Thursday, May 30, 2019

Rough Magic


Lara Prior-Palmer, a nineteen year old British girl, signs up to compete in The Mongol Derby, known as the world’s longest horserace. One thousand kilometers in 10 days or less, the derby recreates the horse messenger system created by Genghis Khan in the year 1224; it is the toughest, loneliest, and most unique race that exists. Completely unprepared and filled with trepidation, Lara sets off for East Asia to begin this difficult challenge through the steppes of Mongolia. Although she is initially motivated by her innocent love for horses and a naive desire to merely finish the race, she soon finds herself on a mission to become the only female and youngest winner the derby has ever known. Told in detail, with humor and painful honesty, Lara takes us along on this treacherous, demanding adventure. Knowing absolutely nothing about horses did not stop me from enjoying the ride.

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek


Cussy Mary Carter is the last of the blue-skinned people of Kentucky. It’s 1936, and with few options, Cussy has been lucky enough to get a job as a Pack Horse Librarian, a government initiative to distribute reading materials. As one of the few literate folks in this isolated mountain area, Cussy is determined to bring hope and comfort to the often forgotten people. While the men risk their lives daily at the local coal mine, these impoverished hungry women and children work their fingers to the bone, barely scraping by. This novel is both heartbreaking and beautifully written, historically defining education and socioeconomic struggles we continue to battle today. The profound joy and promise that books brought to these simple, good people is priceless.

Mine


Tessa Taylor seemingly had it all; a successful business, three beautiful children, and an adoring husband. After dropping her children off for a visit with their grandmother, in Georgia, Tessa returns to Florida to find a Category 4 hurricane unexpectedly barreling her way. Ethan is stuck in New York on business and Tessa quickly prepares their home. Getting ready to hunker down, she borrows Ethan’s iPad and discovers photos of a young, beautiful woman named Lindsey and evidence of a mysterious affair. In a fury more powerful than any hurricane, Tessa lures this woman over to ride out the storm and uncover the truth. This novel quickly escalates into a swift-moving suspenseful thriller. Narrated by both Lindsey and Tessa, Mine races with gale force winds to surely become the most intense read of the summer.

Friday, May 17, 2019

Normal People


Connell and Marianne grow up in the exact same countryside town in Ireland, but they appear to be complete opposites. Connell, getting by with his single mother, is a popular, handsome, charismatic teenager while Marianne’s home may look like a mansion but is filled with self loathing, anxiety and loneliness. Connell’s mum cleans Marianne’s home for her work and very slowly the two teenagers find each other. Fearing their secret friendship will be misunderstood, it is not until they go away to college in Dublin that they begin to learn who they truly are. This incisive peek as the couple grows towards and away and back to each other again cleverly reminds us of life’s greatest lessons. I have a penchant for Rooney’s Irish voice and whispered words that linger long after the final page. Highly recommend this beautifully written glimpse into the heart of hearts.

Monday, May 13, 2019

Under the Table


Zoey has just moved to NYC to reboot her life. Marrying her midwestern childhood sweetheart has not brought her the happily ever after she always dreamed of. They are taking a one year separation to figure things out and Zoey is ready to follow her passion by starting a catering business. She has just crashed at her bossy sisters apartment and is excited for the future when she is hired by Tristan; a nerdy, shy, uber successful computer geek. The wonderful dinner party gig leads to an out of the ordinary arrangement; Tristan hires Zoey for a complete makeover to adjust to big city life and get him out of his awkward shell. Hands off because she is technically married, it becomes harder and harder to admit her true feelings are more than just whats on the table. Light, fun, easy read, you will be smiling the whole way through this adorable rom com. My first read by author Stephanie Evanovich and will definitely not be my last!

The Last Book Party


Eve Rosen is a young woman working an entry level position at a publishing house in New York City. Her foot-in-the-door to the literary world and writing career she has always dreamed of. But Eve is bored. She hasn’t written a word in a a long time and she jumps at the chance to work for the summer as assistant to famed author Henry Grey, in his Cape Cod home. Impressed by the world that has always been just out of reach, Eve worships his poet wife Tillie and crushes on his son, an artist, who is happy to take advantage of the situation. Fascinated by the life of the famous author, Eve is honored to take on even the smallest task for this revered man. It is a long, hot summer leading up to the night of the infamous book party. Gradually Eve realizes that this world she has obsessed over is nothing more than a very long, twisted embellished story. Lessons learned the hard way, this coming of age book is an absolutely captivating read. Perfect for booklovers this summer, releases July 9th, a beach bag MUST!!

The Bride Test


Khai Diep is a smart, successful man. He has a good heart and an agreeable disposition. Khai’s overbearing Vietnamese mother cannot bear to see her handsome son miss out on love, even though he believes he is incapable of those intense feelings. She flies to Viet Nam to find the perfect bride and administer the perfect test. Three months in California to get to know Khai and all his goodness. If it’s a match, they will marry. Esme Tran is the unlikely winner. Cleaning bathrooms at the hotel, Esme exudes a unique blend of intelligence and sincerity. This is the story of friendship, of love, of everything that is unexpected when we categorize people and deem them different. Told with humor and sensitivity, author Helen Hoang’s latest is an easy, sweet summer read. It doesn’t flow quite as smoothly as her first bestseller - and frankly I think publishers are rushing these wonderful authors for marketing purposes - but nevertheless I will continue to follow her beautiful stories.

Miracle Creek


Miracle Creek, Virginia is a typical small town where the Yoo family settles to start up a medical treatment center called the Miracle Submarine. Recent immigrants, the Yoo’s quietly struggling with language and customs, finding it most difficult to fit in. As the head of their family Pak invests everything they have with a fellow Korean acquaintance into a business running a hyperbaric chamber, treating patients with pressurized dives as therapy for a variety of illnesses, autism being one of the most popular and controversial. Young helps out her husband while Mary studies for the SAT’s, her future being the primary reason for their move to America. A year has passed since a horrific explosion took place during one of the dive sessions. The murder trial has just begun and this no longer charming town is upended with accusations, mysterious clues and layers upon layers of alibis. Narrated by a multitude of suspects, the reader is instantly drawn in to the drama and misconceptions tossed violently throughout the court. When a novel’s first words are “My husband asked me to lie,” there is no stopping until the final page. This suspenseful, emotional courtroom and family saga proves to be an addictive rollercoaster. 

Friday, May 3, 2019

Otherwise Engaged


Gabe and Molly are a young couple living the artsy life in New York. Gabe writing his novel, waiting tables at night; Molly at a practical monotonous desk job to pay the bills. Patiently waiting to actually feel like a grown up, mesmerized as their friends marry and get pregnant. When Gabe unexpectedly sells his novel through Molly’s obnoxious co-worker’s agent, their lives are quickly turned upside down. Molly soon learns that The Charms of Dahlia is a fictionalized account of Gabe’s psycho ex-girlfriend. After years of Talia-less tranquility, this woman reappears grabbing every ounce of attention she can steal. This fast paced, witty romance is filled with all the neuroses most young women carry when post college life kicks in and expectations soar. Most books about books feature bookstores. But this, my reader friends, had my mind spinning! Imagine if your partner wrote about his ex, insisting it was fiction, while America drooled over their breathless love affair and every sexual position! I couldn’t even envisage how I’d write up that review! Laugh out loud, completely enjoyable and well written. Thanks author Lindsey Palmer for the perfect beach read. This is definitely a must. #stockupforsummer