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981 reviews
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
5.0
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Started: September 22. 2024
Finished: September 22, 2024
Format: Print
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Melinda starts high school as an outcast because she called the police to a party - but no one bothered to ask why. As the unwanted at school and too afraid to tell her parents the truth, Melinda only speaks when necessary. When she finally comes to accept that she was raped, she finds her voice.
I started this book with the sole purpose of reading a banned book, but what I found was a story many women, including myself, can relate to. Melinda's fear of naming her rapist, her IT, is very real and very common. Facing the fact that you have been raped is dealing with the fear, the shame, and the loss of control over the sadness and the anger. My heart raced for the last quarter of the book and I was so proud of Melinda when she finally told her truth and even more proud, when facing her rapist again, she spoke loud and clear - she made her anger known and took back control from her IT.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
Moderate: Rape
The Sweetness of Forgetting by Kristin Harmel
4.0
Author: Kristin Harmel
Started: September 21, 2024
Finished: September 22, 2024
Format: Print
Genre: Historical Fiction
Hope lives on Cape Cod and runs her family bakery. This was not the life she wanted but recently divorced, this is where she has landed. The plus side is that she gets to raise her daughter in the same areas as her grandmother's memory care facility. Rose, Hope's grandmother, suffers from Alzheimer's and has sent Hope to Paris to find people she's never heard of. Hope realizes that her grandmother is not who she thought she was and she has a family she never knew existed.
While this was a historical fiction that had elements of WWII, it was not centered there which was a nice change of pace. Rose is a sweet woman who did all she could to save her family and feels as if she has let them down. The interactions between Hope and her daughter make sense after a divorce where all the blame is placed on Hope. The storyline was not as jumpy as other historical fiction which was a nice change. A bonus was the pastry recipes sprinkled throughout the book. This was a wonderful book and I'm glad I finally read it.
When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary by Alice Hoffman
medium-paced
4.0
Author: Alice Hoffman
Started: September 18, 2024
Finished: September 18, 2024
Format: Audio
Genre: Historical Fiction
Anne Frank lived in the Netherlands after her family escaped from the Nazi regime in Germany. As the Nazis invaded their new homeland, the Franks dealt with the restrictions placed on the Jewish population. Being unable to escape Anne's father, Otto, makes other plans to keep his family safe. When her sister, Margot, is called to the labor camps, plans are moved forward. When the Annex door closed behind the Franks in 1942, they stayed hidden in the Annex until they were arrested in 1944.
This is the fictionalized account of Anne Frank's life shortly before the family was forced into hiding. We see Anne deal with the many restrictions that the Jewish people were forced to adhere to. We can also feel the panic build as her parents realize they will be unable to escape. This was a well-written story that provides interesting insight into Anne and how she may have felt as the Nazis closed in on them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
For Her Consideration by Amy Spalding
5.0
Author: Amy Spalding
Started: September 15, 2024
Finished: September 16, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Sapphic Romance
Nina Rice has pulled away from her friends and any chances at a meaningful relationship because of a toxic ex. She is a queer woman working for an entertainment agent, and her job is to handle celebrity communications. When a client requests a meeting to go over her communications, Nina meetsAri Fox, a gorgeous queer woman who wants to spend more time with Nina. Together, they deal with the ups and downs of a relationship - but will they make it?
I loved this book. I'm a sucker for a well-written sapphic romance and this was so well done.The characters were people I would love to know in real life and I loved the empowerment that can be found within their strong and loving female friendship. The sex scenes are handled well, and Nina & Ari have a desire to be together. The scenes are not overly detailed, but the teasing in and out of the bedroom is sweey and flirty. I can not wait to read the rest of this series.
Started: September 15, 2024
Finished: September 16, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Sapphic Romance
Nina Rice has pulled away from her friends and any chances at a meaningful relationship because of a toxic ex. She is a queer woman working for an entertainment agent, and her job is to handle celebrity communications. When a client requests a meeting to go over her communications, Nina meetsAri Fox, a gorgeous queer woman who wants to spend more time with Nina. Together, they deal with the ups and downs of a relationship - but will they make it?
I loved this book. I'm a sucker for a well-written sapphic romance and this was so well done.The characters were people I would love to know in real life and I loved the empowerment that can be found within their strong and loving female friendship. The sex scenes are handled well, and Nina & Ari have a desire to be together. The scenes are not overly detailed, but the teasing in and out of the bedroom is sweey and flirty. I can not wait to read the rest of this series.
Come Closer by Sara Gran
2.0
Author: Sara Gran
Started: September 14, 2024
Finished: September 14, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Horror
Amanda has begun acting oddly and has been hearing a tapping that seems to follow her throughout the home she shares with her husband. She begins to have moments she cannot account for and discovers blood on her hands and her clothes. As her life slowly begins to implode, she seeks help only to find out it may be too late.
This was an interesting take on possession as it is told through the eyes of the possibly possessed. I expected to be a little more spooked than I was as some people have called it the creepiest book they've ever read. The main character was annoying and naïve at the same time. It was interesting to see how her problem completely changed her life. I really wish this would have been a better read.
Started: September 14, 2024
Finished: September 14, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Horror
Amanda has begun acting oddly and has been hearing a tapping that seems to follow her throughout the home she shares with her husband. She begins to have moments she cannot account for and discovers blood on her hands and her clothes. As her life slowly begins to implode, she seeks help only to find out it may be too late.
This was an interesting take on possession as it is told through the eyes of the possibly possessed. I expected to be a little more spooked than I was as some people have called it the creepiest book they've ever read. The main character was annoying and naïve at the same time. It was interesting to see how her problem completely changed her life. I really wish this would have been a better read.
Every Moment Since by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen
3.0
Author: Marybeth Mayhew Whalen
Started: September 11, 2024
Finished: September 14, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Mystery
More than twenty years ago, Davy Malcor went to play with his friends and never came home. The jacket he wore that night has been found, and the police believe they are close to solving his case. As family and friends await news, the past comes roaring back to life and people who were there replay their parts. It seems they all have guilt to bear.
A missing child story is always a good read. This story started slow for me. I understand the need to build the story but the pacing could have been better. I didn't become invested in the story until about 60%. Truth be told, I almost DNF'd this book several times. I ended up solving the who part of the mystery but I was glad I was wrong about the how aspect of it.
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
5.0
Author: Zoulfa Katoah
Started: September 8, 2024
Finished: September 9, 2024
Format: Print
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Salama is a pharmacist forced to behave as a doctor in modern day Syria. She volunteers at a local hospital but is looking for a way to keep the promise she made to her brother to leave Syria with his wife. As she is preparing to leave, she meets the man who might have been her husband and allows fate to play its part. Salama is determined to leave Syria and take those she loves with her.
This one of the best I've read in some time. Salama is well-written and deeply expressed. As we follow along on her day-to-day work at the hospital we can image the carnage she sees and feel her helplessness at not being able to save everyone. Salama is also a firm lesson in how far your mind will go in trying to protect itself from trauma. This book made me gasp, made my heart race, and made me smile. Most importantly, this book gave me a glimpse into the Syrian revolution and how important Syria is to its people.
This Cursed House by Del Sandeen
3.0
Author: Del Sandeen
Started: September 5, 2024
Finished: September 6, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Gothic Horror
Jemma Baker leavers her life in Chicago for a mysterious job in New Orleans. When she arrives at the Douchon estate, she realizes that not all is as it seems. After some time with the family, they make her aware that they are cursed and they believe she is the only one who can break it as it was her mother who cursed them. As family secrets are revealed, Jemma must figure out how to break the curse before someone else dies.
I forgot how slow gothic horror could be. Despite taking place in 1962, this follows the path of a decent southern gothic story. This beginning is slow to build which almost made me stop reading but a bit over the 55% mark is where the action starts. The ending lagged for me and just when I thought it would end, there was still 30% to get through. I don't read many books about cursed families so this was something new. This will definitely be a hit for people who like a slower horror story. This would be a perfect fit for an Aardvark Book Club pick for October.
Started: September 5, 2024
Finished: September 6, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Gothic Horror
Jemma Baker leavers her life in Chicago for a mysterious job in New Orleans. When she arrives at the Douchon estate, she realizes that not all is as it seems. After some time with the family, they make her aware that they are cursed and they believe she is the only one who can break it as it was her mother who cursed them. As family secrets are revealed, Jemma must figure out how to break the curse before someone else dies.
I forgot how slow gothic horror could be. Despite taking place in 1962, this follows the path of a decent southern gothic story. This beginning is slow to build which almost made me stop reading but a bit over the 55% mark is where the action starts. The ending lagged for me and just when I thought it would end, there was still 30% to get through. I don't read many books about cursed families so this was something new. This will definitely be a hit for people who like a slower horror story. This would be a perfect fit for an Aardvark Book Club pick for October.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Racism
Moderate: Incest, Infertility, Mental illness, and Gaslighting
Minor: Self harm, Slavery, and Suicide attempt
The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line: Untold Stories of the Women Who Changed the Course of World War II by Mari Eder
5.0
Author: Maj. Gen. Mari K. Eder (Ret)
Narrator: Bernadette Dun
Started: September 5, 2024
Finished: September 5, 2024
Format: Audio
Genre: Non-Fiction
This stories of fifteen mostly unknown women who stepped up when we needed them most. The men of the Greatest Generation are often discussed but the women are left in the shadows. This book runs the gamut from Liane B. Russel, who discovered the effects of radiation on embryos to Gena Turgel, a prisoner at Bergen-Belsen who cared for Anne Frank in her last days.
Women's roles in history are often forgotten and Maj. Gen. Eder decided it was time the world knew their stories. This book was well-written, well-researched, and well-narrated. Some so many women played important roles during the 1940s and 1950s that history books never mentioned. I loved each woman's story and found myself researching them to learn more. This is a must-read for any history buff.
The Demon Next Door by Bryan Burrough
3.0
Author: Bryan Burrough
Started: September 3, 2024
Finished: September 3, 2024
Format: Audio
Genre: True Crime
Danny Corwin grew up in Temple, Texas but was not like the others who lived there - Danny was a serial killer. The town refused to see the signs of who Danny really was and it ended up costing the lived of three women. Even today, twenty-six years after his execution, no one talks about Danny or how the Texas justice system let down his victims.
This was not a well-done book. I don't know if the author had a hard time fitting the story into a three hour time limit or if this is just his writing style. The narrator's tone was too excited for the kind of story he was telling and bordered on inappropriate at times. Normally, in a true crime story, we have some idea of why the murderer did what he did but that doesn't happen here - the author doesn't even offer an opinion as to why. The writing and storytelling were disjoined making the story hard to swallow.