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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

    November 20, 2024
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    This book is a bit of a departure from the kind of Audible books I usually listen to. But I enjoyed it while on long car and bus rides during my recent trip through the Five Stan countries. Here is my book review First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston.

    The Mystery of Evie Porter

    While reading this book I was reminded of a movie from back in the ’90’s called Point of No Return with Bridget Fonda. Anyone remember that film? Well First Lie Wins is similar; a mysterious women working for an even more mysterious operation undercover.

    Evie Porter finds herself recruited to a world of espionage and deceit. Her identity and location changes with each job, and so does the money she makes. Having no family or friends it’s easy to change everything about herself for each and every job that the mysterious “Mr. Smith” choses her to complete.

    First Lie Wins

    Her current alias – Evie Porter, needs to get very close to the suspect Ryan Sumner. Very close. In fact Evie finds herself falling for Ryan, even while understanding he is up to something mysterious himself. When a women using Evie’s REAL name shows up in town, the case is thrown into a whirlwind and bad things happen…including a fatal car accident.

    Plot Twists and Turns

    Elston does a good job creating a suspense filled novel using flashbacks and sympathy for the protagonist and her past and present predicament. The novel also includes other well written characters. Sometimes the plot is a bit absurd and unbelievable, but hey…it’s fiction. The author definitely threw some unexpected plot twists into the mix and it kept me interested and often on the edge of my seat – literally in the van I was riding in.

    Who Lives Happily Ever After

    Well you will have to read First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston to find out who lives happily ever after. It might surprise you. Thanks for reading my book review First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston for this week’s Reading Wednesday. Check out last week’s book review All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker.

    ****Four stars for First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston. We love it when you comment, pin and share our weekly book reviews. Thank you.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

    November 13, 2024
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    Recently while on a month long tour I listened to many audible books during long rides in jeeps, vans, busses and trains. Today’s book review All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker is one of those Audible books.

    All the Colors of the Dark

    This novel is long and was a perfect one for long car rides on Audible. It was also very engaging and full of well developed and interesting characters. In fact it was the characters more than the plot that I loved the most about this book. Each character is unique and flawed with themes of poverty, addiction, loneliness, obsession and lifelong friendship.

    Patch & Saint

    Two childhood friends are the focus of this novel that spans decades. Patch, with his one eye and Saint with her commitment to Patch, take very different paths in life as a result of both family upbringing and unexpected circumstances.

    One Moment Changes Everything

    Whitaker introduces us to 13-year old Patch who witnesses and averts a possible kidnapping of his 13-year old crush Misty. The events that surround this moment will alter the path of Patch’s life and everything that happens moving forward. The book is sprawling in its scope and will cover a turbulent life for Patch and all those he meets, including the girl he saved Misty and the girl he couldn’t save but may have imagined Grace.

    Saint, a brilliant young girl and Patch’s only friend at 13 years, will also find her life obsession following the events that take place with Misty’s abduction attempt. Saint will find her life moving forward to an eventual role in law enforcement, due to her inability to leave the cold case be. Throughout her life her tumultuous relationship with Patch as he is both victim and suspect will be loyal yet rocky.

    A Bit Slow

    I really did like this book, pretty epic, but at times a bit slow and overmuch. At over 600 pages it may be daunting for some readers, but I found the Audible version satisfying.

    Four stars**** for All The Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. Be sure to see last week’s book review The Sand Castle Girls by Chris Bohjalian here.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian

    November 6, 2024
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    How does more than a million people die and nobody know about it? This is the story of the Armenian Genocide in 1915 & 1916. Here is my book review The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian.

    Armenia

    Thanks to my friend Ruth, this book was recommended to me just days before I arrived for a week long visit in the city of Yerevan Armenia. Thank goodness for that too. I really had only a spark of knowledge about this horrific historical event – mostly only what I had pulled up while reading blogs about Yerevan. Reading The Sandcastle Girls was eye-opening. A painful and terrifying time in history that no one talks about.

    Book Review The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian

    Bohjalian is a lovely writer and his handling of this sensitive subject was incredible, while still providing factual information in a fictional novel. The book begins with Christian missionary Elizabeth arrives with her father to Syria from Boston to deliver food and medical supplies to Armenian refugees. The missionary party is appalled at what they find in Aleppo and the efforts by the Turks to cleanse the area of Christina Amermenias. The missionary operation stumbles on roadblock after roadblock in its effort to get supplies to the refugees in need.

    Elizabeth befriends Armenian Armen, a young man who has lost his wife and daughter to the genocide. He feels sure they are dead but he cannot stop looking for them as many women and children are arriving in Aleppo clearly tortured and abused. Armen joins the British Army in Egypt and he and Elizabeth begin a long correspondence and friendship.

    Family Secrets

    Present day we meet Laura Petrosian, a writer, researching her family history. Like many family histories there are many skeletons in the closet. As Laura realizes some truths about her grandparents, she is thrust into the past atrocities of Armenia and must find answers.

    Beautiful Story of a Difficult Subject

    Bohjalian’s talent is showcased in this astute and penetrating story of a difficult subject. I have no doubt most readers of this review are as ignorant of this historical event as I was. Never was this mentioned in any of my history or political science classes I took in high school and college. It’s a horrific event that has been swept under the carpet with political leaders turning a blind eye. Turkey refuses to call it a genocide, despite the fact that most nations, including the United States have acknowledged the brutal actions of the Ottoman Empire. Everyone should read this book and learn. Then you should visit the beautiful country of Armenia.

    Be sure to read my travel blog post coming this Friday about my week in Armenia last September.

    Thanks for reading my book review The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian. See last week’s book review The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson here.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson

    October 30, 2024
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    “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves, and, under a just God, cannot long retain it.” -Abraham Lincoln.

    Erik Larson is one of my favorite authors, his book Devil in the White City one of my favorite reads of all time. In his latest work, Larson tackles the complicated issue of the five months between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the start of the Civil War. Here is my book review The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson.

    A Country Divided

    Many authors of late have used the current divide in our nation and in US politics to revisit the not so distant topic of a nation at odds, a country divided and the eventual war that would kill more than 750,000 people and nearly take down the union.

    Only 160 years ago, the United States was on the brink of disaster, bitterly at odds as Lincoln came to office. He inherited the demon of unrest – a bitter south hell-bent on keeping slavery as a way to continue their antebellum way of life, and cotton as king.

    Fort Sumter

    Larson takes the reader through the five months from election to war, writing with intrigue and brilliantly researched. The book is a gripping account of misinformation, egos, errors and betrayals that eventually led to the Confederacy shelling Fort Sumter in Charleston and leading to all out war.

    Book Review The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson

    This is a fascinating and well written and researched account of this important time in history, yet told in a chronological novel narrative. I learned many new facts about this period of history and was intrigued throughout the book. It is suspenseful and heartfelt and should make every reader realize how perilous a nation is, both in the past and present.

    *****Five stars for The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson – a must read for anyone who thinks it could not happen again. Thank you for reading my book review The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson. See last week’s book review Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt

    October 23, 2024
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    What lengths would you go to to save a little girl, a granddaughter, a life. Susie Boyt imagines it all in this novel. Here is my book review Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt.

    Family

    Despite all her efforts, single mother Ruth has a very difficult relationship with her drug addicted daughter Eleanor. Ruth has done everything she can providing love and support, food and money, advice and distance to help her only daughter. How much can a parent bare, when their adult child is lost and not wanting to be saved?

    Then a Baby

    When Eleanor gives birth and actually marries the father, Ruth is hopeful again. But soon it is clear to Ruth that the child is being neglected in the drug infested home. She takes the baby saying just for a few days…

    Baby Lily will always know her mother, but Ruth will be the real mother as Lily thrives and the two find a new way of life. Lily grows and changes and blossoms into a teenager, though always questioning the lack of her mother’s love. Ruth will also put away her life’s disappointments and focus on bringing up Lily.

    Tragedy

    Boyt’s story is heartfelt and identifiable, especially for any women who has raised a child. This is not a happy book, filled with love, loss, heartbreak and in the end, retrospection. But it’s witty, honest, sweet and perceptive. ****Four stars for Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt.

    Thank you for reading my book review Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt. See last week’s book review The Winemakers Wife by Kristin Harmel. We love it when you pin and share our book reviews. Thank you.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review The Winemakers Wife by Kristin Harmel

    October 16, 2024
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    I enjoyed this story about the Champagne region of France during the Nazi occupation of World War II. Thanks to my friend Sonia for the recommendation. Here is my book review The Winemakers Wife by Kristin Harmel.

    Reims France

    Although I have traveled pretty extensively in France, Reims is one area I have not been. After reading this book and the history of Reims both during WWI and WWII I think I will add it to my next French itinerary.

    Reims is the focus of The Winemakers Wife. We are treated to two interesting parallel stories; the first is current day when we meet Liv who has just been divorced and is heartbroken in New York City. Her Grandmother Edith comes knocking on her door and whisks her off to France.

    World War Two

    The second parallel story introduces us to Edith as a young women in Reims as well as her best friend Ines, who is married to Michele, a prominent champagne maker in the Reims region known for it’s quality champagne.

    Ines and Edith are caught up in the confusion of the occupation where the Nazi soldiers are taking Champagne and anything else they want, while the French people are nearly starving.

    Two Worlds Collide

    As these two story lines and their characters collide, Liv will find herself astonished by the unknown history of her Grandmother Edith and Reims. Meanwhile Edith has spent 75 years living with regret and oppressive guilt and at 99 years old will finly secure the future for her granddaughter before she says her final goodbye.

    Book Review The Winemakers Wife

    I really enjoyed this book and it kept my interest throughout although there were a couple of too convenient coincidences added to further the plot. However there also was an unexpected plot twist I didn’t see coming…I always enjoy it when that happens.

    ****Four stars for The Winemakers Wife by Kristin Harmel. See last week’s book review I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger

    October 9, 2024
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    I am normally a BIG fan of Leif Enger and have read several of his books. But this one….I struggled with it despite wanting to love it. Here is my book review I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger.

    What is Happening?

    I have read and loved many dystopian novels over the past few years, some of my favorites being Station Eleven, To Paradise and Cloud Cuckoo Land. Going into I Cheerfully Refuse I didn’t realize it was set in the not too distant future. It takes a long time in the story to really grasp it, at least it did for me. Hints are dropped here and there and eventually the understanding comes….

    Dark Times

    Enger introduces us to Lark and Rainy, a couple living in the not too distant, but much changed future. When Lark is murdered, Rainy finds himself on the run in a sailboat. As the reader is pulled into Enger’s beautiful story telling, we realize how crazy the world is, run by billionaires and astronauts, with massive and dangerous climate changes creating havoc. Food shortages are part of life, books are illegal and a rash of suicides occur regularly because no one wants to continue to suffer.

    It’s not a happy book- a dystopian novel of despair and destruction mixed with love and longing. And so different than anything I have read by Enger. Maybe I just wasn’t up to it – feeling the gloom in our planet currently. You’ll need to decide for yourself. I give I Cheerfully Refuse four stars ****. Let me know what you think?

    Thank you for reading my Book Review I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger. See last week’s Book Review The Unmaking of June Farrow. We love it when you comment, pin and share our book reviews. Thank you.

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