First, a Shout-out to a local Austin writer–yay! This novel combines a few of my favorite things: spies, intrigue, and literature, oh my! I am sure other reviewers have pointed this out, but I would also like to make sure everyone notes the irony of the author’s first name being the name of the mainContinue reading “The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott”
Category Archives: Book Reviews
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Once again I will be out of sync with the consensus. I really hated this book, in fact, I was angry when I finished it because I felt like I had wasted my time. I read it because my book group was reading it and because several people had told me it was wonderful–it alsoContinue reading “Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens”
Book Discussion: Golden Hill by Frances Spufford
Golden HIll is an interesting niche novel, for those who enjoy older forms of writing, including a self-conscious, slightly intrusive narrator. While I enjoyed the writing immensely, I will have to confess that I found the plot a little lacking. The book is set in 1746 New York. Richard Smith arrives from London mysteriously bearingContinue reading “Book Discussion: Golden Hill by Frances Spufford”
Book Discussion: The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
Full disclosure. I am a HUGE fan of Atwood in general and The Handmaid’s Tale specifically, so keep in mind that my comments regarding this work are not unbiased. First, I love the format. The alternating viewpoints give a full picture of what is happening in Gilead and outside of it, but interestingly, the firstContinue reading “Book Discussion: The Testaments by Margaret Atwood”
Book Discussion: The Last Book Party by Karen Dukess
I got this book as an e-galley and I was really looking forward to it. It had rave reviews and the pre-pub buzz was great. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the hype. I should have known better, when I saw the protagonist referred to as a female Philip Roth. Full disclosure–though I have triedContinue reading “Book Discussion: The Last Book Party by Karen Dukess”
Book Discussion: The French Lesson by Hallie Rubenhold
This novel popped up when I was doing an Amazon search for Hallie Rubenhold, because I thoroughly enjoyed her historical account of the Scandalous Lady W. (See my earlier post on that book here.) If you are looking for a fun summer read to keep you company in your beach chair or on your couch,Continue reading “Book Discussion: The French Lesson by Hallie Rubenhold”
Book Discussion: Victoria by Daisy Goodwin
I debated with myself about reading this book, since I had already watched the first 2 seasons of Victoria on Masterpiece/PBS. I am not going to lie, I did not enjoy this novel as much as I did Goodwin’s earlier works–The Heiress and The Fortune Hunter. Part of it may have been because I hadContinue reading “Book Discussion: Victoria by Daisy Goodwin”
Book Discussion: Circe by Madeline Miller
This one has been on my list for a while, so I am happy to be able to say I have finally read it. All those awards lists and reviewers were right, it is a great book. It is not a quick easy read, but it is worth savoring, because the writing is lyrical andContinue reading “Book Discussion: Circe by Madeline Miller”
Guilty Pleasure: Mine: a Novel of Obsession by J. L. Butler
I received an ARC of this last year at the Texas Library Association Annual Conference. Full disclosure–this is definitely a fun beach/vacation read, not serious literature. Having said that, though, there is a lot to recommend it if you are in the right mood. Francine Day is a divorce attorney in London and herContinue reading “Guilty Pleasure: Mine: a Novel of Obsession by J. L. Butler”
Book Discussion: Lady Worsley’s Whim by Hallie Rubenhold
This book was recommended to me by a fellow Janeite and it is wonderful if you love history, scandal, and thinking about how the choices we make matter. Seymour Dorothy Worsley (nee Fleming) was married at 17 to Sir Richard Worsley in 1775. In the decades preceding the beginning of the eighteenth century, life amongContinue reading “Book Discussion: Lady Worsley’s Whim by Hallie Rubenhold”
Readerly 