Wednesday, December 29, 2021
New Additions to the Little Free Library
Added books by David Baldacci and Eric Carle today. If you see something you’d like to have, please come get it.
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Sullivan Book Nook on the Little Free Library Map
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Review - Sweetheart Reunion
AUTHOR: Lenora Worth
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): The last person Alma Blanchard expects to waltz into her bayou café is Julien LeBlanc.
If seeing him again weren't painful enough, her handsome ex-beau announces that he aims to settle down with her. The boy she broke up with in high school was not the settling-down type! As his courting continues, though, Julien softens her heart with his devotion and faith. But how can she ever forgive him and put aside her fear that he'll break her heart again?
Alma has always believed a happily-ever-after just wasn't meant for her. What will it take for Julien to prove her wrong?
REVIEW: Such a great story! Being a southern girl, I loved all the references to the south, and I recognized the names of several places I’ve traveled to. I fell in love with Alma and Julien’s reunion romance, and I would recommend this book to everyone. Lenora Worth’s storytelling flows so beautifully and effortlessly. I can’t wait to read more of her work soon.
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Sullivan Book Nook Grand Opening
The Sullivan Book Nook Little Free Library is OPEN! I'll be rotating the books every week and adding new ones. If you decide to stop by I hope you'll leave me a message in the guestbook. Please note that you don't have to leave a book in order to take a book. If you see one you want, please take it home with you. When you finish the book, you can keep it, give it to a friend, or return it to my library or another Little Free Library. The books on the left side are for children and there are coloring pages available in the plastic file holder above them. The Kindness Box is for everyone, but please take just one item per visit so there is enough to go around. There is plenty of space on our driveway to park, and you can back up behind the post (with our house number on it) if you don't want to back out onto the road. I hope you all enjoy the library and thank you in advance for visiting.
(NOTE: I want to send out a special THANK YOU to author Stacia Leigh for sending me a copy of her book! You rock!)
Monday, December 20, 2021
I’m so excited! It’s almost time!
Doing some decorating before adding books. I ordered the floral vinyl stickers from Etsy. (Love them!) The plastic file holder is for coloring pages, activity sheets, etc. It’s attached with Velcro so I can remove it if it gets in the way of my tall books. I also added some shelf liner to keep the books from sticking to the wood. I plan on filling it up tomorrow! Can’t wait!
Sunday, December 19, 2021
The Sullivan Book Nook is officially official!
Got my charter sign in place so my Little Free Library is officially official now. This is SO exciting!
Friday, December 17, 2021
The Sullivan Book Nook - A Dream Come True
This Sunday will be eight months since Shawn began construction on my Little Free Library. (He works six days a week, so he didn’t have a lot of spare time). Well, needless to say, the tears started flowing when I discovered this at the end of our driveway today. Best Christmas gift EVER! I still have some work to do on it before I have my grand opening, but I’m just SO excited to finally have it in the ground! I’ll post more pictures when it’s finished.
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Review - The Widower's Second Chance
AUTHOR: Jessica Keller
RATING: ★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Idyllic Goose Harbor, Michigan, offers a fresh start for broken-hearted Paige Windom. In addition to securing a teaching job at the high school, she'll fulfill her dream of helping at-risk teens in a nearby inner-city mentoring program. But Caleb Beck, a handsome yet overprotective widower and the center's founder, doesn't want Paige anywhere near the place. He's afraid she'll get hurt just like his late wife. Paige knows she can do a lot of good for the kids and Caleb himself. If only she can show him how to let go of his fear, maybe they'll both find a way to reopen their wounded hearts.
Goose Harbor: Love is in big supply on the shores of Lake Michigan.
REVIEW: I hate giving any book a 3-star rating, but this one left A LOT to be desired. First off, the hero, Caleb, is VERY overprotective of the heroine, to the point where it's extremely annoying. Secondly, the heroine had a past failed relationship with a horrible man, so she compares all other men to him and refuses to get past it and move on. Honestly, I was happy when I finally finished this book. If you love Harlequin inspirational romances, then try it for yourself, but I can't in good conscious recommend this one.
Saturday, December 11, 2021
Review - Rebuilding Her Life
AUTHOR: Ruth Logan Herne
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Amazon): Coming home isn’t always easy…in this novel from USA TODAY bestselling author Ruth Logan Herne.
Faced with a decades-old mistake, can she find forgiveness?
After a fire devastates her hometown, Dr. Jess Bristol returns to save her mother’s clinic—and comes face-to-face with her high school sweetheart. Over twenty years ago, Jess helped put Shane Stone in jail…and later learned he was innocent. Now they must work together to restore their town. Though Shane has put his past behind him, can the adoptive single father forgive the woman he once loved?
REVIEW: This was my first time reading Ruth Logan Herne’s work, and I really enjoyed it. A big selling factor for me was the hero and heroine are in their 40’s, which is rare to find in a romance book nowadays. (A NOTE TO AUTHORS: Those of us in our 40’s and beyond love a good romance too! It’s not just for those in their 20’s and 30’s!) Jess and Shane’s love story is beautiful and one to be admired. They have a few obstacles in their path, but they never give up. I caught myself tearing up several times while reading this book, and I’d gladly recommend it to everyone. I look forward to reading more of Ruth’s work very soon.
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Review - Something Borrowed
AUTHOR: Emily Giffin
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Something Borrowed tells the story of Rachel, a young attorney living and working in Manhattan.
Rachel has always been the consummate good girl—until her thirtieth birthday, when her best friend, Darcy, throws her a party. That night, after too many drinks, Rachel ends up in bed with Darcy's fiancé. Although she wakes up determined to put the one-night fling behind her, Rachel is horrified to discover that she has genuine feelings for the one guy she should run from. As the September wedding date nears, Rachel knows she has to make a choice. In doing so, she discovers that the lines between right and wrong can be blurry, endings aren't always neat, and sometimes you have to risk all to win true happiness.
Something Borrowed is a phenomenal debut novel that will have you laughing, crying, and calling your best friend.
REVIEW: This was my first time reading Emily Giffin’s work, and I fell in love with her sweet and quirky storytelling. There were several times I caught myself laughing out loud. Loved this story and all of the characters - even spoiled brat Darcy. I didn’t realize until I was halfway through this book that I’d watched the movie not too long ago. Of course, the book is always better than the movie, but I would recommend both if you want to indulge in a sweet love story.
Sunday, December 5, 2021
Review - Her Secret Alaskan Family
AUTHOR: Belle Calhoune
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Can she come home to a place she’s never known?
Everyone remembers the kidnapped Alaskan baby…but they don’t know she’s returned home.
Sage Duncan is the only person in Owl Creek who knows her true identity: the missing Alaskan chocolate heiress. Now she’s returned to Alaska to learn about the family she was stolen from—without disclosing her identity. But keeping her deep secret from gorgeous town sheriff Hank Crawford is much harder than Sage thought…especially when she finds herself falling for him.
REVIEW: This was my first time reading Belle Calhoune’s work, and I really enjoyed it. The heroine and hero are a sweet couple, and both of them have admirable qualities that kept the story interesting throughout. I would recommend it to everyone.
Saturday, November 6, 2021
Another Little Free Library Construction Update
Got the shingles on and the door is almost finished. My Little Free Library is very slowly but surely coming together.
Saturday, October 30, 2021
Review - Dear Santa
AUTHOR: Debbie Macomber
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): A special holiday wish list brings about hope, love, and second chances in this nostalgic novel from the queen of Christmas stories, #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.
Lindy Carmichael isn't feeling particularly joyful when she returns home to Wenatchee, Washington, for Christmas. The man she thought was "the one" has cheated on her with her best friend, and she feels completely devoid of creativity in her graphic-design job. Not even carolers or Christmas cookies can cheer her up--but Lindy's mother, Ellen, remembers an old tradition that might lift her daughter's spirits.
Reading through a box of childhood letters to Santa and reminiscing about what she'd wished for as a young girl may be just the inspiration Lindy needs. With Ellen's encouragement, she decides to write a new letter to Santa, one that will encourage her to have faith and believe just as she'd done all those years ago. Little does Lindy know that this exercise in gratitude will cause her wishes to unfold before her in miraculous ways. And, thanks to some fateful twists of Christmas magic--especially an unexpected connection with a handsome former classmate--Lindy ultimately realizes that there is truly no place like home for the holidays.
In Dear Santa, Debbie Macomber celebrates the joys of Christmas blessings, old and new.
REVIEW: Another classic Debbie Macomber story with all the feel-good holiday vibes. After reading a few tear-jerker books, I really needed something to lift my spirits, and this book did the trick. I could easily picture it as a future Hallmark movie. Now…if you’re the type who gravitates toward the gripping, emotional, sexy love stories, then you might want to pass on this one. Debbie’s books are almost always sweet, inspirational, and (if I’m being completely honest) a little cheesy at times. But, don’t get me wrong, that’s not a bad thing! Sometimes you just need to lose yourself in a little magical storytelling with a guaranteed happily ever after. With all the madness going on in the world today, I fully believe we should grab some happiness wherever we can find it. With that being said, if you enjoy stories that are light-hearted and fun to read, then I would recommend Dear Santa.
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Review - Evvie Drake Starts Over
AUTHOR: Linda Holmes
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): In a sleepy seaside town in Maine, recently widowed Eveleth “Evvie” Drake rarely leaves her large, painfully empty house nearly a year after her husband’s death in a car crash. Everyone in town, even her best friend, Andy, thinks grief keeps her locked inside, and Evvie doesn’t correct them.
Meanwhile, in New York City, Dean Tenney, former Major League pitcher and Andy’s childhood best friend, is wrestling with what miserable athletes living out their worst nightmares call the “yips”: he can’t throw straight anymore, and, even worse, he can’t figure out why. As the media storm heats up, an invitation from Andy to stay in Maine seems like the perfect chance to hit the reset button on Dean’s future.
When he moves into an apartment at the back of Evvie’s house, the two make a deal: Dean won’t ask about Evvie’s late husband, and Evvie won’t ask about Dean’s baseball career. Rules, though, have a funny way of being broken—and what starts as an unexpected friendship soon turns into something more. To move forward, Evvie and Dean will have to reckon with their pasts—the friendships they’ve damaged, the secrets they’ve kept—but in life, as in baseball, there’s always a chance—up until the last out.
REVIEW: Such a cute story! After reading something as heavy as The Paper Palace, I really needed something funny, light, and heartwarming to lift my spirits, and this book was just what I needed. I caught myself laughing out loud many times while reading the witty banter between the characters, and I love the way Evvie evolved in this story. You couldn't help but root for her. I would happily recommend it to everyone.
Monday, October 18, 2021
Review - The Paper Palace
AUTHOR: Miranda Cowley Heller
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): It is a perfect July morning, and Elle, a fifty-year-old happily married mother of three, awakens at "The Paper Palace"—the family summer place which she has visited every summer of her life. But this morning is different: last night Elle and her oldest friend Jonas crept out the back door into the darkness and had sex with each other for the first time, all while their spouses chatted away inside.
Now, over the next twenty-four hours, Elle will have to decide between the life she has made with her genuinely beloved husband, Peter, and the life she always imagined she would have had with her childhood love, Jonas, if a tragic event hadn't forever changed the course of their lives.
As Heller colors in the experiences that have led Elle to this day, we arrive at her ultimate decision with all its complexity. Tender yet devastating, The Paper Palace considers the tensions between desire and dignity, the legacies of abuse, and the crimes and misdemeanors of families.
REVIEW: WOW! I can't think of many words to describe this book other than raw and heartbreakingly real. Elle's story grabs you hard and doesn't let go. It was a constant rollercoaster of emotions from beginning to end, and I went back and forth between "What in the world could possibly happen next?" and just complete shock. The only thing that swayed me from giving it five stars is the wide range of characters. There were so many it was sometimes confusing and hard to keep up with them all. I had to reread certain passages to get reacquainted with who belonged to which spouse and/or family. I'm still stunned this is the author's debut novel. Truly incredible storytelling. If you want a story that will keep your attention from start to finish then I would recommend The Paper Palace, BUT on a side note I wouldn't recommend it to those who may be triggered by story lines dealing with rape, incest, and pedophilia. Just my two cents.
Sunday, October 10, 2021
Review - It Ends With Us
AUTHOR: Colleen Hoover
RATING: ★★★★★
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Summary (from Goodreads): Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most.
Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up — she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.
Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.
As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan — her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.
REVIEW: From the book - “…I think about how easy it is for humans to make judgements when we’re standing on the outside of a situation. It’s easy when we’re on the outside to believe that we would walk away without a second thought if a person mistreated us. It’s easy to say we couldn't continue to love someone who mistreats us when we aren’t the ones feeling the love of that person. When you experience it firsthand, it isn’t so easy to hate the person who mistreats you when most of the time they’re your godsend.”
This book turned me inside out. I don’t know how else to describe it. I was in an abusive relationship for three years before I met my husband, and some of Colleen’s descriptions in this story felt as if she penned them straight from my heart. I tried so many times to explain to family members and friends why I didn’t end that relationship sooner, but there’s really no way to fully understand the reasons unless you’ve been through it. I don’t know what else to say other than I would recommend this book to everyone. My hope is that it sheds some light to those on the outside who are quick to judge a situation they aren’t involved in. I also pray it gives strength and courage to the women reading it who might be desperately searching for a way out.
Saturday, September 18, 2021
Review - The Art of Inheriting Secrets
AUTHOR: Barbara O'Neal
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): When Olivia Shaw’s mother dies, the sophisticated food editor is astonished to learn she’s inherited a centuries-old English estate—and a title to go with it. Raw with grief and reeling from the knowledge that her reserved mother hid something so momentous, Olivia leaves San Francisco and crosses the pond to unravel the mystery of a lifetime.
One glance at the breathtaking Rosemere Priory and Olivia understands why the manor, magnificent even in disrepair, was the subject of her mother’s exquisite paintings. What she doesn’t understand is why her mother never mentioned it to her. As Olivia begins digging into her mother’s past, she discovers that the peeling wallpaper, debris-laden halls, and ceiling-high Elizabethan windows covered in lush green vines hide unimaginable secrets.
Although personal problems and her life back home beckon, Olivia finds herself falling for the charming English village and its residents. But before she can decide what Rosemere’s and her own future hold, Olivia must first untangle the secrets of her past.
REVIEW: Although it took me a while to get interested in the story, I’m glad I hung in there, because it has quite an intriguing plot. The first few chapters were a struggle, but halfway through it really picked up, and from then on I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. There are many interesting characters in this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about every one of them, especially Olivia and Samir. Their love story is so endearing, and the author did a wonderful job bringing it to life. If you love a good story with lots of twists and turns - and romance - then I encourage you to read it.
Friday, September 10, 2021
Review - The Four Winds
AUTHOR: Kristin Hannah
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Texas, 1934. Millions are out of work and a drought has broken the Great Plains. Farmers are fighting to keep their land and their livelihoods as the crops are failing, the water is drying up, and dust threatens to bury them all. One of the darkest periods of the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl era, has arrived with a vengeance.
In this uncertain and dangerous time, Elsa Martinelli—like so many of her neighbors—must make an agonizing choice: fight for the land she loves or go west, to California, in search of a better life. The Four Winds is an indelible portrait of America and the American Dream, as seen through the eyes of one indomitable woman whose courage and sacrifice will come to define a generation.
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Great Alone comes an epic novel of love and heroism and hope, set against the backdrop of one of America’s most defining eras—the Great Depression.
REVIEW: What a beautiful and inspiring story! I've always been a huge fan of Kristin Hannah, and her latest work didn't disappoint. I believe we can all learn something from Elsa's story. She is such an admirable character, and I rooted for her from beginning to end. SPOILER ALERT: The only reason I didn't give this book five stars is because I didn't like the way it ended. I'm usually left happy and content with the ending in all of Kristin Hannah's stories, but this one left me feeling disheartened and dissatisfied. Other than that, I would recommend it to everyone.
Thursday, September 2, 2021
Review - Where the Forest Meets the Stars
AUTHOR: Glendy Vanderah
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): In this gorgeously stunning debut, a mysterious child teaches two strangers how to love and trust again.
After the loss of her mother and her own battle with breast cancer, Joanna Teale returns to her graduate research on nesting birds in rural Illinois, determined to prove that her recent hardships have not broken her. She throws herself into her work from dusk to dawn, until her solitary routine is disrupted by the appearance of a mysterious child who shows up at her cabin barefoot and covered in bruises.
The girl calls herself Ursa, and she claims to have been sent from the stars to witness five miracles. With concerns about the child’s home situation, Jo reluctantly agrees to let her stay―just until she learns more about Ursa’s past.
Jo enlists the help of her reclusive neighbor, Gabriel Nash, to solve the mystery of the charming child. But the more time they spend together, the more questions they have. How does a young girl not only read but understand Shakespeare? Why do good things keep happening in her presence? And why aren’t Jo and Gabe checking the missing children’s website anymore?
Though the three have formed an incredible bond, they know difficult choices must be made. As the summer nears an end and Ursa gets closer to her fifth miracle, her dangerous past closes in. When it finally catches up to them, all of their painful secrets will be forced into the open, and their fates will be left to the stars.
REVIEW: I'll admit from the start that it took me quite a long time to get into this book. I put it down after the first three or four chapters and didn't pick it up again for several days, and I did this often. But about a quarter of the way through the book, the story picked up considerably, and my curiosity about one of the main characters, an 8-year-old girl named Ursa, reeled me in and didn't let go. Once that happened, I couldn't put the book down, and I finished it in one day. Ursa is a very unique character. Her young life is full of tragedy and heartbreak, and the last few chapters kept me on the edge of my seat. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but I will say I breathed a huge sigh of relief (for Ursa's sake) when I finally turned the last page. Talk about a rollercoaster ride! Glendy Vanderah did an excellent job with her debut novel, and I would recommend it to everyone.
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Review - The Forest of Vanishing Stars
AUTHOR: Kristin Harmel
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): The New York Times bestselling author of the The Book of Lost Names returns with an evocative coming-of-age World War II story about a young woman who uses her knowledge of the wilderness to help Jewish refugees escape the Nazis—until a secret from her past threatens everything.
After being stolen from her wealthy German parents and raised in the unforgiving wilderness of eastern Europe, a young woman finds herself alone in 1941 after her kidnapper dies. Her solitary existence is interrupted, however, when she happens upon a group of Jews fleeing the Nazi terror. Stunned to learn what’s happening in the outside world, she vows to teach the group all she can about surviving in the forest—and in turn, they teach her some surprising lessons about opening her heart after years of isolation. But when she is betrayed and escapes into a German-occupied village, her past and present come together in a shocking collision that could change everything.
Inspired by incredible true stories of survival against staggering odds, and suffused with the journey-from-the-wilderness elements that made Where the Crawdads Sing a worldwide phenomenon, The Forest of Vanishing Stars is a heart-wrenching and suspenseful novel.
REVIEW: What a beautiful story! First of all, the amount of research Kristin Harmel put into this book is simply incredible. The details are so amazing and really bring the story to life. The main character, Yona, is courageous and someone to be admired. I don’t want to give away too much information or spoilers. I will say the plot is one of the most unique I've ever come across, but it all comes together so beautifully, and I would gladly recommend this book to everyone. I look forward to reading more of Harmel’s work in the near future.
Monday, August 9, 2021
Review - The Lost Apothecary
AUTHOR: Sarah Penner
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): A female apothecary secretly dispenses poisons to liberate women from the men who have wronged them - setting three lives across centuries on a dangerous collision course.
Rule #1: The poison must never be used to harm another woman.
Rule #2: The names of the murderer and her victim must be recorded in the apothecary’s register.
One cold February evening in 1791, at the back of a dark London alley in a hidden apothecary shop, Nella awaits her newest customer. Once a respected healer, Nella now uses her knowledge for a darker purpose - selling well-disguised poisons to desperate women who would kill to be free of the men in their lives. But when her new patron turns out to be a precocious twelve-year-old named Eliza Fanning, an unexpected friendship sets in motion a string of events that jeopardizes Nella’s world and threatens to expose the many women whose names are written in her register.
In present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, reeling from the discovery of her husband’s infidelity. When she finds an old apothecary vial near the river Thames, she can’t resist investigating, only to realize she’s found a link to the unsolved “apothecary murders” that haunted London over two centuries ago. As she deepens her search, Caroline’s life collides with Nella’s and Eliza’s in a stunning twist of fate - and not everyone will survive.
REVIEW: Loved this story! I can't believe this is Sarah Penner's debut novel. WOW! I can't wait to read more from her in the future. If you're looking for a story that blends a little magic and mystery from the past with some twists and turns from the present then you'll love this book. I loved it so much I purchased it for the library where I work. Recommended!
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Review - Things You Save in a Fire
AUTHOR: Katherine Center
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Cassie Hanwell was born for emergencies. As one of the only female firefighters in her Texas firehouse, she's seen her fair share of them, and she's excellent at dealing with other people's tragedies. But when her estranged and ailing mother asks her to uproot her life and move to Boston, it's an emergency of a kind Cassie never anticipated.
The tough, old-school Boston firehouse is as different from Cassie's old job as it could possibly be. Hazing, a lack of funding, and poor facilities mean that the firemen aren't exactly thrilled to have a "lady" on the crew, even one as competent and smart as Cassie. Except for the handsome rookie, who doesn't seem to mind having Cassie around. But she can't think about that. Because she doesn't fall in love. And because of the advice her old captain gave her: don't date firefighters. Cassie can feel her resolve slipping...but will she jeopardize her place in a career where she's worked so hard to be taken seriously?
Katherine Center's Things You Save in a Fire is a heartfelt, affecting novel about life, love, and the true meaning of courage.
REVIEW: It took me awhile to get through this one. Like, I read the first couple of chapters in the first week of April, but then I put it down, and I didn’t pick it up again until a month later. BUT...despite a slow start, I finished reading the remainder of the book in one day. I might not have been sucked in from the very beginning, but once I got past the first few chapters I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. I love Katherine Center’s writing style. She can be laugh-out-loud funny one minute, and in the next minute she’ll have you crying until you’re a snotty, sniffling mess. That’s what happened to me when I read this book. I won’t give away any spoilers, but the heroine, Cassie, is truly someone to be admired. Her love interest, Owen? Well, he’s everything you look for in the perfect hero - masculine and strong but tender too. Take my advice and read Things You Save in a Fire. You’ll be glad you did.
Friday, July 30, 2021
Review - The Vanishing Half
AUTHOR: Brit Bennett
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): The Vignes twin sisters will always be identical. But after growing up together in a small, southern black community and running away at age sixteen, it's not just the shape of their daily lives that is different as adults, it's everything: their families, their communities, their racial identities. Many years later, one sister lives with her black daughter in the same southern town she once tried to escape. The other passes for white, and her white husband knows nothing of her past. Still, even separated by so many miles and just as many lies, the fates of the twins remain intertwined. What will happen to the next generation, when their own daughters' storylines intersect?
Weaving together multiple strands and generations of this family, from the Deep South to California, from the 1950s to the 1990s, Brit Bennett produces a story that is at once a riveting, emotional family story and a brilliant exploration of the American history of passing. Looking well beyond issues of race, The Vanishing Half considers the lasting influence of the past as it shapes a person's decisions, desires, and expectations, and explores some of the multiple reasons and realms in which people sometimes feel pulled to live as something other than their origins.
REVIEW: This book was beautifully written, but when I turned the last page there was one emotion that stood out to me above the others - sadness. Although the story was very poignant and profound, it still saddened me how some of the characters wanted so badly to be someone else - so much so that they lied to their loved ones for many years and caused them unimaginable pain and suffering. To me, that’s just heartbreaking and tragic. Still, I would recommend this book to everyone, but with a word of caution...if you don’t like sad stories, then this might not be the one for you.
Thursday, July 8, 2021
Review - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
AUTHOR: J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): The eighth story, nineteen years later...
It was always difficult being Harry Potter, and it isn't much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and a father of three school-age children.
While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son, Albus, must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.
Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" is the complete and official playscript of the original, award-winning West End production. This updated edition includes the final dialogue and stage directions, a conversation piece between director John Tiffany and playwright Jack Thorne, the Potter family tree, and a timeline of events in the wizarding world leading up to "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child."
REVIEW: First off, I was very surprised to see this story is actually written as a play. (Am I the only person who didn’t know this?) Reading it in a screenplay layout took some getting used to, but once I got past that, I quickly became engrossed in the story. I’ve been a huge Harry Potter fan for many years now, and this new addition didn’t disappoint. It begins where Deathly Hallows left off, nineteen years after the Battle of Hogwarts. I loved reading about Harry as a grown man with a family. I won’t give away any spoilers, but let’s just say that one of his three children has a tendency to find trouble wherever he goes, much like his dad did when he was younger. *wink* I would LOVE to see a movie adaptation of this book! If you're a fan of the Harry Potter series, then I encourage you to read The Cursed Child. You’ll be glad you did.
Monday, July 5, 2021
Little Free Library Construction Update
Shawn and I got up early this morning to put a final coat of paint on my Little Free Library. All we have left to do now is buy the glass for the door and put some shingles on the top. I hope we can finally get it in the ground next week.
Friday, June 25, 2021
Review - Dear Edward
AUTHOR: Ann Napolitano
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): One summer morning, twelve-year-old Edward Adler, his beloved older brother, his parents, and 183 other passengers board a flight in Newark headed for Los Angeles. Among them is a Wall Street wunderkind, a young woman coming to terms with an unexpected pregnancy, an injured vet returning from Afghanistan, a septuagenarian business tycoon, and a free-spirited woman running away from her controlling husband. And then, tragically, the plane crashes. Edward is the sole survivor.
Edward's story captures the attention of the nation, but he struggles to find a place for himself in a world without his family. He continues to feel that a piece of him has been left in the sky, forever tied to the plane and all of his fellow passengers. But then he makes an unexpected discovery--one that will lead him to the answers of some of life's most profound questions: When you've lost everything, how do find yourself? How do you discover your purpose? What does it mean not just to survive, but to truly live?
REVIEW: This was such a beautiful and heartfelt story. I loved Edward, and I can't count the number of times I wanted to reach through the book and give him a great big hug. This 12-year-old child went through SO much in his young life, but he came through it stronger and wiser, which was very admirable. The ending brought the biggest smile to my face. This was my first time reading this author's work, and I look forward to reading more.
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Review - Midnight Sun
AUTHOR: Stephenie Meyer
RATING: ★★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella's side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward's version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun.
This unforgettable tale as told through Edward's eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting Bella is both the most unnerving and intriguing event he has experienced in all his years as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward's past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he justify following his heart if it means leading Bella into danger?
REVIEW: I’ve always been a huge fan of Stephenie Meyer, and her newest book didn’t disappoint. I loved reading the story from Edward’s point of view. (I actually prefer it over Bella’s. Anyone else?) I really enjoyed the angst and emotion from Edward’s side of the story as he fell in love with Bella. (*SWOON*) I think it would be awesome if Stephenie retold every book in the series from his viewpoint. I would buy them in a heartbeat! If you’re a fan of the Twilight series, then you will adore this new addition.
Saturday, May 22, 2021
Review - A Man Called Ove
AUTHOR: Fredrik Backman
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): A grumpy yet loveable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door.
Meet Ove. He's a curmudgeon, the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him the bitter neighbor from hell, but must Ove be bitter just because he doesn't walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time?
Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove's mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents' association to their very foundations.
REVIEW: Such a great story! I think it’s safe to assume that all of us have an Ove in our lives. (Mine greatly resembles my husband...but I digress). Still, there’s something about those aggravating curmudgeon’s that tugs on my heartstrings, and reading Ove’s story was no different. I knew he would be a beloved character from the very first chapter. I will admit it took me awhile before I felt truly drawn into the story, but once it grabbed hold of me I finished the remainder of the book in one afternoon. I encourage everyone to read A Man Called Ove, and if you enjoy Backman’s writing style then you should definitely read his newest book, Anxious People. (My 2020 favorite!) P.S. The movie, A Man Called Ove, is wonderful too...but read the book first!
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Review - The Nightingale
AUTHOR: Kristin Hannah
RATING: ★★★★★
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Summary (from Goodreads): In love we find out who we want to be. In war we find out who we are.
FRANCE, 1939
In the quiet village of Carriveau, Vianne Mauriac says good-bye to her husband, Antoine, as he heads for the Front. She doesn’t believe that the Nazis will invade France…but invade they do, in droves of marching soldiers, in caravans of trucks and tanks, in planes that fill the skies and drop bombs upon the innocent. When a German captain requisitions Vianne’s home, she and her daughter must live with the enemy or lose everything. Without food or money or hope, as danger escalates all around them, she is forced to make one impossible choice after another to keep her family alive.
Vianne’s sister, Isabelle, is a rebellious eighteen-year-old, searching for purpose with all the reckless passion of youth. While thousands of Parisians march into the unknown terrors of war, she meets Gaëtan, a partisan who believes the French can fight the Nazis from within France, and she falls in love as only the young can…completely. But when he betrays her, Isabelle joins the Resistance and never looks back, risking her life time and again to save others.
REVIEW: True to Kristin Hannah’s storytelling, I was sobbing by the time I finished this book. She has an unparalleled way of pulling her readers into her stories and leading them through every possible emotion. I don’t know how she does it, but I’m always left in awe of her talent. The Nightingale is a heartbreaking tale of love, war, family, sorrow, strength, and survival. If you aren’t deeply touched in some way by what Vianne and Isabelle go through, then you should seriously check your pulse. I highly recommend this book to everyone - just make sure you keep the Kleenex within reach.
Friday, April 30, 2021
Review - The 5 Love Languages
AUTHOR: Gary Chapman
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Falling in love is easy. Staying in love—that’s the challenge. How can you keep your relationship fresh and growing amid the demands, conflicts, and just plain boredom of everyday life?
In the #1 New York Times international bestseller The 5 Love Languages, you’ll discover the secret that has transformed millions of relationships worldwide. Whether your relationship is flourishing or failing, Dr. Gary Chapman’s proven approach to showing and receiving love will help you experience deeper and richer levels of intimacy with your partner—starting today.
The 5 Love Languages is as practical as it is insightful. Updated to reflect the complexities of relationships today, this new edition reveals intrinsic truths and applies relevant, actionable wisdom in ways that work.
Includes the Love Language assessment so you can discover your love language and that of your loved one.
REVIEW: This is a great book for married couples. I've been married almost 30 years, and I thought I knew everything there was to know about my husband, but this book helped open my eyes to a couple of different aspects of our relationship. Dr. Chapman offers very good advice. The only thing that made me cringe were some of the stories he shared about his clients, but this had nothing whatsoever to do with Dr. Chapman himself. (There were a couple of his male clients who I wanted to reach through the book and smack upside the head!) I would recommend this book to all married couples...and singles too! Honestly, I believe everyone can benefit from reading it, no where what stage of life you're in.
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Review - Big Summer
AUTHOR: Jennifer Weiner
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Six years after the fight that ended their friendship, Daphne Berg is shocked when Drue Cavanaugh walks back into her life, looking as lovely and successful as ever, with a massive favor to ask. Daphne hasn’t spoken one word to Drue in all this time—she doesn’t even hate-follow her ex-best friend on social media—so when Drue asks if she will be her maid-of-honor at the society wedding of the summer, Daphne is rightfully speechless.
Drue was always the one who had everything—except the ability to hold onto friends. Meanwhile, Daphne’s no longer the same self-effacing sidekick she was back in high school. She’s built a life that she loves, including a growing career as a plus-size Instagram influencer. Letting glamorous, seductive Drue back into her life is risky, but it comes with an invitation to spend a weekend in a waterfront Cape Cod mansion. When Drue begs and pleads and dangles the prospect of cute single guys, Daphne finds herself powerless as ever to resist her friend’s siren song.
A sparkling novel about the complexities of female friendship, the pitfalls of living out loud and online, and the resilience of the human heart, Big Summer is a witty, moving story about family, friendship, and figuring out what matters most.
REVIEW: First of all, to say I saw myself in the heroine, Daphne Berg, would be an understatement. Her self-consciousness because of her plus-sized body. Her self-deprecating manner when it came to her skinny, beautiful friends. Feeling “less than” in certain areas of her life because of her size. Yeah...I felt that. This was my first time reading Mrs. Weiner’s work, and I really enjoyed it. I was kind of surprised when the plot thickened into a whodunit murder mystery, but I liked how it all came together, and the happy, feel-good ending brought a huge smile to my face. I would recommend it to everyone, and I look forward to reading more of this author’s work in the future.
Saturday, April 17, 2021
One Step Closer to the Sullivan Book Nook
SO HAPPY! I finally have my official charter number and plaque for my Little Free Library! One step closer to completing it and making this long awaited dream come true!
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