Librarian Kathleen is caught in a dilemma when things go downhill with her crush Marcus, just as her ex Andrew shows up in town to win her back. ShortLibrarian Kathleen is caught in a dilemma when things go downhill with her crush Marcus, just as her ex Andrew shows up in town to win her back. Shortly after, she literally falls over a dead body. Kathleen, Marcus, friends and family are drawn into solving the crime, as Kathleen figures out her future. Owen & Hercules, her two cats, prove helpful along the way. Such a fun series. ...more
Magic, baking, windfall inheritance, mother/daughter team in a new city, in a magical house and bakery鈥� what鈥檚 not to love? For me all the right elemeMagic, baking, windfall inheritance, mother/daughter team in a new city, in a magical house and bakery鈥� what鈥檚 not to love? For me all the right elements were there for a fun and cozy read but it fell flat. All the conversations came off wrong. The mom kept forgetting her daughter existed. Perhaps the narration in the audiobook didn鈥檛 help, but I think if I鈥檇 been reading I would have done a lot of skipping ahead. I know a lot of readers reviewed it well so give it a try, but for me it was a 2-1/2 rounded to 3....more
An interesting perspective on WWII from the perspective of a woman imprisoned in a wok camp in Paris. Her father had been a communist and so she was tAn interesting perspective on WWII from the perspective of a woman imprisoned in a wok camp in Paris. Her father had been a communist and so she was taken prisoner, and her experience as an artist making fans allowed her to be saved and allowed to work in the camp in Paris, living in a barracks within a department store and going through confiscated items from other prisoners that German officers could use in their homes. They have some typical experiences of prisoners, with guards acting cruelly, but definitely experience a less harsh experience than many prisoners.
At the same time, her daughter has been raised by her grandparents, and she finds herself questioning what she has been raised to believe, as she is drawn into the Resistance. The book touches in many interesting topics and relationships. The audiobook is well narrated. ...more
Kerry Tolliver accompanies her brother to help sell their family Christmas trees in New York City. Living in their tiny trailer, dealing with the coldKerry Tolliver accompanies her brother to help sell their family Christmas trees in New York City. Living in their tiny trailer, dealing with the cold, lack of comforts, etc, she slowly gets to know the people in the neighborhood. At the same time, she sees how her artistic & creative skills can help her family business. It鈥檚 a cozy and sweet story with interesting characters that highlights the holiday spirit. ...more
A parent鈥檚 nightmare鈥� your child disappears while you鈥檙e distracted for just a minute in the mall. Sixteen months later and Marin is barely holding onA parent鈥檚 nightmare鈥� your child disappears while you鈥檙e distracted for just a minute in the mall. Sixteen months later and Marin is barely holding on, when she learns her husband is having an affair. The story is fast paced and draws you in鈥� there are many secrets and not everything is as it seems. Narration on audiobook was good. ...more
I have a lot of respect for this author and her approach and knowledge as a historian. Because most who would be drawn to this book can see the mess oI have a lot of respect for this author and her approach and knowledge as a historian. Because most who would be drawn to this book can see the mess our country is in, and maybe many are more knowledgeable politically, but most or many of us can learn from history.
I always considered myself non-political. Even before today鈥檚 crazy biased entertainment news, I knew that I couldn鈥檛 truly be informed by reading a few newspapers or listening to the news occasionally and felt unfit to vote without knowledge. Also, I had a naive belief that we all (both parties) wanted to get to the same place, we just had different ideas on how to get there.
All that changed with the emergence of Trump. The more he talked, the more hatefulness and divisiveness came out. And the more people who followed him and cheered when he spoke his vile words, I saw my idealism slip away. The America they wanted was not the same America I wanted. In the years since, he and his cult have proven to be dangerous to democracy, but also to women, people of color, LGBQ+, etc.
Many may not like or agree with my comments, but for people like me who are young in our political awakening (even as I near retirement!), these types of books are very informative and important. Knowledge is always the foundation of change.
I did struggle with a rating. I鈥檝e seen interviews, and read other shorter works, and really admire the author. I enjoyed having her narrate the audio version. But it is dry material, so hard for me to rate....more
I was quickly drawn into this book and unusual and complex character. As the story unfolds we discover that her 鈥渟trangeness鈥� is a result of trauma exI was quickly drawn into this book and unusual and complex character. As the story unfolds we discover that her 鈥渟trangeness鈥� is a result of trauma experienced in her childhood that she has blocked out. As she learns more about those early experiences, things become both clearer and more confusing. I thought the narration in the audiobook was well done.
Really interesting book told from perspective of Maud Baum, wife of author of The Wizard of Oz. The dual timelines of Maud鈥檚 earlier life and then marReally interesting book told from perspective of Maud Baum, wife of author of The Wizard of Oz. The dual timelines of Maud鈥檚 earlier life and then marriage and life with Frank, and also her relationship with the making of the movie and young Judy Garland.
Maud鈥檚 mother was an early women鈥檚 suffragist, working for women鈥檚 right to vote. And Frank supported that belief and admired his wife鈥檚 strength and determination. He was a dreamer, and one can imagine not always easy to be married to, but they loved each other through their ups and downs. ...more
Cozy heartwarming Christmas story of returning home at the holidays, but with ulterior motives. Sometimes career, family and other relationships are hCozy heartwarming Christmas story of returning home at the holidays, but with ulterior motives. Sometimes career, family and other relationships are hard to juggle. A little predictable, but a sweet story. Enjoyed author鈥檚 epilogue and prequel to new book. ...more
Chaos ensues when Casey鈥檚 yarn retreat evolves into a yarn & mystery murder retreat. But of course, just while the participants are solving the fake mChaos ensues when Casey鈥檚 yarn retreat evolves into a yarn & mystery murder retreat. But of course, just while the participants are solving the fake murder, a real murder occurs. Now Casey and her group follow the clues. Knitting, baked goods and silliness, but good fun in this cozy mystery series. ...more
When a detective gets transported back in time and takes the body of a Scottish housemaid鈥� almost gets killed, and helps solve crimes. Don鈥檛 try to anWhen a detective gets transported back in time and takes the body of a Scottish housemaid鈥� almost gets killed, and helps solve crimes. Don鈥檛 try to analyze every little thing, but sit back and enjoy the story. A 3-1/2 for me? ...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! These ladies were so fun to follow along on their sleuthing adventures. It was great to see how their relationships deI thoroughly enjoyed this book! These ladies were so fun to follow along on their sleuthing adventures. It was great to see how their relationships developed while working together. ...more
I hesitated to read/listen to this book. I was drawn to it because of her testimony, yet I knew that I could not identify with anyone who would chooseI hesitated to read/listen to this book. I was drawn to it because of her testimony, yet I knew that I could not identify with anyone who would choose to work for and support Trump. The early part of the book told of a difficult childhood with a father who was both abusive and emotionally unstable. From those experiences, Cassidy formed a work ethic and patriotism that is admirable.
Her description of life/work in the White House, during the time leading up to January 6th was interesting, though at this point they are stories I had heard. I do admire her integrity in coming forward to testify, but what sticks with me more is the radical actions of those supporting this terrorist dictator at that time, and currently鈥� nothing he does seems to affect the cult or the politicians that support him.
More mayhem and fun in Mayville with Kathleen and friends. A deluge of rain brings flooding, which closes the library temporarily and gives Kathleen mMore mayhem and fun in Mayville with Kathleen and friends. A deluge of rain brings flooding, which closes the library temporarily and gives Kathleen more time to find trouble - in the manner of two bodies this time!
Poor Marcus has two crimes to solve, with Kathleen looking for clues and poking along in her usual way. I really am enjoying this series, and how we are getting to know more of the people in town. ...more
Attorney Jane Smith is such a fun character to read - tough, sarcastic, talks back to her asshole client, but also has depth and is interesting to leaAttorney Jane Smith is such a fun character to read - tough, sarcastic, talks back to her asshole client, but also has depth and is interesting to learn about. She and her partner team up not only on a current case, but on a cold case, and it becomes clear that someone wants them off the trail鈥� witnesses disappear, threats are made that escalate, and it all keeps you moving forward at a great pace. I really did enjoy it, and debated giving it a 5, but it鈥檚 one of those books where I think the narrated and the audiobook experience perhaps heightened the experience. So I definitely give the audiobook a 4.5....more
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