Breen Kelly returns to Talamh with her gay best friend Marco, and resumes her training. That training is becoming more and more important and the comiBreen Kelly returns to Talamh with her gay best friend Marco, and resumes her training. That training is becoming more and more important and the coming battle looms.
Nora Roberts has an amazing ability to create wonderful characters, realistic worlds, and a great story!
11.22.22 Re-listened to in anticipation of book #3's release. 5.20.23 Re-listened to after visiting Ireland... Roberts certainly knows how to tell a great story! 9.29.24 always good 3.12.25 Re-listened to get ready for another Ireland trip!...more
Kit marries her college boyfriend and supports him as he becomes a well known doctor, even as they drift further and further apart. A horrific miscarrKit marries her college boyfriend and supports him as he becomes a well known doctor, even as they drift further and further apart. A horrific miscarriage that leaves her unable to have children further distances the two. When his horrible father, also a doctor, calls in the favor of paying for his education, they return to his midwest hometown. When her husband impregnates and then gets away with the murder of a young foreign nanny, Kit has enough and divorces him. Eventually, she accepts a librarian job in a dying but distant New Hampshire mill town where the library has become the heart and soul of the town. Gradually she becomes part of the lives of the regulars that frequent the library. When young, hippy raised teen, Sunny, is sentanced to a summer of community service at the library for stealing a dictionary, she's assigned to Kit. Then a young, unemployed, ex stock market golden boy from NYC arrives and spends his days on their computers. Kit, Sunny and Rusty become unlikely companions, then friends, then "family" - all thanks to the local library.
2022 - 52 book challenge #5 - Chapters have titles....more
**spoiler alert** Nora Seed sees herself as a failure. When she loses her music store job and her one piano student on the day after her cat dies, she**spoiler alert** Nora Seed sees herself as a failure. When she loses her music store job and her one piano student on the day after her cat dies, she decides her own life is not worth living and attempts suicide. Instead of dying though, she "wakes" in a library. Her old school librarian (who was a friend) is their and guides her through the books, starting with her own book of regrets. The other books are all variations of her own possible life. She explores what might have been - an Olympic swimmer, motivational speaker, glaciologist, famous rock star, pub owner, married, mom, etc., but eventually decides none of them are really what she wants. After seeing what happens to various people in her life - brother, fiance, piano student, neighbor, etc. - she discovers that what she really wants is her own life back, and gets it. Interesting take on regrets and how very small changes can make a big difference.
2022 - 52 book challenge - #2 Featuring a library or bookstore....more
Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, is in Paris to give a lecture. When the Paris police wake him and ask him to come to the Louvre, he has no idea whHarvard symbologist Robert Langdon, is in Paris to give a lecture. When the Paris police wake him and ask him to come to the Louvre, he has no idea why. What he discovers is that the curator, Jacques Sauniere, has been murdered, and Langdon's name is written by the body. Cryptologist Sophie Neveu, is also drawn into the investigation - he's her estranged grandfather. The two learn that Jacques was the head of the Priory of Sion, the secret group tasked with concealing the Holy Grail. As they follow his clues, trying to stay ahead of those who were behind his killing, more and more is revealed.
I know I've read this previously, but it's been years and it was interesting to listen to it again.
2021 - 52 book Challenge - #5 Published by Penguin. This was originally published by Doubleday, which is now part of Penguin Random House....more
Let me preface this with the fact that I am not and never have been a "gamer" and this is not my normal reading material. A gamer would understand theLet me preface this with the fact that I am not and never have been a "gamer" and this is not my normal reading material. A gamer would understand the set-up (the first couple of chapters) much better than I did. Once the actual storyline started I found it interesting and imaginative. Even though I didn't understand all of the gaming references, it still drew me in to the storyline. Since my son is the author, I'll leave it at that!
2021 - 52 book reading challenge - #13 - Includes an exotic animal - there are several unusual and imaginary animals that play interesting roles in the book....more
Natalie Harper was raised by her single mother and grandfather in a book shop in the heart of San Francisco. As an adult, she's tried to distance hersNatalie Harper was raised by her single mother and grandfather in a book shop in the heart of San Francisco. As an adult, she's tried to distance herself from the somewhat bohemian lifestyle of her mother, and has an important paper pushing inventory job for a winery in Napa Valley. When her mother and boyfriend are killed in a plane crash on their way to see Natalie, she's forced to return to Perdito Street to care for her grandfather Andrew, whose memory is not what it should be after a fall. Natalie discovers the book shop is on the verge of bankruptcy, and the old historic building is falling apart. In desperation, she hires Peach Gallagher to start on the needed renovations. Eventually, she comes to realize she hates working for the winery, quits, and puts all of her efforts into saving the bookshop. Just when it looks like she won't be able to save it, she and Peach discover hidden treasures in the building that make it possible - and give them a chance at a real relationship. ...more
Breen Kelly is a less than adequate middle school teacher, living with her gay best friend, Marco, in Philadelphia. She hates her job, dies her red haBreen Kelly is a less than adequate middle school teacher, living with her gay best friend, Marco, in Philadelphia. She hates her job, dies her red hair brown to "blend in" better, struggles to make ends meet and pay off her school loans, and is belittled by her successful businesswoman mother at every turn. When she accidently discovers that her mother has been sitting on a 4 million dollar trust fund for her, funded by her long absent father, she finally breaks free, quits her job, and heads to Ireland with Marco. The plan is for her to spend the summer, trying to figure out what she wants to do, and trying to find her Irish father. What she finds in a whole other world, Talamh, where she was born, and where they still fight and die to protect her from her evil grandfather - a god. It's a lot to take in, but as she gradu.ally discovers her past and her powers, she begins to overcome the issues caused by her mother. Her magic grows, but the need to return to Philadelphia and deal with her other life, causes her to leave at the end of the summer. When things in Talamh start to get dicey, Keegan, the taoiseach, goes after her, and they return to Ireland/Talamh.
I'm not sure how Nora Roberts manages to create such amazing worlds and storylines without repeating herself, but she continues to do it, and this new series is no exception. I'm just sorry I have to wait until November for the 2nd book and a year after that for the 3rd!
2021 - 52 Book Reading Challenge #14 - written by an author over 65 (when published).
11.22.22 re-listened to in anticipation of new 3rd book in trilogy. Still amazing. 5.19.23 re-listened to after visiting Ireland. Still a great story! 9.27.24 - love this series 3.10.25 - always fun to listen to, especially before a trip to Ireland!...more
Novel about the adventures of some rabbits who escape the destruction of their burrow and what they do to survive. Kind of a satire on human behavior Novel about the adventures of some rabbits who escape the destruction of their burrow and what they do to survive. Kind of a satire on human behavior and politics. Very good....more
The Gillespie family seems to be perfect... three grown daughters and a bright young son... at least in their annual Christmas letter that mom Angela The Gillespie family seems to be perfect... three grown daughters and a bright young son... at least in their annual Christmas letter that mom Angela sends out. Things aren't so perfect though, and when Angela is in a car accident and loses her memories, the family finally comes together to sort through the issues. Set in the Australian Outback - fun location, humorous....more
I had hoped to use this for book club, but after listening to it, changed my mind. It starts off reasonably well, but then gets sucked into a seeminglI had hoped to use this for book club, but after listening to it, changed my mind. It starts off reasonably well, but then gets sucked into a seemingly endless circle of stories within stories, that left me shaking my head over who was who and why did it matter? Then she reveals that the main character is gay and he's falling in love with one of the other characters, but they're separated and... it just gets more and more confusing. I've read numerous reviews since finishing the book to try and figure it out, and most are pretty disappointed with the book, some downright scathing, with good reason. This doesn't come close to comparing to "The Night Circus" which I really enjoyed....more
Read "Parker Adderson, Philosopher". A Federal spy is caught and talks to the Confederate General about his death by hanging on the morrow and about dRead "Parker Adderson, Philosopher". A Federal spy is caught and talks to the Confederate General about his death by hanging on the morrow and about death in general. The General then announces that he is to be shot immediately. The spy is shocked and attacks the General and a Captain. When all are separated, the Captain is dead, the General is severely wounded and the spy slightly injured. He is then taken and shot. His death is followed by the death of the General. Very intense. Advanced vocabulary. Read 4.10.75
Read "A Tough Tussle". A Federal officer in charge of pickets sits in a secluded area. He becomes aware of a dead Confederate soldier near him and becomes obsessed wit fear. His pickets are attacked and a skirmish ensues. The next dead next to the Confederate soldier. He had repeatedly stabbed the dead man and then himself. Suspenseful, advanced vocabulary. Read 4.10.75...more
This novel is about a young Hopi girl, Sarah, who spends her adolescent years with white people after her parents died. Sarah returns to her native viThis novel is about a young Hopi girl, Sarah, who spends her adolescent years with white people after her parents died. Sarah returns to her native village, bears an illegitimate blind girl and then marries. It's the story of how the Indians can no longer be totally happy in either world now. Sensitive and easy reading....more
A 19-year-old young man named Bill, who broke the three generation tradition of West Point graduation, is drafted. He becomes a helicopter pilot and iA 19-year-old young man named Bill, who broke the three generation tradition of West Point graduation, is drafted. He becomes a helicopter pilot and is sent to Vietnam, where he performs outstandingly.
The language is technical but interesting. Very absorbing plot but slightly out of date - drinking and voting age is 21 in the book....more
Oliver Barrett, the "hero" of "Love Story" is the main character in this sequel which takes place two years after Jenny's death. Oliver is still havinOliver Barrett, the "hero" of "Love Story" is the main character in this sequel which takes place two years after Jenny's death. Oliver is still having a hard time coping with the emotional strain. He meets a girl in the park who acted very mysteriously. He becomes involved with Marcie Nash, the owner of an expensive chain of stores who disliked the problems of inherited wealth and prestige as much as he. Eventually he becomes disillusioned with her money making efforts, makes peace with his father and moves back to Boston to work with him after breaking off with Marcie.
This was better than "Love Story", it dealt a little more with social consciousness, but it still wasn't terrific. The language and some of the scenes are fairly explicit. Medium good book....more
Read short story "A Mystery of Heroism" from this. A soldier under direct fire is goaded into risking his life to get some water from a well. He goes Read short story "A Mystery of Heroism" from this. A soldier under direct fire is goaded into risking his life to get some water from a well. He goes and makes it back with the bucket, only to have two lieutenants spill it while they fought over it. Suspenseful with medium level vocabulary.
Read short story "The Upturned Face". Four men are burying a fellow soldier while they are being shot at. Tells how they feel while they actually bury him. Medium level vocabulary....more
**spoiler alert** Hope Jensen was abandoned by her mother in Chuck's Chicken 'n' Biscuits on Highway 4 on New Year's Eve. Found and adopted by Louise **spoiler alert** Hope Jensen was abandoned by her mother in Chuck's Chicken 'n' Biscuits on Highway 4 on New Year's Eve. Found and adopted by Louise Jensen, Hope grew up wanting to be a newspaper writer. Now in her mid 20's, she's well on her way when Louise dies. That first Christmas Eve her apartment is broken into and looted... and then someone slips a Christmas Jar - full of money - into her apartment. Intrigued by the jar, Hope investigates and discovers the Adam and Lauren Maxwell family, who years earlier started the jar to pay for their Christmas gifts. When their oldest daughter Hannah is 7, she gives the jar to a woman sitting on the curb outside the bank and starts the tradition of giving it away on Christmas Eve. Hannah is now 32 and they've been doing it ever since. Hope comes to love the family, but she's come to them under false pretenses. When the truth comes out, she can't face them until Adam unexpectedly dies just before Christmas. Hope finally writes the story on Christmas Eve - that night a line of people deliver jars to the Maxwells - former recipients of jars themselves. The last to come is the woman first given it - and turns out to be Hope's mother - Lauren - reuniting the two. Good story, great tradition to start....more
Compared (poorly) to Harry Potter. Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire are unusually bright children. When their parents are killed in a house fire, thCompared (poorly) to Harry Potter. Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire are unusually bright children. When their parents are killed in a house fire, they're left wealthy, but sent to live with a distant relative. Count Olaf, who treats them very badly and tries to marry 14-year-old Violet to get his hands on their inheritance (huge). The kids outwit him, but he escapes (to try in the next book?)
Allison Lewis has 5 kids, one of whom is handicapped. She's just been called to Young Women's president in her LDS ward, when her husband's back problAllison Lewis has 5 kids, one of whom is handicapped. She's just been called to Young Women's president in her LDS ward, when her husband's back problems require bed rest and then surgery. She wonders how she'll do it all, but somehow with a lot faith, prayers, and ward help, it works out....more
Avery Rose has never fit in - especially after dad leaves and starts a new family when she's 9. Grandparents take her to Florence for her H.S. graduatAvery Rose has never fit in - especially after dad leaves and starts a new family when she's 9. Grandparents take her to Florence for her H.S. graduation and she sees a portrait of a renaissance beauty that she connects to and starts to write letters to. Meanwhile, she's assigned by the Relief Society President to befriend the formerly popular girl/cheerleader in the ward who's now pregnant. Her best friend Barclay, a non-member, is off at MIT but at Christmas avows his love. Dad reveals mom made him leave, life is chaotic, but writing letters to "Lucrezia" helps her figure it all out and become a better friend, daughter, granddaughter and future wife.
Kind of disjointed and sappy in parts. Somewhat better than the author's "Horseshoe Bay"....more