A Summer for the Books by Michelle Lindo-Rice

 

Do you like to read summer themed books?

Jewel Stone is a best-selling author, but she has been experiencing writer’s block.  Her husband has also recently lost his job and finances are tight.  When her estranged best friend, Shelby, is in an accident and has amnesia, Jewell is her emergency contact.  She drops everything to help Shelby and is inspired by her life to write again.  As secrets from the past threaten to overtake them, will Shelby and Jewell be able to repair their friendship and confront their past?  Will Shelby’s adoptive daughter Lacey be able to find her birth mom?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       A Summer for the Books was the August pick for the Brenda Novak Book Group.  I just finished it this month and listened to the Facebook Book Group meeting when I was done.  I enjoyed the meeting and the interview with the author.  She was delightful!

·       This novel does have romance, but it is closed door.

·       I liked hearing how the author based the characters on herself and family members.

·       I loved that the book explored friendships of both mothers and daughters, as well as mother / daughter relationships.

·       The book is narrated through Lacey, Jewel, Shelby, journals form the past, and a book within the book.  It is a dual timeline book.

·       The story overall was good, and the characters were interesting, but I found it confusing at times especially as the characters were referred to by different names in the past.  It was also repetitive at times and could have been trimmed down to make the storyline move quicker.

·       I liked the bookstore and beach settings.

·       The book had a good ending.

Overall, A Summer for the Books by Michelle Lindo Rice was a good story with great characters, friendships, and setting, but it did move slowly at times.

Book Source: Thank-you to NetGalley for a review copy of this novel.

Jane Austen’s Bookshelf by Rebecca Romney

 

Title:  Jane Austen’s Bookshelf

Author:  Rebecca Romney

Narrated by:  Rebecca Romney

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Length: Approximately 11 hours and 46 minutes

Source: Thank you @goodreads for the physical copy.  Thank-you to @simonaudio for the audiobook.

Do you know what books your favorite author liked to read?  I always find it interesting to find out what authors like to read.

Author Rebecca Romney is a book collector and devotee of Jane Austen.  As she researched Austen and her works, she concluded that she wasn’t a lone female genius author.  She had wrote her books at a time of other great female authors who have been left out of the canon over time.   Who are these authors and what are their works?

My thoughts on this book:

·       JASNA Northwoods picked this book for an August selection.  We all enjoyed it and decided that we will pick some of our future book club picks from the classic female authors discussed in the text.

·       The author has read many of the male authors that were Austen’s favorites, but not the women authors.  Why were these women left out of the canon?

·       There are clues sprinkled throughout Austen’s work from women writers that she admired.  It was interesting how different phrases such as “Pride and Prejudice” in Austen’s works came from other works published at that time and would have been familiar to contemporary reads.

·       The women covered in this book include:  Frances Burney, Ann Radcliffe, Charlotte Lennox, Hannah More, Charlotte Smith, Elizabeth Inchbald, Hester Lynch Thrale Piozzi, and Maria Edgeworth.

·       The book is split up by author.  Each author has a short biography of their life and details about their works. Romney describes her search for each authors works.

·       I loved the author’s nerdy obsession with collecting books.  As a lifelong collector myself, I felt this book.

·       I have always wondered why certain authors are on the canon and not others.  I have collected American and British literature books through time and have noted how authors drop out, especially women.  This book wants you to read beyond the canon.

·       There is an index, book collection list (and notes) at the end of this book.  It’s a great reference.

·       I loved that author Rebecca Romney narrated the audiobook.  It was a very enjoyable book to listen to.

Overall, Jane Austen’s Bookshelf by Rebecca Romney is an interesting, informative, and enjoyable read.  The audiobook is read by the author and great as well. I recommend this to all lovers of Jane Austen.

Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson

 

What was the last book that stunned you?

Thom and Wendy Graves live in a beautiful house by the sea in Massachusetts.  They have been married for over twenty-five years and together raised one son, Jason.  Everything looks perfect from the outside, but there are cracks in their marriage.  Thom likes to drink and have affairs.  They both share a secret from early in their relationship which holds them together.  What is this secret?  What is the heart of the problem with their marriage?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was a very cleverly written story and was unique.

·       I loved the references to “I Know Where I’m Going” and “Dial M for Murder” amongst other classic movies.

·       The reader really gets to know the characters backwards through time which was interesting.

·       I really wanted the details on the mystery from early in their relationship, so it was interesting to read it backwards through time and finally get those details.

·       The ending was perfect.

·       This is a toxic love story.  It was interesting that the demise of the love story was at the beginning of the novel and then it worked backwards to how their love story started.

·       The story goes from 2023 to 1982 when Wendy and Thom met at age 14.

·       This is a domestic suspense novel and a slow burn thriller.

·       Thom and Wendy are not particularly likeable characters. 

Favorite Quote: “The first attempt at killing her husband was the night of the dinner party.” This was a great first line.

Overall, Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson is a unique, and clever domestic suspense novel and slow burn thriller.  I enjoyed reading it.

Book Source: Thank-you to NetGalley for a review copy of this novel.

The Complete Stories of Flannery O’Connor

 

Did you have any favorite short stories that you read in high school?  I read a few Flannery O’Connor short stories in both high school and college American Literature classes and enjoyed them.  They were well written and had surprise endings that were unlike most other stories.  I picked The Complete Stories of Flannery O’Connor for the July pick for my Back to the Classics Book Club at the Kewaunee Public Library.  We watched the movie Wildcat (2023) in August about the life of Flannery O’Connor.

My thoughts on the short stories and movie:

·       I don’t think the ladies of my book club enjoyed the stories as much as I did, but I enjoyed reading it.  The movie was strange and hilarious in ways.  I learned a lot about Flannery O’Connor and enjoyed seeing some of her short stories on the screen.  We enjoyed watching the movie as a group.  I did not think a Flannery O’Connor story could make me laugh, but it did.  One member said that the stories reminded her of The Twilight Zone and that is a great description.  Another recommended looking up each story online to really understand the religious subtext of the stories, which is a great recommendation.

·       O’Connor seemed to really target mothers and grandmothers in her stories that try to control their offspring or are stuck in their old ways and unable to adapt to a changing world.  I found this to be fascinating.

·       The stories really seemed to focus on the Southern myth and how people were stuck in their own thoughts of past grandeur and are unable to move on to the present (example their ancestor had a plantation and 200 slaves, but they themselves live in poverty).

·       The stories pick on the racist thoughts that were prevalent at the time and bring them to the forefront for the reader to really think about.  People say her works are racist now because of her use of the N word.  The stories instead made me really think about race.

·       The stories tend to focus on that people or things were not what they appeared to be.

·       Hypocrisy was a major theme.

·       Pride, idolatry over family heritage were also themes and people thinking they are better than others.

·       The stories overall really made me think.  Some of the stories stood out more than others.  My favorite is still A Good Man is Hard to Find.

·       I thought it was interesting that it appears that the Boomer generation in my book club did not read her in school.  My children (Gen Z) also did not read her.  I did as a Gen X.  O’Conner did discuss race frankly and use the N word.  As she says in the movie, that is how people talked in the South at that time.  Her stories on race ring true sadly still now, but minus the N word.  Unfortunately, I have heard people I know talking about classifying people based on race and economics as is discussed in the stories.

·       I also listened to the audiobooks, A Good Man is Hard to Find and Other Stories narrated by Marguerite Gavin and Everything that Rises Must Converge narrated by Bronson Pinchot, Karen White, Mark Bramhall, and Lorna Raver.  Both were excellent and well worth listening to.

·       I kept a notebook with notes on each story so I could go on for quite a while, but this is my general review of the book.

Overall, I have thought about The Complete Stories of Flannery O’Connor long after I have turned the last page.  They are brilliantly written and unique Southern Gothic short stories.

Book Source:  I purchased The Complete Stories of Flannery O’Connor at a used book store many years ago.  I also purchased two short story collections on audible this summer.

The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night That Saved America by Kostya Kennedy

 

Title:  The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night That Saved America

Author:  Kostya Kennedy

Narrated by:  Johnny Heller

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Length: Approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes

Source: Thank-you to #Netgalley for the review copy. 

Who is your favorite historical figure?  I enjoy reading about all historical figures.  I find that I learn so much more than I did back in school when you only were able to kind of skim over the personalities as you learn about the overall picture of history.

On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere, a Boston based silversmith, engraver, and anti-British operative set out on a dangerous mission to let American colonists know that British troops were on their way. 

My thoughts on this audiobook:

·       Revere had 18 previous rides to report about British movements, but the one we know about had consequences across the war.  He was paid for these rides, and it helped to supplement his income.

·       I listened to this audiobook back in July on a trip to visit colleges with my son.  We both enjoy American history and this audiobook.

·       This year is the 250^th anniversary of Paul Revere’s most famous ride.

·       The audiobook had a good description of Paul’s family, Paul Revere himself, politics, and important figures of the time.

·       I was intrigued learning the story of Joseph Warner, Paul Revere’s friend who was killed.

·       William Dawes rode with Paul Revere and many people are angry that he doesn’t get more credit.  The book discussed a poem about Dawes that stated that this name was not as poetic as Revere and that his why he is not famous.  Revere’s ride was more impactful, and he was more important in the revolution movement.  Dawes is known today because of Revere.

·       The ride was intense and dangerous.  The book detailed the ride and made me feel the danger.

·       I liked the unique gravely voice of the audiobook narrator.

·       The book included detail on how Longfellow was inspired to write his famous poem.

·       It also explored Revere’s legacy and impact on popular culture.

·       It was interesting to learn that Revere rolled copper and helped keep the country going in the war of 1812.  Some historians think this is Revere’s most important contribution to the country.

Overall, The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night That Saved America by Kostya Kennedy was an intriguing audiobook that gave the background of Revere’s ride and why it was important in history.

The Rules of Falling for You by Mollie Rushmeyer (Bibliolifestyle Book Tour)

 

Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @bethanyhousefiction for the review copy of The Rules of Falling for You by Mollie Rushmeyer.

What is blooming in your area?  We have a lot of hydrangeas blooming around town and turning beautiful colors.

Zoe Dufour is a soon to be 30-year-old podcaster that is beginning to doubt she will find the true love that she reads about in her favorite Regency novels.  When a Regency themed singles retreat opens not far from her hometown of Minneapolis, she decides it would not only be a great topic for her podcast, but also a great place to look for love.  Her best friend’s brother Harrison is back in town and is her podcast producer.  Will sparks fly between the two?

My thoughts on the novel:

·       I loved all the Jane Austen references throughout. They were delightful.

·       I wish that A. Nathaniel Gladwin, a fictional regency era author in the novel, existed.  I want to read her novels!

·       The novel has dual narrators as it switched between Zoe and Harrison.

·       I loved the Minneapolis setting.  It’s nice to read books set somewhere else besides New York City!

·       This novel was a contemporary romcom set in a fictional regency themed singles retreat. So, there were great costumes and dancing.  I loved everything about it.

·       It was a very fun book, and I loved the humor throughout the novel. Zoe and Harrison had great banter.

·       I enjoyed the side romances between other characters as well.

·       Zoe and Eden’s friendship was also great.

·       Zoe must learn to bend her own dating rules to find happiness in life.

·       This was a clean read.

·       Great tropes in this novel – friends to lovers (or best friend’s brother to lover), forced proximity and slow burn.

·       The Rules of Falling for You by Mollie Rushmeyer was published on September 2, 2025.

Overall, The Rules of Falling for You by Mollie Rushmeyer was a sweet and delightful contemporary romcom set primarily at a regency themed dating retreat.  I loved the characters and the storyline.  It’s a fun book and I especially recommend it to all my fellow Jane Austen and regency lovers.

The Heir by Darcie Wilde (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

What is a recent book you read and gave 5 stars?

Victoria has grown up at Kensington Palace under control of her mother and her advisor, Sir John Conroy.  She feels like a bird in a cage.  One afternoon, she is able to slip away for a horse ride.  While galloping across the palace green, she comes across the body of a dead man.  Who is this man and where did he come from?  Victoria sets her mind to solve this mystery.

My thoughts on this novel:

·       The Heir is a cozy historical mystery.  The mystery moves slowly at first but gains traction throughout the novel.  It’s set in the very real historical world of the future Queen Victoria and delves into the dynamics of her life.

·       This is the first in a new “A Young Queen Victoria” mystery series.  I am looking forward to the next novel in the series, especially with the hints that her mother is trying to find a match for her.

·       Victoria had a hard time with her mother and John Conroy controlling her every move.  I can’t imagine having to live like she did. 

·       I loved the character of Victoria.  She is spunky and wants to have her own autotomy.

·       Jane Conroy is Sir John’s daughter.  He brings her to the palace to be friends with Victoria.  He mistreats Jane.  Jane feels awkward and like she never quite knows how to behave.

·       Kensington Palace seems moldy and stifling.  It seems strange to grown up in a palace, but to have no control over your life.

·       Governess Lehzen is on Victoria’s side and assists her.  She was an interesting character.

·       The mystery involves the many royal bastards in the family.  It always intrigues me that there were so few legitimate heirs in this family.

·       I listened to part of the book on audio.  The narrator was excellent.  It was a very enjoyable audiobook.

Overall, The Heir by Darcie Wilde is an intriguing new historical mystery set in young Queen Victoria’s world.  I enjoyed the characters, and I learned a lot.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @darciewildeauthor @kensingtonbooks @austenprose for a review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. 

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie

 

Title:  One, Two Buckle my Shoe

Author:  Agatha Christie

Narrated by:  Hugh Fraser

Publisher: Harper Collins

Length: Approximately 5 hours

Source: Thank-you to the Kewaunee Public Library.  I checked this out using #Libby. 

Do you like nursery rhymes?  I always enjoyed them as a kid and reciting them with my own children.  I love how Agatha Christie incorporates them into her fiction.

Dead bodies turn up everywhere for Hercule Poirot.  He goes to the dentist one day and his dentist ends up dead.  Was it suicide or was murder involved?

My thoughts on this audiobook:

·       I read One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie for my August selection for #ReadChristie2025.  The August theme is medicine or medical professionals.  The victim is a dentist, Mr. Morley.

·       This is the twenty third Hercule Poirot novel.  I think it would be fun in the future to read all the Hercule Poirot novels in a row.

·       Hugh Fraser was a great audiobook narrator as usual.

·       It was interesting that this novel has a nursery rhyme title like other Christie books.  The buckles on shoes do play a part in the plot! This novel was first published in the United States in 1941 as the Patriotic Murders and then in 1955 as An Overdose of Death before finally being published with the original UK title.

·       I did not guess the ending of this one.

Overall, One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie was a short read that kept me intrigued.

 

 

The Mesopotamian Riddle by Joshua Hammer

 

Title:  The Mesopotamian Riddle

Author:  Joshua Hammer

Narrated by:  Matthew Lloyd Davies

Publisher: Simon Audio

Length: Approximately 10 hours and 32 minutes

Source: Thank-you to #HistoryBuffsBookClub @History_In_Five for a review copy of the hardcover book.  The audiobook was purchased on audible.

Do you listen to audiobooks on family trips?  We like to listen to nonfiction books on history on family trips.

The Mesopotamian Kingdoms of Sumer, Assyria, Babylon, and Persia used a system of writing call cuneiform.  Its meaning was lost over time, but in London in 1857, three different people worked to crack the code.  They were archeologist Austen Henry Layard, soldier Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, and clergyman Edward Hincks.  How did they figure it out?

My thoughts on this nonfiction book:

·       We listened to this audiobook on a summer family trip.  The kids were not interested so only my husband and I ended up listening to it.  The narrator was a tad dry.

·       There was a lot of history of Mesopotamia in the text, which was very interesting.

·       It seemed incredible to my husband and I on how these linguists were able to figure out the meanings of the dead language.

·       The book described the history of the ancient civilizations as well as the Victorian time period.

·       The book was also critical of the British removing ancient artifacts ad taking them back to the British Museum.

·       In 1857, the Royal Asiatic Society hosted a challenge to four people to decipher writings and that set the stage for this book. When all of the translations matched, it verified that they had cracked the code.

·       The book jumped around in time a lot.

Overall, The Mesopotamian Riddle by Joshua Hammer was an interesting look into ancient civilizations and the Victorian scholars who worked to crack the ancient writings from these great civilizations. 

The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth by Barbara O’Neal (TLC Book Tours)

 

Title:  The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth

Author:  Barbara O’Neal

Narrated by:  Andi Arndt

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Length: Approximately 11 hours and 59 minutes

Source: Thank-you to Lake Union Publishing for a review copy of the paperback book as part of the TLC Book Tour and thank-you to @netgalley for audiobook review copy.

How do you communicate with friends?  Emails, texts, social media, or old-fashioned letters?  I would say all the above for myself.

Victoria is going through a divorce.  She and her husband had seemed closer than ever until he ended it all for a much younger woman.  Fifty and suddenly alone, Victoria must get a job fast to survive. She gets a job as a companion to Mariah, a young woman with an injury who is going to travel the world tracing the footsteps of her mother’s last unfinished project in London, Paris, Morocco, and India.  Her mother, Rachel, was a good writer, and she also left behind letters she had written her sister.  As Victoria and Mariah make their journey, they learn more about Rachel and themselves.

My thoughts on this novel:

·       The audiobook had a good narrator and was interesting to listen to.

·       I liked Victoria’s character growth throughout the novel.

·       I really disliked Victoria’s ex-husband.  He seemed to want his cake (new younger wife) and eat it too (keep his ex-wife on string.).  I kept wondering why he didn’t get in trouble for not paying his alimony.

·       Why can’t Victoria’s family change their tradition of skiing every year as a family so that Victoria gets to have a family Christmas at least every other year?  It’s strange to me that this is a family tradition since Victoria doesn’t ski or snowboard.

·       Rachel was killed in a mas shooting while grocery shopping with her daughter.  Mariah survived but can no longer snowboard (she was an Olympian) with her handicap.  The PTSD from this tragic even still impacts Mariah.

·       A handsome middle-aged photographer, Henry, accompanies them on the trip.  He is a father figure for Mariah (one of Rachel’s ex-boyfriends), and a love interest for Victoria.

·       I liked how both Victoria and Mariah had a coming-of-age storyline as they came to terms with their new realities and worked towards moving forward with new dreams.

·       I loved the descriptions of all the different countries, foods, and cafes.

·       I didn’t see how the cafes, countries, and Rachel’s story were all linked until the very end.

·       I am close to Victoria’s age of fifty and she gets picked on by her kids for being old and treated as an old lady a lot on their trip.  I suddenly felt very old!!

Overall, The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth by Barbara O’Neal was a great story with unforgettable characters, growth, and travel.  I enjoyed it!