Review: Call Me by Your Name

Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I had trouble deciding what to rate this. The writing is wonderful, with some absolutely brilliant sections. The last 25% was gorgeous and made up for some of the gratuitousness of the earlier sections of the book. I am not a romance reader, per se, but whether it is a straight romance or other, other the top sex scenes are sort of more than I am interested in when I read a book. This overall story could have had similar impact without the graphic nature of these scenes. I do see that they were perhaps a tool to express the depth of desire and yearning of the teenage boy who was struggling with his feelings and sexuality, but that wasn't especially my favorite aspect of this book. The ending definitely redeemed some of these aspects. So it was okay for me.
#CallMeByYourName

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Review: Strange Planet

Strange Planet by Nathan W. Pyle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nathan W. Pyle has assembled an amazing collection of hysterical takes on life on Earth as though you were a "being" from somewhere else trying to understand the crazy things that we humans do. When you look and read these through that lens, it is just the best. My son and I have been sending these back and forth daily through Instagram and they bring a smile or a LOL moment to me everyday. Some of my favorites are those between parental beings and kids and I think my all time favorite has been the being who gets sunburned and says I CRAVE STAR DAMAGE.
These are just a lighthearted take on the human condition.
A definite buy and well worth the time. You will come back to these repeatedly.
#StrangePlanet #NathanPyle

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Review: The Sun and Her Flowers

The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a remarkably powerful collection of poetry covering topics such as feminism, relationships, rape/sexual assault, immigration, love and family ties. It is divided up into five sections: wilting, falling, rooting, rising and blooming.There are many powerful poems in this collection. I think those that spoke most poignantly to me were those dealing with rape and sexual assault, such as one entitled "home". Another jarring poem is the description of being taught that saying "no" as a child was not allowed and disrespectful to adults and how this affects one's future ability to consent.
I enjoyed several of the short poems regarding feminism and empowerment. However, I think my absolute favorite is "the art of growing". This is a powerful and beautifully written poem about young women as they mature out of childhood. It really touched home, as I watch this change occur in my daughter.
I adored this collection and highly recommend it, even if poetry isn’t your usual thing.
#TheSunandHerFlowers #RupiKaur #andrewsmcmeelpublishing

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Review: I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life

I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life by Anne Bogel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Being a MMD bookclub member and frequent listener of WWIRN, I am so glad that I finally read this collection by Anne Bogel. As a podcaster and bookclub hostess, she is fantastic in her knowledge and candor. But this collection is a wonderful insight into her personal reading life through the years. Naturally, for anyone who relates to her degree of "bookwormishness" will completely relate to each story and page. I love the way she discusses the changes in her reading life over different times in her life. And the things that are so similar between bibliophiles.
While I related to something in each section, the two that resonated the most were "Bookworm Problems" and "I'd Rather Be Reading". In "Bookworm Problems", I am pretty sure that I could relate to nearly every sentence as she describes the various grapplings of a voracious reader. Hysterically funny. In "I'd Rather Be Reading", she admits to loving the reading but not the follow-up process of documentation of that reading. I completely relate and frequently get behind on this as well, or even sometimes forget altogether. But her point of relating this documentation process to keeping a travelogue to return to as a memory prompt is spot on. Great ideas and great encouragement.
Terrific read for any bibliophile in your life.
#IdRatherBeReading #AnneBogel #BakerBooks

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Review: Book Love

Book Love by Debbie Tung
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This precious little book was written about me and my people. At least, that is how it feels when you read it and enjoy the artwork. If you love to read, as many of us on GR do, then this will be your take on this book as well. This is a delightful book that highlights so many of the quirky things that bookish people do. There are the obvious ones, like being a magnet to a bookstore or library and always having a book with us but the more unique are things like preferences of physical versus e-readers and one I have been guilty of myself, using my e-reader in a physical book as a bookmark.
This is a lovely book that is a pleasure to read through but would also make a sweet gift for a bookish friend. I highly recommend it.
#BookLove #DebbieTung #andrewsmcmeelpublishing

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Review: Red at the Bone

Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is one powerful book that reads like a tome but is a short novel. It packs a tremendous punch in a small package. This is a tale of two families of different social standing who are forced together due to the romantic relationship between the teens who wind up with a baby before graduating high school. We, as the readers, get to observe the multigenerational dynamics of these families who are deeply affected by the social pressures present throughout their lives.
I think, for me, the most powerful part of the book was the chapter that dealt with 9/11. This was so well written and moving. Incredible.
Highly recommend this book.
#RedAtTheBone #JacuelineWoodson #PenguinRandomHouse

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Review: I Will Make You Pay

I Will Make You Pay by Teresa Driscoll
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Usually I am not a fan of anything involving stalker plots but this is a complete exception. I think the difference here compared to other stalker novels is this is suspenseful more than just graphic gory. I appreciate an author that brings that sophistication to the table.
This book was fabulous. From the beginning in developing the characters, where you start the shift back and forth between sets of characters right through to the ending where the twist is revealed, this is well written and thorough. For all the intricate details, one of my favorite character interactions, that is really only an aside interaction and not central to the plot is between Matthew and Ian. This is a very sweet and well done interaction between these two characters that shows the intelligence of Matthew as well as the empathy and humanity he displays. I just adored their relationship and how Matthew figured out the issue Ian was having and a solution.
This is a fast paced thriller so I don't want to spoil any major plot points, but just say that this is a well written and readable novel that is good from beginning to end.
Highly recommend for my fellow thriller readers.
#IWillMakeYouPay #NetGalley #AmazonPressUK #TeresaDriscoll

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Review: Nancy Drew: The Palace of Wisdom

Nancy Drew: The Palace of Wisdom by Kelly Thompson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an unexpected surprise. I grew up on Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys so naturally wanted my children to love them as well. The traditional books are fun as a reminiscence for me, but rather dated for them to appreciate. However, they thoroughly enjoyed this and therefore, so did I. We have played the Nancy Drew video games for many years now and this reminds me more of that, in that it is more modernized and changes with the times. My children especially appreciate this. Given that this is the target audience I would think that this is the key endorsement.
Keep them coming.
#NancyDrewThePalaceOfWisdom #NetGalley #DiamondBookDistributors

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Review: The Tanglewood Tea Shop

The Tanglewood Tea Shop by Lilac Mills
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sometimes you just need a light-hearted, quick-read romantic comedy that makes you smile and that you can't put down. This is that book. Good plot. Good characters. Good pacing. Really enjoyable reading experience.
Highly recommend when you need a lighter read.
#TheTanglewoodTeashop #Netgalley #Canelo

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Review: The Secret Child

The Secret Child by Caroline Mitchell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

DI Amy Winter is at it again....a child has gone missing and she has to find her before it is too late. This is a terrific story, well-paced and well written. My only issue with this book is that I didn't read book one first, which I believe would have made it even more enjoyable. I love these English crime thrillers and this one does not disappoint.
#TheSecretChild #Netgalley ##AmazonPublishingUK

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Review: Degrees of Difficulty

Degrees of Difficulty by Julie E. Justicz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I chose this book specifically because of my proximity to the subject and it hit home for me. Spot on. This is a well written book about a 14-year-old boy with severe neurological and developmental disabilities and his family who must adapt to living with this reality. I work with people like Ben everyday through my work and see the difficulties families go through. I also have a special needs child, who is not nearly as ill as Ben but at times seems to have also needed all the oxygen in the room. It is a draining and difficult situation for an entire family. One that seems to either break you or make you stronger. I felt like this was a realistic look at the impact really any serious, chronic illness can have on a person and their family. Some of the family members handle it one way and some another. Realistically this ebbs and flows over time, with some siblings needing more attention at times than others. This book did a terrific job in showing a realistic, rather than glorified view of this life and the difficulties within it. There are rewards, that are glamorized on Hallmark specials, and many more hard times and challenges that are overlooked and simply unknown by the outside world. From the seriousness of the medical issues to the communication problems to the guilt and heartbreak with trying to place someone in a group home. The list is endless.
This is a much appreciated work that should be highly recommended for families with special needs individuals, to know that they are not alone.
#DegreeOfDifficulty #Netgalley ##Fomite #JulieEJusticz

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Review: Red at the Bone

Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is one powerful book that reads like a tome but is a short novel. It packs a tremendous punch in a small package. This is a tale of two families of different social standing who are forced together due to the romantic relationship between the teens who wind up with a baby before graduating high school. We, as the readers, get to observe the multigenerational dynamics of these families who are deeply affected by the social pressures present throughout their lives.
I think, for me, the most powerful part of the book was the chapter that dealt with 9/11. This was so well written and moving. Incredible.
Highly recommend this book.
#RedAtTheBone #JacuelineWoodson #PenguinRandomHouse

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Review: I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life

I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life by Anne Bogel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Being a MMD bookclub member and frequent listener of WWIRN, I am so glad that I finally read this collection by Anne Bogel. As a podcaster and bookclub hostess, she is fantastic in her knowledge and candor. But this collection is a wonderful insight into her personal reading life through the years. Naturally, for anyone who relates to her degree of "bookwormishness" will completely relate to each story and page. I love the way she discusses the changes in her reading life over different times in her life. And the things that are so similar between bibliophiles.
While I related to something in each section, the two that resonated the most were "Bookworm Problems" and "I'd Rather Be Reading". In "Bookworm Problems", I am pretty sure that I could relate to nearly every sentence as she describes the various grapplings of a voracious reader. Hysterically funny. In "I'd Rather Be Reading", she admits to loving the reading but not the follow-up process of documentation of that reading. I completely relate and frequently get behind on this as well, or even sometimes forget altogether. But her point of relating this documentation process to keeping a travelogue to return to as a memory prompt is spot on. Great ideas and great encouragement.
Terrific read for any bibliophile in your life.
#IdRatherBeReading #AnneBogel #BakerBooks

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Review: The Sun and Her Flowers

The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a remarkably powerful collection of poetry covering topics such as feminism, relationships, rape/sexual assault, immigration, love and family ties. It is divided up into five sections: wilting, falling, rooting, rising and blooming.There are many powerful poems in this collection. I think those that spoke most poignantly to me were those dealing with rape and sexual assault, such as one entitled "home". Another jarring poem is the description of being taught that saying "no" as a child was not allowed and disrespectful to adults and how this affects one's future ability to consent.
I enjoyed several of the short poems regarding feminism and empowerment. However, I think my absolute favorite is "the art of growing". This is a powerful and beautifully written poem about young women as they mature out of childhood. It really touched home, as I watch this change occur in my daughter.
I adored this collection and highly recommend it, even if poetry isn’t your usual thing.
#TheSunandHerFlowers #RupiKaur #andrewsmcmeelpublishing

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Review: Chasing My Cure: A Doctor's Race to Turn Hope Into Action; A Memoir

Chasing My Cure: A Doctor's Race to Turn Hope Into Action; A Memoir by David Fajgenbaum
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a well written and relatable book for anyone either in the medical field or with a major medical condition. As a medical professional myself, I could completely relate to many of the situations that the author found himself in through the telling of his story, even the strange comfort in sitting down before a long study session in a library, at a long table with the supplies at hand. It brought back memories. The telling of his own story, how he came to work on Castleman Disease through having it and realizing that so little was known about it, from the pathophysiology to how to treat it, was truly remarkable. I know through family members or friends that have had serious medical conditions, the importance of seeking the second or third opinions and searching for the latest studies for new treatment options. His combination of expertise in medicine and then research (having completed a Masters degree) and then an MBA for the business model to gain the funding knowledge is unique as well. Most doctors are so busy becoming doctors as quickly as possible that they leave no time for the rest and really the business degree, or at least some knowledge in business would be tremendously helpful.
Clearly this will be a lifelong pursuit, which thankfully Dr. Fajgenbaum now has the time to do. I thought that when his liver tumor was found that he would surely have a paraneoplastic syndrome, and still could even with this removed. These tend to occur both before and after the associated tumors are found. The association between the cancer/tumor-causing mechanism (either genetic or otherwise) and the immune system is fascinating. This will be a career to follow and his approach is revolutionary in medicine, where so much in clinical medicine and research is siloed.
My only negative about the writing of this is in questioning who the audience is? If it is intended to be medically trained people, then well done. If it is intended to be for either medical or lay people, then I take issue with the very technical sections that I would imagine would be difficult to follow for those not scientifically trained or medically trained. I tried to read the immunologic and oncologic/hemotologic sections with the mindset of someone who I would be explaining those concepts to in a clinic setting and it would never happen in such technical terms.
For anyone interested in a true medical breakthrough story that reads mostly like a novel, with a small section of heavy science, this book is highly recommended. 4.5

#ChasingMyCure #Netgalley #BallantineBooks

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Review: Strange Planet

Strange Planet by Nathan W. Pyle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nathan W. Pyle has assembled an amazing collection of hysterical takes on life on Earth as though you were a "being" from somewhere else trying to understand the crazy things that we humans do. When you look and read these through that lens, it is just the best. My son and I have been sending these back and forth daily through Instagram and they bring a smile or a LOL moment to me everyday. Some of my favorites are those between parental beings and kids and I think my all time favorite has been the being who gets sunburned and says I CRAVE STAR DAMAGE.
These are just a lighthearted take on the human condition.
A definite buy and well worth the time. You will come back to these repeatedly.
#StrangePlanet #NathanPyle

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Review: When I Was White: A Memoir

When I Was White: A Memoir by Sarah Valentine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This memoir is fascinating to me. I have not experienced this myself but certainly have friends with biracial children or who are biracial themselves and have seen how that has affected them. I've always been interested in the questions surrounding why race is even an issue in the world, children don't make it an issue. They simply use it to describe each other the way one would use height or hair length or glasses or not to identify a friend to another person. But it has no additional implication expect as we age because it is a learned concept within society. So I can completely understand how a girl, who is shown nothing but love and support from her two white parents would assume that she is also white. Why wouldn’t she? Would a child question why their parents have one color hair or eyes and they have another? No. They accept that they are loved and cared for. I definitely think that the harder aspect of this memoir is the author’s experience of feeling lied to throughout her young life because of the information withheld from her about her natural father. I can empathize with her but also with her mother in this because no one knows the "right" thing to do in that situation and so they hopefully do their best. People aren't perfect and this certainly would be a difficult situation. Its really a fascinating reality though to suddenly have a different ethnicity than you believed you had and it made you feel differently about yourself or your background at first. It would be a lot to wrap you head around but like living both sides of a coin, seeing the truth of racial injustice and the good and the bad in people. But already knowing both sides. What insight it would give you. This actually will likely turn out to be a tremendous gift. With her ability as a writer, I see this author going far in advancing the dialogue of race relations for the better. And more power to her.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a personal account of race in America. Well done.
#WhenIWasWhite #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #SarahValentine

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Review: In Her Eyes

In Her Eyes by Sarah Alderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sarah Alderson has created a true psychological thriller with twists and turns from start to finish. The story begins with our protagonist, Ava who is a wealthy wife of a IT developer, artist and mother of two of her own children and a step-son. She believes life is great when suddenly the rug is pulled out from under her and her world turns upside-down. There are so many twists and question marks throughout this book that the reader begins to wonder how reliable the narrator is and who is lying to whom. The story is fast paced and keeps you reading. It has some back and forth in the timeline, jumping from current to past events. This was to inform the reader of history but was well placed in my opinion and added to the story.
Definitely recommend - 4.5 stars
#InHerEyes #Netgalley #HodderandSloughton #MulhollandPress #SarahAlderson

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Review: Call Me by Your Name

Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I had trouble deciding what to rate this. The writing is wonderful, with some absolutely brilliant sections. The last 25% was gorgeous and made up for some of the gratuitousness of the earlier sections of the book. I am not a romance reader, per se, but whether it is a straight romance or other, other the top sex scenes are sort of more than I am interested in when I read a book. This overall story could have had similar impact without the graphic nature of these scenes. I do see that they were perhaps a tool to express the depth of desire and yearning of the teenage boy who was struggling with his feelings and sexuality, but that wasn't especially my favorite aspect of this book. The ending definitely redeemed some of these aspects. So it was okay for me.
#CallMeByYourName

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Review: I Miss You When I Blink: Essays

I Miss You When I Blink: Essays by Mary Laura Philpott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book earlier this year and completely forgot to write a review or put it on my list. I had the pleasure of reading it in great anticipation of Mary Laura coming to our small town independent bookstore and being a part of a Reader's Retreat. Being local, I did not participate in all of the weekend's activities, however I was able to go to the live podcast recording. She is a gem. The terrific thing is that her writing matches her personality, in that you feel as though you know her, even though you don't.
This is a collection of essays about life in the South as a woman growing up and becoming an adult in this environment. She was born and lives in the South and this is reflected in the stories. For me as the reader and also a mother, professional woman living in the South, I found a lot of relatable situations. My favorite is her story about volunteering at her children's school and getting drawn into it with her overachiever personality. Not surprisingly she wound up as Chairperson for a big fundraiser. I myself have gotten into this type of situation and it becomes a lot of beneficial but time-consuming work. In looking back, it is a situation you can laugh at and learn something about yourself from having done, but also be happy to pass along to the next one up. Her stories are entertaining and readable in large or small bites.
Definitely a must read.
##IMissYouWhenIBlink #AtriaBooks

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Review: The Everything Healthy Mediterranean Cookbook: 300 fresh and simple recipes for better living

The Everything Healthy Mediterranean Cookbook: 300 fresh and simple recipes for better living by Peter Minaki
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I literally...okay, not literally...devoured this book. I received an eARC of this lovely Mediterranean cookbook and sat right down after work and poured over the whole thing. It is terrific. I marked up recipe after recipe and bookmarked pages to go back and make my shopping list to get some of these ingredients to start cooking these wonderful recipes for myself and my family. So many things were appealing, its hard to even know where I want to begin.
The book is divided into an introduction section that gives an overview of what would be typically found in a Mediterranean kitchen as far as the staples, the equipment and the extras. There was also interesting information throughout the book about the Mediterranean diet and some of the history of the ingredients that are common in this style of cooking and their origins. This made the actual reading of the cookbook very enjoyable., aside from imagining each recipe as I read through it.
The other sections are the different types of foods: breakfast, appetizers, dips/sauces, Soups/Stews, Salads, Pastas, Meat/Poultry/Fish/Seafood and Desserts. There was something in every section that sounded great and doable to a family cook with no training other than my female relatives.
My only negative, that keeps me from rating this a 5 star is the limited pictures. For me, a great, over-the-top cookbook has as many photographs as possible. Those that are here are gorgeous and very well done.but also were not clearly labeled (this may have been an early edition problem).
Really well done and highly recommended. I will look for it when it comes out in physical copy.
Thanks for this edition to preview, this is a keeper!
#TheEverythingHealthyMediterraneanCookbook #Netgalley #AdamsMedia

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Review: Reading Backwards

Reading Backwards by John Crowley
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I tried to find something to appreciate about this collection. I guess, if I had to choose one, it would be the first autobiographical piece, although, even this was dry and did not draw me into it. There were several aspects of his experience as he told it through that piece that I could find common ground throughout my own experience and yet it did not elicit any emotion.
This is completely random work in my opinion. There are essays that are loosely tied together, the way a freshman English 101 coursework lesson plan would throw various topics together just to cover the basics. It was hard to find a theme, which I understand may have been the point but also feels somewhat unmotivated to really put together a true collection.
Overall, this did not work for me. I hope there are others that appreciate this more than I did.
Thanks for the opportunity to review it.
#ReadingBackwards #Netgalley #SubterraneanPress

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Review: Yale Needs Women

Yale Needs Women by Anne Gardiner Perkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this highly readable nonfiction account of the first class of women who were accepted to attend Yale University. This had been a long-standing, male only institution of higher education, only allowing the women on campus to work menial jobs or for short parties in order to try to arrange proper couples. This was part of what drove the push for inclusion of women, in that the "sister" institution was not convenient and therefore Yale was losing attendees to other schools who already had a more enticing co-ed policy.
It was an interesting account of the lack of insight the men in charge had into even the basics that the women would need, requiring them to put a woman in place as Dean of Women's Education. And given that so much of the push to involve these highly qualified young women was about marriage to the men, the men were expecting the women to "be available" to them. Whereas, the women were looking for a great chance at the educational opportunity that was now offered. This book gives a great collection of insights into what that culture must have been like for both the women and the men. These are the growing pains faced at many universities around the same time when inclusion, be it gender or ethnic or racial, etc. was relatively new to shake up the status quo. And this was not that long ago. We have made a lot of progress but still have a long way to go and this book helps to show the hurdles that Yale faced at the time.
Really well done. Highly recommend.
#YaleNeedsWomen #Netgalley #Sourcebooks

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Review: What Rose Forgot

What Rose Forgot by Nevada Barr
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have mixed feelings about this book. I work in the medical field and have seen people with cognitive problems. This character is interesting in that she is presented as suddenly awakening in a dementia unit, where she has just tried to escape after being on a lockdown ward. She doesn’t recall much of the prior month’s events. She has been bed bound and lost muscle mass but somehow within days is able to perform physical moves most people half her age couldn’t do when healthy. I adored her relationship with her granddaughter but much of the story just seemed to struggle to get to the point. I wasn’t enjoying how convoluted the other family character relationships were and the need for this.
I also agree completely with a comment another reviewer had pointed out about the body shaming that seems to be a repetitive feature from Barr. I would say that she is negative about both super slim and heavy body types but then by attributing the super powers to the protagonist, she basically gives the power to the “scrawny” and “emaciated”. As a medical person, I would argue that it isn’t even likely that an athlete at this age who was bed bound for a month would be capable of the things she was able to do. But the degrading comments about the diet soda drinking nurse being heavy were not necessary for any character point or atmosphere.
Overall, I thought this was an okay read and might try the author again.
#WhatRoseForgot #Netgalley #StMartinsPress

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