Tuesday, October 08, 2024

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman

 

Things I don't like: magical realism, anachronistic feminists, sappy love stories, the trend of elderly protagonists, historical fiction, narratives split between past and present.

This book had all of the above -- and I loved it.


Review copy provided by publisher.

Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak

 

I'm kind of surprised to see all of the positive buzz about this one -- the plot was a bit too far, and the characterization seemed unnuanced.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Sunday, October 06, 2024

Death at the Sanatorium by Ragnar Jonasson

 









Very solid -- sometimes these northern European works are a bit too dark for me, but this was very enjoyable.


Review copy provided by publisher.

Tuesday, October 01, 2024

That Summer by Jennifer Weiner

 

Solid, but weighty for a beach read,

Entitlement by Rumaan Alam

 

meh

Game Changer by Neal Shusterman

 

Clever and interesting.


In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros

 

A decent romance, except that I am not sure whether setting it against the fall of Afghanistan is a great way to bring some big issues to new readers or just tacky.

Every Moment Since by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen

 


Unusually good character development for a mystery novel.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz

 

 I was pre-disposed to love this because Korelitz is one of my favorite authors, and this was narrated by Julia Whelan. But this was very disappointing. It just didn't work.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

I'm Starting to Worry about This Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin

 


Possibly the funniest book I've ever read. I've already made plans to buy several copies as gifts for several people who I think will appreciate it.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Playground by Richard Powers

  

 I came into this with high expectations because I loved Overstory. Usually, that means the stage is set for disappointment. In this case, I was just completely charmed. It was everything I loved about Overstory.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Friday, September 20, 2024

The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave

 

 A bit disappointing for Dave, who I really like.


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