The Candy House by Jennifer Egan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Egan’s novels are always thought-provoking and really well-written. This was no exception. I read A Visit from the Goon Squad a really long time ago so any character connections between the two books was lost on me but if you’ve read it more recently, it’s a lovely connection between the two. This book start with a story where the tech millionaire Bix Bouton is in a rut and trying to think about what his next big innovation could be when he decides to attend a get together at Columbia.

All the stories after take place in a world where Bix has invented a machine that can extract your memories and put them in a computer where you can access them whenever you want and have a perfect memory of each of them. The stories are interconnected predictable and unpredictable ways.

One of the features of this new technology is the option to upload your memories to a collective in exchange for being able to access other people’s memories. So when you’re searching for your long-lost friend Jenny, you can upload all your memories and then get to see other people’s memories of Jenny throughout the years. Seeing what happens to her through the eyes of others.

These interconnected stories have a similar feel as you find out what happens to some of the characters inside other stories through the “eyes” of the new storyteller. The stories are very different from each other and so are the characters. Some are funny. One is mostly emails back and forth. Even though I lost interest in parts, I loved seeing how the book came together and I loved the ideas presented in these stories. Egan always makes me think.

with gratitude to edelweiss and Simon & Schuster for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Greenwich Park by Katherine Faulkner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stats.

Fun, slightly twisty thriller though I saw some of the twists from afar and others caught me by surprise. I enjoyed all the time I spent with this fast-paced and fun story. If thrillers are your jam, you will like this one.

View all my reviews

The Last Flight by Julie Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this after I finished Clark’s new book coming in 2022. This book had so many rave reviews that I had to try and it did not disappoint. Another story with complex female characters. Especially Eva. I did see some of the twists coming but I still enjoyed this well-done mystery and read it all in one sitting.

View all my reviews

Olga Dies Dreaming by Xóchitl González
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There’s a lot going on in this book. Maybe a bit too much. This is the story of Olga, a wedding planner to the rich and powerful and her brother, a politician. Both of the characters are complex and well-built. The writing was good and there are so many relevant themes explored in this novel. Abandonment, politics, immigration, disasters, feminism/sexism, homosexuality, and so much more. I found myself connected to the book the whole time I was reading it. I liked Olga’s voice and cared about her. But I did also think it was a lot of different issues piled on top of each other in one book.

View all my reviews

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I read the first Finlay Donovan book, I adored it. I laughed and laughed and laughed. I hadn’t heard much about it so it was a wonderful surprise and when I saw the sequel coming, I knew I wanted to get my hands on it as quickly as I could.

It did not disappoint.

In this story the mystery is about a listing Finlay sees on the online forum (disguised as a mom’s forum but we all know it’s a place you go when you want to get rid of people) about someone posting to get rid of her ex-husband.

So, of course, Finlay feels compelled to figure out who wants her ex gone and she jumps with both feet in.

As with the first book, havoc ensues.

Everything about these books are funny and light and joyful. It’s not possible to laugh at the characters and to also root for them the whole time. These books are fantastic on audio and a really great read when you want something light and joyful.

I hope there will be more.

with gratitude to Macmillan Audio and netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

View all my reviews

These Precious Days: Essays by Ann Patchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There are not enough words for how much I loved this essay collection. I am already an ardent fan of both Patchett’s fiction and her nonfiction but she has outdone herself with this collection. I loved the audiobook which is narrated by her and she has done an exceptional job. This will undoubtedly be at the top of my favorites for 2022.

View all my reviews