Book Review - Don't Look for Me; Wendy Walker

                                                         Don't Look for Me; Wendy Walker

                                                  St. Martin's Press & Macmillan Audio - 2020

Don't Look for Me, a dark, thriller full of twists, was a combo read for me (eGalley and audio download). The audio was read by Therese Plummer who did a great job.

In this story Molly Clark is a wife and a mother and her life is a mess.  Her youngest child was struck and killed by a car at the age of 6 and, Molly was driving the car that killed her daughter.  Her older children. a daughter and a teenage son barely speak to her now and her husband has been avoiding her as well. 

When Molly fails to return home one rain and stormy night, her car abandoned on the side of the road with her cell phone still inside, foul play is suspected. However, when a note left in a casino hotel room miles away that appears to have been written by Molly, just maybe Molly decided to walk away from her miserable life?

This was a fast-paced thriller that could have easily been read in one sitting. I found myself trying to piece it all together and, although it wasn't quite perfect, it did hook me and had more than a few surprises. I always love when a story is just too riveting to put down.  

Rating - 4.5/5 stars

6 Kids Books from Candlewick Press

 

Just look at these terrific new books for children. Books and the topics offered sure have come a long way since I was a child or, even since my own children were young.

Anatomicum: Welcome to the Museum - Jennifer Z Paxton - Step inside the pages of Anatomicum to enjoy the experience of a museum from the comfort of your own home. The 2019 offering from Welcome to the Museum guides readers through the human body, from the muscles we use to show emotion, to the delicate workings of the brain. With sumptuous artwork by Katy Wiedemann and expert text by professor Dr Jennifer Z Paxton, this beautiful book is a feast of anatomical knowledge.

One of a Kind : A Story About Sorting & Classifying - Neil Packer - It’s classified! With intricate artwork and refreshingly simple language, Neil Packer’s introduction to the many ways of ordering things will thrill the detail-oriented among us.

Meet Arvo. Now look at his family tree. Meet his cat, Malcolm, and check out Malcolm’s family tree, too. Whether people or cats, buildings or books, food or vehicles, there’s a category for everything. And in this mesmerizing narrative introduction to taxonomy, readers follow Arvo through his day to learn about the order of the animal kingdom, to his music lesson to help categorize instruments, and across town to classify cloud formations he sees along the way. Neil Packer’s detailed illustrations and simple narrative are perfect for readers who itch to classify and find order in their daily lives. (Grades 2-5)

The Secret Starling: Judith Eagle - Clara Starling lives a life of dull rules, deadly routine, and flavorless meals under her cold uncle's strict regime—until the day Uncle disappears, leaving Clara alone in his old mansion. When streetwise orphan Peter and his rescue cat arrive unexpectedly, the children seize the chance to live by their own rules. But when the pair’s wild romps through the halls of Braithwaite Manor reveal a single, worn ballet slipper, they are hurled into a mystery that will lead to London’s glittering Royal Opera House and the unraveling of twisted Starling family secrets of poison, passion, and murder. Diabolical villains, plucky orphans, and glamorous ballet stars populate this absorbing adventure with a classic feel.

Wonder Women of Science: Fletcher and Rue - What does it take to be a STEM genius? Check out these exciting, highly readable profiles of a dozen contemporary women who are on the cutting edge of scientific research.

Searching the cosmos for a new Earth. Using math to fight human trafficking. Designing invisible (and safer) cars. Unlocking climate-change secrets. All of this groundbreaking science, and much more, is happening right now, spearheaded by the diverse female scientists and engineers profiled in this book. 

Meet award-winning aerospace engineer Tiera Fletcher and twelve other science superstars and hear them tell in their own words not only about their fascinating work, but also about their childhoods and the paths they traveled to get where they are—paths that often involved failures and unexpected changes in direction, but also persistence, serendipity, and brilliant insights. Their careers range from computer scientist to microbiologist to unique specialties that didn’t exist before some amazing women profiled here created them. Here is a book to surprise and inspire not only die-hard science fans, but also those who don’t (yet!) think of themselves as scientists. Back matter includes reading suggestions, an index, a glossary, and some surprising ideas for how to get involved in the world of STEM. (Grades 4-7)

A Kitten Named Holly (Jasmine Green Rescues) - Helen Peters - Animal lover Jasmine Green is back to rescue an adorable kitten, just in time for the holidays.

On her family’s farm, Jasmine and her best friend, Tom, find the ideal clubhouse for their animal rescue group. But much to their surprise, the shed is already home to a feral cat and her three kittens. When the mother cat leaves, abandoning one of her babies, Jasmine and Tom feel compelled to step in and raise the tiny kitten. But with a house full of rescued animals—and a veterinarian mother who has reached her limit—will Jasmine be able to keep another pet? Or is it someone else’s turn to make a new animal friend? A holiday backdrop and some lighthearted family mayhem add to the charm of this feline-focused addition to the Jasmine Green Rescues series—perfect for readers who think that animals are the best gift of all. (Grades 2-4)

Leonard: My Life As a Cat: Carlie Sorosiak - He’s not a stray house cat, he’s an immortal being. And now he must choose whether to return to his planet or remain with his new human friend in a humorous, heart-tugging story from the author of I, Cosmo.

The cat that Olive rescues from a flood has a secret: he’s not really a cat at all, but an alien who crashed to Earth on a beam of light. The cat, whom Olive names Leonard, was prepared to visit the planet as a human—but something went wrong. Now Leonard may never know what it’s like to hold an umbrella, go bowling, or host a dinner party. (And his human jokes still need some work: Knock, knock. Who’s there? Just Leonard. It is me.) While Olive worries about whether she will have to move after her mom and her new boyfriend get back from their summer vacation, Leonard tries to figure out how to get from South Carolina to Yellowstone National Park, because if he’s not there at the end of the month, he’ll miss his ride home. But as Olive teaches Leonard about the beautiful and confusing world of humans, he starts to realize how much he cares about this particular one. A sweet and dryly funny story about what it means to be human—and what it means to be home. (Grades 3-7)

Thank you to Candlewick Press for sending these lovely books my way. 

(I will share my reviews on each soon)

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - The Talented Miss Farwell; Emily Gray Tedrowe

Welcome to First Chapter/Intros, now hosted by Yvonne @ Socrates Book Reviews. Each week readers post the first paragraph (or 2) of a book they are reading or that they plan to read soon. 

The Talented Miss Farwell; Emily Gray Tedrowe

Custom House - 2020 

 

 1

Pierson, Illinois

1979

Fourteen-year-old Becky Farwell lay on the horn with her forearm.

Daddy, let's go!

Engine running, she tilted the rearview mirror to study her eye makeup, a wash of greens running dark to light from her eyelashes to eyebrows. Greens, of course, because the magazines all said redheads had to, even indistinct blond-red mixes like her own.  What she really wanted was the set that gave you three kinds of purple, pale violet to dusky eggplant. Becky ran a quick calculation on how much she was owed by the four girls she did homework for--geometry and algebra, although she could stretch up to pre-calc too, even as a ninth-grader.  Though for pre-calc all she could guarantee was a B, not that any of the girls complained.  Sometimes she took payment in shoes, like the almost-new Tretorns she had on now, without socks because no one did.  Becky flipped the mirror back with a snap.  They needed cash too bad to daydream about makeup.

This is one book I've been eyeing and it's getting very good reviews as a crime novel.  What do you think - read more or pass?

Book Review - Nursing Homes are Murder; Mike Befeler

 

Nursing Homes Are Murder; Mike Befeler

                                                                      Five Star Pub - 2014 

Eighty-year-old Paul Jacobson has been on vacation with his new wife and family in Honolulu when he is asked to go undercover.  The job is to pose as a nursing home resident to help crack a case in a home where a few female residents have been robbed or sexually assaulted during the night.  Paul agrees and his wife Marion is housed in a condo next door to the facility for the interim.

Paul has a great memory by day but, come sundown confusion sets in and he must resort to writing things that happen in a journal.  Paul and his blind, war veteran roommate get along great. As Paul snoops around meeting residents and asking questions, it seems like there are several potential suspects to keep tabs on.

I was in need of a quick read, something totally different pre-election and, this cozy mystery that sat on my shelves for years fit the bill.  I liked the humor, lots of funny things happened even though it was sometimes over done, I liked it. The quirky seniors made me smile. 

I learned afterward that this was a series book (book 6 of a 6 book series with Paul Jacobson as amateur - sleuth). Since I hadn't read anything else by this author,  I wondered what  Paul's job was pre-retirement? I'm guessing he might have been a detective as why would he have been asked to go under cover?  Despite stepping in mid-stream, I still had fun with this one.

Rating - 3.5/5 stars

Book Review - Polar Bear in the Snow; Mac Barnett (Ill. Shawn Harris)

 

A Polar Bear in the Snow; Mac Barnett (Ill. Shawn Harris)

Candlewick Press - 2020

A polar bear asleep blends in with the snow, that is until he begins to wake and shows us his dark-colored nose and then is dark eyes and finally his full form. But, where is he going on his journey? Each turn of the page makes the wonder what adventure does the polar bear have in store. Is he traveling to visit the seals or, perhaps he just wants to play?

Sometimes simplicity is everything and, this book is a perfect example. I liked the simple text and the illustrations. Cleverly illustrated with a paper cut and ink design that makes the landscape look quite barren but, then as we turn a page we see the deep blue sea for contrast.

This is a sweet winter treat to be enjoyed in front of the fireplace or with a nice cup of hot cocoa. (Pre-K to Grade 1)

Rating - 4.5/5 stars

Thanks to Candlewick Press for sending this book my way in exchange for my unbiased review

Disloyal: A Memoir The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J Trump; Michael Cohen

 DID NOT READ - I JUST COULDN'T DO IT!

Welcome to First Chapter/Intros, now hosted by Yvonne @ Socrates Book Reviews. Each week readers post the first paragraph (or 2) of a book they are reading or that they plan to read soon.  I haven't read any political books over the last (4) years but, this is one that got my attention. 

Disloyal; Michael Cohen (a memoir)

Skyhorse Publlishing - 2020

FORWARD The Real Donald Trump

"The President of the United States wanted me dead.

Or, let me say it the way Donald Trump would: He wouldn't mind if I were dead. That was how Trump talked. Like a mob boss, using language carefully calibrated to convey his desires and demands, while at the same time employing deliberate indirection to insulate himself and avoid actually ordering a hit on his personal former attorney, confidant, consigliore, and, at least in my heart, adopted son."

Curious or pass?

October Reading Highlights - What Will November 2020 Bring?

 

Happy Halloween

This year all 3 granddaughters got together for an outdoor scavenger hunt in the melting snow. Not your typical New England Halloween but, given COVID and the unexpected pre-Halloween snow this worked.

How was your October? Are you happy it's over? I feel like I've been wishing my life away this past year given all we have been through (not us personally, but, our country in general.)  

October was a very good month for me reading-wise. My reading numbers were up as I just couldn't stand to watch the news in recent weeks, many of you feel the same I am sure.  We voted early, by mail, as our virus numbers are beginning to creep up as there are everywhere else it seems.  

I started watching a new series last week, The Undoing, starring Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant & Donald Sutherland. It's on HBO and I'm hooked - psych thriller feel.  It's based on the book: You Should Have Known ; Jean Hanff Korelitz (I just purchased the eBook for $2.99 so hope to read it soon).

Book Group

Wednesday was my library book group meeting. We hoped to meet in the park one last time before it was too cold but, it was pouring out so it was a Zoom meeting instead. There were (8) of us and our read was Two-Family House (2016); Lynda Cohen-Loigman - St. Martin's Press. I actually read the book when it was released in 2016 and I liked it a lot. The group enjoyed the story, a debut novel, but, we agreed it was not fine literature. It did make for a good discussion. What was surprising was all of us, except for one person grew up in Two-Family houses as children. Who knew it was that common?In my case, my family lived on the first floor and my grandfather, an unmarried uncle and an unmarried aunt lived on the second floor. (Built in baby-sitters, I guess)

Our next meeting isn't until January as we don't meet over the holidays and, this year we won't be having a Holiday luncheon due to the virus.

(My 2016 Review Here)

Here's a snapshot of what I read in October:

                                                                              Favorite Fiction

                                                                           Favorite Non-Fiction

October Reads (14)

YTD - (105)

1. The Death October of Vivek Oji; Akwaeke Emezi - (5/5 (audio/Oct.)
2. Hieroglyphics; Jill McCorkle - 4.5/5 - (print/library/Oct)
3. The Mothers; Brit Bennett - 3.5/5 - (eGalley/audio combo/Oct)
4. Ghostology; Curtle & Steel - 5/5 (print/October)
5. Where's Waldo? Spooky Spotlight Search; Martin Handford (print/October)
6. Love is Powerful; Heather Dean Brewer - 5/5 (print/October)
7. Fresh Water for Flowers; Valerie Perrin - 4.5/5 (print/library/Oct)
8. Dear Edward; Ann Napolitano - 4/5 - (audio/October)
9. His & Hers; Alice Feeney - 4/5 - (print/audio/October)
10. Confessions on the 7:45; Lisa Unger - 2.5/5 (audio/October)
11. His Truth is Marching On: John Lewis & the Power of Hope; Jon Meacham - NF-5/5 (eGalley/Oct)
12. Channel Kindness; Born This Way Foundation Reporters & Lady Gaga - 5/5 NF (print/library/Oct)
13. Goodnight, Beautiful; Aimee Molloy - 3.5/5 (audio/October)
14. White Ivy; Susie Yang - 4.5/5 - (eGalley/October)

RIPXV 

I read all (4) books that I planned to read for the challenge plus (3) additional ones that would fit the bill.

4.5/5 stars

5/5 stars

3.5/5 stars

Movies - I only watched (1) creepy movie in October: Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (love that movie but, my God). We did watch  (3) other no-creepy ones The Art of Racing in the Rain , Richard Jewell and The Green Book once again - all excellent movies.

November Plans

I never formally join "Non-Fiction November" but, I do try to read a few.  This year I hope to read these NF titles:

• Big Kibble; Buckley (The Hidden Dangers in the Pet Food Industry)
• Greenlights; Matthew McConaughey
• Good Morning Monster; Gildiner (I meant to read this last month but time ran out)

November Fiction Possibilities

• The Talented Miss Farewell; Emily Gray Tedrowe
• Mexican Gothic; Silvia Morena-Garcia
• The Pull of the Stars; Emma Donoghue
• Don't Look For Me; Wendy Walker
• The Christmas Table; Donna VanLiere
• Snow, John Banville
• Summer Longing; Jamie Brenner