The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 3,022 
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Jun 10, 2024 14:08:19 GMT
I read three books this week (yay summer!).
What did you read this week?
🟣 Nuclear War
Annie Jacobson
Nonfiction/History/Science/Horror
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have had nuclear war dreams/nightmares since I was a tween; I don’t have them often anymore, but I had them often for many years and most of them stem from the TV movie, The Day After.
This could be called, “The Day of…” This is a masterly written “what if” scenario created from interviews with countless experts and painstakingly researched.
It has overall great reviews, but I was curious about some of the bad ones. Some say it is too descriptive of the horrors of billions of people dying in horrific ways and some thought it was pro-West/racist propaganda. I did NOT see that. IMO it did not make ANYONE look good, including the US. It read like a horror novel.
I have one small issue with the scenario (where Russia and the US don’t have an actual conversation before…I don't want to say too much… I know she is highlighting how very little time they have and the limited info they have to make a decision.
I found it horrifying and fascinating, and for me, it read like a novel. (rounded up to 5)
🟣 Winter Counts
David Heska Wanbli Weiden
Mystery/Native American/Contemporary
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have wanted to read this one for a while since it takes place on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, where my dog, Leia was a rez dog and was rescued from there. Also, I teach about winter counts in American Lit when we discuss Native American oral tradition.
It follows the “flawed but likable protagonist trying to solve a mystery through a tangle of lies” trope, but it was fast-paced, a solid mystery, an Indigenous perspective on life on the reservation, and tied in many modern issues faced today.
🟣 Parable of the Sower
Octavia Butler
Sci-fi/dystopia/speculative fiction/classic
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I finally got around to reading another Octavia Bulter book. The book was written back in 1993, so she writes in 30 years in the future and it begins July 2024 in a world that is falling apart. The protagonist lives in a rag-tag gated community with her family while just outside the gates the world is a dangerous place with a lack of food, water, and shelter.
Lauren knows that the beliefs of her father and the world of this community, will not be the way for the future, so she prepares herself for something she cannot ever be prepared for…this is a series. I may read the next, but I haven’t decided.
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Post by katiescarlett on Jun 10, 2024 15:18:10 GMT
I finished Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea. When DNA results reveal a disturbing connection to the mysterious disappearance of a famous baby nearly three decades ago, a forensic scientist is plunged into a dangerous search for answers. I liked it. 3.5 stars rounded down to 3 on Goodreads.
Now reading Night Will Find You by Julia Heaberlin. When she was ten, Vivvy Bouchet saved a boy’s life by making an impossible prediction. Ever since, she has been in a life-long battle between the urgent voices in her head and the science she loves. Now a brilliant young astrophysicist, she wants nothing more than to be left alone with the stars. But the boy she saved, now a Fort Worth cop, has always believed she is psychic and is begging her to help solve the high-profile cold case of a little girl who disappeared in broad daylight from the kitchen of her old Victorian house. A body was never found, and her mother sits in prison still loudly proclaiming her innocence. Vivvy reluctantly agrees to try.
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hutchfan
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,612
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Post by hutchfan on Jun 10, 2024 15:20:17 GMT
I read Just For The Summer by Abby Jimenez. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
When it comes to love, Emma is cursed. Every guy she dates finds his true love after they break up. But it turns out she's not the only one afflicted with this condition...
His name is Justin, and his Reddit thread about being "love's good luck charm" has gone viral. Now the two have come up with an ingenious plan:If they date each other, their curses will cancel out and they'll go on to find their soulmate. Only Justin wasn't supposed to be so unbelievably cute. And hilarious.
But when Emma's toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they're suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected including catching real feelings. Has fate finally brought the perfect pair together, or will their cure be way more hazardous than the curse itself?
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jun 10, 2024 15:36:20 GMT
I read They Came for the Schools by Mike Hixenbaugh. It is the story of how conservative did a complete takeover of their school board in Southlake, Texas. I thought it was really well done and worth reading to anyone, like me, who hasn't had much exposure at all to the whole conservative movements we've seen in education going on in places like Texas and Florida.
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Tearisci
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,268
Nov 6, 2018 16:34:30 GMT
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Post by Tearisci on Jun 10, 2024 15:42:28 GMT
I read They Came for the Schools by Mike Hixenbaugh. It is the story of how conservative did a complete takeover of their school board in Southlake, Texas. I thought it was really well done and worth reading to anyone, like me, who hasn't had much exposure at all to the whole conservative movements we've seen in education going on in places like Texas and Florida. I'm local to this and this happened in the district that my niece teaches in. It's very scary and definitely something that needs to get out. |
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Post by pjaye on Jun 10, 2024 15:55:03 GMT
The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko JeanSet in USA modern day, told from multiple points of view. Ellie Black is a 17yo girl who went missing 2 years ago at a party and has just been found wondering in the woods. Chelsey Calhoun is the detective who is assigned to her case, but Ellie is withdrawn and doesn't really want to help the police. As she tries to help Ellie, Chelsey starts to deal with the issues from her past - the memories of her critical police officer father & the murder of her sister. Gradually we start to learn what happened to Ellie during those two years. This was a good mystery with a few twists and drew me in straight away and kept me hooked until the end. 4 stars If Something Happens to Me by Alex FinlayI've read two other books by this author and rated them 3 & 4 stars & this is his latest one Set in the USA modern day. The story starts with Ryan and Alison on a date at the end of their final year of high school, they are in her car, when the door is opened and Alison is taken, Ryan is left unconscious and when he wakes Alison and the car are gone and never seen again. 5 years later Ryan has changed his name and is now studying law and is on a trip to Italy with his friends, when Alison's car is found at the bottom of a lake and in it are the bodies of two men, but still no sign of Alison. This is one of those twisty, fast paced novels that takes you along for the ride, there's a second storyline that I won't detail because part of the crazy ride is working out how and where it fits in with the main story. 4 stars cadoodlebug have you read anything by this author? I think you and your husband would enjoy this book. ETA: for those of us who listen to audiobooks, go and check your Audible wishlist, I looked today and almost all of my list was on sale, all significantly under 1 credit price, some as low as $3.40. I ended up buying 7 books for $62.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jun 10, 2024 15:59:15 GMT
I read They Came for the Schools by Mike Hixenbaugh. It is the story of how conservative did a complete takeover of their school board in Southlake, Texas. I thought it was really well done and worth reading to anyone, like me, who hasn't had much exposure at all to the whole conservative movements we've seen in education going on in places like Texas and Florida. I'm local to this and this happened in the district that my niece teaches in. It's very scary and definitely something that needs to get out. Yes, it totally does. I mean, there are pockets in Michigan where these things happen, but I'm quite insulated from anything like this. I watch from afar as states like Texas and Florida seem "off the rails" in their thinking. I wish more conservatives had been open to talking about this. I would really like to hear beyond Fox News talking points what they were actually thinking/feeling. |
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Tearisci
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,268
Nov 6, 2018 16:34:30 GMT
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Post by Tearisci on Jun 10, 2024 16:18:28 GMT
If Something Happens to Me by Alex FinlayI've read two other books by this author and rated them 3 & 4 stars & this is his latest one Set in the USA modern day. The story starts with Ryan and Alison on a date at the end of their final year of high school, they are in her car, when the door is opened and Alison is taken, Ryan is left unconscious and when he wakes Alison and the car are gone and never seen again. 5 years later Ryan has changed his name and is now studying law and is on a trip to Italy with his friends, when Alison's car is found at the bottom of a lake and in it are the bodies of two men, but still no sign of Alison. This is one of those twisty, fast paced novels that takes you along for the ride, there's a second storyline that I won't detail because part of the crazy ride is working out how and where it fits in with the main story. 4 stars cadoodlebug have you read anything by this author? I think you and your husband would enjoy this book. ETA: for those of us who listen to audiobooks, go and check your Audible wishlist, I looked today and almost all of my list was on sale, all significantly under 1 credit price, some as low as $3.40. I ended up buying 7 books for $62. This sounds right up my alley so I just bought it on Amazon! |
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Post by epeanymous on Jun 10, 2024 16:28:10 GMT
Two mysteries this week: Ruth Ware's new book, One Perfect Couple. A flailing scientist's flailing actor boyfriend lands a role on One Perfect Couple, a new reality show similar to Love Island. She agrees to go with him as a contestant to a beautiful tropical island with scenic villas; everything seems fine until a huge storm hits the island, and the reality show starts to go sideways as bodies pile up. This was a light, fun read; I did want to get to know the contestants better before and after the storm, so this is another mystery that I felt could have done with an additional 75+ pages. AJ Finn's new book, End of Story. I think this is the second book from this semi-cancelled author's two-book book deal (the first was The Woman in the Window). In this one, a dying mystery writer invites a fan/correspondent to come live with him in his San Francisco mansion and write about his life; his life includes a wife and child who went missing from different locations on the same day twenty years ago, and the mystery of their disappearance or disappearances never has been solved. I did enjoy the SF atmospherics in the novel, and the setup for the book was good. I wasn't a huge fan of either the exposition of the story or the ending -- If you read The Woman in the Window, this narrator is even less reliable . |
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Post by katiescarlett on Jun 10, 2024 16:43:59 GMT
ETA: for those of us who listen to audiobooks, go and check your Audible wishlist, I looked today and almost all of my list was on sale, all significantly under 1 credit price, some as low as $3.40. I ended up buying 7 books for $62. Uggg. I don't know whether to thank you for this information or not lol! It looks like a storewide sale and there are so many things on my wishlist that I want! |
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Post by pjaye on Jun 10, 2024 17:02:01 GMT
I think this is the second book from this semi-cancelled author's two-book book deal wow, I hadn't heard about any of this! I just googled and read an article about it all, very interesting. I read his first book and wasn't impressed so I didn't pay any more attention to him, but he's a full on pathological liar. |
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Post by pjaye on Jun 10, 2024 17:05:36 GMT
ETA: for those of us who listen to audiobooks, go and check your Audible wishlist, I looked today and almost all of my list was on sale, all significantly under 1 credit price, some as low as $3.40. I ended up buying 7 books for $62. Uggg. I don't know whether to thank you for this information or not lol! It looks like a storewide sale and there are so many things on my wishlist that I want! Might as well stock up now, better than paying a whole credit later on. I always get lots of emails about sales, but they are often for books I have no interest in, today I just went to check if a book on my wishlist had been released yet...and then noticed that everything was on sale for once...that doesn't happen very often. |
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Post by mnmloveli on Jun 10, 2024 17:29:43 GMT
If Something Happens to Me by Alex FinlayI've read two other books by this author and rated them 3 & 4 stars & this is his latest one Set in the USA modern day. The story starts with Ryan and Alison on a date at the end of their final year of high school, they are in her car, when the door is opened and Alison is taken, Ryan is left unconscious and when he wakes Alison and the car are gone and never seen again. 5 years later Ryan has changed his name and is now studying law and is on a trip to Italy with his friends, when Alison's car is found at the bottom of a lake and in it are the bodies of two men, but still no sign of Alison. This is one of those twisty, fast paced novels that takes you along for the ride, there's a second storyline that I won't detail because part of the crazy ride is working out how and where it fits in with the main story. 4 stars cadoodlebug have you read anything by this author? I think you and your husband would enjoy this book. I have mixed feelings about this author since I’ve been disappointed a couple of times. Author’s debut book in ‘21 that I read was Every Last Fear which I gave 4 stars but then in ‘22, The Night Shift, only received 2 stars. Then in ‘23, What Have We Done got 3 Stars. Once you said “twisty & fast paced”, I might give him another shot with this new book. |
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Post by cadoodlebug on Jun 10, 2024 17:46:11 GMT
have you read anything by this author? I think you and your husband would enjoy this book. Yes, we like this author, I'll put a hold on this book! |
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Tearisci
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,268
Nov 6, 2018 16:34:30 GMT
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Post by Tearisci on Jun 10, 2024 17:52:26 GMT
Two mysteries this week: Ruth Ware's new book, One Perfect Couple. A flailing scientist's flailing actor boyfriend lands a role on One Perfect Couple, a new reality show similar to Love Island. She agrees to go with him as a contestant to a beautiful tropical island with scenic villas; everything seems fine until a huge storm hits the island, and the reality show starts to go sideways as bodies pile up. This was a light, fun read; I did want to get to know the contestants better before and after the storm, so this is another mystery that I felt could have done with an additional 75+ pages. I just finished this and it had me so stressed out that I couldn't read it at bedtime like I normally do. It wasn't one of my favorites by her. . |
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Post by mnmloveli on Jun 10, 2024 18:00:12 GMT
BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR (‘24 - 3 STARS) BY JD BARKER
DESCRIPTION : Would you kill a total stranger to save someone you love?
Sugar & Spice is the latest app craze taking the world by storm, but for Abby and Brendan Hollander, downloading it leads to a dangerous game of life and death. When the app assigns them a series of increasingly taboo tasks, they soon find themselves caught up in a twisted web of seduction and violence.
REVIEW :
Previous books by this author for me were A Caller’s Game (‘21 - 5 Stars) and The 4MK Thriller 3-Book Series : The Fourth Monkey (‘17), The Fifth to Die (‘18) and The Sixth Wicked Child (‘19) all 5 STARS. Books written with James Patterson were Death of the Black Widow (‘22 - 2 Stars), The Noise (‘21 - 3 Stars), The Coast-to-Coast Murders (‘20 - 4 Stars). I definitely think Mr. Barker’s own plots/storylines are so much better than the ones he writes with Mr. Patterson.
Same great writing that pulled me in right away. Sexually charged dark thriller which is quite different for this author. Keeping me on the edge of my chair and quite shocked. Felt the second half of the book dragged. I think this 495 page book could easily have been cut by 100 pages. Too much “filler” in the middle the book didn’t need.
THE WIFE YOU KNOW (‘24 - ONLY 205 PGS - 4 STARS) BY CHAD ZUNKER
DESCRIPTION : Widower Luke Driskell didn’t expect to fall in love and marry again so quickly. But Ashley and her daughter, Joy, are special—a quality borne out when Ashley rushes into a burning day-care center to save the children. Immediately she’s a social media sensation and hero. Then, just as suddenly, Ashley and Joy disappear into the bitterly cold night. With no trace of their whereabouts, Luke begins a panicked investigation. Alarmingly, he can find no proof that the woman he loves even exists. Left behind: just a hidden stash of fake IDs. Different names. Different cities. Same haunted face. Now the devastated husband has only questions: Who did he marry? What is she hiding?
REVIEW :
First books by this author for me were All He Has Left (‘23 - 3 Stars due to being only 206 pages and not enough time to develop the characters) and Family Money (‘22 - 4 Stars).
Even though only 205 pages, the authors writing drew me right in. I even felt close to the characters very quickly. Plot kept me excited to see what would happen next in the hunt for Ashley & Joy. Very enjoyable !
HAPPY READING !
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Post by cadoodlebug on Jun 10, 2024 18:01:55 GMT
Last week I finished reading The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins. I liked it but didn’t love it. 4/5 rounded up from 3.5
Now I’m reading Harlan Coben’s newest Myron Bolitar book, Hold Tight Think Twice. It's nice to see Myron and Win working together again after a long hiatus.
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Tearisci
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,268
Nov 6, 2018 16:34:30 GMT
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Post by Tearisci on Jun 10, 2024 20:42:34 GMT
I just finished Think Twice by Harlan Coben. It's part of his Myron Bolitar series and it was enjoyable 4/5 stars. Three years ago, sports agent Myron Bolitar gave a eulogy at the funeral of his client, renowned basketball coach Greg Downing. Myron and Greg had history: initially as deeply personal rivals, and later as unexpected business associates. Myron made peace and moved on – until now, when two federal agents walked into his office, demanding to know where Greg Downing is. According to the agents, Greg is still alive—and has been placed at the scene of a double homicide, making him their main suspect. Shocked, Myron needs answers. Myron and Win, longtime friends and colleagues, set out to find the truth, but the more they discover about Greg, the more dangerous their world becomes. Secrets, lies, and a murderous conspiracy that stretches back into the past churn at the heart of Harlan Coben's blistering new novel. |
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Tearisci
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,268
Nov 6, 2018 16:34:30 GMT
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Post by Tearisci on Jun 10, 2024 20:43:18 GMT
Last week I finished reading The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins. I liked it but didn’t love it. 4/5 rounded up from 3.5 Now I’m reading Harlan Coben’s newest Myron Bolitar book, Hold Tight. It's nice to see Myron and Win working together again after a long hiatus. Just finished this today  |
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Post by pjaye on Jun 10, 2024 22:56:29 GMT
If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay4 stars I have mixed feelings about this author since I’ve been disappointed a couple of times. Author’s debut book in ‘21 that I read was Every Last Fear which I gave 4 stars but then in ‘22, The Night Shift, only received 2 stars. Then in ‘23, What Have We Done got 3 Stars. Once you said “twisty & fast paced”, I might give him another shot with this new book. I gave Every last fear 4 stars & The Night Shift 3 stars. For me he's the kind of author where you don't over think his books too much there's nothing deep and meaningful, and instead just go along for the wild ride. It's like an action movie in a book. They are a bit nostalgic for me too, I always think og my Dad because these are the sorts of books (& movies) he loved. |
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Post by cadoodlebug on Jun 10, 2024 23:00:10 GMT
I don't know why I wrote Hold Tight, I'm reading Think Twice! |
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Post by quinlove on Jun 11, 2024 11:27:57 GMT
Uggg. I don't know whether to thank you for this information or not lol! It looks like a storewide sale and there are so many things on my wishlist that I want! Might as well stock up now, better than paying a whole credit later on. I always get lots of emails about sales, but they are often for books I have no interest in, today I just went to check if a book on my wishlist had been released yet...and then noticed that everything was on sale for once...that doesn't happen very often. Thank you so much pjaye ! The books I want are never included in any of the sales. After reading this yesterday, all the books on my wishlist were 50 - 70 % off. I bought 3. Thanks again. Sale is over in 5 days. |
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Post by pjaye on Jun 11, 2024 13:12:58 GMT
Might as well stock up now, better than paying a whole credit later on. I always get lots of emails about sales, but they are often for books I have no interest in, today I just went to check if a book on my wishlist had been released yet...and then noticed that everything was on sale for once...that doesn't happen very often. Thank you so much pjaye ! The books I want are never included in any of the sales. After reading this yesterday, all the books on my wishlist were 50 - 70 % off. I bought 3. Thanks again. Sale is over in 5 days. Just 3? that was very restrained of you! |
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Post by monklady123 on Jun 11, 2024 13:47:38 GMT
I read three since the previous thread: The Missing American by Kwei Quartey. Murder mystery/police procedural, but set in Ghana. The author is Ghanaian so everything is authentic West African. Even the way the characters talk...not accents exactly, but the cadence, and back-and-forth greetings, etc. There are several in the series, plus Quartey has another series, so I've added them all to my TBR list. The Magicians by Lev Grossman. Teens are whisked away to a school of magic, where they learn how to do magical things and have amazing adventures. Also, many references to a series of books that all the kids have read about a magical land that siblings found themselves suddenly transported to.  I spent the first half of the book wondering if the author was copying Harry Potter or Narnia. Except that it was a lot darker than Harry Potter (which sounds odd considering where HP went with Voldemort)... but HP was lighter and more fun in the beginning books anyway. And the Narnia sub-theme -- named "Fillory" in this book -- was just blatant. When the main characters actually ended up in Fillory...well I skimmed through that part because it just dragged on. The end was kind of fun. Not much to recommend about this one. lol The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff. Set in India, about a group of women in a village who unite together to eliminate abusive men from their lives. The women first come together through a micro-loan program. That was interesting to me because I worked with a group like that when I was in the Peace Corps. The women's comments about men, how men try to keep them down, how the men think they can run women's lives....all very true. It was partly funny, partly horifying, but still a good read. I googled to see what else the author has written, but it turns out that this is her debut novel. Also, she has a law degree, and an MFA degree. I googled for awhile but couldn't find how old she is, but her photo makes her look very young. I hope she writes more! (and also... the dog does NOT die.  ) |
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Post by katiescarlett on Jun 11, 2024 14:18:12 GMT
Thank you so much pjaye ! The books I want are never included in any of the sales. After reading this yesterday, all the books on my wishlist were 50 - 70 % off. I bought 3. Thanks again. Sale is over in 5 days. Just 3? that was very restrained of you! I bought 9! But all of them were under $4! |
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Post by quinlove on Jun 11, 2024 15:35:11 GMT
Well that’s a first. After all these years. I’ve been convinced to purchase something here. Ordered more (3) audible books that are on sale right now. They’re books, you can never have too many. Thanks for the push peas.
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Post by pjaye on Jun 11, 2024 16:19:55 GMT
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Post by trixiecat on Jun 11, 2024 18:45:09 GMT
I finished An American Marriage. I give it 4 1/2 stars. Really good discussion points in this book.
Newlyweds Celestial and Roy are the embodiment of both the American Dream and the New South. He is a young executive, and she is an artist on the brink of an exciting career. But as they settle into the routine of their life together, they are ripped apart by circumstances neither could have imagined. Roy is arrested and sentenced to twelve years for a crime Celestial knows he didn’t commit. Though fiercely independent, Celestial finds herself bereft and unmoored, taking comfort in Andre, her childhood friend, and best man at their wedding. As Roy’s time in prison passes, she is unable to hold on to the love that has been her center. After five years, Roy’s conviction is suddenly overturned, and he returns to Atlanta ready to resume their life together.
This stirring love story is a profoundly insightful look into the hearts and minds of three people who are at once bound and separated by forces beyond their control. An American Marriage is a masterpiece of storytelling, an intimate look deep into the souls of people who must reckon with the past while moving forward—with hope and pain—into the future.
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valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
Posts: 5,806
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Post by valincal on Jun 11, 2024 20:35:03 GMT
I finished Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Loved it! 5/5 I’m just about to head for a big walk and I will be starting Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier recommended by lainey. Happy reading all! 😊 |
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Post by mnmloveli on Jun 11, 2024 21:19:53 GMT
I finished Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Loved it! 5/5 Happy reading all! 😊 AWESOME DEBUT book ! I gave it 5 stars too. I’ve been waiting for her next book for 2 years now, but it doesn’t look like anything coming yet. I hope she continues to write. |
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I spent the first half of the book wondering if the author was copying Harry Potter or Narnia. Except that it was a lot darker than Harry Potter (which sounds odd considering where HP went with Voldemort)... but HP was lighter and more fun in the beginning books anyway. And the Narnia sub-theme -- named "Fillory" in this book -- was just blatant. When the main characters actually ended up in Fillory...well I skimmed through that part because it just dragged on. The end was kind of fun. Not much to recommend about this one. lol
)
