A simply wonderful way to spend a few hours of your life. I love Elizabeth Strout.

Three main characters who each are struggling through grief and other issues tell this character driven story. I liked Ivan and Margaret so much- though the plot is subtle, the pages are turned quickly with general curiosity of how all of this will end. Great read!

Interesting book about American Jewish culture and life. It‘s too painful to read about what happened during Trump‘s first presidency right now. Good analysis of migration, various views inside the religion and how it assimilates into American culture.

There‘s so much to really like about this book- a walk through the Grand Canyon that showcases the geology, extreme conditions, wildlife, geology and physical exertion. Funny in parts, nostalgic in others, this is an enjoyable read for anyone who loves the Grand, backcountry hiking, survival stories and learning about the indigenous peoples who live(d) there.

This 500 page book is engaging, encompassing, and complex. Spanning 40 years, multiple countries, people, policies, methods of torture, and hope, this follows a few people living through immigration, deportation and escape. It‘s an incredible read- and expertly gives context to a complex multi-national issue. Exceptional.

This memoir is well written and processes her life and policies that she is willing to discuss. I have profound respect for her and liked her more after reading her book. I found her to be intelligent, vulnerable, and a hard ass. Since I agree with her on many topics, I love her lines in the sand of things she won‘t compromise.

This is more of a showcase of the major events and legislation that Pelosi has lived and worked for. Her strategy is preparation, steadfast values, and knowing what can win and what won‘t. I wanted more about her life and she‘s not a writer, but she commands so much respect from me that I can only give her 5 stars.

This is a mix of ethics, US History, Ukraine independence and sovereignty, philosophy, civics and personal anecdotes. It‘s thought provoking, and since I agree with his claims, especially education and social mobility topics, I loved it. He made some points that I hadn‘t connected, somewhat loosely, but excellent book club discussion fodder. I continue to love everything he writes-excellent.

This book is so different and creative that the synopsis actually works against what this one is. A woman unravels, ravels back in her own way, and I have no idea what it means. So, that makes it intriguing enough to suggest it.

Oddly, though this book was about the emancipation of the mind and the philosophy shift America had to do to embrace (or not) anti-slavery ideals, it made me think about a lot of philosophies around capital, property and economics today. And, it showed how Lincoln might even be underrated as a president, if possible.

While creative, I had a hard time liking the main storyteller. This would have been incredible if the sisters took turns telling this one. Fairy tale of sorts that has potential, but as the sister who does most things, I had a hard time feeling empathetic for Sam.

This was poetry written as prose. The fight of the underdog, the awe of Lebron, and just exquisite writing about mundane life makes this one of the best of the year.

Larson always tells history with multiple characters, motives, and events culminating in what you already know will happen, but still are riveted. Lincoln‘s arc shined in this one, some others dragged a bit. Still good writing, good warnings of not taking war and victory too lightly. Jan 6 was used as an associated event, but felt it actually needed more context to include it. What other parallels does Larson see in his research?

This book was like every job I‘ve ever had in which we had a. A common enemy (boss), B. A plot to band together to promote/fire someone…seemingly like we had control but not really, and C. a bonding of unlikely colleagues who talk deeply at work then just fade away after that job ends. Loved it.

This book tells the story of Captain Cook‘s final voyage and its well written. Just enough historical diary entries, explanations of ship maintenance and navigation, and a variety of characters lead this book to be entertaining. The colonialism isn‘t avoided, critiques about decisions are included, and shocking avoidance of death make it interesting.

This novel that bounces in time in Julia‘s youth, middle age, young parent, single, and future is entertaining. Imperfect characters with drama and plot twists. It‘s good, but I didn‘t completely love the main character. It‘s a good book, nonetheless, with slightly overdramatized events….but it did make me keep reading:)

Three POVs- mother, child, grandmother,- that fill in gaps of the family dynamic. The characters are complex and engaging, the plot curves enough to be believable and page turning. It‘s a good book when as one POV ends, I want more. Excellent.

Good historical fiction book based on a diary of a midwife in the 1700s. Lots of characters, emphasis on the secrets told to the midwife. Engaging.

I understand that when I say to people that a book about refrigeration is absolutely fascinating, it makes me sound really nerdy, but this book is so interesting. From the warehouses that store our food (shocked at how old the apples I eat actually are) to history to innovations to climate to supermarkets to women in the workforce, this book is readable and informative. Loved it.

This is a well written memoir, and(I‘m going to break my review rule here since she was clear that she doesn‘t care what people think of her) this explains what sociopathic tendencies feels like. However, I felt a lot of the book was justification for her releasing that pressure valve in her mind and doing shitty things. I understood her points, but I didn‘t like it and I didn‘t like her that much that threw the book off for me.

normally don‘t read horror and I stopped reading King because he freaked me out too much 15 years ago:). Gave him another chance with these short stories and they were fantastic- believable sequence of events that are well written then dark. He‘s exceptional writer and this is a great collection. I just wish these stories/characters would stop entering my dreams after reading them.

Terrifying explanation of the future impact of climate change on housing prices, insurance, and city infrastructure. Good explanation of specific US locations- the history of the housing market, city infrastructure, and predictions. Some opportunities are explained, but this one doesn‘t end on a super positive note.

This had a Cinderella/Beauty and the Beast with Game of Thrones to close it out. Parts were a little slow, parts were page turners. Fantasy isn‘t my favorite genre, but good nonetheless.

This is really good. Creative storytelling of a novel that is well known. Excellent

Entertaining fantasy novel- Hunger Games with a little Harry Potter and Dan Brown mixed in. Escapism reading for sure!

BG‘s story is well told, and her voice comes through in this bio. She accepts responsibility for a minor mistake, and does a great job explaining her experience and the impact that had on those around her. I bet she‘s a great teammate- she was consistent in awarding praise to those who helped her legally, with translation or with kindness in her darkest hour.

Crosley is an exceptional writer or articulates grief in an intellectual, relatable, vulnerable way. It‘s not a self help book, but a journey through her own grief of her friend‘s death. It‘s sad, but I kept thinking, “She said that so well,” repeatedly. If you can sit in someone‘s sadness, this is an exceptional book.

This quick, quirky book follows 7 women‘s boxing matches…in the minds of the boxers. Not only is each boxer unique in their boxing style and life, but you read their thoughts about their life not boxing strategy. It reminded me va of my mind wandering as I run- and the writing was incredible. This book may not get a lot of hype, but it‘s creativity of storytelling should.

This is part memoir and part history of Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant in CO. It‘s interesting and Iverson has a lot to say about her life and the impacts of Rocky Flats. I think a map of the area and a timeline could have helped move this along. Parts were fantastic, other portions I scanned.

Good, twisting mystery with flawed yet likeable characters. Curious to see if this becomes a series and that‘s why character flaws were included that weren‘t essential to the overall story. Quick enough to feel like the plot moved, long enough to develop plot and twists.

I‘m not a birder, and I only picked it up as it‘s Amy Tan. It‘s glorious. Not too science-y, yet informative, and with Tan‘s ability to create stories, each journal entry about her observations becomes stories with characters and personalities. Who knew Tan is an exceptional artist? This has humor, beauty, and Tan‘s writing. Perfect.

I think that Land showcases his difficult it is to be poor, hard working, and a single mom exceptionally well. I loved her points through her life about the “deserving poor.” That said, her comments about having a child “by herself” and being angry with her friends (who helped her constantly) for not unconditionally supporting her was off putting. It changed my view of this book.

I love short stories and I loved Towles‘ writing style. He mixes the mundane life with cultured tastes with unique yet flaws characters with an appreciation of moments that makes life worth living. These aren‘t turn pagines because of plot; they are because of characters.

As his story is beyond ratable and emotional, the storytelling and message moves at an engaging clip. Incredible that he survived so many events, and I loved that he acknowledged his luck in many of those instances. Great Holocaust survivor book, and his message of being grateful for life is supported through his story.

Entertaining enough summer book. I hadn‘t read the other books in this series. A good beach read or a painting a room kind of audiobook. Red herrings to make it interesting and seeds planted for the next book in the series. 3/5 stars

ollowing two families in Georgia, the author traced 2015 to 2021. A veteran of war, with stints in Iraq and Israel, and a quadriplegic who lives next door, the story takes us through their complicated yet “normal” lives and how they became so politically divided. I loved it- people are just wonderfully complex, and this book showcases it…and how easily we can get trapped in our own echo chambers.

Listened to this one….its drama filled, and I can see the Succession comparisons. They are all horrible people and I couldn‘t find anyone to root for, which made me not love it like I loved Succession. If you like corporate drama, power and money, it‘s a good pick.

Not too preachy (though I completely agree with a ban of phones in schools and a focus of developing independence as a parent), well researched, and easy to read. I really like the parallel points- physical independence opportunities for kids and online limits. As a teacher, I wished for a chapter of the crazy helicoptering parents have for their children in school and the ramifications of that behavior on their children‘s development as well.

This history lesson and gun manifesto is interesting and well researched. It definitely picks up steam as it chronicles the interpretation of the 2nd Amendment post Nixon. This might tbe one that you love it if you agree with the author, and hate it if you don‘t. I agree with the points, so I enjoyed it.

Listened to this on audio, and Cooper is funny. Great for completing tasks around the home- not too heavy or difficult to track, fun anecdotes, perfect pace of reading. Fun, but maybe not the best book of the year.

I didn‘t realize what this was, and if I did, I bet I would have passed. However, I‘m so glad I didn‘t- it was so enjoyable and unique. Robinson processes the meanings of the stories in Genesis in a manner that I rethought the message that i learned about the Old Testament God. Meandering and thoughtful.

The strength of this book is the showcasing the horrors and camaraderie of the nurses in Vietnam. It‘s a page turner and quite a lot of ground that‘s covered. My complaint is that Hannah covered a few plot twists that were slightly forced (romantic drama). Overall, engaging great summer read!

This is an endearing book about the personalities of octopuses and the author‘s experience seeing and learning about their intelligence. Good, but slightly repetitive and I‘m probably not likely to love an octopus‘s sucker tasting my skin- I‘m mostly likely to be grossed out.

Entertaining who-dun-it why the added twist of the person who solves it gets the inheritance. This has two mysteries to solve which makes the reader go back to 1967 via diary entries and the present day murder. It kind of reminded me of Scooby-Do.

This novel about the aftermath of a young g mother who dies suddenly, focuses on her daughter, her best friend and her husband. Some parts are incredible, some parts stretch a little too much. Overall, good read, without being overdone.

This book is incredible. Dr. Ford gives a tutorial of surfing, processes her experiences, and puts her vulnerability on full display. She‘s an exceptional writer and her recap of the aftermath of her testimony was heartbreaking. I loved this book- very little about the assault and it showcases what she should be known for: an intelligent, capable, thoughtful and strong woman and parent.

This novel is wonderful. One flawed character that tells the story, with different characters‘ POVs to round out the gaps in perspectives and time. It‘s funny, sad, engaging, and cringey. Fantastic.

I grew up in a religious household and this book validated my feelings of what I thought Christianity was to my “I don‘t want a part of that‘ now. Through multiple interviews, Alberta showcases the evolution of the Church from Christ focused to politics focused…because fear sells. Well written and thoughtful, this was a great book.

There‘s a lot to like in this book- a plot that moves, interesting characters, and plenty of choices that cause more and intense drama. The first 1/2 is a 5, but the last bit felt like the ending pushed too hard at being intense. Good, crazy read.

Swisher recounts her professional journalism career reporting on tech and tech giants that matches the swagger that is needed to go ego to ego in covering them. Mostly recaps of events and interviews. Jobs is painted well; Musk is taken down. Interesting points on tech.