Julie Chan is Dead by Liann Zhang

 

Title:  Julie Chan is Dead

Author:  Liann Zhang

Narrated by:  Yu-Li Alice Shen

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Length: Approximately 9 hours and 39 minutes

Source: Review Copy from Simon & Schuster Audio.  Thank-you!

Who is your favorite book villain and why?

Julie Chan’s parents died in an accident when she was a child.  A wealthy couple adopts her twin, Chloe, while their cruel aunt raises Julie.  Julie is struggling to make ends meet while her twin, Chloe, is a wealthy influencer.  They live estranged lives until Julie receives a mysterious call one day from Chloe.  She investigates and discovers Chloe dead in her apartment.  Instead of reporting Chloe’s death, she reports her own and takes over Chloe’s fabulous life.  Will the truth be discovered?  What is going on with the mysterious group of premier influencers that have invited her for a week long getaway on an island?

My thoughts on this audiobook:

·       This was a very unique story and audiobook, and it definitely caught my attention on a long drive for work.  Yu-Li Alice Shen was a great narrator and storyline was riveting.

·       I was surprised to learn that this was Liann Zhang’s debut novel.  It was a great debut!

·       The story grew very surreal when they were on the island.  The story was weird at times, but also enjoyable.

·       It was an interesting look into how seductive social media likes and validation are and how that can take over your life.

·       Roughly half of the book was a look into Julie taking over Chloe’s life and the other half was going to the island with the other premier influencers.

·       This was both a dark comedy and a thriller.

·       I came into this book knowing nothing about it and it took me by surprise.  The twists and turns in the story made for a wild ride.

·       I didn’t really like the character of Julie Chan at all, but that didn’t stop me from wanting to read about her and see where all the craziness went.  She was a good anti-hero.

·       The ending was open and intriguing. I’m still thinking about it.

·       This was on NPR Book of the Day this week with a nice interview with author Liann Zhang.  She was an Instagrammer and influencer herself in her teens.  It was interesting!

Overall, Julie Chan is Dead by Liann Zhang was a unique enthralling dark comedy and thriller.  I recommend for someone who is looking for something new and different to read.

Heartwood by Amity Gaige

 

Title:  Heartwood

Author:  Amity Gaige

Narrated by:  Justine Lupe, Alma Cuervo, Rebecca Lowman, Ali Andre Ali, Cary Hite, Helen Laser

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Length: Approximately 8 hours and 45 minutes

Source: Review Copy from Simon & Schuster Audio.  Thank-you!

What is a goal that you hope to accomplish in the next ten years?  I hope to get back to the Grand Canyon so that my kids can see it for the first time.

Valerie Gillis is forty-two years old and close to finishing her goal of hiking the Appalachian Trail when she goes missing in Maine.  Alone and lost, she writes her thoughts down for her mother.  Maine State Game Warden, Beverly, is leading the task force looking for her.  Lena is a seventy-six-year-old retired woman in Connecticut that is fascinated by the disappearance.  Will her armchair sleuthing help to find Valerie?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I love, love, loved the full cast audiobook recording.  There were three main points of view:  Valerie, Beverly, and Lena.  I also loved the interviews/conversations that popped up throughout book with her hiking buddy, Santo.  The voice actor really brought Santo to life!  I loved his story of being a black, “fat” hiker on the Appalachian Trail.  I want a book just on Santo’s adventures.

·       I enjoyed the hiking aspects of the Appalachian Trail as well as the relationships between hikers on the trail. 

·       Valerie’s husband, Gregory, also follows along and meets Valerie at stops along the way to keep her supplied.  She decides during the hike that she no longer loves Gregory and lets him know. Did Gregory have anything to do with her disappearance?

·       Valerie’s trail nickname was Sparrow.  I thought the trail nicknames were interesting.

·       Valerie decided to go on this hike after being burned out as a nurse during the pandemic.

·       I enjoyed the guitar music at the end of the audiobook.

·       Over the course of the book, I grew to love Valerie, Beverly, and Lena as well-rounded characters.   I like how the book looked to the future to where their lives went after this mystery.

·       The pacing of this book was slow at times, it’s not a fast-running thriller, but I was intrigued and wanted to know why Valerie was lost and whether she would be found.

·       This is a Read with Jenna Book.

Heartwood by Amity Gaige was an intriguing contemporary suspense audiobook set in nature with well rounded characters.  The audiobook with the full cast was a great experience.

Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

What book would you like to reread?  I remember loving Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen ten years ago and I loved it just as much reading it again.  I read the new 10^th anniversary edition in one day!

Hannah Rogers was formerly the companion of Lady Mayfield.  She has returned to ask for her job back after mysteriously disappearing months before.  Lady Marianna Mayfield rehires her to go on a trip with her and her husband Sir John Mayfield.  Sir John is trying to remove Marianna from being near her lover.  Along the way, the carriage is involved in a terrible accident.  Hannah wakes up confused and is being called Lady Mayfield.  She realizes being Lady Mayfield could solve many of her problems.  How will Hannah get out of this predicament?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       There were great characters, twists, and turns in this story.  I loved the twists and turns, and I don’t want to ruin it for other readers.

·       I also enjoyed the faith element and how Hannah tried to do the right thing by everyone and God.

·       This novel was set in Regency England and has shades of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte mixed with Jane Austen’s Lady Susan.  I love author Julie Klassen and how her novels are a perfect blend of Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austen.

·       This is clean read, but there are some more sensual scenes that involve feelings of longing and kissing.  Adultery is on the main stage in this novel.

·       I liked how the characters, especially Hannah are conflicted and have a lot to work through.

·       There were also great well rounded side characters such as Dr. Parrish, Becky, and Mrs. Turrell.  I enjoyed them and their relationships with Hannah.

·       There is a love triangle as part of this story, and I always love a good love triangle.

What has changed in this edition?  From Julie Klassen, “I toned down the sensuality in a few scenes, expanded Mrs. Turrill’s wise mentor role a bit, improved and streamlined the writing in several places, and corrected many small historical inaccuracies throughout. The characters and story itself are the same, but I am very grateful for this opportunity to improve the first edition—I’ve learned a lot in the last ten years!”

Overall, Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen is romantic historical suspense at its best.  I highly recommend it.

Thank-you to @julie.k.klassen @bethanyhousefiction @austenprose for the review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Tour.

Sweet Nothings by Sarah Perry

 

What is your favorite kind of candy?  I have so many, but one of my favorite kinds of candy is definitely bubble gum.

Author Sarah Perry has written hundreds of “micro essays” on just about every type of candy imaginable.  They are organized by color of the candy.  Perry philosophizes on the candy and its enjoyment, relates it to her life, and/or tells some of the fascinating history of the candy.  Will your favorite candy be included?

My thoughts on this book:

·       I loved the great drawings of the different types of candy that was included throughout the book.

·       I didn’t realize there are SO MANY different types of candy . . . and that I have eaten most of them.  I think I am a secret candy lover, although now as a middle-aged woman, I don’t each much candy at all besides gum.  I may still dream of it.

·       This book was funny, but informational.  I loved the history on things such as bubble gum as well as exactly what defines chocolate.

·       Candy as it is felt through all senses such as taste, flavor, feel, smell, and structure is discussed.

·       The author also tells the story of her life through candy.  She lost her mother at a young age, which deeply impacts her.  Her mother was murdered, which is slightly alluded to in this book.  I need to read her memoir, After the Eclipse.

·       This is definitely a book for adults as the author does bring in her adult relationships and sex life.

·       As this was a book of essays, I did notice a few things repeated at the end of the book.  Each essay could be its own stand-alone story.

·       The length of the essays really varied.  Some were a paragraph long while others went on for several pages.

Overall, Sweet Nothings by Sarah Perry was a funny and heartful book filled with great essays on candy and life.  It was entertaining and a unique read.

Favorite Quote: “What ever possessed the candymakers of the late twentieth century?  It was an era when strange textures and intense physical sensations predominated, a sort of arms race to see who could devise the weirdest way to mainline sugar.  By the 1990s we have Pixy Stix and Ring Pops and nerds and Fun Dip.  Fun Dip!  Just a bag of finely ground sugar, really, pastel cocaine.”

Book Source:  Review Copy from @marinerbooks # morrowpartner.  Thank-you!

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

 

Title:  Sense and Sensibility

Author:  Jane Austen

Narrated by:  Rosamund Pike

Publisher: Audible Studios

Length: Approximately 11 hours and 25 minutes

Source: Included with my Audible membership

What is your favorite book featuring sisters?  I feel like Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, and the Little House series are my favorite books featuring sisters.

In Regency England, the Dashwood sisters; Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret have just lost their faither.  Their half brother inherited the entire family estate and now the sisters and their mother must start a new and reduced life.  Luckily, Mrs. Dashwood’s cousin, Sir John Middleton, has a cottage for them to live in.  With their reduced circumstances, will they be able to find love?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       Rosamund Pike was a lovely narrator.  I enjoyed this audiobook so much!  Rosamund Pike played Jane in the 2005 Pride & Prejudice which made it extra fun to have her as a narrator.

·       I read Sense and Sensibility in April for the @dees.reads Classic Buddy Read.  There was good discussion in the Instagram buddy read group that focused on how the novel was very much Elinor’s story and that Marianne was underdeveloped and very emotional.

·       I am also trying to reread all of Austen’s novels this year to celebrate her 250^th birthday I am running a bit behind!

·       John and Fanny Dashwood are so detestable.  I love how Austen masterfully wrote this scene with Fanny talking John down to giving his sisters nothing.

·       It was interesting look into who you can count on in life.  Sir John is a distance relation, but he is very helpful to the family.  John Dashwood is their half-brother, but he does nothing.  Mrs. Ferrars cuts Edward out of her will, but not her other son, Robert, for the same “sin.”

·       I thought it was interesting how Mrs. Dashwood and Marianne share many of the same qualities.

·       I always feel like Elinor is my spirit heroine as the oldest sister trying to keep it all together to help her family.

·       Willoughby is such an intriguing villain.  I always find myself loving him although he is a terrible person.  His last visit to explain himself to Elinor is very self-serving, but it also makes me understand his love for money is more than his love for anything else.  It makes me feel sorry for his wife!

Overall, Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen is a beautifully written classic novel with unforgettable characters.  The audiobook narrated by Rosamund Pike was an excellent edition to listen to.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

 

What book would you like to see a prequel for?

It’s the fiftieth annual Hunger games and Haymitch Abernathy has been selected from District 12.  As part of the 50^th anniversary celebration, they are selecting twice as many children from each section, so District 12 is sending four tributes this year.  Haymitch wants to get back to his beloved girlfriend, mom, and brother, but he also wants to take down the Capital and the Hunger Games.  Will he succeed?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       Sunrise on the Reaping was an entertaining action novel reminiscent of the first two books at the Hunger Games series.  It was very readable!

·       I do wish there would have been more differences to make this book more unique like the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

·       I liked the cameos of characters from the original novels that popped up such as Plutarch, Mags, Wiress, and Effie.

·       Haymitch loves Lenore Dove, a descendant of Lucy Grey (not explained how), but their romantic relationship isn’t fully developed.

·       This story explains why Haymitch breaks down and is the way he is.  It would have been interesting to tell the story of his life between the games and mentoring Katniss. 

·       I liked the new character of Masilee.  She is a wealthy mean girl from District 12 who shows her humanity and spunk during the games.

·       This story will make an entertaining movie.

Overall, Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins is an enjoyable story very similar to the first two Hunger Game novels.

Book Source:  Preordered from Amazon.com

The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie

 

Title:  The Seven Dials Mystery

Author:  Agatha Christie

Narrated by:  Emilia Fox

Publisher: Blackstone Audio

Length: Approximately 7 hours and 46 minutes

Source: Checked out with Hoopla through the Kewaunee Public Library.  Thank-you!

What book are you excited about seeing as a movie or TV series this year?  The Seven Dials Mystery is going to be a new Netflix movie this year which should be interesting.

I am participating in the #ReadChristie2025 Challenge.  The challenge this year is exploring Agatha Christie’s works through her characters and their careers.  The theme for April was butlers and I read The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie for the first time.  Tredwell the butler at The Chimneys keeps our main characters updated on the investigation. This book was published in 1929 and is the second book to feature Superintendent Battle, although he is more of a side character.

A practical joke goes wrong at a house a party at the Chimneys estate, which is being rented by Sir Oswald and Lady Coote.  Gerry Wade has a hard time getting up in the morning.  His friends set up eight alarm clocks to wake him up on morning . . . only he doesn’t wake up.  He has been poisoned! Why is one clock missing?  Will the killer be found before the next victim is murdered? 

My thoughts on this novel:

·       Eilleen “Bundle” Brent is the main investigator and a very independent and spirited young women.  She is an amateur sleuth.

·       This novel was different than typical Christie mysteries and was more of an espionage thriller focusing on secret societies.  I do like how Christie was always trying out something new with her writing.

·       I usually love when Emilia Fox narrates novels, but this narration was just okay to me.   I think it was more the storyline which didn’t capture my attention as much as other Christie novels.

·       This novel can be read as a standalone or together with The Chimneys.

·       I loved Lord Caterham and his daughter Bundles’ conversations.  They were very funny.

·       I felt claustrophobic when Bundle hid in a cabinet in the Seven Dials club to observe the secret society.  It was especially creepy that the Secret Society members wore hoods with clocks faces on them.

·       The ending was very surprising.

Overall, The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie was an interesting read, but not my favorite Christie read.

The Austen Sisters by Dee Blankenship

 

What classic characters from literature would you like to see in a modern adventure?

The five Austen sisters; Elinor, Elizabeth, Emma, Anne, and Catherine were orphans at a young age.  Elinor, as the only legal adult, put her own dreams aside to help raise her sisters.  Now years later, she is hoping that she will have another chance at her own dreams.  She gathers together with her sisters at their cousin Fanny’s wedding at Mansfield Park resort.  Will the sisters each find their own happiness?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I loved how each Austen heroine was true to the original character but modernized to fit in today’s society.  For example, Emma has started a data app and is a social media influencer.  This is very true to her original character.

·       I also enjoyed that many other Austen favorite characters popped up into the story.

·       I liked the characters, storyline, and sweet romance. I would love to see future books set in the world maybe each featuring one of the sisters.

·       This is a perfect book to read to celebrate Jane Austen’s 250^th birthday.

·       This was a great debut book for author Dee Blankenship.  I have enjoyed @dees.reads on Instagram for the past few years and enjoy participating in her Classic Buddy reads.

·       I would label this book as a rom com, slow burn romance, and mostly clean read (a character is caught in the act with a lady in the library).

·       Each sister has a romance that was a mini version of her classic story and it worked.  For example, Anne refused her engagement to Wentworth years ago due to pressure from others before he went into the military.  Now he’s back at this wedding and a captain.  Can old wounds be healed?

·       This could be a standalone novel that is a cute rom com on its own, but it would be the most fun for someone who has read all six Austen novels.

·       I love the beautiful cover of this novel and I also received a cute bookmark as well!

Overall, The Austen Sisters by Dee Blankenship is a cute romantic comedy and a love letter to Jane Austen and her six classic novels.  I highly recommend it to all lovers of Jane Austen!

Book Source:  Review copy from author Dee Blankenship. Thank-you! 

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

 

Title:  Little Women

Author:  Louisa May Alcott

Narrated by:  Anne Undeland

Publisher: Alison Larkin Presents

Length: Approximately 10 hours and 7 minutes

Source: Review Copy from Alison Larkin Presents.  Thank-you!

What book do you love that is loved by other members of your family?  Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is a novel that transcends time.  I grew up loving it with my sisters and mother.  I have a copy of my Grandma’s copy of this novel. 

Little Women Is the classic story of the trials and tribulations of four sisters growing up during the Civil War in Massachusetts. My thoughts on this novel:

·       I listened to this book on audiobook this reread.  Alison Larkin is one of my favorite audiobook narrators.  This version is part of her Alison Larkin presents series and it featured a new narrator, Anne Undeland. She was a pleasant narrator.

·       This was only the original Little Women and did not contain part 2, which is Good Wives.  I learned that the United States packages these books together, but they are separate in the UK.  The original novel goes one year from Christmas to Christmas and ends happily.

·       There was a nice interview between Alison Larkin and Anne Undeland at the end of the audiobook.  They went over the life of Louisa May Alcott.

·       I was struck again in this reread how Marmee struggled with her anger and had to really work on being the calm loving mother we all know.  Jo noticed her tell of tightening her lips and leaving the room when she felt anger building, especially when Aunt March was in a rant.  It was so relatable, especially now that I am a mother.

·       I loved all four sisters and their distinct personalities.

·       Meg feels teen pressure for being a governess, not having money for finery, for her family sticking to their believes, and for her family’s relationship with Mr. Lawrence.  It was relatable to anyone who has been a teen.

·       Amy was also a teen feeling pressure with her lime collection to be like all of the other girls.  The discipline from her teacher was excessive.

·       This was the March read for What the Dickens Book Club. I started it in March but finished it in April.  There was a great online discussion with this group on the book.

Overall, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is an enjoyable book that is a joy to read at all stages of life.  It’s a wonderful classic.

Do you have a favorite movie version of Little Women?  The 1994 version will always be my favorite, but I have loved every version.  I grew up watching an anime version!

Excellent Women by Barbara Pym

 

Title:  Excellent Women

Author:  Barbara Pym

Narrated by:  Jayne Entwistle

Publisher: Blackstone Audio

Length: Approximately 8 hours and 41 minutes

Source: Checked out with Libby through the Kewaunee Public Library.  Thank-you!

What book recommendation have you enjoyed lately?  I learned about Excellent Women by Barbara Pym from the @bibliolifestyle newsletter.  I am not sure how I missed this most excellent novel thus far in my life, but I am glad that I have found it through this recommendation. 

Mildred Lathbury is a single woman living in not the best part of London in the early 1950s.  Her father was a clergyman, but both of her parents have passed away.  She was left enough money to have a comfortable life in her flat working part time.  She has a simple, but happy life with work, church, and friends.  When a new couple move to the flat below her, Mildred starts to question the status quo of her life. 

My thoughts on this novel:

·       Excellent Women reminded me of a Jane Austen novel set in post WWII England.

·       Mildred is unmarried and in her early 30’s.  She is an “exceptional woman” that gets things done.  Since she’s single, everyone is sure that she is love with every man that is single.  They are also sure that she wants to cook or care for any  man who is hungry.  It puts her in some awkward situations.  I actually really liked when a single man asked her over to cook his dinner (I guess this was a date) and she said no.

·       I liked how faith was important to Mildred. The excellent women crowd is around church doing good works. 

·       It was interesting how the daily lives of a few people in an area of London could be so interesting.  Their lives were like a portrait in miniature similar to Austen’s work.

·       This novel showed that ordinary women and their ordinary lives are interesting.

·       The novel had wonderful humor.

·       There were also great characters such as Fr. Julian Malor, the local bachelor pastor and his sister Winifred.  Everard Bone is an attractive anthropologist.  Helena and Rocky Napier are the new neighbors that live below Mildred.

·       I was curious and horrified by the fact that Mildred shared a bathroom with the Napiers.

·       There were delicious descriptions of food and tea.  This novel made me want to eat.

·       It was a very enjoyable to listen to on audio.  Jayne Entwistle was a good narrator.

Overall, Excellent Women by Barbara Pym was a lovely comedy of manners in the style of Jane Austen set in post WWII London.  I loved it.  I need to read more Barbara Pym novels!

The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County by Claire Swinarski

 

Title:  The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County

Author:  Claire Swinarski

Narrated by:  Alexander Cendese, Alexandra Hunter, Ann Richardson

Publisher: HarperAudio

Length: Approximately 8 hours and 53 minutes

Source: Audiobook from Amazon Music monthly allotment and physical book from the Kewaunee Public Library.  Ebook from NetGalley

What is your favorite book set near where you live?  I would have to say Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder as my favorite book set in Wisconsin, but I loved the local setting and flare of The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County which was set in a fictional community in Wisconsin.

Esther Larson is known for her good cooking as part of the “funeral ladies” in her local church and community.  After falling for an internet scam, she is in danger of losing her home.  Her granddaughter, Iris, decides a great way for Esther to raise money and be able to keep her home would be to put together a cookbook with all their local recipes. 

Cooper has come to Ellerie with his celebrity chef father and half sister for the funeral of his beloved stepmother.  Cooper is suffering from PTSD from being a first responder at a tragedy.  As he gets to know Iris and the community, will Cooper get a second chance?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I read this novel at the start of April as part of the Page-turners Book Club at the Kewaunee Public Library.  The general consensus of our book club was that we enjoyed this novel.  The Wisconsin setting and characters were very relatable.

·       I listened to the audiobook from the recommendation of my friend Carol (the head librarian and leader of our book club).  It was delightful listening to the fun accents of the ladies, although we thought their accents seemed more from Minnesota than Wisconsin.  Cooper, Esther, and Iris are all narrators of different sections of this novel, and they all had their own narrator in the audiobook which worked quite well.

·       Cooper’s PTSD was difficult for everyone to deal with.  It brought about a wonderful heart to heart conversation in the novel between Esther and Iris.  Esther confesses that her husband, Iris’s grandpa, had suffered from PTSD after the war and it made their marriage difficult.

·       I enjoyed the details of family, life, love, and small-town living.  This was a very relatable story.

·       It was funny that the church ladies were mostly Catholic and Lutheran, which is very typical of small-town Wisconsin.

·       I liked that the book hit on difficult topics such as PTSD, internet scammers, alcoholism, family dysfunction, etc., but also how family and friends can pull together to help each other through their difficult times.

Overall, The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County by Claire Swinarski was a good book with a great midwestern flair, characters, and charm.  It was especially delightful to listen to on audiobook.