It's All Relative: Adventures Up and Down the World’s Family Tree by A.J. Jacobs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

AJ Jacobs is always good for an entertaining read, and this latest book is no exception. If you've listened to AJ's podcast Twice Removed you'll already have an idea of what you will get in this book. (And if you haven't listened be sure to check it out. It was a short lived podcast, but kind of fun.) AJ is on a quest to show that everyone is all part of one big family.

There is a light narrative through the book in which AJ is organizing a (hopefully) record breaking family reunion. It seems like a disaster at every turn, but it's interesting to see his big plans unfold. Most of the rest of the book are a variety of genealogical stories. Who are AJ's ancestors? How does one go about researching a family tree? How exactly are we all related?

There are lots of laugh out loud moments in this book. AJ isn't afraid to share his embarrassing moments, struggles, and feuds (great and small). Lots of research has gone into this book, and it's appreciated by this reader. There are several current hot-button social issues hit upon in this book. I'm open to hearing those discussions (in moderation) but it wasn't what I was looking for in a light read about genealogy.

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Sourdough by Robin Sloan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn't think I would like this book after reading the synopsis the first time. A lady moves to a new city, receive a sourdough starter from some mysterious brothers, and the bread she receives leads her on an unexpected, life changing adventure. I'm not a foodie and I don't enjoy magical realism too much. But all of that didn't matter. This was a book that I easily got lost in.

Before you read this book make sure you have some food nearby. I have never had so many cravings while reading a book! Lois is a character I really liked. I could relate to her. She's solitary, a little panicky, but she was a character who was pleasant to read about, a character who changed in some good ways.

The end of the book began to drag a little bit for me. This is when most of the so called magical realism kicks in. It's light but will require readers to suspend disbelief. Still, I'm looking forward to the next novel from Robin Sloan.

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Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What is it to be someone with OCD? What is it to be a friend to someone with OCD? To love someone with OCD? Turtles All The Way Down gives a glimpse of what it's like to be all of these things.

This book is the typical John Green Formula. (Quirky characters, precocious teenagers, BFF who is funny and pushy and has the best lines of dialogue, parents who instill a lot of trust in their kid.) It wasn't my favorite John Green but it wasn't a bad read either.

There's a mystery and an adventure or two along the way but this is mostly character driven.

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Dear Fahrenheit 451: A Librarian's Love Letters and Break-Up Notes to the Books in Her Life by Annie Spence
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Annie Spence is my new favorite librarian. She’s funny, helpful, and can hold my attention with stories about working in the library. This is the perfect book for bookworms.

For half of the book Annie provides letters written to books. They are witty and gratifying to read. Each letter is fairly brief so readers don’t have to get stuck on books they’ve never heard of or don’t want to read about. There are a lot of recommendations packed into her endearing letters. The second half of the book is more bookish goodies for readers. Recommendations for getting your spouse to read, excuses to give friends and family when you just want to stay home and read, and a variety of other type of recommendations fill the rest of the book. True crime? Got it. Romance? Yep. Biographies? It’s all in here. Must read for readers.

Thank you to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book.

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The Guineveres by Sarah Domet
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked this book up only for the title (my daughter is also named Guinevere) and knew almost nothing about the plot of this book. Luckily this worked out for me and the book was good!

Four girls named Guinevere wind up at the same convent. They each go by a different nickname - Vere, Gwen, Ginny, and Win - so there is no confusion for the reader. Each girl has experienced some loss that has caused her to arrive at the convent, and each of their stories are eventually revealed. These four isolate themselves from the other boarders, depending only on each other for friendship. The girls eventually meet four unidentified, unconscious soldiers who are brought to the convent for care and the Guineveres each become obsessed with one of them.

I thought of this story as slow at times, but that's not quite right. It lacked a lot of the edge-of-your-seat action I love in books but that wasn't needed for this story. It was really hard to put down regardless. These girls are just that - girls. A lot of their choices reflect their youth and naivety. Vere, the narrator, reflects on their childhood while also filling in the reader on how the Guineveres see their actions and choices through their adult lives. The four girls are also victims of circumstance and readers will see these girls make the best of a tough childhood.

The ending of this book was unexpected for me and probably helped me change this from a 3.5 to 4 star rating. One of the parts I like most about this book was the historical time period. The time period is never revealed but there are enough hints that readers should be able to figure it out.

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Lies She Told by Cate Holahan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. The following is my honest opinion.

Liza is a best selling author, or at least she used to be. Her first book was a hit and the ones that followed haven't been well received. Now she's been given 30 days by her publisher to write another great book. She's got a lot of pressure to write the book, but she's got problems at home. She's also struggling to have a baby with her husband who has been less than attentive. That may be understandable, however, since her husband's best friend has gone missing.

Meanwhile Beth, the protagonist of Liza's latest book, is facing struggles of her own. She's got a newborn baby and has recently discovered her husband has a girlfriend. Liza and Beth's stories are told in alternating chapters.

This book is great for writers (or aspiring writers) to read. Liza's writing process is a big part of this book. Readers will see hints of how Liza's real life influences the story she's trying to complete before her deadline is up. The book was hard to put down and easy to devour in a couple of days. Even though I thought the book was very engaging I found it to be predictable at times. So I was really surprised to find a pretty big twist in the last few chapters. This story kept moving and was a great suspense read to wrap up the summer with.

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Gwendy's Button Box by Stephen King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's the mid 1970's and Gwendy is going to start middle school soon. She's running up the suicide stairs in hopes of losing a little weight before going back to school. At the top of the stairs is a mysterious stranger, a man who has been watching Gwendy. She winds up talking with him and he gives her a box adorned with buttons. But this isn't just an average box.

This novella was really easy to continue reading. The chapters are short, the story moves quickly, and I just needed to see what happened in this book. This is one readers can finish in one sitting. The box that Gwendy receives causes some great things to happen in her life, but it may also cause some terrible things to happen. Is it really the box or is it all coincidence?

I was hooked bythis story through the whole book. The ending wasn't quite what I expected or hoped for, but it wasn't bad. I would have enjoyed reading this as a longer book, but I think it made for a pretty good short story as well. I just wasn't ready for it to end!

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Just Another Week in Suburbia by Les Zig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Pantera Press for the opportunity to read this book. Below is my honest opinion.

Casper Gray lives with his wife, Jane, in the suburbs of Australia. He’s a teacher and she does, well, Casper’s not quite sure what she does at work. They’ve been married for six years, can’t get pregnant, and have a dog instead of a baby. They’re a little bit boring but they’re happy. One sleepless night Casper stumbles over his wife’s purse, causing the discovery of something that takes the young couple to a turning point in their relationship. In the week that follows Casper will learn a lot about his wife, his neighbors, his best friends, his co-workers, and himself. This engaging book allows readers to follow Casper’s first person narrative of his eventful week.

Casper and his wife will have other twenty and thirty-somethings saying, “Same.” From the struggles of saving from IVF to the neighbors that aren’t quite ideal, this book is honest and relatable. It was difficult to put down because the story was so compelling. I just had to know what happened next. At one point my heart was pounding, and I couldn’t read fast enough. It’s not a suspenseful story, but it is certainly captivating.

At times Casper isn’t the most exciting narrator. Despite his life suddenly falling down around him he must still go through the motions of his somewhat mundane life. This enhanced the truth of this book, however. Because the book covers a full week of Casper’s life the time of day is given frequently, almost obsessively, in this book. There are some graphic sex scenes that young or sensitive readers may want to avoid. For the rest of us these scenes, like everything else in this book, lend themselves to the authenticity of life in suburbia.


This book will be published September 1, 2017. Make sure you add it to your TRB list!

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Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had such limited knowledge of Norse Mythology before I read this that I was blind going into this book. Seriously, nearly all of my knowledge of Thor came from my love of Adventures in Babysitting when I was little. With that being said, my struggle with this book was how to pronounce the names!

Instead of one continuous story this is made up of a collection of stories. I don't usually prefer short stories but it work wonderfully here. There is a large cast of characters and they don't all have a place in each story. The prose was so honest and matter of fact that there was a fairy tale quality to each tale. I was surprised as well as there was quite a bit of humor.

I look forward to reading more by Neil Gaiman. Hopefully this was a really good intro into his work. Readers who aren't sure if they would like fantasy or mythology would do well to give this book a try. It's quick and enjoyable.

Have you read other books by Neil Gaiman? How does this one compare?

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The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Samurai's Garden is set at the beginning of WWII. Stephen has tuberculosis and is sent from his family's home in Hong Kong to their vacation home in Tarumi, Japan. Far from anyone he knows, he spends the year getting to know the quite groundskeeper, Matsu. Matsu lives a quite life but Stephen gradually learns about the generous and humble life Matsu has lived.

This was a really beautiful book with a hint of a fairy tale quality. The characters were surprising. The time period is very interesting if you care to read about Asian culture. Stephen, a Chinese man, lives in Japan while racial hatred is abundant. Stephen also meets and befriends a woman with leprosy at a time and place where those with the affliction are shunned.

The ending of this book seemed a bit rushed to me, and I wanted to know more about what happened to several of the characters. Still, it was an enjoyable read filled with interesting cultural tidbits.

Have you read any books about Eastern culture during different eras? What's your favorite? Comment below!

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The Two-Family House by Lynda Cohen Loigman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This family saga begins in late 1947. Two brothers share their two-family home. Younger brother Abe lives upstairs with his wife and four sons. Younger brother Mort lives downstairs with his wife and three daughters. Their wives, Helen and Rose, both find themselves in labor during a blizzard where they eventually give birth to their babies within a few minutes of each other. The story follows what happens in the lives of these two families during the next thirty years or so.

The two women, Helen and Rose, share a secret that no one else has ever even guessed at. The secret will be apparent to readers. I was disappointed that the secret seemed so apparent at the beginning. However, there is still a lot to unravel in this story that spans so many years.

What I loved most about this book was the characters. They blossomed throughout this story (though there was some wilting as well). Each was unique, each was well developed, and each had layered and complicated relationships with other members of their family. Don't be intimidated by the number of members of this family. It's worth your time to get to know them and their secrets.

What's your favorite family saga? Leave a comment!

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The Sisters Chase by Sarah Healy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Chase sisters, Mary and Hannah, live with their mother Diane. They don't have much but they get by. When Diane dies suddenly, 18-year-old Mary is left to take care of her much younger sister. This story of survival and love is hard to put down.

Mary is a tough character. She loves her sister fiercely and guards the love she gives to others. She's not above manipulating people and situations so she and her sister have what they need to get by. At times it was tough to know if I should cheer for or hate Mary. This story goes back and forth through time (late 70s through the early 90s) and follows the girls on their travels as they move from place to place.

I couldn't stop reading this story. There are several secrets in this book - some that were easy to uncover and others that came as a surprise as the story unraveled. Readers will likely require a few Kleenex in order to finish this book up. This is a great pick if you're looking for a beach read this summer!

What's your favorite beach read this summer? Comment below!

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Into the Water by Paula Hawkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Into The Water is another book by Paula Hawkins. You've all heard of The Girl on the Train, right? Same author.

This book dives into the mystery surrounding the recent deaths of two women, a single mother and a teen girl, who are both found in a small town's river within a month's time. They're not the first women to meet their demise in this river, and it seems that everyone in this small town has some opinion about the deaths of the various women in this river.

There are a lot of characters to get to know, and it was difficult to warm up to any of them. Regardless, if you can keep the characters straight, each of them adds something different to this story. There's not a lot of happy, uplifting moments, but the short chapters kept the story moving rapidly.

There are several twist in this book. I thought I had the story figured out many times before I reached the end and found out what actually happened. (And I do mean the very end!) As a little bonus: I really liked the dedication in this book. It fit well with the story.

What's your favorite thriller? Comment below!

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A Strange Companion by Lisa Manterfield
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kat is a student at university but she doesn't get back home much. Her boyfriend, Gabe, died unexpectedly nearly two years ago so it's hard for her to go back and face all of the memories that come from being where the two of them shared their lives together. When her brother brings home his adopted daughter Kat finds herself back home for a few weeks. The strange thing is she feels a connection to her new niece, Mai, and thinks she could be Gabe reincarnated.

Yes, I said reincarnated but don't give up yet!

This is a story of a young girl learning to handle her grief rather than a paranormal adventure story. Readers who have lost anyone in their lives should find some comfort in Kat's story. There's more than one way to handle the death of a loved one and Lisa Manterfield shows that it's not always going to be graceful.

I enjoyed the characters in this story. Kat's family were interesting and added depth to this story. I may have teared up a time or two, but this won't be a book to sob over.

My reading of this book was really enhanced by Once Upon A Book Club. If you've never heard of them be sure to check them out here. They include gifts (but don't open them until the correct page number!) that really make the story come to life. It's such a cool, unique reading experience and I recommend you give it a whirl!

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Marlena by Julie Buntin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a story of two young girls who become fast friends during their high school years. Within a year one of them is dead. This isn't a mystery or a thriller. Instead it's a tribute to an intense relationship between two best friends.

The story is told from Cat's point of view during two different time periods - the year she knew Marlena and a day in the present. The back and forth showed how much one person or one event could shape the rest of one's life.

Each of the characters are flawed and in major ways. It would be easy to say they're each unlikable in their own way. However this book was written well, and provides readers with a very realistic, believable story.

Do you enjoy reading about flawed characters? Who are your favorites? Comment below!

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The Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for providing this copy to me. The following is my honest review.

Good book for gamers, young adult fans, readers nostalgic for the 80s, or readers looking for an easy read that's hard to put down. There are quite a few laughs along the way.

I could be critical of a few things in the book, but the story sucked me in and let me forget any minor complaint that may have come up. There were a couple of twists that I wasn't expecting. The characters are memorable, and I would like to read about them in a sequel.

I wanted to pass this book on to my young teenager, since the main characters are close to his age (and I'm fairly sure he'd love it). I hesitate because of some of the language, discussions of sex, and certain actions of the characters. It's not awful for the right young reader, but parents should be aware of what's in here before giving it to an impressionable kid.

What did you think? Would you let your teen read this book? Add your comments below!

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Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dennis Lehane has written other books you’ve probably heard of (Mystic River; Shutter Island). Since We Fell is Lehan’es latest thriller. Rachel Childs has a mental breakdown which happens to go viral. The first half of the book readers will get to know Rachel and what her life had been like growing up. Various readers may find this part of the book slow; however, if you enjoy character development you’ll enjoy getting to know Rachel’s less than normal mom and absent dad.

When Rachel’s eventual husband comes into her life, readers will follow the story through her mental breakdown and descent into a chaotic life. The story builds slowly but it gains momentum as each page flips by. There were enough twists to keep me guessing through the last few pages.

I probably won’t remember specifics about this book a year from now, but it put me on the edge of my seat for a couple of days. When it’s difficult to put a book down, it must be because it’s a good one.


Tell me what you thought of this ending in the comments!

The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The hosts of my favorite podcast, Literary Disco, read and discussed this book. They warned that this is a disturbing book, and they were right. They suggested that maybe no one should read it. And they were right. Near the end of the discussion it was mentioned that Ketchum's book was based on real life events. I figured if I read up on what happened I would quench my curiosity about the contents of this book.

Ultimately I did not listen to Julia, Tod, and Rider over at Literary Disco. The real life story is about the torture and murder of Sylvia Likens in 1965. A mother of three children was caring for Sylvia Likens and her sister when she, her children, and several children from the neighborhood began torturing Likens, eventually leading to her death. I learned that the murder happened a couple of blocks from the house I lived in as a child (though I arrived nearly 20 years after Likens' murder). I also learned that my grandmother knew one of the families involved when the murder took place. Curiosity won, and I could not say no to reading this book.

Many liberties were taken from the original story to the final book. Characters were changed; the location was changed; I believe some of the abuse was even changed. What did not change was how horrible the torture was in this book. (There's a brief chapter where the first person narrator cannot even tell specifics about the events that occurred due to the nature of the abuse.) Sensitive readers should not pick up this book. There were several times I put the book down because I was sick to my stomach.

I want to give this book five stars but the content was too horrible. Jack Ketchem's writing was convincing, kept the story moving, and may leave me with nightmares for the next couple of weeks. I'll look forward to reading more by him.

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