This is the story of the slave Jim from Huckleberry Finn, told from his point of view. I didn't reread Huckleberry Finn before I started and I'm glad This is the story of the slave Jim from Huckleberry Finn, told from his point of view. I didn't reread Huckleberry Finn before I started and I'm glad I didn't because it allowed me to enjoy this book as its own thing rather than make comparisons between the two. I thought this was very well done, and I understand why it's been nominated for and won awards. Despite the difficult subject matter, the story was engrossing and never let you get bogged down in the hardship....more
This is the story of sisters, 3 alive and one dead. It's been a year since third-born sister Nicky died, and the other sisters have dealt with their gThis is the story of sisters, 3 alive and one dead. It's been a year since third-born sister Nicky died, and the other sisters have dealt with their grief in their own ways. Oldest Avery puts on a brave face for her wife but is sneaking cigarettes in the back yard and stealing wallets from department stores. Bonnie abandoned her boxing career to be a bouncer on the other side of the country. And youngest sister Lucky has continued down of spiral of reckless behavior with alcohol and drugs that may not only cost her her career but her life. The one thing they have not done is lean on each other as sisters.
They learn that their parents are planning on selling the apartment Nicky lived in, and want someone to go through Nicky's things before they do. They each eventually end up in New York, having to reckon with both themselves and their sisters.
I enjoyed this, though it's not a particularly happy story. It does end on a hopeful note....more
Turns out, Ginny has always loved Elsie, and Elsie has always loved Ginny, but they've both been too scared to say anything about it until Elsie forces the issue. And then it's full steam ahead in their little ocean hideaway. They'll worry about what happens when they get home later.
This is my second Meryl Wilsner book and I was pretty lukewarm on the first one (Mistakes Were Made) too. The spice is great, but I felt like there was emotion missing. We barely get a chance to see Ginny and Elsie interact and build any tension before they have their tongues all over each other. Unfortunately I think this author just isn't for me....more
This is my surprise of the year so far. I picked this up as a free Prime read a few years ago and just now got around to reading it, and I wish it hadThis is my surprise of the year so far. I picked this up as a free Prime read a few years ago and just now got around to reading it, and I wish it hadn't taken me so long! Merritt is charmingly nerdy, and Hulda is proper and professional, but not afraid to get dirty. The enchanted home is fascinating. The magic system is interesting and fairly well explained, considering how complex it is. I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series....more
Billy has never been my favorite Winston brother, but I thought this was a great way to wrap up a stellar series. The whole Billy/Scarlet rift always Billy has never been my favorite Winston brother, but I thought this was a great way to wrap up a stellar series. The whole Billy/Scarlet rift always struck me as somewhat unnecessary, but I'm glad they are able to find their way out of it. We also get to see a lot of everyone else's happy ever afters....more
This book is beautifully written, but once I found out that it is based on an actual event, I felt a bit colder about it. The story is very character-This book is beautifully written, but once I found out that it is based on an actual event, I felt a bit colder about it. The story is very character-driven, without the heavy suspense you would expect from an extended hostage situation. It is more of an exploration of the relationships between various characters. But Patchett has stripped all sense of place from the story by referring to it as only some country in South America. I generally enjoyed the story, but now that I know the basis it feels a bit disrespectful....more
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