Wednesday, April 13, 2022

The Younger Wife - Sally Hepworth

The Younger WifeThe Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dr. Stephen Aston is getting remarried, and to a woman younger than his adult daughters. But then something happens.
This is a book of secrets and dysfunctional family. And I was here for it.

The book switches perspectives at the chapter breaks. I didn't mind this. It was interesting to see each character's thoughts. While I didn't think it was incredibly suspensful, I liked the plot and pacing. And I loved to dislike several of the characters.

Content: I can't give any without giving away some of the plot. Just know that if you are a sensitive reader, this might not be the book for you.

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Monday, March 7, 2022

After the Romanovs - Helen Rappaport

After the Romanovs: Russian Exiles in Paris from the Belle Époque Through Revolution and WarAfter the Romanovs: Russian Exiles in Paris from the Belle Époque Through Revolution and War by Helen Rappaport
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was a bit more cerebral (lots of footnotes) than I expected. It was definitely well-researched based on the notes and such for the last 30%. I ended up like it and learning some though.
It begins before "after the Romanovs"...at least to my understanding of Russian history. In fact, about half the book is about before Tsar Nicholas II and his family were murdered. I truly had no idea about Paris being a second home to Russian emigres for decades upon decades. The book focuses on the royals, the wealthy, and the artists who fled Russia at various times in the early 19th century and made a new life (or not) in France.
I feel like it could have been better organized and still needed some editing, but I read an ARC. I imagine those things will be fixed by the time the book releases.
This book was definitely readable for a scholarly work, though; and I think would be of interest to many who want to learn more about Russian history...particulary of the exiles.


Thanks to NetGalley annd the publisher for my complimentary copy; all opinions are my own.

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Tuesday, February 15, 2022

A Stranger's Game - Colleen Coble

A Stranger's GameA Stranger's Game by Colleen Coble
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Let me preface this by saying I love Christian fiction books. They are some of my favorites I've read through the years. I've even liked some of Colleen Coble's books. However, I have not found many to love in recent years. Especially by established authors. I feel like they are either 1) trying to push out books so quickly they lack a compelling, cohesive story line and/or a good editing process or 2) they feel like they have enough of a loyal following that they don't need to put out quality writing. Just my opinion. And this book is no exception.

I had read such great reviews on A Stranger's Game that I even moved it to the top of my TBR. From the start, I was baffled by how it's received an average of 4.14 starts on Goodreads. So I kept reading, thinking it surely had to get better. It didn't. At least not for me.

In A Stranger's Game, Torie Bergstrom is a hotel heiress who decides she needs to research her friend's death. So she goes undercover at the hotel her aunt manages and her father and she own to figure it all out.

Wait! What? Your telling me NO ONE on that island or at that hotel recognizes her through 300+ pages of this book. When she's the owner's daughter...on the board...in national newspapers. Oh, and spent summers/grew up (it was never clear which) on the island and in the hotel until she was 10. Apparently not. The only one who recognizes her is a guy who works in politics in DC.

So many plot lines. Definitely an instance of trying to do too much and none of it well. We're left floating on the war games/sub stealing plot. The Torie's mom's death plot is just like "meh...I pushed her; it was an accident."

So many loose threads. Who killed Bella? What business did the guy who "masterminded" this plan (or was it his mom's plan) have that failed that caused him to develop this elaborate plan to take out everyone in the Federal Reserve? It just...none of it made practical sense.

And, whoo. Don't get me started on Torie and Joe interfering with all the evidence all the time and the investigation. Shouldn't they be in jail too? There's no way a self-respecting police force would let that happen. And let's just talk about Joe. Really? How does he know how to do all the things in security and the military. He's a marine biologist who works 20 hours a month in security at the hotel??!?!

Why would the guy booby trap the tree house and lie in wait to abduct Torie and Hailey? How could he know they'd be there? Climb it? Not to mention the minor thing where Torie just climbed the tree the first time but uses the step boards the second.

Just so much about the entire book doesn't make sense. I could go on and on with holes and contradictions that should have been caught in editing.

I hate to say it, but I'm starting to give up on Christian fiction by well-rated authors. I've read fewer and fewer over the years and become more and more disappointed.

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Monday, February 14, 2022

The Complete Maus: A Survivor's Tale - Art Spiegelman

The Complete Maus: A Survivor's TaleThe Complete Maus: A Survivor's Tale by Art Spiegelman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Art Spiegelman tells the story of his father during the Holocaust. This book does tackle tough topics. And there is nudity (not of the mice and also definitely not in a sexual way). But I would let my kids read it when they're older (6 & 8 now...so clearly not appropriate). I would like to talk about it with them as they do. And that's where the importance of parenting (not just blindly banning books) is important.
It is so critical we read and know the stories of others.

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Tuesday, January 25, 2022

This Wish - Nicholas Sparks

The WishThe Wish by Nicholas Sparks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book tackles many sensitive topics in a tender and understanding way. Was it predictable? Sure. Did I mind? No.

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Thursday, January 13, 2022

Wide Sargasso Sea - Jean Rhys

Wide Sargasso SeaWide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This isn't really a true retelling, but I wasn't sure what else to label it. It's the background story of "Bertha" from Jane Eyre. And I was interested in reading it and was disappointed to not really enjoy it.
I think part of the issue was the writing style and the fact I was confused through a good part of it (although reading SparkNotes definitely helped). I felt compassion for Antionette but also for Rochester, and those things conflicted.
I'm glad I read it. I'm also glad it was short. I will be donating my copy to the library as I don't plan to reread it.

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Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte

Jane EyreJane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Okay, first of all I just have to say that I think I've spent my whole reading life confusing the Bronte sisters and their tales. I knew the plot of Jane Eyre before reading it. But I always ascribed said plot to Wuthering Heights thinking I had read the latter (and own it) but not the former. But upon reading this book, I've found that I was wrong. And now I find myself trying to sort out if I've ever even read Wuthering Heights. I really enjoyed this story. I appreciated Jane's character and her depth of integrity. I did not like any of her male cousins and am glad the book ended happily. Jane is a very spiritual, do the right thing girl. Temptation is there to lash out, to give in to her passions, etc. But at Lowood she learned to control those emotions and to act rationally and rightly. A part of me wondered if she lost a bit of herself in doing that, but in reflection I really don't think so. She became a truer version of herself. I think that Jane Eyre can give us all a deeper spiritual message and truth: I care for myself. I will respect myself. I will keep the laws given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad as I am now. Laws and principles are not for times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth?
I pray I can remember well remember her words the next time I face temptation. And to plant my foot in what I know to be true and right and good.

January 2022
Reread (partially by audiobook) and liked it even more. Bumped it from 3 to 4 stars.

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