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Patrice H
Book Author: Sara Nović
Book Title: True Biz
My Review:
This book caught my eye so I decided to see what it was about. After reading it was about deaf culture & community, I was really intrigued. As a sibling of a deaf person, you don’t see much in literature about it, especially a whole novel. I fell in love with this book! It allowed me to have some open conversation with my brother about his experience being deaf. It gave me more knowledge to things I didn’t know about his world. I recommend this book for anyone, hearing or non-hearing. The way the author presented the story, along with some history & signs, was absolutely amazing. It was relatable even for someone who isn’t deaf. I commend her for allowing a community that can be overlooked sometimes, a chance. Please read this book!
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Kelly L.
Book Author: James Patterson
Book Title: The 24th Hour
My Review...
"The latest installment of the Women's Murder Club series was a fast read with a a lot going on. The book starts out with the lades meeting for lunch for Claire's birthday when a woman's scream is heard in the restaurant. Lindsay immediately goes to investigate. This storyline continues later in the book with Yuki. Lindsay and Richie are investigating a homicide that has many suspects but not very many good leads to help them solve it. Joe gets called in by the director of the FBI to work on a case involving cybercrime. Cindy and Richie have their own excitement in the book as well. All of these storylines kept me glued to the pages to see how everything would be resolved. I can't wait to see what will happen next to the members of the Women's Murder Club"
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Alex G
Book Author: Casey McQuiston
Book Title: Red, White & Royal Blue
My Review
Favorite book of 2019. Favorite book of all time! Definitely will be rereading this one. This book left me with so many feelings. I have never read a book that makes me feel every emotion possible within a couple of pages. Alex and Henry feel like new friends of mine now that I have read this amazing book. I laughed, cried, cheered, and felt so much love for this story. I felt like I was a part of this amazing group of six people out to change the world. I typically don't read romances at all, but I will definitely recommend this one to everyone I know. Also thank you to Casey McQuiston for this amazing book. I literally devoured this book and just couldn't put it down. This is the feel good book of the summer. You will love these characters and will feel invested in their romance and story. Also really hoping for a sequel to this book. Update: I have one request for the movie when it gets made. Please, please include the turkey scene in the movie. That entire scene was absolutely hilarious!!!!
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Alex G
Book Author: Erin Morgenstern
Book Title: The Starless Sea
My Review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Strange, isn’t it? To love a book. When the words on the pages become so precious that they feel like part of your own history because they are. It’s nice to finally have someone read stories I know so intimately.” I absolutely adored this book. I have sat with it for two days trying to find a way to talk about how much I loved it. The quote I have chosen is a perfect representation of the book I think. This story captured me in ways that only a couple of books have done. I loved the writing and the way the book was set up. Erin Morgenstern has such beautiful writing and prose. This book tells the story of Zachary Ezra Rawlins and his journey to the Starless Sea. It is a novel about books, literature, and stories. I know that this book is definitely a niche type of writing, based off of some reviews I have seen, and if you don't like flowery prose then maybe skip this one. I also really enjoyed listening to the full cast audiobook. I listened and also read the book together and it was wonderful and just sit and have a story read to me. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves books and stories.
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Kelly L.
Book Author: Kate Quinn
Book Title: The Rose Code
My Review
What an amazing book! I must admit that although several people had recommended it to me and it was on many "must read" lists I was hesitant to pick this book up due to its size, at 656 pages I knew it would be a big time commitment. How wrong I was. Once I started this book I didn't want to put it down. The pages flew by as I got to know Osla (the debutante), Mab (determined to have a better future), and Beth (the spinster). Prior to this book I had never heard of Bletchley Park so this was all new information to me and I found it so fascinating. I loved hearing about the work there and how each woman helped with the war effort in England, as well as reading about what they were doing when they weren't working. I loved the inclusion on Prince Philip and some of his backstory. I have to agree that this is a "must read."
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Kelly L.
Book Author: Ellery Adams
Book Title: The Secret, Book and Scone Society
My Review
I loved the characters and the setting of this new series from Ellery Adams. I love that each character is flawed and yet is strong. And that they are still open to others and willing to help right a wrong. The setting of Miracle Springs sounds like a place that I would like to visit with its unique shops and mountain setting. I loved hearing about the Caboose Cottage where Nora lives and about Miracle Books, her bookstore. I loved all of the book references and how Nora suggests books to help people that come into the store with a problem that they are dealing with. I loved hearing about Hester and the Gingerbread House Bakery and her unique scones. And Estella and June, the other main characters. Their backstories are interesting and shape who they are and how they relate to people and why they shy away from people, until they get together and realize that they all have something in common. This book held my interest with the unfolding mystery and kept me guessing about who was behind the murder and the reason why it happened. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!!
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Kelly L.
Book Author: Viola Shipman
Book Title: The Summer Cottage
My Review
I loved the descriptions of the "Cozy Cottage" and the sweet memories of Adie Lou's time spent there during her childhood and later in life. I also loved the cottage rules, these are rules to live by. Some of the trials that Adie Lou goes through while trying to renovate it into a bed-and-breakfast are humorous, but so believable. The rooms sound so cute and the names of each one are perfect, and it sounds just like a place that I would like to stay. This story is about relationships, past and present, our expectations of ourselves and others, and realizing that we are going to figure things out in our own time. This is a great beach read.
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Kelly L
Book Author: Shawn Reilly Simmons
Book Title: Murder on the Half Shell
My Review
This was a wonderful follow-up to the first book in the series, Murder on a Silver Platter. In this book Penelope and Arlena are on location on a small island off the coast of Florida. I really enjoyed this book, the island setting and the great characters. I like that the location changed from the first book, so that you don't get into "Cabot Cove Syndrome," and the behind the scenes look at movie sets and how much work goes into the catering side of it. I'm looking forward to learning more about these characters in the upcoming books. I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review and can't wait for the next book in the series.
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Kelly L
Book Author: Daniel Silva
Book Title: The Collector
My Review
Gabriel Allon is an interesting main character. He is an art restorer, but he is also a legendary spy who has retired and is living with his family in Venice. In this book he is contacted by the commander of the art squad and asked to come out of retirement. He is tasked with finding a painting by Johannes Vermeer titled The Concert which was stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston in 1990, many years before this search is taking place. It is believed to have been recently stolen again from a private collector and this may be the best chance for its recovery. This was an intricately plotted story that was very engaging. I was on the edge of my seat near the end and couldn't put it down anticipating what would happen next and if they would make it out alive.
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Kelly L.
Book Author: Lisa Scottoline
Book Title: What Happened to the Bennetts
My Review
This book has an intense start and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end. The Bennett family goes into the witness protection program and their lives are turned upside down. The writing is powerful and the characters come to life on the pages of this book. I could feel their pain and anguish and their determination to get a resolution. This is one thriller that you won't be able to put down.
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Kelly L.
Book Author: Deanna Raybourn
Book Title: Killers of a Certain Age
My Review
I have been anticipating reading this book and it didn't disappoint. Four women are getting ready to retire after 40 years of service. Their employer no longer feels that their skills are relevant to the work being done. They are about to find out how wrong they are. This story was tightly plotted and highly entertaining. There were times when I was on the edge of my seat and other times when I was laughing out loud. I liked how the story also included the backstory of how they joined the organization and some of their past work. It had a satisfying ending but I was sad to reach the end. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends.
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Kelly L.
Book Author: Amanda Flower
Book Title: To Slip the Bonds of Earth
My Review
I've heard a lot about Wilbur and Orville Wright and their famous first flight, but I had never heard of their sister Katharine until I read this story. Their father was very progressive for the time and sent her to college to become a teacher. She also took care of the household where she lived with her father and her two brothers since her mother passed away. Many in the town don't know what to make of her since she is so outspoken and won't back down from what she knows is right. This book was entertaining and also educational for me. I enjoyed the mystery and how Katharine tries to help her brother find his missing item, while also believing in and trying to help her student avoid a murder charge. I can't wait for the next book in this series so that I can visit with these characters again.
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Kelly L.
Book Author: Ellen Byron
Book Title: Bayou Book Thief
Share Your Review Here.:
Ricki James-Diaz moves back to her hometown of New Orleans and is trying hard to start her life over after an unfortunate Internet stunt takes her husband's life. She has always collected vintage cookbooks and her dream is to open a store that mirrors her passion for them. She is given the chance to do that at the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum, on a trial basis. Things seem to be going well until Ricki discovers a dead body and has to put her sleuthing skills to the test to keep her dream alive. I loved the Cajun Country Mysteries by Ellen Byron and I love this series just as much.
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