The Joy of Art – November 13, 2023 at 11:26AM

 

Keep a little fire burning…

#art #watercolors #watercolorjournal #primrosiajournal #kolbieblume #thiswritingdesk #learningtowatercolor #learningtopaint #learningtoletter

The Joy of Art – November 12, 2023 at 12:19PM

 

From those who have never left home.

#art #watercolors #watercolorjournal #kolbieblume #thiswritingdesk #primrosiajournal #loveyourimperfectletters #watercolorlandscape #watercolorsunset #learningtoletter #learningtowatercolor

Review: Absolution

Absolution
Absolution by Alice McDermott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

McDermott is such a gem and I love reading her writing and spending time with her characters. This story was no exception. I loved learning more about how it was for women during Vietnam War (interesting to compare this with the Kristen Hannah book I just read too.) and I loved the themes around friendship, motherhood, family and service. Beautiful novel.

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Review: Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon

Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon
Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon by Michael Lewis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I think Michael Lewis is a great storyteller. He knows how to make a story interesting, he knows exactly what details to include so you have depth and what to leave out because it’s complex and not relevant. Taking really complicated stories and making them so consumable is absolutely a talent. This book was no exception and very timely with the trial that just happened.

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Review: One Puzzling Afternoon

One Puzzling Afternoon
One Puzzling Afternoon by Emily Critchley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars.

This book was a tad too long but I loved the storytelling around deep friendships and trauma that you have to hold on to for all of your life. My heart broke into pieces as the story unraveled more and more but I loved reading it.

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Review: Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

this was a surprise find for me. I loved the characters and the complex storyline that elegantly came together.

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Review: The Wake-Up Call

The Wake-Up Call
The Wake-Up Call by Beth O’Leary
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

O’Leary’s books are like a warm blanket when I need one.

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Review: Bright Young Women

Bright Young Women
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really liked reading this riveting story and at the same time I thought it was a tiny bit too long. But i loved the complexity of the characters. I loved the serious topic handled with the care and depth it almost never gets handled with in quick thrillers.

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Review: Baby X

Baby X
Baby X by Kira Peikoff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book in one swallow. Even though I saw many of the twists coming, I really loved reading this futuristic story that gave “Gattaca” vibes. I loved the world building, I loved the story and I loved how it all came together. This book has all of what you might want from 5 different novels: scientific concepts in a near futuristic world, romance, thriller with an evil psychopath, mystery of identity and several major concepts like politics, information rights, identity, family, genetics and more. I really enjoyed the time I spent with it.

with gratitude to netgalley and The Quick Brown Fox & CO, for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Darling Girls

Darling Girls
Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m already a big fan of Sally Hepworth but I especially enjoyed this story about three adopted sisters who have to get back to their hometown as a result of a body that’s been found under the house they were raised. So many twists here and the ending was the best for me. Hepworth never disappoints.

with gratitude to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Four Weekends and a Funeral

Four Weekends and a Funeral
Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this sweet novel about a woman who’s stuck having to clean her ex’s apartment with his best friend when he unexpectedly dies before his family knows that they’ve broken up. You have to suspend disbelief for many of the things in this story but it’s also a sweet story to get swept up in and with all that’s going on in the world, i always appreciate books that feel like a cozy blanket and a warm hug.

with gratitude to netgalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Martyr!

Martyr!
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am not sure how to even talk about this book. It’s weird, it’s disjointed, it’s all over the place and yet it also has so much heart. The story seems like it’s going nowhere, it requires a lot of patience to stick with it and follow the writer’s journey and musings about religion, addiction, belonging, grief, death, martyrdom, art and more. But then at some point it starts to come together and then it’s not possible to not get swept up with the story. By the time you’re done, it’s one of those books where the people and the story stay with you long after you turn the last page.

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

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