If I Run by Terri Blackstock 8/6 (print/own)★★★★
I picked this book based on reviews for my bookclub pick this month. I was very much encouraged when on of the ladies said she had previously read it and could not put it down. I was not disappointed either! Casey is on the run after discovering her best friend brutally murdered. She takes off fearing for her own life. Dylan is contracted to find her by the family. The last couple chapters were my favorite. I read most of this on Sunday afternoon and immediately had to look for the 2nd one to continue the story!
Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal 8/10 (Kindle/library)
I enjoyed reading this story overall. The ending left me feeling a bit sad. This is not a feel good read. If you need a traumatic heartwrenching ugly cry kinda book this might be it.
It goes back and forth in time telling the story of 3 generations of women. I feel sad for these women who never seem to understand or have good relationships with their mothers. Maybe I am unusual in the relationship I had with my grandmothers and have with my mom and daughters.
There is a lot in this book about family expectations. And a lot that could be solved by simple open hearted communication.
If I'm Found by Terri Blackstock 8/12 (audio/hoopla)★★★★
The continuation of the If I Run series. I'm not sure how to review this one and the next without spoilers. I thoroughly enjoyed this whole series. We learn more about Casey in this book and see more of her people loving character as well as her heart seeking and searching for God.
We also meet Dex a friend and fellow combat veteran of Dylan. I enjoyed his part in this story.
With the practice of intentional gratitude, there is no time for regrets about the past, or worries about the future. There is only thankfulness for the here and now.
If I Live by Terri Blackstock 8/15 (audio/hoopla) ★★★★★
I think this was my favorite of the series. It was full of suspense right up the very end. I loved seeing the relationship deepen between Dylan and Casey. Both of them seeking healing and strengthening of their Faith. I loved seeing Casey start to "watch for where God was working."
I'm still thinking about these characters and wonder what they are doing now. 💖
This is all so tangled and so impossible, but God did the impossible tonight. He does it all the time. I’m so overcome by it that I can’t formulate an elaborate prayer. I simply whisper, “Thank you.”
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang 8/17 (Kindle/library)
This book annoyed me so much. June was a despicable character, which yes is kinda the point. She's so entitled. She steals a manuscript after her friend dies in a freak accident and proceeds to publish it under her own name. Besides the whole stealing thing- June is white and her friend Athena was Asian.
There were several political slams which were annoying and really had nothing to do with the plot.
I love reading to expand my world view and see things from a different point of view but ultimately this was not it.
That being said I read it quickly and was completely engaged and wanting to find out what happened next. It would definitely be a good book club pick as I am dying to talk to someone about this one.
Banyan Moon by Thao Thai 8/17 (print/own)
I loved this book. It was a little slow getting into but once I did. It was beautiful. Told from the point of view of three generations of women, Minh, Huong, and Ann. Each a single mother. Tale of motherhood, grief and finding yourself and starting again. Their intertwining stories, their trauma and mistakes shaping the next generation.
Minh immigrated to the US from Vietnam with her two young children. Huong in turn is a single mother to Ann, and Minh plays a large roll in raising her. Ann returns home to Florida after the death of Minh to deal with the Banyan House which is almost a character in and of itself.
I let the silence stand, let the truth sink in, but then I hear my daughter's giant heaving cries. My heart feels as if it's getting grated, pink flesh littering the ground. Is there any pain larger than the echo of your child's heartbreak?
The Third Grave (Savannah, #4) by Lisa Jackson 8/23 (Kindle/library)
Fast-paced thriller that kept me guessing. I enjoyed reading the story but likely a story that will not stick with me. This book is also part of series but worked ok as a stand alone.
No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister 8/25 (print/library)★★★★★
This book is on MMD SRG and after watching the author talk in book club I was super excited to read it. Being a new and popular book it took awhile for my library hold to come in. It started off a little slow and I wasn't sure how I felt about the format at the start. It is a series of short stories, each focusing on a different character as they read/encounter the same book. The premise is how no two people read the same book, that each person is impacted differently. It wasn't long before I was drawn into the stories though and each chapter I loved more than the one before.
We're all caretakers of the stories, Alice. Writers are just the lucky ones that get to know them first.
Total: 8 2023: 65
Kindle/Ebook: 3 Print: 3 Audio: 2
Library: 6 Owned: 2 Borrowed:
Unread Shelf: 0 Purchased: 2
