audio – One Chapter

We Burned So Bright by T. J. Klune

5 stars Fantasy Fiction

I listened to this book on audio which I thought made the book more emotional. What do you do when you know the world is coming to an end? Do you go crazy and do things that you’ve never dreamed you’d do? Do you do nothing different at all? Do you sit and think about all the things that you should “have done” over the years? For Don and Rodney, they are facing this scenario, and they have finally made up their minds how they want to live out the rest of their days. I went into this book blindly, so I wasn’t sure if the world had days, months, or years left but I liked the option that they chose. The couple bought a camper and set out for a trip across the United States. They would see the world like never before, the good and the bad and it would test them beyond their expectations.

They were a couple and they knew that they might not be accepted by some individuals because of this, and they were okay with that. They were committed to one another, and they were going to go out of this world being who they were. They do meet some trouble along the way but that is to be expected and they muddle through it. They also met some wonderful individuals who like Rodney and Don were trying to make the best of this situation. It’s their commitment to their task and to each other that makes this book so special. When they discover Jeremy, they have mixed feelings about what the future will bring but it’s their commitment to each other and to Jeremy that he soon joins their family. He brings them closer together and he opens their eyes to the world around them, to the little things that they perhaps have taken for granted. Life is great as he adjusts to his new surroundings and they welcome his curious nature. As Jeremy matures, parenthood starts to become difficult. They’re pushed beyond their limit, and they must let their strings go as he tries to make his mark in the world, a young man who thinks he is an adult.

It was an emotional and satisfying read (or listen). I enjoyed it more than I had originally thought I would. I recommend this title and the audio version of it. 5 stars

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

4.5 stars Fiction

I enjoyed this story more than I originally thought. Considering her circumstances, Elsie Mabel is who she should be. Based on her circumstances, Elsie Mabel had to walk carefully through life because of her past. As she got older, I think she started to realize the direction that her life had taken her, and what she had missed along the way. As others started to expect more out of Elsie Mabel, she tried to push back but they were persistent and she finally caves in. It’s these individuals who are the ones who helped Elsie Mabel. They were her true friends, the ones who end up saving her and help give her life meaning. Her friends set her free.

It’s a great story about friendships, growth, and about claiming your life. Mabel was finally able to claim a rounded life with meaning when others prodded her. No longer able to hide or disengage, these new individuals wanted more from her, and I think Mabel was at the point of wanting more from herself. I listened to this book on a Playaway and I highly enjoyed it. 4.5 stars

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

4.5 Stars Children’s, YA, Middle School – just about anyone who needs a book to escape

I don’t know why I haven’t read this one until now. As a substitute teacher, I have read parts of this book multiple times as teachers love to share this one as a read aloud in their classroom. Funny thing though, I’ve never got to hear the ending of this book. Unfortunately, I’ve had to read to the students the sad and frustrating journey that Ivan endured at the beginning of this book, all the while trying to grasp exactly what was happening.

I listened to this book which was fabulous! I highly recommend using the audio of this book as I felt connected to the characters and I could definitely feel the emotions running through the story. I loved the bond that the characters had with one another. Even though Ivan was supposed to be the star attraction, he didn’t play upon that title. He cared about all the animals around him and their well-being. As the story unfolded, I could feel that his spirit was broken but I don’t think Ivan knew why or the extent of what he was feeling. Ivan was just going about his day, day-after-day doing what he typically does. It is when his routine changes, Ivan begins to change and he begins to see that life can be different.

I thought the ending of the book seemed rushed to me. The beginning set up the story, and I fell into a rhythm of life with the characters and then suddenly, life changed and it was bam, bam, bam, and it’s over. I’ve already picked up the audio of the second book in this series, so this 60+ Nana is ready for what happens to these friends. 4.5 stars.

She Didn’t See It Coming by Shari Lapena

4.5 stars Mystery

Lizzie – oh boy, she didn’t see how deep she was digging her own hole. She loved the attention she was getting online and then, when someone started to take control of the online situation, she started to lose control. She was acting erratically. She wasn’t going to let someone else take over the situation, this was hers! This girl, she was a hoot for me. She loved attention, she wanted to be in the limelight, but it had to be the attention that SHE wanted. She wanted to call the shots. If somehow, it got out of control, she lost control.

Bryden was missing. She failed to pick up her young daughter from daycare today, which was very odd and it was later discovered that her car and purse were still at home. She was working from home today and when her husband Sam left for work, she told him that she didn’t want to be disturbed. So where is she? Is she somewhere in their apartment complex? As the authorities search the complex, Sam tries to comfort their daughter Lizzie and contemplates where his wife might be.

It’s determined that Bryden was a responsible mother and that something unfortunate has happened to her. Hours pass and there are still no leads on her whereabouts. Bringing in some specialized units to help search the complex, they finally locate Bryden’s body in and now …..all the questions start rolling in.

Who would do such a thing? Why would they do that to Bryden? When did this happen? Oh, the questions started to fall and once the story started rolling, we had a good number of suspects to draw from. I liked how everyone’s story escalated and intensified as the investigation dragged on. I didn’t care for any of the characters, I thought they all were guilty of something and that they should go down (ha) for the activities they had or were committing.

This was a book that I listened to on audio, and I couldn’t wait to get back to it. I did feel sorry for Lizzie, the daughter, as she was the innocent one. I enjoyed this audio book. 4.5 stars.

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Three-Inch Teeth by CJ Box

3.5 Stars Mystery

Ha! Three-inch teeth….that was just part of the problem. I have to give it to him, he was smart, almost too smart. He had a gift, and he used it to his advantage. Clever guy, oh yes he was. This was one of those books where things were falling together and I didn’t realize it until the gloves were off and bodies were falling.

He got out of prison, and he wants revenge. He’s not doing it alone which added some excitement to this book. The bodies start piling up, but something is just not adding up, the authorities are baffled. Who can connect the dots and figure this one out?

I liked Dallas’ idea as it was creative and innovative. Realistic? I’m not so sure but perhaps someday we’ll get there. As they were unraveling the mystery, I felt that it was done quickly, and swiftly. Listening to this book, I did feel that there were a lot of individuals to keep track of, and it was hard sometimes to keep everyone separate. 3.5 stars

The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger

5 stars Historical Fiction

I listened to this book, and I really enjoyed the narration. With a full cast of individuals, I’m glad that I listened to this one. Sheriff Brody Dern carried his own scars and demons from the war and the townfolk, were no different. When Jimmy Quinn’s body is discovered floating in the river, it’s determined that he didn’t accidentally fall in. Jimmy did like his drink and all those that followed but what remains of Jimmy after the fish got ahold of him, points to a single shot that took Jimmy life. It’s rural Minnesota in the 1950’s, and everyone’s story matters.

Jimmy wasn’t a likeable person; his wife was a different story. Jimmy was a feared man; he spoke his mind, and nothing was impossible with him. The evidence at the scene was sparce but Sheriff Brody had a job to do. As he tries to catch a killer, I was crossing my suspects off my list and the list was getting rather short. There were stories that took me on sideroads, that gave me the stories and insight that made up the townfolk. They all had stories but whose story would make someone commit murder. 5 stars

Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon

4 stars Mystery

Not even brain tumors can slow Lana down. Lana found herself on the floor of her own kitchen. Rushed to the hospital, Lana discovered that she had brain tumors and that after her surgery, she would need assistance. Her daughter was a nurse so Lana decided that she would stay with her, just until she could get back on her feet again.

Lana wasn’t used to this laid-back, small-town-living, what did individuals do here for excitement? Lana liked her glamorous life as a real estate ion, her fancy lifestyle was nothing like this small coastal town where her daughter and granddaughter lived. Lana knew that she needed their help and this was only going to be temporary, so she just tried to make the best of it.

Watching out her bedroom window, Lana eyes search across the water. With a pair of binoculars, Lana spots a man pushing a wheelbarrow late at night. He was dumping something into the water, as whatever it was, it made a splashing sound when it hit the water. What this man was dumping didn’t seem to alarm Lana until days later when her granddaughter returns home from work. Jack, working as a guide at a local kayak shop had taken a group of kayakers out when they came across a lifeless body. Immediately, Lana remembers the wheelbarrow and man pushing it. Was this what the man dumped into the water? Had Lana seen the man who committed this crime?

The investigation gets twisted as mother, daughter, and grandmother get involved with the investigation. Lana starts her own investigation as she has her own way of getting answers that the official team can’t. The story is funny at times as Lana puts her own twists on things. Jack likes the combination of her mother and grandmother together and it’s nice to see the three woman working things out. I enjoyed this audio and highly recommend listening to it. 4 stars

Everyone Here is Lying by Shari Lapena

5 stars Thriller

I really didn’t like any of the characters in this book, except for Michael. Michael didn’t have much of a role in this book though. He was the one who I felt got left out when his emotions were high for no one gave him a second glance. It was Avery who was dancing in the limelight. Avery was Michael’s younger sister. They knew she was a “difficult child.” Yep, they had that right! She was a player, the one that had got my goat.

William had just gotten dumped by his lover, and he had come home to sulk. Finding his daughter at home was a surprise and not a good one. He wanted time alone, time to think and his nine-year-old daughter was not giving him the space that he wanted. But, it was Avery and she was being herself and right now, William was not in the mood. One thing led to another, and William tried to apologize for what had transpired between the two of them, but it was too late, the damage had been done.

Hours pass and Avery does not return home. Her whereabouts are unknown, and the police are called. A timeline is constructed and piecing the puzzle together brings out the truth that others have been trying to cover-up.

I enjoyed listening to this book and when another story was introduced, I had to know how this story was going to play out. William was having a terrible day when his lover left him but that was just the beginning. He hasn’t been paying attention to the world around him and now, it’s all coming at him. Avery is only nine, yet the way she thinks, she’s much older. Her parents know she’s a handful, but they don’t know the extent of it. She feels that she’s in control and I had to wonder if she really was at times. An entertaining read. 5 stars

After reading notes: Who is running this house, nine-year-old Avery or her parents? William, her father is a smart man to some extent but when it comes to his wife, his loyalty falls short. Avery likes the attention, the limelight – perhaps she gets that from her father but in the end, the stage is too much for this nine-year-old.”

Weyward by Emilia Hart

4.5 stars Historical Fiction

They relied upon Altha and her mother when they needed them. Now, Altha fate lies in the hands of those who once called upon her when they needed her help. As I read her thoughts, I felt for her. She was torn by the events that transpired and now, all she could do was wait. Altha had relied upon the knowledge that her mother had taught her, the world that was around her, and her own skills and now, they want to call her a witch. A witch for which her fate would be death.

Violet’s mother died when she was 6. Violet doesn’t remember much about her, so her father tells her what she needs to know. When a relative visits, Violet is told to be on her best behavior, yet the visiting relative forgot to follow the same rules. What transpires between these two can never be reversed and leaves a harmful impact on Violet forever.

Kate ran. She thought she was safe and although she didn’t have a clear picture of where her life was headed, she knew it had to be better. As she made Weywerd her home, she discovered things about herself, her past, and her future. Tensions were high as I read about her journey for, I feared something was coming, something that she was not prepared for. Kate’s running was not over. This time, there is more at stake, and she can’t just run away from everything, Kate must fight to end the battle.

I really enjoyed all three of these stories and how they all tied together. I’m glad that I went into this book blind and knew nothing of it except of it’s genre and how popular it has been, I had listened to this book on audio. 4.5 stars

Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore

4 stars Fiction Crime

She came up to that front door. She had no idea what was on the other side, but she felt that it had to be better than what she was facing out here. There were no other options. Whoever opened that door, she hoped that they would embrace her and lock out the monster that tried to claim her. Whose story would they believe? Whose side would they be on? Who would open this door?

Although this book was long, the story was captivating once I became involved. The story takes place in Texas. Odessa, Texas where I could feel the dry dirt inside my mouth as I read this story. It’s 1976 but it felt more like the 1960’s as the men felt it was their place to be at the top of the food chain. Women were expected to spend their days inside the home doing their “housework” and tending to their husband’s needs. Everyone had their roles, just follow along. Yet, as we read this powerful book, we see how the lives of those who live in Odessa challenge these expectations and the outcome.

The story begins rather quickly when Gloria finds her way onto Mary Rose’s porch. A victim of a brutal assault, Mary Rose tries to protect Gloria and the tension in the book quickly escalates as race and power become the central issue. What is right and wrong only matters if you’re the one in charge and everyone knows who is in charge in Odessa. There’s a handful of other females who get in on the action but in this town, it’s the males that run it, or at least that’s what they think.

I originally had a hard time reading this book as I didn’t like the formatting. The lack of punctuation inside the book kept throwing me off. I ended up picking up an audio of this book to listen to as I read along with my physical copy of the book, at the same time. This helped a great deal. I won a copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaway and Harper. 4 stars