**spoiler alert** A slow build up with the last few chapters moving along swiftly to the conclusion. The landscape definitely was a character in itsel**spoiler alert** A slow build up with the last few chapters moving along swiftly to the conclusion. The landscape definitely was a character in itself. It saddens me that women can be so victimized by cycles of abuse and yet have to be the ones to step in and stop it from continuing. Isolation doesn't seem conducive with healthy behaviors. We are meant to be in community even in a barren land. We are meant to look out for each other....more
In particular, I really liked the first story about the Grandpa, and the fourth story about the teen boy who was given a chance to do community servicIn particular, I really liked the first story about the Grandpa, and the fourth story about the teen boy who was given a chance to do community service instead of going to juvenile hall....more
I did not know Pitts was a fiction writer. This book was long and brutal but ultimately, there is some triumph. It is an important fictional addition to the American story....more
3.5 stars. This was an interesting read about CIA secretaries and women operatives during the 1950s and 1960s, though it wasn't as described. I was pi3.5 stars. This was an interesting read about CIA secretaries and women operatives during the 1950s and 1960s, though it wasn't as described. I was picturing two women spies sneaking into the Soviet Union to whisk the book, "Dr. Zhivago", out, and that's not exactly what happened. I did watch the movie, "Dr. Zhivago", before starting this and though that isn't a critical step, I thought it might have helped a bit in understanding what the Soviets didn't like about the book being in Western hands. A good book club pick....more
A very enjoyable and unexpected read with great characters. It was fun to read Montgomery as an adult and reminisce about reading her books when I wasA very enjoyable and unexpected read with great characters. It was fun to read Montgomery as an adult and reminisce about reading her books when I was a child. ...more
Short Christmas read, character's weird names were distracting. The beginning premise was very interesting but I don't think OSC followed through. It Short Christmas read, character's weird names were distracting. The beginning premise was very interesting but I don't think OSC followed through. It would have been fun to have a smart Christmas book about research in a small town but the author ran out of steam and made it a romance. ...more
This book outlines what happens when a DNA testing program claims to find your one and only soulmate. Spoiler alert--either this is just a bad way to This book outlines what happens when a DNA testing program claims to find your one and only soulmate. Spoiler alert--either this is just a bad way to find true love or the collection of characters in this book is an anomaly. The author thought of every possible outrageous scenario that could come up and wove an exciting and fun read....more
This quiet, pain-filled, beautifully written and narrated book touched me deeply. The writing was so descriptive that I felt like I was there. But desThis quiet, pain-filled, beautifully written and narrated book touched me deeply. The writing was so descriptive that I felt like I was there. But despite the melancholy, it stuck out to me how Lucy recognized people during her journey that were "her people" and had no qualms about expressing that she loved them: the cake shop lady, a teacher, her neighbor, Jeremy, Sarah Payne, and her dear doctor.
“Lonely was the first flavor I had tasted in my life, and it was always there, hidden inside the crevices of my mouth, reminding me.” ...more
I thought the bones of the this book were interesting, in that it is a unique plot and the telling of the story was done well, with the back an forth I thought the bones of the this book were interesting, in that it is a unique plot and the telling of the story was done well, with the back an forth between Before The Fire and After The Fire.
Ultimately, though, I thought the details didn't stand up. Why did half the kids have hippy-ish names like Moonbeam and Rainbow and half were more traditional biblical names like Luke or Jeremiah? Was the author not concerned with what kind of cult he was writing about, just that it was one? "The Lord is good." What Lord? The Old Testament God? The Lord Jesus Christ? The Lord of Light from Game of Thrones? There were zero Bible quotes in this book. The rantings of Fr. John were never described in detail to show how he would keep people in his cult, like tying traditional Biblical beliefs in, which is how many cults bring people in and keep them.
I also thought that Moonbeam presented as a very cold character. The only counterpoint to this was her friendship with Nate. Moonbeam didn't seem to have positive feelings toward anyone else, really, maybe the one guard who died of lung cancer, too, but the instances of feeling Moonbeam's warmth toward anyone else were few and far between. Honey was a strong likable character in her own right. I thought it was confusing that the author continually had Moonbeam talk about her brothers and sisters and her feelings of loving them or wanting to protect them, but I didn't actually FEEL like she loved them at all. She seemed completely uninterested in other people. I know her state of mind After The Fire was that of a traumatized person, but Before The Fire, there didn't seem to be any love between the members of the cult, either. I thought this was strange.
Perhaps I have this interpretation because I listened to the book on audible. The recording was tinny and had a sense of disconnect. It did not leave me cheering for Moonbeam and her grit and survival skills, but looking to see how many chapters I had left.
I think this topic would be very interesting in other hands. It made me want to go back and read more about the Branch Davidians and their cult in Waco, TX, which I think this is loosely based on....more
4.5 stars. An amazing story of a man and Burmese elephants during the early to mid 20th century. I enjoyed the adventure, but mostly the elephants, of4.5 stars. An amazing story of a man and Burmese elephants during the early to mid 20th century. I enjoyed the adventure, but mostly the elephants, of course!...more
This book was curious because I felt like I never got to the heart of what was really going on. There were secrets, but also the characters seemed almThis book was curious because I felt like I never got to the heart of what was really going on. There were secrets, but also the characters seemed almost knowable, but not quite, as if a filmy curtain covered everything and I could only sort of see through.
However, I did really enjoy the descriptions of the miniatures and would like to see them in real life....more
An excellent WWII read about community and banding together during the war. The audio was terrific as it included choir singing (by the group Mums andAn excellent WWII read about community and banding together during the war. The audio was terrific as it included choir singing (by the group Mums and Roses, hahaha!!)....more
This book is so cute. At first it reminded me of Pippi Longstocking, but then the second half has so much heart that it takes on a life of its own. FuThis book is so cute. At first it reminded me of Pippi Longstocking, but then the second half has so much heart that it takes on a life of its own. Full of good family moments, silliness and friendship. ❤...more