Recommended by my S-I-L who works with gang kids, i read it in one sitting. My #1 take away—“you have to be able to imagine lives that are not yours.” I truly believe that if we could all do this this world would be a much better place.

Two brothers hired to track down and kill a thief in the wild west. Once found, they befriend the thief and find a new life. Sound boring? It isn‘t!😝

A great read to start the year off. This is the second Beatriz Williams book I have read and I have enjoyed each. Historical/Romance/mystery. If she covered politics her books would have it all. Plus, her stories are ideal for a bit of reading after a long tiring day.

The first in what appears to be a series. One of the best thriller/mystery books I have read in a long time. Two thumbs up.

I enjoyed the underlying story and the character development was well written however the constant use of the N word and the fact that every women was a bitch brought the whole experience down for me.

What a great story to end my year on. A book about a women who opens a bookstore, falls in love, makes readers out of non-readers, and builds a community. Uplifting and encouraging.

“Everyone In the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their life because we all overcometh the world.” Auggie Pullman. This says it all

A trip through someone else‘s life can help you see just how far you have come. This diary, found in a dumpster in NYC, tracks 5 years of a girls life. With modern day conveniences she was found and the story filled out. It is a fascinating trip through the evolution of our girl and the city. I kept wondering what a diary of mine might show me about the person I was and who I have become.

A retired FBI agent working for the US Embassy in Paris (sigh!) uncovers a gang of Romanian drug dealers when a bouquinistes, isn‘t my command of the French language impressive😉, is kidnapped. The city plays a wonderful background to these two stories. It is all very intriguing. Book #2 is on my TBR list.

Lee Child has argued that he has never described Jack Reacher however, he comes pretty close to it in this book. And, Tom Cruise does not come to mind. That said it is a good Reacher story and certainly fills the time sync of beltway traffic.

So much truth in this sentence.

Because I listen to audible books while doing many other things I usually don‘t listen to genres other then thrillers—I just don‘t concentrate on the story line well enough to bring it all together. That seems to have really worked against this book. The narrator also helps the story jell or not. I think this story has potential but I will need a hard copy.

I listened to this book because I like the Miss Fisher‘s Murder Mysteries but sadly this story did not live up to my expectations. Just felt a bit flat to me.

That F‘in Flowers does it again. And he kept me company while raking up many a leaf.

This is an exhaustive telling of the 1971 Attica Riot. Ms. Thompson left nothing to the imagination when documenting this incredible and heart wrenching situation. There were many true heros involved in this case and sadly some real A-Holes. I‘ll let you decide who belongs in each category.

You know how when watching a scary movie you want to scream out, “Don‘t open the door!”? I found myself wanting to do that same thing through out this story. Not one of his best. I also was not satisfied with the ending. I guess everyone has a dud every once in awhile.

My nod to the Halloween holiday. Just spooky enough to keep me on the edge of my seat but not so much that I needed my teddy bear to sleep at night. The “spirit” remains unnamed through out so the story leaves you to decide what or who it was, what its motives were and who its intended “victim” was. The house is creepy and the only word I can use to express my picture of it is COLD. Read with a warm drink and lots of lights on.

There is just something about Tannie Maria that makes me feel like she could be my friend. I love how she eats with abandon and thinks that food is going to solve everyone‘s problems. There are recipes at the end of this story but I can‘t vouch for them. Maybe the next book in the series will bring the relationship of Tannie Maria and Detective Lieutenant Hank Kannemyer to more solid ground as they work through their issues.

An interesting story. Danny Malone, a NYC Homicide Detective is seriously flawed yet not a completely despicable individual. Don Winslow did a great job of writing a story and character that to me, seemed much more human, flaws and all, then a lot of stories based on bad cops. The ending is not totally unexpected and yet did have some surprising twists. I listened to this and the narrator, Dion Graham, did an amazing job.

The most recent In the series and the first written by someone other then Sting Larrson. I am often disappointed when this type of a transition takes place in a series that I am reading however, I thought this was overall done seamlessly. I did notice that Lisbeth seems a bit softer and slightly less angry however, no less interested in the plight of the abused. I fully anticipate another book to follow.

My reward post boot camp and mowing the yard. Nice!

Armand Gamache pulled it off again in his own way and totally bucking the system. A quiet thoughtful man has never been so attractive. Who could play him in the movie? Ben Kingsley?

I am not sure why I like this series. It has a thinly veiled futuristic, slightly unrealistic, crime/romance story line. Eve, the main character seems to have an aspect of Asperger‘s syndrome combined with a horrific childhood and a husband who somehow understands all her quirks. The supporting characters also seem to get her. I guess that I must get her on some level also or I would stop listening.

A real eye opener in regards to how women talk to each other. My conversations, face-to-face, in writing and on social media, will never be the same.

Spurred on by a feisty octogenarian a group of retirement home friends manage to steal valuable works of art, ransoms it back to the museum, run away from their facility and rob an armored truck. Just slightly fanciful but a quick mindless read if that is what you are looking for in the moment.

I don‘t have any sisters but this story made me wish I had had the support, closeness, understanding and love of a sister. While these 4 sisters start out all on the same path, through the years each finds their own way yet manage to maintain that something special I imagine sisters to have. Another solid story set in Australia from Colleen McCullough.

I‘ve been living in the 1500‘s. Ok, the 1500‘s with running water, but I‘ve done some spying for the King. I‘ve printed a few bibles and spent some time in both the Protestant and Catholic Churches. I‘ve drunk rum while anchored off an island. And sadly now I must return to reality.

A women about my age, which is to say not 21😉, recommended this book to me. I was reluctant because this genre is a bit out of my norm however not only did I really enjoy it but I recommended it to my son and my book club. I will be watching the movie which is high praise from me.

As “cozy” mysteries goes this book (the first in a series) appealed to much more then Alexander McCall Smith‘s, No 1 Ladies Detective Agency. It is full of food and the recipes are included. I can‘t recommend any of them yet but I am inspired to try them.

Did you know that there are wanna be Litsy apps out there? OUTRAGE!

This is my first Erdrich book. It started out very quickly with a violent act, slowed in the middle with Indian history and stories then picked back up with the conclusion. While a novel it did inform my knowledge of the Indian story which I must admit is lacking. A recommend for sure.

Just one left in the series. I have enjoyed each one and will be sad to see Z.

I am ending my summer reads with this one. It has been on my TBR list since forever. Had I opened it to see that it was dedicated to Noah, my sons name, I might have started it sooner.

Wow, wow, wow. The pain inflicted on some people is unimaginable. The ones who make it through that pain can be stronger for it. Sometimes the story strays into territory that is a bit skin crawling then at others the human connection pulls it up and makes you believe love can be triumphant. A must read.

The combination of western belief systems and Asian beliefs is fascinating to me. Amy Tan did a great job in bringing them together. Loved her books before I read this one and am even more of a fan now.

Michael Connelly has a strong female protagonist, a fast story line and a great twist. Well worth your time.

Evidence that not every book is for every reader.

A story about food, adversity, fortitude and love. Set in 1625 England, John raises above his humble beginnings to cook for the king and to love the lady of the manor. The only negative had nothing to do with the story or writing but with the cover flaps that drove me crazy from page one.

I enjoyed this book about a girl who hid under the kitchen sink while a family is murdered only to block the memory of the murderer. Years later when a customer & "friend" hangs himself in the her bookstore the questions she has always had begun to find answers. They are unexpected answers.

I have read/listened to many of Joseph Finders books. This one provided more then 8 hours of listening. Sadly it didn't stick with me and I am struggling to remember the story line. Since I finished it about a week ago this could be do more to my faulty memory then content or style however a truly inspired story does, and has, stuck around for years. Still giving a thumbs up because as I said it made the drudgery of commuting better.

You get two mysteries for the price of one in this beach read. They both kept me guessing. And who wouldn't love the naturalist perish priest?

A.J. Fikry is a grumpy old man before his times. Along comes an abandoned baby, a women and friends. His book store goes from barely getting by to the center of the town hubbub. All while life takes twists and turns. I am only sorry I let this book hang out on my bookshelf for so long before I read it.

Yes, this is how I spend my time while waiting for a strep test. Well written characters. Interesting dialogue. Vivid descriptions of NYC in 1938. But most of all the interaction and relationship development tells a full and compelling story.

A total beach read with some marital advice thrown it.

I am now a confirmed fan. Neil Gaiman's writing is incredible. I am convinced I was tied to a tree and hung there for 9 day. So Vivid!

Neil Gaiman , American Gods, print-ME-Stephen King, The Gunslinger, audible. A very nice literary sandwich.

I usually like books that are different from my life but HOLY COW, this book takes it to a whole new level. It is so extreme with the excess, entitlement and thoughtless disregard for decency that at times I really felt nauseated. I did finish it and it did seem to redeem itself-sort of, but be prepared.

The characters seemed flat, the premise far fetched, the love interest blah and the narrator disinterested. Maybe if I had read it instead of listening to it I would have had a more positive review.

Who doesn't love Decker?

The dynamics of family play out in so many was but usually they occur under the surface and few pay attention. This story is just that and all to possible. Beware!