Review: THE BOOKSHOP OF YESTERDAYS, by Amy Meyerson

THE BOOKSHOP OF YESTERDAYS, by Amy Meyerson

Park Row Books - 2018

My Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As a bibliophile, I find that while all the books I read entertain me, only some of those books become a part of me. This is one of those books.  

This story follows Miranda Brooks. As a child she adores her Uncle Billy and the fun she has with him, spending time at his bookstore, and solving riddles for scavenger hunts he carefully constructs for her. Suddenly after her twelfth birthday, Billy and her mother have an argument in the middle of the night and despite their special bond, Billy simply drops all contact.

Years pass and Miranda has moved away. When she hears of her uncle's death, she makes the trip home to attend the funeral. Shortly afterward she receives the news that she has inherited the bookstore she so fondly remembers, and receives the first clue in the final scavenger hunt that her Uncle Billy had orchestrated for her. 

In decoding the clues that Billy left for her, and looking for a way to save the failing bookshop she loves, she learns more than she expected about her Uncle Billy, family, life, forgiveness, and love.

This story went straight to my bibliophile heart. Light enough to be an easy read, but deep enough to hit me in the feels. Meyerson has spun the perfect tale about book lovers, for book lovers. 

Happy Reading,
Christine

Review: I KNOW YOU KNOW, by Gilly MacMillan

I KNOW YOU KNOW, by Gilly MacMillan

HarperCollins - Available September 4, 2018 (Canada)

This digital advance reading copy provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

This book easily captured my attention within the very first pages and held it right to the end.

In 1996, eleven year old Cody swift was all but inseparable from his best friends Charlie and Scott. One day, Cody is kept inside as punishment, and his two friends are murdered - their badly beaten bodies left behind a dog track in Bristol. The police investigation produces a suspect, who is ultimately convicted and sentenced, but despite this, there were still unanswered questions surrounding the case.

Twenty years later the remains of another body are found at the same sight. Detective John Fletcher, who investigated the original case,  must now  determine if the two cases are linked, and the future of his career may hang in the balance. 

Meanwhile, young Cody has grown up and is now a filmmaker. Plagued by the circumstances surrounding the murders of his friends, he decides to return to Bristol and investigate the questions left unanswered during the police investigation. He documents his interviews and findings through a series of podcasts entitled "It's Time to Tell" which quickly gains attention and a following. It soon becomes clear that there may be people who don't want the remaining questions answered.

Initially,  I did have a little trouble when the timeline flip-flopped, but quickly adjusted to the style/format and all was well after that. 

With multiple twists and turns, certainly an enjoyable read.

Happy Reading,

Christine

On This Day - August 21, 1920

On this day, August 21st, 1920, Christopher Robin Milne was born in London.

Christopher Robin was the real life son of author A.A. Milne, and the basis of the fictional character with the same name. 

On his first birthday he received a Teddy bear which was ultimately named after a bear they often saw at London's zoo. The bear was named Winnie by the Canadian soldier and veterinarian Harry Colebourn,  who rescued her from a trapper while en route to Europe during World War 1. The bear was named Winnie after his adopted hometown of Winnipeg (which happens to be my hometown). When he was shipped to France, he arranged to have her cared for at the zoo where A.A. Milne and Christopher Robin often visited.

A.A. Milne's classic, much loved stories featured characters based on his son Christoper Robin, and his Teddy, Winnie-the-Pooh.

Happy reading, 

Christine

Sunday Summary for August 12 to 18, 2018

Sunday Summary 

For the week of August 12th to 18th

Welcome to my Sunday Summary.  A look back on my bookish adventures for the week.

On vacation without Internet or WIFI, so keeping this summary brief and to the point. 😁

Books Reviewed:

SEA WITCH, by Sarah Henning. Review of this prequel/retelling of a classic fairy tale can be read here.

CROSS HER HEART, by Sarah Pinborough.  This thriller is reviewed here

LIES, by T.M. Morgan another good up and coming thriller is reviewed here

And finally,  I stepped out of my usual general and reviewed FEAST, by Broms the Poet. You can read my review of this raw and real collection here

Ramblings and Miscellany:

I didn't post in this category this week. On vacation without WIFI or Internet has curbed these posts for the time being.

Advance Reading Copy (ARC) Books Previously Reviewed and Released this Week:

None this week

Currently Reading and Notable Titles on Deck:

Currently I am reading the latest offering from Gilly MacMillan, I KNOW YOU KNOW. Plenty of other good books in the wings!

Happy Reading,
Christine

Review: FEAST, by Broms the Poet

FEAST, by Broms the Poet

Jeff Bromley - 2018

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Poetry is not one of my usual genres, but I have been following Broms the Poet on social media for some time. He has quite a presence, with a large and loyal fan base on the major platforms, his short pieces appearing often on the  timelines of people all over the world.  I remember being shocked to discover that he wasn't from New York, or Toronto or any other huge city, but from my home of Winnipeg.

When he announced that he was having his work put into book form, I knew it would end up on my shelf. Since he is located locally, I had intended to get a copy of FEAST while attending one of his book signing events. But life gets in the way sometimes, and I have never made it. I gave up and decided to just buy it on my next trip to Chapters. I was delighted to find that they had signed copies available, so I bought one for myself and one for my eldest stepdaughter who enjoys poetry.

Let's be clear here - this is not the posh, high society, book of sonnets type of poetry. His poetry is real. It is visceral. It is borne from all that life has to offer - from the worst to the best.

Cover art for this collection is an anatomical heart on a platter. I fitting visual for a work that seems to offer up the poet's heart and soul, scars and all. This collection documents the poet's travel through darker times, by strength of spirit, to a place where optimism and love live. 

If you you would like to sample the Poet's work, you can easily find him on the major social media platforms. If you would like to own a copy of the collection,  you can order a copy from bromsthepoet.ca International shipping is available.

Happy Reading,

Christine

Review: LIES, by T.M. Logan

LIES, by T.M. Logan

St. Martin's Press - Available September 11, 2018

This digital ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

"The truth of the battle is whatever the victor seems it to be" - Sun Tzu

A thrilling game of cat and mouse plays out in this gripping page turner.

Joe Lynch was a happily married man and father. One day he follows his wife's car into a hotel parking lot to surprise her. He sees her having an animated conversation with a friends husband. When Joe attempts a conversation with him, it escalates into a scuffle, resulting in the other man lying on the pavement of the parking garage, bleeding and unresponsive.  Joe leaves him there to attend to his young son, and that is the last anyone sees if him.

Now his life is spiraling out of control. His wife has lied to him, the police are investigating him for murdering the missing man, and someone is threatening him.

Unable to trust his wife, already convicted in the court of public opinion, being stalked by someone bent on his downfall, and on the verge of being charged with murder, he has only his own wits to rely on to save himself.

This book grabbed my attention early and kept me up late at night! A fine example of the domestic thriller genre.

Happy Reading,

Christine

Review: CROSS HER HEART, by Sarah Pinborough

CROSS HER HEART, by Sarah Pinborough

HarperCollins

Available September 4, 2018

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to HarperCollins Canada and Edelweiss+ for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review. 

A compelling thriller, easier to pick up than to put down.

Lisa is a single mom with a dark past. She keeps her secrets and lives a low profile lifestyle. Lately she has dared to consider the possibility of love and romance with her charming client.

But little things from the past have been creeping into her life and shaking her to the core. When her daughter saves a young boy from drowning and becomes a hero, the resulting media attention sets their world spinning in in a deadly spiral. The only way to save them both, is to face her deadly broken promise from the past.

I really enjoyed the characters. They were believable and as such, their interactions were believable. All of them seemed to have secrets. Lisa, trying to make her way through life, not making waves, keeping her dark secrets, fiercely protective of her daughter. Ava, the angst filled teenage daughter, who, like all teens, has her own secrets. Marilyn, Lisa's best friend, who is quietly dealing with her own problems, thinking that silence is strength, but learning that sometimes we all need help.

With a September date for Canadian release, I can see this book with readers curling up with their favorite hot beverages as we head into the cooler days of autumn. 

Happy Reading,

Christine

Sunday Summary August 5th - 11th, 2018

Sunday Summary 

Welcome to my Sunday Summary.  A look back on my bookish adventures for the week.

I am a little embarrassed to say that my ideas about summer reading, and my current reality do not coincide.

I come by my ideas quite honestly though. In my younger days as a single 20-something year old, I would grab a bag of groceries and a bag of clothes and a bag of books and head out to my parents secluded cottage. Nothing to do all day but enjoy the fresh air and sunshine and read. I cried when my mother decided to sell that little piece of paradise.

Now, the older version of me needs to make multiple stops for groceries and supplies, do mountains of laundry, prepare 3 different meals a day for the week leading into holidays since my 6 year old is only a slightly more fussy eater than my husband who was working nights and eating at a different time. By the time I have 10 uninterrupted minutes to myself I am too tired to focus on the words and get only a few pages read before drifting off to sleep.

Now that my vacation has started, my two stepdaughters have arrived, and we are at my husband's family cottage with good friends just a few doors down. Our days are spent doing minor repairs and watching the children frolicking in the water, and our evenings are filled with cribbage and dominoes. Again falling into bed, too tired to focus. But children and friends are treasures.

 I have a little time in the morning, but I have to choose whether to read or review/blog. I am behind in my reviews, but with no Internet, typing on my phone is slow.

My TBR stack taunts me.

Aannnnd as I complete this post, I realize that it is MONDAY not Sunday and I am late. 

Books Reviewed:

Only one review posted last week.

You can read the review for IF YOU KNEW HER, by Emily Elgar HERE

Currently Reading and Notable Titles on Deck:

I am finished SEA WITCH, by Sarah Henning and CROSS HER HEART, by Sarah Pinborough and reviews will be or have been posted.

On deck is FEAST, by Broms the Poet and LIES, by T.M. Logan.

I will be taking a hiatus from audio books while on vacation as I am not commuting to and from work. 

Wishing you warm summer nights filled with the company of good people - fictional or otherwise. 

Happy reading,

Christine 

Review: SEA WITCH, by Sarah Henning

SEA WITCH, by Sarah Henning

HarperCollins - 2018

Narrated by Billie Fulford

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A breathtaking story based on the classic tale THE LITTLEST MERMAID. 

SEA WITCH tells the tale of the sea witch from the classic Hans Christian Andersen story,  and how she came be.

Evie, Anna, and Nik are childhood friends. When Anna drowns, Evie and Nik form a special bond, despite their differences in social standing (Nik is, after all., the crown Prince), and more importantly, Evie's secret.

When the beautiful and mysterious Annamette appears, she quickly becomes friends with Evie, and confides her love for Nik. Evie tries to help Annamette create her "happily ever after", but Annamette has secrets too, and there might not be a happy ending for any of them. 

Henning's prose beautifully describes the scenery and events, while narrator Billie Fulford's voice skillfully brings life to the characters.

A beautiful and enchanting story 

Happy Reading,

Christine

Review: IF YOU KNEW HER, by Emily Elgar

IF YOU KNEW HER, by Emily Elgar

Harper Audio - 2018

Narrated by Katey Sobey

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐1/2

A good book, but not particularly memorable.

Cassie has secrets.  When she is the victim of a hit and run, she is admitted to ICU, comatose and clinging to life. Even in hospital though, it seems Cassie is still in danger.
Alice the head nurse takes an interest in Cassie and what happened to bring her to hospital.

Frank is also on the same ward.  As everyone continues with their day to day activities, nobody realizes that Frank is not comatose - not completely.  He can hear every word

A lot happens around Cassie's bedside. A lot is said around Cassie's bedside. Frank might be the only one who could save her - if he could only communicate what he knows.

While I enjoyed the book, it just isn't likely that I will give it much thought over time.  For me it just seemed to lack a little in intensity for a thriller. 

I enjoyed the characters though. The story in written in multiple points of view, and as such the reader gets to know several characters. I particularly liked Frank and his story. It is in Frank's story that I see the real talent of the author.

The narrator was quite good.  Her array of voices, accents and emotions made listening along to this story easy and enjoyable.

Happy Reading,

Christine

Sumday Summary July 29 to August 4, 2018

Sunday Summary July 29 to August 4, 2018

Welcome to my Sunday Summary.  A look back on my bookish adventures for the week.

                     

Books Reviewed:

THE WIFE, by Alafair Burke. My review of this thrilling audio book can be read here.

THE CULT ON FOG ISLAND, by Mariette Lindstein. My review of this disturbing tale can be read here.

Ramblings and Miscellany:

Penguin revolutionized paperback books in 1935 - read more about it here.

Advance Reading Copy (ARC) Books Previously Reviewed and Released this Week:

None this week.

Currently Reading and Notable Titles on Deck:

Currently Reading CROSS HER HEART, by Sarah Pinborough and listening to IF YOU KNEW HER, by Emily Elgar

A couple of special additions to my list of upcoming reviews are VITA NOSTRA, by Marina and Sergey Dyachenko which is the very first print edition I have ever requested as a blogger and been granted by a publisher - Thank you HarperCollins Canada, and LYING IN WAIT, by Liz Nugent which was also granted to me as a blogger request and is the first one that I physically received - Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada! Definitely a special week for me as a book blogger! 

I hope you are enjoying some special bookish adventures.

Happy Reading, 

Christine

Review: THE CULT ON FOG ISLAND, by Mariette Lindstein

THE CULT ON FOG ISLAND, by Mariette Lindstein

HarperCollins - 2018

My Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Beautiful retreat, or sinister trap? A dark and eerie story.

Sofia attends a lecture by Franz Oswald - New Age guru and owner of a nearby island retreat, she is struck by his charm and good looks and accepts the offer to tour the centre. 

Freshly out of a bad relationship with a man who is still stalking and harassing her, Sofia accepts an offer of a job working at the retreat. But the handsome Franz, and his elegant manor house with beautiful scenery are only a facade. The reality of the retreat is far less idyllic.

For almost the whole time reading this book I was plagued by a bit of an ominous sort of feeling. That tiny tendril of evil that floats off of the pages and works into your psyche. 

Lindstein did a good job of portraying that slow, subtle transition into a cult or cult-like society. Where free will is slowly and delicately peeled away. 

NOTE: At the time of this writing this title is available in Canadian stores, but some websites still cite it as pre-order only.  The Chapters Indigo website does show it as available, but amazon still shows as pre-order.

Happy Reading,
Christine 

Review: THE WIFE, by Alafair Burke

THE WIFE, by Alafair Burke

Audio book
Harper Audio - 2018
Narrated by Xe Sands

 












My Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book was good, until the end.  Then it got VERY good! Exactly what a thriller should do. 

Angela is a single mother with a tragic past. She met her husband Jason while catering a dinner party for the well-to-do East Hampton crowd. What she thought would be a brief fling turned into marriage. Angela, Jason and Angela's son Spencer move to New York where Angela can bury her past where no one knows her. When Jason writes a best selling book he soon becomes a media sensation, while Angela chooses to remain quietly in the background to protect her secrets. 

When Jason is accused of sexual impropriety though, it is the the beginning very public legal issues.  While Angela stands by her husband's innocence, when things go from bad to worse, it threatens to destroy everything and expose the past that Angela has worked hard to put behind her.  Now she has to decide who to save, Jason or herself. 

Alafair Burke is a new to me author. After enjoying THE WIFE, I will be certain to watch for more of her books.

Happy Reading,
Christine