The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

Name:                               The Truth About Forever Author:                              Sarah Dessen Rating:                              9.5 General Rating:               A perfectly sweet book to make you forget the pandemic.  It ranks as one of my favorite YA books. Skip factor:        >1% I barely skipped anything. A few times I … Read more

Books I Almost Read

Read the Pulitzer Prize winning Middlesex? Me neither. Wandering through my seventh decade, I treasure time. I used to read the classics no matter how grueling and gut-wrenching, but now? Meh. Distinctions can be deceiving. Some of the smartest people I met over the years never earned a high-school diploma. Lots more swore off college. I’ve … Read more

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Rating:  8.5 General Rating:  Kidd amalgamates narration and dialogue to perfection in this  touching tale of a motherless girl who runs away from an abusive father. Skip factor:  1% I skipped little. The writing was just too good. Who should read: All women, all ages. Summary:  This is the story of Lily Owens who must come to terms … Read more

Educated by Tara Westover

Rating:     9    This book challenged me. Yet, once I got past the Westover’s junkyard and herbal world, I was mesmerized by Tara’s journey. Skip factor: 8%    At around 30% I called a friend and asked if the story improved. I did not like the junkyard or herbal lore at all. However, I hung … Read more

Defending Jacob by Michael Landay

Rating:                       10 BEST BOOK CLUB RATING General Rating:        This novel is great from the beginning, meaty in the middle, and unable-to-put-down in the end. One of my all-time favorites, Defending Jacob is one of only two books I’ve read cover to cover twice. The surprise for me? … Read more

The Overdue Life of Amy Byler by Kelly Harms

Rating:           7 General Rating: A fun summer read. Skip factor:  4%. I skipped a little, not much. Who should read: If you are a single, unappreciated mom or a woman immersed in the dating world, you’ll like this book. Summary: Amy Byler’s ex-husband up and left three years ago, so when she runs into him … Read more

My Husband’s Wife by Jane Corry

Rating:           7.5 General Rating:  Great suspense but a little congested. Found this gem at a reading library at a NC Preserve! Who should read:  Mystery and Women’s fiction lovers. Skip factor:  2% toward the end. I’m not rating this as high but it did keep my attention. Summary: I began writing this summary and realized there are … Read more

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Rating:           9.5 General Rating: Reading this book is a little like going on a dinner date with a genius. You can’t insult him by leaving too soon, but he’s a tad confusing. Long-winded. Using proper utensils. Announcing the origins and imported flavors of every bite—in French. Then Latin. You’re out of your element, aren’t sure what … Read more

Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Rating:           10 General Rating:  A hat trick! This is the third ten I’ve given Fredrik Backman. Appropriately, it’s a hockey story. Backman keeps outdoing himself. Skip factor:  Another one where I skipped nothing. Not a word. Favorite line: “It doesn’t take a lot to be able to let go of your child. It takes everything.” … Read more

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Rating:                       5 General Rating:   This was a can’t-put-down novel for me. Confession: Not sure I would have LOVED this book as much if I hadn’t watched the Netflix series. Reese Wetherspoon’s voice echoed through my head with the turn of every page. (I love that girl.) Skip factor:    O% This doesn’t happen very often, but I … Read more