Tidy Up Your Life

Tyler Moore and his wife live in a small two bedroom/1 bathroom apartment in New York with their three little girls. It may sound impossible to some who have sprawled out living spaces in the suburbs with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, not to mention the built in storage of garage, basement and attic. The Moore family had a lot less square footage to maintain. It is interesting to read the challenge of assessing what you “need” and how to keep any sized space clean and organized. With a background as a school teacher and administrator, Tyler was good at accomplishing his to-do-list with little ones underfoot. But stress and anxiety of a busy work life and family responsibilities can take its toll. Tyler discovered methods to keep his home tidy and everyone in it happy. As he morphed into his life as “tidy dad” through social media (some of his videos went viral!) He realized that with space, time and financial budget in mind anyone can create the life they want and most importantly prioritize what you need. This light, entertaining read is filled with great tips and motivating ideas for any sized space. If you are ready to take the spring cleaning plunge, check it out! It took thirty years of marriage for my hubby to start doing the dishes. So, yeah, you can change old habits and it is worth a try! ⭐⭐⭐

The Tell

Amy Griffin spent her early years on the track team in Amarillo, Texas. She ran and ran. It calmed her and helped her maintain focus. In college she ran and in Amy’s later years as a busy, working mother she continued to pound the pavement through New York City, her new hometown. The question that always lurked behind the miles, what was she running from? In her search for the underlying cause of her panic and anxiety, Amy underwent MDMA-assisted therapy where she discovered memories of childhood abuse that had been buried for most of her life. Slowly, visions and stories surfaced that had Amy digging deeper into who, what and where this all happened. And most importantly, how in the world did nobody know? With the unyielding support of her husband and family, Amy slowly put the pieces of her mystery together and confronted the horrifying truth. Without knowing how others would react, Amy basically had to rewrite the idyllic childhood she had always treasured. This beautiful, intelligent woman was a mother, sister, daughter, wife and friend to many and for the very first time Amy would be asking for help. With complete honestly and raw description of her innermost thoughts, Amy’s memoir shares her story with the world. It would be therapeutic for anyone to journal their feelings but to make it public takes a bravery that most people would find impossible. Hopefully Amy’s words help others experiencing this kind of pain if only to know they are not alone. This memoir was super hyped by our famous reader leaders. It is very well written (wow) but sad and painful to read. It is not too long and I think it is worthwhile for many reasons. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It's A Love Story

Jane Jackson grew up on television. As an adolescent actress she played Janey Jakes on a hit tv show that paid the bills and made her famous. All grown up now Jane works behind the scenes for a Hollywood studio with her eye on the prize - getting a script she discovers the green light. Frustrated at thirty that is hasn’t happened yet, she finally found the one. True Story is a romance she is sure will be a hit! Now Jane must convince her boss Nathan to take a chance. Without the explosions and flash appeal of the action flicks he favors, Jane reaches for her one secret move. Jane is intent on convincing Jack Quinlin, a huge singer/songwriter (she knew back in the day) to write a theme song for the movie. Jane is paired with a cinematographer and her nemesis Dan to make this deal happen. Jane and Dan, who can barely stand each other, head to the east coast for a music festival to beg Jack to help them out. They spend the week nearby at Dan’s family home that is filled with siblings, babies and laughter, revealing a completely different Dan. As the pair search for Jack and finally lower their guards, their chemistry becomes undeniable. Fast paced laugh-out-loud, adorable romance - this beach read is the absolute perfect pick for a day at the beach!  Releases May 27, 2025. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Names

Today is the day Cora must fill out the paperwork at the birth registrars office. She goes into town with little Maia by her side and baby boy in his pram. Silently grieving, she cannot imagine naming this beautiful child Gordon after his father and father’s father. The name denotes a history of arrogant, ruthless men who control her life. As a physician, everyone imagines her husband Gordon is a dream, a catch. Handsome, kind to his patients, intelligent and able to provide all the luxuries life has to offer. Little do they realize what her life is behind the closed doors of their home, virtually a prison. Cora imagines what life would be like to name the baby Julian, while 8 year old Maia dreams of Bear. Cora also envisions the terrifying consequences of going against her husband’s wishes. As the reader delves into the parallel worlds the boy’s given name dictates his future self and in turn simultaneously affects completely different lives for both Maia and Cora. Although the description of domestic abuse is extremely difficult to digest, this debut novel is both gorgeously written and heartbreaking. The themes of generational trauma, personal identity and motherhood make this layered story a thought provoking and necessary read. Releases May 6, 2025.  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Broken Country

Beth lives in a quaint village in the English countryside. As a teenager in the 1950s, while most of her peers dream of marriage and babies, Beth, a studious girl, dreams of studying literature and poetry at Oxford. The summer before her final year of high school, she wanders through a meadow and meets Gabriel. They fall madly in love. Gabriel, a year older and extremely wealthy, shares her passion for writing. He is beautiful, gentle, and completely captivates Beth’s heart. However, his controlling mother disapproves, believing Beth isn’t good enough for her son. Determined to keep them apart, she does everything in her power to sabotage their relationship. Fast-forward to the late 1960s—Beth is married to Frank. Together, they run a large farm with his brother, Jimmy, while still mourning the loss of their son, Bobby. After a decade of silence, Gabriel suddenly returns. The village erupts in gossip, judging Beth for reconnecting with her first love. Through it all, kind and steadfast Frank remains unwavering in his commitment to their marriage and farm. Shifting between past and present, we are led to a courtroom trial. Someone stands accused of murder. But who is on trial? Who was killed? And why? This novel is a breathtaking rollercoaster of love, heartbreak, and secrets. Suspenseful and beautifully crafted these short, gripping chapters make it utterly unputdownable. The biggest compliment I can ever give a book: I didn’t want it to end. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wild Dark Shore

The Salt family has spent the last nine years living in a lighthouse on the remote island of Shearwater, near Antarctica. As caretakers of a once-thriving seed bank, they have watched the world’s climate deteriorate into chaos. With the weather growing increasingly hostile, they are tasked with organizing the final seed crates while awaiting naval rescue. Dominic Salt, a tireless problem-solver who can fix anything, has raised three children who have become brilliant autodidactic scientists, each specializing in their own field. Their love for nature, animals, and one another is unwavering. After losing their mother, the family sought refuge on this isolated island, finding solace among seals, birds, and whales, far from human interference. Everything changes when seventeen-year-old Fen discovers an unconscious woman washed up on the shore—an impossible event in this remote place. As they nurse her back to health, they learn her name is Rowan. But the truth of how she arrived unfolds slowly, revealing secrets that threaten to upend everything. This suspenseful, atmospheric novel is filled with beauty, loss, and moral dilemmas. Loosely inspired by Macquarie Island and the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, it will haunt you long after the final page. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Let's Call Her Barbie

In 1956 little girls played with baby dolls. They were practicing to be good mothers and little helpers. Ruth Handler thought otherwise. As she and her husband Elliot led Mattel Toy Company to become one of the largest in the world, Ruth was determined to single handedly change the way the people viewed women and to teach girls to reach for the stars. Ruth’s vision was the Barbie doll and it took three hardworking years to produce the very first 11 inch rubber doll. Barbie would be beautiful, fashionable, successful and independent. As the Mattel creative teams got to work Ruth faced many obstacles in the boardroom and with the public. The fan mail was not always positive and it would take many years for mothers to see the value in purchasing this doll for their children to dream. In an era when men were in charge, this tiny outspoken woman would not accept no for an answer. She created and fought for Barbie, a cultural icon which over the decades has evolved reflecting societal changes and embracing diversity as well as empowerment. To date more than 1 billion Barbies have been sold. Barbie has introduced over 100 dolls representing various ethnicities and has held more than 200 jobs, including roles as an astronaut and a president. This novel is a glimpse into the history of Barbie, alongside the fascinating life of Ruth Handler, a woman way ahead of her time. As Ruth famously quotes “Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices." ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Every Tom Dick & Harry

Emma Lewis feels like a kid coming home again. After achieving multiple degrees in college she is back in Harrow, Massachusetts and needs a job. As her parents ready to retire she reluctantly moves into their home and is handed Finders Keepers, their successful estate sales business. As Emma takes on quirky customers with a modern twist she stumbles upon the sale of the century signing up the largest mansion in their town that was just put up for sale. Upon her appraisal inspection Emma discovers that this monstrous home was not the quaint bed and breakfast everyone thought it was. It was secretly or not so secretly a brothel servicing some of the most prominent members in the community. With hidden filing cabinets and a trove of valuable items to sell, Emma puts her personal feelings aside and is ready to make a windfall. At the same time she is falling for the new police chief who she went to high school with. This lanky, shy boy has grown into a confident hunk and the most legible bachelor in town. This light romantic comedy is an adorable breezy read and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Funnily, I find myself itching to do a yard sale or at the very least some spring cleaning! ⭐⭐⭐⭐