Some books you read for the beautiful writing, some for the entertainment and others like this one for the knowledge they impart. This is a powerful story that details what it was like to grow up in North Korea. Park details the lack of play, the work & the brainwashing that made up her childhood. Later she lives through the famine of the 1990's and the brutality she faced after she escaped. I loved this book & consider it a must read. 5 stars!

This is a difficult subject, but so worthy of your time. The author has captured some of the experiences of the black people in the British ruled Caribbean as slavery came to an end in 1834 (spoiler...it didn't make that much of a difference). The drive of a mother to reunite with her stolen children and find freedom drives the plot and the author has created some wonderful characters. This is a debut novel and I look forward to more. 4.5 stars!

I didn't love this, the third book in the series, but I liked it enough to recommend it, with the caveat that you need to read the books in order to really follow all the zany predicaments that Finlay and Vero (her friend and nanny) find themselves in. The plot is complicated, but the author's ability to create humour amongst contract killers, mob bosses, cops, a sleazy ex-husband and the antics of a two year old make it worth it. 3.5/5 stars.

This is a debut novel that was inspired by the author's own grief at the death of her partner from drugs. In it she imagines what it would have been like to give in to the sorrow completely. As both the author and the character have young children, parenting through grief is also a theme. Grief is messy and while the storyline is sad, it is told with humour and a bit of zaniness including online correspondence with a 'space time wizard'. 4.5/5

This story is loosely inspired by the 'Comet Line' that worked to get downed airmen out of Belgium and by the 1943 attack by the resistance on a train heading to Auschwitz that freed many prisoners. I enjoyed the book and had trouble putting it down, but it was the story and the action, rather than the characters that held me. I of course loved that I learned something new, which is what the best historical fiction does. 3.75/5 stars.

This is the first time I have read this author and I quite enjoyed the book. I admit at times I wished for more dialogue and action and less inner thought, but still found all the characters delightful (even the dog) and I loved Georgie's parents. There was also a surprising depth to the story as Georgie comes to terms with who she is and what she wants out of life that would make this a suitable (albeit lighter) book club choice. 4/5 stars

This is a story about a custody battle that ensues between two women when an IVF clinic admits that eggs were switched. It is an emotional read that deals with motherhood, racism, parental expectations, mental health, marriage and moral choices. The author has done a wonderful job of imagining the anguish that two mothers fighting over one child would feel and of giving them both full, complicated characters. It is a hard book to put down. 4/5

I really enjoyed this book. The story was riveting with the appropriate twists and turns a good thriller requires. It deals with the loss of a child, mental health, relationships, parents, and insomnia and sleep walking all in a way that comes together in a great story. It also dealt with gender and the view of women by society in general in a thoughtful way, giving the story an added depth. I have become a fan of this author. 4/5 stars!

This is a clever, quirky and humorous mystery set in an Australian ski lodge. It features a dysfunctional family and is narrated by a man who writes about how to write mystery novels. The plot does get a little convoluted, but the narrator helps keep you on track by summarizing things occasionally and reminding you of the rules he follows in his writing. I would recommend it to fans of Anthony Horowitz or Peter Swanson. I enjoyed it. 4/5 stars.

I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir about a female wine reviewer who runs into the 'old boy network' and survives to tell her tale. She also is very open about her failed marriage, love life and raising a son. It brought forth a series of emotions as I read it, including laughter, tears and anger. It was a wonderfully entertaining read as well as an eye opener. This is a book for memoir fans, wine aficionados, and those who read books on gender. 4.5

This is a sweet coming-of-age story that is set in 1990 and features two young musicians. I saw it listed as Christian fiction, but found very little mention of religion, so if are not into that category, don't let that affect your decision. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the relationship between Michael and Natalie. The actual books (I only had an ARC) will have a QR code for some music written for the story. 4/5 stars.

Borowitz's analysis of the descent of the intelligence of American politicians is told with wonderful humor, but is also a scary tale. The last section is mostly about Trump, but he does include info on many other well known Republicans. What amazed me was how well educated they all were (Ivy league schools etc.) and yet how ridiculous they generally sound, making me worry not only about the state of politics, but also education. A great read 4.5!

This is a heartbreaking tale set in Canada and the US, about Black and Indigenous lives, both in 1859 and before and during the War of 1812. Much of the tale is told in the format of story telling between two women and I found that I sometimes got confused as to timelines and characters and I might reread it for clarity. That being said, I did really enjoy it, loved the strong females and think it would be a wonderful book club choice. 3.75/5

This is the 8th book in the Wayward Children Series, but it can be read as a stand alone. It touches on dark subjects and is not a happy story, but it is a fascinating and thought provoking one. I enjoyed it and it left me wanting more, so I will have to check out the rest of the series. I found the scenes where a young girl is set up to be not believed by her mother particularly creepy as it was so effective. 4/5 stars.

This is a fascinating historical fiction novel about 4 generations of woman. It was well researched and I learned so much more about such things as the Nazis eugenics program and Operation Peter Pan out of Cuba. The sheer number of characters and the long time span did mean I didn't get quite as attached to the characters as I would have liked, but I still enjoyed the story and being educated while being entertained is a plus every time. 3.75/5

This debut novel in set in India and features a cast of female characters dealing with poverty, misogyny, abusive husbands and trying to live in a new world still hampered with old ideas. It has a wonderful dose of dark humour and some decent suspense and I thoroughly enjoyed it and think it would make a great movie. Both the author and her main character were inspired by the real Bandit Queen 'Phoolan Devi' (she is worth Googling). 4/5 stars

I really enjoyed this and found the continued friendship between the two main present day characters, both authors, fascinating but realistic. Most of the characters in the 1974 story were quite young, which kept things believable. The story within a story style worked for me and I did not see the final twist coming. This would be a good lighter book for book clubs as the the many morality issues would be a good discussion topic. 4/5

This a long book, but so wonderfully written that it never drags and I became invested in both the lives of the characters, especially Ajay, and the setting. It is a fascinating look at wealth and corruption in India. I admit the ending left me a little confused, as it felt unfinished, but then found out it is meant to be a trilogy. I look forward to reading more about the characters and optimistically hope they get their life together. 4.5/5

This is a lighter WWII novel about a branch of the OSS...“Morale Operations“. It is loosely based on the life of Barbara Lauwers and includes some humour and romance. While the story itself is okay but not amazing, my real enjoyment came from learning about the existence of the group and the creative and effective work they undertook and that makes it a worthy read. Also I loved the characters of Moggy and Ezra. 3.5/5 stars.

This is a debut novel and while I did not 'love' it, there was enough there that I will be happy to pick up their next book. This is a spicy thriller with lots of rich entitled characters and Brandi...who is struggling financially while working as an intern at a design firm. It was a fun read, but felt a little light and sometimes 'over the top'. Kudos for a surprise ending though. This is a pick for when you want some easy entertainment. 3.5/5

I found it was difficult to keep keep track of some of the characters in this book (with the exception of Salome - I loved her anger and Ona). That being said, I think this is an important book and Toews has put into words a wonderful discussion of the state of the lives of these women. Do the women raised there, without an education or ability to read, really make a free choice? I look forward to watching the movie. A powerful 4 stars.

I enjoyed this glimpse into the lives of women in 1509 Venice. It is an entertaining story, with romance and intrigue, but it's real impact on me was to further sympathise with women though the centuries who have had very little control over their own lives. Told from the POV of a strong and educated (which was unusual for the time) 16-year-old girl, the lives of women in many different circumstances are illustrated. 3.75/5 stars.

This is a fun Christmas LGBTQ2+ romance novel with a bit of depth added as it explores how fear limits a person. I loved the characters and the luxurious cabin in the woods setting. The limiting effects of the fear of failure that the character of Ellie felt read as very believable to me and added to the story. This is the second novel by this author whose worlds I have enjoyed escaping into and I look forward to more by her. 4/5 stars.

This is a fabulous historical fiction that was inspired by two actual Dutch teens that worked for the resistance in WWII. I found the characters to be wonderfully developed and the author did an amazing job of putting us in their shoes. The story has action, grief, family life and romance in addition to a wonderful epilogue. It was also the first WWII novel that I remember reading set in the Netherlands. I loved it! 5/5 stars.

I have owned this book for a while now and have deferred reading it because I needed to be in a certain mood to handle the subject matter. I am glad I finally picked it up, as although it is a difficult topic it does present an important look at the trauma the residential school system caused on both the children and their parents. I found the jumps in time confusing at times, but the story touched my heart and is a worthwhile read. 4/5 stars

This debut YA novel is a beautifully written, atmospheric look at life in small town Georgia. It is a coming-of-age story about a teenage girl and deals with racism, anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiments and family secrets. While it had some dark moments, there is also a lot of humour and a teenage romance. I did have a small quibble with the ending and wished for more detail about the final reveal, but I still really enjoyed the book. 4.5/5 stars

This is a quirky story told with humour about two teens who become friends and then secretly paper the town with an intriguing poster they designed, creating a major panic. The teenage angst feels real and all the characters drew me in. I found the reaction of the town particularly relevant to our present world where social media runs rampant with 'fake news' and people are willing to believe outlandish things. I really enjoyed it...4/5 stars.

This a cleverly plotted thriller about family, stepfamily, wealth, greed and secrets. You start reading and think you have a handle on the plot, only to discover some new detail and have to rethink things...and then it happens again and again. I really enjoyed this one and loved the ending.

When I started reading this it felt like a typical psychological thriller and felt a little ho-hum, but I am glad I stuck with it, as it became quite a fun read and went in a direction I did not totally predict. It certainly illustrated the perils of living your life online and did a good job of revealing how easy things are to fake in our new online world, whether to just look better to others or to cause serious harm. 3.75/5 stars.

It is amazing to me that this is the 55th book in the series (“Naked In Death“ is the first) and I still really enjoy them. They are set around 2060, but don't let that scare you away...these are mysteries and while Robb's near future has seen some advances, the crimes haven't changed and the books do not read as science fiction. The case in this one involves the murder of a young teen, the search for another and a sex trafficking ring. 4.5/5

This is a fabulous look at the role of the WRENS (Women' Royal Naval Service) during both WWI and WWII. Told through the lives of two women, and during two timelines that eventually intersect, it featured two strong and brave women who worked as dispatch riders on motorcycles. There is a also a bit of romance. I really enjoyed the story and loved that I came away knowing more about the role of women during the both wars. 4.5/5 stars.

After enjoying the first book in this Bright Falls series, I was happy to get an advance copy of this one. This is a light, predictable LGBTQ2+ romance that revolves around a renovation show...and is perfect for escapist reading. My only complaint is I would love to see this made into a movie so I could see the designs for the Inn come to life. I will be sure to grab the third one next year for another break from real life. 4/5 stars.

This is the fourth in this mystery series, where Horowitz blends reality and fiction in a wonderfully clever way. I always find myself on Google to discover what is real and what was created by the author. This one revolves around the theatre where Horowitz's actual play ('Mindgame') is being produced. When he finds himself the primary suspect in a murder, he needs Hawthorne's help. This is a smart mystery told with a touch of humour. 4.25/5

I admit that I plowed through this psychological thriller as I had to know what was happening and if I had figured it out correctly. I found it an enjoyable read, but like others, I found the ending a little convoluted and the story does slow down some. The resolution just seems to be overly complicated. This, therefore, is one of those books that is a lot of fun if you do not think too hard about it...just enjoy the ride. 3.75/5

This is a compelling mystery about a Muslim police detective dealing with murder and corruption in a Colorado town. The author holds a Ph.D. in International Human Rights Law and her experience with vulnerable communities is well represented in this story, giving it more depth than normally expected in a police procedural. At times heartbreaking, the mystery is well plotted and I look forward to the next one in the series. 4/5 stars.

This YA book is written by six different authors, and is a cute, light romance that features a diverse group of characters. The plot involves Stevie trying to make an epic apology to her girlfriend Sola, but a rare Atlanta snowstorm is making things difficult. Fortunately numerous friends help out...and we also get to learn about their own relationships. While I am not the target audience, this was a fun read. 4/5

This is a dark academia debut novel set in a real museum in NYC and although it is set in present day it has Gothic undertones. I enjoyed it and in particular loved the thought provoking ending and the moral questions it posed. The plot revolves around the search for historical tarot cards and and the parts about the cards themselves had me wishing wishing for illustrations...especially as the book cover is beautiful. A great debut novel. 3.75

I really enjoyed most of this book, but one of the plotlines (involving the cabin owner) felt unnecessary . I felt it weakened the overall story and pushed the plot beyond credibility. If that had been not included I would have loved this story. I was still happy to have read it, as parts were really enjoyable and the main plot line was quite clever. I would love to know how others felt about it. 3/5 stars overall rating.

I loved the different take that this book took to an all too familiar story. Instead of the emphasis on being about who committed the crime, it is all about the victim and the woman who found her. It was still a suspense, but also a wonderful commentary on the fear women face because of male predators, whether criminal or just immoral. making it of interest not only to suspense readers but also those interested in gender issues. I loved it. 4.5/5

This was a fun, slightly zany space murder mystery. While I did enjoy it, the sheer number of characters and different points of view felt overwhelming and at times confusing. I kept thinking it might make a better movie as it would be easier to keep track of things visually. In spite of that quibble, I did like the mystery, the main characters and the imaginative world the author created and was worth my time. 3/5 stars,

This is a wonderful book about grief and guilt in the aftermath of a mass shooting. It will make you both laugh and cry. We follow the character of Lucas, who lost his wife to the event, through his letters to his therapist. Quick explores what these seemingly ever more common events do to the survivors of the victims and the family of the perpetrators, as well as the effect on the town as a whole. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 4/5 stars.

This is a beautifully written story inspired by the actual shipwreck of the Batavia off the coast of Australia in 1628. (Google it.) I loved the two child characters and felt an overwhelming need to reach out and help them. This is not an easy read as the circumstances the children find themselves in (one in 1628, the other in 1989) are more than the normal troubles of childhood. The story will haunt me for a long while. 4/5 stars.

Another great read from Morris. This one was set in 1964, so in addition to being a suspense, it had the historical fiction element of being set in the 'Jim Crow“ south. The tale of the two sisters, separately on the run from things in their past and the depiction of the realities of their lives as opposed to what the 'law' said was an impactful reminder of my own privilege. Add that to a great story and this was a winning read. 4.5/5 stars.

This was a entertaining read with some mystery, tame romance, treasure hunting and some wonderful literary references. It also is what I would call Christian fiction as there were a lot of references to prayer, faith and God...a little too much for me at times (and I do believe in a higher power). That being said I loved the bookstore setting, the humour and the most of the characters, but found the ending a little rushed. 3.5 stars.

This is a graphic novel retelling of “Anne of Green Gables“ set in present day. In this version Anne lives in a city and develops romantic feelings for her friend Diana. I found it somewhat simplistic, but as the target audience is 9-12 years old that is to be expected and I think this would be a fun, positive read for the younger set. It illustrates great values and I will be passing my copy onto my 9 and 7 year old grandchildren. 3.75 stars.

This is a heavy book about the history of the science of the cell and the practical applications of that knowledge in medicine. I admit that some of the science went over my head, but most of it was fascinating and left me with an even deeper respect for the human body. My favorite parts were the stories about the real patients and doctors as they tried to use the new knowledge. This is a book that will make you smarter! 4/5 stars.

This is a heartbreaking story of three orphaned American sisters taken in by a greedy uncle. Told in a lyrical style (the author is a published poet), it is beautifully written, but not always easy to follow. We follow the life of the youngest to adulthood and although it has been described as a coming of age story, I felt the character had still not found themselves at the story's end. I enjoyed it, but prefer clear prose to poetry. 3.5/5

I have never read “David Copperfield“ (the inspiration), but that did not prevent me from thoroughly enjoying this book. It is dark and depressing at times, but I found myself invested in rooting for the main character to survive the raw deal life had given him. I also enjoyed many of the other characters, especially Angus. While the book is fiction, it does leave you wondering how such poverty can actually exist in a wealthy country. 4.5/5

This is an historical, almost cozy, mystery set in 1952 San Francisco's LGBTQ2+ world. I thoroughly enjoyed it and liked that the mystery was enhanced by the depiction of life for gay people at that time in history. The capacity of the characters to find happiness, in spite of being vilified by society, was inspiring. While there were some dark scenes, it did not read as a particularly gritty story. The ending left me hope for a sequel. 4.25/5

This memoir follows a family that goes from 'picture perfect' and very religious through a transformation as all three children and the father come out as either gay, bisexual or transsexual. I enjoyed reading how they all navigated the huge changes the family underwent and how through humour and love managed to come out the other side in healthy relationships with both significant others and each other. The more I read, the more I understand! 4/5