Coffee & Books discussion

My review for Know My Name by Chanel Miller

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Say Nothing – Patrick Radden Keefe – 4****
I confess that while I had heard of “The Troubles” I had never really studied the causes of the conflict in Northern Ireland, nor did I closely follow the politics at play. I’m so glad that my F2F book club chose this book, because I learned about not only the conflict portrayed, but perhaps a little about how a young person becomes radicalized and how festering dissatisfaction can turn from angry rhetoric to acts of terrorism. Keefe is an accomplished investigative journalist, and he certainly did his homework here.
My full review HERE

I finished my book called The Dying Room by Debra Webb

This I Know – Eldonna Edwards – 3***
I picked this up while trolling my public library’s shelves. I was a bit skeptical, but saw an author blurb from Lesley Kagen, so thought I give this a go. I was quickly immersed in the story and eager to see how things would work out for the eleven-year-old heroine. The setting is a small town in Michigan in the late 1960s. Grace is a typical pre-teen in many respects, but she has a special gift she calls “the Knowing” of which her preacher father does not approve. There is a mystery involving a child predator, which subplot comes and goes, and was really unnecessary IMHO. Still, a satisfying, enjoyable read.
My full review HERE

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A Madness of Sunshine – Nalini Singh – 3***
Nalini Singh is known for her romantic fantasy books, but this is her debut adult detective mystery. The setting is a remote town on the West Coast of New Zealand, populated primarily by indigenous Maori. I really liked this mystery thriller, with several layers of intrigue. Detective Will Gallagher is a great character, with flaws and some darkness in his past … he is, after all, a big-city Detective now assigned to a small town in the middle of nowhere. The twists and turns kept me guessing, and I didn’t see the ending coming. I hope Singh will write another mystery featuring Will.
My full review HERE

I finished my book called Her Last Goodbye by Rick Mofina

The Warmth of Other Suns – Isabel Wilkerson – 4****
Subtitle: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration. I had heard of Wilkerson’s masterful social history, but had just never gotten around to reading it … until now. One thing I really appreciate about this work is how Wilkerson focuses on three individuals to illustrate the scope of the Great Migration. It was informative and interesting, and I definitely learned some things I had not known before.
My full review HERE

I̥ͦ'm̥ͦ r̥ͦe̥ͦḁͦd̥ͦi̥ͦn̥ͦg̥ͦ T̥ͦh̥ͦe̥ͦ D̥ͦu̥ͦt̥ͦc̥ͦh̥ͦ W̥ͦi̥ͦf̥ͦe̥ͦ👰🏼 b̥ͦy̥ͦ E̥ͦl̥ͦl̥ͦe̥ͦn̥ͦ K̥ͦe̥ͦi̥ͦt̥ͦh̥ͦ

I’ve started reading the Jasmine Throne and so far it reads and sounds good, so am defiantly looking forward to more of the book.

I finished my book called Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

Precious And Grace – Alexander McCall Smith – 3***
Book # 17 in the hugely popular “No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency” series, has Mma Precious Ramotswe and her “co-director” Mma Grace Makutsi at loggerheads once again over updating office practices vs relying on tried and true methods. I love this series. I enjoy spending time with these people, though I rather missed Mr J L B Matekoni who barely appears in this episode. Mma Ramotswe can always be relied upon to consider carefully the underlying motives and various options for dealing with any problem. While Mma Makutsi is frequently the one to rush forward, perhaps jumping to the wrong conclusion, or arriving at the right answer but for the wrong reason!
My full review HERE

I finished my book called Hit and Run by Lurlene McDaniel

I finished my book called Vanished by Jade Madden.

The Experiment by Stephen Kyle.

I finished my book called Letting Go of Lisa by Lurlene McDaniel

I finished my book called For Their Child's Sake by Jules Bennett

Stones For Ibarra – Harriet Doerr – 3.5***
An American couple arrive in the remote mountain village of Ibarra, Mexico to reopen the copper mine his grandfather abandoned some fifty years previously. Clash of cultures. Very atmospheric. I loved the depictions of festivals and traditions. Several subplots involve the residents of the town, their lives, loves, disappointments and joys.
My full review HERE

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Out Stealing Horses – Per Petterson – 3.5***
Petterson has crafted an atmospheric, character-driven story of one man’s looking back on his coming-of-age summer when he was almost 15 and living with his father in a remote cabin on a river in eastern Norway, just on the border with Sweden. The story moves back and forth between the present day and the summer of 1948. As Trond matures he comes to realize that adventure isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be, and there can be a very real human toll to giving in to desire and youthful exuberance.
My full review HERE

I finished my book called The Family Across the Street by Nicole Trope

Rachel To the Rescue – Elinor Lipman – 3.5**** (rounded up)
Rachel Klein, unceremoniously fired from her job in the White House Office of Records Management (WHORM), as a result of a drunken tweet voicing her frustrations, gets hit by a speeding SUV on her way out of the Executive Office Building. Turns out the driver is a “close friend of the President” … let the fun begin! A delightfully fast read, a joy of a rom-com.
My full review HERE

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Stowaway – Karen Hesse – 4****
In the summer of 1768 Captain James Cook set sail on H.M.S. Endeavor for a major expedition to explore the possibility of a new continent. One of the people aboard was Nicholas Young, age 11. Hesse uses the imagined journal kept by Nick to tell the story of this voyage. It's a great adventure, and a believable coming-of-age story. Nick is bright, enthusiastic, hard-working and observant.
My full review HERE

I finished my book called Tell Me I'm Wrong by Adam Croft

The Wedding Date – Jasmine Guillory – 3.5***
What a fun, fast romantic read. I loved that Alexa and Drew are professionals with time-consuming careers. Their path to Happily Ever After is complicated by their geographic distance, their own personal issues, and a few missteps common to many new relationships. But they approach all these obstacles as adults, which I found very refreshing!
My full review HERE

I finished my book called The Perfect Son by Freida McFadden

I finished my book called The Wedding by Ruth Heald

Save Me the Plums – Ruth Reichl – 4****
Subtitle: My Gourmet Memoir. Reichl has written before about her time as a food critic and about her mother, here she tackles the years she spent as editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine. I love her writing. It is nothing short of delicious. She is open, honest and insightful. She writes about not just what happened but how she felt about what was happening. And, as usual, she really excels when writing about food. I may have gained 10 pounds just reading it!
My full review HERE

Once Upon a Time in Rio – Francisco Azevedo – 4****
This is a delightful multi-generational saga of love, adventure, joy, disappointment, fear, prosperity and all those ingredients that make up the delicious dish we know as family. It begins when Jose Custodio and Maria Romana marry in Lisbon in 1908 and follows the Custodios, their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren through the decades and into the 21st century. It reminded me at times of the Spanish telenovelas my grandmother loved to listen to on the radio. Weddings, births, funerals, fights and making up. Such drama! Such love! I was engaged and interested from beginning to end.
My full review HERE

I finished my book called One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus

Writers & Lovers – Lily King – 3.5*** rounded up
Casey Peabody is a struggling writer, reeling over the sudden death of her mother some six month before the novel begins, burdened by crushing student debt and maxed-out credit cards, and recently having broken up with her boyfriend; she is adrift and somewhat depressed. I really liked this book. I loved how Casey looked at the people and events in her life, and that, despite all her difficulties, she has a strong sense of her own self, and stands up for herself against bullying co-workers. The supporting cast, was just that, supporting. And I was happy to cheer for her at the end.
My full review HERE