so-soThe writing style is muddy, the plot drags, and I‘m getting tired of the dual timeline bit. However, the historical details about San Francisco were great and kept me going. I also enjoyed getting to know Al Sullivan, and hope that in subsequent books, he‘ll embrace his birth identity.
Two murders in the Claremont Hotel spanning two decades. Is Madam Chiang Kai-Shek involved, or is the ghost of Iris Stafford seeking vengeance?
pickA group of friends decide to gather together to give each other a living funeral, to show their love and appreciation for each other whilst they are still around to hear it.Their friendships span three decades, this book shows us a remarkable portrayal of enduring bonds. I also loved the 90's nostalgia throughout the book. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
pickI'm not always a fan of Anthony Berkeley, but this one was fun -- it was explicitly written for the audience to figure out, and the British Library reissue includes Berkeley's reports on the results of the contest. I wouldn't have won either, there was definitely a clue I didn't fully appreciate.
Litsyland and the #birthdayfairies are happy to be celebrating with two of our own today…HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage and @MommyOfTwo !! 🥳🥳🥳
Wishing you both a day filled with sunshine, laughter and #birthdaylove and a year ahead blessed with good health and fun surprises. 💙💚
Erika and Amy…it‘s PARTY TIME!
💃🕺🏻💃🕺🏻💃🕺🏻💃🕺🏻💃🕺🏻💃🕺🏻
pickI love reading these classic crime stories and this was a solid one. I listed to the audiobook and it was a well do “who done it“
https://youtu.be/gYra7dQaAcY?si=qIyYxxg-hYrDolrY
Introduction
A special book giveaway
Mystery guest
Week in Review
The Thorn Puller by Hiromi Itō, Jeffrey Angles (Translator)
Odd Girl Out by Elizabeth Jane Howard
Lucky Boy by Shanthi Sekaran
The Pornographer by John McGahern
Hangman by Maya Binyam
A Wreath for the Enemy by Pamela Frankau
A group of college friends come back together to throw “funerals“ for each other in times of crises, so that they always know they're loved. An entertaining read that had many resonant passages for me, but it felt a little lacking in real depth somehow. Perhaps it's because we spend time in the minds of five different people and it's not that long a book. Or perhaps the echoes of “The Big Chill' and “Peter's Friends“ make it feel too theatrical.
“We've reached the tipping point,“ Naomi said, pouring a shot of Don Julio; it burned with a smoky finish.
“How do you mean?“ Jordy asked.
“I just figure at a certain point, life takes more from you than it gives.“
He had an urge to return to Bogota. It was fascinating to him, the idea that all the things his parents had escaped were now here, and all the things they wanted for their kids were now there. Random gun violence, political unrest, supply chain issues--those were now America, Marriage equality, socialized medicine, and reproductive choice--those were all Colombian.
