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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Fiend by Alma Katsu

    September 17, 2025
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    Note – I was provided this book gratis by MB Communications in exchange for my honest review.

    Horror Genre

    I used to never pick up a book in the horror genre, just assuming I wouldn’t enjoy it. But as you know if you read this blog regularly, I am a fan of V.E. Schwab and have also enjoyed several other novels in this genre. But Alma Katsu is a new to me author, despite her many novels and her popularity.

    Just Released

    Katsu’s brand new novel Fiend, just hit book shelves yesterday (September 16th) and is highly anticipated by fans. I was actually surprised how much I like this book and how it held my attention. I read it very quickly while on a recent camping trip.

    Fiend

    We are introduced to the very wealthy American Berisha Family. Of Amenian descent, the family is one of the wealthiest in the country with their import company. But something is bit off about this family and their wildly successful business pursuits. The Berisha’s are “lucky” while anyone who might be their enemy or their rival stumbles into bad luck and sometimes even death.

    A Mystery

    As the three Berisha children come of age, heir to the empire Dardan lacks what it takes to run such a mega corporation. But middle child Maris is the most driven and business savvy. She wants to take over for her father, but a woman has never held the position…and her father says a woman never will. Youngest daughter Nora, takes full advantage of her wealth and is the family’s carefree party girl.

    When Things Go Wrong

    But when all the good ‘luck” begins to unravel the family members start to stab each other in the back…both literally and figuratively. When Maris finds herself thrust into the role she has dreamed of all her life, it’s not what she imagined and the family secret….always assumed to be a fairytale…begins to kill off people one by one.

    Who Will Survive

    Who will survive this cunning modern-day horror story of greed and power within one family. The secret is out…can anyone put things back in order?

    Four stars for Fiend by Alma Katsu. I found this book easy to read and intriguing, although I wasn’t particularly fond of the ending. Still, I recommend it and think I might check out some other novels by Alma Katsu. Thank you for reading my book review Fiend by Alma Katsu.

    Be sure to see last week’s book review Vianne by JoAnne Harris. We are always grateful when you pin, share and comment on our book reviews. Thank you.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Vianne by Joanne Harris

    September 10, 2025
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    Note – I was provided this book gratis by MB Communications in exchange for my honest review.

    This is a prequel to the 1999 novel Chocolat by Joanne Harris. This new novel, which released just last week, returns to France to learn the back story of Vianne Rocher, the protagonist in Chocolat. Here is my book review Vianne by Joanne Harris.

    Who is Vianne

    The beloved book (as well as additional series and film) Chocolat left readers wanting more…how did Vianne Rocher arrive in Lansquenet and make such a magical impression as a chocolatier? Here is the novel you have been waiting for to learn the answer.

    Before

    Six years before Chocolat, we find ourselves in New York, where a young woman is scattering the ashes of her mother. She has spent her life adrift with her mother, changes cities and aliases always as her mother would say, avoiding the man in black.

    Vianne now finds herself alone, and pregnant. With forged papers she makes her way to France and into a job with room and board at a bistro in Marseille. But Vianne has spent her life in fear and flight mode…and she begins to feel too settled in Marseille. Vianne’s magical gift helps her see inside of people and understand their past griefs. As she gets to know the old and crabby bistro owner, she knows what he is hiding, and the grief he has carried for twenty years.

    Chocolat

    Vianne also makes friends who are trying to open a Chocolateria. Here she she hones her cooking skills and learns she has a talent for making chocolates with a magical touch. As the babe inside her grows, she too grows in awareness of what she must do, to secure a future for herself and her child.

    Joanne Harris

    Harris states in a press release that her own life has mirrored Viannes over the past twenty-five years, and she felt it was time to stop and take a deep look at the past. Understanding where we come from, she says, helps us move ahead. A great reason to write a novel, and an important task for each of us to follow in midlife.

    Book Review Vianne by Joanne Harris

    I really did enjoy this book, even though I have never read Chocolat or anything else by Joanne Harris. I think I will now. At times the magical aspect of the story seemed unnecessary, but it still added a romantic flavor to an already flavorful plot.

    ****Four stars for Vianne by Joanne Harris. Thank you for reading my book review Vianne by Joanne Harris. See last week’s book review Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

    September 3, 2025
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    We listened to this book on Audible on our recent road trip in British Columbia. Both my husband and I found it very engaging, and it kept us guessing until the end. Here is my Book Review Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall.

    A Murder Trial

    The book opens with a murder trial. The reader is made aware that someone is dead, and someone is on trial for murder. But who? Hall will develop the story in a way that keeps you engaged, even while the reader begins to realize the reality of this sad tale.

    Thirteen Years

    Hall will give the story two timelines. First it’s 1955, young Beth really wants to go to college, but college is not an option for most girls in 1955. She will meet Gabriel, way out of her league in family and wealth status. But she loves him and so does her family, so Beth endures the not so subtle hints from Gabriel’s mother that she should move on.

    Next we see Beth in 1968. She is a hardworking farmers wife, to her devoted husband Frank in the town they both grew up in. A tragedy has touched their young lives…they have lost a son. Though their grief is acute, and touches all aspects of their lives, they have managed to keep their marriage and their farm intact.

    Gabriel

    When Gabriel makes a sudden reappearance in Beth and Frank’s life, with his own son in tow, nothing will ever be the same. Gabriel has returned to his families estate, after splitting with his American wife. And this is when the drama begins…a love triangle and a life of lies. For Beth, for Gabriel and even for Frank. It’s a sad and sordid tale that will end in another tragedy and a murder trial. But it may not be what you think, so keep reading.

    Book Review Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

    Parts of this book I really loved, and parts I found infuriating. The story is so well crafted you really don’t guess the outcome until right when it happens. The characters have kept so many secrets from each other, that the last few chapters the truths are just tumbling out in a rushing stream.

    I loved the character of Frank although I found him to be too besotted with Beth to change the course of events, though he really is the hero. I did not love the character of Beth who should have been stronger and more dedicated to her husband, not so selfish. And the character of Gabriel, well, his life of privilege skews his thinking and bad things will happen.

    But I give Broken Country 4 stars**** for an imaginatively written novel of family, love, loss and most of all, being brave enough to do the right thing.

    Thanks for reading my book review Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall. See last week’s Book Review The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb

    August 27, 2025
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    This book. Wow. I listened to this book and it truly blew me away. This is my first read by Wally Lamb, and he is brilliant. I haven’t read a book in a REALLY long time that gave me such a visceral reaction. Let me explain. Here is my book review The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb.

    Corbin and Emily

    Author Lamb introduces us to Corbin (Corby) and Emily, two college students madly in love with each other. Then madly in love with their twins Niko and Maisie. Life is pretty damn good, until it isn’t.

    Let me be honest with you. If you can get through the first chapter of this book, you will be rewarded with a rich, deep and heartbreaking personal story. My husband and I were in the car when we started The River is Waiting on Audible. It starts out innocuous enough, but then…

    The moment my brain realized what was about to happen in the first chapter I began to hyperventilate. I squeaked OH NO and reached over and shut off the book. My heart was racing I was not able to continue.

    Twenty-Four Hours

    I could not stop thinking about this book for the next 24 hours. But I steeled myself to go back and try again. I decided it was better I listen to this book on my own, without anyone else around to witness my response. Good idea. This book gave me more of a physical reaction than anything I have read in years. I gasped, sobbed, wept. Found myself wide eyed and my hand covering my gaping mouth.

    READ.THIS.BOOK

    I will not give away too much, but I will say, the character development in this story is incredible. Bravo to Lamb for creating characters you love, root for, hate, fear and feel personally attached to. This novel covers basically a period of about 3 years, but also looks at much of the past of the main characters. Lamb brilliantly writes the evolution of these characters as they deal with their guilt, love, addiction, and most of all, the horrors of incarceration and the USA justice system. I’ve learned Lamb himself is a recovering addict and works with prisoners. All of that comes through so perfectly in his writing.

    There is redemption, although it may not be what you are expecting in the end. Lamb keeps you hanging through the entire novel, as you hope and wish for a happy ending.

    Book Review The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb

    Lamb has created a hero for our time in Corbin Ledbetter. I can’t stop thinking about this book, or this character. A sure sign of an exceptional read. My favorite book so far this year – even though it was, at times – very painful to continue. Brilliant.

    Thank you for reading my book review The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb. This one gets five stars Plus*****! See last week’s book review So Far Gone by Jess Walter.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review So Far Gone by Jess Walter

    August 20, 2025
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    A book for these times of conspiracy theories and extremest militia cults. Jess Walter gives us a book of family and redemption. Here is my Book Review So Far Gone by Jess Walter.

    Jess Walter

    This is the third book I have read by Walter who is based in my home state of Washington. The thing I like about Walter is how varied the three books have been; Beautiful Ruines is about Hollywood in Italy post war; The Cold Millions is about class uprising in working class Spokane early 20th century. And now, So Far Gone, based in modern times (2016 when Trump is elected) of dealing with modern politics and problems.

    Rhys Kinnick

    Walter’s introduces us to a well thought out character, retired journalist Kinnick. Seven years earlier Kinnick had left the mainstream to live off the grid. Kinnick’s decision came after his daughter’s conspiracy theory husband goes too far with politics talk on Thanksgiving, and Kinnick punches him.

    Kinnick moves to a family cabin from his childhood where he lives as a recluse, not seeing his daughter or two grand kids. During this time politics in the United States is turbulent with Trump, changing media and journalism standards, and far right groups like the Church of the Blessed Fire, the militia Christian church Kinnick’s son-in-law is in.

    Disappearance

    When a woman shows up on his remote cabin porch with two kids, Rhys doesn’t even recognize his two grand kids. This is when he learns his daughter has vanished, and the kids are now in his care. But something is afoul, and Rhys must figure it out. He will need to enlist the help of people from his past, not all of who he has left on good terms.

    Book Review So Far Gone by Jess Walter

    So Far Gone is a book of redemption, for a crotchety old man, who drinks too much and has an anger problem. But he loves his daughter and his grand kids, and he will learn they are worth fighting for. Walter gives us multiple fine characters in this novel (and introduces their view in separate chapters) and a plot that has some humor as well as fear. Though fiction, it feels very believable in a crazy world we are currently living in.

    Not my favorite of the three Walter novels I have read, but a solid and engaging story that is compelling and beautifully written.

    ****Four stars for So Far Gone by Jess Walter. Thank you for reading my book review So Far Gone by Jess Walter. See last week’s book review Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab

    August 13, 2025
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    Schwab’s latest epic novel is pretty dark and bloody. Although she is one of my favorite authors, this one was not really for me. I didn’t hate it, but didn’t love it either. Here is my Book Review Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab.

    Vampire

    The word vampire is only used a couple times in this 544 page novel, but it’s clear early on what Schwab is eluding to in this new novel. Of course her work is always magical and mystical and often violent. But this book is the darkest and bloodiest of any I have read. The story follows three women through centuries…three vampires through different eras. Three bloodthirsty women with an insatiable hunger for blood.

    Characters

    In most of Schwab’s book’s I have fallen in love with the characters, even those who are violent. But in this book I couldn’t love these raging women, and the story dragged. Of all the characters the modern day Alice was the easiest to identify with, and be hopeful for, in a hopeless situation.

    Book Review Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab

    There were parts of this book that held me rapt. But generally I found it more contrived than any of Schwab’s previous work. I am aware I will be in the minority here. The book has been long anticipated, solidly reviewed and will be wildly popular. You may like it too. But, this one was not my favorite.

    ***Three stars for Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab. Thanks for reading my Book Review Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab. See last week’s book review Orphans of the Living by Kathy Watson. And be sure to see our Reading Round Up 2025 for our top book of our reading year.

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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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