This is one of the most powerful books I have read recently, and I've read some great ones! Jenny's Law is chock-full of beautifully drawn scenes of small town life and characters I want to be friends with, and wisdom, so much wisdom. Highly relevant, this book raises vital issues to discuss and would be a terrific book to read with friends and family, including teens.
Honestly, I did not expect to be so drawn in as I was to this book; we've grown up knowing this story, so what would be new?. But Fredericks delves in to (and imagines) the characters with engaging descriptions and dialogue, so my emotions and attention were completely hooked and I finished it quickly with the unrealistic hope that there might be a happy ending. Tragic and yet so good to read!
Potpies, meatloaf, roast chicken, baked beans, cherry pie,, toffee bars ... are you drooling yet?! We need this food now.
Holy cow, Backman has done it again! This world of the towns of Beartown and Hed have come to life with typical Backman energy, detail, and drama. You don't have to have read the earlier books in this series of three as he provides enough background for the reader to fully engage with the current events, but why skip them? These books are so good!
The first in the series that includes the new release of The Winners, Beartown is about a small town in the northern woods that revolves around its youth hockey program - at least that is the plot's focus. The beauty of Backman's writing, though, is that he develops characters with real flaws and assets who wrestle with important concepts and decisions. Through a blend of action and reflection and beautiful description, this story drew me in; I had to finish it before I did anything else. Not a fun, humorous read like his others, this story will stay with you long after you close the back cover. I'm glad I read this before I read The Winners.
Naked sex on a NYC rooftop as a first date? Yes. And that's just the beginning! Lipman's story of a lawyer under house arrest combines a little mystery and old-fashioned food with a lot of fun. Then she wraps it up in a light-hearted love story. Quick and fun!
Three seemingly separate mysteries slowly weave together to form a terrific page-turner. This is a perfect book for these days when you want to curl up and forget about the rotten weather.
The dystopian world hooked me from the beginning. There's a good reason why this book has been reissued and won so many awards: it's a fantastic story!
I am a huge Ivan Doig fan, and this delighted me as much or more than his others. Life in this small, western town pivots around a highly charismatic, empathetic bartender who has his own mysteries to keep, and eventually release. A love store, a family store, a small-town store - seems kind of close to home, eh?
These tender - some heartbreaking and many upbeat - animal stories inspire Zeleski's reflections on her upbringing. The chapters blend stories of animal rescues with stories of her childhood. Raised by a strong mother whose heart for animals drives her to fill their very humble home with abandoned and abused animals, Zelski inherits this same love. Hence, she founds her "Funny Farm", a real farm in the pinelands of New Jersey. I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir.
Wow - what a terrific read on so many levels! Using the controversial but successful effort of reintroducing wolves to lands from which they had once been purged, McConaghy tells a powerful story of family relationships, town politics, and the struggle between biologists and farmers. The descriptions of the outdoor world are visceral, and the relationships - both human and wolf - are beautifully developed. I confess to skimming one scene of violence, but that did not temper my enthusiasm for this book. Migrations, McConaghy's first book, is on my list to read soon.
I have read several WWII historical novels - and loved them - so I wondered if this might be repetitive, and it was not! The determination of these women to be meaningfully engaged is inspiring, and I enjoyed the romance tucked between the intrigue of Bletchley Park. I tore through this one.
I was drawn to this by the title since I love bread, but of course this book is so much more than baking. Set during WWII in a small French town near Normandy trying to survive the brutality of the Nazi occupiers, the village baker develops ingenious ways to outsmart them. Through a broad array of well-drawn characters, the town comes alive in our minds, so we wince at each cruel strike and cheer when the townspeople score even a small victory. The descriptions of the Normandy invasion are told from a fresh, and well-researched perspective. As the real survivors of this war pass on, these historical stories feel ever more valuable. The Baker's Secret is one worth sharing.
Just like the world created by the author, this book is magical. The creative narrative line weaves among years and continents, through magic and reality, and lands in a love story. I know I'll notice more details with a second reading, too, as the book is packed with details, innuendos, and connections, some that I probably missed the first time. Reminding me of the novel Life of Pi, every page brought an impossible but somehow believable situation. Completely satisfying.
Small town life comes alive in this short and beautifully written novel, the first in a trilogy. These characters drew me into their lives, and I found myself thinking about them during quiet times in my day, hoping the best for them. As the back cover describes, this is "a novel of wisdom and grace" and it lifted me as was promised.
Sometimes we need a beach read, and then... sometimes a jolt. Brooks is a master of research, so her telling of the plague of 1666 through the experiences of one young woman is both moving and inspiring. As some of the comments on the book cover claim, this book is timely as we continue to wrestle with this generation's pandemic. This is a book I am re-reading and re-loving.
Ove becomes the most lovable and wise curmudgeon you will ever meet. I love this book for the humanity and community Backman builds among his highly diverse, memorable characters. through the kindness and honesty of others, Ove rediscovers his purpose for living and will inspire readers to do the same.
Yes, these animals have authentic personalities and live in a book written for adults. They don't exactly talk but through Smiley's writing become characters you will want to have for friends. The relationships among them are warm, genuine, and honest. They take risks to care for each other and give of themselves in charming and delightful ways. I want a sequel because these characters are simply so fun.
History and Shakespeare fans, this is for you! The author has researched and then imagined Shakespeare's "better half" and family. This novel draws us into the plague of 1580 through a unique perspective and poetic narrative threads. And by the way, You don't need to love Shakespeare to enjoy this book. He actually plays a relatively minor role!
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