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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Water Lies by Amy Meyerson

    January 21, 2026
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    Amy Meyerson is a new to me author, but she has three other highly acclaimed novels. Water Lies was a fast paced and easy read. Here is my book review Water Lies by Amy Meyerson.

    This novel was gifted to me by MB Communications in return for my honest review.

    Motherhood

    At its essence, this book is about Motherhood. But cleverly disguised as a murder-mystery. Set in the Venice Canals area of Los Angeles, with its posh homes and wealthy families, we meet Tessa. A young, pregnant mother navigating late stage pregnancy with a toddler in tow. One morning Tessa and her little boy are in a coffee shop. Tessa is feeling vulnerable in late stage pregnancy, and living in the Canal area doesn’t help. It’s like a fishbowl, where everyone knows what everyone else is doing…and they are judging. Or so Tessa thinks.

    While in the coffee shop Tessa’s son Jasper has a tantrum, when he sees and calls out to a young women he seems to know. Gigi. Geee Geee! He calls over and over. Tessa has never seen this women and does not understand her son’s reaction. Tessa leaves the coffee shop with a visceral feeling that something is strange.

    Murder?

    Just 24 hours later, the same women in the coffee shop, is found dead in the canals. Despite the police and Tessa’s husband Gabe insisting it was just an accident, Tessa instincts are strong. The woman’s name is Regina, and Regina’s mother Barb also does not believe it was an accident. Barb flies to LA to begin her own investigation. Tessa and Barb will become an unlikely pair as they begin to unravel a strange and frightening scenario around Regina’s death.

    Book Review Water Lies by Amy Meyerson

    This thriller is fast paced and kept my attention, even though there were a few too obvious clues that I knew immediately would come back later in the story. That said, this murder plot is an interesting storyline that looks at all aspects of motherhood including infertility, pregnancy, birth, maternal instincts and mothering of adults. Additionally there are themes of family secrets, infidelity and friendship. The story includes introspection on IVF and the fertility as business, in the United States and the stigma around it.

    ****Four stars for Water Lies by Amy Meyerson, released on January 1, 2026

    See last week’s book review Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

    January 14, 2026
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    I was in a reading slump at the end of 2025, uninspired by nearly everything I tried to read. And then there was Theo. The feel good book of the year. Here is my Book Review Theo of Golden by Allen Levi.

    Heartfelt

    The word heartfelt, though a bit cliché, is the best word to describe this beautiful story. I listened to this book and seriously found myself smiling through it…except for when I was sobbing. I have not read anything by Levi before, and this character driven novel is such a beautiful story.

    Who is Theo?

    An old man shows up in the small Southern USA town of Golden. With no other name he is willing to share than Theo, this quiet, compassionate, generous gentleman begins to sew a tapestry of goodwill and benevolence through the community. Each person he encounters questions why a perfect stranger would be so kind-hearted.

    Characters

    The plot revolves around Theo bestowing portraits to a wide range of characters within the community. As each bestowal occurs, Levi creates a magical connectin for the reader to an eclectic group of people in Golden. We meet a intelligent homeless woman, a local musical busker, a single sad father, a little girl suffering from a tragedy, a bookseller running from his past, a music virtuoso and a remarkable artist trying to make ends meet. These are the people that Theo of Golden is about, and how one old man can touch so many lives.

    Book Review Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

    I loved listening to this book, but I’m sure it is just as touching as a hand held. Definitely one of my favorite books I’ve read this year, and if you haven’t read it yet, you should. I’m smiling as I am writing this, because that’s what happens when you get to know Theo.

    *****Five stars for Theo of Golden by Allen Levi.

    Thank you for reading my Book Review Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. A true work of art.

    See my last book review Dream State by Eric Puchner.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Flesh by David Szalay

    December 24, 2025
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    Szalay is a new to me author. He recently won the coveted Booker Award for 2025, otherwise I probably would never have read his work. But since my husband and I follow the Booker Prize closely, we immediately got a hold of Flesh. Here is my book review Flesh by David Szalay.

    Sex

    I’ll be right up front about this. There is A LOT of explicit sex in this book. If that bothers you, this book is not for you.

    Sparse

    Sparse is the word I have chosen to describe this novel. The dialogue is sparse, and the story itself is pretty bare bones. I found the narrative style a bit difficult, dialogue of one and two word sentences for much of the book. Szalay is known for this kind of writing, but it’s not my favorite.

    Story

    The story follows Hungarian born Istevan through out his life, starting when he is 15 years old. Istevan encounters multiple circumstances through out his life that will take him from rags to riches. He does not always make the best choices, although he is not an unlikable character. He is however an unfortunate character, whose own actions thrust him from problem to problem throughout his life.

    It’s a fairly short, and unhappy book of one man’s life. From humble beginnings to incredible wealth and back to simple life.

    Book Review Flesh by David Szalay

    I did not love this book. But you might. It’s an interesting choice for such an important award. I have read a lot of Booker Prize winning books, but recently I have not been a fan of the choices. That said, Szalay is definitely talented, and this book certainly has people talking.

    **Two stars for Flesh by David Szalay.

    Thank you for reading my book review Flesh by David Szalay.

    See last week’s book review Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. We love it when you pin, share and comment on our book reviews. Thank you.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

    December 17, 2025
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    Looking for a feel good memoir that will make you hungry and make you cry at the same time? This fabulous book is for you. Here is my book review Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner.

    Family, Food and Finding Peace

    I have wanted to read this book for months and I am so glad I finally got it on the top of my list. It’s a fabulous memoir of a mother daughter relationship. It’s also a love story, an education about Korean culture, and a mouthwatering look at Korean cuisine.

    Korea

    I’m lucky to have spent several weeks in Korea a decade ago. I find the country and the food fascinating. But I really don’t know many people who have traveled to Korea. You should. And maybe by reading this book you will understand the culture a bit more.

    Michelle Zauner was born to a Korean mother and American father in 1989. She was raised in Eugene Oregon, where she had few Asian Americans in her school. Her mother, very strict with high expectations was Michelle’s closest companion, since they lived many miles out of town. In her teens, Michelle rebelled against her mother and the strict Korean rules in the house, even while loving her mother and loving the annual trips to Korea to visit her grandmother. She was conflicted about her Korean heritage and identity.

    Identity

    Michelle flees to the East Coast for college, where her fledgling band has a few gigs, she works in a restaurant and meets Peter her future husband. Far from her mother Michelle is able to put her “Koreanness” at arms length, even though she craves the foods of her childhood.

    It’s not until her mother’s cancer diagnosis that Michelle reckons with her heritage and all she has learned from her mother.

    You’re Gonna Cry

    This reckoning and mother daughter relationship as Michelle’s mother is dying is a real tear jerker. Beautifully written throughout but particularly honest during this process, Zauner is a exceptional storyteller. Combining so many elements and anecdotes from her childhood, Crying in H Mart will make you go call your Mom, and crave some noodles.

    Book Review Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

    *****Five stars for Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. You definitely should read this one. Thank you for reading my book review Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. See last week’s book review The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong here.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong

    December 10, 2025
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    A sad but sometimes funny story of people trying to survive on the margins of life, in a broken down post industrial town in Connecticut. Here is my book review The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong.

    The Emperor of Gladness

    The title made me think this book was about a person…I imagined someone with a positive attitude living a positive life. Well, that is not what this book is. Very much the opposite. The Emperor of Gladness is not a person but more of a state of mind. Throughout the novel we follow a cast of characters who become the most unlikely friends. Each one dealing in their own way with the suffering of the world.

    Hai

    When we meet Hai, he is standing on a bridge in the dark about to end his life. Addiction has plagued him and he has lied so egregiously to his mother to make her happy he sees no way to come clean. But then he hears someone calling to him and he meets an old woman living in a dilapidated house on the edge of the bridge. Hai and Grazina, who suffers from dementia, will form an improbably bond as he becomes her caretaker.

    The HomeMarket

    Hai goes to the local HomeMarket, a kind of slow food grocery, to find his cousin Sony and try to get a job. Sony introduces Hai to BJ the manager and she hires him. Over the next month Hai will befriend the quirky collection of addicts, veterans, dreamers and a civil war history enthusiast to form a sort of family, as he continues to care for Grazina and lie to his mother.

    Suffering

    As Grazina’s dementia spirals, her son realizes Hai is not a trained nurse and calls the cops. At the same time BJ is forced by the corporate office to let Sony go and in his despair he runs away. Hai wants so much to save them both, save everyone, and elemenate all their suffering. The ragtag group of friends with Grazina in tow go on one last adventure, in an effort to help Sony.

    Witty and Moving

    This is not a happy story, but you feel such empathy for these odd characters. This book is a moving look at those in our midst living on the edge of sanity, those in our society on the margins who have so little and only want to be loved. The ending is ambiguous, apparently by design. What will happen to Hai? Can he find peace in this harsh world of suffering?

    Thank you for reading my book review The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong.

    ****Four stars for The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong. See last week’s book review Buckeye by Patrick Ryan.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Buckeye by Patrick Ryan

    December 3, 2025
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    In a small Ohio town over five decades, Ryan creates a unique and engaging cast of characters in Buckeye. I listened to this on on Audible on our long road trip in October. Here is my book review Buckeye by Patrick Ryan.

    Small Town Life

    A small farming community in Ohio is the setting for Buckeye, a story that spans two world wars and a depression. This tight knit community is home to Cal, whose one leg too short keeps him from enlisting in the war. His beautiful wife Betsy has a gift. She can communicate with people who have passed on. Cal doesn’t believe this gift is true, and as Betsy pursues helping people in the community to communicate with the dead, their relationship becomes strained.

    Margaret has a past secret. She is not the woman she claims to be, hiding her abandonment and the fact she grew up in an orphanage. She marries Felix, who also carries his own secret. Felix knows he is gay, and has had a couple of sexual encounters in his youth. But it’s not until he is drafted in WWII that he meets the love of his life.

    While Felix is away, and Betsy is busy with her clients, Cal and Margaret will find each other.

    Post War

    Margaret has been told Felix is missing in action, and she is ashamed that she is somewhat relieved. Margaret does not want children, and she has fallen in love with Cal. But an unexpected twist will change everything, causing Margaret to abandon her entire life, while Cal and Betsy try to pick up the pieces of their marriage.

    Empathy

    I had a lot of empathy for these characters in this book, particularly for Felix and his struggle with being a homosexual during this era. The book explores several important topics including abandonment, infidelity, grief and regret. Mostly regret.

    Book Review Buckeye by Patrick Ryan

    ****Four stars for Buckeye by Patrick Ryan. Thank you for reading my book review Buckeye by Patrick Ryan. See last week’s Book Review The Elements by John Boyne.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review The Elements by John Boyne

    November 26, 2025
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    John Boyne is the author of 2 dozen books. I have read two; The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas and All the Broken Places. Boyne has had his share of controversy as well (read about it here), but I thought his latest novel, though disturbing, an amazing book. Here is my book review The Elements by John Boyne.

    Four Connecting Stories

    Unlike many novels that run parallel stories to further the plot, Boyne creates four seemingly separate stories in The Elements. But as the book builds so does the connections between the protagonists in the four stories. Through each story runs a theme…not a pleasant one. Often disturbing the book will look at abuse in ways I have never seen in a novel before.

    The Abuser and The Abused

    Boyne explores pedophilia and those who look the other way. He tackles incest and suicide. We will see a brilliant athlete, violently abused as a child, get involved in a rape and cover up. And a twist on abuse will be a female abuser of young boys, who uses her own horrific childhood tragedy to justify her actions. These stories are presented separately, but a thread of abuse and characters will connect the stories. Finally we will meet a single father raising a son, protecting him fiercely all while keeping his own secrets of his youth.

    Happy Ending?

    I wouldn’t call this a happy ending, so much as a bit of redemption for all the lives affected over generations of abuse. There is some happy moments in the end, but only when communication is opened up and truths are revealed.

    Though difficult and disturbing these are topics often swept under the rug, a practice that only creates more sorrow for victims. I thought the book was really well done, interesting and engaging, even with the sexual abuse story line. Thank you for reading my book review The Elements by John Boyne.

    *****Five stars for The Elements by John Boyne

    See last week’s book review Babel by R.F. Kuang

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