I am so glad I read this book! A re-telling of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of the slave, Jim. Everett (known for the book that the Oscar-winning film, American Fiction, was based on) is a genius with words and humor (especially when wrapped around a serious topic such as slavery). The code-switching use of language is educational and entertaining.

5/5 stars! A captivating and heart wrenching true story! Amra endured and survived the 1992 Bosnian Genocide when she was 15 years old. She now lives in the Hudson Valley and is a renowned professor at Columbia University. Her story parallels many of the global conflicts we are seeing now in Ukraine and Gaza. A must read, especially for parents and pre-teens/teens. An inspiring story about the resilience of the human spirit and power of familial love.

Twilight for adults. Loved it!

Emily Henry has a talent for making the most heartbreaking stories come in the funniest and prettiest packages. The story follows Daphne and Miles as they find themselves living together after their respective partners dump them for each other. As a friendship between them blossoms, Emily Henry peels back layers of each character’s past, discovering the truth behind their relationships and their own insecurities. I loved the way that Henry illustrates the desperation that comes from no wanting to be alone versus the exciting parts of learning about someone and somewhere new. It’s a fun, beautifully written rom-com that comes with an emotional punch.

This is an interesting book. Even though the story is fictional, the characters in the story are based on real people. The main character is not sent to Auschwitz because she was a Jew, she was interned at this camp of death because she was part of the Polish resistance. The story chronicles how she was selected to continue as a midwife at Auschwitz. The author writes about the courage and moral fiber of the main character who never stopped believing in her Hippocratic oath.

The story is fictional but the characters are real. The story focuses on world renowned female violinist who developed an all female orchestra in Auschwitz. Because of this orchestra many woman were saved from being gassed and were not subjected too many of horrendous conditions at this concentration camp. This book is well worth reading.

The plot of the book centers on the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. The protagonist of the story Bina is a famous actor in Poland. Due to her features, she is able to poise as an Aryan and not a Jew. This enables her to leave the ghetto whenever she chooses with her fraudulent identity cards. Her acts permit her to buy arms for the uprising. The title has a double meaning which you will discover as you complete the book. The story is based on actual events and characters. This is especially true during the WWII period. I recommend this book without any reservation. There are many plot twists throughout the story. If you have a weak stomach, you may want to avoid reading this story.

Two women meet after being separated for years. Their lives have dramatically changed. How will their meeting affect their current lies, and what secrets are buried in their pasts? Two resilient women must make very hard choices.

This is the second book in the series featuring Viktor Zolotaryov. At the end of the first book, Viktor needed to leave Kiev for his personal safety. The story is about how he is attempting to find his stolen penguin. In order to find his missing penguin, he must join forces with the Mafia.

In comparison to the previous books in the series: this is a fluff book. In my opinion, very little is done to contribute to the overall plot and while there is an attempt to flesh out the characters introduced in the first three books it just serves to make me dislike the main character. On a positive note, it is a quick read.

I discovered the story to be eye opening. As one reads these stories, you are confronted with the evil lurking within human beings. How human beings were able to treat innocent children with such contempt is beyond comprehension. The story is about two twins who were experimented on by the angel of death, Joseph Mengele. What is truly beyond my feeble mind is how the world allowed to this happen even though they were given eye witness accounts of this savagery. Let us never forget.

Another amazing book by Emily Henry! I feel like Emily Henry really GETS people. Her characters are so well written and her stories are romantic while still being realistic. Also, one of the main characters was a librarian, which is always a plus!

An original take on a murder mystery! This was well-written and I was hooked from the start. Can’t wait for the sequel!

I love historical fiction and this book definitely covered that. This story followed the lives of three women through time. Kate 2019 the most current character who was strong but didn’t yet see that in herself. Altha, 1619 wanted nothing more than to help those around her, but she was looked down upon and considered a witch. Violet, 1942 knew who she was and wanted to be but her status in society would not allow her to be that. These Weyward women were all connected through blood, strength in their character and nature. I couldn’t put this book down and I highly recommend it.

I was not impressed with this book or story. The story was in my opinion contrived. I have enjoyed reading all of Ms. Ware’s previous books. I was looking forward to reading this book. However, I continued reading this story hoping the plot would improve. But, I was wrong. She took the “the reality TV concept” and intertwined it with the Lord of the Flies. Instead of children they were adults. I cannot recommend this book to you to read.

I was disappointed with this book. The story is about how a group of children in 1909 who were forgotten by the legal system and society and a park ranger who was investigating the finding of buried human bones in her park. The author alternates between 1909 and 1990. I struggled reading the book because I continually lost track of the plot. The book was not nearly as good as the author’s first book, Before We Were Yours. Read at your own risk.

The book lived up to all my expectations. Mr. Sager’s narration was excellent. Intertwining the past with the present gave much needed clarity to the story. The whole story both the past and present was neatly wrapped up at the conclusion of the story. Please put this book on your must read list.

This is a book you need to put on your must read list. I have never been disappointed when I have read any of her books. The premise of the book is how the past reaches into our present. A diary of one of the guests is the basis of the book. Ms. Foley uses different characters in the book to narrate her story. This is a technique she utilizes in all her books. In this way, the reader has a different perspective of the plot throughout the story. Enjoy!

A romantic comedy. Luke warm.

What a remarkable story. This is a story of great courage. One never realizes how people suffer due to racism and bigotry. The story focuses on woman who survived the Holocaust not by being rescued from a concentration camp but by living in a forest in Poland with her family and thousands of other Jewish people who were targeted by annihilation the Nazis. Before WWII there were over 5 million Jews in Poland. By the end of WWII, there were only between 40,000 and 100,000 Jews who survived the Holocaust in Poland. This story brings to the forefront how hatred so easily may destroy a whole group of people. I beg of you to read this story out of respect for those whose race was almost obliterated from the face of the earth. May we never forget these courageous men, women, and children.

A murder mystery that takes place in NYC in the 1800s. A lady solves the murder!

This book is about a rogue bear in a national park. It’s good, BUT!!! it made me too scared to go to Yellowstone!

Great addition to the Hunger Games series. Collins does a great job having you sympathize with the main character Coriolanus Snow only to have it all twisted at the end. Unlike the other books, this book is not written in first person and is a refreshing take from the author. Definitely a great read!

Beginning in 1938, the Nazis began interning Catholic priests at Dachau. These were priests who were warning their parishioners regarding the dangers of Nazism. The majority of priests who were imprisoned at Dachau were from Poland. Hitler believed he needed to eradicate the culture of the Polish people. He needed to do this in order to settle Germans into Poland. This eradication began with rounding up the priests. Later on, he began sending priests from other European countries who were predominantly Catholic. Out of the 2700 priests who were at Dachau, only 62% survived. The author describes to us the atrocities these priests endured because of their beliefs. This history needs to survive for us to comprehend the dangers of genocide.

Even though the book is rated YA, any adult should read this book. The story is about seeing the Holocaust through the eyes of two young boys. One is the son of the commandant of Auschwitz and a young Jewish boy who is imprisoned at Auschwitz. There are many twists and turns throughout the story. The innocence of the boys only magnify the horrific events of the Holocaust.

The author returns to my favorite character in his books, Myron Bolitar. He is a former basketball who became a sports agent, lawyer, and private investigator. The book lives up to all expectations. I am thrilled Mr. Coben had decided to return to this character. Unfortunately, you will need to begin with the first book of series. There are many twists and turns in the story. You will need to remain focus throughout your reading. Enjoy.

What a follow up to the The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas. Even though one is told you do not need to read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, you will need to read the first book because there are many references in this book to the first book. The protagonist in this book is Gretel. She is the sister of the boy in the first book. The book starts with how she and her mother escape Germany and begin to live in France. The book follows her life both in the present and past. She is a woman who lives in guilt about her past by knowing and doing nothing about what happened at Auschwitz. You need to put this book on your must read list.

This story follows the main character Nori, who is abandoned as a child and therefore knows nothing about herself, only what her mean grandmother tells her. She finds an unlikely ally in her brother, whom luckily for her does not adhere to tradition. Throughout the book you get to read about old traditions in Japan and how society changed after WW2. This piece of historical fiction was fascinating because readers can connect to Nori while also gaining knowledge of that time period. Great read!

Mr. Follett never disappoints. The setting of the book is around the time of the American Revolution. The setting of the story is focused on the working conditions in Scotland and England. Even though they were not considered slaves, they did not have freedom of choosing where they could work. They were in fact indentured servants. However, the story centers around a character named Mack who worked in the coal mines of Scotland. He discovered in the law the coal mine owners could not legally force a worker to stay in the mines once they reached the age of twenty-two. The plot of the story focuses on Mack’s journey to ultimate freedom in America.

Fast paced paranormal romance with a nice plot thread. Great weekend read!

The book is the fourth one in the Lew Griffin series. This is a fascinating series because it does not follow any specific genre. The stories are well written and will capture your attention. Lew Griffin has many hats. He is an author, “debt” collector, private investigator, and whatever he needs to do at the moment. The setting of the story is New Orleans. Mr. Sallis in his stories writes about the racial bias which still need exists in the South. The story is timely even though he wrote the book in 1999. He wrote the rising tide of white supremacy in our nation. What is ironic is the fact a man of color is investigating the cult of white supremacy. You must read this series. However, the stories are stand alone but build upon the previous stories. You will need to begin with the first book of the series. Enjoy.

Relationships in a family with their trials tribulations. A good ending. “Summer” is a person and not a season!”

Loved this book! A well-constructed and original mash-up of different genres: spy thriller, workplace comedy, romance, etc. A time travel book that isn’t over-wrought with the perils of that convention, we get to experience a sometimes chilling, sometimes humorous tale of a civil servant who must help her charge – a dapper, 19th century Arctic explorer – negotiate the perils of the 21st century and much more. Very enjoyable!

The story is a far cry from the Perry Mason stories. The series created by Mr. Gardner is entertaining. The characters are highly intelligent and they seem real as well. Mr. Lam the main character does not fit into the traditional stereotype of the private investigator. He uses his brain as opposed his brawn. The story is simply written but keeps you guessing throughout the reading. Enjoy!

I listened to the audiobook. Pros: Great premise about a magic user who falls in love with someone who doesn’t believe; good narrator. Cons: This is about magic with little to no magic on the pages! Poor world-building! Corny insta-love! Just when the actual plot starts going, the author drops the ball and the MCs get distracted by lOvE. This is book 1 of a series that I will not continue.

A wild true story of South Florida and the characters trying to make money off the plants and swamp. A lot of the book went on tangents to the main story, but all was interesting.

I was an avid enjoyer of Arden’s Winternight Trilogy, so was looking forward to this new book. Was a little disappointed by the supernatural but it was still good. I am glad I read it, as overall the story really was nice, I just thought the supernatural aspect took over a little too much.

The co-author of this book is Nancy Allen. Mr. Patterson has collaborated with her in other legal thrillers. She is a fantastic co-author. Even though I have stopped reading the Alex Cross series, I have continued to read anything written by Ms. Allen. Legal thrillers are good because they encompass many other types of crimes besides series killers. This book is very exciting and well-written. There are not any contrived scenarios in this book. Please put this book and any other book written with Ms. Allen on your must read list. Thanks.

The book is a sequel to the author’s first book, “Searching for the Boogeyman. The sequel is about the events after the first book was written. A new serial killer has come to life in the area in which the author has moved after living in Edgewood, Maryland. I would recommend reading this book but only after you read the first one.

The book is the first one featuring Neal Carey. I enjoyed this book but not throughout the story. I thought at times Mr. Winslow strayed from the main point of the story. However, after completing the book I realized these diversions were needed to give us background of the characters and the story. You will note be disappointed if you read this book. What is interesting is this is the author’s first published work.

The first 195 pages are everything I expected when I started reading this book. Unfortunately, the last fifty pages were a disappointment. The book was about the final case the narrator’s father took as a lawyer. The case was very interesting and insightful. Without spoiling the ending for you, there was a moment in the story which could have been the ending. Mr. Guterson may have gone more in depth about the case itself.

This book is a very good mystery story. Well written and kept you in suspense.

The style of the book was unique. The whole story is based on letters from and to different characters in the story. This is the first book I have read by this author and will read others in the future. The story centers a young woman named Johanna who becomes an interpreter for German POWs encamped in Minnesota. She is a strong and well-focused woman. I enjoy stories where women are depicted as their own person and are outliers within society. You will enjoy reading this story. Do not let the format discourage you at first because through these letters the story progress. Enjoy.

The beginning of the book raised my expectations for a good read. However, as I read further my expectations were lowered. Mr. Grisham has seemed to become complacent in his writing. There are parts of the story which are interesting but then he resorts to his David vs. Goliath formula. This will be the last book I will read by Mr. Grisham. Unfortunately, too many authors rely on their reputations and fall back into their templates.

What a great finish to an already awesome series! If you can’t get into historical romances because the lack of feminism, this is the series for you. The League of Extraordinary Women series follows 4 friends participating in the Suffragist movement in England. This last book tells Catriona’s story. Catriona is the daughter of an eccentric Scottish Earl. Both father and daughter are enthusiastic historians. Even though academia was not accepting of women as scholars, Catriona’s work was supported and never diminished by her father. Due to her quirks (getting deeply involved in tasks, getting caught up in her own mind, misunderstanding social queues) and her misfortunes in love in the past (repeatedly falling in unrequited love) she took love and marriage off the table for herself. Obviously, this is a romance, so it doesn’t stay that way! It was extremely well-written and gave the character the ending she deserves. I felt like Catriona was written to be neuro-divergent without the author explicitly saying so. In addition, the male love interest, Elias, was from the Middle East. I’m no expert, but to me it seems that the author did justice to the character and his culture. This kind of representation is so rare in the historical romance genre, and I’m glad the author did the work to include it.

I am so glad I read this book. I listened to the audio, which was narrated by the author, which I think really added to the message. The author is member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, a trained botanist, a professor of biology, and a mother. She uses all of these lenses: native wisdom, science, and motherhood to analyze the world around us, specifically plants, and extract messages from the way they grow and interact with the world around them. Some of the themes in the book are reciprocity and mindfulness. This book gave me a whole new way of looking at the world around me, and I feel like it should be required reading for all.

What a soul searching story. Mr. Rajchman was at Treblinka. He wrote the horrific conditions at the concentration camp. One wonders how anyone was able to survive these inhumane conditions. What jolts me is how fellow human beings could act so barbaric against their fellow humans. One never comprehends the intricate plans of the Nazis in exterminating a people from the face of the earth. To have such hatred towards a people without any reasonable explanation is something I cannot or will not ever understand. We should read more of the atrocities of the Nazis so we will never forget. His story is awe inspiring. I am blessed that he survived to inform the world about this genocide which occurred over eighty years ago. I implore you to read this memoir.

This was an intriguing read about a terrible time. I had been interested in learning more about Irish history and this was a good read if you want to learn about the Troubles. Not much background going into them but dives in depth throughout and following up to almost present day.

The story line was intelligent. Mr. Peguero did not insult your intelligence in the manner in which the story took place. The author utilized a brief history of each character in the way they perceived the justice system in Americas. This format forced you as the reader to focus throughout the story. I am looking forward to reading my next book by the author due to the fact this was was my first book. Please enjoy.

What I like about Ms. Glass’ books is the moral strength of the female characters. I enjoy how the women outsmart the men. The women in her books ultimately turn on the victimizer and come out triumphant. This is certainly the case in the book. Even though the storylines are a bit thin and ultimately predictable, the women are a tower of both psychological and inner strength. There are twist and turns in the storyline which will help to keep your attention and focus. Enjoy.

Wild ride of a paranormal scifi story! So many twists and turns. Great book.

An easy romance story with not too much drama. Definitely will be reading the rest of the series!

3 stars page turner thriller, not winning any awards for the writing probably but it kept me hooked and had a nice plot twist right before I started to get just a little bored. I enjoyed this one but not sure I’ll seek out more that follow.

The book is the first one I have read by this author. I am glad I decided to choose this book read. What a thriller. Again, the story has strong women who are smart, witty, and courageous. Ms. Hillier has done a superb of piecing this story together. By the end of the story, all the pieces fit together. Please read and you will not be disappointed.

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I had expected. I’m a fan of dystopian future-set novels and found myself turning the pages rapidly. I felt that as the story evolved, the comparison between the real world characters and the Station Eleven (graphic novel) characters seemed morph based upon life experiences. For instance, I felt that Miranda identified more as Dr. Eleven. However, as her experiences with being associated with Arthur (e.g. fame, fortune, constant attention), she started to turn for her prior life, seemingly identifying with those living in the “undersea”. Overall a good read!

The book was interesting from the standpoint of how do immigrants assimilate to their new country. The refreshing part of the story is her parents survived the Holocaust and were able to create a new life in America.

The book was the first one I have read by this author. I was not disappointed at all. The author has an unique style which I found engaging. The end was not typical. Please enjoy.

An action packed short modern fantasy with incredible world-building.

What a fun read! This book is a historical fiction, and it follows the lives of three females. Two of the females are living in 18th century London and one of them is present day but visiting London. Their unique stories are interesting and engaging, meanwhile the way their lives interconnect is fascinating.

Book 2 in the Riley Thorn series! It follows Riley Thorn, a reluctant psychic learning to embrace her powers, and her PI boyfriend Nick Santiago. It’s a cozy mystery full of elderly neighbor hijinks and semi-legal murder-mystery-solving techniques. If you’re looking for a serious mystery novel, this is not it. However, if you’re looking for a mostly ridiculous mystery-solving circus with a lot of dry humor and romance, this is your stop! Definitely have to start with the first of the series though.

Book 3 in the Riley Thorn series! These books are not short but you read through them faster than you realize because you just can’t put them down! This book took place on Halloween, but I was disappointed by the total lack of “spookiness.” However, it made up for it with Lucy Score’s signature humor and romance. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for book 4!

Ms. Allende is a masterful story teller. I did not know what to expect when I began reading the book. As always, I was not disappointed. The story is a love story describing the relationship between a white woman and Japanese man. The reader must remember how decades ago this type of relationship was against the law. One does not realize how the Japanese were discriminated against decades ago. The author intertwines the past with the present. She includes in her story the internment camps thousands of Japanese who were American citizens were forced to leave their homes and belongings to live in internment camps in the desert. I had difficulty reading the book in the beginning but eventually understood the direction was taking me. Enjoy!

The book was written to chronicle the revolt by the Jews who were imprisoned at Treblinka. Mr. Steiner attempts to convey to the readers why the Jewish people in Europe were complacent in allowing the Nazis to exterminate them. The book was insightful in many ways. Even though the book was about the Treblinka concentration book, my hope is you read the book and gain a deeper and broader regarding this complex phenomenon known as the Holocaust.

Unfortunately, I did not know this was part of a series. Even though this was case, the story was interesting. I would not compare the book to Stieg Larsson’s series, the story was good enough to capture my interest. Read the first book in the series first in order to become familiar with the main characters. Enjoy.

5 stars! This was something new for me, having never read a Chinese fantasy novel before and I will check out the second book next! What a beautifully written and engrossing story full of intrigue, incredible creatures, and love.

A book dedicated to Holly Gibney, PI made famous via other work by Mr. King. Typically an ancillary character, this new book sheds some light on Ms. Gibney’s past and thrusts her (along with some other secondary characters) into the limelight. This book was full of the typical King elements; dark and sinister antagonists, imperfect protagonist, and plenty of gruesome, visceral (pun intended) imagery. Not his best work, but certainly not is worst. A good page turner for those with strong stomachs.

This book was probably the fastest I’ve ever read a novel. Quick moving dialogue, existential crises, and a yearning to figure out the ending made this one of the better reads in a while. I enjoyed the constant internal battle for identity and what would happen if we could really take a peek into the “multiverse”!

Ms. Castillo books are interesting. This story is as entertaining as the first book in the series. The author intertwines the Amish culture in Ohio with what is called by the Amish the English. One learns about the Amish culture by reading not only this book but the previous ones as well. The chief of Police of Painters Mills was brought up in the Amish tradition but left it at the age of eighteen. Even though the Amish in this area view her as an outsider, she is able to get them to talk to her because the crimes involve the Amish community. Well worth reading.

Don’t let the pseudonym fool you. The author is Erle Stanley Gardner of Perry Mason fame. Even though the writing is outdated, the story is entertaining throughout the book. This is certainly pulp fiction at its best. There are many twists and turns in the story. The women in the story are intelligent and break the stereotypes of women in the early 1960s. The fem fatale characters at their best. Enjoy.

3 stars. A page turner spy novel from a time period I enjoy reading historical fiction about (especially if the main character is a woman), but this one wasn’t my favorite. A little far fetched even for a spy novel!

Another thrilling story by Ms. Nova Glass. She seems to write stories whose setting is suburbia. Again, the women in her stories are strong and smart. They are not strong in the physical sense but psychologically. She has not deviated from her format. I am fascinated by her stories because of the courage not only in this book but the others as well. You do need to read this book. Enjoy!