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Reading wednesday

    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Rules of Civility by Amor Towels

    March 9, 2022
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    Having just read Towel’s The Lincoln Highway and having loved his work in A Gentleman in Moscow, I was compelled to search out and read Rules of Civility. Towels first published novel came out in 2011 so I’m a bit late to the game on this one. Here is my book review Rules of Civility by Amor Towels.

    Rules of Civility by Amor Towels

    Although Towels grew up in New England, he has lived in Manhattan for many years, and his mastery of New York “society” in the 1930’s permeates this novel. Although this book is not my favorite of all his work, I definitely enjoyed being transported through his clever storytelling back in time to this pre- World War II era.

    The story follows Katy, an average single 25 year old New York secretary, who on New Year’s Eve 1937 will have a chance encounter that will change her life. At a Greenwich Village bar she will meet Tinker Grey – dashing, debonair, rich. This meeting will propel Katy and her friend Eve into an astonishing change of lifestyle that will change the direction of their lives.

    Who Are You?

    But as the story unfolds a great deal is revealed about the people surrounding Katy…and we learn that some people are not exactly what they seem. This revolution will set in motion a wide range of events that will include the disappearance of Katy’s best friend, the downward spiral of another, and the death of another.

    Will Katy find her way? Let Amor Towels guide you through this enchanting, sad, thoughtful and provocative tale at a changing time in our country’s history. If you read The Lincoln Highway, you may recognize some names and places these books share. Thank you for reading my Book Review Rules of Civility by Amor Towels.

    ****Four stars for Rules of Civility by Amor Towels.

    Read last week’s review of The Final Revival of Opal and Nev

    My current read The 1619 Project

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review The Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Walton

    March 2, 2022
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    For some reason I have been reading, unintentionally, several books lately with storylines about authors. Less, The Plot and Hell of a Book all fall in that category. But like those three, The Final Revival of Opal and Nev is about a book…and so very much more. Here is my book review the Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Walton.

    When you read this book it feels like this story is about a real rock n’ roll duo from the 1970’s. But it is fictional…despite many real life characters and events being thrown into the story. But the fictional rock duo of Opal and Nev are the characters we meet, in a well thought out and fascinating story.

    Opal, an independent and flamboyant young woman from Detroit, is really just a mediocre singer. It’s her sister that has the real talent. But Opal has the stage presence needed by Nev, who is looking for a female partner. Nev, an aspiring singer- songwriter from the UK thinks Opal is the one.

    Their whirlwind 1970’s rise to stardom and the quick and crazy breakup all within a very short time is captured in one photograph that becomes an iconic image of the era around the world.

    But when Sunny Shelton attempts an oral history about these characters, just when Opal is considering a reunion tour with Nev, dark and dirty secrets will be revealed.

    Described as “provocative and chilling” I couldn’t agree more. Walton is a fresh new voice and has developed a great cast of characters, an endearing heroine, and a unique plot that spans the decades of rock history. Thanks for reading my book review The Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Walton.

    *****Five Stars for The Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Walton

    My current read The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones

    See last week’s Book Review Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

    February 23, 2022
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    Although I make a big effort to expand my reading horizons by reading all different genre’s, Science Fiction would normally be pretty low on my list of favorites. Except for this book…it’s outstanding. Don’t fear the SciFi – you’re gonna love this one. Here is my book review The Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.

    Weir wrote The Martian (If you didn’t read it you may have seen the movie that starred Matt Damon) . And Project Hail Mary reads like a screenplay. It has garnered some criticism for that, but for me, the visual text made the book alive and I felt right there in the thick of this interstellar space ship and save the planet story thanks to Weir’s imagination.

    Throughout the book Weir hops back and forth between life on board the Hail Mary interstellar space ship, and back on earth prior to the launch of the ship. Earth is nearing the end of it’s existence, due to the sun slowly dimming. Of course without the sun there will be no food and life on earth will perish.

    Through a set of unusual circumstances, a middle school science teacher named Ryland Grace finds himself (against his will) one of three astronauts charged to travel through space and save the world.

    Are you rolling your eyes about this? Please don’t. It’s an epic, emotional, often laugh out loud, descriptive, story with endearing characters I fell in love with. Tasked with saving the world is a big undertaking and Weir creates a story of discovery and “speculative” science full of redemption and humor. And it doesn’t end how you might expect.

    By the way, apparently Ryan Gosling has already been tapped for the protagonist in the movie. I envision Sandra Bullock as Eva Stratt.

    Project Hail Mary was a fun, easy read with interesting science fiction to boot. One of my favorite reads over the past few months. Give it a try. Thanks for reading my book review Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.

    *****Five Stars for Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

    My current read Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

    Read last week’s book review The Plot by Jean Hanff Korellitz

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    Did you see our post about Bora Bora on a Budget?

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz

    February 16, 2022
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    Oh boy this was a good one. Like last week’s review about Hell of a Book, this week we look at another book about a book, but this time the suspense is gonna kill you. Here is my book review The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz.

    Jacob Bonner was a promising young author when he published his first book…but since then nothing. His agent has booted him and he is demoralized, teaching and trying to maintain some kind of self-respect.

    As a teacher in an annual symposium for up and coming writers, Jacob meets arrogant Evan Parker. Parker immediately tells Bonner he doesn’t need his help writing his book. He is only in the program to find an agent. Bonner dismisses the pompous would be author, until he hears the plot.

    It’s a doozy and Bonner knows this self-important young man will go on to make millions…all while Bonner continues to flail away trying to write his next novel.

    But Parker never writes the book…why not? When Bonner learns Parker has died tragically, Bonner steals the plot and writes the novel of all novels, becoming a best selling author, rich and famous.

    Until Bonner receives an email with one sentence “You are a thief”. And that’s all it takes for Bonner’s world to begin to unravel.

    This book has so many twists and turns you will stay up all night turning page after page. A bombshell twist will make you go “Wait. What?” as you try to figure out The Plot and who is out to get who? If you loved Gone Girl, The Plot is right up your alley.

    Thank you for reading my Book Review The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz.

    *****Five stars for The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz

    My current read Hail Mary by Andy Weir

    Read last week’s Book Review Hell of a Book – A Novel by Jason Mott

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Hell of a Book – A Novel by Jason Mott

    February 9, 2022
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    In it’s core this book is about being Black in America. The remarkable story is told through the eyes of a small child named Soot, an award winning author whose name we never learn and an imaginary child called The Kid. This is the story of being Black in America. Here is my book review Hell of a Book – A Novel by Jason Mott.

    Beautifully written to capture the reader from the very first page. We follow what appears to be two different story lines about two different people; a small child much loved and protected by his parents and an author on a book tour of his popular new novel.

    Both characters are black. Both are American. Where is this story going. Is it about a book? Or is it about a child?

    Mott builds the plot as these two stories converge and the reader tries to keep them separate but finds it impossible to. We never completely know if they are separate stories or one? What we do know is this book eloquently and in a very unique way is a story about family, love and success. But then we see it’s also about the reckoning in America with Black Lives Matter, police shootings and tragedy.

    Someone will die. Who?

    Thank you for reading my Book Review Hell of a Book – A Novel by Jason Mott

    ****Four Stars for Hell of a Book – A Novel by Jason Mott

    My current read The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz

    Read last week’s Book Review Stones From the River by Ursula Hegi

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Stones From the River by Ursula Hegi

    February 2, 2022
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    This book is more than 25 years old…but I had never read it. I’m so glad I now have, it’s a very special story about a special girl. Here is my book review Stones From the River by Ursula Hegi.

    Trudi Montag is a dwarf, or in her native country of Germany a zwerg. Trudi grows up in a small German town, where most people accept her differences. But as Trudi matures life’s hard lessons bring Trudi into womanhood strong and special.

    Trudi’s mother dies when Trudi is just four. Although at the time, Trudi doesn’t understand the loss, she will learn in the years ahead about the mental illness that plagued her mother. Despite the loss Trudi is raised by her father and the village women who take her under their wing.

    But Germany in the 1940’s rears it’s ugly head and Trudi will need to learn to live through the atrocities of World War II, the loss of nearly everyone she loves, and the death of her innocence. Despite her own physical differences, Trudi learns to be greater in her mind. She is intelligent and creative and she will risk her own safety to save Jews in peril during the Nazi era.

    Trudi learns to use her ears to know everything going on in the village, and with this information she becomes an unlikely leader during a time where she can’t help question her country, her people and humanity.

    I’m sorry I waited so long to read this book. I enjoyed this character and this book very much. Thank you for reading my book review Stones From the River by Ursula Hegi.

    *****Five Stars for Stones From the River

    My current read is Hell of a Book by Jason Mott

    My Book Review The Promise by Damon Galgut is trending well on Pinterest this week See it here.

    Read last week’s book review Malibu Rising here.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

    January 26, 2022
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    Last year I read and loved Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel Daisy Jones and the Six. Expecting another great story, I looked forward to her new novel Malibu Rising. Here is my book review Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

    It’s the 1980’s, the decade of excess throughout the United States but especially in the posh, affluent, drug & sex, see & be seen community of Malibu California. How can anything possibly go wrong?

    This story follows the four Riva children during a tumultuous 24 hours when they throw their annual end of the summer party. An event that anyone who is anyone wants to be at – except for the Riva children themselves. Jenkins Reid weaves a tale of these four siblings, their troubled mother and their rock star father and how their collective and individual stories brings them to this night. A night that will go up in flames.

    Nina Riva, supermodel and surfer whose perseverance and dedication saved her siblings from foster care and despair. Professional Surfer Jay Riva who has just learned some news that will change his future. Jay’s brother Hud Riva, carrying around his own secret knowing tonight is the night he must come clean. And baby sister Kit Riva coming of age and realizing things about herself she alone must acknowledge.

    These four siblings and their estranged rock star father Mick Riva who essentially abandoned them a decade before will all find something and let go of something on this one night. At this one party. When life will go up in flames and a phoenix will rise for each of them.

    I liked this book but didn’t love it. I enjoyed Daisy Jones and the Six more. But Malibu Rising, especially if you grew up in the 80’s is a fun read, although somewhat predictable and a tiny bit too over the top.

    ***Three stars for Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

    I hope you enjoyed my book review Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

    Read last week’s review The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

    My current read Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi

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