100+ Books in 2025 discussion

I hope to read at least 100 books despite coming up short of that goal in 2024.

1. Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See
This historical novel, set in China in the 1400-1500s, tells the story of a woman physician, Lady Tan, who is also a member of an elite family with the expectation of producing a son to carry on the Yang family line.

From her childhood to her latter years, the story shows the mores of the day and her difficulties being the physician she wishes to be as she straddles both.

Friendship with a midwife as well as her relationships with her husband's family shows just how constrained her life was, yet her remedies in treating the women in her extended family have been used in China for nearly 500 years.

Some tough passages to read as a 21st century woman. Having read See's Snow Flower and the Secret Fan with its graphic passages about foot binding, I was leery of reading this novel for the same reason. I probably wouldn't have read it except that it was chosen for a book group of which I am a member.

2. Lines in the Sand: Anthology of Poetry and Flash Fiction by various authors
This anthology of poetry and flash fiction weaves a spell around the reader. Some are truly magical. Some tease and taunt the reader with dark themes, and others are filled with lightness. Alliterative language and cleverness abounded throughout many of them.

To get the most from the selections, one or two pieces, whether poetry or prose, were read over time. The theme was well represented, and I could see reading them again.

3. An American Family by Khizr Khan
Khizr Khan writes about his life in Pakistan as a boy and young man up and including the time when he and his family emigrate to the United States as immigrants. Told from his perspective, he continues with his and his family's path to citizenship.

He and his wife Ghazala have three boys, one of whom becomes a soldier. When his son is killed in Iraq, protecting his men and the base, Khan and Ghazala become Gold Star parents even speaking at the 2016 DNC convention.

An inspiring, powerful story told about the realities of the life of immigrants and how much sacrifice it takes. Definitely worth reading.

4. Rockin' Around the Chickadees by Donna Andrews
Number 36 in the Meg Langslow series finds Meg helping to solve the murder of another nasty guy, who happens to hassle exonerated murderers.

Meg's grandmother, Cordelia, her nephew, Kevin, and the family lawyer,Festus, and other people are having a conference. The conference attracts those who like true crime as well as some people, who either feel a loved one has been unfairly charged and convicted of murder, are looking for help in the process. Into this mix of people come at least one person, who is hassling some of those exonerated people among others.

When Gordon is kicked out of the conference, that should be the end of it, but it isn't. He's killed and Meg steps in to help.

Meg also is trying to keep her sister-in-law comfortable (and away from stress) as she nears her due date.

As Gordon is generally disliked, there are plenty of suspects that would like him gone, but killing him? It's up to Chief Burke to solve the case, but Meg isn't above stepping in with her own investigation. After all, he was shot on the family property.

This series is always a fun read; the murdered person generally deserves it, and a bit of bird lore with each. 4.5 stars

5. Random in Death by J.D. Robb
One random death starts Lt. Eve Dallas and her homicide crew looking for a pattern. What person stuck a syringe full of drugs and bacteria into a sixteen-year-old teen and then just strutted away?
Dreams are ended for this young girl, but Dallas is on the case to stand for her.

This fifty-eighth novel in the series is as fresh as the first, but this one caused this reader to both laugh aloud (some of the dialogue/thoughts are just humorous) and shed tears (the deaths of these teens, their dreams, and their families are just so sad).

6. Laced with Magic by Barbara Bretton
Time is running out for Chloe and Luke (and by extension, Sugar Maple), and now it is complicated by the discovery of secrets: that Luke was once married, had a daughter, and is divorced. Secrets will out, and Karen, his ex-wife, has come to Sugar Maple with a tale of her daughter repeatedly calling her on her cellphone. Steffie's spirit is being held captive by Isadora, whom Chloe had banished (or so she thought).

Will Chloe be able to help Steffie, Karen, and Luke? Will Sugar Maple survive with two, count 'em, two, humans? Will Isadora return from her banishment, or will the sorcerer-in-training be able to save the day?

The second in the series (and my apologies for my slow reading of them) is full of magic and mayhem, and even has some answers to questions that weren't answered in the first one.

Enjoying this series. For those who knit, there are lots of tips and tricks following the story.

7. The Measure by Nikki Erlick
This is the debut novel, which has an intriguing premise. Every adult (over age 22) in every country of the world receives a small wooden-like box on the same morning. What is it? What does it mean? Does the person open it or not? Would you. especially if you knew the contents?

This is the beginning of the novel, and through the perspective of eight people, the story (and by extension his or her story), is told. This story is both hopeful and sad; there is humor and even romance. Definitely makes the reader think about what is important in life.

8. Passions in Death by J.D. Robb
The murder of a bride a week before the wedding? Unbelievable especially since it occurs at a club during an all-girls party to celebrate the upcoming wedding. As to why, it's up to Dallas and Peabody to figure out why anyone would want to kill the bride, especially someone she obviously trusted enough to help with a surprise for her marriage partner.

Another riveting mystery to be solved with Dallas's humor and ability to put the clues together. I love the way Dallas mangles idioms and questions how they even come about. Peabody's compassionate nature always helps as they work together.

One particular scene with Dallas and Roarke was extremely touching...kinda a turnabout for the pair.

9. The Billionaire's Best Friend by Christina Tetreault
This is a contemporary romance that features a couple (Lauren and Nate), who fell in love in their teens, but have been apart for fifteen years.

Now, he's back and wants to begin again, but Lauren doesn't want to take the chance with him again. She was hurt by him when he left for college, and they hurt still lingers.

Actually, she is dating another man, Kevin. So, what next for Lauren? Will she stay with Kevin, or will she heed her heart's desire (despite the betrayal of the past) and give Nate another chance?

This is a clean romance...not too spicy and few What-the-tuck trends.

Having not read the previous three novels in the series, the book can be read as a stand-alone. There is obviously character history, but it is not difficult to get into the story here except to figure out the rationale for the title.

10. Spun in Sorcery by Barbara Bretton
The third book in the Sugar Maple series finds Chloe, Luke, and Janice looking for Sugar Maple. It has totally disappeared: no streets, no people, no stores....nothing. In her battle with Isadora, she lost the village.

All that they have left is what Janice hastily packed in the Buick including yarn for a road trip. They head to Salem to find out if there is a way to make the village reappear. As they head to Salem, the three of them are beset with snowstorms, tornadoes, and so much more. Obviously, someone doesn't want them to get there.

Once they arrive, Chloe is in for a surprise. Will they figure it out, or will the Fae in the mist succeed? Battling for her village may be the death of all that she loves.

Lots of knitting advice and suggestions follow the conclusion of the story. For those who knit, there are plenty to appreciate.

11. Spells & Stitches by Barbara Bretton
The fourth novel in the series finds Chloe and Luke expecting their daughter, but between raging hormones playing with her magic, meeting Luke's extended family, dealing with Elspeth, the troll, and keeping the mortals and magick worlds separate, they have their hands full.

Once Laria, the baby, is born, things don't settle down like Chloe and Luke expect. In fact, the infant is precocious, exhibiting magic already and may be in danger.

Each book gets better; the stories are such that it's necessary to read them in order, but some reader might be able to enjoy the story as a stand-alone.

There are always knitting notes at the end of each novel. For those who knit, that will make sense. In this one, not only were there some knitting helps, but one about a lullaby that was cute.

12. Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks
Two seemingly different stories meet in this love story by author Nicholas Sparks.

Colby Mills felt he was destined for a musical career, but that dream was derailed when his uncle passed away suddenly. Now, he has become a farmer, in charge of his aunt's and uncle's family farm. Changes and updates to the farm are making the farm successful, and he takes a week or so away in St. Pete's Beach, Florida.

In that week, he meets a young woman, Morgan Lee, who and her girlfriends are celebrating their graduation. Her degree is in music, and she has the dream of heading to Nashville, rather than taking a music education position. They quickly feel like-minded and fall quickly in love. Is it possible to fall in love in the space of a week or so? Can they have a future together. or will his life running the farm override their dreams?

Then, the plots thickens with an alternate story of a desperate woman, Beverly, and her young son, Tommie, on the run from an abusive husband and father. Heart-pounding fear from her as she carefully tries to protect her son by escaping from Gary. Will he catch up to them despite all her precautions? Feeling anxious, over time, she becomes more fearful that all her precautions are in vain. Has he been toying with her all along? Tracking her and Tommie from the start?

Told in alternate sections, the two stories eventually collide in a surprising way. Are the dreams of love and safety achieved or crushed?

13. Welcoming the Rain by Bess Hardwick
Sometimes, the best people are those that are the least expected and play the most significant part of one's life. And in so doing, they become family.

This is the premise of this novel, and it becomes true for Raymie Jamieson. Raymie is slowly, but surely, losing her sight. Her world has become pretty small except for her guide dog, Shainey. That is, until one day on the bus, she meets Marcie, who is outgoing, gregarious, and kind. Bringing color to Raymie's life, she becomes friends with Marcie. Over time, Raymie (Rainey to Marcie) and Shainey also meet Jack, a decent guy, when she is invited to Marcie's home.

Told over several decades, it is an uplifting story of becoming an unconventional family. A family that deals with love, grief, and disability.

This reader loves to discover indie authors, and I purchased this novel when I heard how heartwarming it was. Where I heard this, I'm not sure...maybe from the author herself, but after reading the synopsis, I found that the premise was intriguing enough that I gave it a chance. I'm sure glad I did. As an aside, the cover artwork by Angela Tanabe is gorgeous (and yes, I do judge books by their covers).

Now, having said this, I do have an issue with it. I have the 2020 edition (and I hope that this issue was fixed in the 2024 edition), but quite often the dialogue was not formatted correctly. By that, I mean that each character's dialogue should be separated by its own paragraph, and often it was all run together, making it difficult to figure out just who was speaking. Here's one example of one paragraph:
She looked around the room. "Where's Allison?" "She's at a friend's house."

Although, by context, I know there are two speakers, but the second speaker's dialogue should have
had a paragraph of his own.

In this case, it was easy enough to figure out, but sometimes it was more difficult to sort out who was speaking especially IF the paragraph had a back and forth dialogue between several characters.

I look forward to reading more from Bess Hardwick.

13.5 Variations of the Planets by Eavonka Ettinger and Mark Gilbert
This is a chapbook of haiku sequences (split sequences and rengay) that are based on Gustav Holst's "The Planets."

A book of haiku poetry, which will be read over and over again to find all the gems and nuances expressed by two very accomplished haiku poets.

14. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
A dystopian novel that, I hope, remains fiction. The United States (or at least part of it) has become a repressive society, following Biblical dictates of creating children to repopulate the country.

Woman cannot hold jobs; the money they have is now in control of the husband, and anyone who doesn't comply with the new rules may suffer the consequences. Everyone has a position in Gilead, as it is now called. There are Aunts, Wives, Commanders, Handmaids, and more. Compliance is mandatory, and no one is to be trusted.

The tale is told from the perspective of one handmaid, who is living in the household of a husband (the Commander) and his wife, Serena Joy. Offred tells the story of her life before and now. Her life before includes her husband Luke and her little girl, but she has lost both, not knowing if or where they are. Are they alive? Have they been killed?

Now it is her job to live a chaste life, and to be used as a vessel for having children for the family.

Creepy, and written in such a way that a reader feels every emotion Offred has.
4.5 stars

15. Wicked Designs by Lauren Smith
A young orphaned woman, Emily, is abducted by five men (League of Rogues, as they have been dubbed by the Lady Society, a gossip column). Godric St. Laurent, Lord Essex, is out to make her uncle pay for his loss of money he had lent him.

He, along with his four friends, kidnap Emily Parr, and sequester her in Godric's home, but they may have bitten off more than they expected. Not only do they not realize how tenacious Emily is to escape before she is ruined, but they've made an enemy of Blankenship, a man who plans to marry Emily. After all, he has made sure that he has caused Emily's uncle's money problems in the first place.

Emily makes numerous attempts to escape, but each attempt is thwarted. Over time, the five men, particularly Godric, find that they're almost sorry they've abducted her. They all grow fond of her, and she, of them. She falls for Godric, but he has no plans to ever wed. Will they ever admit to love? Could he ever marry? Will Blankenship find her and have his way with her? Can there be a happily ever after despite the odd way they meet?

An odd historical romance because of the kidnapping, but the five men are surprisingly decent although, theoretically, during this era Emily's reputation would be ruined just being in the same house without a chaperone, with no chance of a good marriage. A few What-the-tuck trends (tucking, green-eyed characters, smirks, winks, etc.) sprinkled throughout the novel

16. Notes to Self by Avery Sawyer
3.5 stars actually--Two best friends, Emily and Robin, climb up an amusement park tower to see the view, but it goes horribly wrong.

They fall, ending up in the hospital. One has traumatic brain injury and the other in a coma. Why did they do this? What went on that night?

Trying to regain memories and figure out the why and what takes up most of Emily's time in this YA novel. Secrets are revealed and lessons learned.

Some typos and errors in my edition, but they may have been corrected when the author's name was changed from Avery Sawyer to Laura Schaefer.

17. Becoming Jimi Hendrix: From Southern Crossroads to Psychedelic London, the Untold Story of a Musical Genius by Steven Roby and Brad Schreiber
This is a biography of Jimi Hendrix that focuses on his life from the time he's a child through his years in the music business.

Jimi Hendrix was a musical genius with a guitar; however, he went from job to job, constantly changing his name and constantly being fired. He was fired by the best and the worst in the business. Along the way, he crosses paths with some of the greats (Little Richard, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton to name only a few). The book is a Who's Who of musical soloists and groups. His life was chaotic and wild as was his guitar playing.

It was well researched and well documented, but as a result, some of it was a bit dry to read. Considering his short life (he died in 1970 at age 27), he was an amazing instrumentalist creating new genres of music as well as ways to play the guitar (like with his teeth, behind the back, etc.).

2.5 stars actually

17.5 Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid
A woman discovers some love letters from her husband to another woman. It begins a chain of letters that leads to much more. Will she learn to forgive him? Will she discover her true self?

This short story has heart and heartbreak.

18. The Guilt Pill by Saumya Dave
Maya Patel, founder and CEO of her company, Mendini, has just had a baby, but is just returning to full-time work by appearing on the Today show as the novel opens. She's justifiably nervous about time away from her son Shaan and wants to "do it all." Her guilt about pressures from her husband Dev, her parents, his parents, her best friend, her work, and a crying, colicky infant drives her to work even harder.

Maya nails the interview, getting great press and an invitation to meet Liz Anderson, a woman who understands the pressure because of her own business, Women Rise. Liz is understanding what Maya is going through, becomes friends with Maya, and helps her to cope.

It is guilt that plagues Maya constantly, and the story emphasizes how guilt often makes women do things they wouldn't otherwise to keep all the balls in the air. Will Maya be able to do this? Can Maya get over her guilt, and what will it take for her to succeed?

This is the first time reading this author's work, but Dave does a wonderful job showing both the inner thoughts and outer words and actions of Maya Patel as she becomes more and more frantic to keep her position in her business, woo investors, take care of her child, and so much more. Without preaching, Dave shows what pressures are put upon women in positions of power, and particularly women of color.

Based on this novel, this reader will be looking to check out other books by this author.

This novel will be released on April 15, 2025.

19. First Love by James Patterson and Emily Raymond
A YA novel about a road trip between good girl, Azi, and her scalawag friend, Robinson. They take off and travel to amazing places (even Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio), and they do in a way that is not always legal, "borrowing motorcycles, trucks, and cars as well as hitching rides. Still, these two teens have been through a lot together. Azi knows she loves Robinson, but how to tell him. Eventually, they both admit to loving the other; not only are they best friends, but they are there for the other, no matter. Their love is their first, and this is their story as told by Azi.

Poignant and sweet...

20. Brody's Redemption by Kay Lyons
A contemporary romance between two outsiders. Ashley is a widower with an infant; the other is Joe, who has spent the last ten years in prison, ostensibly for manslaughter of his infant daughter.

Ashley grew up in a foster home, never feeling quite accepted, but she's in a new town with plans to start a bed-and-breakfast. She and the elderly man who owned the house have struck a deal, and it is Wilson, who convinces Ashley to hire Joe to help her renovate the house. Knowing Joe from the past, he neglects to mention Joe's prison sentence, and thus begins the story.

What will happen once Ashley discovers the truth about Joe? Despite the growing attraction between them? Will she throw him out, or will she listen to his explanation? How can their growing attraction last? Will they ever discover why his infant daughter died and possibly exonerate him?

A decent romance without graphic content with very few What-the-tuck trends (winks, smirks, to name a few). Even a bit of a tearjerker ending.

21. Elemental Pleasure by Mari Carr and Lila Dubois
Three previously unrelated people are paired together in a menage "marriage" in a secret society. Two men (Preston and Lance) and a woman (Carly) are brought together by the Grand Master. At their ceremony, the two men almost come to blows, truly an auspicious beginning to a (potential) lifetime of being a threesome.

When next they meet, it still doesn't bode well for these three dominant personalities. Will they be able to work it out, learning to, if not find love, at least coexist? Can they share each other's bodies without arousing hurt, jealous feelings?

Preston is a businessman and a legacy (his father and two mothers were also involved in the Trinity Masters); Lance is a Marine and mathematician for a special group, and Carly is a CEO of a gaming platform and computer programmer extraordinaire.

This is an erotic romance thriller, and by definition, it contains some very spicy sex scenes. It also has a few What-the-tuck trends (winks and smirks, basically) and despite the fact that there is a proofreader named, there are a few tiny mistakes that weren't caught (extra words or missing letters on a word).

The story stands on its own, but there are other stories in the series (each one appears to have a different threesome).

22. Bonded in Death by J.D. Robb
As the novel opens, Gio Rossi arrives in New York to meet a friend. Entering the limo that was sent to pick him at the airport, in five minutes, he is killed, gassed to death with a toxin that hasn't been used in years. When the body is found, Rossi has a card in his fingers with a message on it, one that looks like the card that Lt. Eve Dallas gives out to witnesses.

As Dallas, her partner Peabody, and Roarke begin investigating, it leads to Summerset, and the Urban Wars. What does Summerset have to do with this murder? Will the Homicide department figure out what is going before more members of the Underground group from the Urban Wars get killed?

Lots of twists and turns as Dallas matches wits with this killer, keeping the reader in suspense and turning pages.

This novel makes Summerset more human, and fleshes out his past.

23. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
A story of immigrants who make a life in Pennsylvania...Jews and Blacks, mostly, and the treatment by white Christians.

The novel opens with the find of a skeleton, which is wiped away with Hurricane Agnes. From there, the reader is introduced to a cast of characters including Moshe, Chona, Fatty, Nate, Dodo, and Malachi. These characters show the hardships of these people as well as the community created by Chona and Moshe in their grocery store because the store never made money.

The reader is introduced to the prejudices of the various characters, but the story is slowly told.

4.5 stars

24. Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
A day in the life...of a neurotic thirty-something Singleton.

Starting on January 1, with a long, long lists of resolutions, Bridget Jones goes through trials, tribulations, and even a few triumphs with family and friends, and records it all in her diary.

As the novel opens (as well as the year), with no boyfriend in sight, her mother and friends want to set her up with a "perfect" man, a newly divorced lawyer.

Bridget writes it all down in her diary...the good, the bad, and the ugly. Day by day, month by month, she obsesses about her weight, her consumption of alcohol, cigarettes, and calories.

Funny, poignant and full of laugh out loud moments, will Bridget find love?

24.5 I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005 by Lauren Tarshis
A children's book about a young boy, Barry, who finds himself swept away during Hurricane Katrina when the levees were breached. He summons up courage he doesn't know he has when he rescues a neighbor's dog and helps facilitate his own rescue in a boat.

Will he see his family again, and will they be rescued?

A decent book for children to help understand the gravity of the storm and how even children can be superheroes.

25. Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding
Bridget Jones is as scattered, is as paranoid, and is as crazy as the previous novel, but now she is focused on Mark Darcy. Unfortunately, he seems to be attracted to Rebecca. Or is he?

Yet, they keep getting thrown together at parties and events. Unfortunately, Rebecca always seems to be at his side.

Written as diary entries, the reader sees the ups and downs of a life of drinks, cigarettes, and obsessions of Bridget Jones. Add in her best friends, Sharon and Jude, and the life of a Singleton can be hilarious and somewhat sad.

A trip to Thailand is particularly fraught with peril for Bridget, but will that, eventually, be a cause for celebration?

Lots of humor as Bridget takes her life in stride as long as she has her self-help books.

26. Do No Harm by Henry Marsh
Told in a conversational style, Mr. Marsh (apparently, in Great Britain Dr. is not used) tells stories about his patients, their surgeries, and even own health problems.

Some are humorous and some are heartbreaking, but he doesn't spare himself in the telling. Each chapter focuses on one or more type of brain tumor or other brain-related malady.

Despite being a neurosurgeon, he admits to mistakes he has made that has "wrecked" a brain. He relays stories of multiple visits in Ukraine, doing surgeries in less than stellar facilities. Fascinating reading and he leaves the reader with a smile. 4.5 stars

27. A Fallen Star by A.M. Kusi
This contemporary romance features a male protagonist, Mikel, who has a drug problem and is being coerced. Remy, the female protagonist, has had a crush on Mikel for years. Now, they finally seem to finally click as a couple, but will his secrets lead to disaster?

As the pressure mounts, and the man who knows (and uses) Mikel's secrets, it will be Remy who pays. She ends up being hurt, and Mikel leaves. Is it possible for them ever to get back together again? Can he stop using drugs? Can she ever trust him?

Lots of WTT trends (smirks, winks, even a couple tucking incidents), but there are some redeeming moments that lead to a hopeful ending.

28. The Last Thing He Told Her by Laura Dave
What a wild ride! This novel kept this reader turning pages.

A husband, Owen Mitchell, disappears after having a person deliver a note to his wife, Hannah, which says, "Protect her." At the same time, his daughter Bailey ends up a dufflebag full of money, but neither knows exactly what is going on.

The two of them join forces, sorta, trying to figure out where Owen is. With threats coming from all directions, they run. Will they find Owen? Or will he find them? What secrets will they uncover?

This reader may be late in reading this book but based on this one, I'll be checking out others by this author. By the way, few what-the-tuck trends in it.

29. Fact, Fiction, and Folklore in Harry Potter's World by George Beahm
Divided into sections that include witches and wizards, artifacts, places, and more, Beahm mixes the Harry Potter novels (through Order of Phoenix) with reality (facts).

Most times it is interesting, but sometimes it is slow going. Some of the information he imparts is wrong. There is some repetition, too.

Overall, I'm glad to have read it as I learned a few things.

30. On a Night Like This by Barbara Freethy
A contemporary romance that features two protagonists, who are struggling.

A daughter comes home to celebrate her father's birthday, but his continual rejection of her sets off the events of the novel. Why does he treat her so, and why, in the midst of a house fire, does he go to the basement, rather than leave the house?

A son returns home to nurse his hurt at the death of his best friend, but his memory loss turns everyone against him. What really happened during that forest fire?

These two characters have a history, but can they help each other? Is it possible to heal and find love?

Not sure I understand the title, and there are some What-the-tuck trends throughout the novel.

31. Little Indiscretions by Carmen Posadas
A satiric mystery about a man who knows way too much, and about the people who would like to see him dead. Who killed him? And why?

The story is slowly, subtly told, leaving the reader wondering just who killed Nestor (and why he ended up dead).

32. The Bookshop of Yesterdays by Amy Myerson
Miranda Brooks inherits a bookstore, Prospero Books, the bookstore her Uncle Billy owned. She returns home for his funeral.

She hasn't spent time with him for years after she observed her mother and her uncle had words on her twelfth birthday. What really happened that night? Like her years prior to this falling out, Uncle Billy has left her another scavenger hunt--one that may give her answers to her questions about her uncle's and mother's fight.

As she follows the trail outlined by the scavenger hunt, Miranda is also battling to save her uncle's bookstore from bankruptcy, keep her romance with her boyfriend Jay going while she's away, and deal with her parents, particularly her mother. Can there be a happily-ever-after for Miranda and her family?

33. The Runaway Heart by Amity Lassiter
Ren Maddock and her sister Kelcie are on the run from their mother Anita because of abuse (okay, she tried to kill them). Constantly looking over her shoulder, Ren has kept her younger sister safe as they move from place to place, the newest is Three Rivers.

Arriving in Three Rivers, Ren finds an ad for a job at the local laundromat that sounds possible (at least for the foreseeable future). Following it up, she gets the job, which has perks (room and board for her and her sister).

What Ren doesn't expect is to have a hunky cowboy boss, an engaging child to care for, and a family that takes both she and her sister into their hearts. Is this the perfect job, or will Anita find them? Could a love spring up between employer-employee?

It's a sweet contemporary romance with a side of suspense. Some what-the-tuck trends (mostly smirks and winks) and a few missing words here and there (but easily figured out) throughout the novel.

34. Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in a Divided Country by Adam Kinzinger with Michael D'Antonio
This is Adam Kinzinger's memoir about his faith, his life, his military career, his time in Congress, and his growing dismay with his political party under Trump becoming authoritarian.

He was one of two Republicans who served on the Select Committee investigating the January 6th insurrection, and this led to his choice to not run again as a Congressman. He doesn't spare himself, and writes frankly about his foibles as well as his interactions with the committee. He also is candid about becoming a disaffected party member, who, like Liz Cheney, was censured by the Republican caucus.

Another book, like Cheney's "Oath and Honor," that is eye-opening. It is worth reading and this reader highly recommends it.

While they tell similar stories, they don't totally agree how they came to be on the committee; however, their take on Trump is the same.

35. Temptation (Club X #1) by K.M. Scott
A good girl who wants to indulge her fantasies; a bad boy who wanted a real love until he was burned badly by a betrayal...this is the premise of the contemporary erotic romance.

Cassian (Cash) is in business with his brother Stefan and his half-brother Kane, and it is not quite legal. Their business is Club X, a club for fantasies. Memberships are pricey, and cops are paid to look the other way. Into this business comes, Olivia, an executive assistant for Cash. She's not an innocent, but she gives off a good girl vibe. There is chemistry between them, but neither acts on it, at first. Will they become a couple? Does either of them really know what they are getting into?

Some what-the-tuck trends and a few typos, but not so many as to ruin the story. 3.5 stars actually

36. The Distant Hours by Kate Morton
Three elderly unmarried sisters living together in a castle in Kent, but why? They've lived there since birth, but as they became adults, why didn't any of them leave? What is keeping them from making a life outside of this small village?

In this story, there are elements of a gothic novel. There is a controlling man (their father); there is a set of twins and a much younger sister. There are plenty of secrets, and there is tragedy and mysteries to solve. Into the mix is a well-known novel that is written by the father.

Set during modern times and World War II, a mother and daughter both experience this castle in two very different ways. For the daughter, it is a way of connecting with her mother again. For the mother, it is too emotional to remember that time in her life. Can they reconnect?

The language is poetic and lyrical throughout the story, especially the descriptions of the castle and its surroundings. It takes some time to really get into the book, but the last couple hundred pages keep the reader flipping the pages to figure it all out. Probably a little too much of descriptive language for this reader, but it all adds to the gothic feeling of the book.

A few slights errors (missing or misused words), but nothing that ultimately takes away from the enjoyment of the novel. 3.5 stars actually

37. Tempting the Knight by Heidi Rice
A contemporary romance set in Brooklyn between a lawyer and a fashion model.

When first the reader meets the two protagonists, Ty Sullivan and Zelda Martin, there is chemistry between them, but it appears to be negative on both sides. Zelda and her best friends get into trouble at their school for "stealing" the sacramental wine. Zelda is kicked out as she is labelled as the "thief," while her friends get a lesser punishment.

Losing her friends sets Zelda on a path of destruction especially when she becomes a model. Always considered the "wild child," she is hounded by the press for her antics over the years.

One late night (or early morning) Zel gets into trouble for skinny dipping, and she gets hauled into a police station. Her one call is to her best friend's brother, Ty, who is now a lawyer. After paying her fine for the citation, Ty takes her to his home (a barge) for the night, all the while still believing she is the irresponsible person from the past. Is she, or has Zel changed? What has happened in the past to make her the way she is? What has happened in Ty's past to make him the way he is? Will they have a happily ever after?

Some spice, but it's not too graphic, some What-the-tuck trends (green-eyed character, smirks and winks), and a few words poorly chosen, but over all it is a decent read with mostly caring, realistic characters except for, perhaps, her brother Seb.

38. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Combining indigenous wisdom with science and philosophy about protecting the environment, this book is an amazing read.

Much of the language is poetic, and so many of the stories are moving. This reader was visibly touched. So much information about the power of plants to heal. Gratitude was a huge theme and changed the way this reader looks at life.

Although this book was borrowed from a friend, this reader plans on picking up a copy for repeat reading. There is so much information imparted throughout the book that it is necessary to have a copy of it for myself.

A highly recommended read.

39. The Lacemaker and the Princess by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
A tween/YA historical novel of a young girl, a lacemaker, who befriends a princess of the court of Marie Antoinette and Louis the XVI after the queen notices her.

Clochette's, as Princess Therese calls her, life changes for the better even as the French people are beginning to starve. When she realizes what is going on, she struggles with the differences between the court and the people. What will be the outcome for Clochette and Therese?

The French Revolution as seen through the eyes of a young girl.

40. The You I Never Knew by Susan Wiggs
More than just a contemporary romance, this story is a story of redemption and love and was well titled.

Most of the characters don't really know each other very well despite the fact that they should have close relationships. A father and daughter, a boyfriend and girlfriend, a grandfather and a grandson, and a father and a son all struggle to build those relationships.

Michelle Turner returns home to give a kidney to her father, who she doesn't really know well. She left home at eighteen, pregnant, and she's not been back for seventeen years. Can their relationship be repaired? Can her father forge a relationship with his grandson, whom her father has never met...that is until now?

Sam McPhee has not seen Michelle for seventeen years when he disappeared the night she was going to tell him that she was pregnant. Why did he suddenly leave? Can he deal with the fact that he didn't even know he had a son, and even forge a relationship with his son Cody? Is there a possibility that Sam and Michelle might get back together again, or will the hurts of the past keep them from reconnecting?

As the novel progresses, it is obvious that many of the characters discover that people they thought they knew were more complicated and more closed off than what they had experienced in the past.

The characters are complex; the story lines also complex, and the interweaving of all them make for a satisfying read. I had this novel sitting on my shelf for way too long, and I can say I truly enjoyed it (and as a pharmacist, I appreciated that the medications and medical situations were correct for the time it was written).

Yeah, there were a few What-the-tuck trends (in a time before the WtT trends were even on this reader's radar).

40.5. Tracker (a short story) by James Rollins
A short story about an agent (Tucker) and his partner (Kane) who save a woman from being attacked and killed by getting involved. Kane is a dog.

Also contains the beginning on another novel in the series.

41. Orbital by Samantha Harvey
2.25 stars actually--Sixteen trips (orbitals) around the earth for six astronauts/cosmonauts... As they travel through lower earth orbit (250 miles above the earth), what they see below them (countries, weather patterns, sunrises and sunsets, light and dark areas) are presented in a lyrical fashion. Each has individual worries, but they also worry about the earth itself.

It's more of a prose poem than novel, yet the author makes a reader recognize the preciousness of the earth. The novel could easily be used to map the world as each orbital describes country after country in relation to what the space module is passing over and when including watching a terrific typhoon each of the six keeps following as they pass over it.

Sometimes, it seemed like the author just made lists after lists. Too literary for this reader.

42. Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
This is the fifth book in the series, and the narrator is Haymitch Abernathy, who won the 50th Quarter Quell (no real spoiler here UNLESS the first novel in the series, The Hunger Games, has not been read). In other words, read the series in the order they are written.

Haymitch is one of the few tributes who has ever won in District 12, and he becomes the mentor to everyone else from District 12.

He lays out the background of how he is selected, and ultimately, the games the Capitol have played upon him and other tributes from the twelve districts over the years. Even knowing from the get-go, that Haymitch Abernathy would win, there are many moments in the story that are fraught with danger and/or intrigues, and will have readers (or at least this reader) turning the pages, wanting to know how he survives. A worthy successor to the earlier novels, making this reader wish to re-visit them.

Like its predecessor ("...Snakes and Songbirds"), this novel fills in many of the gaps of the world of The Hunger Games, really finishing off many of the questions readers might have had about the world that Collins has created.

Perhaps, because this reader has the Barnes & Noble edition, there is an interview of the author at the end of the book. I'd suggest NOT reading this until after completing the novel as there are potential spoilers here.

In the near future, I intend to re-read the series to pick up all the little nuances I missed.

43. The Last Time They Met by Anita Shreve
This is a story told backwards...starting with current events and moving back to the beginning (in adolescence) of the lives of two people, Linda and Thomas, who are both writers (poetry).

It's a love (and lust) story with a twist. There is pain and grief, and, perhaps, some redemption. The pair meets up after many years of being apart. A single word, a single event can affect lives, and Shreve shows the reader how.

To be honest, I thought I had read almost all of this author's works, but discovered otherwise when I started this one. In fact, by the time this reader finished, I re-read some of the beginning to understand the ending better.

I know literary-type novels often use different literary devices, but the use of italics for dialogue made it difficult to figure out who was speaking. Was it Linda? Was it Thomas? Especially when the character also has different thoughts, but don't speak them aloud at the time.
3.5 stars

43.5. Eternity in Death by J.D. Robb
From the book Time of Death, this novella features Eve Dallas tracking down a murderer who appears to be a vampire. Is it truly a vampire preying on young women? Will Eve take down a killer, or will the killer take down Eve?

44. Ritual in Death by J.D. Robb
This is the second of three novellas in Time of Death. In this one, Eve Dallas is at a party with Roarke when a naked man stumbles into the room covered in blood and carrying a knife. Nearly incoherent, he worries he killed his date.

Following his bloody footprints to Suite 606, Dallas comes upon a grisly scene--a pentagram and the dead body of his date, Ava. Did he kill her, or was he set up? It's up to Eve to solve the murder of this woman. In the meantime, she and Roarke are at odds. It's his building after all.

Two of the three novellas read; the last novella, Missing in Death, was read previously.

45. 4th of July by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
The fourth novel in the Women's Murder Club series finds Lt. Lindsay Boxer fighting for her professional life in court as well as trying to solve a cold case.

All the while a series of grisly murders is unfolding in a nearby town, and although she is out of her jurisdiction, she becomes involved.

Will the court case cost her career? Will the current events tie back to her cold case? This reader is trying to avoid any spoilers, so won't say more.

It's been some time since this reader read the third one in the series, but it was relatively easy to feel caught up. Now, on to number five.