are never too graphic and there’s always a little romance thrown in.  The audible version was engaging and entertaining.  Definitely a reliably good listen!