As a lapsed quilter, knitter and stitcher, I feel I have a good handle on how to books and which ones are well written and worth purchasing. I have a few coming up for review, so if that is your thing, watch this space. Modern Patchwork Quilting is a book for an experienced beginner or better quilter. The projects are decidedly modern in feel, which can be difficult patterns to find. The book features 24 projects, about half of which are quilts and half which are other types of projects for the home such as tote bags and table runners. There is even a yoga mat. Not sure that is a wise choice of time, however, it’s there if you want to go all natural yoga mat. The book claims to be good for beginners, which I feel is misleading. This is not a book for beginner quilter, but for quilters who have some experience with piecing, cutting, knowledge of fabrics, tools, etc. , it could be overwhelming. For those with quilting experience, however, it would likely offer lots of inspiration. There are some nice patterns, some which are confusing to me, an experienced quilter. Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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\Having just read Michelle McNamara's "Ill be Gone in the Dark", these series of crimes and investigations related to the East Area Rapist/Golden State Killer were still digging deep into my mind. I lived that book, along with it's personal notes, for a week after closing the final pages. This book, The Case of the Golden State Killer, is essentially from the podcast the two authors cast, which is vastly different from the former book. This book is similar in that it chronicles the entire timeline of what became the Golden State Killer's rampage on Northern California in the 1970's and 1980's. The book is made up of a lot of direct quotes of cops, victims, and survivors of the victims. Interesting, but not compelling. What this book does include, is a small glimpse into the alleged murderer and rapist, discussing his life and the limited knowledge the authors have gleaned. It's unfortunate that these authors have released their book after Ms. McNamara's book, as much of it, as one can imagine, is repetitive. Facts and timelines of murders and sexual assaults don't change. What is missing here, is the humanity of the crimes, and how it overwhelms the police and those investigating. It is unfortunate to have to compare the books, as they are written for different purposes, but with the same story. If you love true crime, you will probably enjoy it. Just don't expect a lot of personal insight a la Ann Rule. It was initially a podcast that the authors put in book form once the murderer was arrested, some 40 years later. Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for an e copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I'll be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara is an entirely different type of read about the same killer. Michelle had her interest in true crime piqued as a child, and went on to work in Hollywood as a writer. But this case, which she dubbed "The Golden State Killer", went on to become her life's work. Unfortunately, she died before he was caught and this book was published. Her husband, along with another writer, finished this book in her honor, as it really helped the killer become part of the news cycle once again. The book is written with facts, yes, but it also is in part, the author's memoir, as she depicts her obsession with facts and how she teamed with others to help bring the case to closure. Her personal details make this book so much more entertaining and desirable to read. If you only have time to read one, read I'll be Gone in the Dark . You won't be sorry. Sold on a Monday is a beautifully written story that is based on depression era desperation, when families, who couldn't afford to feed their children, sent them to relatives, or gave them up for adoption. This novel is based loosely on a case that some children were sold to less than scrupulous people. Ellis Reed, a struggling newspaper reporter, is out in the country outside Philadelphia, where he finds two children perched on a porch holding up a sign, "Two Children for Sale". .After taking a photograph, his career takes a turn, he is faced with a dilemma that will veer his career path to a place not suspected. Ellis then needs to decide if doing the right thing is worth the career ending choice. The book examines ethics, as well as a sweet budding love story embedded in family dysfunction and struggles. Kristina McMorris has developed characters that are relatable and heart warming, as they make mistakes and attempt to do what's right, all within a great story. I highly recommend this novel to others who enjoy historical fiction. Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #SoldonaMonday A post 9-11 novel, the setting for Ohio is a gritty, dying town New Canaan, a small town in northeast Ohio. Hard hit by the economic downturn, the dirty town whose major industries are long gone and the biggest employer is Walmart. The story at the heart of Ohio is like a lot of stories. The heroes of the town have been the high school football players, getting away with more than the average high school kids do, just as they have for generations. But these kids have little in common with high school heroes of the past: one dies serving his country in the Middle East; one commits suicide; one OD's and accidentally sets fire to his apartment building, killing a couple as he does so; and one leaves town abruptly, vanished like the hope of the future. Ten years after graduating, four classmates return to 'The Cane’, where their stories are told, constantly intertwining. Stephen Markley writes what has happened in so much of our country post recession: the opiod problem, ridiculously unpopular wars, violence at every turn in life, mounting economic pressures, divisive political upheaval and every other dirty little secret every small town has seen in this era. This was a hard novel to read, as the reader recognizes those once bustling small towns in the throes of death, wherever they are from. Well written with excellent development of character, Stephen Markley takes us on a trail of flatlined middle America, where the hope of a country died. A solid four and 1/2 stars, only because it was a book that needed to rest for a while before voyaging on. If you want a cheery, little read, this isn’t is. This will make you sad for a generation that could have and deserved more than we gave them. Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book in exchange of an honest review. Click to set custom HTML
Suitable to review a book about a jury when the Paul Manafort jury starts deliberating today. Not knowing all the facts the jury hears, but only hearing what the media highlights, it's hard to know what to think, but it appears Paul may be leaving home for a bit. That said, I read a good novel last week in the Caribbean. It was a great beach read. We, the Jury is one of those books that just captures your interest from the first page and four hours later, you look up and have forgotten to give your kids dinner. Set in a California courtroom, the book highlights the jury of a murder/spousal abuse:self defense case. The personalities of the jurors and their reaction to each other and the facts of the case make this a page turner. Well written, the characters are well developed and diverse, and most are unlikable. The politics of a small county in California enter into the story, as does bias. There are twists and turns, much in the style of Grisham. It's a really good read and will be enjoyable to those readers who like courtroom thrillers and fiction. I rate this four stars and would recommend you try it. It was a great beach read for me in the Caribbean on vacation. Thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. Beautifully descriptive prose of what I imagine Cuba to be, interweaves with what felt like a fever dream, from the perspective of a grieving widow. The book, The Third Hotel, is a glimpse of Van den Berg’s ability to write, however, it’s a little vague how the story all wraps up. Clare, the main character, spots her dead husband on the Havana streets. She stalks him, he disappears into the alleys. She watches him buy mangos and then he fades from view. As her husband was a professor of horror films (really…there is such a thing), the horror, mystery and intrigue enter into the way the story is written. The book is not written as horror, but her attendance at a horror film festival is the backdrop, making it feel off kilter. This is the book that will have you flipping back into the chapters you just read to make certain you aren’t losing what you thought you read. The writer takes us on train rides and walks in search of the husband and answers for the main character. During the reading of this novel, I wanted more. After completing the novel, I wanted even more. Van den Berg did not leave the reader with any answers. If you read novels that have clean endings, this one will not be satisfying to you. If you like novels that take you on a journey to help you come to your own conclusions, this might be a good fit. I was confused much of the time, even though the writing was excellent. For me, this was a three star read, but for others, I’m guessing it will be the best book they read this year. Thank you to the publisher and #NetGalley for a pre-publication ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Turks and Caicos is this gorgeous everywhere you look. It's so hard not to fall in love with the water and it's people. If wishes were to come true, I'd spend the rest of my days here.
The Power of Dog by Andrew Marshall is a lovely memoir of loss and healing by adopting a love of a dog. As a dog lover myself, I know all too well the way that dogs can heal a wounded heart. This book is a moving tale of growth and moving on because of the joy of one dog, Flash. The author’s partner dies after a long illness and is left grief-stricken. He spends a couple of years simply sleep walking through life, not being able to move on. He finally decides to fulfill a dream of dog ownership, which was the plan with his partner, until he became sick. The author takes his responsibility of dog dad seriously and adopts a wonderful puppy. Good writing that depicts the puppy, Flash, and the special bond that eventually heals the author’s heart, this is a book that you simply don’t want to put down. It’s the perfect book for dog lovers, something that holds your interest and not too dense. I was so sorry when it ended. This is a five star book that deserves to be read by those who love dogs, experiencing grief or simply want a heart warming read. Anyone who is a dog lover already knows how much emotional support a dog can provide. Five stars. Don’t hesitate to buy this one. Thank you to the publisher and #NetGalley for a pre-publication ebook in exchange for an honest review. #ThePowerOfDog #NetGalley These are our two rescue dogs who saved our lives. Meet Max on the left, and Chula on the right. There are no words to describe our love for these two lovies.
Quite possibly the best biography written this year, Elizabeth Warren is simply a fascinating read about a fascinating woman. Well researched and smoothly written, this biography shows the reader why Senator Warren speaks for us all. A great legal mind, she started out as a lower middle class high schooler with great debate skills. I am proud to call her a fellow Speech Language Pathologist, even though, sadly for us, she didn't remain in the profession.
The book shows the struggle of being female in a male dominated world of law in the 60's and 70's and how, in spite of everything working against her with babies and day care issues, she managed to rise in academia to make a difference. I adored the book, will likely reread it, and know that there are a few good politicians left. The author has provided us with her life so far. I for one, hope that we can add her name to a list of another male dominated society. President of the United States. Thank you to the publisher, Sourcebooks, and #NetGalley for a pre-publication ebook in exchange for an honest review. #ElizabethWarren Being from Baltimore, I am closely aware of Baltimore as a character in Anne Tyler's books. This book is no different. This is a love story of sorts to Bmore, in how Winnie falls in love with her and the people who make it a rich, loving, quirky community. That said, it's not her best work, yet I adored it. Anne never misses the chance to develop characters that are flawed, yet still able to capture your heart. Winnie wants a community and never found it, not as an eleven year old, a newly married woman that didn't make that choice, as a widowed mother of two young boys, nor as a wife of a cranky uptight lawyer. Only when she is asked to take care of her son's ex-girlfriend's daughter, is she able to find herself and her purpose. Baltimore draws you back to her when you are gone, as Winnie finds out. Gritty, imperfect, weird as hell that generates the best people in the world. Going home. But only at this stage of her life, it's finally her choice. Thanks again, Anne. Another love letter to Baltimore. |
AuthorReader, Traveler, Reviewer. Come join us as we travel the US in our RV. I review books. Archives
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