Each of the 12 chapters in this short, 159 page book, is structured around a tree in Murphy's life. Murphy ties these trees into her decades long jourEach of the 12 chapters in this short, 159 page book, is structured around a tree in Murphy's life. Murphy ties these trees into her decades long journey to learn about her Irish ancestors, the land they homesteaded on in Minnesota, and the native peoples that inhabited that land before then. I loved how Murphy emphasizes the importance of seeking out and learning our stories, and the stories of native people. She writes about how this is an ongoing process for her of listening and learning. This is a slower read that might best be read a few chapters at a time. I found it thought provoking....more
Just days after 9/11, the three main characters of this book board a cruise ship for the Bahamas. Unable to have their trips refunded, they've reluctaJust days after 9/11, the three main characters of this book board a cruise ship for the Bahamas. Unable to have their trips refunded, they've reluctantly gone on the cruise. Franny is trying to be a good Korean daughter and celebrate her mother's 70th birthday. Doug spent years as the star of a TV show set on the cruise ship, and his agent got him a job for a reunion cruise. Lucy is graduating from MIT and has just interviewed with a newer company on the rise: Google. Each of them is struggling with different aspects of their life, and has choices to make that will be influenced by both the cruise and the terrible events on 9/11. This is a delicious family drama wonderfully written. I wish I was still reading this! The author's family went on a similar trip days after 9/11....more
Travis Keeping is at the top of his game, a Formula 1 driver with a chance to win it all this season. He's thrown when he overhears that there was a sTravis Keeping is at the top of his game, a Formula 1 driver with a chance to win it all this season. He's thrown when he overhears that there was a serious Formula 2 crash involving multiple cars. No one knows that Travis has been dating F2 driver Jacob Nichols for the past year. Jacob has changed Travis' life, opening him up to embrace his sexuality, even as they keep their relationship a secret, afraid of the reaction of racing fans. Travis tries to support his boyfriend, now in critical condition, but Jacob's family is immediately by his side, and they don't know about Travis. Amy James has written a propulsive romance with some spice to it. I enjoyed learning about racing and I stayed up way too late reading this one....more
Take a fun, sometimes alarming romp through space with Demeter, a spaceship AI, and Steward, the ship's medical AI. Demeter and Steward have been boltTake a fun, sometimes alarming romp through space with Demeter, a spaceship AI, and Steward, the ship's medical AI. Demeter and Steward have been bolted together for decades, but they frequently fight and will go years without speaking to each other. When Demeter realizes that all of the humans on her most recent spaceflight have died, she fears she'll be scrapped. When tragedy occurs on a second trip, Demeter is determined to save the remaining humans and salvage her reputation. An enjoyable space opera set in the future with some throwback monsters from the past....more
Alix's life is controlled by the Checquy, and has been since she was a child, assigned to be close to the royal family's Princess Louise, who is the sAlix's life is controlled by the Checquy, and has been since she was a child, assigned to be close to the royal family's Princess Louise, who is the same age as her. The Checquy are a secret Government organization that polices the supernatural, staffed by those with supernatural powers. Alix's life increases in intensity when Princess Louise's brother dies of suspicious circumstances, and Louise becomes heir to the throne. Alix must protect Louise while investigating if the prince's death was supernatural. O'Malley's writing is smart and witty. I love this series and the books can be read out of order....more
Two years after "Sandwich" ends, Rocky's 90-something father and 20-something daughter are temporarily living with her and her husband in their MassacTwo years after "Sandwich" ends, Rocky's 90-something father and 20-something daughter are temporarily living with her and her husband in their Massachusetts home. Rocky faces a hard-to-diagnose health issue as well as navigating the anxieties of everyday life. "Sandwich" was my favorite book of 2024 and it continues to be a perpetual re-read for me. I am so glad that Newman wrote more of Rocky's story; I appreciate how much she both worries about and loves life....more
Wren has been raised by her uncle. They've tried to stay off the government's radar, living on a ranch in an outer ward, as Wren is a Mod--she has extWren has been raised by her uncle. They've tried to stay off the government's radar, living on a ranch in an outer ward, as Wren is a Mod--she has extra powers that are forbidden under General Redden's regime. When something happens to her uncle, Wren gets thrown into the midst of her enemy and must figure out who she is and what she stands for. This is a propulsive story that I devoured in two days. Perfect for adult fans of "The Hunger Games" and "Divergent." Fans of "Fourth Wing" will enjoy the steamy romance....more
UK author Kirsty Logan documents her experiences as a queer person trying to have a baby with her wife, through miscarriages and infertility. This is UK author Kirsty Logan documents her experiences as a queer person trying to have a baby with her wife, through miscarriages and infertility. This is a smart, quick read that was such a treat every time I picked it up. This is one that will stay on my shelves....more
Emma is a widowed single parent, struggling to make the right choices with scarce resources while raising her daughter in 1939 England. War has just bEmma is a widowed single parent, struggling to make the right choices with scarce resources while raising her daughter in 1939 England. War has just been declared, and she must decide whether to send her daughter away to the countryside or keep her in Nottingham where factories may make the city a target of German bombs. Women with children are frequently barred from employment, an inequality that deeply affects Emma. She gets a lucky break with a job at a subscription lending library in the local Boots chemist. Martin has thoroughly researched this time period and I enjoyed discussing this with a book club....more