Short Stories of Kids with Gifts: The Dream Diaries

(Above are: Sonnie, Annie, Rachel & Chase)  Ever thought of someone, then they called? Had a Deja Vu feeling as if you’ve been somewhere you couldn’t possibly have been? Felt like someone was watching you? If so, you’ll like my new book of short stories, The Dream Diaries about extraordinary kids with intuitive gifts. Though fictional, readers … 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

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

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

Rating:           9 General Rating: Excellent writing and character development. I even loved the mule, Junia, named for the single female apostle. (Google to verify.) This novel reminded me of The Whip, only I enjoyed it much more. Skip factor:  Nothing. Who should read: If you like fabulous writing about simple people but with deep meaning, you’ll love … Read more

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

Rating:                              6 General Rating: No, no, no, no, and no. I don’t usually bad-mouth other authors or books but this is a hard no. I give it an 8 for writing but a 4 for content. Skip factor:  20% At least. I skipped much. I don’t like reading the sex details between a pervert and … Read more

Hadley and Grace by Suzanne Redfearn

Rating:           8 General Rating: This is Lucy and Ethel turned Therma and Louise. Skip factor:  6%. I skipped a bit a quarter of the way through along with long paragraphs thereafter. Who should read: You’ll like. People who need a break from deep should read this.  Or, enjoy humor? You’ll like. Summary: Thelma—I’m sorry—Hadley is … Read more

A grand old time

Rating:                              8 General Rating: A cute little story about old age. The main character, Evy, captured my heart immediately. It took a bit longer for me to warm up to the storyline, but I was in love with Evy so gladly kept going. … Read more

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

Rating:           9.5 General Rating: A must read. Fabulous writing and a fantastic novel. I loved the straightforward talk of Eleanor coupled with hints sprinkled throughout that something in her past was awry. That combination kept me turning pages. Favorite line: “Everything seems worse in the darkest hours of the night.” (So true!) Skip factor:  1%. I skipped … Read more

What I Saw in the Chapel

What I Saw in the Chapel What was that? Am I crazy? Or am I having (gulp)—a vision? At the risk of sounding deranged and for the lack of a better description, I’m admitting I experience occasional, brief, inexplicit “movies in my head” without reason. These little episodes surprise me in different settings: at home … Read more