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Post the books you've read... and a review if you like.

NOS4A2 by Joe Hill

In this novel by Stephen King's son, Joe HIll, a girl with special abilities goes up against an evil wraith who sucks the life out of children to keep himself youthful. Very good horror story. 4 stars.☠��

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Rock with Wings by Anne Hillerman

Jim Chee and Bernie Manuelito are married Navajo cops whose honeymoon is disrupted by circumstances. They have to investigate separate murders, and request help from their mentor 'The Legendary Lieutenant Leaphorn.' The premise is good but the story doesn't quite gel. 2 stars

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Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich

In this 20th book in the series, wacky bounty hunter Stephanie Plum helps hunt a killer. The book can be read as a standalone. Very funny cozy mystery. 4 stars

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Barbara wrote: "NOS4A2 by Joe Hill

In this novel by Stephen King's son, Joe HIll, a girl with special abilities goes up against an evil wraith who sucks ..."

I enjoyed NOS4A2. But it left me with a sunken feeling in my stomach over the lose of so many children. It was sad.

April Sinclair

I enjoyed this read and will probably read the rest of the series.
My Review

The Charmer: Lets Talk About Books wrote: "Barbara wrote: "NOS4A2

I enjoyed NOS4A2. But it left me with a sunken feeling in my stomach over the lose of so many children. It was sad. ..."

For sure, the child victims were heart-breaking.

Hardcore Twenty-Four by Janet Evanovich

In this addition to the series, bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is pursued by zombies. The usual fun characters, like Lula and Grandma Mazur, are on hand....along with three very hunky guys. The book can be read as a standalone. Funny cozy mystery. 3.5 stars

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Barbara wrote: "Rock with Wings by Anne Hillerman

Jim Chee and Bernie Manuelito are married Navajo cops whose honeymoon is disrupted by circums..."


I cannot tell you how much I absolutely love that series

Live Long and. . .What I Learned Along the Way by William Shatner and David Fisher

In this memoir, 87-year-old William Shatner tells many compelling - and often humorous - stories about his life. Shatner also shares his personal reflections and philosophical observations - thoughts he wants to share as the end of life approaches. Good book, recommended to Shatner fans. 3.5 stars

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Wayfaring Stranger by James Lee Burke

This is a departure from Burke's 'Dave Robicheaux' novels.
In this story, oil barons are trying to wrest control of a very lucrative pipeline company from the army veterans who founded it. One particularly vicious baron will do anything to get his way. Good story. 4 stars

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I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After Twenty Years Away by Bill Bryson

In this non-fiction book the author tells humorous stories about returning to the USA with his family after living in England for two decades. Funny but snarky. 3 stars

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Glass Houses by Louise Penny

In this 'Chief Inspector Armand Gamache' novel, the detective is trying to take down a drug cartel. Compelling mystery. 3.5 stars

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The Cat Who Knew Shakespeare by Lilian Jackson Braun

Jim Qwilleran, a former crime reporter, moved to Pickax with his two Siamese cats. Qwill is an important man in town who solves crimes with the help of his clairvoyant cat.
3 stars

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Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris

As usual, humorist David Sedaris tells fun stories about his life......and other things that pop into his head. Very entertaining. 4 stars

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The Merry Wives of Maggody by Joan Hess

In this comic mystery set in Maggody, the snooty mayor's wife organizes a golf tournament to benefit 'golf widows'.....a term she doesn't understand. The book can be read as a standalone. 3 stars

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The Journal of Best Practices: A Memoir of Marriage, Asperger Syndrome, and One Man's Quest to Be a Better Husband by David Finch

In this memoir David Finch writes about how he learned to live with Asperger's Syndrome (and stopped driving his wife nuts). 😊
An important subject addressed with a sense of humor. 3.5 stars

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The Absent One by Jussi Adler-Olsen

In this second book in the 'Department Q' series, Detective Morck is investigating two (cold case) deaths that seem to have been perpetrated by a sadistic clique of students in a boarding school. 🙁 �� Good mystery. 3.5 stars

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The Golem of Hollywood by Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman

This father-son collaboration is a dual story about a serial killer (or killers) in present day Los Angeles who have some kind of connection with happenings in biblical times. It's an ambitious undertaking that doesn't quite gel. 1 star

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Dry by Augusten Burroughs

In this second memoir by the author, he talks about his alcoholism....and the long hard road to recovery. Excellent memoir....filled with insight and humor. 😎 4.5 stars

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Saints of the Shadow Bible by Ian Rankin

In this addition to the series, Inspector John Rebus is being investigated for police misconduct that occurred 30 years ago. He makes it his business to find out what REALLY happened. Good mystery. 4 stars 👍💖

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England's Lane by Emma Woolf



A modern love story with London as a backdrop.

Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

An African-American man named Milkman Dead, who grew up in a privileged home in the north, goes south to find his roots. Excellent story. 5 stars

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Play Dead by Angela Marsons

In this 4th book in the series, DI Kim Stone chases a serial killer who dumps the victims in a body farm. The book can be read as a standalone. Good mystery. 3.5 stars

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Lucky Bastard by Deborah Coonts

In this 4th book in the series public relations expert Lucy O'Toole looks into a murder committed with a Jimmy Choo shoe. (Sacrilege! 😮 🙂) The book can be read as a standalone. Pleasant cozy mystery. 3 stars

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Salvation of a Saint by Keigo Higashino

After a newlywed(ish) husband announces he's getting a divorce because his wife didn't conceive quickly enough, he ends up dead.....and the wife has an ironclad alibi. Entertaining cozy. 3 stars

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Betrayal of Trust by J.A. Jance

When a dead girl appears to be the victim of a new teenage fad, Detective Beaumont investigates. Good mystery. 4 stars

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Lessons From Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog by Dave Barry

In this humorous memoir, Barry relates seven life lessons he learned from his beloved dog Lucy....who knows how to have fun and be happy. 😊 3.5 stars

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Over the past few days, I finished reading ~

1) Sky Fighters of France by Lieutenant Henry Farré



Farré was an accomplished artist who served on attachment with the French Aviation Militaire (air force) during the First World War. In that capacity, he flew on several combat missions at night with a bomber squadron and spent time with other aviation units, creating paintings of frontline life as well as portraits of the various airmen with whom he became acquainted.

This memoir was originally published in 1919.

2) The Sky is My Witness: Adventures of a World War II Marine Aviator by Captain Thomas Moore Jr. USMCR



This is a short memoir that Moore had written in 1943, recording his experiences as a dive bomber pilot during the Battle of Midway and on Guadalcanal during the early stages of the battle there in the summer of 1942.

The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle

My Review

How the Finch Stole Christmas! by Donna Andrews

Amateur sleuth Meg Langslow is helping her actor husband stage a production of "A Christmas Carol' when she gets involved with animal rescue and murder. Fun cozy mystery; good for the Christmas season. 3 stars

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The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Enzo, a Labrador-Terrier mix, looks back on his life with his beloved owner, Denny Swift. The dog and man had a very strong bond and excellent adventures. Wonderful story. 4 stars

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Bird, Bath, and Beyond: An Agent to the Paws Mystery by E.J. Copperman

In this 2nd book in "An Agent to the Paws" cozy mystery series, Kay Powell - talent agent for animals - helps the police when a (human) actor is killed. Funny, well-written mystery. Can be read as a standalone. 3.5 stars

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A Chill in the Air: An Italian War Diary 1939��1940 by Iris Origo

In case anyone is interested in the first 'Agent to the Paws' mystery, this is my previously written review:

Dog Dish of Doom by E.J. Copperman

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Crazy: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness by Pete Earley

This non-fiction book addresses the issue of mental illness and the justice system/prison system. The author has a personal stake in the issue because his son was stricken with bipolar disorder as a young adult, and getting him treated was a struggle. Worse yet, the boy committed a crime.
Very good book. 4.5 stars

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Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

In this sequel to The Shining little Danny Torrance is grown up and trying to save a girl with very strong psychic abilities. The book can be read as a standalone. Excellent story. 4 stars

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Precious and Grace by Alexander McCall Smith

In this addition to the series, Mma Ramotswe is busy with three cases: helping a Canadian woman and assisting two employees. As usual, the detective uses wisdom, common sense, and many cups of tea. Good story. 3 stars

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Arsenic and Old Books by Miranda James

In this addition to the cozy mystery series, unearthed Civil War diaries lead to murder. Good story. 3 stars

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Murder In The Family by Burl Barer

This is a true crime story about a terrible incident in Alaska, where a young man was accused of murdering a mom and two daughters.....family members who had taken him in. Chilling story. 3 stars

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Summer at the Garden Café by Felicity Hayes-McCoy

In this second book in the 'Finfarran Peninsula' series, head librarian Hanna Casey has made progress with her new cottage and the upgrades to the library, but still has concerns about her personal life. Interesting character studies in an Irish village. 3 stars


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The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel

When the U.S. space program went into high gear in 1959 the original Mercury 7 astronauts were a sensation. Their wives also became celebrities, and their lives looked wonderful on the surface, but they were also very stressful. This well-written book tells their story. 4 stars

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Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead

In this drama set in the world of ballet, we see youngsters desperate to be professional dancers, older men (dancers and choreographers) taking advantage of their young charges, unfaithful lovers, and so on. Okay story but it has a lot of self-involved characters. 3 stars

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Raspberry Danish Murder by Joanne Fluke

In this 22nd book in the series, baker and amateur sleuth Hannah Swenson investigates the death of a television station employee. The book is half mystery and half recipes (which seems like too much padding). The book can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the characters is a bonus. 3 stars

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Brionne by Louis L'Amour



A thrilling tale set in Utah Territory during the early 1870s.

Death of a Liar by M.C. Beaton

In this addition to the "Hamish Macbeth' series, the Scottish detective investigates a couple's disappearance and a woman's death while trying to rev up some romance in his private life. The book can be read as a standalone. Good cozy series. 3 stars

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Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

When a zombie eats a human's brain, the zombie absorbs human feelings and starts to fall in love. A bit slow moving. 2 stars

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Christmas Bliss by Mary Kay Andrews

In this 4th book in the 'Weezie and BeBe Mysteries', there's a wedding coming up for Weezie and a baby on the way for BeBe. Fun light mystery. The book can be read as a standalone. 3 stars

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LaRose by Louise Erdrich

When a Native American family man accidently shoots his neighbors' five year old son, he gives them his own boy - who has mystical abilities - as compensation. Excellent story. 4 stars

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Skios by Michael Frayn

In this mistaken identity farce set on a Greek island, a playboy impulsively passes himself off as a scientist, and the scientist gets stuck in the lothario's love nest....with two women. There are plenty of laughs. 3 stars

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