Showing posts with label humor. Show all posts

Sunday, September 15, 2024

I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pages: 352 pages
Published: May 2024

I found this gem of a book the old fashioned way, perusing a book store and letting the good read find me! I Hope This Finds You Well is not only a familiar adage for those of us working (emailing) in corporate business situations, but it is a humous story with many layers and a debut for author Natalie Sue. It's a solid debut. The story is centered around Jolene, who is an administrative worker for a corporation in Canada. As a coping mechanism, she writes sarcastic messages at the bottom of real emails but changes the text to white ... until she doesn't. She makes a mistake with her arch nemesis and gets in hot water with management. When the new HR representative puts tracking software on her computer during her probationary period, she inadvertently gains access to the entire company's email and chat (think Microsoft Teams) messages. She attempts to use the intel to her advantage in hopes of securing her job, but instead she learns that not all things are what they seem, and people are so much more than their email addresses and usernames.

I found this book to be quite delightful. It had a little bit of everything. It was funny, touching, romantic, and entertaining. While I do question the realistic ability for someone to gain access to the communication Jolene was privy to, the overall message was greater than the technicalities. At the end of the day, we're all trying to survive and be the best person we can be. And sometimes that can be lonely. This book made me think about connecting with people on a level beyond digital, and it made me thankful I found it in a non-digital way.

Recommendation: As one of my school teachers used to say, "Life is hard. Then you die." I think this book reminds readers that we can make what happens in between more pleasant for ourselves and those around us. I am thankful for this copy, and highly recommend it to others look for a read that touches on all the emotions. If this book is any indication, I think Sue has a healthy writing career ahead!

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Jackpot Summer by Elyssa Friedland

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pages: 384 pages
Published: June 2024

Jackpot Summer by Elyssa Friedland was a top pick in the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club's 2024 Summer Reading Guide. It was listed under family drama, and this book had plenty of that. A year after their mother dies of lung cancer, the four adult Jacobson children gather in their family's beloved beach home for one last vacation before their father sells it to retire in Florida. While cleaning out their things, the youngest sibling, Noah decides to buy a lottery ticket. The two sisters go in with him, but their older brother and his wife refuse to participate. As luck would have it, they win and are quite literally millionaires overnight. But as we have often learned in real life, money does not buy happiness. Instead this family gets a lot of unfulfilling material items, emotional baggage including guilt and resentment, and a large physical rift amongst the haves and have-nots within the Jacobson clan.

The story was engaging and kept my interest in that I was curious to learn what happened to this fictional family, but I didn't really care. It wasn't like they were truly struggling before, and the winnings brought out some of their most undesirable traits. I do appreciate the greater lesson, the author crafted along the way. I do enjoy this particular author's writing style (see The Most Likely Club), but this story just didn't live up to the hype like I thought it would. It was a light summer read with a happy ending, and, upon reflected, I think that's all I should have expected.

Recommendation: This book was a little on the long side, and it wasn't my favorite read for the summer nor was it the worst thing I've read. I'm putting this one in the take it or leave it category.

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Duration: 11:24:00
Published: May 2021

I've had an audio copy on my Audible app of The Guncle by Steven Rowley for a couple of years now. The premise sounded intriguing, and I suspected I might enjoy it audibly. Guncle is a portmanteau of gay and uncle, and in this story, Patrick is the titular character. He is often referred to as guncle and also gup for Gay Uncle Patrick by his niece and nephew, Maisie and Grant respectively. Sadly, we meet the children just after their mother, Sarah, has died from cancer, and their father is trying to overcome depression and drug addiction. Greg, the father, asks his brother, Patrick, to take care of the children over the summer in California while he is at a nearby recovery facility. So, Patrick reluctantly takes the children from the east coast to his home to help his brother and help the children during this dark time.

Patrick has some sadness of his own he's trying to heal from and in the midst of helping Greg, he self-actualizes and fulfills a greater purpose for his extended family. Throughout the novel, he espouses his "guncle rules." I think the author intended these as comedic relief for heavier topics; however, I honestly do not remember many of them. They were a lot and difficult to keep up with on audio. I do remember chuckling at some of them and the scenarios that necessitated the rules.

My main issue with this book is the religion bashing. I don't understand why religion and homosexuality always have to be pitted against one another and we can find a way to co-exist in real life and in fiction. The multiple religious mentions in a condescending manner were a put off and soured the book.

Recommendation: I finally hit play on this audiobook in hopes to quickly move to the sequel - The Guncle Abroad. However, this one didn't meet my expectations, so I instead, moved to something else more appealing. I think this book is for a specific audience that I am not a member of.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

You Are Here by David Nicholls

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pages: 368 pages
Published: May 2024

You Are Here by David Nicholls was selected by Anne Bogel for her annual 2024 Summer Reading Guide as part of my benefits as a member of the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club. Bogel always does a good job with picking diverse selections for the organization, even if they don’t always hit home with me. Gratefully, this one did. It’s one I slowly savored over its nearly 400 pages and thought about long after I closed the hardback cover.

The story centers around Michael and Marnie, both recovering from romantic relationships that have come to an end. Michael, a geography teacher in London plans to embark on a weeklong coast-to-coast walk on the English countryside in solitude. His colleague, boss, and well-meaning friend, Cleo, asserts herself into the adventure by tagging along. She also invites Marnie, another friend who has become a bit of a recluse in the years following her divorce from her difficult husband. As a freelance proofreader who worked in the field during the Covid pandemic, she has become comfortable and accustomed bo being alone. Cleo attempts to play a bit of a matchmaker by bringing a female friend for Michael and a male friend for Marnie along for the journey. However, due to circumstances beyond all their control, the hike starts with many and ends up with Michael and Marnie on the trek alone together.

I really enjoyed the slow burn of this book. The prose is captivatingly descriptive, and there isn’t much dialogue. Nicholls does an excellent job of painting vivid pictures with his words. As someone who found love later in life, and traveled the bumpy road to get here, I was drawn to this book because of the parallels in my own life. While the story was relatable it provided so much more. The talking and walking that Michael and Marnie engaged in was akin to getting a voyeuristic gateway into the relationship development of others, making the story enticing. I especially loved the section of the book where Marnie extended her walk with Michael and they listened to and shared their favorite songs and meanings that impacted their respective formative years. As a music love and bibliophile, this scene was simply perfect.

Private, intimate, a book was something she could pull around and over herself, like a quilt. -p. 51

She would shrug off this self-pity but shrugging hurt and here it was, creeping in again like damp in the walls, the loneliness, present even in company. -p. 86

For the moment she felt content, not because she’d spoken but because she’d been listened to. -p. 153

In the Lavender Suite she had felt like a teenager but also exactly her own age, and that combination was thrilling and rare, lust and experience, together at last. -p. 242

Perhaps solitude is more frightening when something is snatched away. -p. 244

While the ending wasn’t neatly wrapped up in a bow, it was satisfying and left me feeling fulfilled. I read Nicholl’s One Day years ago, but I have to say this one found me at just the right time, and I loved it all the more. My one minor criticism is based on my limitations in geographic knowledge of the UK. The map provided in the front of the book did help provide some context, but I wish I had more first-hand experience with the area for a greater understanding.

Recommendation: If you’ve ever been in love or overcome (or are overcoming) heartbreak, I think you could find value in this novel. Just keep in mind, it’s not about the destination. It’s the slow, quiet journey through two characters’ perspective.

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pages: 432 pages
Published: April 2024

Just for the Summery is Abby Jimenez' third book in her Part of Your World series. I’ve secured all three books from Book of the Month and devoured them as they have published. While the three books have some crossover characters, it is not necessary to read them in order as they are standalone. However, there are some fun nuggets in this third book that the reader would recognize and enjoy having read the previous two. I love book series like this one that are a little loose.

This latest installment features Justin and Emma who both believe they are cursed with the strange situation that every person they date goes on to find their forever person after they break up with them. They learn about this commonality on a hilarious Reddit thread, and Justin goes out on a limb and asks Emma, who is a traveling nurse, to date him so they can both find their respective forever person post-experiment/break up.

This is a romcom, so you can imagine what ultimately happens, but as with all Jimenez' books, she gives us a fully-fleshed plot with complex character development. Her books are of substance - physically and literarily. In addition to some of the deeper topics like abuse, neglect, and depression to name a few, the story author balances those with lighter banter and appropriate humor. For example, the Toilet King advertisement is a continual thread of humor throughout the entire book that helps break up some of the heavier scenes.

Recommendation: I read this book over a few days while I was on a business trip, and business was really getting in the way of my reading time! I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the creative way in which it was told. This book is all the rage this summer - and rightfully so. As one of my book friends said, "You speak so highly of her books!" And it's true. This is one I highly recommend for your summer reading pleasure. Grab your copy today!

Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations by Mira Jacob

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Duration: 02:46:34
Published: March 2019

I borrowed Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations by Mira Jacob from the public library on recommendation from a reading friend in my International Literary Society. As I have a longer commute to work, I find that I must consume audiobooks to keep the drive interesting and make valuable use of the time.

This memoir shares the author's perspective on the diverse aspects of being a woman of color in the United States including figuring out who she is, exploring her sexuality as a young adult, interracial relationships, and as the book's synopsis says, "the realities that divide us." She illustrates her thoughts through conversations she's had with people close to her. The book is read by a full cast with soundtrack and effects, making it very engaging.

I really enjoyed Jacob's wit and dry humor but also her direct honesty. There is something beautiful that comes out of vulnerable communication with people you care about, and she was able to share this intimacy on heavy topics in an entertaining and digestible way with the reader. I found her to be relatable, even on topics that are foreign to me, like raising a brown son in the Trump era.

Recommendation: This was a quick, substantive listen and because Good Talk was a good talk, I feel like I got to *meet* Mira Jacob. My conclusion is that she and her book are a delight! Highly recommend!

Good Talk ... Good Talk by Ginny Andrews

Good Talk ... Good Talk by Ginny Andrews

Genre: Nonfiction / Humor / Comedy / Essays

Publisher: Ginny Andrews Comedy, LLC

Date of Publication: October 5, 2023

Pages: 171

Raise your hand if you have ever run into a mannequin in a store and apologized. Continue to keep your hand raised if you want to pre-write thank you notes to those whom you anticipate attending your funeral because you suffer from chronic “way too nice” syndrome. Keep it up high if you have ever farted in church or yoga class. Man, my arm is getting tired!

Most people are awkward during the middle school years, grow out of it, and blossom into mature, well-functioning human beings…I’m still waiting for this to happen. Awkwardness is my hidden talent, although most who know me would tell you it isn’t hidden—it’s written on my forehead. My daily life is filled with epic failures. Sometimes I feel like I’m one big malfunction! As I have gotten older, I just try to embrace it.

After you read this collection of essays, hopefully you will be able to accept your imperfections too! Nope, probably not because I’m still not there! However, maybe my comedy will stick with you like that hemorrhoid you can’t seem to get rid of, like ever — Good Talk ... Good Talk.

Praise for Good Talk ... Good Talk

“Reading Ginny Andrews’s Good Talk. . .Good Talk is a lot like hanging out with that girlfriend that invariably makes you laugh until you cry." —Lauren Cassel Brownell, author of Zen and the Art of Housekeeping and Dying to Donate

“Good Talk ... Good Talk is a laugh out loud winner, filled with quirky stories reminiscent of Patrick McManus.” —J. Andersen, author of The Breeding Tree, The Gene Rift, and Legacy’s Impact

“Anyone with anxiety will totally relate to Ginny Andrews’ humorous tales of the struggle of day-to-day life in today’s world.” —John A.B., Amazon Reviewer

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Good Talk … Good Talk by Ginny Andrews is a relatively short, fast paced, and humorous collection of monologues written by a 40-something former high school teacher and coach who is trying on comedy for size. After reading her lighthearted and thoughtful book, I think comedy is something that will fit her pretty well.

In each of the short 21 chapters of her debut, she shares little vignettes or essays about awkward encounters in her life. Andrews employs self-deprecating humor to provide not only insight to her life but society’s response as well. Her writing is easy to follow and I found myself laughing at many points throughout her vivid story-telling. If for nothing else, you should do yourself a favor and pick up this book to read chapter 8: Bengay in the Night.

I found this book to be an easy read. My only criticism would be the overall structure of this book. Because each chapter as written as an essay, it’s almost like each chapter is standalone rather that components of the book as a whole. As a reader, I would have liked to see more of a thread through all of the chapters that tied the book together a little more succinctly.

Recommendation: I enjoyed getting a peak into Andrews’ life. The stories she shares are sometimes emotional and often funny, proving that none of us should take this life too seriously. If you’ve ever found yourself replaying an awkward interaction in your mind, you just might relate to this book. I would recommend this as a quick weekend, pick-me-up read!

Buy at Amazon | Add to Goodreads

Ginny Andrews is a former high school teacher and coach, who is now an aspiring comedian, speaker, and writer. She would greatly appreciate it if you purchased her book! Door Dash, dog-sitting, used car sales, lawn mowing, and selling random items found in her house aren't high paying gigs!

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Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pages: 416 pages
Published: April 2023

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez is the second in a series. I purchased and read the first Book of the Month Selection, Part of Your World, in 2022. So, naturally when BOTM published the second book in 2023, I snapped it up quickly. And just like the first, this story did not disappoint. As I mentioned before, Jimenez's books are romcoms with substance. She does an delicate job of balancing sobering topics with timely humor and bringing it all together for a satisfying conclusion.

The second book in this series focuses on the best friend, Dr. Bri Ortiz, of the main character in the first. We meet Bri, ER doctor, on the tail end of a humiliating divorce where she's trying to regain her self-worth while also attempting to beat the clock on finding a kidney donor for her brother. As it so happens in many romcoms, a timely meet-cute (or maybe in this instance meet-conflict) ensues with one Dr. Jacob Maddox who is equally good-looking as he is good-hearted and who also happens to be on the heels of a horrible break-up. To boot, he just so happens to have recently joined the ER staff at Bri's hospital. As it were, one thing leads to another and these professional colleagues move past their initial conflict and strike up a friendship through a situational fake dating scenario.

With this being a romcom, I don't think I'd be giving to much away to say the story follows a friends-to-lovers plotline. However, that is not the jewel of Jimenez's book. In both of the books in this series, she tackles serious issues such as depression, anxiety, loss of pregnancy and thoughts of suicide. She artfully presents these in a thoughtful way while not weighing the book (or the reader!) down too much. (Hint: Think Grey's Anatomy but in book form.)

Recommendation: I truly enjoy Jimenez's writing style, and I can't honestly say if I loved this book more than the first. They are both equally engaging on their own. The books do follow in chronological order; however, I believe they can be consumed as stand-alone stories, with some character overlap in each. So, it is my reader's opinion, that it is not necessary to read them in order. I highly recommend picking up either copy today.

The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pages: 337 pages
Published: March 2023

The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley is not your usual humorous chick lit novel. Basically, the book is a fun telling of a female friendship between the unlikeliest of characters. Tanner, a 21-year old who is down on her luck after a horrible accident at college and Louise, an elderly woman living alone who has a fall and breaks her hip. Her adult children, who do not live nearby, hire Tanner to move in and help take care of their mother. Being pushed into the job by her mother, Tanner begrudgingly shows up to do the bare minimum. Similarly, Louise does not think she needs the help, so the two spend most of their time speaking as little as possible to one another. But when Louise shows in Tanner's room at 1 a.m., with a bag of cash, insisting they leave right away and offers to pay Tanner to drive, the two go on the trip of a lifetime.

Through everything they encounter while they're traveling, to the text message exchanges between Louise's three adult children who are trying to find where Tanner and Louise have absconded, to its satisfying conclusion, the story is definitely a well-rounded one. The tone is mainly lighthearted, but there are some nuggets of wisdom that Louise offers in her dialogue with Tanner and that the author provides through her omniscient narration both give this lovely book some depth. This is my first book by Oakley, and I will certainly be reading more of her stories.

Honestly, I didn't really like Tanner at first, but through witty prose and careful character development, Oakley was able to win me over to both ladies, and I absolutely adored their relationship in the end.

Recommendation: This is a light, laugh out loud, fun summer read. I finished it in a couple of days - and enjoyed every page turned!

Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Pages: 331 pages
Published: January 2023

I first learned of Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn through the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club — AKA one of the nicest places on the internet. During Anne Bogel’s spring preview webinar, this romcom was listed as one of the hot ticket items for the year. As Anne mentioned, romance books are a delight because you know there will be a positive, uplifting ending. And I wholeheartedly agree, but the rub is in how you get to that happy ending.

In this book the main character, Georgie returns home to Darentville, Virigina from Los Angeles, California where set served as a personal assistant — often putting her client’s needs before her own. When her latest client decides to take a break from “Hollywood,” Georgie is somewhat forced to as well. In the midst of that break, she comes home to help her best friend in the latter part of her pregnancy. In doing so, she stumble upon this “friendfic” notebook she and said BFF created when they were in high school. Georgie realizes, like many of us do years post-high school, she hasn’t accomplished a lot of the popular teenagery things she wanted to. Amid recreating some of those antics, Georige meets Levi Fanning, who has a reputation for being a troublemaker as a teen and is now living a fairly secluded life because of it. To boot, Levi is the older brother of Georgie’s high school crush, who happens to take up quite a bit of real estate in that friendfic notebook. Levi offers to help Georgie on her quest of completing her high school wish list. And you can only imagine where things go from there.

While the book is somewhat predictable, the character development and real life scenarios are what make this romance one of substance. Additionally, the endearing novel contains a variety of plot elements including humor, reflection, forgiveness, honesty … and yes, some juicy love scenes (This is not my favorite thing about romance novels, but I understand it to be a necessary device for the book to be labeled as such.)

It took me a couple of days to get into the writing style of this book, but I am glad I stuck with it. The payoff in the end was worth it, and I truly enjoyed getting to know all the primary and secondary characters of the story. If I had one criticism to offer, it would be about a tertiary character of the book. Before I offer this, I will say I consider myself to be a progressive and inclusive person. I enjoy the company of a diverse set of friends, and I do believe that representation matters. However, what I don’t necessarily agree with is forcing diversity into a book to check a box. One of the tertiary characters was identified as being in a polyamorous relationship, which really had no bearing on the plot of the book or development of the character, but rather seemed there to check the diversity box. I think when we include characters in any creative form, it should be done with purposeful intent. And that’s all I will say about that. You’re welcome to disagree (respectfully) with me, but keep in mind I rated this book and its plot a 4.5, and I am just as entitled to my opinion as anyone else.

Recommendation: I truly enjoyed Georgie and the people she met along the way … including her true self. I think the author put a great deal of heart into her writing style and story, and as a reader, I appreciated her craft very much. I highly recommend!

The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Duration: 08:15:00
Published: March 2022

I borrowed a copy of the audiobook version of The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith, narrated by one of my favorite actors - Mae Whitman - to listen to on a work road trip. As a military brat, taking road trips has always been a part of my life, and for work today, I often drive across this vast land we call Texas. Listening to a good book is the most fun way of multi-tasking, in my opinion. This fictional but realistic story is one of healing and redemption. It focuses on an indie rock star, the titular character, whose mother recently and unexpectedly passed away which results in her having a bit of an emotional breakdown in a very public way. To either deal with or avoid how this event has affected her career, she goes on a weeklong cruise trip with her father and some family friends as somewhat of a surrogate for her mother who had planned the trip before her death.

I really enjoyed listening to this book. The narrator does a great job of keeping the reader-listener engaged. The story is compelling, and the writing touches on a variety of emotions in a careful and respectful way. There were many points in this book where I laughed out loud, teared up and felt a soft tugging at my heart. I really enjoyed the challenging relationship between Greta and her father. He made me mad at times, but it was real, so real. Not all parent-child relationships are perfect and loving. There are disappointments and expectations unfulfilled. Overall, this was a nice and earnest book that I could personally relate to and I read at just the right time.

Recommendation: This read was a predictable but lovely journey and teaches the reader that you can find love and forgiveness in the most unlikely places — even on a boat … er … a ship! I would highly recommend this book for someone looking to read a well-rounded fictional story. There are some heavy topics like death and grief, but there’s also lighthearted humor, friendship, forgiveness and a little romance that’s handled in a practical way.

The Most Likely Club by Elyssa Friedland

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pages: 368 pages
Published: September 2022

When you're reading a book that's so good, you don't notice the milestone high school reunion at the center of the plot references the same year you graduated. That was me reading The Most Likely Club by Elyssa Friedland and, why yes, that is my high school graduation cap tassel in the bookstagrammable photo on this post. This is a story about four friends who were all voted a superlative their senior year in 1997 and when they revisit each other and the school 25 years later, they realized they have missed the mark. Together, they vow to capture what was once predicted for them all those years ago. (Oh my gosh ... all 25 years ago!)

Melissa Levin (Most Likely to Win the White House), Priya Chowdhury (Most Likely to Cure Cancer), Tara Taylor (Most Likely to Open a Michelin-Starred Restaurant), and Suki Hammer (Most Likely to Join the Forbes 400) in their early 40s realize adulthood is often not all it's cracked up to be. Each woman struggling with her own personal and professional challenges attempt to change the course of her life with the help of her friend group. This book is what I call realistic fiction. It's a totally made up story of situations, circumstances, and the resulting emotions that come from those events. Being exactly the same age as the characters I found the story totally relatable. However, I think someone older can appreciate the lessons learns and someone younger could possibly heed the warnings. Life is not about labels but rather living in and loving your true self, unapologetically.

Recommendation: This was a good read that tackled some serious issues us middle-agers face (Oh my gosh ... I'm middle aged!) in an easily digestible way. There were equal parts of introspection as well as comedy. I enjoyed the book and highly recommend. However, I do not recommend the labels even though I may or may not have been Most Likely to Write an Award-Winning Book ... Does a middle-of-the-road blog count?

The Neighbor's Secret by Alison L. Heller

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pages: 336 pages
Published: October 2021

The Neighbor’s Secret by L. Alison Heller was another Book of the Month Club selection for me. I enjoy a book filled with mystery and suspense, and the synopsis indicated that I would get this. The plot of the book is a group of neighborhood mothers who get together for book club each month … suspense + book club … Sign. Me. Up! Someone ends up dead, and the bulk of the book provides information leading the reader to the victim and murderer. While the center of the book is primarily about the murder, the book itself features a cast of characters, none of whom I would say are primary, but they all work together to create suspicion around local vandalism that is occurring in the neighborhood, an old mystery about what happened to an older neighbor’s husband and estranged daughter and a new resident mom and her son that seems a bit socially awkward in addition to the murder case at hand. All of these red herrings take the reader on several twists and turns before reaching the conclusion of the mystery at the end of the novel.

I enjoyed this book. It was a fast read, and although some of the themes in the book were heavy, they were handled in such a way that didn’t emotionally burden the reader. Many reviews compare this book to Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies, and I can certainly see where they get that. It’s a mystery that is lightened through quirky characters and periodic comedic relief. Heller did a great job weaving all the characters and subplots together to create a well-rounded mystery that keeps the reader on the hook without being too far-fetched to solve.

Recommendation: I found this book to be entertaining and engaging. I think it would be a fun read over spring break or maybe even a summer vacation. Everything is tied up nicely in the end, leaving the reader feeling satisfied.

Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pages: 307 pages
Published: May 4 2021

Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala is a spicy and fun cozy mystery that I snagged via my Book of the Month subscription. The book centers around Lila Macapagal, her family, friends, and the folks in her small hometown she returns to after she finds her fiancé cheating on her with their next-door neighbors (yes, neighborS) in Chicago. While back in town, she attempts to help revive her aunt's failing restaurant. As if that wasn't challenging enough, Lila has to face another ex-boyfriend from high school, Derek Winter, who is a local restaurant critic and who can't seem to give Lila and her aunt a break from negative food critiques. When things seem as though they can't get any worse, Derek experiences a health episode at the restaurant and later dies at the hospital as a result of it. Lila and her family are now suspects in his death. Together, with the help of some friends and community members, Lila attempts to to solve the mystery before her aunt's restaurant (and only form of livelihood) is closed ... for good!

This book has all the makings of the light murder mystery genre, known as a cozy. What gives it depth is the inclusion of the Asian American community and the cultural contributions of the members of that community. I also appreciated the abundant and strong female characters in the book. The plot is easy to follow, making the book a relatively quick read. I think most readers could finish it in a day or two. The only thing that slowed me down is I continually had to reference the glossary and pronunciation guide in the front of the book as well as look up some words that were not provided. Having said that, I think this book might be easier read via audio or eReader, where you can either hear or quickly look up phrases with a simple click.

Recommendation: Summer is just around the corner, and this would be a great beach read. Just make sure you have something to munch on nearby. The author provides vivid descriptions of the cuisine with some recipes in the back to try on your own!

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

How Not to Die Alone by Richard Roper

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pages: 321 pages
Published: May 2019

I ran across How Not to Die Alone by Richard Roper when I was browsing my local B&N. I purchased another book that day, so I made note of this book to borrow from my local library. Many critics have compared Roper's debut novel to Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, and I can certainly see why. It has the same pace and ended with the same satisfying feeling.

This realistic fiction book centers around Andrew who lives a life of solitude. Five years ago while interviewing for his current job, the interviewer asks Andrew a question he wasn't quite prepared for and Andrew provides a made-up answer. From there one lie demands another until he's curated quite a fantasy. Five years into his tenure, Peggy comes on board as a co-worker Andrew must train. As he gets closer to Peggy, it's inevitable that the truth must come out. The result of all of this is a creatively written story of personal growth.

I really did enjoy following along this story's path of redemption. The triggering event is something that could easily happen to anyone who doesn't deal well with pressure or in social settings, but it also provides a nice lesson in the end that doesn't necessarily tie the story up neatly but does make it complete. I have thought about this book long after completing it - probably because I wonder if I will die alone one day - but also because the author is exceptionally talented. I can't wait to see what Roper writes next.

Recommendation: This novel should definitely be on your TBR (to be read) list. It's a dark comedy with a meaningful message.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Please note as of Spring 2020, this title is now called Something to Live For (read more)

One Day in December by Josie Silver

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pages: 409 pages
Published: October 2018

I sought out a lighthearted chick lit novel after reading some heavier, darker material. While One Day in December by Josie Silver could certainly be categorized as chick lit, it is also a bit more than that. There are some heavier themes surrounding personal growth and self esteem that I think many women can relate to.

The story, set in England, begins with Laurie on a bus exchanging a longing glance with a young man outside of the bus. As fate would have it, they miss their chance to connect. She is certain their visual encounter is love at first sight, and she spends the next year looking for him when he walks right in their door of the flat she shares with her long-time friend, Sarah. To her dismay, the young man - Jack - has just begun dating Sarah and Sarah is certain that he is "the one" for her. From there the novel spans 10 years of friendships and relationships between Laurie, Sarah, Jack, and other secondary characters.

I classify this book as chick lit because it's mainly about finding love and the reader gets the happy ending; however, the beauty of this story is the journey in getting there. I grew attached to both Laurie and Sarah and the friendship they developed over the years. Some family aren't blood relatives but family just the same. My only real issue with the novel was Jack's character. I'm not really sure why he was always the prize just out of Laurie's grasp as we travel the 10 years with her.

This was a fun story that I enjoyed reading. I am thankful to the Fort Worth Library for the digital borrow.

Recommendation: I'd recommend this book for a quick weekend read over a nice cup of cocoa.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Mayhem, Murder and the PTA by Dave Cravens

Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pages: 434 pages
Published: May 2019

Parker Monroe is a tough-talking investigative reporter used to writing headlines, not being the subject of them. When a key source vanishes on a politically toxic story, this single mother of three finds herself at the center of a media storm and out of a job. Ready to reset, Parker moves her family back to the rural town where she grew up. But a gossip-filled PTA, a tyrannical school principal and a gruesome murder make adjusting to the "simple life" anything but. Parker Monroe is about to chase the story of her lifetime...

Mayhem, Murder and the PTA by Dave Cravens introduces the reader to Parker Monroe who is a journalist recovering from a huge misstep in her career. To reset her life she moves across the country and back home with her mother and three children. Upon her return she is confronted by the vice principal of her former school who is a bit of a nemesis. Shortly thereafter, a murder occurs and Parker and her inquisitive nature quickly gets wrapped up in the subsequent events.

This book is what I would categorize as a humorous murder mystery. While there are some dark elements, the book isn't too heavy. The author provided enough detail to keep the reader engaged. While the advanced readers copy of the paperback I received is is more than 400 pages, all of the chapters are all relatively short and the spacing is generous, so it's probably not a true 434 pages. I enjoy mysteries, and this one did not disappoint. I was invested in completing the novel because I wanted to find out how the myriad of characters fit together. Cravens did an exceptional job of giving all the characters - primary, secondary, and tertiary - a purpose and making it easy to discern individual within the entire cast of characters.

My critiques include the incongruence in the author's writing and voice style. He would change from third person omniscient to the main character, Parker, talking to herself which almost made it seem as though he was switching from third to first person. It created some inconsistency for me and caused me to have to re-read several passages. Additionally, I was not a fan of the foul language. I get that Cravens wanted the protagonist to be "tough-talking," independent, and flawed, but I think the obscenities were overdone. Using curse words doesn't make you tough nor does it make you appear tough. It was very easy to tell that this character was written by a male. She almost seemed like a male character in personality. In conjunction with the language and abundance of Bon Jovi references, who the author clearly has an affinity for, I just wasn't impressed. In fact, I think if these were reduced, the book could have been about 1/4 shorter in total. Also, I don't think the sole sex scene was needed nor was it germane to the overall mystery. It definitely could have been left on the cutting room floor. The book is dialogue heavy. There are more direct quotes in conversation and not a lot of vivid descriptions. It seems as though the author took the approach to tell rather than show what was happening.

Recommendation: At any rate, I did enjoy the book. I found it humorous, witty, and engaging. I think fans of the mystery genre would enjoy this. It can easily been read in a couple of days.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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As a child, Dave Cravens planned to grow up to be a superhero, the first person to capture Bigfoot and Nessie on film, pilot experimental aircraft out of Area 51, develop cold fusion, and star and direct in his own blockbuster action movies so he could retire at the ripe age of twenty-five and raid tombs the rest of his life. Instead, he got a degree in journalism, which he hasn’t used at all other than to justify his incredibly insightful and valid complaints about the state of journalism. During his twenty-two years in the video game business, he’s written for award winning franchises, directed TV commercials and movies, sprained his ankles numerous times in ultimate frisbee games and published three original novels.

Connect with Dave:

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