The Dark Remains by William McIlvanney and Ian Rankin

 Started: 12/17/2021

Finished: 12/22/2021

Year: 2021

Pages: 242

Genre: Mystery

Grade: B

Reason for reading: review for Reader Views

Type: Hardcover

Blurb (from Amazon): "Lawyer Bobby Carter did a lot of work for the wrong kind of people. When his body is found in an alley behind a pub that is known to be under the protective wing of a local crime boss, the fragile equilibrium that has been keeping Glasgow relatively safe for months is shattered. Besides a distraught family and any number of powerful friends, Carter has left behind his fair share of enemies. So who is responsible for his death?

DC Jack Laidlaw’s reputation precedes him. He’s not a team player, but he’s got a sixth sense for what’s happening on the streets. His boss chalks Carter’s death up to the usual rivalries, but Laidlaw knows it can’t be that simple. As two Glasgow gangs go to war, he needs to find Carter’s killer before the whole city explodes.

William McIlvanney’s Laidlaw books changed the face of crime fiction. When he died in 2015, he left half a handwritten manuscript of Laidlaw’s first case. Ian Rankin has finished what McIlvanney started. Here, in The Dark Remains, these two iconic authors bring to life the criminal world of 1970s Glasgow, and Laidlaw’s relentless quest for truth."

Opinion: review will be on readerviews.com soon

Leave Only Footprints by Conor Knighton

 Started: 12/4/2021

Finished: 12/6/2021

Year: 2020

Pages: 310

Genre: Travel/Memoir

Grade: B

Reason for reading: Goodreads.com giveaway

Type: Hardcover

Blurb (from Amazon): "When Conor Knighton set off to explore America's "best idea," he worried the whole thing could end up being his worst idea. A broken engagement and a broken heart had left him longing for a change of scenery, but the plan he'd cooked up in response had gone a bit overboard in that department: Over the course of a single year, Knighton would visit every national park in the country, from Acadia to Zion.

 
In Leave Only Footprints, Knighton shares informative and entertaining dispatches from what turned out to be the road trip of a lifetime. Whether he's waking up early for a naked scrub in a historic bathhouse in Arkansas or staying up late to stargaze along our loneliest highway in Nevada, Knighton weaves together the type of stories you're not likely to find in any guidebook. Through his unique lens, America the Beautiful becomes America the Captivating, the Hilarious, and the Inspiring. Along the way, he identifies the threads that tie these wildly different places together—and that tie us to nature—and reveals how his trip ended up changing his views on everything from God and love to politics and technology.
 
Filled with fascinating tidbits about our parks' past and reflections on their fragile future, this book is both a celebration of and a passionate case for the natural wonders that all Americans share."

Opinion: An interesting look at the National Parks of America. For me, I would have wanted to read them in the order that Knighton went to them instead of them being grouped together by similar topics like Animals, God, Love, etc. It seemed like Knighton took a bad personal experience and transformed into a better person. I can relate from my experience of traveling cross country from FL to OR by myself.

Ghost Stories of Texas by Jo-Anne Christensen

 Started: 12/12/2021

Finished: 12/12/2021

Year: 2001

Pages: 232

Genre: Paranormal

Grade: C

Reason for reading: bookslender.com book

Type: Trade paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "Along with its Wild West spirit, geographical diversity, dramatic history and sheer size, Texas contains a wealth of spine-tingling stories of the supernatural. Enjoy tales of Texas hauntings from the Alamo, Big Bend National Park, Dallas, Fort Worth, Laredo, Galveston, Corpus Christi and more."

Opinion: A bunch of quick blurbs about several different paranormal things in Texas-definitely a quick read.

A Rip in Heaven by Jeanine Cummins

 Started: 12/9/2021

Finished: 12/12/2021

Year: 2004

Pages: 302

Genre: Memoir/true crime

Grade: B

Reason for reading: booklender.com book

Type: Trade paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "A Rip in Heaven is Jeanine Cummins’ story of a night in April, 1991, when her two cousins Julie and Robin Kerry, and her brother, Tom, were assaulted on the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, which spans the Mississippi River just outside of St. Louis. When, after a harrowing ordeal, Tom managed to escape the attackers and flag down help, he thought the nightmare would soon be over. He couldn’t have been more wrong. Tom, his sister Jeanine, and their entire family were just at the beginning of a horrific odyssey through the aftermath of a violent crime, a world of shocking betrayal, endless heartbreak, and utter disillusionment. It was a trial by fire from which no family member would emerge unscathed."

Opinion: A truly tragic story. Well written from an insider point of view. One of the better true crime stories that I've read.

Ghettoside by Jill Leovy

 Started: 11/28/21

Finished: 12/3/2021

Year: 2015

Pages: 308

Genre: True Crime

Grade: C

Reason for reading: Librarything giveaway

Type: ARC

Blurb (from back cover): "On a warm spring evening in South Los Angeles, a young man is shot and killed on a sidewalk minutes away from his home, one of hundreds of young men slain in L.A. every year. His assailant runs down the street, jumps into an SUV, and vanishes, hoping to join the vast majority of killers in American cities who are never arrested for their crimes.

"But as soon as the case is assigned to Detective John Skaggs, the odds shift.

"Here is the kaleidoscopic story of the quintessential American murder-one young black man slaying another-and a driven crew of detectives whose creed is to pursue justice for forgotten victims at all costs. Ghettoside is a fast-paced narrative of a devastating crime, an intimate portrait of detective and a community bonded in tragedy, and a surprising new lens into the great subject of why murder happens in America-and how the plague of killings might yet be stopped."

Opinion: This isn't written like most other true crime novels. The beginning was a lot more chaotic with statistics instead of being focused on the one killing that this book ends up being focused on. Beside the beginning, this was a decent look at how one killing was resolved in L.A.

The Bright Side Sanctuary for Animals by Becky Mandelbaum

 Started: 11/14/2021

Finished: 11/17/2021

Year: 2020

Pages: 319

Genre: Literature

Grade: B+

Reason for reading: Goodreads.com giveaway

Type: ARC

Blurb (from Amazon): "The Bright Side Sanctuary for Animals is in trouble.

It’s late 2016 when Ariel discovers that her mother Mona’s animal sanctuary in Western Kansas has not only been the target of anti-Semitic hate crimes—but that it’s also for sale, due to hidden financial ruin. Ariel, living a new life in progressive Lawrence, and estranged from her mother for six long years, knows she has to return to her childhood home—especially since her own past may have played a role in the attack on the sanctuary. Ariel expects tension, maybe even fury, but she doesn’t anticipate that her first love, a ranch hand named Gideon, will still be working at Bright Side.

Back in Lawrence, Ariel’s charming but hapless fiancé, Dex, grows paranoid about her sudden departure. After uncovering Mona’s address, he sets out to confront Ariel, but instead finds her grappling with the life she’s abandoned. Amid the reparations with her mother, it’s clear that Ariel is questioning the meaning of her life in Lawrence, and whether she belongs with Dex or someone else, somewhere else."

Opinion: A sentimental novel about the importance of family. Well developed characters. I can understand why it was part of several conversations when it came out.

Oh! Olivia by Patricia Fry

 Started: 10/31/2021

Finished: 11/6/2021

Year: 2021

Pages: 252

Genre: cozy mystery

Grade: B-

Reason for reading: review for Reader Views

Type: trade paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "Olivia proves she’s not just a pretty face. Parker Campbell, an investigative reporter, and her calico cat, Olivia, have been summoned to help save a long-standing cat colony site from the grips of eager developers. They arrive on scene to discover that the property has become enshrouded in a most unsettling mystery. The feral cats are digging up personal items belonging to missing persons who vanished years earlier. Was this the site of a mass murder, a cult ritual gone wrong, or an unexplained phenomenon? Parker teams up with Detective Judson Caldwell, who has taken a personal leave to secretly investigate the mystery, and soon learns what drives his obsession with this case.Olivia, the sweet and sassy calico, struts her stuff in this story. She locates a lost toddler and ends up getting herself arrested. She isn’t about to take this insult lying down, however. She escapes from custody and trashes the police station. Olivia alerts Parker to trouble when they visit her aunt’s home and find that the woman has detained a burglar in a most unusual way. Olivia also finds major clues in the convoluted cat colony mystery, one that promises a glimmer of hope for a long-grieving parent."

Opinion: a complete review is on Reader Views

Striking Range by Margaret Mizushima

 Started: 10/8/2021

Finished: 10/15/2021

Year: 2021

Pages: 275

Genre: mystery

Grade: A

Reason for reading: TBR/review for Reader Views

Blurb from Amazon: "He was suspect number one--the man who tried to kill Deputy Mattie Cobb and may have killed her father thirty years earlier. But when Mattie and cold case detective Jim Hauck reach the Colorado state prison where they will finally get to interview him, he's found dead in his cell. There's only one clue: a map leading to Timber Creek and rugged Redstone Ridge.

Though she usually works with veterinarian Cole Walker, Mattie's K-9 partner Robo has just sired a litter of pups, who require special, time-consuming care at Cole's clinic. Left to explore the map's clue without him, Mattie and Robo journey into the burned forest surrounding Redstone Ridge. But before they can finish their search they're called to help investigate the death of a young woman found in a campground filled with elk hunters. Identification of the deceased points to her having recently given birth, but the infant is nowhere to be found.

As a deadly storm descends upon the mountains, covering everything with a layer of ice and snow, Mattie and her team search for the missing newborn. The storm batters the area, taking its toll on the team and forcing the sheriff to call in reinforcements. When new evidence surfaces, they decide that finding the woman's killer will lead them to her baby, making them even more desperate to solve the case.

Then Cole goes missing, stranded alone in the high country with a person that Mattie now suspects is the mastermind behind several murders, including her father's. She and Robo take to the trail to find Cole--but the killer has a cold-blooded plan that threatens them all."

Opinion: Loved it. Full review is on Reader Views

 

The City by Dean Koontz

 Started: 9/30/2021

Finished: 10/8/2021

Year: 2014

Pages: 482

Genre: Literature

Grade: B

Reason for reading: TBR pile

Type: paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "A young boy, a musical prodigy, discovering life’s wonders—and mortal dangers.

His best friend, also a gifted musician, who will share his journey into destiny.
His remarkable family, tested by the extremes of evil and bound by the depths of love . . . on a collision course with a band of killers about to unleash anarchy.
And two unlikely allies, an everyday hero tempered by the past and a woman of mystery who holds the key to the future.

These are the people of The City, a place where enchantment and malice entwine, courage and honor are found in the most unexpected quarters, and the way forward lies buried deep inside the heart. Brilliantly illumined by magic dark and light, their unforgettable story is a riveting, soul-stirring saga that speaks to everyone, a major milestone in the celebrated career of #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz and a dazzling realization of the evergreen dreams we all share."

Opinion: A slightly different type of book coming from Kootnz-it's been several years since I've read one of his and those have been more on the suspense/horror genre. This was more literature but still had a good mystery/suspense to it. This is the first of a series and I'm not 100% sure if I will go searching out for the rest of them.

Comic Relief by David M. Carner

 Started: 9/24/2021

Finished: 10/6/2021

Year: 2021

Pages: 329

Genre: Mystery

Grade: B

Reason for reading: help my friend out with his book

Type: rough draft/ARC

Blurb: Zach finds more than what he expects when led on a wild chase.

Opinion: An interesting ride though San Francisco and LA....all in helping out a mysterious guest and their quest in finding out the truth.

Giant's Bread by Mary Westmacott

 Started: 9/24/2021

Finished: 9/29/2021

Year: 1930

Pages: 329

Genre: Romance

Grade: B-

Reason for reading: bookcrossing.com book

Type: paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "Vernon Deyre is a sensitive and brilliant musician, even a genius. But there is a high price to be paid for his talent, especially by his family and the two women in his life. His sheltered childhood in the home he loves has not prepared Vernon for the harsh reality of his adult years, and in order to write the great masterpiece of his life, he has to make a crucial decision with no time left to count the cost..."

Opinion: I think that this is the first romance that I read by Agatha Christie. Much prefer her mysteries. Karma got the characters that needed it.

good morning, monster by Catherine Gildiner

 Started: 9/19/2021

Finished: 9/24/2021

Year: 2019

Pages: 358

Genre: Psychology

Grade: B+

Reason for reading: goodreads.com giveaway

Type: ARC

Blurb (from Amazon): "In this fascinating narrative, therapist Catherine Gildiner’s presents five of what she calls her most heroic and memorable patients. Among them: a successful, first generation Chinese immigrant musician suffering sexual dysfunction; a young woman whose father abandoned her at age nine with her younger siblings in an isolated cottage in the depth of winter; and a glamorous workaholic whose narcissistic, negligent mother greeted her each morning of her childhood with "Good morning, Monster."

Each patient presents a mystery, one that will only be unpacked over years. They seek Gildiner's help to overcome an immediate challenge in their lives, but discover that the source of their suffering has been long buried.

As in such recent classics as The Glass Castle and Educated, each patient embodies self-reflection, stoicism, perseverance, and forgiveness as they work unflinchingly to face the truth. Gildiner's account of her journeys with them is moving, insightful, and sometimes very funny. Good Morning Monster offers an almost novelistic, behind-the-scenes look into the therapist's office, illustrating how the process can heal even the most unimaginable wounds."

Opinion: If you're a student or fan of true psychological insights about real people, then you will probably enjoy this book.  I don't agree with the length of therapy that these 5 people had because most therapies are meant to be short term-not years upon years-even though each person had overwhelming trauma that they had to recover from.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

 Started: 9/19/2021

Finished: 9/19/2021

Year: 1982

Pages: 295

Genre: Literature

Grade: B-

Reason for reading: grabbed off TBR pile

Type: Mass Market Paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "The lives of two sisters--Nettie, a missionary in Africa, and Celie, a southern woman married to a man she hates--are revealed in a series of letters exchanged over thirty years"

Opinion: I loved the movie. The book seemed to be different than the movie-more makes me want to rewatch the movie and see how closely they follow each other.

Flesh by Richard Laymon

 Started: 9/17/2021

Finished: 9/19/2021

Year: 1988

Pages: 355

Genre: Horror

Grade: B

Reason for reading: booklender.com

Type: paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "No one in town has ever seen anything like it: a slimy, mobile tube of glistening yellow flesh with dull, staring eyes and an obscene, probing mouth. But the real horror is not what it looks like, or what it does when it invades your flesh—but what it makes you do to others."

Opinion: A fun horror book with lots of characters who eventually get tied together. If you have a good imagination, then you will get caught up in the horror and suspense.

3096 Days in Captivity by Natascha Kampusch

 Started: 9/16/2021

Finished: 9/17/2021

Year: 2010

Pages: 310

Genre: Autobiography

Grade: B+

Reason for reading: booklender.com

Type: mass market paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "On March 2, 1998, ten-year-old Natascha Kampusch was kidnapped, and found herself locked in a house that would be her home for the next eight years. She was starved, beaten, treated as a slave, and forced to work for her deranged captor. But she never forgot who she was-and she never gave up hope of returning to the world. This is her story."

Opinion: An interesting look inside a traumatic kidnapping. It is pretty amazing how Natascha survived.

Nathaniel by John Saul

 Started: 9/9/2021

Finished: 9/15/2021

Year: 1984

Pages: 343

Genre: Horror

Grade: B+

Reason for reading: booklender.com book

Type: mass market paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "For a hundred years, the people of Prairie Bend have whispered Nathaniel's name in wonder and fear. Some say he is a folktale, created to frighten children on cold winter nights. Some sear he is a terrifying spirit returned to avenge the past. But soon...very soon....some will learn that Nathaniel lives still-that he is darkly, horrifyingly real.

"Nathaniel-he is the voice that calls to young Michael Hall across the prairie night...the voice that draws the boy into the shadowy depths of the old, crumbling, forbidden barn...the changing, compelling voice he will follow faithfully beyond the edge of terror...."

Opinion: Been a while since I read a decent horror book. Full of decent suspense. I need to read more Saul books-I have always enjoyed them.

Private Duty by Faith Baldwin

 Started: 9/9/2021

Finished: DNF

Year: 1964

Pages: 256

Genre: Romance

Grade: F

Reason for reading: bookcrossing.com book

Type: paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "She was young and pretty and the world was hers. But all too quickly that world became overcrowded with attractive and persuasive men-

"One, a promising surgeon, who said he worked best with Carolyn at his side.

"Another, a young widower, who demanded her help....and her time.

"And a carefree bachelor who wouldn't let anyone but Carolyn nurse him through a grave illness.

"They all wanted Carolyn Cutler, the nurse, but only one loved Carolyn Cutler, the woman. Her problem was-which one?"

Opinion: Couldn't even get to page 50. Hard to follow and just blah

Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson

 Started: 9/2/2021

Finished: 9/9/2021

Year: 2020

Pages: 319

Genre: Romance

Grade: B

Reason for reading: Goodreads.com giveaway

Type: ARC

Blurb (from back cover): "Jesse Strong is known for two things: his devotion to his adoptive mom, Mama Joy, and his reputation for breaking hears. When Mama Joy unexpectedly passes away, he and his brothers have different plans on what to do with Strong Knits, their neighborhood knitting store. Jesse wants to keep it open. His brothers want to tie off loose ends and close shop...

"Part-time shop employee Kerry Fuller has kept her crush on Jesse a secert. When she overhears his impassioned plea to his brother to keep the knitting shop open, she volunteers to help. Unlike Jesse, Kerry knows the 'knitty-gritty' of the business

"But the more time they spend together, the stronger the chemistry builds between them. Kerry, knowing Jesse's history, doesn't believe their relationship can last. But Jesse is determined to prove to her that he can be the man for her forever and always-after all, real men knit."

Opinion: A decent contemporary romance. Predictable but enjoyable nonetheless. Any fan of romance would probably enjoy this one.

A River for Gemma by Debra Whiting Alexander

 Started: 8/26/21

Finished: DNF

Year: 2021

Pages: 407

Genre: Literature

Grade: F

Reason for reading: Review for Reader Views

Type: Paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "Miracles abound in Sugar Creek, a small-town nestled near the horse trails and hazelnut orchards of Oregon's lush countryside. It is here, where twenty-six-year old Gemma Porter lives a vibrant life chasing her dreams. But Gemma is underestimated by a world that pigeonholes her as 'intellectually disabled.' While the naysayers and bullies only see Gemma's limitations, her beloved grandmother sees the heart of a genius--and a soul of divination. When Gemma's longing to be a mother collides with her grandmother's hidden past, three generations of Porter women are put in peril. A harrowing adventure unfolds into a heroic quest to save their lives. As Gemma's bravery is tested, she will need to prove that regardless of age or intellect, a mother's love knows no bounds."

Opinion: This had a painfully slow pace. There was a mystery subplot going on but I couldn't even be interested enough to try to find out what it was all about because of the slow pace. Well written characters which was the book's saving grace.

The Haunted Looking Glass: Ghost Stories Chosen and Illustrated by Edward Gorey

 

Started: 8/23/2021

Finished: 8/25/2021

Year: 1959

Pages: 251

Genre: Short Stories

Grade: B

Reason for reading: booksfree.com book

Type: Paperback

Blurb: from Amazon:

The Haunted Looking Glass is the late Edward Gorey's selection of his favorite tales of ghosts, ghouls, and grisly goings-on. It includes stories by Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins, M. R. James, W. W. Jacobs, and L. P. Hartley, among other masters of the fine art of making the flesh creep, all accompanied by Gorey's inimitable illustrations.

ALGERNON BLACKWOOD, "The Empty House"
W.F. HARVEY, "August Heat"
CHARLES DICKENS, "The Signalman"
L.P. HARTLEY, "A Visitor from Down Under"
R.H. MALDEN, "The Thirteenth Tree"
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON, "The Body-Snatcher"
E. NESBIT, "Man-Size in Marble"
BRAM STOKER, "The Judge's House"
TOM HOOD, "The Shadow of a Shade"
W.W. JACOBS, "The Monkey's Paw,"
WILKIE COLLINS, "The Dream Woman"
M.R. JAMES, "Casting the Runes"

Opinion: as with all short story collections, I enjoy some more than others. The illustrations were impressive.

When the Ghost Screams by Leslie Rule

 Started: 8/20/2021

Finished: 8/22/2021

Year: 2006

Pages: 222

Genre: Paranormal

Grade: B+

Reason for reading: grabbed off TBR pile

Type: Trade Paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "Hauntings-the word conjures up immediate and insatiable curiosity. Paranomal author Leslie Rule explores a new twist on this strange phenomenon when she investigates brutal deaths-and subsequent hauntings-all over the United States. Through extensive research and interviews, Leslie reveals how the souls of those who die violently are prone to remain earthbound.

"These spine-tingling true stores divulge the mysterious details of ghostly sightings as Rule visits the area, interview credible witnesses, and extensively researches the history of each location."

Opinion: I only wish that some of the stories had more information about them-local history or first person accounts. Overall, a good read for paranormal ghost fans.

A Rebellious Woman by Claire J. Griffin

 Started: 8/14/2021

Finished: 8/20/2021

Year: 2021

Pages: 370

Genre: Literature

Grade: B

Reason for reading: review for Reader Views

Type: Trade Paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "A Rebellious Woman is based on the life story of Belle Boyd (1844-1900), whose coming of age coincided with the opening shots of the Civil War. Debutante, teenaged spy, seductress, actress, divorcee, crossdresser, and self-promoter, she carried a pistol and wasn't afraid to use it. In a century when a woman was meant to be noting more than a well-behaved wife and mother, Belle Boyd stands out as a scandalous woman of history defying all the rules."

Opinion: An interesting look at what was an interesting person during the Civil War period. I had not heard of Belle Boyd before reading this and I'm intrigued to learn more her. A more complete review will be posted on Reader Views in the near future.

Real to Reel: Truth and Trickery in Courtroom Movies by Michael Asimow and Paul Bergman

 Started: 8/5/2021

Finished: 8/13/2021

Year: 2021

Pages: 421

Genre: Movies

Grade: B

Reason for reading: review for Reader Views

Type: Trade Paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "Real trials and courtroom movies are made for each other. Lawyers are storytellers, courtrooms are theaters, and the trial process provides drama, surprise, suspense or comedy.

This book will serve as a video guide to help you identify the courtroom movies you'd like to see. It ranks each of the films on a one- to four- gavel system, with four gavels for the classics. And it answers the questions you'll be asking as you see the films. Where does truth end and trickery begin? Can lawyers really pull rabbits out of hats with unexpected courtroom stunts? Did the trial process reveal the truth-or conceal it? How well do reel trials reflect real events?

These are just some of the topics you'll encounter as the authors analyze over 200 courtroom movies, including such classics as To Kill a Mockingbird, My Cousin Vinny, 12 Angry Men, and The Trial of the Chicago 7. An index at the back of the book lists all of the films reviewed in the book.

The book celebrates the courtroom genre that has intrigued viewers around the world. The authors will entertain and educate you on a fascinating journey through nine decades of reel law, lawyers and justice."

Opinion: An enjoyable collection of courtroom movies-drama and comedies-reviewed by lawyers so they can add their insight and explain what really happens. A more complete review will be on Reader Views in the near future.

More! by Tammie Rothermel

 Started: 8/2/2021

Finished: 8/5/2021

Year: 2020

Pages: 180

Genre: Literature

Grade: C

Reason for reading: review for Reader Views

Type: Trade Paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "Worlds collide and sparks ignite when a simple country girl encounters a white hot rock star in rural Pennsylvania.

"Certainly, small town Nikki wasn't looking for love. But, from the moment she meets the universally famous Grant Henderson, More! comps the reader a backstage pass to the secrets, glitz, glam, and romance of a sizzling rock star's non-stop life.

"As Nikki climbs on board Grant's comet, her own charisma engages the world, even as a mysterious stranger pursues her from Naples to Hong Kong. Along the way espionage's notorious 'Agency' sucks Nikki into its beguiling embrace of treachery."

Opinion: Um, yeah....the pace of this book was just off and a lot of what was in it wasn't needed. The ending hints that another book could be there but honestly, I wouldn't read it.  I was hoping for more when I picked this one to review. A more thorough review will be on Reader Views in the near future.

Voices from the Fallen by Michael K. Tourville

 Started: 7/30/2021

Finished: 8/1/2021

Year: 2021

Pages: 161

Genre: Self Help-substance abuse

Grade: B-

Reason for reading: review for Reader Views

Type: Trade paperback

Blurb (from the back cover): "Voices from the Fallen takes us on an intimate journey inside the lives of people who have experienced the hell of addiction, the relentless defeat of relapse, and hope of recovery.

"Listen to them speak about fear and desperation, hope and optimism. Sit with them in solitary misery, feel their grief over a lost family member, and shar their joy with the promise of a renewed life.

"Listen closely, for these courageous voices come from those all around us, and can help rebuild shattered families, restore broken hearts, and save lives."

Opinion: A decent collection of stories about substance abuse. A couple are a little unbelievable since it is told in first person of people who overdosed....how did the author know that they were that close to trying to get help or how they truly felt about their drug use? A more complete review will be on Reader Views in the near future.

The Friends We Keep by Holly Chamberlin

 Started: 7/22/2021

Finished: 7/29/2021

Year: 2007

Pages: 408

Genre: fiction

Grade: B-

Reason for reading: bookcrossing.com book

Type: Trade Paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "In her college freshman year, Sophie Holmes met Eva and John, forging the kind of deep friendship that seems destined to last forever. But time proved otherwise, and Sophie married and moved to Los Angeles. Now, two decades later, newly divorced and adrift, Sophie has returned to Boston, and instinctively reaches out to the people who once defined her world.

"Though they've stayed in the same city, Eva and John too have grown apart. Eva is an ambitious advertising executive who favors flings over relationships. John is a dedicated lawyer wondering if he's left it too late for love and marriage. Through Sophie's reappearance, their connection crackles to life once more. Just as they did long ago, the three confide their longings and secrets--until old insecurities and new betrayal threatens to shatter their bond for good."

Opinion: Predictable. One character was just awful but obviously well written in order for me to dislike the character as much as I did.  Sometimes friend reunions are just not all that they are cracked up to be.

Our House by Louise Candlish

 Started: 7/16/2021

Finished: 7/21/2021

Year: 2018

Pages: 399

Genre: Literature

Grade: C

Reason for reading: Goodreads.com giveaway

Type: ARC

Blurb (from back cover): "In the wake of her husband, Bram's infidelity, Fiona Lawson manages to keep her young sons' lives as stable as possible thanks to a bird's nest custody agreement. The two boys stay in the family home, while Fiona and Bram take turns living there. All seems to be going as well as possible until the terrible day Fiona arrives home-and sees another couple moving in.

"With Bram and their children missing, Fiona desperately searches for answer, uncovering a dangerous web of lies-and a betrayal so shocking it will teach her to keep her own secrets behind locked doors."

Opinion: Not a fan in how this story was told-part media interview with Fiona and part word document for Bram and then a real day account. A strange premise which makes it unique and unlike other stories about divorcing couples.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Prath

 Started: 7/14/21

Finished: 7/15/21

Year: 1971

Pages: 200

Genre: Literature

Grade: B

Reason for reading: 1001 books to read before you die, TBR pile

Type: paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "The Bell Jar chronicles the crack-up of Esther Greenwood: young, brilliant, beautiful, and enormously talented, but slowly going under—maybe for the last time. Sylvia Plath masterfully draws the reader into Esther’s breakdown with such intensity that Esther’s neurosis becomes completely understandable and even rational, as probable and accessible an experience as going to the movies. Such thorough exploration of the dark and harrowing corners of the psyche - and the profound collective loneliness that modern society has yet to find a solution for - is an extraordinary accomplishment, and has made The Bell Jar a haunting American classic."

Opinion: One of the better 1001 books that I've read. Since my educational background is in psychology, this book takes an indepth look at the system back in the day and how people with mental illnesses were handled. Wish I could say that it has improved greatly since the 70's but I can't.

The Whole 30 Day by Day by Melissa Hartwig

 Started: 7/13/2021

Finished: 7/14/2021

Year: 2017

Pages: 206

Genre: Health & Fitness

Grade: B-

Reason for reading: bookcrossing.com book

Type: paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "The Whole30 Day by Day is the essential companion to the New York Times bestseller The Whole30; a daily handbook to keep you motivated, inspired, accountable, and engaged during your Whole30 journey. It’s like having Whole30’s own Melissa Hartwig coaching you through the Whole30 one day at a time, sharing a day-by-day timeline, personal motivation, community inspiration, habit hacks, and meal tips. Plus, each day offers guidance for self-reflection, food journaling, and tracking your non-scale victories to keep your momentum going and help you plan for the days to come.

The Whole30 Day by Day also serves as a quick-reference guide for the program: keeping the rules handy, sharing helpful resources, and walking you through the important reintroduction phase, one day at a time. You’ll carry it everywhere during the program, using it to stay accountable and motivated during the 30 days, and letting the observations and reflections you record guide your food freedom plan long after your Whole30 is over."

Opinion: The Whole 30 is a restrictive 30 day reset program-not exactly a diet or long life style change. I had heard about the program but didn't really know what it allowed/restricted. The book contains some good tips and I might look into a little bit more and give it try (mostly to get rid of the sugars in my body) and see how my body reacts to it. If I do, it won't be for a while.

The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher

 Started: 7/8/2021

Finished: 7/13/2021

Year: 2019

Pages: 381

Genre: Horror

Grade: B

Reason for reading: Goodbooks.com giveaway

Type: Trade Paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "When Mouse's dad asks her to clean out her dead grandmother's house, she says yes. after all, how bad could it be?

"Answer: pretty bad. Grandma was a hoarder, and her house is packed to the gills with useless garbage. That would be horrors enough, but there's more. Mouse stumbles across her stepgrandfather's journal, which at first seems to be the ravings of a broken mind.

"Until she encounters some of the terrifying things he described herself. Alone in the woods with her dog, Mouse has to confront a series of impossible terrors-because sometimes the things that go bump in the night are real, and they're looking for you. and if she doesn't face them head-n, she might not survive to tell the tale."

Opinion: Pretty decent horror book, especially if you have the imagination for it. I did like how everything tied in together-finding journal and how it seemed to come to life. Ending was high climax with a successful resolution.

Day Hikes in Washington State by Don J. Scarmuzzi

 Started: 7/8/2021

Finished: 7/8/2021

Year: 2021

Pages: 282

Genre: Nature

Grade: A

Reason for reading: LibraryThing.com giveaway

Blurb (from back cover): "Day Hikes in Washington State offers a unique perspective for each hike, taking you to the amazing sights of the most scenic locations in the area. Author Don Scarmuzzi personally hiked every single tail to discover the greatest overlook summits, breathtaking nature views, and incredible mountain kikes around Mount Rainier, The Olympic Peninsula, the Snoqualmie Region and Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the Central Cascades, Sky Valley, and the Northern Cascades."

Opinion: Well described routes, trailheads for each each. Pictures for each trail. 90 hikes in all. Will be using for reference once I get more comfortable on going hiking.

Through the Waves a Steady Path by Patrick M Garry

 Started: 7/1/2021

Finished: 7/8/2021

Year: 2021

Pages: 473

Genre: mystery

Grade: B+

Reason for reading: review for Reader Views

Type: ARC

Blurb (from back cover): "Through the Waves a Steady Path tells the story of Elaine Connor, a former Minneapolis police officer now working as a college campus cop, and eighteen-year-old Reilly Borschardt, who appeared at Elaine's door weeks ago and now works as Elaine's assistant.

"Reilly is the daughter of Elaine's former boyfriend, whom Elaine has not seen since she gave up the lifestyle that had caused her so much regret. As part of her life reform, prompted by her closest confidante-a religiously-converted inmate at the state prison-Elaine now lives in a rundown neighborhood where she buys vacant houses to rent out to ex-cons she once arrested during her police days. But when a bomb explosion occurs at the university, Elaine is thrust back into her old life with her old police colleagues, one of whom underhandedly reminds Elaine of secrets she has tried to forget.

"Elaine's investigation of the explosion must navigate the minefields of her past life, as well as the political pressures form the university president. Contrary to initial conclusions about the bombing, Elaine begins to see connections between the bombing and the recent suicide of a professor. When a second suicide occurs, Elaine finds herself at odds with both the university and the police.

"Ejected form the official investigation, Elaine turns to Reilly and an ex-con computer hacker who lives on one of Elaine's houses. This threesome becomes embroiled in a massive cover-up involving an international smuggling scheme."

Opinion: Despite it being a long book, it read quickly. There were lots of little components that made for a good story. The characterization of Elaine and Reilly were well developed with in depth looks at both of these characters and why they do the things that they do. A more complete review will be posted on Reader Views in the near future.

Serial Killers: The Method and Madness of Monsters by Peter Vronsky

 Started: 4/25/2021

Finished: 7/1/2021

Year: 2004

Pages: 383

Genre: True Crime/Psychology

Grade: B

Reason for reading: grabbed off TBR shelf

Type: paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "In this unique book, Peter Vronsky documents the psychological , investigative, and cultural aspects of serial murder, beginning with its first recorded instance in ancient Rome through fifteenth-century France on to such notorious contemporary cases as cannibal/necrophiliac Ed Kemper, Henry Lee Lucas, Ted Bundy, and the emergence of what he classifies as the 'serial rampage killer,' such as Andrew Cunanan.

"Vronsky not only offers sound theories on what makes a serial killer but also makes concrete suggestions on how to survive an encounter with one-from recognizing verbal warning signs to physical confrontational resistance. Exhaustively researched with transcripts of interviews with killers, and featuring up-to-date information on the apprehensive and conviction of the Green River Killer and the Beltway Snipers."

Opinion: An interesting look at the history of serial killers and some of the possible psychology behind it. Some information about the FBI profiling team which I have always been interested in.  I found this pretty interesting to read.

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

 Started: 6/24/21

Finished: 6/27/21

Year: 1961

Pages: 282

Genre: Literature/Classic

Grade: A

Reason for reading: reread one of my favorite childhood books

Type: paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "Billy has long dreamt of owning not one but two dogs. So when he's finally able to save up enough money for two pups to call his own, he's ecstatic.

"Soon Billy and his hounds become the finest hunting team in the valley . But tragedy awaits these determined hunters-now friends-and in time Billy learns that hope can grow out of despair."

Opinion: Sometimes it is just fun to reread some of your favorite books from childhood-see if you still have the same appreciation. See if what you remember is still there.  As an adult, I have more questions-like how did Billy know how to train these pups to be the outstanding hunters that they were? Still an enjoyable read for me. Maybe I'll read it again in another 30 years or so.

Breach of Honor by Janice Cantore

 Started: 6/21/2021

Finished: 6/24/2021

Year: 2021

Pages: 409

Genre: Mystery

Grade: B+

Reason for reading: review for Reader Views

Type: ARC

Blurb (from back cover): "As a police office in Table Rock, Oregon, Leah Radcliff puts her life on the line to help other every day. But at home, Leah's battling her own personal nightmare: Brad, her abusive husband, a fellow officer, celebrated hero, and beloved son of a powerful prominent family. Brad's violent outbursts and suspicious activities have left Leah physically and emotionally scarred, until one desperate action to put a stop to his abuse results in deadly consequences.

"Though public opinion seems ready to convict Leah, Officer Clint Tanner is one of the few to believe she acted in self-defense. As he works with Leah's attorney to produce the evidence they need, new truths about Brad's dark side come to light-and reveal a deep-rooted problem in Table Rock. There are some who have breached their sworn duty to serve and protect....and they'll do anything to keep their secret safe."

Opinion: A rather enjoyable mystery, romance, literature read. Kinda of something for everyone. A more complete review will be posted on Reader Views in the near future.

Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton

 Started: 6/15/2021

Finished: 6/20/2021

Year: 2005

Pages: 273

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Grade: B-

Reason for reading: bookcrossing.com book

Type: mass market paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "Despite the fact that her aunt was an expert knitter, Kelly Flynn never picked up a pair of knitting needles she like-until she strolled into House of Lambpsun. Now, in the first in a brand new series, she learns how to knit one, purl two, and untangle the mystery behind her aunt's murder...

"Kelly Flynn would be the first to admit her life in Washington, D.C., is a little on the dull side. But coming back to Colorado for her beloved aunt's funeral wasn't the kind of excitement she was seeking. The police are convinced that her aunt Helen's death was the result of a burglary gone bad, but for the accountant in Kelly, things just aren't adding up. After all, why would her sensible, sixty-eight-year-old aunt borrow $20.000 just days before her death? With the help of the knitting regulars at House of Lambspun, Kelly's about to get a few lessons in cracking out a sumptuously colored scarf-and in luring a killer out of hiding..."

Opinion: A fun cozy however there are things that irk me.....Kelly was very forthcoming about all her issues about her aunt's murder and had no problem talking to strangers (to her) about her questions. How did she know that they weren't involved? Or where they?  That bothered me throughout the book but the solving of the mystery was a good one and I would recommend this.

Perish by L. C. Barlow

 Started: 6/12/2021

Finished: 6/14/2021

Year: 2020

Pages: 258

Genre: Horror

Grade: B-

Reason for reading: review for Readers Views

Type: Trade Paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "Her name is Jack Harper. She just escaped the clutches of a cult that had held her in thrall since she was little girl.

"Now she's on a quest for justice.

"She discovers that her cult was just one cell in a global network knows as Infinitum. Armed with an array of burgeoning supernatural powers, Jack sets out to eradicate Infinitum's leadership, all while uncovering an ancient mystery that may hold the key to stopping Armageddon."

Opinion: Not as good as Pivot but definitely not as horrific-no torturing of animals. Should be interesting to read how this trilogy is summed up in the next book.

Pivot by L. C. Barlow

 Started: 6/10/2021

Finished: 6/11/2021

Year: 2019

Pages: 224

Genre: Horror

Grade: B

Reason for reading: review for Reader's View

Type: Trade Paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "His name is Cyrus. He's the leader of a mysterious cult that he holds in thrill with his dark charisma and even darker powers.

"Jack Harper is his newest convert and favored acolyte, After rescuing her from homelessness, Cyrus is teaching her all his darkest secrets-how to kill, how to steal, how to control others.

"But his greatest secret is contained in a small box that holds untold power.  Jack makes it her mission to find out what's inside the box, and in doing so sets off a supernatural bottle of wits with Cyrus. The price of failure will be her soul, while the prize for victory will be her freedom."

Opinion: If you don't like kids or animals being brutalized, then don't pick up this book. And it's more kids being brutalized than animals. It was easy to forget that the main character is a female kid because of the things that she does and witnesses. Read this for the Reader Views awards.

Christmas at Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop by Jenny Colgan

 Started: 6/7/2021

Finished: 6/10/2021

Year: 2013

Pages: 331

Genre: Romance/Literature

Grade: B

Reason for reading: Goodreads.com giveaway

Type: Trade Paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "In her comfy cottage nestled in the Derbyshire hills, Rosie Hopkins has good reason to feel a warm blush in her cheeks. With Christmas weeks away, the holiday is being ushered in with England's first glorious snowfall of the season. Her boyfriend, Stephen, is starting his new job as a teacher in the village school. Her quaint Hopkins' Sweetshop and Confectionery has been restored to its former glory, and she has a loveable mop of a new puppy named Mr. Dog. Most glorious of all, Rosie's and Stephens' relatives will finally be gathering together in Lipton for what is sure to be a merry feast.

"But when a devastating tragedy strikes at the heart of the close-knit town, plans for a cozy Christmas are suddenly in danger of melting away. It's going to take Rosie's indomitable spirit, the embrace of family and friends, and the resilient goodwill of a community to turn it all around and make this a holiday to be thankful for."

Blurb: Not a bad literature/romance novel. Despite the author stating that reading the previous book wasn't necessary, I think that I would have found it helpful. Lots of characters to keep track of who is related to who. Sweet ending.

The Body Artist by Don DeLillo

 Started: 6/6/2021

Finished: 6/6/2021

Year: 2001

Pages: 126

Genre: Literature

Grade: C

Reason for reading: 1001 books to read before you die

Type: paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "In this spare, seductive novel, he inhabits the muted world of Lauren Hartke, an artist whose work defies the limits of the body. Lauren is living in a lonely coast in a rambling rented house, where she encounters a strange, ageless, man, a man with uncanny knowledge of her own life. Together they begin a journey into the wilderness of time-time, love, and human perception."

Opinion: Another one of the 1001 list that I wonder why....why is it on this list? It felt like this was a book assigned in English class where you need to figure out theme, etc and you are left wondering how you are going to bs your way through this essay. An average short book to say the least.

Murder of a Snake in the Grass by Denise Swanson

 Started: 6/2/2021

Finished: 6/5/2021

Year: 2003

Pages: 262

Genre: Mystery

Grade: B

Reason for reading: continuing with the series, booksfree.com book

Type: mass market paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "Scumble River is celebrating its bicentennial in style-with historical reenactments, bingo, a coal-tossing tournament, and a Crazy Craft race. Serving as the guest of honor is none other than the town founder's great-great-grandnephew, Gabriel Scumble. But his visit turns out to be short-lived when Skye's students Frannie and Justin find him dead with a pickax protruding from his chest.

"Meanwhile Skye's deceitful ex-fiance, Luc St. Amant, has appeared out of the blue, creating turmoil in her love life. Does the real danger lie in the chance that Luc will drive away the men in Sky's life...or in the possibility that there's a menacing connection between Luc's arrival and Gabriel Scumble's murder?"

Opinion: Another good mystery read. The back and forth of Skye's romantic interests is a little tiresome but adding in the ex fiance made it entertaining. 

Murder of a Sleeping Beauty by Denise Swanson

 Started: 5/28/21

Finished: 6/1/21

Year: 2002

Pages: 263

Genre: Mystery

Grade: B

Reason for reading: continuing with the series, grabbed off TBR pile

Blurb (from back cover): "Sleeping Beauty is dead. Star of the school play, cheerleader, and beauty pageant queen, Lorelei Ingels was the most popular girl in school. But today, no one envies her. While the principal and the police are busy with the politics of this high-profile case, Skye Denison counsels kids and combs for clues...ever more convinced that high school is a truly dangerous place. Finagling her way around crazy school administrators, stupid rules, pushy parents, and teens whose slang needs decoding takes all of Skye's formidable ingenuity. And even ever-optimistic Skye knows that, in this case, finding the killer won't end this tale happily ever after...."

Opinion: Another fun mystery in this series. So glad that I was never involved in beauty pageants or trying to be the most popular kid in high school. High school was hard enough without that added pressure. The mystery isn't what it seemed to be. 

One Night Pregnancy by Lindsay Armstrong

 Started: 5/27/21

Finished: 5/28/21

Year: 2010

Pages: 186

Genre: Romance

Grade: D

Reason for reading: Bookcrossing.com book

Blurb (from back cover): "Rescued during a raging storm, sensible Bridget blushes scarlet when she finds herself seduced by a captivating stranger. How un-Bridget-like-she's mortified! But little does she know her rescue is ultrawealthy...and ultraexclusive!

"Until she reads the newspaper headlines...

"Bridget's mystery man is none other than the notorious Adam Beaumont, heir to the Beaumont empire. Now Bridget has to find the words-and the courage-to tell him he left a lasting impression!"

Opinion: Fluff....typical Harlequin fluff. Grammar wasn't great.

The Mammoth Book of The History of Murder by Colin Wilson

 Started: 2/7/21

Finished: 5/27/21

Pages: 639

Year: 2000 (this edition)

Genre: True Crime

Grade: B

Reason for reading: grabbed off TBR pile

Type: paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "Following the original success of his history of homicide, The Mammoth Book of True Crime 2, expert author Colin Wilson has prepared this new, completely revised edition, bringing the chronicle of this most dreadful of crimes right up to the present.

"He examines the motives and methods, both of particular categories of murder and of individual and mysterious cases. Starting with the horrifying entertainments of Ancient Rome, and moving on through the centuries, he illuminates such infamous figures as Vlad the Impaler, Ivan the Terrible, Gilles de Rais, the Countess Elizabeth Bathory and the Marques de Sade, Elizabethan executions, Jacobean with hunts, the gaslit Victorian underworld of Jack the Ripper, and the gangland killings of the Jazz Age lead us up to the serial killers of the modern world, among them Fred West, Chikatilo, Milat, and Jeffrey Dahmer, gruesome cannibal killers and random 'spree' gunmen, as well as the growing phenomenon of murder with an element of the occult"

Opinion: An interesting collection of true crime stories. Some a lot of people will recognize. Some are not as well known. Interesting look at the history.

Hunting Annabelle by Wendy Heard

 Started: 5/20/21

Finished: 5/24/21

Year: 2018

Pages: 289

Genre: Fiction

Grade: B

Reason for reading: Goodreads.com giveaway

Type: ARC

Blurb (from back cover): "Sean Suh is done with killing. After serving three years in a psychiatric prison, he's determined to stay away from temptation. But he can't resist Annabelle-beautiful, confident, incandescent Annabelle-who alone can see past the monster to the man inside. The man he's desperately trying to be.

"Then Annabelle disappears.

"Sean is sure he's been kidnapped-he witnessed her being taken firsthand-but the police are convinced that Sean himself is at the center of this crime. And he must admit, his illness has caused him to 'lose time' before. What if there's more to what happened than he's able to remember.

"Though haunted by the fear that it might be better for Annabelle if he never finds her, Sean can't bring himself to let of her without a fight. To save her, he'll have to do more than confront his own demons...He'll have to let them loose."

Opinion: An interesting read. The ending seemed rushed and a major thing was never resolved before a big twist which is frustrating. The fact that Sean's character is Korean and repeated throughout the book was not necessary. Readers can remember that significant fact about a character. The twist made it entertaining.

Seven Up by Janet Evanovich

 Started: 5/15/21

Finished: 5/20/21

Year: 2002 (this edition)

Pages: 337

Genre: mystery

Grade: B

Reason for reading: catching up on the series. Booksfree.com book

Type: Mass Market Paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "All New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum has to do is bring in a semi-retired bail jumper Eddie DeChooch. For an old man he's still got a knack for slipping out of sight-and raising hell. How else can Stephanie explain the bullet-riddled corpse in Eddie's garden? Who else would have a clue as to why two of Stephanie's friend suddenly vanished? For answers Stephanie has the devil to pay: her mentor, Ranger. The deal? He'll give Stephanie all the help she needs-if she gives him everything he wants...

"As if things weren't complicated enough, Stephanie's just discovered her Grandma Mazur's own unmentionable alliance with Eddie. Add a series of unnerving break-ins, not to mention the bombshell revelation leveled by Stephanie's estranged sister, and Stephanie's ready for some good news. Unfortunately, a marriage proposal from Joe Morelli, the love of her life, isn't quite cutting it. And now-murder, a randy paramour, a wily mobster, death threats, extortion and a triple kidnapping aside-Stephanie's really got the urge to run for her life..."

Opinion: Oh the antics that Stephanie gets herself into. A fun read and goes right along with the series.

More Confessions of a Trauma Junkie: My Life as a Nurse Paramedic by Sherry Lynn Jones

 Started: 5/13/21

Finished: 5/15/21

Year: 2021 (this edition)

Pages: 130

Genre: Biograpy/Autobiography-Medical

Grade: C

Reason for reading: review for Reader Views

Type: Trade Paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "More Confessions shares the raw and honest feelings of emergency service professionals through true 'story behind the story' revelations. Disclosing experiences from both sides of the gurney. Sherry and other EMS, ER, paramilitary, and firefighter responders walk you along their fragile line of sanity. Using humor as a life raft during perfect storms, workers reflect upon how they endure and survive personal and professional tragedy while trying not to care too much, and what happens when they fail in that attempt. A graduate student in psychology, Sherry is a paramedic, trauma nurse, and crisis interventionist who led a national paramilitary crisis response team and continues conducting crisis management training throughout the U.S."

Opinion: As someone who has dealt with behavioral health crises in her career, I can relate to some of these stories and how humor is used in order to cope.  A more complete review will be posted on Reader Views in the near future.

Inside Our Days by Michele Merens

 Started: 5/8/21

Finished: 5/13/21

Year: 2020

Pages: 242

Genre: Fiction

Grade: C

Reason for reading: review for Reader's View

Type: Trade Paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "A happily married woman abruptly flees home and family after receiving a dire health diagnosis. As Bree Durning rejects all offers of help and instead becomes preoccupied with her own blindsiding memories, even her psychologist-trained husband is tested to his limits as he struggles to ease his wife's pain."

Opinion: The ending left a lot to be desired-hence the average grade. Without the ending, it would have been a B. A complete review will be on Reader's View in the near future.

The Trouble with Kim: On Transcending Despair and Approaching Joy by Seth David Branitz

 Started: 5/2/21

Finished: 5/6/21

Year: 2020

Pages: 270

Genre: Memoir/biography

Grade: B

Reason for reading: review for Reader's Views

Type: Trade Paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "THE TROUBLE WITH KIM: On Transcending Despair and Approaching Joy is a poignant collection of true stories about growing up poor in a troubled family, and struggling to heal past childhood wounds toward wholeness and manhood. A gifted storyteller, Seth David Branitz manages to move and entertain as he explores even the most difficult of themes. It's impossible not to be touched as he deftly tackles mental illness, addiction and recovery, sexual awakening, the limits of familial obligation, death, grief, emotional maturity, creative self-fulfillment, and finding love, all with great compassion and compelling attention to detail."

Opinion: an interesting way of telling one's story. A more complete review will be on Reader's Views in the near future.

The British Billionaire's Innocent Bride by Susanne James

Started: 4/22/2021

Finished: 4/25/2021

Year: 2009

Pages: 184

Genre: Romance

Grade: C

Reason for reading: bookcrossing.com book, TBR shelf

Type: mass market paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "When devilishly handsome Theodore Montague meets Lily Patterson in Rome, he is quite taken by this pure English beauty. Theo's not looking for a wife, but he needs annoy for his three motherless children and Lily's the perfect candidate!

"Lily might feel completely out of her depth in Theo's glamourous world, but from the moment they're under the same roof the spark between them ignites into a passion neither of them can ignore..." 

Opinion: It's a Harlequin.....probably don't need to say more than that. Not the best, not the worst.

Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women's Anger by Soraya Chemaly

 Started: 4/17/21

Finished: 4/21/21

Year: 2018

Pages: 296

Genre: Nonfiction, Psychology

Grade: B+

Reason for reading: Goodreads.com giveaway

Type: ARC

Blurb (from Amazon): "As women, we’ve been urged for so long to bottle up our anger, letting it corrode our bodies and minds in ways we don’t even realize. Yet there are so, so many legitimate reasons for us to feel angry, ranging from blatant, horrifying acts of misogyny to the subtle drip, drip drip of daily sexism that reinforces the absurdly damaging gender norms of our society.

In Rage Becomes Her, Soraya Chemaly argues that our anger is not only justified, it is also an active part of the solution. We are so often encouraged to resist our rage or punished for justifiably expressing it, yet how many remarkable achievements would never have gotten off the ground without the kernel of anger that fueled them? Approached with conscious intention, anger is a vital instrument, a radar for injustice and a catalyst for change. On the flip side, the societal and cultural belittlement of our anger is a cunning way of limiting and controlling our power—one we can no longer abide."

Opinion:  It is very evident that this was heavily and thoroughly researched. Anger is looked at from many different points and how it has effected women across all boards.  Definitely insightful and enjoyable.

Hot Six by Janet Evanovich

 Started: 4/10/21

Finished: 4/15/21

Year: 2001 (this edition)

Pages: 336

Genre: mystery

Grade: B

Reason for reading: rereading series to catch up, booklender.com

Type: Mass Market

Blurb (from back cover): "Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is faced with her most daunting task yet: bring in the mysterious former Special Forces agent Carlos Manaso (aka Ranger). He's the man who taught her everything about fugitive apprehension, and Stephanie knows she will be testing her skills against the master. But if she does catch him, she's not so sure she could turn in her friend-even if he's wanted for murder...

"And if this isn't enough to keep her up at night, Grandma Mazur is crimping her sex life by moving in with her and keeping her from getting any action from her cop boyfriend, Joe Morelli. Now, with her love life messing with her head, two threatening goons on her tail, and three corpses-so far-it's getting a litter too hot for Stephanie, whose search for Ranger is bringing her dangerously close to the wrong side of the low..."

Opinion: Another fun read. The antics that Stephanie gets into is silly but makes it fun.

Die, Grandpa, Die by Dale Hudson

 Started: 4/2/21

Finished: 4/9/21

Year: 2006

Pages: 383

Genre: True Crime

Grade: B

Reason for reading: grabbed off TBR pile

Type: mass market paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "On November 28, 2001, in Chester County, South Carolina, police made a grisly discovery. Joe Pittman, 66 and his wife Joy, 62, had been brutally slain with a .410 shotgun and their house set afire with the bodies inside. Their black Nissan Pathfinder was missing. So was their 12-year-old grandson, Christopher Pittman. What had become of the boy? Was he still alive-and if so, for how long? The clock was ticking and time was running out.

"Christopher was found safe and sound in a neighboring county. But relief turned to suspicion as he told an improbable tale of a black man who'd killed his grandparents and kidnapped him. Eventually, Pittman confessed to the slayings and to fleeing in the SUV. In February 2005, he was tried as an adult. Defense lawyers claimed Pittman had been unhinged by the prescription drug Zoloft. It would be up to a jury to decide whether the boy who killed would have to face a man's punishment..."

Opinion: I have always enjoyed Hudson's books and this one is no different. The book goes into the crime and the trial thoroughly.  Did Zoloft affect Christopher so much to the point of murder? Hard to say as medication effects everyone differently. Overall a sad story about the cycle of abuse (alleged) and the possibility of medication effects that led to a horrendous murder.

Overnight Delivery by Raymond Parish

 Started: 3/27/21

Finished: 4/1/2021

Year: 2020

Pages: 339

Genre: Mystery

Grade: B

Reason for reading: review for Reader's View

Type: Trade paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "Small of stature but big of heart, psychotherapist Hank Anderson has a gift for helping clients face serious issues and heal life-altering traumas, but this talent intersects with darker truths, an insatiable curiousity that will soon threaten to violently shatter every aspect of Hank's life."

Opinion: A fun adventure when a psychotherapist meets the client with a threatening truth. A more complete review will be posted on Reader's View in the upcoming future.

My Adventure: An Encounter with Life by William Millard

 Started: 3/18/2021

Finished: 3/26/2021

Year: 2020

Pages: 282

Genre: Memoir

Grade: B-

Type: Trade paperback

Reason for reading: review for Reader Views

Blurb (from back cover): "Bill Millard is a commercial attorney with an international law firm in Dallas, Texas, and life could not be better.

"On top of his lucrative job, he is married with two wonderful children, lives in a nice neighborhood with great schools, and is a proud Texan. But his world comes crashing down as his health starts to decline.

"At first, it's not clear what is wrong, but then he is diagnosed with several near-fatal diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, which is a progressive nervous system disease that causes a loss of muscle control.

"He loses his family, career, home, and health. After a period in a comatose state, he wakes up as a quadriplegic, suffering severe seizures. He is unable to eat, drink, swallow, speak, stand, breathe without respiratory care, or carry on life as he knew it.

"In this inspiring memoir, Millard reveals how he coped with his diagnosis and made a miraculous recovery, spending seven-plus years fighting for his life in long-term health care facilities, physical rehabilitation facilities, and other centers. Millard's story also offers a unique first-hand patient's perspective as to what it is like to live in skilled and senior healthcare facilities today, containing many observations on what he thinks makes a better facility for patients and their families."

Opinion: I wanted more about his illness but he does address why he didn't dwell on what it was or could have been. I think that this could have been helpful for others and their families that are facing similar struggles. A more complete review will be on Reader Views in the near future.