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Best Debut Novels of 2017

December 20, 2017

debut

  Hello, fellow readers! How are you handling the holidays so far? I’m happy because the house is decorated, my shopping and shipping are finished. Now if only compiling my list of favorites from 2017 was as easy to manage. I really struggled with Monday’s choices, but thankfully today is a bit better. I couldn’t come up with ten best debut novels but I did have eight ... Read More...

6 Comments
Filed Under: Feature Tagged: childhood, family, favorite books, historical fiction, lists, mystery, social issues

It’s Not You, It’s Me: Mini-Reviews

November 17, 2017

it's

I haven’t had a great year of reading (until recently), but generally it felt pretty clear that it was the books not working, not me. Except for these two recent reads, which is why they’re It’s Not You, It’s Me books. In both cases, the writing and story were good, but they were missing whatever indefinable element I need to keep me invested.   Given the title, it ... Read More...

9 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Feature, Fiction Tagged: childhood, ecco, family, mini-reviews, Southern life, Tin House

Beartown by Fredrik Backman

November 13, 2017

beartown

“You can’t live in this town, you can only survive it.” There’s only one thing you need to know about Beartown: hockey. Its people live, eat, and breathe by the laws of hockey. Beyond that there isn’t much to it—only a few steady jobs, no tourists, and surrounded by forest in a part of Sweden where the frigid air of winter only takes a break for a month or two in the summer. ... Read More...

8 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction Tagged: Atria Books, coming-of-age, family, social issues, sports

This Is How It Always Is

October 16, 2017

always

  Taming what was scary not by hiding it, not by blocking it or burying it, not by keeping it secret, but by reminding themselves, and everyone else, to choose love, choose openness, to think and be calm. That there were more ways than just two, wider possibilities than hidden or betrayed, stalled or brokenhearted, male or female, right or wrong. Middle ways. Ways ... Read More...

12 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction Tagged: book clubs, childhood, contemporary life, family, social issues

5 Fall Thrillers: Mini-Reviews

October 13, 2017

thriller

As the fall weather settles in and Halloween approaches what better time to discuss thrillers? The kind of books that make you settle into a favorite chair with a hot drink while it’s grey and rainy outside. Given that new releases have been a bit flat this year, I’m mixing up my reviews with three backlist books that are guaranteed to keep you looking over your shoulder. Extra ... Read More...

4 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction Tagged: Crown, family, Gallery, lists, mini-reviews, Simon & Schuster, suspense, thriller, Viking

The Rules of Magic

October 9, 2017

rules

Whatever is meant to be is bound to happen, whether or not you approve. Frances, Bridget (Jet) and Vincent are born and raised with no sense of family. Their parents, actively discourage any discussion of grandparents or other relatives. Even worse, their mother, Susanna, gives them odd rules for living, including: no walking in moonlight, no red shoes, no cats, no candles, ... Read More...

4 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction Tagged: coming-of-age, family, literary, magic, relationships

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