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
British author Unsworth tells of the terrible postnatal depression she fell into after her son was born. She writes honestly about the immense difficuBritish author Unsworth tells of the terrible postnatal depression she fell into after her son was born. She writes honestly about the immense difficulty of postpartum motherhood, and the grief of losing her identity as it is subsumed by motherhood. "How did this happen? I am tough. I am smart. I have built a career. I have lived alone. I have spent decades carving out a life for myself that feels right and fulfilling. Now I am cracking, right down the middle." Unsworth's writing is raw, smart, and funny. My slim, 146-page copy is heavily underlined. A necessary book in conversations about early motherhood....more
Hilderband has done it again! I ate up this delicious tale of life at a New England prep school. Follow along with a cast of characters from Tiffin AcHilderband has done it again! I ate up this delicious tale of life at a New England prep school. Follow along with a cast of characters from Tiffin Academy--students, staff, the admissions counselor and the director--as a new school year begins. Each of the characters has depth and you feel sympathy for them (or at least some of them) as they navigate increasingly morally-grey areas in their interactions with each other. Fans of her previous novels will love this, as will those who enjoy campus novels or stories about rich people behaving badly. This is a highly readable, undeniably fun book....more
I enjoyed the formatting of this book: each section is an interview with a different expert related to an area of climate change focusing on what is bI enjoyed the formatting of this book: each section is an interview with a different expert related to an area of climate change focusing on what is being done now and what we can do going forward. I felt encouraged reading this book. My biggest takeaways were that we should each apply our own superpower to the problems of climate change--mine is discussing books with others!--and that discussion related to climate change needs to be an aspect of all areas of our lives. We need to center these problems and center their solutions in our narratives (including entertainment, the news, our conversations, etc) and our lives. A good book to read a chapter here and there from and discuss with others....more
This novel opens in Jamaica with a young woman fleeing her wedding--diving into a perilous stormy sea. Her wedding dress is found, the wedding cake smThis novel opens in Jamaica with a young woman fleeing her wedding--diving into a perilous stormy sea. Her wedding dress is found, the wedding cake smeared down the front of it. Her father despairs. Wilkerson jumps back and forth in time between Jamaica in the past and siblings Eleanor and Byron in the future, mourning their mother and learning about her past. Wilkerson's writing is a treat to read. She propels the story along nicely; I always wanted to pick this book up. I can't wait for more from this author and I look forward to reading "Good Dirt" soon. Highly recommended. Great for book discussion....more
Young, a chef, pairs seasonal reading recommendations with food pairings and recipes. She is from Australia but currently lives in England, so she hasYoung, a chef, pairs seasonal reading recommendations with food pairings and recipes. She is from Australia but currently lives in England, so she has an interesting perspective on the seasons. Reading this book is like having a conversation with a bookish friend; I kept writing down titles that I’d like to read. This also made me think of what I would pair with each season. ...more
Reid follows multiple characters at a southern university: a professor, a Residential Advisor, and a student. Their interests converge as each tries tReid follows multiple characters at a southern university: a professor, a Residential Advisor, and a student. Their interests converge as each tries to determine what moral lines they will or will not cross. Reid's writing is a treat to read. I can't wait for more from this author....more
Caldwell follows the three Bell women as they navigate living in Belfast while it is being bombed during WWII. There is Audrey, engaged to be married Caldwell follows the three Bell women as they navigate living in Belfast while it is being bombed during WWII. There is Audrey, engaged to be married to a doctor, but not entirely sure she's making the right decision. Emma volunteers giving first aid and finds her world opening up when she starts a relationship with her coworker Sylvia. Their mother Florence has memories and trauma from the first world war that have never left her. We get each of these women's perspectives and a sense of what it was like living in these days. I loved this fantastic, thought-provoking novel. A quick read; under 300 pages....more
Kate and Frida become close friends through writing to each other. This epistolary novel is set in the 1990s. Kate is a book seller in Seattle, WashinKate and Frida become close friends through writing to each other. This epistolary novel is set in the 1990s. Kate is a book seller in Seattle, Washington, trying to write her first novel. Frida is living in Paris, France, desperately hoping to be a war journalist. Both are young adults in their early twenties, trying to find their way in life and love; supporting each other through their long distance friendship. I'm not quite sure why this novel didn't completely work for me. Perhaps it was the the age of the characters and stage of life they were in. Despite being short, I grew pretty bored with these characters and found myself heavily skimming. I appreciated Fay's lessons for the characters, including doing good in your own small ways....more
Hansen talks about living abroad for years and how it opened her eyes to the American exceptionalism so deeply ingrained in her that she didn't think Hansen talks about living abroad for years and how it opened her eyes to the American exceptionalism so deeply ingrained in her that she didn't think it was there--she had assumed she was looking at stories through a neutral American journalist's perspective. This is not an easy or quick read, but it is thought provoking....more
Orlean examines the 1986 LA Public Library fire, meandering along the way to examine the history of LA and the history of the city's head librarians. Orlean examines the 1986 LA Public Library fire, meandering along the way to examine the history of LA and the history of the city's head librarians. I enjoyed this slower-paced nonfiction book, although others may wish the narrative was more focused....more