Recent Reads

Time for another reading roundup.  I have some good ones and one let-down to share with you today.  This list only includes books that I have read the old-school way.  I'll share a list of my recent audiobook listens in another post.  So let's get to it!

Where The Crawdads Sing:: This was my book club recommendation this month and it did not disappoint. This book got big points for originality. I found the main character and the location setting to be fascinating. So much atmospheric quality! Our book club had a lot of conversation about the ending.  I don't want to give anything away, but I'll just say that some of us thought the ending was perfect and others of us thought that something about it just didn't fit right. 4/5

As Bright As Heaven ::  This was another book club pick.  We had previously read Fall of Marigolds by this same author and really enjoyed it.  In my opinion, this book was also pretty good, but not as good as Fall of Marigolds.  The story is set in Philadelphia right around the time of the Spanish flu.  And since I really did not know too much about that epidemic, I found that part to be fascinating (and disturbing because of the amount of death). 3/5

The Last Mrs. Parrish :: I think this would be a great beach read.  The story is a bit on the fluffier side, but it moves fast and is just a fun, delicious read.  So if you are looking for something on lighter side (not heavy topics), I would recommend this one. 3/5

The Story of Arthur Truluv::  Oh this book.  This was an easy, well-written read and the characters really stayed with me well after I finished the book.  The main story is set around an 82 year old man who has recently lost his wife.  This book spoke to me on so many levels. It is heart-breaking, inspired, and optimistic all at the same time. 4/5

Court of Thorns and Roses ::  This was guilty-pleasure sort of read.  I actually got the recommendation for this from the Young House Podcast. It is the first book in a fantastical series full of fairies, magical kingdoms, and ancient curses.  It is like a YA mix of Game of Thrones meets Hunger Games meets I don't know what.  But the point is that I thoroughly enjoyed this book because it gave me a much needed break from some heavier books that I had been reading. So if you need something that is fast, entertaining, and not serious in any way, this one is for you. 4/5

Faithful Place ::  Okay, let me start by saying that I love Tana French!  The Likeness is one of my favorite books.  But Faithful Place fell short for me. The story starts off so well - a young couple  (Frank and Rosie) set to run away together that evening from their rundown Dublin neighborhood and head to London.  Except Rosie never shows up and no one knows what happened to her.  Then 22 years later, Rosie's suitcase turns up behind a fireplace in that rundown neighborhood and Frank is the detective on the case.  While the story line is so good, the narrative with back-and-forth timelines frustrated me and there are times that it just jumped all over the place.  I think the writing could have used an editor's touch.  But let me close with this, if you love Tana French, still read this book.  Because there are other fans that think this is her best book.  So there you go. 2.5/5

Ragged Edge of Night::  I really enjoyed this book.  Centered in Germany during WWII, it explores the dynamic of German people who do not agree with Hilter's Nazi controlled Germany and therefore must make tough choices everyday on how to resist while also choosing to survive.  This book was incredibly heavy at times, but also so hopeful in that there is a promise of a new day's light even on the darkest nights. 4/5

The One ::  Engaging and entertaining from cover to cover.  This was a good quick read.  This story explores the setting of a world where a simple DNA test can match you with your soul mate.  But happily ever after is a little different for everyone as marriages are broken apart and new relationships are explored.  And what happens if your soul mate is very different that what you were expecting. Bonus is that if you are a Prime Member, I think the Kindle version of this book is FREE right now. 4/5

Killers of The Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and Birth of the FBI::  I learned so much about Oklahoma, the FBI, and a time period in US history that I really did not know too much about.  And then of course, there is the true-life murder mystery that weaves throughout the entirety of the book. A good solid read. 3/5

Okay, that wraps up my Book Review!  WHAT DID YOU READ THIS MONTH???  Give me all your great recommendations. Please comment and share!