oceanwriter's reviews
707 reviews

The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy—and Why It Failed by Brad Meltzer, Josh Mensch

Go to review page

challenging informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

While at first glance the title of the book sounds like your run-of-the-mill ‘whodunit’ in the John F. Kennedy series, The Kennedy Conspiracy is actually about a lesser-known assassination attempt that took place before President Kennedy’s inauguration.

Richard Pavlick, a retired postal worker from New Hampshire, resented President-elect John F. Kennedy’s victory, political beliefs, and religion. Deciding to take matters into his own hands, he packed his car full of dynamite and found Kennedy in Florida. Had his plot not been thwarted, America never would have seen Kennedy take office. This book focuses on Pavlick’s plot but also supplies a good amount of history of the days just after the 1960 election with an emphasis on Jacqueline Kennedy as between election day and inauguration day, she gave birth to John F. Kennedy Jr.

I don’t recall ever hearing about this assassination attempt. If I have, it was in passing. In the grand scheme of things, a failed attempt has become a footnote. Though I suppose the motives stay a similar realm as the 1963 assassination, this story has a much different tone. There were fewer question marks, and the motives were clear: hate. It struck me how much of Pavlick's disdain stemmed from his hatred of Catholicism. It feels like in modern times, Kennedy's religion and the discrimination he faced during his election (as well as in office) gets brushed off.

What I found most interesting was the psychology of it all. For a man who so hated John F. Kennedy, he spent so much time thinking about him, following and tracking him, talking about him, and above all, was willing to sacrifice his own life in the name of hatred. Of course, now we see this every day. It's an illness that now runs rampant in our society, and it was haunting to realize when similar events happen today, most people don't bat an eye. It might be considered tame. We are desensitized. I appreciated the way this book was able to maintain a shock value in this retelling.

It was interesting to read something new in the Kennedy field. It did feel like it was more about Jackie than Jack aside from him being the target, but everything ties together by the end. I’ve read this author team once before and I enjoyed their work just as much this time. Good research and a unique topic. I listened to the audiobook version and thought the narrator did a fantastic job and kept the narration engaging.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing a free audio-ARC of the book. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
XOXO by Axie Oh

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Jenny is on her way to a stellar future as a cellist. She’s spent her life practicing and seldom, if ever, choosing fun and friendship over study and rehearsal. But in her most recent review, she’s told that she lacks ‘spark’ in an otherwise flawless performance. After a pep talk from her uncle, she takes a chance and battles the boy lurking in the karaoke bar to a sing-off. 
 
Later, she meets the boy, Jaewoo, on the bus and the two of them end up at a festival together. She befriends him and laments that he is going home to Korea. She fears their brief texts back and forth are the end of their friendship, but upon hearing of her grandmother’s failing health, Jenny has an opportunity to transfer to a music school in Seoul. There, she runs into Jaewoo again and learns that he is a member of the K-pop group XOXO. 
 
I know nothing about the world of K-pop so I was a bit lost, but I had fun for what it was. I feel like more could have been done with Jenny, her mother, and her grandmother given this was the driving force that moved Jenny to Korea. The focus is almost solely on Jenny and Jaewoo’s relationship (which is fine, I just wish the familial issues would have been explored a bit more). YA is sometimes hit or miss with me and I felt old reading this one. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Goodnight from London by Jennifer Robson

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
I really wanted to get into this at least a little bit for the vibes, but my gosh the writing is weak. Ruby’s only personality trait is complaining about the nuns in the orphanage. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Things We Do for Love by Kristin Hannah

Go to review page

emotional hopeful lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I am such a sap when it comes to found family. Knowing this, a friend insisted I read this after reading it herself. 
 
Having struggled with fertility and a failed adoption that ends in a broken marriage, Angela returns home to help revive her family’s restaurant. Losing a child, her husband, and her father all in a year has left her defeated. She once took joy in her nieces and nephews, but now she isolates herself. 
 
Lauren grew up with a mother who made it known that she was nothing more than a mistake. Most of the time, Lauren is the one left to make sure the rent is paid, all the while maintaining the highest marks in school to maintain her scholarships. The only solid thing in her life is her boyfriend, David. 
 
Eventually, Angela and Lauren’s paths cross. Angela fills the need for a mother in Lauren, and in Angela, the need for a child in Lauren. 
 
My heart did indeed melt at the found family feelings throughout this book. Apart from that, I struggled with the story itself, frequently finding myself bored. I also found the characters a bit irksome, more Angela than Lauren. I lacked any great attachment to them despite my sympathies. I felt both characters and plot lines flip-flopped, particularly around David. There were also strange narratives running through regarding pregnancy and religious organizations that I would also categorize as a flip-flop. 
 
Despite my mixed feelings, this was a very sweet story. I’m so grateful for the recommendation because this never would have been on my radar otherwise. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Opening the Holy Door: Hope-Filled Scripture Reflections from St. Peter's Basilica by Joan Watson

Go to review page

hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.75

As the 2025 Jubilee Year begins, Opening the Holy Door is a fantastic book to pick up to start the spiritual year. A large part of the book is a history on the door's panels and the connections to Scripture, but it's also a workbook with several prompts (spanning over 12 days) for reflection. 

For the purpose of this read-through, I didn't participate as I would have normally by reading it daily and keeping a journal. I hope to enter through one of the Holy Doors some time this year and I will keep in mind to look back at this book for preparation. Even if someone reading is unable to visit one of the doors (and I'll say especially if someone is unable), this book will bring you a little closer. 

Thanks to Ave Maria Press and NetGalley for providing a free digital ARC of the book. 
Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum

Go to review page

hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Cute and cozy story, although I think this is one I would have enjoyed more with my eyes rather than listening to the audiobook (which is what was currently available to me). I just didn’t connect with the main character, although I loved the setting. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Situationship by Abby Jimenez

Go to review page

funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

A fun little glimpse at Maddy and Doug’s relationship! I can’t say I prefer them more than Emma and Justin in Just for the Summer, but it was a nice addition to the story. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Dark Interval: Letters on Loss, Grief, and Transformation by Rainer Maria Rilke

Go to review page

challenging inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

A thought-provoking collection of letters composed by Rainer Maria Rilke on the subjects of death and grief. I found a lot of these passages inspiring although I didn’t always agree with his overall outlook on life and death. It has given me a new perspective on grief, though, and I’ve been thinking about his words a lot. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I have been a diehard Alice Feeney fan since Rock Paper Scissors. Every book of hers I’ve read has been an easy five-star read. I’m so devastated that this one missed the mark for me. 
 
A year after the strange disappearance of his wife, Abby, Grady isolates himself on a Scottish island at the suggestion of his agent. He’s hoping to start writing again and get used to a life where Abby isn’t by his side, but the island brings more confusion. He feels almost haunted and is certain that there is a woman there who looks just like his wife. 
 
And that’s pretty much it until the last 15% of the book. From there, the disjointed plot becomes downright bizarre and, frankly, convoluted. Nothing made sense and I didn’t care at all what happened to either of the main characters. Their lives up until that point had been random backstories that kind of sort of came together in the chaotic ending. It, overall, felt like I was reading a different author. 
 
Thankfully, the quality of the audiobook made up for some of the disappointment. The narrators did a wonderful job, and the small touches of sound effects added a lot to the atmosphere. 

I'm hoping this book was just a bump in the road. I am glad to see that there are some others who have enjoyed this because I know the feeling of loving Alice Fenney's stories. I still look forward to whatever comes next, albeit, with some trepidation. I was surprised by the
sexual content
in this book as I don't recall much (if any) in the other books I've read by her. I didn't care for it.
 
Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for inviting me to listen to a free audiobook ARC of the book. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Wilderness Within by Sr. Josephine Garrett

Go to review page

inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

Part meditation and part journal, Wilderness Within is a thorough guide for the Lenten season written by a Sister and mental health counselor. With several included companion pieces, this guide offers not only spiritual reading but also exercises often drawing from the field of psychology. This element in particular is what drew me to this book.

This is perhaps the most extensive Lenten guide I’ve come across so far in my life. The exercises are extremely introspective while maintaining an ultimate focus on faith, which, nowadays, can be tricky to find. I appreciate how much thought went into this book and that it includes further reading/watching with links scattered throughout. Though I’ve read the book outside of Lent, I believe this book is a great starting point for people looking to do more than give up something. I would also say it can be used as a guide for everyday spiritual journaling.

Thanks to Ave Maria Press and NetGalley for providing a free digital ARC of the book.