Book Review - The Authenticity Project; Clare Pooley

The Authenticity Project; Clare Pooley

Penguin Books - 2020

The Authenticity Project is one of those books I would have passed over had it not been our book group pick for March.  I didn't love it but, I did like it enough to stick with it and found the premise unique.

Julian Jessup is and elderly widower living in a London. He is lonely and beginning to feel like he is invisible in this big city - people hurrying about, never getting a chance to really know their neighbors.  He comes up with an idea.....he leaves a green notebook in a cafe in which he has written the following:

What results is several very different strangers, all who wish to change or improve their lives are brought together when they happen upon the notebook.  For starters there are Julian 79, an artist who tends to stand out in a crowd, followed by Monica 37, the cafe owner and a former lawyer who wants more from her life as well as Timothy "Hazard" Ford,  39, an investment type who likes the good life and has a problem with drugs; he wants to change his life, Alice, 26, a mommy Instagram Influencer whose real life isn't like the one she portrays online.

This novel was released during 2020's pandemic when many people were feeling isolated and lonely.  I can now understand why it has been so popular.  Haven't most of us at one time or another longed to be a part of a small group of people who understood us and liked us for who we were? This is a book that shows us the best in people. Yes, the characters.are quirky but, the story just works. As each new person reads the entries left behind, not only are they able relate but, they are also more empowered to share their own stories.  I wasn't sure I'd like this one, especially when "Hazard" was introduced toward the beginning but, in the end I even warmed up to him.

Although I didn't get a chance to attend the book group meeting, I did hear back that everyone seemed to enjoy this one.  Have you read this one?

Rating - 4/5 stars

(2) Book reviews - The Operator; Gretchen Berg and The Party Upstairs; Lee Conell

The Operator; Gretchen Berg

Harper Audio - 2020

The premise of this novel really appealed to me:  small town, 1950's, nosy switchboard operator  and secrets exposed. 

Set mostly in the 1950's (some 1920s), in the small town of Wooster, Ohio lives Vivian Dalton, husband Edward and daughter Charlotte.  Vivian works as a switchboard operator for Bell.  Although it's against company policy, one day Vivian listens in on a call of Betty, a woman who thinks she's better than everyone. What she hears involves Edward, Vivian's husband so she is shocked to say the least but, she's determined to get to the bottom of the rumor.

What I liked about the story was that it took me back to my childhood (born in the 1950s); we too had a party line and could listen to conversations of the other party although I don't think we knew who the other party was. I liked the small town references and happenings of those earlier times but, overall the writing felt choppy and slow. The (2) timelines were a tad confusing as well on audio.  Although I am not sorry I tried this one, overall it was somewhat disappointing. The audio narrator: Allyson Ryan did a good job.

Rating - 3.5/5 stars

The Party Upstairs; Lee Conell

Penguin Press - 2020

Set on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, where Martin, his wife Debra and their 24 year old daughter Ruby live in a windowless basement apartment where Martin has worked as the building's superintendent. For over 30 years he's catered to the needs and complaints of the building's elite residents. Martin's a hard-working but bitter man who likes to meditate each morning before things get busy in the building (he's on call 24/7)

As the story begins he has asked his daughter Ruby to join him in some meditation. She has an art history degree but is unemployed and has plenty of college debt.  She's about to interview for her dream job with the Museum of Natural History, while her affluent childhood friend, Caroline, who has lived in the penthouse apartment prepares for a big party that evening. Caroline is also unemployed.

Played out over the course of 24 hours, The Party Upstairs is an interesting look at social classes and the class divide. Some of the characters are arrogant and just plain obnoxious and others hostile and offensive. I also found the writing style a bit off-putting at times.  This is another book that I had high hopes for but, I ended up underwhelmed.

Rating - 3/5 stars

2 somewhat disappointing reads from 2020

TITLE: Death in Her Hands

AUTHOR:  Ottessa Moshfegh

PUBLISHER:  Penguin Press

PUB. YEAR: 2020

SETTING: ?? cabin in the woods

Format: audio download (Ann Marie Lee, Narrator)

Rating - 2.5/5

As the story opens Vesta, a recent widow in her 70s, is taking a walk in the woods with her dog Charlie when she finds a note on the ground held in place by stones. The note read "Her name was Magda. Nobody will ever know who killed her. It wasn't me. Here is her dead body."

Vesta moved to a cabin in the woods on the lake after her husband died.  Since she is new to the area, and doesn't know anyone she finds herself obsessing over the note in the woods, imagining the life that Magda might have lived. As she ponders the life of Magda, we get some insight into Vesta's mindset and her unhappiness about how her own life has played out.

I've read several books by the this author which I really enjoyed but, this one was not one of them.  Told in a stream of consciousness style from the imaginings of a lonely old woman living an isolated life, I kept waiting for a revelation but, I ended up disappointed overall. I found that I couldn't even feel sorry for this lonely, isolated woman, if I was able to, I think my rating would have been a bit higher.

TITLE: Saint X

AUTHOR:  Alexis Schaitkin

PUBLISHER:  Celadon Books

PUB. YEAR: 2020

Setting: NY and Caribbean

Format: eBook purchase

Rating - 2.5/5

In 1990 a family from NY is vacationing on Saint X, a fictional 5 star resort in the Caribbean.  It's a vacation that ends in tragedy for their college freshman daughter, Allison.  Although there were (2) suspects in Allison's death, they were released when authorities decided there just wasn't enough evidence to hold the young men. As a result, the husband, wife and Claire, their 7 year old daughter, are forced to leave the island and attempt to rebuild their lives in NY.

This is not a story about one brilliant young woman's death but, how the younger sister is affected by the loss of the much older sister she had idolized.  Once the family returns home, the story fast forwards pretty quickly to Claire as a young woman who has now become obsessed with her sister's death and how her life has been affected.

As I read this story I immediately thought of the Natalee Holloway case (2005) who disappeared from Aruba on her senior high school trip and although she was never found, she has since been declared dead.

Although I was immediately drawn into this story, I had a problem with the writing style, quite often I found I never knew who was speaking. I also thought that the the ending was a disappointing.

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - The Winters; Lisa Gabriele

Each Tuesday, Vicki, from I’d Rather Be At The Beach hosts First Chapter 

First Paragraph Tuesday Intros where readers post the opening paragraph(s)

 of a book that they are reading or plan to read. Here's my pick for this week:

The Winters; Lisa Gabriele

Penguin - 2020

ONE

"Last night Rebekah tried to murder me again.  It had been a while since I'd had that dream, not since we left Asherley, a place I called home for one winter and the bitterest part of spring, the dream only ever recurring when Max was gone and I'd find myself alone with Dani."

What do you think - read more or pass?

(I received print copy from publisher for review)

The End of Loneliness; Benedict Wells

TITLE: The End of Loneliness
AUTHOR:  Benedict Wells

PUBLISHER:  Penguin 

PUB. YEAR: 2019

SETTING:  Germany
FORMAT:  -  ARC ( 272 pp)
RATING: 3.5/5

Lately it seems I'm drawn to books that turn out to be sad or more depressing than I expected. So is the case with The End of Loneliness, it's translated from German, deep, moving and sad.

Set in Munich Germany in the 80's,  this story follows Jules Moreau who was just 11 years old when his parents died in a car accident and he and his older siblings, Liz and Marty were orphaned.  Sent to a depressing boarding school the trio is separated and Jules withdraws more and more into himself. It's a girl named Alva who has her own sad past who begins to make Jules see some light at the end of the tunnel.  As adulthood approaches sadly, Alva moves on while Jules struggles with his life and wonders whether he might ever see her again.

The story begins some 30 years after the children were orphaned after Jules was involved in a terrible motor bike accident. I thought the characters were fairly well explored and shows how each sibling dealt with the tragedy and loneliness factor they experienced in early life.  It makes you think about how different your adult life might be had fate not intervened at some critical juncture.

While I like how deep the author got into his characters, at times the translation came across strained.  It was a very good effort by the author but, for me,  just too much of a downer overall.

JoJo Moyes - After You and Still Me - 2 quick reviews

I read Me Before You, the first book in this 3 book trilogy in 2012, and, despite loving that book, books 2 and 3 of the trilogy sat on my shelves unread until this month. Here are a couple of brief reviews.

After You; Jojo Moyes

Penguin - 2015

TITLE: After You

AUTHOR: Jojo Moyes

PUBLISHER: Penguin

PUB. YEAR: 2015

SETTING:  UK
FORMAT:  - print

RATING: 4/5 stars

Book #2 takes place 18 months after the death of quadriplegic, Will Traynor. Louisa Clark was Will's caregiver and the two were in love.  Louisa is trying to get over Will's death, and with some money Will left her in his will,  she moves from her parents home in a small English village to a small flat in London. She's attending a support group with others who are grieving and still works as a barmaid at an airport bar.  However, we an accident leaves her unable to care for herself, she moves back to her parents until she recovers.

An unexpected visit from a 16 y/old girl named Lily who needs a place to stay takes Louisa by surprise, reminding her once again about the young man she lost and the fact that life does go on after a loved one dies.

I liked this one, perhaps not as much as book #1, but a good story all the same. This story winds down with Louisa receiving a job offer in the US, leaving a nice change of scene opportunity for Louisa in book #3.  I think most fans of Jojo Moyes should be pleased with this story.

Still Me; Jojo Moyes

Pamela Dorman Books - 2018

TITLE: Still Me

AUTHOR: Jojo Moyes

PUBLISHER: Pamela Dorman Books

PUB. YEAR: 2018

SETTING:  NYC
FORMAT:  - print

RATING: 3.5/5 stars

In Still Me, book #3, of the Me Before You trilogy, Louisa (Lou) has accepted a one year assignment as a social secretary to the wealthy Gopnik family in New York City.  Leonard Gopnik's new, younger wife Agnes, his formerly his masseuse, is feeling like a fish out of water.  As wife #2, this Polish immigrant is insecure about her new role and higher social class. The Gopniks occupy a 7,000 square foot 5th Avenue apartment overlooking Central Park. Louisa has a calming effect for Agnes yet, Lou must keep a delicate balance to ensure she doesn't overstep her role and lose her paycheck in the process.  Meanwhile, Louisa has met Joshua, a handsome young man, who reminds her of the love she lost, but, is she capable of keeping her emotions in check and her new life separate from the one she left behind?

This wasn't perfect but, I did enjoy watching Louisa navigate big city life in a new country.  A fun follow up novel overall.

Ana of California; Andi Teran

TITLE: Ana of California

AUTHOR: Andi Teran

PUBLISHER: Penguin

PUB. YEAR: 2015

SETTING:  California
FORMAT:  - print (my shelves)

RATING: 4/5 stars

Fifteen year old Ana Cortez has spent much of her young life in foster homes, ever since her parents and then her grandmother were murdered.  After another incident with a foster family she is told by her social worker that her next option will be a group home unless she agrees to leave east LA for a farm aide position in Northern California with sibling farm owners Emmett and Abbie Garber.

This is a story that has been compared to be "In the grand tradition of Anne of Green Gables, Bridget Jones’s Diary, and The Three Weissmanns of Westport, Andi Teran’s captivating debut novel offers a contemporary twist on a beloved classic."

Unfortunately, I haven't read any of the referenced books but, this was certainly a heartwarming, coming of age story about a young girl who had faced some very sad challenges in life.  I admired Ana's determination to do a good job on the farm and, to not be viewed as a "screw up" as some of her foster parents labeled her. The other characters like Cole, the young boy and special friend, Ana found came across as genuine and caring.  Emmett, was curt and not receptive to having Ana on the farm. He did not believe Ana would be of help, but Abbie, on the other hand, was sweet and supportive. I do wish that the ending was not as rushed as it was but, overall, I thought this was a very good story, and, I think reader who enjoy YA fiction will really like this story.

A Few New Books

Thank you Candlewick Press

• Pick a Pine Tree; Patricia Toht
• A Christmas for Bear; Bonny Becker
• Red and Lulu; Matt Tavares

• Picnic at Hanging Rock; Joan Lindsay (Penguin)
• Three Floors Up; Eshoo Nevo (Other Press)

Week in Review - Books and Movies

The first week of September passed in a blur - Two granddaughters hit new milestones, one began preschool 3 days a week and absolutely loved it, and the oldest began kindergarten, another success.  The third granddaughter gets one more year home with mom and preschool next year; we are all getting older.

Yoga, dining out, movies out, pedicure and preparing for a Vermont getaway rounded out the week.  I also finished (2) books.  

This week with will include a hair appointment,  lunch with friends from high school, yoga and time in VT.

As we enjoy perfect early fall weather, (70 degree days and 45-50 degree nights) our hearts go out to those in Houston and Florida and elsewhere affected by the recent hurricanes.

BOOKS READ this WEEK

Before, Durning and After by Richard Bausch

(2014) Knopf

Yet another more recent novel (2015) set against the backdrop of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A story in (3) parts: "Before, During and After" we meet Natasha Barrett, who works for a US Senator - her life in flux, after her most recent relationship with a married man ended.

AT a party, in April of 2001, Natasha meets Michael, a recently divorced Episcopalian priest, 16 years her senior. Great sex = plans to marry (be prepared for details). But, before they are scheduled to marry (and weeks before 9/11), she flies to Jamaica for a pre-wedding vacation while Michael stays back to attend a wedding in NYC.

Something awful happens to Natasha in Jamaica which she keeps to herself but, it's something that changes her and her relationship with Michael, leaving him confused and suspicious, leaving the reader with a story that is sure not to end well.

Great character development of flawed characters and, although the story seemed to veer off track at times and slow, for the most part it was a good story. I will say that because of all the detailed sex some readers will be put off by this novel.

4/5 stars

Little Fires Everywhere; Celeste Ng

Penguin - Sept 12, 2018

Shaker Heights, OH touted as the perfect neighborhood for a happy life, well, maybe not for every family who lives there.  We learn from the very first page that the home of the Richardson Family burns to the ground and, that the fire was most likely set by their youngest child, Izzy.

The story takes place in 1997-1998, Shaker Heights  is a neighborhood with strict rules, and strict parents who expect their children to be high achievers. In fact, he oldest daughter, Lexie is expected to enter Yale in the fall. The two sons that follow are Tripp, a popular, athlete and Moody, quiet and shy but a good student. The youngest daughter Isabel (Izzy) is seen as somewhat out of control as she's not afraid to speak her mind, and feels like she's treated differently than her siblings. Father is a defense attorney,  and nosy mom works as a local reporter. 

When Mia Warren, an artist, and teenage daughter Pearl move into the Richardson's rental house, the two soon become more entwined in the Richardson's lives, which in unplanned and unintentional ways stokes the impending fire. To say more would really lead to spoilers.

I loved this book, carefully, crafted characters, dysfunctional families, race, prejudice, secrets, and more. This one would make for a fantastic book club discussion 

fantastic story - 5/5 stars

The Glass Castle (2017) - (Overview) A young girl comes of age in a dysfunctional family of nonconformist nomads with a mother who's an eccentric artist and an alcoholic father who would stir the children's imagination with hope as a distraction to their poverty.

OMG - I loved the memoir by Jeanette Walls, and the movie was fantastic as well. Woody Harrelson plays the alcoholic father and the vivid dysfunction of this family at times brought me to tears. My husband thought it was excellent as well and we couldn't stop talking about it. Have you seen this one?

We decided to celebrate the 40th anniversary viewing of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) on the Big Screen and was happy we did. Believe it or not,  I don't think I ever saw the full movie before this - just bits and pieces. We really enjoyed this on the big screen.

Solitary Man (2009), starring Michael Douglas was one movie I had never seen, and, although it wasn't the best movie we ever saw, we enjoyed it.

(Overview) - A car magnate (Michael Douglas) watches his personal and professional life hit the skids because of his business and romantic indiscretions.

Have a Great Weekend

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Little Fires Everywhere; Celeste Ng

Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph, maybe two, of a book that I'm reading or plan to read soon. (I'm 3/4 into this one and enjoying it.)

Little Fires Everywhere; Celeste Ng

Penguin - Sept 12, 2018

1.

"Everyone on Shaker Heights was talking about it that summer: how Isabelle,the last of the Richardson children, had finally gone around the bend and burned the house down.  All spring the gossip had been about little Mirabelle McCullough--or, depending which side you are on, May Ling Chow--and now, at last, there was something new and sensational to discuss.  A little after noon on that Saturday morning in May, the shoppers pushing their grocery carts in Heinen's heard the fire engines wail to life and careen away, toward the duck pond.  By quarter after twelve there were four of them parked in a haphazard red line along Parkland Drive, where all six bedrooms of the Richardson house were ablaze, and everyone within a half mile could see the smoke rising over the trees like a dense black thundercloud.  Later people would say that the signs had been there all along: that Izzy was a little lunatic, and there had always been something off about the Richardson family, that as soon as they heard the sirens that morning they knew something terrible had happened.  By then, of course, Izzy would be long gone, leaving no one to defend her, and people could--and did--say whatever they liked.  At the moment the trucks arrived though, and for quite a while afterward, no one knew what was happening.  Neighbors clustered close to the makeshift barrier--a police cruiser, parked crosswise a hundred yards away--as they could and watched the firemen unreel their hoses with the grim faces of men who recognized a hopeless cause. Across the street, the messes at the pond ducked their heads underwater for weeds, wholly unruffled by the commotion"

Does this intro make you curious for more?

Please feel free to join in each Tuesday with your own "First Chapter, First Paragraph Intro" by linking your post from the book you are reading below.

Books Read - Week in Review - W/E - 2/11/2017

This past week was one for birthday celebrations for the hub and our first major snowstorm of the winter (it was reported that we got 13") but, fortunately, just about everything was canceled the night before and we could just stay in and enjoy the view. More snow scheduled for this weekend and another day next week -- Welcome to New England.

As some of you know we have (3) cats  (all adopted as kittens and - all senior snow. (2) are 14 years old  and (1) is 15.  We noticed that our sweet, petite Lily seemed thinner than she was at her December checkup. She was also constantly at the water fountain and turned her nose up to various food offerings (including tuna) for a few days. Off to the Vet we went yesterday where we learned she had lost 2 lbs since her December visit (she's only 5lbs now).  Not sure what is wrong with our Lily but awaiting lab reports -- please send positive vibes -- she's my lap cat by day and leg warmer by night.

UPDATE -- I'm happy to report that Lily started eating again yesterday (a lot too) The Vet called to say that her labwork was all normal (no thyroid or diabetes issues), so while this is all good news we all remain puzzled. Next step would be an ultrasound to see what might be going on, but, since she has been eating for a full 24 hours now, we decided to just watch her and hope it wasn't anything serious.  Thanks so much for all of your concern.

(pic taken 2/10/2017)

I finished (2) books this week: Excellent Women; Barbara Pym and The Impossible Fortress; Jason Rekulak (both different but liked each one).














 Excellent Women; Barbara Pym
(1952 - Penguin and Blackstone Audio) 

(My Thoughts) Excellent Women is one of those books that has been on my shelf for a while. I heard the audio, read by Jayne Entwistle, was fantastic so I borrowed the Playaway from the library -- what a terrific narration.  Excellent Woman was a wonderful comedy of manners set in 1950s England. Thirty-one year old Mildred Lathery is a sweet, likable and self described spinster.  She's a clergyman's daughter, her parents are deceased, she is smart but, one of those women "an excellent woman" that is respected but often passed over when it comes to romance. When a new couple moves into her building, she gets wrapped up in their lives and begins to realize there may be something more to life than church raffles and charity work.  

This novel is not action packed and doesn't require deep thought but, I loved the keen observations a wry humor. I highly recommend this one, a real treat. (4.5/5 stars)

The Impossible Fortress; Jason Rekulak

Simon & Schuster - 2017

(My Thoughts) - The Impossible Fortress was a fun coming of age story set in 1987. Billy Marvin and friends Alf and Clark are (3) typical 14 year-old boys who have just learned that Vanna White's nude photos are the highlight of the current issue of Playboy. The boys are determined to do whatever it takes to get copies of this magazine even though they are  too young to purchase it on their own. Sal Zelinsky owns the corner store that stocks this magazine. Sal's daughter Mary is a bright, young, overweight girl who loves computers and designing video games. Billy Marvin loves computers as well and thinks that if he begins to hang out with Mary he might somehow get closer to the coveted Vanna issue of Playboy as well. Unfortunately, Billy never anticipates what happens next. 

This is a well-written coming of age story. I enjoyed all the references to the 1980's - songs, the early Commodore 64 computer and all the crazy antics, boys being boys will do.  A story about moms, sons, teen friendship and raging hormones,  made for a fun read. (4/5 stars)

Next Up

• Setting Free the Kites; Alex George - G.P. Putnam & Sons (2017)

Have a Great Weekend All

Eleanor and Hick: The Love Affair That Shaped a First Lady; Susan Quinn

Eleanor and Hick: The Love Affair That Shaped a First Lady

Susan Quinn - (Penguin - 2016)

Although I knew Eleanor Roosevelt was a well respected and amazing woman, I had never read anything about her life before now. I devoured this book and found it to be very well written.

When FDR became president, the Roosevelt's marriage was already on shaky grounds. His mother threatened to cut ties with her son if he separated from Eleanor so the two remained married yet, in many ways they maintained separate lives. Eleanor had never wanted to assume the role as First Lady. She had a busy independent life but, her unhappiness was difficult to conceal.  FDR had several extramarital affairs before he was stricken with polio while vacationing in Maine.  The couple had six children in ten years. 

Lorena Hickok "Hick" was a reporter for the Associated Press. She later quit her job to become the reporter for the Roosevelt administration. For a number of years she had her own room next to Eleanor in the White House. The women soon became very close.  Confidants, professional advisors, friends and possibly lovers, it was not unusual for the two women to vacation together and take long weekends away.  Their relationship would span some 30 years.

Both woman had very sad childhoods and although Eleanor's family was wealthy, Hick wasn't as lucky. Her mother died when she was just 13 and her father was abusive.  She began working as a maid at the age of 14 when her stepmother kicked her out of the house.

There is so much information in this book about the accomplishments of both FDR and Eleanor that I found fascinating. The photos were wonderful as well and, although this book is 400+ pages, it was a pleasure to read and keep reading.  It's a wonderful story about a 30 year friendship that transformed two women.

The author does an impressive job chronicling not only Eleanor and Hick's relationship through excerpts from letters the two were constantly exchanging.  I felt bad about the fact Hick died several years after Eleanor and that her ashes remained unclaimed.  Her remains were eventually dumped in an unclaimed remains area of a cemetery in Rhinebeck, NY.  Fortunately, on May 10, 2000, some 32 years after her death, a simple ceremony, marker and dogwood tree were placed there and dedicated on her behalf.

5/5 stars

(sent by publisher)

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Eleanor and Hick; The Love Affair That Shaped a First Lady; Susan Quinn

Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph or two, from a book I'm reading or will be reading soon.  

Eleanor and Hick: The Love Affair that Shaped a First Lady

Susan Quinn

Penguin - 2016

INTRODUCTION

"BY THE TIME FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT was elected president in 1932, his wife Eleanor, had succeeded in forging an independent life for herself--a life of teaching, writing, and political activism.  Now she was about to become First Lady, with all the duties that would entail.  In the midst of victory celebrations, Eleanor was filled with dread about her future.

Lorena Hickok, a top reporter assigned to cover the new First Lady for the Associated Press, was one of the few who noticed Eleanor's unhappiness and took it seriously.  Hickok--'Hick' to everyone who knew her--worked patiently to gain Eleanor's trust.  By the time she wrote her stories for the AP, Eleanor and Hick had fallen in love.  Hick knew both the publishable and unpublishable reasons for Eleanor's unhappiness.  She wrote a profile that was frank about Eleanor's reluctance to become First Lady, but without revealing all the reasons why."

Based on this intro, would you read more or pass on this book?

Feel free to join in by posting your own First Chapter First Paragraph Intro and linking below.

July in Review and Some New Books

Not sure what I've got but there is nothing worst than a summer fever and body aches in the middle of a 5 day heat wave. I've been feeling under the weather since Thursday evening and yesterday I finally took my temp  yesterday and it was 100.7.  After a 4 hour mid day nap the fever seemed to break. I showered and was feeling better but, then went to bed again with more chills and, I tossed and turned all night, hopefully this virus will go away soon (no fever right now).  

July was a fairly good book for reading. I really enjoyed most of my selections.

1. Lily and the Octopus; Steven Rowley - 4/5 (eGalley) (July)
2. Vinegar Girl; Anne Tyler - 3.5/5 stars (audio) (July)
3. In a Dark Dark Wood; Ruth Ware - 4/5 (library) (July)
4. Ink and Bone; Lisa Unger - 4/5 (eGalley) (July)
5. Tuesday Nights in 1980; Molly Prentiss - 4/5 (arc) (July)
6. Before the Fall; Noah Hawley - 4.5/5 (eGalley & audio) (July)
7. The Dogs of Littlefield; Suzanne Berne - 4/5 (eGalley & Audio) (July)
8. Grief is a Thing With Feathers; Max Porter - 3.5/5 (eGalley) (July)
9. Wilde Lake; Laura Lippman - 3/5 (audio) (July)
10. The Good American; Alex George - 4.5/5 (library/bookgroup) (July)

New Books by Mail

• The House Between Tides; Sarah Maine (sent by Atria)
• Magical Jungle; Johanna Bamford (sent by Penguin)
• Intimations: Stories; Alexandra Gleeman (sent by Harper)
• Mercury; Margot Livesey (sent by Harper)
• Commonwealth; Ann Patchett (sent by Harper)
• Dear Mr. M; Herman Koch (sent by Amazon Vine & Hogarth)

Hope everyone has a great day and a wonderful August.

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Somebody I Used to Know; David Bell

Sorry - for late post today - Blogger was uncooperative uploading images!

Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros where I share the first paragraph sometimes two, of a book that I'm reading or plan to read soon. 

Somebody I Used To Know; David Bell

Penguin - 2015

Chapter One

"When I saw the girl in the grocery store, my heart stopped.

I had turned the corner into the dairy aisle, carrying a basket with just a few items in it. Cereal. Crackers. Spaghetti. Beer.  I lived alone, worked a lot, and rarely cooked.  I was checking a price when I almost ran into the girl.  I stopped immediately and studied her in profile, her hand raised to her mouth while she examined products through the glass door of the dairy cooler.  

I felt like I was seeing a ghost."


What do you think -- keep reading or pass? 
(Feel free to join in this week by posting your intro below?

13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl; Mona Awad

13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl; Mona Awad

Penguin - 2016

I rarely read chick lit these days but, when I received this book for review I decided to try it.  I do  love trying debut novels and, this one was only 214 pages.

Lizzie, AKA : Beth and Elizabeth, (her name changes as she slims down) was a heavy girl growing up through young adulthood. She has always been self conscience of her appearance. Even when she slims down and eventually becomes very, very thin her view of herself is always tainted. She is never satisfied with herself or her life for that matter.

The story is both funny and shocking at times. It felt like a realistic, yet painful portrayal of someone with a poor self image and how that can affect you your entire life. Readers who have struggled with weight or body image issues may be able to relate to this story in some way.

This was a quick read but, I wasn't a fan of the writing style overall. It's written like 13 short stories about the main character at various points in her life, but,  it was hard to determine the timeframes for each. I wish that had been better defined. For me the story felt a little choppy but, the cover was terrific -- that smudge over the word fat yet, still ever present in the mind of many who once were fat or dealt with body image issues.

3.5/5 stars

(sent by publisher)