OYENTE

Kelly

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charming and fun

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-05-25

4.5 stars rounded up

I have read two of Tiffany McDaniel's adult fiction books, which are brutal, mournful and stunningly beautiful. This book - a middle grade fantasy novel - is a huge departure, but is equally wonderful. When she reached out to me for a review, I was slightly hesitant as I don't read much fantasy, but it was her and so I had to say yes. And, I am so glad that I did!

In this story we meet Stella, Tolden and Aunt Cauldroneyes (love this character name!), as well as a lot of supporting cast, including a mummified cat named Egypt! I fell in love with the storytelling almost immediately. The book is enchanting. More than once I realized I was smiling as I read. The action starts almost immediately, when Aunt Cauldroneyes is captured by a growling hat, and Spella needs to find her. She is invited to attend a school for wand witchery, and is hopeful they will help with her hunt for her aunt. The book is full of adventures, with fun descriptions of magical buttons, talking hats, enchanted potions, and funny conversations. The word that coming to mind is "charming."

I loved every moment, and am excited for book two!

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wonderful premise and characters

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-05-25

Ellery Adams has created a wonderful cozy mystery series -- The Secret, Books, & Scone Society -- and #7, The Little Lost Library is my favorite story so far! The story is intriguing; I was fully invested in the first pages. And, the characters are people that I know and love; each time I sit down to visit with them I like them more.

As the story opens, the main character, Nora Pennington, arrives at a crumbling, sad and creepy gothic mansion, which is the home of an elderly, agoraphobic woman named Lucille Wynter. Nora is there on a scheduled delivery, bringing Lucille books. She is not allowed to enter the house, but when she knocks Lucille doesn't come to the door. As Nora waits, it becomes apparent that something is wrong. Eventually she forces her way into the home and is stunned to find that Lucille is a hoarder. The home is filled with mountains of moldy, dusty things, including huge stacks of books. And, she finds Lucille's body on the floor, at the bottom of the stairs, still warm. Nora is quickly convinced that it was not an accident.

Lucille's children quickly appear and all seem to care only about finding anything of value. They hire Nora to go through the books. What follows is a wonderful hunt for answers with a book full of clues in the form of riddles.

Nora and her friends are all wonderful characters and I love to revisit them with every volume.

4.5 stars founded up

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secrets and lost memories

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-05-25

Pictures of You by Emma Grey is a book that carried me into Evie's story from page one. We are in her hospital room with her, when she awakes after a horrific car accident. Her husband died and she is lucky to be alive. Unfortunately she thinks that she is 16 years 0ld, not 29, and doesn't remember her husband or anything about her life for the last 13 years.

The story is a slow, difficult journey with Evie -- there with her as she slowly regains her memories. When she meets Drew, it looks as though he is going to help her heal. Maybe she will even fall in love and start a new life.

The book is filled with twists and deeply held secrets. They are exposed through flashbacks, which come to Evie in sharp, surprising ways. The memories do not return all at once, aren't all happy, and are sometimes shocking. It feels very real.

I enjoyed my new friendship with Evie, and have thought about the book often in the days after finishing it.

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moms & daughters...

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-05-25

Bluebird Day is a story of a mother-daughter relationship. Claudine Potts was a well-known, Olympic downhill skier. Her daughter, Wylie, is trained and talented but wants to focus on her art. Their relationship is strained and they have been estranged for a long period of time. Wylie remembers all of her mom's harsh words. She remembers the negative judgements. She remembers the lack of support. Wylie doesn't feel good enough, and those feelings stem from her childhood.

But, now they are both entering the same competition and find themselves stranded in Zermatt, Switzerland, after an avalanche. Can the close confines bring them back together?

The story is captivating from the start, and the cozy winter setting is perfect for the forced confinement. I enjoyed this one. Quick, easy read, with relatable miscommunication, and themes of forgiveness.

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layered relationships

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-05-25

Leila Meaham's final book April Storm was published posthumously. It is a suspenseful story that takes I read in one sitting. It is an enjoyable story, that grabbed my attention and carried me along.

The main character, Kathryn, is a likable and relatable woman. A wife and mother of young adults. As the book opens the reader is immediately thrown into a state or worry and curiosity because someone seems to be following Kathryn. Stalking her. And as she grows more frightened, so does the reader. I also found myself frustrated with her as she didn't appear to take things as seriously as she should. She made reactionary moves instead of actionary ones. On top of everything it looks as though her marriage might be in trouble, and after so many years together, Kathryn is shocked to think about a future that might not involve her husband.

The relationships are layered and realistic. I felt as though I had become friends with Kathryn, and that she was spilling all of her worries to me over coffee.

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time and place come alive

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 08-24-24

Jonathan WIlson's story, The Red Balcony is a bout a Man named Ivor Castle who is British Mandate Palestine, around 1933, to assist in a legal defense of two Russian Jews who are accused of murdering a Jewish diplomat. That man had made a deal with Hitler, allowing German Jews to escape to Palestine for a fee of 1,000 pounds. In exchange Palestine would lift the boycott on German exports.

Ivor is Jewish, but has experienced very little anti-semetism, and doesn't understand the politics of the area. He hasn't seen the effects of Hitler's terrorism, or the difficulties of life in Palestine. He hasn't seen Jew against Jew, or Jew against Arab/Muslim. His innocence and naivety allows the character to represent all of us. He is constantly learning, and as we follow his story, so are we.

While in Palestine, Ivor falls in love with a potential witness, and begins a passionate affair. Of course this is a huge ethics violation, and I struggled with his choices and movements.

The story of the trial is gripping but what really made the book shine was the setting of time and place. The author really brought me into that world, and I came away with a better understanding of the region.

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a wonderful story of friendship & finding oneself

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 08-24-24

So much happens in the lives of kids during their middle school years. It is all about change. Peer pressure grows, puberty begins, expectations are bigger and friendships change. Both of my kids had friendships implode in the first weeks of sixth grade, as the kids around them tried to find their own places in their new world.

Alexandra Alessandri brought all the angst and worry to life in her new book Grow Up, Luchy Zapata. The story takes us into the world of the title character, who is excited to start middle school and to reunite with her best friend, Cami, who was away from home visiting family. Unfortunately she quickly finds that her friend is looking for something different now. She wants to grow up: suddenly she cares about makeup, boys and fitting in with the more popular girls. Luchy feels abandoned. She feels like she is no longer enough.

The author explores identity and self-acceptance, allowing her character to feel the emotions associated with that sense of not belonging. I think a lot of children could see themselves in this story, and might find better ways to handle their own feelings of insecurity.

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a lovely story of personal growth

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 08-24-24

The Blue Castle is a story of one woman who must find her inner strength. At 29 years old she is unmarried, and her family makes it very clear that it is because she is plain. Constantly compared to the other women in her family, who are prettier and more deserving of love, she is treated like her only role in life should be to support them. Valancy Sterling must find something in herself -- to find the courage to live her life for herself.

It's a quiet, simple book, without any significant surprises or plot points, but the message is clear. It is a book that reminds us to be kind, and when people are not kind to find kindness for ourselves. It is a hopeful book about love, and self-love. It is an uplifting, sweet story, and I am grateful to have read it.

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insightful and powerful

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 08-24-24

I have been a subscriber to Brian Tyler Cohen's YouTube channel for over a year. Everyday I check in with what he has posted and listen to the latest news about our current political situation in America. He is a powerful speaker: intelligent, insightful, reasoned. He is a progressive who highlights how our political climate has changed over the years, and what we can do to ensure our democracy stabilizes and is protected. So, when he released his book, I knew immediately that I would listen to the audiobook if he narrated it himself, and I am so glad that he did!

Brian is a national treasure and it's obvious that he did his research before writing this book. I learned a few things and through his words, refreshed my memory of some of the most horrific incidents in the past decade.

Shameless is a hard-hitting and powerful analysis of the current state of things. He doesn't hold back from naming names, or citing specific events. If you read this book with an open mind it will make you think and question. It will make you reconsider your views, or it will solidify them. Either way, it will provide you with context. I realize that it is unlikely a certain political demographic will read the book. But, if you are an undecided voter, or if you aren't as informed as you would like to be, or if you are open to going deeper -- read this book.

4.5 stars.

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Complex and Unique

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 05-08-24

The characters are well drawn. I don’t generally enjoy books that focus so heavily on the upper class, but this one was completely unique.

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