While I consider myself on the young end of generation X or a very old millennial, I really identified with this book. This book provides an 4.5 stars
While I consider myself on the young end of generation X or a very old millennial, I really identified with this book. This book provides an eye-opening look at the societal factors that helped shape generation x, women specifically, in ways that we’re/they’re still grappling with today.
Like every generation before me, I’ve always felt like my life was shaped by the world events that occurred during my formative years: the Challenger explosion, Operation Desert Storm, the Clinton impeachment scandal, 9-11 and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, then the Great Recession 0f 2008. All of these events hit me and my friends in ways that greatly shaped the people we have become and our political and social beliefs. This book dives into these events and suggests that maybe the reason we’re all anxious and despondent about today’s issues could be related to these events.
I highly, highly recommend this book not just for Generation X women, but for anyone looking to understand how the events of the 80s, 90s and early 2000s affected today’s 30 and 40 somethings. I also learned a lot about how Generation X compares to the Boomers and millennials, both of which are groups I deal a lot with and sometimes, have trouble understanding.
*thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for my advanced reader copy in exchange for this honest review!*...more
When I read what this book was about I knew I had to read it. I love legal thrillers and books about police investigations (such as books by Michael CWhen I read what this book was about I knew I had to read it. I love legal thrillers and books about police investigations (such as books by Michael Connelly, and Tana French) so this book was right up my alley. This book is told by two characters, Eddie Flynn, a con-man turned defense attorney, and a diabolical serial killer who will do what it takes to make sure someone else is convicted of the crimes he commits.
From the very first page I was completely hooked on this book. Other readers have said it took some time to get into, but I honestly felt like it was a white-knuckle ride from page 1. The pacing was excellent and I couldn't stop reading, I had to find out what happened next.
Also, sometimes books that have so much happening in the plot are light on character development and dialogue. This book did not have that problem. Eddie Flynn is a fascinating, well-developed character who I could not help but root for. The other characters are also well-developed, realistic, and interesting to read about. The villain is one of the more fascinating I have ever read. There are many layers to his evil deeds and motivations. He is definitely not a one-dimensional "bad guy".
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am excited to read Steve Cavanagh's back list to learn more about Eddie Flynn. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who enjoys legal thrillers and courtroom mysteries, and to anyone who enjoys fast paced thrillers in general!
**Thanks to Flatiron Books and to NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review!**...more
I was very excited to be able to read Laura Lippman's latest book from NetGalley.
I found Lady in the Lake to be different from Lippman's previous booI was very excited to be able to read Laura Lippman's latest book from NetGalley.
I found Lady in the Lake to be different from Lippman's previous books in a few ways, namely, that it is narrated by a full cast of characters, and also because it takes place in the 1960s. The main character, Maddie Schwartz, is a 37 year old housewife who suddenly decides to leave her husband and teenage son and move from the 'burbs to the city of Baltimore, and after helping to discover the body of a missing child, decides to become a journalist. The story is told mainly from Maddie's perspective, but after each chapter, there is a chapter told by one of the people she has just interacted with. This keeps the story fresh and offers a variety of perspectives. Maddie, as a new journalist, decides she will not rest until she solves the murder of the Lady in the Lake. This is a difficult if not impossible task because no one takes her seriously and she has none of the connections and sources that other journalists have. Will she be able to solve the Lady in the Lake's murder?
I really enjoyed this book and I love the fact that in the afterword, Lippman says that she was at least partially inspired by the story of her father, who worked at a newspaper in the 1960s.
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for this honest review!*...more
Lila Bennett is a criminal defense attorney who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. This has made her very successful but has not been so greaLila Bennett is a criminal defense attorney who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. This has made her very successful but has not been so great for her private life. Her husband is a novelist who is in a major writing slump, she can barely stand to talk to her mother, and she basically has only one friend. The book explores one situation in her life, which then leads to split timelines following Lila making two different decisions and the aftermath.
As an assistant prosecutor myself, I enjoyed the look into the mind of a criminal defense attorney. There were a couple mistakes, such as Lila referring to her second year of law school as "sophomore year" (in law school you're just called first, second, or third years or 1L, 2L or 3L) but those were minor. I could relate to some of the decisions that Lila made, so even though I didn't agree with her, I continued to like her as a character. There were definite twists and turns in both timelines and neither one was predictable. ***(Mild spoiler here-Namely, the timeline where Lila seemed to make the "better" decision did not necessarily end up better for her.)*** I also appreciated the message of the book, which is that it is never too late to change and become a better person.
Overall, a solid novel that kept me guessing and still had a worthwhile message. I recommend this one to anyone who enjoys courtroom thrillers and womens fiction, this one was a nice overlap of both genres. I look forward to reading what the authors come up with next!
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced readers copy in exchange for this honest review!*...more
I loved, loved, loved this book! It was so well written and had me engaged from the very beginning. I liked all the characters, and found them to be tI loved, loved, loved this book! It was so well written and had me engaged from the very beginning. I liked all the characters, and found them to be three dimensional, realistic, and complicated. While I definitely wouldn’t call this book a thriller, it had twists and turns that surprised me. I will immediately pick up any book this author writes in the future. The topic was timely and deftly handled the nuances that can exist in some “me too� situations. I highly, highly recommend it and a hearty 5 stars from me!
*thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review!*...more
I really enjoyed this book, and especially appreciated the references to the real life case depicted in Truman Capote's In Cold Blood. This book is toI really enjoyed this book, and especially appreciated the references to the real life case depicted in Truman Capote's In Cold Blood. This book is told in alternating perspectives, between retired FBI agent Brigid Quinn and a man recently released from prison who will do ANYTHING to avoid going back.
I really liked the main character, Brigid Quinn, and reading this book has renewed my interest in reading the previous books in the series.
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review*...more
I love to read about people or couples in therapy so this book was right up my alley. The Last Resort is known as the Harmony Resort, and it is a placI love to read about people or couples in therapy so this book was right up my alley. The Last Resort is known as the Harmony Resort, and it is a place for couples who are on the verge of calling it quits to go to try to save their marriages. The resort promises two weeks of intensive marriage and individual therapy by Miles and Grace Markell, the couple who run the resort. They are both therapists and have dedicated their lives to living and working on the resort in Mexico. The book is told through multiple perspectives, of both the therapists and the patients. Miles and Grace, though they seem to be the perfect couple, have secrets of their own and are not what they seem.
While I enjoyed this book, I think it left me a little disappointed. I can't really say why without spoiling the book, so all I will say is that I found the main villain to be a little bit too evil to be believable. I enjoyed learning the different stories of each of the couples and I was definitely rooting for some couples to make it. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys domestic suspense.
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review*...more
This was a close look at what it’s like to work as a professor at an elite college during today’s tumultuous times. I myself graduated from college 17This was a close look at what it’s like to work as a professor at an elite college during today’s tumultuous times. I myself graduated from college 17 years ago so my memories of the experience are not the same as what it’s like now, apparently. This book was an eye-opening look at how social media and the various special interests that exist today can make teaching at, and even simply just attending, college much more complicated than it used to be.
The book is definitely satire, and I thought it was funny at times. But mainly it was just disturbing. I’m very glad my college days are behind me. I’d recommend this book for anyone who loves to read about college life, and who enjoys satire.
*thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for this honest review*...more
The cover is a bit misleading. This is not a light, funny read about a therapist in therapy. This book was tough to read at times because it made me cThe cover is a bit misleading. This is not a light, funny read about a therapist in therapy. This book was tough to read at times because it made me confront issues that are uncomfortable to think about. Not an easy read but definitely a necessary one. ...more
Loading...
