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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Orphans of the Living by Kathy Watson

    August 6, 2025
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    Note: This book was provided to me gratis by Mind Buck Media in exhange for a review.

    The Great Depression. The Stovall family lives hand to mouth. This first time novel by Kathy Watson follows Barney and Lula Stovall and their eventual seven children from Mississippi to Montana and California in search of the elusive life of security and promise. Told from the point of view of each four members of this family, each well developed character has a story to tell. Here is my book review Orphans of the Living by Kathy Watson.

    Personal History

    Watson tells the story of her own impoverished mother and grandmother, and the difficult life they led in post depression era 1930’s. Surviving the death of her first husband, Lula is left with two young boys. She knows she can never love another man, but when Barney Stovall asks for her hand in marriage she consents, while still grieving the loss of her first husband. Kathy Watson’s real grandmother Lula will spend the rest of her life, either having babies or caring for babies, all while Barney jumps from job to job searching for a better life.

    Lula agrees to leave her two boys Glen and Ray with her uncle, when Barney insists they can’t afford to take the entire family to California. He promises her they will send for the boys when they can. Lula falls into a depression as the years go by and she never hears from the boys.

    The Last Straw

    When Lula finds herself pregnant again, she attempts to abort the baby, only to nearly die herself. The baby is a little girl, Nora Mae. Lula’s deep depression and lack of interest in the new baby will color the child’s entire life, giving her a lifelong desire to just be seen.

    Nora Mae

    Little Nora Mae will grow up to be author Watson’s mother, despite her difficult and unloving childhood. Her siblings will serve more as parents than either of her parents, and Nora Mae will rebel and look for love elsewhere.

    Book Review Orphans of the Living

    Unfortunately this kind of family dysfunction was not unheard of during the early years of the 20th century. Families where poor, divided, overworked and underfed. Most American’s would find a similar family story in their own history if they searched. It’s a good reminder for us today, even despite difficult current times, we are still generally better off than our ancestors. We give gratitude to them for forging a path through poverty, racism, and inequality to help next generations achieve a better life.

    ****Four stars for Orphans for the Living by Kathy Watson. See last week’s READING ROUND UP YEAR END REVIEW 2025. Thanks for reading my book review Orphans of the Living by Kathy Watson.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Eighth Annual Reading Round Up 2025

    Year In Review

    July 30, 2025
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    As you likely know if you have been following all these years, I track my reading year from July to July – why not be different from everyone else who tracks January to January?. Nothing fancy, just keep a little tally in my notebook of all the books I read. This year I read 85 books, (eight more than last year) and today I will share with you some of my favorites for the Eighth Annual Reading Round Up 2025.

    Over the past year I have written 53 book reviews, pulling into reviews my favorites of the 85 books. Most of my reading is done on my Kindle while traveling, a few hardback and paperback and a few more on Audible. I like Audible for car trips, a great way to be entertained on the road.

    So as in the past several years, I’m sharing my most favorites from July ’24 to July ’25. I have a top ten list, and ten honorable mentions too. Some outstanding novels, biographies, historical non-fiction, as well as Booker finalists. Other than the number one slot, The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, the books are in no particular order. So here we go, my Eighth Annual Reading Round Up 2025;

    My Top Ten

    THE FROZEN RIVER by Ariel Lawhon

    My Favorite Book of the Year. I listened to it on Audible while we were traveling in Australia. It was well written and well narrated. Though a work of fiction, Lawhon has well researched the story of real life 18th century midwife Martha Ballard and woven a remarkable tale of mystery, family, love and perseverance. Set in a cold frozen Maine in 1789.

    And in no particular order nine more…

    MARTYR by Kaveh Akbar

    There are thousands of really good writers. And then there are the masters. Akbar’s first novel, Martyr is a mastering of the art of language. Cyrus Shams, an Iranian young man, moved to America as a child with his father. He has struggled through his life with the tragic knowledge that his mother died on commercial plane, shot down by Americans over the Persian Gulf. An incredible story unfolds.

    THERE ARE RIVERS IN THE SKY by Elif Shafak

    Ancient and modern this book felt like reading a fairy tale. I was enraptured from the beginning – the beginning where we meet a tiny raindrop and follow the rivers in the sky through generations.

    THE LIFE IMPOSSIBLE by Matt Haig

    Grace Winters leads a self-proclaimed boring life in England as a 72-year-old retired teacher and widow. That is until she receives an email from a former student. Grace’s response to her student Maurice will be the entire novel – in all it’s beautifully written language, incredibly developed characters, fantastical magic and mystery…and a tropical paradise too.

    THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF SAM HELL by Robert Dugoni

    What a great feel good novel.  This is a story of being different.  Being bullied because of it. And finding a way through it all to succeed and be happy. Dugoni has two books in my top ten list this year, see below. You must read his work.

    BOY WITH WINGS by Mark Mustian

    This is a story about an unlikely hero. Just a boy. A boy born with an abnormality to a single mother in the south in the early part of the 20th century. When anyone who was not white or “normal” was dehumanized, hunted, condemned and chastized. Johnny Cruel lives this life. Mustian has two books on my top ten list this year (see below).

    GO AS A RIVER by Shelley Read

    This is a beautiful coming of age story set in the high mountains of Colorado post WWII. Love grows in many ways; between people, for the land, for family, for nature, for a way of life. At the heart of this story is love.

    GENDARME by Mark Mustian

    Incredible. I am an avid historical fiction reader, particularly when the plot is based on real events and people. Having recently been to and fallen in love with Armenia and the surrounding Caucasus countries, I devoured this story. Mustian makes my top ten list twice – see above Boy with Wings.

    HOLD STRONG by Robert Dugoni

    Hold Strong is a story of true events that occurred during war time, this story is WWII. Despite the fact there are literally hundreds of novels and non-fiction books about WWII – I was unaware of the horrific “hell ships” of the Japanese military. A truly remarkable book, and the second of Dugoni’s work to make my top ten this year. See Boy with Wings above.

    VICIOUS by V.E. Schwab

    The underlying theme of this mind-bending book is ambition and the evil it begets. The book bounces back and forth over a decade time frame with two brilliant college roommates, Eli & Victor, creating a chaotic and dangerous game for their Senior Thesis. When things go terribly wrong, people start to die. I am a huge fan of V.E. Schwab and this book was excellent.

    Ten More You Should Read

    THE UNMAKING OF JUNE FARROW by Adrienne Young in a word Secrets

    THE HORSE by Willy Vlautin in a word Redemption

    THE GLASSMAKER by Tracy Chevalier in a word Women

    TANGLES by Kay Smith-Blum in a word Radioactive

    SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE by Claire Keegan in a word Conscience

    THE SAFEKEEP by Yael van den Wouden – in a word Unexpected

    THE LION WOMEN OF TEHRAN by Marjan Kamali – in a word Friendship

    THE MEASURE by Nikki Erlick – in a word Value

    MY FRIENDS by Hisham Matar – in a word Profound

    THE GOD OF THE WOODS by Liz Moore – in a word Mystery

    Eighth Annual Reading Round Up 2025

    Thanks for reading my Eighth Annual Reading Round Up 2025 and for reading all my book reviews this past year. Every Wednesday I post a new review…I hope you will continue to enjoy, share and comment as we read together.

    See last week’s book review The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife here. See you again next week for more Reading Wednesday!

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston

    July 23, 2025
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    What would happen to a down and out lonely old man if he is mistaken for someone else? Life can have unexpected twists and turns, and that is the story of today’s Book Review The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston.

    Mistaken Identity

    A case of mistaken identity turns into a comedy and tragedy as Frederick Fife finds himself living as someone else in a nursing home. The lonely old man was out of money and about to lose his apartment, when suddenly his life changed. Despite trying several times to explain who he really was, no one at the nursing home will listen. Fred is frustrated at the ageism he experiences, but begins to enjoy his warm bed and hot meals so decides to just live as Bernard Greer, believing he isn’t hurting anyone.

    Friends and Family

    Fred has no family of his own, but this kind and gentle soul immediately makes friends in the nursing home, all while the staff wonder about his positive change in personality and improving health. Things are going along well until Bernard’s estranged daughter shows up. Having not laid eyes on her father in 30 years, even she does not recognize that Bernard is actually Fred.

    Comedy of Errors

    What will happen as Fred finds himself dug deeper and deeper in this misconception, unwilling to hurt those around him but living with heavy guilt?

    It’s a fun and uplifting story, with a variety of well-developed characters all looking for a sense of purpose. The book looks at issues of aging, family, memory, grief and friendship. A perfect summer read.

    Book Review The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston

    ****Four stars for The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston.

    Thanks for reading my Book Review The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston. See last week’s book review The Will of the Many by James Islington.

    Be sure not to miss NEXT WEEK our EIGHTH ANNUAL READING ROUND UP 2025 – my top picks of my reading year July 2024-July 2025.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review The Will of the Many by James Islington

    July 16, 2025
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    This book showed up on a must read list I follow and since it is really long, it seemed like a good one to listen to on Audible in the car. More than 28 hours of listening it is an epic story, book one of two, and I was transfixed. Here is my book review The Will of the Many by James Islington.

    The Future?

    It’s never exactly clear if this fantasy novel is Earth in the future or something else. It’s a dystopian society that is both backward and forward of where we are on present day Earth. And yet it is also a mysterious place, where personal “Will” can be traded or “ceded” for favor, and those with more “Will” are the Hierarchy of this society known as The Catenan Republic.

    Secrets

    Vis Telimus is not who most people think he is. Keeping his real identify secret, he feigns being an orphan after a tragic accident. He is “adopted” by the powerful Magnus Quintus Ulciscor Telimus. Ulciscor places Vis in the prestigious Catenan Academy to find out answers to secrets. But Ulciscor’s wife has her own answers she is searching for. Vis is a spy for both, all while knowing if they knew his real identify they would kill him.

    Rising Through the Ranks

    Vis must rise through the ranks of the Academy, and try to make friends while learning as much as he can about the Hierarchy, a murder, a secret chamber and what is really going on behind this “civilized society”. A lot for a young man who really wants justice for his own family’s murder.

    Book One of Two

    When I started this book I did not realize it would leave me hanging in the end…as we wait for the second book scheduled for November 2025. The novel is a bit Harry Potter, a bit Hunger Games and a bit Lord of the Flies, all while most definitely not YA. I was intrigued by the story, though complicated, left with many questions at the end, and looking forward to what will happen in the next installment.

    Book Review The Will of the Many by James Islington

    Thank you for reading my book review The Will of the Many by James Islington. I really recommend it if you are looking for an epic story with intrigue and fantasy.

    *****Five stars for The Will of the Many by James Islington. See last week’s book review Vicious by V.E. Schwab.

    We love it when you share, comment and pin our book reviews. Thank you.

    Book Review The Will of the Many by James Islington

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Vicious by V.E.Schwab

    July 9, 2025
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    I have been a fan of V.E. Schwab ever since I read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue about five years ago. At that time I did not see myself as a fantasy reader. But Schwab changed that with her unique style of reality against fantasy and good against evil. I have read a lot of her work since Addie LaRue, and this week I’m sharing another favorite. Here is my Book Review Vicious by V.E.Schwab.

    Ambition

    The underlying theme of this mind-bending book is ambition and the evil it begets. The book bounces back and forth over a decade time frame with two brilliant college roommates, Eli & Victor, creating a chaotic and dangerous game for their Senior Thesis. When things go terribly wrong, people start to die. Ambition gets the better of the friends, and they turn against each other after their fascinating discovery – how to create supernatural powers in humans.

    Revenge

    Victor will end up in prison for ten years, while Eli spends the decade trying to eradicate every other human with super powers. When Victor gets out of prison, he has one goal…revenge. Eli’s own superpower is to heal himself, while his girlfriend has the power to make others obey her. Meanwhile Victor has his own power to give and take-away pain. He meets Sydney, who is running from Eli and has her own remarkable superpower, and with Victor’s prison mate Mitch they hatch a plan to do away with Eli once and for all.

    Book Review Vicious by V.E.Schwab

    I really enjoyed this book and found the characters were fascinating and well developed. The story line is fast paced and violent but kept my attention, right up to the final sentence. It’s a story about loneliness, and searching for meaning. It is a story about family and grief and how a superpower is not always about being a hero. It can be about becoming vicious. It’s a story about redemption and bending reality, while coming back around to the strength of friendship.

    *****Five stars for Vicious by V.E. Schwab.

    Thanks for reading my Book Review Vicious by V.E.Schwab. See last week’s book review Unshackeled by Amanda DuBois. We love it when you comment, pin and share our book reviews. Thank you.

    Book Review Vicious by V.E.Schwab
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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Unshackled by Amanda Dubois

    July 2, 2025
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    Note: This book was provided to me gratis by Full Swing Public Relations, in exhange for a review.

    Seattle based attorney and author Amanda Dubois‘ third book, tackles an interesting and difficult subject. The subject of incarcerated mothers, and the far reaching societal impacts of keeping children separated from their mothers. Here is my book review Unshackled by Amanda Dubois.

    Incarcerated Mothers

    This book opens with a difficult scene. A young, incarcerated pregnant women, is forced to give birth while shackled, and in full-view of prison guards. The young mother, Charli, is serving time, for a crime she did not commit. Before Charli has time to get to know her beautiful little daughter Willow, a man claiming to be the father, kidnaps baby Willow and is gone without a trace.

    Seven Years Later

    We meet Seattle Attorney Camille Delaney. Well known for her tough work, she agrees to take on pro-bono work for women inside the State Correctional Facility. It’s been seven years since baby Willow was kidnapped. The case is cold, and Charli has nowhere to turn. But Camille feels a connection both to Charli, and to the women on the inside. Women who find themselves in an endless catch-22 – trying to navigate the system, and reconnect with their children while serving time.

    Truth

    Camille will enlist the help of her friend and private investigator, as well as her law assistant a former “insider”. A collection of other players help to doggedly pursue justice for Charli, and other convicted mothers. Many whose rights are all but forgotten.

    The story will bounce from Seattle, to the San Juan Islands, to Gig Harbor and to Port Angeles. Camille’s tenacious pursuit of justice for Charli builds a friendship between the women. One that will be tested in the end.

    Book Review Unshackled by Amanda Dubois

    My only criticism of this novel is there are a lot of coincidences that further the plot, some seemingly unrealistic. That said it is engaging and importantly covers a crucial social topic we all should have a better understanding of.

    ****Four stars for Unshackled by Amanda Dubois. Thank you for reading my book review Unshackled by Amanda Dubois. See last week’s Book Review Hold Strong by Robert Dugoni.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Hold Strong by Robert Dugoni

    June 25, 2025
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    I had never heard of Robert Dugoni until I recently read his latest novel The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell. See my book review The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell here. After reading Sam Hell I was intrigued by this author and I discovered Hold Strong. I listened to this one on audible. Here is my book review Hold Strong by Robert Dugoni.

    World War II

    Just like last week’s book Gendarme, Hold Strong is a story of true events that occurred during war time, this story is WWII. Despite the fact there are literally hundreds of novels and non-fiction books about WWII – I was unaware of the horrific “hell ships” of the Japanese military.

    Hell ships refer to the Japanese ships used during World War II to transport Allied prisoners of war (POWs) and forced laborers (rōmusha). These ships were notorious for their extremely inhumane conditions, leading to many deaths aboard, and earned the name “hell ship” due to the suffering endured by those on board. 

    This entire story is based on factual accounts and it is truly horrifying. Not to mention embarrassing that I have never heard of it.

    When is the Movie?

    This book is perfect material for an epic film, and I will be shocked if it doesn’t come to fruition. It has everything; based on factual events, heartfelt love story, engaging characters, and horrifying war crimes. The good, the bad and the brutal.

    War

    Sam Carlson is madly in love with his hometown sweetheart Sarah Haber – the smartest and prettiest girl in town. Sam joins the military at the end of the great depression in hopes of earning enough to buy back his family farm, where he dreams of raising a family with Sarah. But war has other plans.

    Sam will be taken prisoner by the Japanese in 1942 and will endure a horrific series of events including the Japanese “hell ship” the Arisan Maru. Sarah never stops believing Sam is alive, and her imagined life as a small town teacher will take a big turn. She is recruited as code breaker for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service. Her work will play an unimaginable role in the events of WWII.

    Dugani has created some very believable characters and story line, and although they are fictional, their story and the story of the men on both the “hell ships” and the Baatan Death March are based on facts and real people. Incredibly a part of WWII few people know about. I’m so glad I learned this story from Hold Strong.

    Book Review Hold Strong by Robert Dugoni

    *****Five stars for Hold Strong by Robert Dugoni. Thank you for reading my book review Hold Strong by Robert Dugoni. See last week’s book review Gendarme by Mark Mustian.

    We are always grateful for your comments, shares and pins of our book reviews. Thank you.

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