The Truth is a Theory - Karyn Bristol
She read
This truly is women’s fiction. The writing was good, with some beautiful descriptions, metaphors, and similes. But, I thought this story of young women so focused on having men in their lives to be tedious..in fact, as the book progressed, I found myself skimming more and more, especially for the journal entries.
Sunday, July 21, 2019
Sunday, July 14, 2019
Lady in the Lake - Laura Lipman
Lady in the Lake - Laura Lipman
She read
Publication Date: July 25, 2019
Maddie has been the model upper middle class Jewish housewife of 1960s Baltimore. After a visit from a former classmate, she realizes she wants something else. She leaves her husband and son (who chooses to stay with his father) with hopes of realizing her dream of becoming a newspaper reporter. A chance finding of the body of a missing child provides her first opportunity to try to realize that ambition. A further investigation into the life and death of a young black woman leads Maddie into making some questionable choices while attempting to further her career.
This book is written using an interesting style that I liked. The story alternates between third person account of Maddie and her actions and first person accounts of the various other characters she encounters. The author does a good job capturing the culture and tone of the 1960s. It took a while to build up the story and all of the characters and then the resolution wrapped up very quickly. Unfortunately, I think I lot of readers might find Maddie a rather unlikable character.
She read
Publication Date: July 25, 2019
Maddie has been the model upper middle class Jewish housewife of 1960s Baltimore. After a visit from a former classmate, she realizes she wants something else. She leaves her husband and son (who chooses to stay with his father) with hopes of realizing her dream of becoming a newspaper reporter. A chance finding of the body of a missing child provides her first opportunity to try to realize that ambition. A further investigation into the life and death of a young black woman leads Maddie into making some questionable choices while attempting to further her career.
This book is written using an interesting style that I liked. The story alternates between third person account of Maddie and her actions and first person accounts of the various other characters she encounters. The author does a good job capturing the culture and tone of the 1960s. It took a while to build up the story and all of the characters and then the resolution wrapped up very quickly. Unfortunately, I think I lot of readers might find Maddie a rather unlikable character.
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
Breathe In, Cash Out - Madeleine Henry
Breathe In, Cash Out - Madeleine Henry
She read
Princeton graduate Allegra lands her sought after job in the world of high finance. The job is hell and she is just counting the days until she receives her two year bonus, can quit, and become a yoga instructor.
I had a difficult time with this book. The first 80% really didn’t resonate with me. I found none of the characters particularly likable or engaging. The last part of the book seemed an improvement and for that I give the book three stars rather than two.
There have recently been a some witty novels that skewer the world of the young professional (See: Startup by Doree Shafrier) that I have really enjoyed. This was not one of them.
She read
Princeton graduate Allegra lands her sought after job in the world of high finance. The job is hell and she is just counting the days until she receives her two year bonus, can quit, and become a yoga instructor.
I had a difficult time with this book. The first 80% really didn’t resonate with me. I found none of the characters particularly likable or engaging. The last part of the book seemed an improvement and for that I give the book three stars rather than two.
There have recently been a some witty novels that skewer the world of the young professional (See: Startup by Doree Shafrier) that I have really enjoyed. This was not one of them.
Thursday, July 4, 2019
The Rumor - Lesley Kara
The Rumor - Lesley Kara
She read
In 1969, a young girl was imprisoned for stabbing a playmate of hers to death. After serving her time, she is released, assumed a new identity, and is now rumored to be living in the seaside town of Flinstead. The rumor spreads and takes on a life of its own.
This psychological thriller with good character development is a very fast read. The twists and red herrings keep you guessing
I liked this book, but there were two things that bothered me. There seemed to be some geographical confusion about where it takes place. Although it resembled a British story, the setting was definitely the US. The confusion over trying to guess where it was located distracted me a bit. Near the end of the book, it was revealed that it was set outside of Boston. And, it turns out, that the original book was set in the UK. I think I might have enjoyed the original as much or more than this retelling. The other thing that distracted me a bit was wondering why suddenly, years and years later, this rumor surfaces.
Despite those distractions, I had difficulty putting this novel down and read it in three sittings.
She read
In 1969, a young girl was imprisoned for stabbing a playmate of hers to death. After serving her time, she is released, assumed a new identity, and is now rumored to be living in the seaside town of Flinstead. The rumor spreads and takes on a life of its own.
This psychological thriller with good character development is a very fast read. The twists and red herrings keep you guessing
I liked this book, but there were two things that bothered me. There seemed to be some geographical confusion about where it takes place. Although it resembled a British story, the setting was definitely the US. The confusion over trying to guess where it was located distracted me a bit. Near the end of the book, it was revealed that it was set outside of Boston. And, it turns out, that the original book was set in the UK. I think I might have enjoyed the original as much or more than this retelling. The other thing that distracted me a bit was wondering why suddenly, years and years later, this rumor surfaces.
Despite those distractions, I had difficulty putting this novel down and read it in three sittings.
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Big Sky - Kate Atkinson
Big Sky - Kate Atkinson
He and She read
Although it has been ten years since the last one, this is the fifth novel in the Jackson Brodie series. It is the first one I have read. I did not find this to be a disadvantage, although I now want to go back and read all the prior ones.
Quite a few colorful characters and storylines are introduced, but as the novel progressed, they distinguished themselves from one another and, for the most part, were all woven into the plot line.
Well written, I enjoyed Kate Atkinson’s wry humor while tackling difficult subjects. I can see why she has so many fans; count me as one of them.
He and She read
Although it has been ten years since the last one, this is the fifth novel in the Jackson Brodie series. It is the first one I have read. I did not find this to be a disadvantage, although I now want to go back and read all the prior ones.
Quite a few colorful characters and storylines are introduced, but as the novel progressed, they distinguished themselves from one another and, for the most part, were all woven into the plot line.
Well written, I enjoyed Kate Atkinson’s wry humor while tackling difficult subjects. I can see why she has so many fans; count me as one of them.
Sunday, June 23, 2019
Fleishman is in Trouble - Taffy Brodesser-Akner
Fleishman is in Trouble - Taffy Brodesser-Akner
He and she read
Successful talent agent Rachel Fleishman has separated from her physician husband, Toby. One day, she drops their two children off at Toby’s apartment and seemingly disappears.
Most of the book is devoted to two intersecting stories, the narrators and the one the narrator tells about Fleishman. Initially, I didn’t care for this style, but, near the end, the story pivots and the conclusion pulls it all together.
The author’s sense of humor is entertaining as she looks at the dating life of today’s middle aged single male. Her perception of the middle aged woman in today’s society is achingly accurate.
He and she read
Successful talent agent Rachel Fleishman has separated from her physician husband, Toby. One day, she drops their two children off at Toby’s apartment and seemingly disappears.
Most of the book is devoted to two intersecting stories, the narrators and the one the narrator tells about Fleishman. Initially, I didn’t care for this style, but, near the end, the story pivots and the conclusion pulls it all together.
The author’s sense of humor is entertaining as she looks at the dating life of today’s middle aged single male. Her perception of the middle aged woman in today’s society is achingly accurate.
Monday, June 17, 2019
The Suffering of Strangers - Caro Ramsay
The Suffering of Strangers - Caro Ramsay
She read
A baby is taken from his mother’s car; in his place is a baby with Down Syndrome. The cold case review team is looking into a series of historical rapes. Do these have anything to do with each other?
This is number nine is a series featuring Glaswegian detectives Costello and Anderson. I haven’t read the prior novels, and, unfortunately, this made me fell that I had come in in the middle of something. A number of different characters were introduced and I really had to pay attention to keep them straight.
Despite that, I found this to be a satisfying police procedural that was an engrossing read.
She read
A baby is taken from his mother’s car; in his place is a baby with Down Syndrome. The cold case review team is looking into a series of historical rapes. Do these have anything to do with each other?
This is number nine is a series featuring Glaswegian detectives Costello and Anderson. I haven’t read the prior novels, and, unfortunately, this made me fell that I had come in in the middle of something. A number of different characters were introduced and I really had to pay attention to keep them straight.
Despite that, I found this to be a satisfying police procedural that was an engrossing read.
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