I concentrated on reading more middle-grade books this month. But most of the books I read for adults were really good. Well, except for one. You can see the last one was not for me.
4 Stars | In Five Years | Rebecca Serle | 2020
Dannie and Bella are lifelong best girlfriends. Bella is wild, carefree and adventurous while Dannie is controlled, determined and a type-A lawyer. Dannie dreams one night of a life very different than the one she has planned; she is married to someone other than her fiancé. Later when Bella introduces her to her newest boyfriend, she finds herself facing the man of her dream. A few twists happen that I cannot mention so I won't give away the story. This is a fast read and I read it in one day! This book also gives New York City some love as the setting in this contemporary fiction story.
4 Stars | 500 Miles From You | Jenny Colgan | 2020
Lissa is a public health nurse in London who experiences a fatal car accident and suffers from post-traumatic stress syndrome. Human Resources encourages her to take advantage of a nurse trade and go to a quiet country position to help her deal with the situation. Meanwhile, Cormac is a nurse in the Scottish Highlands who is persuaded to also take advantage of this program where you can advance your skills working in an urban setting. Lissa and Cormac both decide to do a trade and actually trade their living situations. Of course, fitting into both situations is comical and difficult for each of them. They are able to update each other on their cases and begin a relationship without ever having met.
This book is the third book in the Bookshop book setting. Lissa befriends both Nina and Zoe from the first two books. If you haven't read them....you would still enjoy this one, however....read them all. I liked all of them. This book made me want to stay awhile in Scotland and hang out with the characters. What a great read!
4 Stars | The Book of Longings | Sue Monk Kidd | 2020
I was a little fearful reading this book because it is imagining that Jesus was married as a young man to Ana. I was hoping it wouldn't be irreverent. The author did extensive research on the culture and history of the first century and was careful to respectfully write this non-traditional story about the humanity of Jesus during his years when we know little about his life. It was well done! Read the author's notes in the back when you get started reading to find out Kidd's thought process for writing this project.
The book is a story about his wife and how, as a woman at this time period, she has few rights and means to follow her dreams and longings. She is a writer who was raised in a wealthy home and was given some opportunities that were not typical. But she could never be independent and follow her own will. When an arranged marriage goes array, Ana finds herself in a predicament that could mean her death. Jesus, who she has briefly met, saves her and a relationship and marriage develops quickly. The story takes us through their marriage until the crucifixion of Jesus and what happens to Ana in her later life.
Experiencing the lifestyle of 1st century Nazareth, Jerusalem, and Alexandra, Egypt in both the wealthy and poor communities is one of my favorite things about this book. The author describes the scenery, food, clothing, smells, cities and homes with lots of details to help the reader see and feel this era. I was glad I read this as an eBook because I also looked up quite a few unfamiliar words for further definitions. The author shows us Jesus' perspective as he begins to see he is destined for ministry and how that plays out in the Gospels. You may not agree with every detail in this book, but overall, Sue Monk Kidd was successful in looking at the question...what if Jesus was married?
I don't know what to read next...this was really quite a rich experience that gave me plenty to think about. I may be rereading this book someday.
4 Stars | While We're Far Apart | Lynn Austin | 2010
Lynn Austin always writes a great story. In this historical fiction book, she writes about three families in Brooklyn, New York and their experiences during World War II.
While they wait for the war to end and for their loved ones to return, they deal with their own problems and difficulties. Penny volunteers to take care of widower Eddies's two children while he goes to fight. She has a big crush on Eddie and hopes he notices her! She also discovers secrets about her own childhood and takes charge of her independence from her parents. The children struggle as they miss their father. The elderly Jewish man in their apartment is accused of setting fire to the neighborhood synagogue while also learning how his own son is mistreated by the Nazis in Europe. So much difficulty on the home front. I really loved how the Jewish man explained his religion to the kids and how they befriended him. Hope amidst such a sad time period.
1 Star | White Out | Danielle Girard | 2020
This was an Amazon First free book and I was very disappointed in this mystery. I didn't even bother writing a review. I will post the publisher's summary:
After surviving a car accident on an icy road in Hagen, North Dakota, Lily Baker regains consciousness with no idea where or who she is. Scattered Bible verses and the image of a man lying in a pool of blood haunt her memory.
The same night of the accident, a young woman is murdered and tossed in a dumpster. Kylie Milliard, Hagen’s only detective, doesn’t immediately recognize the victim, but Kylie soon discovers that Lily and the dead woman share a dark past…if only Lily could remember what it was.
Lily and Kylie both want answers. But Kylie has to play by the book. Lily has to play it safe. And the more Lily learns about her identity, the more she fears the truth.
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