The Pain Of Others: A Novel by Miguel Ángel Hernández

(Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

In this blend of police thriller and poignant autofiction, a writer revisits a tragic crime from his adolescence and reckons with a dark, underexplored side of Spain.

On Christmas Eve 1995, Miguel Ángel Hernández’s best friend murdered his sister and took his own life by jumping off a cliff. It happened in a small hamlet in the Murcia countryside. No one ever knew why. The investigation was closed, and the crime forgotten.

20 years later, when the wounds seem to have stopped bleeding and the mourning died down, Miguel decides to return to the countryside and, putting himself in the shoes of a detective, tries to reconstruct that tragic night that marked the end of his adolescence. But travelling in time always means altering the past, and the investigation will awaken ghosts that he thought he had left behind: a childhood marked by the Church, by sin and guilt; the constant presence of illness and death; the oppressive, closed world from which he managed to escape.

This raw, moving novel about the collision of two worlds and two ways of life is a reckoning with the past and, above all, a subtle and incisive meditation on the ethics of literature, which makes us aware that “writing isn’t always a triumph, that sometimes, we too may founder upon the pain of others.”

my thoughts:

A literary autobiographical novel - whoa, talk about the perfect mix of genres. The Pain Of Others by Miguel Ángel Hernández is an emotional and thought-provoking story that makes for quite a compelling read. We have a murder and suicide, a crime that has been shelved by the police. A writer who decides to confront the deaths of his sister and best friend, by exploring the town where it happened, the investigation  into the crime, the role of the Church, along with the history of that time in his life. It's like a true crime procedural with a personal twist. Talk about powerful storytelling. I absolutely LOVED this book!

I would happily recommend The Pain Of Others to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you will fall in deep with this intriguing book. It's mesmerizing, chilling, and beautiful. It showcases the author's talent so clearly and honestly. This is one book you won't want to miss out on. Make sure to grab a copy ASAP! 

Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

From The Dust: A Novel by David Swinson

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

When a murder occurs in a small town in Upstate New York, retired police detective Graham Sanderson, is drawn back into a vortex of violence, deception, and a series of murders which get dangerously personal.

Graham Sanderson thought he’d left it all behind. His years as a Washington, DC, homicide detective, his tragically dead wife, pain, violence. Taking over his father’s house in the remote Finger Lakes region of rural New York, and looking after his shut-in brother, Tommy, seemed like a respite. That is, until the first body is found.

The chief of the town’s small police jurisdiction, who is also a family friend, asks for Graham’s assistance. Graham’s instincts immediately kick in and he soon discovers there’s more to the area – the people, its brutally quiet, sophisticated hierarchies – than he or his family ever knew.

David Swinson's latest novel is a soulful, rural noir story about the extremities to which it pushes a community, the fear it instills in the hearts of adherents and doubters alike, and need for it nevertheless. As Graham delves deeper into the strange and then stranger circumstances of the murders, his own beliefs become challenged. What do you finally stand for when you’ve got nothing left to lose?

my thoughts:

Love me a story set in a small town. From The Dust is a gripping mystery thriller by David Swinson. Chock full of suspense, this terrific tale will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow along with each clue picked up along the way. I enjoyed getting to know Graham and the small town he now calls home. He thought looking after his brother would be easier than his former life as a homicide detective, except this small town has a dark underbelly that is darker than even he could have imagined. Yep, there is a serial killer on the loose and finding out whodunit may be even more dangerous than Graham expected. Whoa! Talk about a small town lacking in charm. 

Swinson has written a must-read detective story that is engaging, thoughtful and unputdownable. It's giving noir vibes in all the best ways. There are compelling characters, a dangerous mystery, secrets and lies, and the pace of the story is slow-going until it's not. This is one book that you have to get your hands on ASAP. You are going to LOVE it to bits! I would happily recommend From The Dust to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - check it out!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Fortune Tellers Of Rue Daru: A Novel by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:(summary from Goodreads)

A fearless fortune teller in 1920s Paris must use her powers to divine who she can trust—and even more importantly, learn to trust herself—in the searing new gothic novel from the author of The Haunting of Moscow House .

Spirited twenty-something Zina and her secretive grandmother, Baba Valya, own a tearoom on rue Daru in Paris, where they have lived quietly since Zina’s mother’s untimely death. By day, the women serve tea, mostly to members of the bustling Russian émigré community, but when dusk falls, they divine fortunes and perform séances for their loyal clientele.

Then the charming Princess Olga and her brother arrive, searching for answers about the disappearance of their father, the Grand Duke and cousin to the murdered last Tsar of Russia. Zina, eager to learn more about the spirit world and her powers, performs the séance. She is able to summon the Grand Duke, but to her horror, he starts to haunt the shop, and he seems to know something sinister about her mother’s death.

As Zina delves into her family’s hidden past, dark secrets are unearthed, threatening Zina and her grandmother’s found family, home, and tearoom, not to mention their very lives.

my thoughts:

A story about fortune tellers in 1920s Paris - how could I not want to read this one? Plus, that summary makes it sounds unputdownable. I'm excited to fall in deep with Zina and her family. And, it's Paris - my favorite city to read about. I'm thrilled to travel the streets and city, learning all about divining fortunes and the Russian community in Paris at the time. Plus, I want to find out if the Grand Duke truly does know anything about Zina's mother. I'm sure that I'll be gobbling up this fantastical story in no time. I can't wait!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Missing: A Novel by E. A. Jackson

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

In this unputdownable crime thriller for fans of Tana French, a detective returns to a thirty-year-old case—an infamous disappearance in London—that has haunted her entire career and now may jeopardize her future. 

In August 1990, London is suffering through an unprecedented heatwave when baby Bella Carpenter is snatched through the open window of her hotel room. Detective Inspector Martha Allen is assigned the high-profile case and, knowing that it could make or break her career, is determined to find Bella.

When a young woman named Nell Beatty walks into the police station with a baby who appears to be Bella, and whom Nell claims she found on a bench, it seems that the mystery is solved. Her family, the police, and the press are overjoyed at her return. But DI Allen isn’t convinced, something about Nell’s story doesn’t ring true. As much as she wants to continue, however, now that the baby is safe, she’s ordered to close the investigation.

Thirty years later, Nell Beatty is found dead. Now a superintendent, Allen has never really gotten over her doubts about the Carpenter case and can’t resist doing a little digging on her own time, eager to find out what happened to Nell, and her involvement in the baby’s disappearance all those years ago. But will her efforts uncover something darker than she could have ever imagined? And what is she risking as she tries once and for all to reveal the truth?

my thoughts:

Missing: A Novel by E. A. Jackson is a must-read for anyone and everyone looking for their next great mystery. It's chock full of tension, suspense, and unanswered questions that have plagued our protagonist for decades - basically all the right ingredients for a thrilling story. I loved it. I found myself easily caught up in this thoughtful, intense, and shocking story. It kept me on the edge of my seat, because I couldn't help but try to figure out whodunit. Such a great read!

I would happily recommend Missing - you are going to enjoy this mystery thriller to bits. Make sure to grab a copy ASAP! Happy reading!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

Lucien: A Novel by J. R. Thornton

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

A gifted yet financially disadvantaged artist falls victim to the manipulative control of his wealthy, enigmatic Harvard roommate in this incendiary novel from the author of Beautiful Country—a piercing exploration of class, ambition, identity, and the perilous cost of reinvention in the tradition of Patricia Highsmith and Donna Tartt.

The son of working-class Czech immigrants, Christopher “Atlas” Novotny is a talented painter who arrives at Harvard on a full scholarship. Raised amid hardship, he is unprepared for the privileged world introduced to him by his freshman roommate, Lucien Orsini-Conti.

Born to wealthy European diplomats, Lucien plays the part of the confident, sophisticated bon vivant. Where Lucien is bold and brash, Atlas is timid and introverted. Growing up a lonely outsider, Atlas is insecure, impressionable, and in awe of his brilliant roommate. But is Lucien all that he seems?

Sensing a willing disciple, Lucien introduces Atlas to a glittering new world of lavish parties and elite social clubs. When Atlas struggles to afford his new lifestyle, Lucien offers a solution, convincing the naïve artist to become a forger, passing off fakes to galleries and dealers.

But Lucien’s charismatic facade conceals something darker and more sinister. As Lucien’s behavior grows increasingly unstable, Atlas is forced into escalating risks with devastating consequences.

Drawing inspiration from the true crime stories of Christian Gerhartsreiter (a.k.a. “Clark Rockefeller”) and Adam Wheeler, Lucien is as darkly seductive and addictively readable as The Secret History, The Incendiaries, Creation Lake, and The Talented Mr. Ripley.

my thoughts:

Wow. Loved Lucien to bits. This new novel by J. R. Thornton is excellent. I love dark academia stories set at an Ivy, and this time round it's Harvard. We get the haves and have-nots, the art world, lavish wealth, the concept of reinvention and the consequences of trying to fit in. This book has it all and in spades. It's a gripping story that will hook you right from the start. These characters that you can't help but love and hate, their misadventures that get wilder, darker, and dangerous. And, the beautiful trappings of wealth that lure you in, only to leave you choking on the ugliness lurking just beneath it all. It's mesmerizing, thought-provoking and one hell of a ride. Lucien is a definite must-read. 

I would happily recommend this book to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you most definitely do not want to miss out on this gem. Make sure to grab a copy ASAP and dive right in. Happy reading!

Thank you to the publisher and edelweiss for providing me with a copy of this book!

Hush Little Fire: A Novel by Judith Newcomb Stiles

(Thank you to the author and TLC Book Tours providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

Secrets implode and generations of lies boil over into deadly consequences when a suspicious fire breaks out Christmas Night on Cape Cod.

This enthralling and darkly humorous debut novel of abortion, adoption, and long-buried truths will captivate readers who loved Lessons in Chemistry and Where the Crawdads Sing.

When Mary Newcombe dutifully returns to Cape Cod with her twelve-year-old son to celebrate Christmas with her adoptive mother, Birdie, the only part of the trip she looks forward to is digging beach clay for pottery to stoke her beloved kiln. But while she’s home, a suspicious fire destroys the town health clinic, and Mary becomes a leading suspect.

Mary can’t remember the night of the fire (too much eggnog) and, as always, her mother isn’t talking. Birdie has kept secrets from Mary her entire life, beginning with the truth about Mary’s birth mother. When Mary discovers her adoptive father socked away a small fortune performing pre-Roe v. Wade illegal abortions in the clinic that burned to the ground, she’s done with being kept in the dark. As the days tick by and pressures mount to find the arsonist, Mary digs deeper into Wellfleet’s history, and more secrets start to unfurl.

Meanwhile, Mary’s cousin Jimmy is acting strangely and suddenly, so is her son. As the FBI zeros in on Mary, and another fire burns in the harbor, it's time for Mary and Birdie to face a long brewing reckoning.

A cross-generational mystery told through the perspectives of four women living on the underbelly of Cape Cod, Hush Little Fire is the perfect read for fans of Bonnie Garmus and Dennis Lehane.

my thoughts:

Stories chock full of family drama are the BEST! Hush Little Fire by Judith Newcomb Stiles is most definitely one of the best. I loved it to bits!

It's Christmastime in beautiful Cape Cod and Mary is in town with her son to visit her mom, Birdie. She's looking forward to the holiday and ready to throw some pottery. Except a fire breaks out and destroys the local health clinic. Oh, and Mary is the prime suspect. Say, what? Yep, looks like Mary may have had one too many eggnogs and doesn't remember what happened. So, could she be involved? Well, it turns out her dad used to run the health clinic as an abortion clinic back in the day. Plus, Mary is adopted and the question of who her birth parents are weighs heavily on her mind. So, looks like Mary's trip to the Cape may have many more layers to it, then a simple holiday visit. Hmm....then again, who exactly are these folks she calls family and friends...can she trust them? Yikes! Looks like Mary will have to work hard and quickly to find out the truth, because another fire is burning and her time may just about be up. And, that is all I will share about this intriguing story filled with unlikeable characters that you can't help but fall in deep with. I know I enjoyed my time in Cape Cod with Mary and company. It was such a treat to read! Make sure to grab a copy and check it out!

Thank you to the author and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Ava: A Novel by Victoria Dillon

(Thank you to She Writes Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

For fans of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale comes Ava, a provocative blend of speculative fiction and social commentary that takes readers on a gripping, thought-provoking journey into the fight for women’s autonomy in a politically charged Southern landscape.

What if the only way to reclaim reproductive freedom was to rewrite the very nature of birth itself?

Ten years after Roe v. Wade is overturned, twenty-two-year-old biologist Larkin finds herself unexpectedly pregnant in a country where choice is no longer an option. Initially uncertain, she embraces motherhood—until a devastating diagnosis changes everything. Trapped by Tennessee’s strict abortion laws, she is forced to carry her baby to term, only to endure the heartbreak of losing her hours after birth.

Years later, Larkin joins a radical scientific movement that could change a groundbreaking technology that replaces gestation with incubation, allowing women true control over their reproduction. When she uses it to bring her second daughter, Ava, into the world, she believes she has finally reclaimed her autonomy. But as Ava grows and begins to question the very choice that created her, Larkin is challenged in ways she never imagined.

Ava is a powerful, emotionally charged exploration of motherhood, bodily autonomy, and the far-reaching consequences of restrictive legislation. In a future shaped by loss and innovation, mother and daughter must confront the ultimate what does it truly mean to have a choice?

my thoughts:

Wow! What an impressive and powerful story. Ava by Victoria Dillon is a definite must-read for everyone. It's speculative fiction at its very best. A smart and fascinating story about reproduction, women's rights, and feminism. I found myself getting lost in Larkin and Ava's story every night as I read it - it was just too damn good to put down. I mean who wouldn't be intrigued by this concept of incubation - a way for women to have children and maintain true autonomy over their bodies - WHOA! Talk about weird-sounding science. And yet,, the more I read, the more questions I had about so many of the important topics being explored in this book-  science and technology, reproductive rights, morality, and the mother-daughter relationship. It was all so fascinating. I wound up jotting down notes here and there, because I couldn't stop thinking about this story. It was disturbing, compelling, and unforgettable. I loved it. 

I would definitely recommend Ava to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you will not want to miss out on this one. Make sure to grab a copy ASAP!

Thank you to She Writes Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

Konfidenz: A Novel by Ariel Dorfman

(Thank you Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

The political and the personal become blurred in a series of tense, tantalizing conversations about resistance.

A pared-back yet gripping psychological novel from the acclaimed author of Death and the Maiden and Allegro.

A woman travels to Paris to meet her lover. When she arrives at her hotel, however, she receives a call from a mysterious stranger claiming to be his friend, who somehow possesses intimate knowledge of their lives and why she fled her homeland. Over the course of nine hours, this man will draw her in, revealing details about her lover’s work, which could put him in grave danger, and the growing conflict that has ensnared them all.

A brilliant, mind-bending story told almost entirely through dialogue, Konfidenz upends what we think we know, painting an insightful portrait of manipulation and divided loyalties. Taking inspiration from his own experiences of political turmoil and exile after the 1973 coup that overthrew Chilean president Salvador Allende, Ariel Dorfman infuses this novel with a remarkable urgency and authenticity.

my thoughts:

Whoa! Konfidenz by Ariel Dorfman is an intriguing and unputdownable story. I found myself carrying this slim book with me everywhere I went, so that I could dip in and out of it whenever I had a spare moment. I was hooked by the dialogue-heavy story and the author's clever exploration of trust and loyalty. Plus, the simplicity of the set up was compelling - a man and a woman on a telephone call. Oh, the danger and truth of a tense political climate made the conversation somber, secretive, and unreliable. It was fascinating and unforgettable- I loved it!

I would recommend Konfidenz to fans of Dorfman and to anyone looking for their next great read. You won't want to miss out on this one!

Thank you Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

TBR List

I've just added this lovely to by TBR (to be read) List and can't want to read it.

So, what's the book about? Well, it's about a woman who leaves her life behind in the US, and escapes to Ireland to start over fresh. As the years go by, she's settled in nicely and has a family of her own, along with a talent for art. Unfortunately, it's her paintings that may be her own undoing - the spotlight on her artwork is leading to journalists asking questions. Yep, seems like the secrets from her past won't leave stay hidden. Yikes! Talk about drama!

Now, how intriguing does that sound? What are these secrets? Why did she have to leave her life behind? What happened? Why can't she be free from her past? I have so many questions! Plus, the story takes place in Ireland - how lovely! Such a beautiful country. I'm excited to find out who Saoirse really is and what her story is all about. 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

Akiko's Quiet Happiness: The Japan Trilogy, Vol. 1 by Jan-Philipp Sendker, translated by Daniel Bowles

(Thank you Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

Two lonely former classmates reconnect in Tokyo and unravel a family secret in this touching new novel from the internationally bestselling author of The Art of Hearing Heartbeats.

Still grieving the death of her mother, 29-year-old Akiko is single and lives in self-imposed isolation in Tokyo. Then one evening, she unexpectedly runs into Kento, her first love from school. Kento now leads a reclusive life as a hikikomori, only venturing out at night.

At the same time, Akiko discovers evidence that her mother had been lying to her about their family, causing her to doubt everything. She has to admit to herself that she doesn’t know who she is.

With Kento’s help, Akiko embarks on a journey into her own history, which takes her life in surprising directions and leads her to questions she had never dared to ask herself How do I want to live? And do I have the courage to love?

my thoughts:

Love, love, loved this emotional and powerful read. Akiko's Quiet Happiness is the first volume in Jan-Philipp Sendker's The Japan Trilogy and it is amazing. The story is mesmerizing, quiet, and, deep in its exploration of isolation, family, and, love. I couldn't help but get caught up in Akiko's story - I was captivated right from the start. I had to know what she would do and what would happen next in her journey of self-discovery. It was fascinating and thought-provoking. I loved it! I look forward to the next volume. And, I would happily recommend this amazing book to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read. You are going to fall in deep with Akiko's Quiet Happiness.  

Thank you Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

Leyla's House: A Novel by Zülfü Livaneli

(Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

Love, love, love the cover of this wonderful book. You can see the history and beauty of such a grand home - the way it must have looked once upon a time. Of course, you can see how loss and neglect have left the home forgotten and uncared for. And yet, an elderly woman named Leyla resided in the space - a connection to her aristocratic heritage - until she was thrown out of it and made homeless. So, what happens next?

Well...

"Evicted from her Istanbul mansion, an elderly aristocrat forms surprising new connections across class and culture.

A colorful, nuanced novel about old and new money, the Ottoman Empire and modern Turkey, from the internationally bestselling author of Disquiet.

The last living member of a great Ottoman family, the refined yet sheltered Leyla finds herself homeless and vulnerable when her house is sold by the bank to a business tycoon and his ambitious wife. Forced out of this historic mansion on the bank of the Bosphorus, Leyla is rescued and taken in by Yusuf, the son of her family’s former gardener who has become a journalist. She follows him to a modern, cosmopolitan district of Istanbul where she discovers a world of artists and outcasts alongside Yusuf’s partner, Roxy, real name Rukiye, a hip-hop singer. Despite initial hostility, a real friendship gradually develops between these two very different women.

When Leyla’s former home is emptied of its furniture, a hidden family history resurfaces thanks to the discovery of a photo revealing the old lady’s uncanny resemblance to a British officer. Could Leyla be the product of an illegitimate union between an Ottoman woman and an Englishman?

With a marked sense of romance, this vibrant novel displays all the layers of a society where social classes as diverse as the former Ottoman aristocracy, the nouveau riche, and the Turks who returned after immigrating to Europe coexist." (summary from Goodreads)

How fascinating does that sound? Exploring what home truly means, along with the history and romance that houses can foster and carry. This book sounds like a definite must-read for fans of historical literary fiction. Plus, reading about Turkey and its history - talk about armchair travel at its best! I'm excited to dive in deep with Leyla's House and lose myself in her story.  And, I'm happy to recommend you do the same - grab a copy and read it up. I just know you'll fall in deep with this book - I'm looking forward to doing the same. Happy reading!

Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Castaways: A Novel by Lucy Clarke

 

I'm a fan of Lucy Clarke's novels - they are always such a treat to read. Mystery thrillers that will leave you gobsmacked at every twist and turn - absolutely LOVE it every time! So, of course I was super excited to get my hands on an early copy of Clarke's latest book, The Castaways.  I dove right in and would not stop reading for anything - this story had me hooked right from the start. There was family drama, unexpected romance, betrayal, a plane crash, and an island - it was riveting and chock full of unpredictable moments. This book was fantastic!

So, what is the story about? Two sisters heading to their vacation destination. One misses their flight. The other one becomes a missing person when disaster strikes and the plane crashes. No one knows what happened or where it happened. We find out what happened from both sisters - the one who stayed behind and the one went missing. It's crazy, scary, and unbelievable all at once. And, that is all I will share about this riveting read. You have to check it out and find out what happened - it's a must-read! 

I would happily recommend any book written by Lucy Clarke - they are fun and exciting reads. So, I would definitely recommend The Castaways - you are going to LOVE it! 

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Currently reading...

 

Iliaria, Or The Consequence Of Disobedience: A Novel by Gabriella Zalapi, Translated by Adriana Hunter

(Thank you Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

Kidnapped by her troubled father, a young girl navigates life on a road trip across 1980s Italy in this stunning, cinematic English-language debut.

One day in May 1980, 8-year-old Ilaria gets into her father’s car after school. As they stop at a series of highway hotels, traversing the north of Italy, the child thinks of her mother and promises herself not to cry anymore. She learns to drive and to lie, discovers Trieste, Bologna, a boarding school in Rome, a sunny rural life in Sicily.

Thanks to the games they play, the hit songs they sing at the tops of their voices on the road, and the kind people Ilaria meets along the way, the kidnapping almost seems like a normal childhood. But her father drinks too much, nervous in a cloud of cigarette smoke. If he takes her by the hand, she thinks it’s better not to pull it away. Ilaria observes and feels everything.

In gripping, precise prose, this poignant novel takes us inside the mind of a little girl who must grow up on her own.

my thoughts:

A captivating story that sweeps you away, Ilaria by Gabriella Zalapi, is an unputdownable story. I gobbled it up one go and could not stop thinking about it long after. 

A little girl is waiting after school when she gets kidnapped by her father. He takes her from city to city, calling her mom from phone booths, and behaving erratically. All the while, Ilaria isn't sure what exactly is happening, except that the longer she is away from home the less she remembers her mom and sister. Talk about a bad road trip. I don't what to share much else, because the story is short and packs quite the punch. Plus, you'll want to experience all the family drama and lost childhood years for yourself - it's riveting. Zalapi has written an emotional and mesmerizing book - you are going to LOVE it! Make sure to grab a copy. 

Thank you Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

I'll Tell You Everything: A Novel by Rebecca Kelley

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

When her estranged daughter asks to hear the one story she doesn’t want to tell, a woman spins lie after lie to protect her perfect life in this gripping novel.

Amy Linden has a loving husband, an adorable son, and a glamorous career as the hotelier of a grand mountain lodge. Then Ramona Crawford, the daughter she gave up for adoption twenty years earlier, pays her a surprise visit. Ramona wants to know the identity of her biological father—and Amy completely understands. There’s just one the truth would destroy Amy’s carefully curated life.

Amy shares a sad tale about a teenage romance with a boy named Freddy and the painful decision to give Ramona a better future than they could provide. At first, the pieces fit together and give Ramona both closure and a chance to get to know her odd but charming mother. But then Ramona gets a different story from Freddy, and Amy’s memories seem to change…and change again.

Will Amy ever reveal the full story of that fateful summer at the lodge? And if so, can Ramona live with the truth?

my thoughts:

Love, love, loved this unputdowable story chock full of secrets and reveals. Rebecca's Kelley's novel, I'll Tell You Everything, was an unforgettable read that I thoroughly enjoyed. The setting was secluded and rural, which added a great element of mystery to the story. Plus, the introduction of Ramona, Amy's daughter that she gave up for adoption twenty years ago, suddenly showing up and wanting to know who her biological dad is - talk about family drama! So, Amy tells Ramona about Freddy, her biological dad. Except, when Ramona talks to Freddy, Amy's story isn't matching up. Hmm...something's not right here...and Ramona is determined to find out. The question is, will Amy be willing to tell the truth? Crikey! This story was riveting. I found myself reading all night long, because I had to find out what was really going on with Amy. And, that is all I will share about I'll Tell You Everything. Aside from the fact that Kelley has written a terrific story that will grab you right from the start, keep you guessing, and leave you thinking, OMG! Such a great read!

Make sure to grab a copy and dive right in - this is one book you won't want to miss out on!

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Tasmania: A Novel by Paolo Giordano and translated by Antony Shugaar

(Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

After losing the future he imagined for himself, a writer sets out in search of connection and purpose at a tipping point with climate change and global conflict, in this breathtaking novel from the Strega Prize–winning author of The Solitude of Prime Numbers.

In late 2015, Paolo feels his life coming apart: While his wife, Lorenza, has decided to give up on pregnancy after years of trying, he clings to the dream of becoming a father, not just a father figure to Lorenza’s son. As their marriage strains, Paolo immerses himself in work, traveling to Paris to report on the UN Climate Change Conference in the wake of terrorist attacks that shook the world. His journalism dovetails with a book he hopes to write on the atomic bomb and its survivors, a growing obsession that will take him to cities across Europe and ultimately Japan.

Along the way, Paolo interacts with a vibrant cast of characters, each struggling to find their own Tasmania, a safe haven in which to weather the coming crises—global warming, pandemics, authoritarian governments, and wars. He develops a friendship with a brilliant, opinionated physicist, who followed the scientific path Paolo had abandoned, and who will test Paolo’s loyalty and values.

A stunning return to fiction after How Contagion Works, Paolo Giordano’s semi-autobiographical novel captures the fear, anxiety, wonder, and beauty of this time of uncertainty and upheaval, exploring how we can create and maintain relationships with other people when it feels increasingly difficult to connect.

my thoughts:

An introspective novel, Tasmania by Paolo Giordano and translated by Antony Shugaar, is a must-read for everyone. This is a story about how everything in life (climate crises and the rise of political turbulence) has everyone searching for a safe haven, a Tasmania of their own. The fact that no matter the difficulty, hope never dies, feels so truthful to humanity. The fear, anxieties, and worry that life is unraveling is so relatable. We've all had those moments where things are just so overwhelming and we need to escape - so we dive into a work project, travel plans, anything to divert our attention to whatever crisis it is we wish to avoid for the moment. Of course, problems never really disappear do they? 

Paolo feels like everything is falling apart so he throws himself into his work, which involves travel. And, he decides to focus on a book idea he's been obsessing over. He is wanting to escape into a different part of his life, one that is far from his personal life. Except his work life brings about more questions and worries. Thankfully, through it all, it's the people he meets along the way that remind him of the fact that hope lingers in all of us. Hope connects us. 

I really enjoyed this one. It was thoughtful and relatable. I found myself looking forward to reading it each night - I made myself take my time, because I didn't want to let go. I love when a book is so good you want to savor it. 

I would happily recommend Tasmania to fans of Giordano and to anyone looking for their next great read. 

Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

WiseHeart: A Novel by Claudia Ermey

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

Perfect for Fans of Jennifer Hartmann's Catch the Sun and Monday's Not Comingby Tiffany D. Jackson

After Jonathan Earl David Iverson watches the first Star Wars movie and realizes his initials spell JEDI, he secretly fancies himself a Jedi warrior. He is determined to protect the women in his life including his single mom, Iris, whose live-in boyfriend is speed dating on the side; his hippie Aunt Rainbow, and her lovesick 12-yr-old, Penny, and of course. . .

Dora, beautiful and brilliant, the love of his life. Stanford scholarship secured, she is bound for the stars and will let nothing stand in her way.

But when Jed’s mistaken for a hero who has taken down a high school shooter, he must come clean and risk losing Dora, or slip further toward the Dark Side.

my thoughts:

Wow! What a fantastic story! I loved WiseHeart by Claudia Ermey. It was heartwarming, emotional, dramatic, relatable, and so much more. This is one book that I would happily recommend to everyone - it's a definite must-read!

Jed has decided that it is up to him to protect the women in his life. He's seventeen and his initials spell JEDI - so, of course he's a warrior. He wants to keep watch over his mom, Iris, whose boyfriend is up to no good; his aunt Rainbow and cousin Penny who happen to live next door; and Dora, his one true love. Oh, and then there's high school to deal with - all the usual drama and chaos that involves. I don't want to share anymore, because this is one story you have to experience for yourself. I will share that Jed finds himself in a situation where the truth must prevail at the cost of his love life. After all, a warrior must fight for good, right? 

Ermey has written a terrific story that will grab you right from the start. You'll fall in love with these characters and enjoy getting to know them. And, you'll definitely fall in deep with this story. Make sure to grab a copy and gift one to your favorite bookworm. You are going to LOVE WiseHeart! I know I did. 

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Spatriati: A Novel by Mario Desiati, translated by Michael F. Moore

(Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Following two outcasts’ tumultuous friendship, this brilliant, Strega Prize–winning novel captures the probing, passionate nature of a generation of global citizens, exploring sexuality and identity.

I never understood, of the two of us, which one was warm and which cold, but I consider myself lucky to have met my opposite front in Claudia Fanelli, the spatriata, the name people around here use for the uncertain, the odd, the unclassifiable and sometimes the shiftless or orphans, as well as unmarried men or women, vagrants and vagabonds, or even, in the case that concerns us, the emancipated.

Claudia enters Francesco’s life on a sunny morning, in the school’s entrance hall: it’s a bolt of lightning, the birth of an entirely new kind of desire, which is, above all, the desire for life. Claudia is peerless and self-assured, extravagant; Francesco is introverted, burning with erotic curiosity, dominated by rustic faith, uncertain. She provokes him: “Did you know that your mother and my father were lovers?” But in the eyes of that meek boy, she glimpses a spark of rebellion: she sees herself in him. They become adults together, in a symbiotic game of escape and pursuit, in which they always end up finding each other.

Mario Desiati captures the complexities of a fluid, uprooted generation: his own. A generation around forty years old today, who weren’t afraid to stray far from home to find their place in the world, who truly feel like citizens of Europe. With a poetic yet biting style, capable of great tenderness, Desiati depicts the myriad forms that desire can assume when given free rein. Without any fear of plucking the chords of romanticism, without any false modesty as he delves into the coarsest details of sensuality and instinct.

my thoughts:

Love, love, loved this wonderful story, Spatriati, by Mario Desiati and translated by Michael F. Moore. The writing is terrific, the story is unputdownable, and the characters are unforgettable. This is truly one story you won't want to mis out on - make sure to grab a copy ASAP!

Growing up in Italy we meet Claudia and Francesco, two like-minded souls that form a never-ending friendship. They want to see the world and escape from their hometown, they want to experience life, they want to fall in love, and yet part of them wants to stay in familiar surroundings and never leave. They are young, they grow up, and they always manage to find one another no matter where they wind up. It's intoxicating, mesmerizing, and poetic all at once. Such a treat to read!

Desiati writes beautifully and realistically about his characters and their flaws, their desires, and their dreams. We get the good, the bad, and the ugly - all of which make for one riveting read. I found myself easily immersed in Claudia and Francesco's lives and couldn't help but want to know more about them, their families, their friends, their town, and the world they sought out. It's always interesting to read how different life can turn out from the plans one sketches out in their youth - it's either right on the money, or far from their intentions. Spatriati is an eye-opening and thought-provoking story that will grab you right from the start and keep you reading late into the night. I enjoyed every second I spent with this story. I would happily recommend to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you are going to fall in deep with Spatriati. 

Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

Sleeping In The Sun: A Novel by Joanne Howard

(Thank you to She Writes Press for my copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

When two visitors arrive to the boarding house in India where an American boy is coming of age during the British Raj, truths unravel, disrupting his life and challenging the family’s sense of home. A unique historical angle ideal for fans of The Poisonwood Bible and The Inheritance of Loss.

In the last years of the British Raj, an American missionary family stays on in Midnapore, India. Though the Hintons enjoy white privileges, they have never been accepted by British society and instead run a boarding house on the outskirts of town where wayward native Indians come to find relief.

Young Gene Hinton can’t get out from under the thumb of his three older brothers, and the only person he can really relate to is Arthur, his family’s Indian servant. But when Uncle Ellis, a high-ranking British judge, suddenly arrives and announces he’ll be staying indefinitely in their humble house, far from his prestigious post in Himalayan foothills, life as Gene knows it is interrupted. While his brothers are excited at the judge’s arrival, he is skeptical as to why this important man is hiding out with them in the backwaters of Bengal.

Also skeptical is Arthur. Then an Indian woman appears on their doorstep—and, after growing close to her, he learns the sinister truth about the judge. Torn between a family that has provided him shelter, work, and purpose his whole life and the escalating outrage of his countrymen, Arthur must decide where his loyalties lie—and the Hintons must decide if they can still call India home.

Praise for Sleeping in the Sun:

“Sleeping in the Sun is a stunning novel that grabs your emotions and doesn’t let go.” — Ginny Kubitz Moyer, author of A Golden Life

“Set against the backdrop of India in the 1930s, Sleeping in the Sun tells the story of the Hintons, a family of American missionaries sent to bring Christianity to the city of Midnapore. Told from the point of view of Gene, the Hintons’ youngest son, and Arthur, their Indian servant, this sweeping historical novel flawlessly transports readers to another time and place. Political, racial, and interpersonal conflicts ensure you won’t be able to put it down. I know I couldn’t.” — Susen Edwards, author of What a Trip and Lookin’ for Love

“Exquisitely rendered and highly nuanced ... Sumptuously written and detailed, this novel is destined to become a classic. A triumph!” — Ashley E. Sweeney, author of Eliza Waite

my thoughts:

Wow! Sleeping In The Sun by Joanne Howard is an excellent read. I absolutely LOVED it! Talk about a must-read story.

If you are looking for a literary historical fiction novel, then look no further than Sleeping In The Sun. This book has it all - history, family, drama, scandal, secrets, and so much more. It is truly a terrific story that will have you reading non-stop, because you just have to know what is going to happen next. It's a fantastic reading experience. I loved every minute I spent with this book - it was riveting, unputdownable, and unforgettable. Loved it!

So, what is this amazing story about? Well, it's about the Hinton family living in India. They're missionaries and they are determined to espouse the values of Christianity to the local people. Except, suddenly, Uncle Ellis arrives out of nowhere and suddenly life in the house is thrown for a loop. Hmm...why would a high-ranking official decide to stay in a humble abode in the middle of nowhere? Hmm...someone is keeping a secret. What could it be? Will Gene figure it out; or will his friend, Arthur, the family's Indian servant, figure it out first? And, will this secret create even more chaos in the Hinton household? Whoa! Talk about a riveting read!

Howard's writing is fantastic! Her prose is vivid and emotional. The strength of her storytelling power is exhibited in the ways in which she brings her characters to life and shares their stories so clearly and beautifully with us. She sweeps you away to 1930s India and you are in deep with this family, the country, the culture, all of it - and it is awesome.  Howard is a brilliant writer and Sleeping In The Sun showcases her talent loudly. I can't wait to read more of her work.  And, I would recommend that you grab a copy of this book ASAP - you are going to fall in love with Gene and Arthur, along with Howard's excellent storytelling. Make sure to check it out! 

Thank you to She Writes Press for my copy of this book!

The Book Of Witching: A Novel by C.J. Cooke

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

A mother must fight for her daughter’s life in this fierce and haunting tale of witchcraft and revenge from the author of A Haunting in the Arctic.

Clem gets a call that is every mother’s worst nightmare. Her nineteen-year-old daughter Erin is unconscious in the hospital after a hiking trip with her friends on the remote Orkney Islands that met a horrifying end, leaving her boyfriend dead and her best friend missing. When Erin wakes, she doesn’t recognize her mother. And she doesn’t answer to her name, but insists she is someone named Nyx.

Clem travels the site of her daughter’s accident, determined to find out what happened to her. The answer may lie in a dark secret in the history of the Orkneys: a woman wrongly accused of witchcraft and murder four centuries ago. Clem begins to wonder if Erin’s strange behavior is a symptom of a broken mind, or the effects of an ancient curse?

my thoughts:

Wow! Wow! Wow! What a freaking fantastic story! I loved C. J. Cooke's latest novel, The Book of Witching. We get past histories affecting the present day in HUGE and horrifying ways, witches, Scotland, family drama, and so much deliciousness, that you won't be able to put this book down for anything! I absolutely LOVED The Book of Witching to bits! 

Erin was on a hiking trip and now she's in hospital with burns and doesn't know her own mother. Her boyfriend is dead and her best friend is missing. Oh, and her name is not Erin, it's Nyx. Say what?! Yep, talk about a trip gone wrong. Clem, Erin's mom, is beside herself. She's horrified at her daughter's condition and what transpired on the hiking trip, except, what really happened? That is the mystery, because now the cops are wondering if Erin killed her boyfriend and hurt her best friend. And if so, why? Looks like Clem will have to figure out the truth if she wants to save her daughter, and fast. Yikes! 

Cooke has created a terrific tale chock full of mystery and intrigue that will have you reading late into the night. You won't want to miss out! Make sure to grab a copy of The Book Of Witching ASAP!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!