Book Club

[smoky22]

I read Things in Jars by Jess Kidd, an immensely entertaining and atmospheric tale of a female sleuth in Victorian London,  hired to find a mysterious and peculiar kidnapped child.  The story includes fantasy and folklore, a ghost, villains and other characters reminiscent of Dickens.  The main character is unconventional, street smart, courageous and very likeable.  I think the author is an exceptionally talented writer.

Thanks to @LoriLori  for recommending it!

[Alter Ego]

I finished listening to Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore (wow - that sounds like a pseudonym, doesn't it! I didn't google to find out if it was.)

Basically, when the clock strikes 12 on NYE (which coincidentally also marks Oona's 19th birthday), Oona wakes up in her 50something year old body.  And, each year, she wakes up in another year in her life (this is the "out of order" of the title).  Internally, she is aging normally, which is why the book is easy to follow - the narrator is "in order", even though her life is not.  I started out really liking it, but later got annoyed by some of the years.   I'm not going to think too hard about it, and say I give it a thumbs up.  It certainly gave me some surprises.  But, for goodness sakes, 50 is NOT OLD!  

Now I'm going jetsetting off on a Mediterranean cruise with a dysfunctional family in Reese's latest bookclub pick.

[smoky22]

@Alter Ego  I want to get this book so badly (Oona Out of Order) and none of my libraries has it.   I was happy to see your review.  It sounds intriguing. 

[BirkiLady]

Began at #109 on the wait list at the library for this book. Picked it up Friday; began reading Saturday and couldn't put it down. Worth the wait!

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (Whopping 5 Stars)

[Bridgegal]

I just finished Outliers by Malcom Galdwell.   It's about the reasons why some people succeed and some don't and how the reasons are based on factors other than the typical reasons of  luck and education.  Very interesting book.

I'm now reading Hillbill Elegy by JD Vance.   Another non fiction book about how the author has found success despite growing up poor in Kentucky and Ohio and the impact that family and culture has on one's life. It is excellent so far.

In between these, I was reading Madam President a novel by Nicolle Wallace.   It begins with terrorist attacks in the US but I'm 40% through and so far it's mostly about the people on the President's staff and their lives.   I'm hoping she gets back to the initial story line and deals with the attacks.

[Catty2]

I finished two books this week.  Mending Places by Denise Hunter.  A young woman quits college to help her grandmother run the family inn near Yellowstone Park.  Business takes a turn for the worse and they are trying to figure out if they are being sabotaged.  The book was OK but something happens near the end that ruined it for me.

The Dog That Whispered by Jim Kraus.  Wilson Steele is a single professor and Vietnam vet who likes living alone, insisting it's too late for him to have a family.  His mother disagrees.  His mother sees a show on TV about an animal rescue and goes there to impulsively rescue a black lab mix.  Then her retirement community's no pets policy forces her to give Wilson the lovable dog, Thurman.  It's a feel good book about people working through their demons and opening up to the future. 

[hooked on books]

I am currently reading "A Lily in the Light" by Kristin Fields. It is her debut novel and IMO, it's a great read! A missing child, her ballet dancing sister and the fallout among the rest of the family. I will definitely be watching for the next book by this new author!

[Patriot3]

I just finished "The Resistance Women".  True story and great book!!

[beckyb1012]

Dead To Her, by Sarah Pinborough;  Wonderful thriller about 2nd wives, $$, and murder. Loved it.

Pretty As A Picture, by Elizabeth Little.  Murder on a Hollywood set where the movie is about and unsolved decades old murder.  Not too great but good enough to finish.

[Judaline]

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@Catty2 wrote:

The Dog That Whispered by Jim Kraus.  Wilson Steele is a single professor and Vietnam vet who likes living alone, insisting it's too late for him to have a family.  His mother disagrees.  His mother sees a show on TV about an animal rescue and goes there to impulsively rescue a black lab mix.  Then her retirement community's no pets policy forces her to give Wilson the lovable dog, Thurman.  It's a feel good book about people working through their demons and opening up to the future. 

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Does the dog die?