In two time periods, the story of two sisters and a magical secret place weaves it way between love, loss, sacrifice and courage. Beautifully written,In two time periods, the story of two sisters and a magical secret place weaves it way between love, loss, sacrifice and courage. Beautifully written, this historical fiction explores the time during WWII when children were sent to the countryside for their own safety, and 1960 England. The magical tales of Whisperwood are private to Hazel and her sister, lost years ago. How then, does a book of these stories arrive at the bookstore where Hazel works? In unraveling this mystery, Hazel makes some startling discoveries about her family, as well as herself....more
"Six responsible adults. Three cute kids. One small dog. It’s just a normal weekend. What could possibly go wrong?" Or, as you're asking yourself thro"Six responsible adults. Three cute kids. One small dog. It’s just a normal weekend. What could possibly go wrong?" Or, as you're asking yourself through most of this book, "Just what happened at the barbecue?"
True to her usual writing style, Liane Moriarty's newest story mercilessly explores three seemingly happy families and shows us how guilt can expose the fault lines in even the strongest-seeming relationships. We have three couples: Sam and Clementine, who seem to have a busy, yet lovely, life; Erika and Oliver, who seem to be a bit odd, but completely tuned in to each other; and Tiffany and Vid, who have larger than life personalities, but who also seem happy. However, two months after a barbecue hosted by one of the couples, something is still quite wrong. Clementine and Sam keep asking themselves, "What if we hadn't gone?" And you're wondering, almost the entire way through this story, what awful thing (or things) happened at the barbecue.
I have enjoyed many of Moriarty's stories, especially Big Little Lies, so I had eagerly started on this book as soon I picked up a copy at BEA last week. I wasn't disappointed; this had all of the great writing and razor-sharp insights, and humor, that I had enjoyed in Big Little Lies.
I did feel like the end spun out a bit slowly, where it felt like: "there's an ending. . . but no, this is the ending . . . no, more story, but now it's the ending." However, this is a very readable story, with interesting characters, and a nice, steady pace. I did find myself laughing a few times, most memorably, on the train, where Tiffany is making comments on the size of Oliver's head. "There was nothing to be done about his pea-head, but Tiffany should tell Erika to buy Oliver some of those vintage, black-rimmed glasses..." Yes, I let out a snort at that one.
Moriarty does a nice job of reeling you in, making you care about the characters (or at a minimum, be curious enough them to keep reading). And, by keeping you in the dark about what awful thing has transpired between these people, you get to see the effects of whatever it was played out over a span of time. This is no "bad thing happens, people react, and go on with their lives" kind of story; this is a "something happened, people are trying to figure out how to react, and how to keep going like they used to, but somehow, things are stuck." It's realistic that way, and compelling....more
Beautifully written, this dark story draws you in, much like a tarot reading which reveals divination one card at a time, and where there may be more Beautifully written, this dark story draws you in, much like a tarot reading which reveals divination one card at a time, and where there may be more than one meaning in play. Student Ann Stilwell happens into a job at The Cloisters by chance, working with a small group of renowned scholars to discover information for an upcoming exhibit on divination. Patrick, the curator, seems to be enthusiastic yet driven ever more intensely to find a certain tarot deck. Rachel seems intense, although her impulses seem more mysterious. As Ann becomes drawn further and further into the world of divination, it becomes clear that there may be some sinister things developing between the three of them. This story is finely drawn, just like a beautiful tarot card, and smoothly develops the story so that there is a feeling of a dark thread running through what is happening. Is Rachel dangerous? Is Patrick on the edge of a breakthrough (or a breakdown)? This is a story to be savored, even as you turn the pages ever more quickly.
For readers who enjoy the story "The Least Trumps" by Elizabeth Hand (in the collection Saffron and Brimstone) and who like books by Alice Feeney. ...more
"The house remembers." Is the Italian villa truly haunted or just a strong influence on the people who stay there? In the 1970s, strife between people "The house remembers." Is the Italian villa truly haunted or just a strong influence on the people who stay there? In the 1970s, strife between people results in two stunning works of art, but also in a death. In the present day, two women staying at the house find themselves increasingly drawn to the tragedy at the house in the 1970s. Both writers, they find themselves inspired by the stories of the past. However, will their increasing interest trigger a deadly secret to be revealed? Filled with twists and turns, this is gothic suspense at its best.
There are echoes here of Mary Shelley and her summer with Lord Byron and John William Polidori -- so the storyline of the 1970s may make you think you know what's going to happen (or not).
The only complaint I have is that the music album referred to in the book doesn't exist -- it sounds like it would be great!
This story is for readers who enjoy gothic suspense and books by Alice Feeney and Sally Hepworth....more
If you pick up this book, be prepared to set everything aside. Hepworth has written a pageturner filled with compelling characters and deliciously darIf you pick up this book, be prepared to set everything aside. Hepworth has written a pageturner filled with compelling characters and deliciously dark twists. Alternating viewpoints keep the smoothly accelerating pace running throughout the story. And the ending may just twist your mouth a little in sympathy, as well as surprise.
It's always a treat to read a story by this author. It's also a challenge to keep from gulping down the story as quickly as possible. I recommend finding a comfy chair, tasty drink, and putting off anything else for another day -- just sitting and immersing in a great read is a treat.
LibraryReads review: Hepworth has written a pageturner filled with compelling characters and deliciously dark twists. ...more
Hood's love for her time spent as a flight attendant come through clearly in her new memoir, as you might expect. What you might not expect is the levHood's love for her time spent as a flight attendant come through clearly in her new memoir, as you might expect. What you might not expect is the level of detail that Hood gives about the different airplanes, the rigorous training and other aspects of air travel. She also includes some interesting history of air travel, as well as flight attendants. The only drawback is that the reader may long for the Golden Age of air travel, a time when traveling by airplane meant luxury and an occasion to dress up (a distant past from the current air traveling experience for most of us). Smoothly paced and written in a conversational style, this book is a pleasure to read. ...more
Charlie Hall, a/k/a The Charlatan, is trying to stay on the straight path, despite her history as a renowned thief. However,Light fingers, dark magic.
Charlie Hall, a/k/a The Charlatan, is trying to stay on the straight path, despite her history as a renowned thief. However, when she's pushed into a corner and forced to take a job stealing a dangerous magical tome, she's determined this will be her last job stealing something valuable. However, in a world where the dark magic is tied to shadows, the lightest fingers might not be enough to save Charlie from a terrible fate.
Great for readers who enjoy dark, imaginative fantasy by Charlie Jean Anders and Seanan McGuire.
I had been hoping this book would be as good as the premise made it sound, and I wasn't disappointed. Black created a relatable, wryly funny character in Charlie Hall and combined with the creative storyline of dark shadow magic, this book was hard to put down. A steadily increasing pace made the danger the story very real, partly because shadows are something we can all relate to. Very imaginative and engaging book. I'm hoping to see more of Charlie Hall in the future!...more
This book was definitely worth the wait!!! Continuing the stories of the Wayward Children, this book focuses on Cora, a girl who has survived being a This book was definitely worth the wait!!! Continuing the stories of the Wayward Children, this book focuses on Cora, a girl who has survived being a mermaid, as well as the Moors. But the call of the Drowned Gods is so strong that she feel she has no choice: she must forget she ever went through a door or that there are doors at all.
No need to re-summarize. But, this small story packs a punch. As always, McGuire writes characters that are so realistic that their words and thoughts can make a real connection with a reader (at least, a reader like me). So many times in this book, I felt like I identified with Cora --- not the mermaid part, but with other things. Worst thing about this book? No idea when the next story will come along....more
This is an interesting book and while introspective, I never found the author to engage in too much navel-gazing. It's a thoughtful exploration of herThis is an interesting book and while introspective, I never found the author to engage in too much navel-gazing. It's a thoughtful exploration of her experience, but in a way that can make the reader connect with their own experiences (even if they are not the same). ...more
This book is told from the viewpoint of a young woman who lost her sister years ago, and while the story moves back and forth in time (past, present, This book is told from the viewpoint of a young woman who lost her sister years ago, and while the story moves back and forth in time (past, present, past), there is consistency in the voice of the main character. At times, she has a curious, kind of humorous (sometimes unintentionally) viewpoint of things. At other times, even as a girl, she has serious insight into her sister, as well as her parents.
The blurbs on the back of this book are fantastic (no surprise there, since blurbs are supposed to be fantastic). But while I thought the book was good, I sometimes found it tiring. I didn't always find the main character to be interesting and while the slow-ish pace was okay most of the time, I felt sometimes a bit impatient. With the story and with the main character. It's dark at times, but maybe not always dark enough for me. Maybe I read too much psychological suspense for that.
Readers who liked The Lovely Bones may enjoy this one, as well as readers who like insightful family stories....more
I found this to be a nice pageturner with an even pace, interesting characters and a well-rounded plot. I appreciated that the main character seemed vI found this to be a nice pageturner with an even pace, interesting characters and a well-rounded plot. I appreciated that the main character seemed very realistic, which made her likeable -- and that supporting characters were also realistic. It was easy to lose myself in the story and just sit, read and enjoy. I'll look forward to more books in this series to see what happens next!...more
This is 535 pages of stories, interviews, quotes ---- and a lot of fun if you listened to any of these bands in the 80's. I had forgotten about some oThis is 535 pages of stories, interviews, quotes ---- and a lot of fun if you listened to any of these bands in the 80's. I had forgotten about some of these bands (and admittedly, never heard of others), so this was fun to read and definitely back up the impression I think a lot of people had about these bands. Sex? Yep! Drugs? Yep! Rock and Roll? Well, pretty much --- although some of these guys were better musicians than others. The information about fashion/outfits alone is pretty interesting (and explains Stryper's look, which I always thought was a little much on the eyes).
The book does focus on 1980s hard rock and hair metal, although if you're a fan you might be wondering about bands that aren't covered here: Megadeth, Metallica, Judas Priest, to name a few. But if you're someone who used to love turning up the radio when the DJ played a song from Motley Crue, Poison, Ratt, Cinderella or Skid Row, this is your book. Also, if you were ever a fan of Kip Winger, you'll understand just why he was a bit bitter about what happened with Beavis and Butthead.
While I don't think I'll re-read this book anytime soon, I'll be looking to create a Spotify playlist for myself, just to reminisce from time to time....more
When Leah notices McKenna, she sees that McKenna is in the same situation: a husband who is controlling and abusive. While McKenna doesn't know Leah eWhen Leah notices McKenna, she sees that McKenna is in the same situation: a husband who is controlling and abusive. While McKenna doesn't know Leah exists, Leah becomes focused on McKenna. Then one night, everything changes when Leah intervenes and sets a series of events into motion. Now, McKenna and Leah are inextricably connected. The question is: will McKenna help Leah with her own domestic situation?
This book features well-written characters and a tensely written plot. The story is a classic "Strangers on a Train" type situation, with multiple games of cat-and-mouse, and the reader wondering when (or if) one (or both) of these women will be caught by the police.
Good for readers who enjoy Paula Hawkins and books like The Girl on the Train....more
When Samantha gives a coworker a ride home one night, they are run off the road. When the police arrive, they discover only one body -- and Samantha iWhen Samantha gives a coworker a ride home one night, they are run off the road. When the police arrive, they discover only one body -- and Samantha is missing. As a dancer at a strip club, Samantha knows to be careful, especially since some customers can get a bit too friendly. But her disappearance feels like something much darker is at play. As the police investigate, another dancer is drawn into helping, potentially putting herself in danger.
Written with multiple viewpoints, compelling characters and plenty of plot twists, this pageturner is great for readers who enjoy thrillers with a feminist perspective. May appeal to readers who like Gone Girl, books by Tana French or books by Kate Atkinson....more
It's typical for mothers and daughters to have complex relationships. However, Liz Scheier's mother took complication and made it into an art. As a chIt's typical for mothers and daughters to have complex relationships. However, Liz Scheier's mother took complication and made it into an art. As a child, Scheier took for granted that her mother's moods could be mercurial and her anger could be seismic. However, her mother was also very charismatic, charming many people she encountered. But there was always the lingering question of who Scheier's father was, especially since her mother's stories about him seemed to vary. As Scheier works to uncover the truth, she discovers just how complicated her childhood was and how difficult her relationship with her mother will become.
For readers who enjoyed The Glass Castle and/or Running With Scissors....more
I really enjoyed that I was able to immerse myself in this story --- yes, to the point where the housework waited and I read a few pages while making I really enjoyed that I was able to immerse myself in this story --- yes, to the point where the housework waited and I read a few pages while making dinner and waiting for the timer to go off. It was that good. The characters are well-rounded, interesting, sometimes maybe a bit frustrating --- and the settings in the story are characters unto themselves. I kept turning the pages wanting to know what was going to happen, sometimes holding my breath a bit. Which to me is a really good story -- because it takes a talented author to write something that makes me care that much.
Good book suggestion for readers who like family stories with some drama (but not too much), well-rounded and relatable characters, and a smooth pace that carry the story along....more
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