Marching through my bookshelves

 This month was pretty average in regards to my reading.  One book in particular was my Sisyphean task.  And I blame it and it alone for my merely average list this month.  But I digress.  This month I read 8 books.  A total of 2,575 pages.  An average of 83 pages per day.  So let's get into it.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (309 pages).  I'm doing a reading challenge where one of the books is one you haven't read in over 3 years.  Anne was (and always will be) one of my favorite book series of all time.  I love all of her adventures.  I love her growth.  I love her quotes.  If you don't know, it's the story of brother and sister Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert who adopt young orphan Anne Shirley (when they really wanted a boy).  But as fate would have it, they needed this delightful redhead more than she needed them.  I finished in 3 days.

Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey (301 pages).  Maud is 82 years old and into early stages of dementia.  But she is convinced that her best friend Elizabeth is missing.  No one she tells seems to care.  But as Maud continues to leave herself notes about Elizabeth's possible disappearance, she remembers her sister's disappearance shortly after WWII.  I did not like this book at all.  Honestly, it seemed like Maud had dementia at all times, whether it was her 82 year old self or her teen aged self.  I spent most of the book just hoping it would end.  I finished in 4 days.

The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (591 pages).  American Rebecca Porter decided to do something without her twin Lacey for the first time in her life- she did an exchange program with her university of Cornell and Oxford.  Little did she realize that classmate Nicholas Wales was the Prince Charming she would find.  Quite literally, as Nick was the future King of England.  While Bex dealt with being both an American and a commoner in love with the future King, their relationship ebbed and flowed.  But this was beachy chick lit at its best.  So nothing can keep true love apart.  Right?  Honestly, Bex was a little bit Kate Middleton and a little bit Meghan Markle.  The fact that this book was published a year before Harry and Meghan began dating is shocking.  It seemed like a fictionalized version of their lives in a lot of ways.  Only I liked Bex and Nick and Nick's redheaded younger brother Freddie way more than I like Harry and Meghan.  I finished in 6 days.

The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale (288 pages).  Delphine, Margaux and Lindsay met as teen aged students at the Paris Opera Ballet.  After 10 years of being inseparable, one split second decision tore them apart and sent Delphine to St Petersburg for a new career.  But after 13 years away, Delphine returns to Paris to choreograph for the Ballet.  And must face the friends she left behind.  The novel goes back and forth between the past and the present.  I didn't love this book, but I didn't hate it either.  I finished in 2 days.

The Beet Queen by Louise Erdrich (338 pages).  In 1932, 14 year old Karl Adare and his 11 year old sister Mary hop a freight train to find their aunt and uncle in Argus, North Dakota, after their mother abandons them.  Mary stays with their family, while Karl hops back on the train.  Over the next 40 years, the novel covers their lives.  Mary grows up to be perfectly sturdy and seemingly ordinary, while Karl ends up scattered and loses himself on a regular basis.  Their beautiful cousin Sita plays a large role in Mary's life, as does Sita's former (and now Mary's) best friend, half Native American Celestine.  As soon as I realized I'd read another book by this same author, I understood why I didn't like this book at all.  Every chapter had a postscript chapter.  And honestly, most of them left me wondering what I had just read.  I finished in 4 days.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (151 pages).  Mary Katherine, her sister Constance and their Uncle Julian are the only remaining members of the once large and proud Blackwood family.  Merricat's weekly trips to the village are the only contact the family has with the outside world after Constance was tried and found innocent of killing the family with arsenic four years prior.  They are happy in their self-imposed solitude.  Until one day, their unsavory Cousin Charles arrives on their doorstep.  Merricat does not appreciate his presence.  And suspects he has ulterior motions.  But when tragedy strikes, the true feelings of the village come out.  And Merricat and Constance are forced to reevaluate their solitude and routine.  Shirley Jackson is such an amazing and frequently overlooked author.  I finished in 2 days.

The Great Controversy by Ellen G. White (456 pages).  I did not purchase this book.  After googling it, I'm pretty sure it arrived in the mail one day, completely unsolicited.  And, in an effort to clear off my shelves, I read it.  It was published in 1858 and it shows.  The author was one of the co-founders of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and it shows.  It was literally one of the worst books I've ever read.  I only finished it because I started it.  I finished in 9 days.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (141 pages, which included 56 pages of introductory essays and an afterword).  I think everyone knows the story of Jekyll and Hyde- the easygoing doctor who drinks a potion that turns him into a criminal.  What I found most intriguing was that every time Jekyll and Hyde are referenced in movies, Jekyll is always scrawny and Hyde is big and muscular.  In the novel, Jekyll is larger and older, while Hyde is much smaller and younger.  Just an observation.  I also found it odd that in movies, when Hyde is killed, he reverts to Jekyll's form.  That does not happen in the book.  All preconceptions from movies aside, I enjoyed this book.  I finished in 2 days.

This month's favorite was.....well, I decided it would be unfair to the other books to choose Anne (as she is more than a monthly favorite, she is a lifetime favorite).  So I went for We Have Always Lived in the Castle.

February- short month, short list of books

 So I fell a little story this month in average number of pages each day (that’s really how I judge if I’ve had a good month of reading). But I did finish a 1000 page book. So I still feel partial accomplished. This month was 5 books. A total of 2,699 pages. An average of 96 pages per day. 

IT by Stephen King (1153 pages). This book was good, but disturbing. IT has preyed on the small town of Derry, Maine, for centuries. Every 27 years or so, IT emerges from hibernation and preys on the children of the town. And for some reason, the town just simply doesn’t acknowledge it. But in the summer of 1958, the 7 members of the Losers Club manage to almost defeat IT. And vow that if IT returns, so will they. To finish the job. So in 1985, Mike (the lone member who remained in Derry and therefore remembered everything) calls the 6 other members to return. Until the moment of Mike’s phone call, none of them remembered each other or the events of 1958. But as they return and begin to remember, they are ready to face IT again. In any form IT takes. Not going to lie, the movies did an amazing job with this book. A few things were omitted (with good reason). But I normally always think the movie can’t match the book. This one did well!  I finished in 10 days. 

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (361 pages). Teacher Alex and travel writer Poppy met as freshmen at the University of Chicago. But they didn’t become friends until they carpooled home together for the summer. And they didn’t become best friends until they took their first Summer Trip the next year. But two years ago, the Summer Trip ended in the destruction of their friendship. Now, Poppy is desperate to find her happy again, a feeling she hasn’t felt since her falling out with Alex. When she suggests a trip and he takes her up on it, is it finally time for their friendship to be mended?  I finished in 3 days. 

The Book of Hidden Things by Francesco Dimitri (382 pages). For 17 years, Art, Fabio, Mauro and Tony have returned to their hometown for one day to reunite under a Pact they made as teenagers. But this year, Art didn’t show. And Art had always been the one who kept them together. The friends search for him and quickly learn that he had been dealing marijuana. In an area ruled by a mafia family who controlled all drug deals. But Art had been diving into deeper waters than a little drug dealing, as they find out when they find his Book of Hidden Things. This book was weird. It got a little too mystical for me. I finished in 4 days. 

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams (368 pages). Just in case you need it. To Kill a Mockingbird. Rebecca. The Kite Runner. Life of Pi. Pride and Prejudice. Little Women. Beloved. A Suitable Boy. This list manages to change the lives of every person who finds it. But most especially Aleisha and Mukesh.  Aleisha is working at the library and living a difficult home life with a mentally unstable mother. Mukesh is a recent widower. And neither of them are readers. Until they find this list. The novel also mentioned several other people who comes across the list over a roughly 2 year period. And to be honest, that became my favorite part by the end. I finished in 4 days. 

The Godfather by Mario Puzo (435 pages). I’ve seen the movie (and loved it). I’d actually always heard that the movie might be better than the book. Which is sacrilege to a reader. But Puzo was involved in the screenwriting, so the movie was as good as the book!  It’s the story of the Corleone family, Don Vito and his 4 children, and the Mafia families in New York and around the country. It was really good. I finished in 7 days. 

This month’s favorite was…..People You Meet on Vacation. I do love chick lit!

New year, new books

 I’m starting the year off pretty strong. My Up All Night New Years book from Once Upon a Book Club includes a 40 book scratch off challenge. So I like to start the year by jumping right into it and checking off books. Of the 9 books I read this month, 7 of them were for the challenge!  So this month was a total of 9 books. 2977 pages. An average of 96 pages a day. 

Midnight Spells Murder by Mary Angela (203 pages). This was a very belated (sweet) Halloween book from Once Upon a Book Club (thanks supply chain issues). So gifties on social. Zo Jones, owner of Happy Camper gift store in Spirit Canyon and part time sleuth, schedules a talk with local author and self proclaimed witch Marianne at the shop. Everything seems perfect. Until Zo finds Marianne’s lifeless body near Happy Camper, propped up like a Halloween decoration in a witch’s hat. Turns out, more than one person in town has motive for killing Marianne. And Zo decides that she is just the right part time sleuth to solve the mystery. This book was adorable. I finished in 2 days. 

The Haunting of Leigh Harker by Darcy Coates (338 pages). This was another belated (spooky) Halloween book from Once Upon a Book Club. After 15 years in her beloved home, Leigh realizes it is not the sanctuary it had once been. She can barely make it through an hour in her home without noticing that doors have been opened (or closed), furniture has been moved. And, most disturbingly, a dark figure looms in her bedroom door each night. But Leigh is not going to give up her home without a fight. This book took a while to pull me in. But once it did, the twists kept coming!  I finished in 5 days. 

Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel by A.W Jantha (521 pages). Part One was a novelization of one of my all-time favorite movies. While I loved the fact that it added a little more backstory to some of the characters, it also just wasn’t as great as the book. Part Two takes place 25 years later. Max and Allison’s daughter, Poppy, has long held her parents’ secret- that they brought back and vanquished the Sanderson sisters. But when Poppy and her friends inadvertently bring Winnie, Meg and Sarah back, they must do what they can to best the sisters once again. This novel got me excited for the upcoming sequel movie. But I didn’t love the novels. They were fun, but nothing special. I finished in 4 days. 

Animal Farm by George Orwell (105 pages). This is one of those books that just somehow never got assigned in school and therefore was never read.  I already knew the premise of the novel- the animals of Manor Farm rebel and create a self-governed Animal Farm. But nothing is perfect. And “all animals are equal” eventually becomes “all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”  I’m pretty sure that there has been no time in history that this story has not been timely in its critique of socialism. And its observation that blind loyalty to any governing body is never a smart idea. I finished in 1 day. 

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn (624 pages). Y’all know I love some WW2 historical fiction!  In 1940, Osla (a wealthy debutante), Mab (a girl seeking a better life) and Beth (a henpecked daughter) are all picked to work at Bletchley Park, the country estate where all of the most brilliant codebreakers in England (including Alan Touring) are working to break Enigma. Seven years later, all of England is celebrating the wedding of Osla’s ex boyfriend to Princess Elizabeth. But the three women reunite to help one of them escape an insane asylum and track down the traitor from Bletchley Park who put her there. A traitor who is far closer to home than any of them realize. Omg- this was soooo good!!  I finished in 5 days. 

12 Days of Book-Club-Mas by Lana Gionfriddo et al (223 pages). This is an annual treat I give myself from Once Upon a Book Club. It’s 12 days of short stories and accompanying gifts. Some of the stories are so amazing that I wish they were full books!  Technically, I should have taken 12 days to read this. But I just got so into it that I finished in 3 days. 

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus (358 pages). It’s a Monday afternoon in September at Bayview High School when 5 students make their way to detention. Bronwyn is an overachiever, bound for Yale. Cooper is a star baseball player, bound for the majors. Addy is a prom princess. Nate is a minor criminal. And Simon is the school gossip page. But when a lethal allergy attack takes the life of one of them, it is quickly apparent that it wasn’t an accident. And the remaining 4 try to figure out who’s secret was worth killing for. There were some great twists and reveals in this one. There’s also a series on Peacock that I decided to watch. And it basically destroys the book. I always say the book is better and this series proves my point!  I finished in 4 days. 

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (288 pages). This was a reread from over a year ago for a book club that I’m in now. And I loved it as much the second time around!  Recap- Nora Seed decides that her life isn’t worth living anymore. The moment she kills herself, she immediately finds herself in the Midnight Library, an in-between spot where she just simply has to open a book and she falls into a new life that she is living. The librarian suggests she focus on regrets first. And again, I wished this place were real to see how my life could have been different if I’d made different choices (not that I don’t want the life I have, it’s just curiosity). I finished in 1 day. 

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (317 pages). This is another one that I can’t believe I’ve never read. The moors, Heathcliff, Catherine, doomed love. Everyone knows that. But I wasn’t aware of the fact that Heathcliff and Catherine are literal monster characters- there isn’t much redeeming about either of them. I also did not realize the levels of cousins marrying cousins that happened in the generation following Heathcliff and Catherine. Despite how horrendous Heathcliff and Catherine were, I actually liked the novel quite a bit. I finished in 6 days. 

This month’s favorite was…..The Rose Code. Obviously. It’s WWII historical fiction!

The year is done and so is my monthly reading

 This month was not the best month of reading for me. I was kind of trying to clean off some of my shelves to make room for new books for the new year. So this month was 7 books for a total of 2,381 pages. That’s an average of 77 pages a day. 

The Breath of Dawn by Kristen Heitzmann (437 pages). Quinn Erin Reilly loves her job. She cleans out houses for families who have lost a loved one and sells the treasures she finds online. But the thing she loves best about her job is that she can stay off the grid. Which is very helpful when you helped put a conman behind bars. During one of her jobs, she meets Morgan Spencer, a man still mourning the loss of his wife and raising his 2 year old daughter with the help of his brother and sister-in-law. Soon, they realize that they need each other more than they would have ever thought. Especially when the conman is released from prison and Quinn’s very life is in danger.  This book was fine- it had sweet Christian overtones that I enjoyed. I finished in 4 days.

Fatal Tide by Iris Johansen (338 pages).  Melis is a dolphin expert and the adopted daughter of a bona fide treasure hunter. But when a rival hunter who is also an arms dealer enters the picture, death and danger follow Melis and her new friends in the quest for the most elusive treasure ever.  I did not enjoy this book at all. I finished in 4 days. 

Hidden by Fern Michaels (308 pages). Cullan Bodman and his sister Luna are as different as siblings can be. He specializes in furniture restoration and is as businesslike as they come. Luna owns a cafe adjacent to her brother’s shop and is a free spirited psychometric. When a piece of furniture speaks to Luna, the siblings find themselves in the middle of a mystery that is truly life or death. I finished in 3 days. 

Children of Exile by Margaret Haddix (296 pages). This is the first in a series (that I have no plans to complete). For 12 years, all children of a certain town have been raised in Fredtown, by their Fred-parents. But one day, they are told that they are not orphans and they are going home. But home is nothing like Fredtown. And 12 year old Rosi must do what she can to protect herself, her brother and the other children from this strange new world. I didn’t like anything about this book- the reason the children were taken was ridiculous. And the people in charge were as well. This was one dystopian novel that left me confused. I finished in 4 days. 

The Round House by Louise Erdrich (321 pages). During the spring of 1988, Geraldine Coutts is attacked on the North Dakota reservation where she lives with her husband Bazil, a tribal judge, and 13 year old son Joe. In one evening, Joe’s whole world is turned upside down. His mother retreats into herself. Joe’s father tries everything he knows to learn who the culprits are. And Joe takes it upon himself to do his own research, with the help of his best friends. Their search for answers leads them to the Round House, one of the most sacred places on their reservation. And a quest for vengeance. I finished in 6 days. 

Everything is Perfect When You are a Liar by Kelly Oxford (316 pages). This was a memoir. And a very amusing one at that. Kelly’s adventures (or misadventures) from childhood to adult seem like that can’t have all happened to one person. But apparently they did!  I laughed a lot. And even found myself reading several passages out loud to my normally not interested in what I’m reading fiancé. He laughed too!  I finished in 4 days. 

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens (365 pages). I had never read this classic before, but I felt like I already knew the story (thanks to movies and musicals and cartoons). Long story short- orphan Oliver Twist finds himself in all sorts of situations, both good and bad, until he escapes Fagin’s clutches and finds his forever family. I’m not going to lie, the entire time I was reading, I kept hearing the song “Oliver” from the musical. I finished in 6 days. 

This month’s favorite was…..Everything is Perfect. It was truly LOL!

Apparently, this was No(read)vember for me……

 This month was kind of slow, reading-wise. But in my defense, I did have a few other things going on. I did manage to finish 6 books at a total of 2,106 pages. Which averaged 7- pages a day. Yes, fat below my normal average. But still respectable. 

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty (464 pages). Retired tennis coach and mother of 4 adult children Joy Delaney is missing. Something unheard of in the Delaney family. Joy was their rock- the very foundation upon which their tennis obsessed family rests. But one year earlier, a strange girl named Savannah showed up at the Delaney house one night. And wormed her way into Joy’s affections. Now, as everyone searches for Joy, people are left wondering who is responsible for her disappearance. I finished in 6 days. 

The Hiding Place by C.J. Tudor (276 pages). The small (former) mining town of Arnhill has a difficult history, especially for former resident Joe Thorne. The last place he wants to go is back home. But a horrific set of events when he was a teenager needs to be faced. The loss and return of his younger sister, his friend’s death. Joe wants answers. And Arnhill is the only place to find the answers. I finished in 3 days. 

The Guest List by Lucy Foley (313 pages). A remote, almost uninhabited island of the coast of Ireland is the setting for Jules and Will’s exclusive wedding.  The bride, her sister, her best friend’s wife, the best man and the wedding planner all have secrets. Secrets so big that one of them will kill for them. I literally did not see any of the twists coming. This book was sooooo good!  I finished in 4 days. 

One Day in December by Josie Silver (392 pages). It’s right before Christmas in 2008. When Laurie meets the love of her life. And by meets, I mean locks eyes with him while she’s on a bus and he’s at the bus stop. She’d never believed in love at first sight. But now she’s on a mission to find him. And she does- one year later, her best friend Sarah introduces her to bus boy Jack. Who is Sarah’s new boyfriend. Over the next 9 years, Laurie and Jack are intertwined in each other’s lives- as friends, during marriages, through breakups. But can someone you had a moment with at a bus stop actually be your forever?  I finished in 5 days. 

IQ by Joe Ide (323 pages). Isaiah Quintabe is known as IQ in his East Long Beach neighborhood.  He is, for lack of a better description, a ghetto detective. He is brilliant and devoted to uncovering wrongs i his neighborhood. Any case that the police see no merit in is a case that’s right up his alley. So it’s not at all surprising when he gets a call about an attempt on a rapper’s life. What is surprising is the case itself. Honestly, I did not really enjoy this book. The language was rough, the facts of the case were confusing, and the way the chapters time jumped kept me confused.  I finished in 4 days. 

Exposed by Lisa Scottoline (338 pages). Attorney Mary DiNunzio is asked to take on a case for an old family friend from her neighborhood. Which she happily does for free- the facts are heartbreakingly in her favor. Unfortunately. the parent company is represented by her partner Bennie Rosato. Can these partners and friends actually face off in court?  And when someone connected to the case dies, can Mary and Bennie figure out who is behind it?  I finished in 4 days. 

This month’s favorite was…..The Guest List. 

October is over, my reading was average

 October was nothing out of the ordinary. 8 books read. A total of 3,055 pages. An average of 98.5 pages per day (so a little less than my normal average). But here we go!

Wunderland by Jennifer Cody Epstein (367 pages). Ilse and Renate have been best friends all of their lives. But their once inseparable bond is ripped apart as Hitler begins to take power in Germany. Ilse is the perfect example of an Aryan girl. Renate and her family do not agree with the Nazi race laws, especially when it hits close to home. A shocking betrayal is the final nail in the coffin of their friendship. 50 years later, Ilse’s daughter Ava receives letters that her mother never sent- letters that will show Renate was really happened and share a deep family secret. I finished in 6 days. 

Seeing Red by Sandra Brown (421 pages). Kerry Bailey is a TV reporter in Dallas, ready to snag the interview of her life. 25 years prior, Major Franklin Trapper became a national hero when he helped lead survivors to safety after a hotel bombing. After decades of giving interviews and living in the spotlight, the Major unexpected left the public life. But Kerry knows she has a secret that will get that interview. But it will take getting his estranged son John to help her. Trapper, a former ATF agent, has long wondered about the bombing and who was truly behind it. But the interview ends in disaster when the Major and Kerr are attacked. Trapper and Kerry join forces to bring the gunman (or men) to justice and to uncover a conspiracy that has plagued Trapper for years. I finished in 5 days. 

Courting Mr. Lincoln by Louis Bayard (379 pages). In 1839, Mary Todd moved to Springfield, Illinois, to live with her sister and brother-in-law. And to possibly find a husband. She quickly makes the acquaintance of Joshua Speed and his best friend, Abraham Lincoln.  While Speed is charming, Lincoln remains a mystery. And as her relationship with Lincoln deepens, Mary must navigate his inseparable friendship with Speed. Honestly, I didn’t know too much about Lincoln and Mary Todd. But their love story was quite fascinating. I finished in 5 days. 

P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern (470 pages). My bestie and I both love this movie (she probably more than me). So I decided I wanted to read the book. It was different than the movie, in that the whole thing takes place in Ireland rather than only Gerry being Irish. But the premise is still the same. A few months after her beloved husband dies of a brain tumor, Holly is in the depths of despair. But she gets a packet of letters from Gerry, to be opened each month. These letters challenge her to remember to keep living. And each letter ends with “P.S. I love you.”  It’s a beautiful story about how life is full of moments of pain and joy. And we must embrace all of those moments in order to fully live. I finished in 4 days. 

Postscript by Cecelia Ahern (295 pages). This takes place 6 years after the first book. Holly has a whole new life going on- a new job, a new relationship. But when her sister invites her to share her PS I Love You letters story on a podcast, a group of people reach out to her for help. They want to do for their loved ones what Gerry did for her. At first, it seems like the wrong decision- it’s bring up all the pain of losing him. But eventually, Holly realizes that remembering Gerry is what makes her the woman she is today. I finished in 3 days. 

The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewel (398 pages). This was my Once Upon a Book Club box, so gifties on social (per usual). I love this author. She always has an unexpected twist. In this, young parents Tallulah and Zack are last seen enjoying a rare night out. When they don’t come home, Tallulah’s mom, Kim, is worried. And when she learns that they went to a house party after dinner at the local pub, she knows something is wrong. But nothing is ever found. A year later, Sophie moves to this small town to join her boyfriend at his new position as headmaster at a school. Sophie is an author of detective novels. And when she sees a note that says “dig here,” she finds herself drawn into the mystery of the teens disappearance. Told over 2 years (the year before they disappear, their disappearance and the year after), the novel kept me on the edge of my seat! I finished in 4 days. 

Not All Diamonds and Rose by Dave Quinn (465 pages). The ultimate Housewives Bible. This book was amazing (if you love the Real Housewives, which I do). The behind the scene details, the production secrets, so juicy!  Dave Quinn interviewed Housewives AND production. Meaning we got multiple sides to almost every story (including the actual truth)!  I finished in 3 days. 

Nala’s World by Dean Nicholson (260 pages). I’ve been following an Instagram account called 1bike1world for about 2 1/2 years. This is the story of the man who started the account (Dean) and his amazing cat (Nala). I already knew some of the story, just by following him on Instagram. But my heart warmed to Dean even more. In 2018, he left Scotland and began a journey to bike around the world. And found “wee” Nala on the side of the road. They are now world adventurers and soulmates. She also happens to be one of the most gorgeous and photogenic cats I’ve ever seen. I finished in 2 days. 

This month’s favorite was…..Not All Diamonds and Rose. I know, I know. There were some other really good ones. But for this Housewives fan, this book could not be beat!

September was a glorious month for reading

 This month was great. Between pool time and vacation, I got a lot of reading done. 12 books. 4,029 pages. An average of 134 pages per day. So here we go!!

Eyes of Justice by Lis Wiehl (292 pages). Triple Threat have been friends and cohorts for 6 years. Cassidy is a crime reporter, Nicole is an FBI agent and Allison is a federal prosecutor. Between the three of them, no crime is too big of a mystery. Until one of them is killed. The other two find themselves teaming up with private investigator Ophelia to solve this crime. Before it’s too late and another one of them dies. I finished in 3 days. 

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy (292 pages). This was my Once Upon a Book Club book. A fun modernization of a classic fairy tale. Cindy is a recent Parsons grad with a major shoe obsession. After all, shoes are the one things that always fit, even when you are a plus-sized girl like Cindy is. When her stepmother’s hit tv show (basically The Bachelor) needs a few new contestants, Cindy and her two stepsisters join the cast. A chance at winning prize money that could help boost her career?  Sign her up!  A chance to be a role model for women of normal sizes as the first plus sized contestant?  Sure, that’s a fun bonus. But as the show goes on, Cindy realizes that she and Prince Charming might actually have a real connection. Can a girl really get everything she wants, all by being on a reality tv show?!   I finished in 2 days. 

Labyrinth by Catherine Coulter (497 pages). FBI Agent Sherlock is simply driving her car one afternoon when she is t-boned by another vehicle. And then hits a man who is running across the street. Eventually, through DNA, they learn his name and that he is a now missing CIA analyst. Turns out he is missing because of something he may have uncovered. And what he may have uncovered could have massive effects. Meanwhile, in a small town in Virginia, FBI Special Agent Hammersmith happens upon a serial kidnapping ring that encompasses the local sheriff’s nephew and a very powerful family. Two twisty and frightening stories overlap in this very interesting crime novel. I finished in 1 day. 

See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt (325 pages). Historical fiction about Lizzie Borden?  Yes please!  The story was told by Lizzie, her older sister Emma, the maid Bridget, and a stranger named Benjamin. As someone who has been to the Lizzie Borden house, I love reading books about her. Because I can literally picture exactly where everything happened (I even have photos axing my dad in the sitting room and my mom in the guest room- yes, we are morbidly funny). I enjoyed the addition of Benjamin- he was hired by Lizzie and Emma’s uncle John to talk to Mr Borden (aka- hurt him in some way). But before he could get the job done, someone else took care of both Mr AND Mrs Borden. While hiding around the property, he found (and kept) the ax head. And tried to use it later on to blackmail the Bordens. I did not enjoy the bouncing around of the timeline though. Literally, my only complaint.  I finished in 1 day. 

The Lake by Natasha Preston (356 pages). Esme and Kayla are now counselors in training at Camp Pine Lake, a camp they haven’t been to in 10 years. Because something happened during their last summer at camp. And the lake never forgets. This had a great twist ending. I finished in 3 days. 

Miss Austen by Gill Hornby (268 pages). I know what you are thinking, a book about Jane Austen. Probably historical fiction. Correct on the genre. Incorrect on the subject. This was about Jane’s older sister, Cassandra. The sister who took it upon herself to make sure Jane’s legacy outlived them all. Cassandra had been engaged at one time, but lost her fiancé to yellow fever. After that, she swore never to marry. She and Jane lived together with their mother until the end of their lives. When Jane predeceased her, Cassandra gathered up all of her correspondence and got rid of any that she felt was too personal.  Their relationship was something very special and beautiful. I finished in 3 days. 

The Light Over London by Julia Kelly (293 pages). Historical fiction about WW2?  Yep, I’m in. In 2017 England, Cara is a freshly divorced woman, working for an antiques dealer. When she discovers a diary from 1941, she decides she wants to learn everything she can about the young woman who served in the ATS (the Auxillary Territorial Service, a women’s branch of the British army). Louise Keene was 19 years old when she met pilot Paul Bolton at a dance. Meeting and loving him changed the course of her life. She left her small town and joined the ATS, quickly becoming a gunner girl. Finding Louise’s diary helped Cara finally find out family secrets from her only living relative, her grandmother who had also served in the ATS. I loved this one so much!  I finished in 3 days. 

Tailspin by Sandra Brown (424 pages). Rye Mallett is a fearless freight dog pilot. One night, he agrees to fly a black box down to a small airport outside of Atlanta for a Dr Lambert, despite impenetrable fog in the area. The trip is a disaster, starting with a sabotage attempt that leaves him with a crashed plane, a female doctor named Brynn O’Neal who claims she was sent by Lambert to retrieve the box for him and a 48 hour race against time (and people who really want what is in this package) to deliver the box to the right recipient. I finished in 4 days. 

Her by Christa Parravani (306 pages). This memoir was heavy. Christa and Cara are identical twins. And at the age of 28, Cara overdosed and died, leaving Christa truly alone for the first time in her life. She didn’t know how to function without her other half. It is truly a love letter to a lost sister. I finished in 4 days. 

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid (365 pages). The Riva kids have always taken care of themselves. Their father is famous singer (and always absent) Mick Riva. Their mother June died when they were young. But they’ve managed to do quite well for themselves. Oldest Nina is a surfer and model, married to the biggest tennis star in the world. Twins Jay and Hud are a dynamic duo- Jay the pro surfer and Hud the photographer. Youngest Kit is still trying to find herself. Told hour by hour the night of their famous end of summer party, the Rivas’ stories are told through flashbacks. And truths come out during the party that will ultimately change their lives. I finished in 2 days. 

Pretty Guilty Women by Gina Lamanna (319 pages). The wedding of the year is happening at Serenity Spa Resort. Among the guests are Lulu (aunt in law of the groom), Ginger, Emily and Kate (college friends of the bride). 24 hours after check-in, a man is dead. And all four women have confessed to murder, each swearing she acted alone. I finished in 3 days. 

The Dinner by Herman Koch (292 pages). Two couples (brothers and their wives) meet up for dinner one evening to discuss their sons. A video has surfaced that could affect the boys future. And could also affect the parents. As dinner goes on, the differences in the boys and their parents come to light. I didn’t really like this one. I finished in 2 days. 

This month’s favorite was .....The Light Over London.