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A collection of stories of women. Some are new parents, some are mothers with grown children, some are just tired. Each one left me hanging somewhat which is probably why they feel true. Each one is a jagged raw edge and will feel authentic to women going through similar stages in their lives. 3 1/2 stars 
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I would have rated this higher but I was lost between the various realities which is on me. For an avid Murakami fan this would not be a problem. A teenage boys falls in love over time with a girl who tells him that her "real" self is in a walled city. When she disappears without a word he tries to find her in this other reality where people have no shadow and he becomes a dream reader. When that doesn't feel satisfying he goes back to the other reality where he eventually leaves his job and relocates in a remote town well outside of Tokyo. He works in a library there that is very quiet and spends most of his time with a ghost and the story circles back. Short chapters and simple prose keep the illusion of nothing feeling real or permanent (especially relationships). A love of libraries is clear but the two cities - shadows, ghosts and characters are wispy and hard to grasp. 4 stars  Dark thriller about a teen, who secretly wants to go into forensics, ends up helping police search for a serial child killer in a small English town. Ava doesn't have a great home life and tends to be a loner. She is fascinated with how her own little animal body farm is decaying but when she finds a human dead body her skills take a more serious turn. This reminds me of some of the darker tales of Jo Nesbo, Chris Whitaker and other stories of the monsters who walk among us. It will not be to everyone's taste due to the violence involving children but the writing is superb. I enjoyed the quiet understanding between Ava and DCI Delahaye quite a bit. 4 stars  After reading this book I feel like the author just caught me singing along to an 70's or 80's tune (and maybe dancing a bit) while grocery shopping and I wouldn't be alone. We hunger for those comfort songs of our youth and because of that we will pay money to see tribute bands over testing the waters listening to new music. David Rowell investigated the phenomenon of tribute band mania in Southwest Florida (which happens to be a tribute band mecca) and spoke with concertgoers and performers. It may be the only part of the music industry that is thriving thanks to our unlimited ability to stream anything we want and unlike the past we don't spend our hard earned money on new cds or vinyl. The next layer in the music concerts gets help from technology in the form of holograms which enable artists long gone to perform with musicians of today. Wonder what AI will come up with for tomorrow's next big thing? Interesting subject and his laidback writing style makes for an easy and enjoyable read.  A cacophony of unusual animals that have almost been erased from the planet. Some you know (and love) but plenty will be new to you. It is a celebration of the wonders of nature as well as a scorecard on the ways that humans are screwing it up. Told in a conversation style that is entertaining and educational, this is the type of book you can easily digest one critter at a time and then rush to share your knowledge at the staff meeting, dinner table or coffee shop line. For animal lovers, concerned humans and fans of Mary Roach and Bill Bryson. 4 1/2 stars  A beloved children's book seen through the eyes of an unlikely character - Toto. When Toto and Dorothy land in OZ killing the witch it turns them both into heroes of sorts but also sets off a sibling war. The crooked wizard snags Dorothy into doing his evil business with the promise of getting them home and Toto leads a small revolution of his own among the animals in OZ. We see OZ in a different shade of green with the familiar and new characters added to the storyline. Wonderfully witty with normally "good boy" Toto acting out and putting on his "bad dog" fur to protect his human and his new friends from dirty dealings in OZ. The transition of bit player animals to the main stage worked well for me but I wish the ending had more punch. 4 fun stars  An accidental car crash transports pro hockey star Tucker Taylor back in time to Regency England. Luckily he is rescued by a very open minded and modern Lizzy who sees Tuck as a way out. Lizzy is in the market for a quick marriage to a husband who will not be around long making her a widow with independence instead of being auctioned off on the marriage market. What they don't count on is an attraction neither of them can ignore - marriage of convenience or not. Tuck wants to go back to his time and Lizzy doesn't want a husband controlling her life right? Add to this Regency romp the not yet famous Jane Austen along with a carriage full of spice and sizzle and you have a clever historical tale of modern romance. While the time travel science seems a bit loosey goosey the love scenes will leave Bridgerton fans weak in the knees. 4 stars  Katherine is married to a doctor and their grown children are happy - life is good until she gets the feeling that someone is following her. As things escalate she finds an ally in a good samaritan with skills in dealing with people up to no good. All signs point to her husband but could it be someone else who is wanting to get rid of her? There is still a good story here but I felt that too many coincidences were happening to make it and the ending plausible. Her fans will be happy but I think this one was not published when the author was alive for a reason. 3 stars  1964 Helen is working as an art therapist at a mental institution and covertly having an affair with one of the married psychologists she works with. Her sister worries that she will never settle down and Helen herself doesn't see her life progressing. When a traumatized man who has spent most of his life hidden in a house by his elderly aunts is admitted to the institution Helen tries to help him reconnect with his art and the outside world. She also tries to help her teen niece who is struggling to find independence from Helen's sister. In the end it is Helen who must find a way out of a dead end relationship and take charge of her own life. This is a thoughtful look at people more comfortable in the shadows and the author takes her time drawing these shy creatures out into the sunshine. 3 1/2 stars  Bristol and her sisters have led a nomadic life without knowing why but now that their parents both gone she steps up to take care of her sisters. She strikes a bargain with an unusual group to find and close a portal and in exchange they offer her much needed money and will help her find her missing father. What Bristol is unaware of is that the deal she makes is with the fae and she goes into their world to find that she has more in common with them than she could have imagined. As she trains for a war that is surely coming and discovers her own power she falls for the king with secrets of his own. Great world building, a dangerous love affair, court politics and a smart woman who must confront the life and family she thought she knew with their true origins. Bristol is caught between worlds not knowing who to trust or where she belongs. I listened to the audiobook and it is brilliantly narrated. This will appeal to readers hungry for new worlds to explore with a healthy dose of love. 4 stars  |
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