The Music of Bees - Eileen Garvin

 The Music of Bees - Eileen Garvin

She read

I almost passed on this book; so glad I didn’t. What an uplifting, feel good story…a testament to the power of healing, friendship, finding one’s self.  An easy, light summer read.

*****

The Other Black Girl - Zakiya Dalila Harris

 The Other Black Girl - Zakiya Dalila Harris

He and she read

Release date:  June 1, 2021

To sum up in a few words:  clever; slow build.

It took a while for the story to build.  It was interesting, but initially seemed to be going nowhere. When I got to 50% of the book completed, I thought, “really, I am only HALF done?” There are some back stories in separate chapters with various characters  that may have some wondering what is going on and what is the connection. Although the author tried to pull it all together, I think many will still have confusion or questions.

I am that reader who steers away from anything that says “fantasy” or “supernatural” and comparison to the film Get Out was my warning. However, viewed as a satire, I found the theme to be relevant and innovative and that is what earned the book four stars instead of three for me.  

While featuring micro aggressions in the publishing business, I think the theme and actions probably could apply to almost any environment in the US.

****

An Unlikely Spy - Rebecca Starford

 An Unlikely Spy - Rebecca Starford

She read

Publication Date:  June 1, 2021

This was a fascinating story, well written and a fairly quick read.  I learned a bit about the British Nazi sympathizers and their actions before war was declared as well as the role of the United States in its relationship with Britain.  An Unlikely Spy gave food for thought especially about the effects of living life undercover and having to profess beliefs contrary to your own.  However, it bothered me that Evelyn made some really poor choices.  I almost felt that it gave women in these roles a bad name. Not that men in her position haven’t also made bad choices, but she seemed just a bit too capricious in the actions that led to the unraveling of her life.

This couple of years, I have read quite a few novels that take place around the rise of Nazi Germany.  I think it is no coincidence that so many have been written and look at them as  cautionary tales.  In the book, there is a statement “truth doesn’t matter.” It is chilling reflection of our times.

****

The Marriage - K. L. Slater

 The Marriage - K. L. Slater

She read

Publication Date: May 20, 2021

From the description of this book it didn’t sound like the type of story I usually read, but there were good reviews and I thought, “why not?”.  I’m glad I did.  Narrated from different POVs and from alternating timelines, it was a fast read (one day), with twists and turns, although some of them were easily figured out despite some red herrings. Don’t make up your mind too early about the characters….you might be surprised in the end. So, relax on that beach chair and enjoy. As an aside,  just why is it that society doesn’t think twice about a man marrying someone much younger, but has a lot to say when the genders are reversed?

The Girl Who Died - Ragnar Jonasson

 The Girl Who Died - Ragnar Jonasson

She read

It is the 1980s and Una, who has not been particularly successful in her life in Reykjavik,  takes a job teaching at the “edge of the world”.  It is dark, dismal, cold Skálar, population 10, including the 2 children she will be teaching.  The citizens, quirky all, are not particularly welcoming to Una. And, it seems the house, in particular the room she is occupying, may be haunted by the ghost of a young child who died in the 1920s.  

This Nordic noir is highly readable, atmospheric, and engrossing, although it was 

difficult for me to find any likable characters.  Una, despite the early tragedy in her life (hinted at in the beginning and fully revealed later in the novel), is kind of annoying.   

I typically do not like the supernatural.  While this had touches of it, it was tolerable for me.  

Read this book for its depiction of a small closed society and its richly created setting, not for suspense,  twists and turns or compelling plot.  

****

The Plot - Jean Hanff Korelitz

 The Plot - Jean Hanff Korelitz

Publication Date: May 11, 2021

She read

I have a feeling this will be a best seller!  Despite the fact that I figured out what was going on very early, I couldn’t put down this well written novel.  The book within a book was an effective technique.  The only thing that bothered me while reading was the question (which the book answered), can you own a plot?  Although he felt guilty about what he did, and certainly wouldn’t look forward to all the attention he would get when his anonymous accuser’s allegations were made public, I couldn’t quite understand why Jake was so upset about it. He just took a story that someone else had told him and wrote a similar one in his own words.  There was no plagiarism. This would make a good discussion for a book group. 

****

America - Mike Bond

 America - Mike Bond

She read

Having been born in the early 50s, the description of this book sounded very intriguing and I looked forward to reading it.  Unfortunately, it just didn’t connect for me.  I thought it kind of uninteresting and found myself skimming a lot.  The dialog  was stilted and simplistic. The story did pick up for me when there were discussions of war and the civil rights movement; that almost earned an additional star rating.    I don’t think I will bother with the second (of seven planned) installment when it is published.  

Mirrorland -- Carole Johnstone

 Mirrorland - Carole Johnstone

She read

Although I stayed with this book, reading as quickly as I could, it wasn’t quite for me.  The fantasy land created by and for the girls was richly constructed, but I felt that, although integral to the story, too much time was spent on recounting it. There were no surprises for me in the twists and turns of the plot.  I do think other readers will find it more to their tastes.  

***