1.) The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Volume Two by Beth Brower
From Goodreads:
The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s. Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.
This is book two in this series and I'm obsessed! I love the character of Emma with her wit, antics, and escapades. I adore her cadre of friends, neighbors, and family members. This book was absolutely delightful! I laughed out loud so many times. I am flying through these slim little volumes as Emma documents her life in her journals. I love the setting of 1883 London and Emma's quirky neighborhood of St. Crispian's and her Lapis Lazuli House. I have no idea which of Emma's handsome friends will end up being her love interest. They are all so intriguing in their own ways. These books can't come in at the library fast enough. They are so fun, charming, and readable. I am already almost done with book three. I need to buy this series!
My Rating: Fabulous!
2.) My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand
I'm actually a little sad to be finished with this book. It's been over a week now and I miss Barbra. LOL. It's true. I felt like I was listening to a favorite binge-worthy podcaster. I also had a rather immersive experience with this book while listening to Barbra tell the story of her life. Every chapter had me searching online for more pictures, music, interviews, movie clips, album covers...all the things. It became a multimedia experience. I loved it!
This very long awaited and extremely comprehensive volume of her life is from childhood to the present. I can't believe that Barbra Streisand is in her 80s but she is. It took her ten years to write this book. She is vulnerable and candid. She shares her insecurities and weaknesses along with her incredible talents and strengths. There is a lot to like about this book if you have the patience and tenacity to wade through this giant tome. I'm glad that I did. There is so much that was fascinating to read. She's led an interesting life and had a legendary career. She said that she wrote this book so that everyone could hear the truth from her. She wanted to clear up some of the myths and misinformation that has been circulated about her over the years. She wanted to tell her story herself.
I enjoyed all of the behind-the-scenes information. Barbra goes into incredible detail of every musical, album, costume, movie, concert, TV special, song, and collaboration that she has ever done. Down to what she wore, how the room she was in was decorated, and what she ate. (Barbra loves food and coffee ice cream in particular.) Sometimes it got repetitious and a little bogged down in the minutiae but hearing her talk about her work and her process was very mesmerizing and oddly soothing. As she says in her book...she always had to have creative control over all of her projects. That is clear in the writing of this book. She said what she wanted to say. An editor be damned. LOL.
There is a lot of insider information. Who she worked with and who she was friends with. Who she was romantically involved with. Who supported her and who didn't. But even the negative reflections never seemed mean spirited just matter of fact. This is what happened and this what that person said and did. It felt honest. She was real even when something didn't portray her in the best light. She is an exacting perfectionist and she doesn't apologize for that nor does she need to. She has strong opinions...not all of which I agree with...but I still appreciated hearing her perspective.
My favorite part of the book was the chapter about the making of the movie The Prince of Tides and her friendship and collaboration with my very favorite author Pat Conroy. I am so glad that Mr. Conroy was as wonderful in her eyes as he has always appeared to be in mine! I also loved hearing about her relationship and marriage to James Brolin. They've been married for over 27 years. Barbra is eccentric. I particularly loved reading about those funny/quirky/interesting things that make her unique.
Barbra has the most beautiful and distinctive voice of anyone that I've ever heard. Listening to her songs gives me goosebumps. I was shocked to hear her repeatedly describe herself as an actor...who sings. She has always preferred being an actor over a singer. Now it sounds like she prefers directing over all else.
Often after reading a celebrity memoir I don't look at them the same or I like them less. Despite 1,000 pages of Barbra being Barbra I ended the book still really liking her. I think it is her vulnerability that makes her so endearing.
This book might not be for everyone but I really enjoyed it. All 48 hours of it.
My Rating: A wonderful and unique reading experience.
3.) The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 3 by Beth Brower
From Goodreads:
The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London Neighborhood of St. Crispian's. But Emma's plan for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian's. Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.
This is volume #3 in what is rapidly becoming one of my favorite book series. This book is a gem! I loved everything about it especially that it was almost double the length of the previous books. Woohoo! Great characters, funny, charming, whimsical, and wonderful Jane Austin-esque writing! I had to get the next book immediately.
My Rating: Brilliant and delightful!
4.) The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 4 by Beth Brower
From Goodreads:
"It all began very innocently. Truly." The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s. Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.
Book 4!! I'm addicted. I can't stop reading! I love Emma and her friends. I love St. Crispians. I love it all! I don't want this series to ever end. I laughed so hard reading about the situation at the Drunken Duck and everything with the Reprobates Ten and pretty much all of her interactions with Islington. My eyes also welled up with how Emma was supported during her grief by her friends. And then there is the friendship circle. Who to root for as Emma's love interest? I am so torn! Beautifully written! This is the best series that I have read in a VERY LONG TIME! Moving on immediately to Book 5.
My Rating: Fantastic!!
5.) The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 5 by Beth Brower
From Goodreads:
I took Treasure Island to church with me as a talisman.
“What a lovely bible,” Mrs. Tribly said.
“Isn’t it just?” I replied, hoping she would not ask me to read a favorite verse aloud.
I do not believe the psalmist wrote,
Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest,
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum.
The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighbourhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.
Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.
It's Christmas in St. Crispian's! I loved spending the holidays with Emma and her friends at Lapis Lazuli House. This book and the one before it have been more poignant and definitely tug on your heart strings in addition to being witty and delightful. I love the growth that Emma has experienced since Volume One. I also love that our already beloved characters are getting even more fleshed out and interesting as we learn more about them. It doesn't get better than the Fabulous Four. Who to choose?!! I think I am #teamislingon These books are perfection! The emotional depth just makes this series richer and more vibrant. I love the themes of friendship and found family. Onto Volume #6!
My Rating: Absolute perfection!!
6.) The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
This was my book club's pick for May 2024. I'm not a murder mystery person. I read it solely for book club but I am glad that I did.
From Goodreads:
In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders. But when a brutal killing takes place on their very doorstep, the Thursday Murder Club find themselves in the middle of their first live case. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron might be pushing eighty but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves. Can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer before it's too late?
Murder mysteries aren't my jam especially cozy mysteries. BUT... I was charmed by the premise and the quirky, sweet, and funny cast of characters. I thoroughly enjoyed each one of them. The retired spy (or is she?), the retired psychiatrist, the retired union boss and rabble rouser, and the retired nurse. Four septuagenarians who work on cold cases as the Thursday Murder Club until they luck out and someone gets murdered that is connected with their upscale retirement village, Coopers Chase, and they put their skills together to investigate the murder.
This offbeat British murder mystery has a lot going for it. Particularly a vibrant group of protagonists who aren't in their twenties. It's a great reminder that retirees have so much to offer in knowledge, experience, skills, and expertise. (And as characters in a novel!) In addition to a murder that you are trying to solve...there are also some other thought provoking themes like reflecting on aging, late in life marriage, relationships with adult children, and death. The friendship and the deeper themes were what I enjoyed the most in this novel. The murder mystery part was convoluted and anticlimactic in my opinion. But again this isn't a genre that I am drawn to read but I can see why it is popular. I don't think I will move onto the next book in the series but I have heard that it is even better than the first.
My Rating: Okay.
7.) The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 6 by Beth Brower
From Goodreads:
The Year is 1884 and Emma M. Lion has, at long last, gained her majority. Entering a golden age of friendship with Pierce, Islington, and Hawkes, Emma is confident she will manage whatever comes her way. It is The Season she must help Arabella secure a husband, while navigating the threat of Aunt Eugenia, the unflagging adoration of Charles Goddard, and the amusing unpredictability of St. Crispian’s. But the secrets of her trusted friends are what might very well bring about disaster. Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.
Another winner in a now a much beloved series. So many questions! That ending! It was one that I was hoping for earlier in the series but now my loyalties seem to lie elsewhere. I'm torn! This was another fantastic installment in the series. I love all of the characters so much except for Cousin Archibald and Aunt Eugenia. LOL.
I don't know what more to say other than I LOVED IT!! And then add all of the poetry quoted throughout?! DELIGHTFUL! I'm already reading Vol. 7. Can't stop! This series is too good!
My Rating: Fantastic!
8.) The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 7 by Beth Brower
From Goodreads:
The Year is 1884 and Emma M. Lion has, at long last, gained her majority. Entering a golden age of friendship with Pierce, Islington, and Hawkes, Emma is confident she will manage whatever comes her way. It is The Season she must help Arabella secure a husband, while navigating the threat of Aunt Eugenia, the unflagging adoration of Charles Goddard, and the amusing unpredictability of St. Crispian’s. But the secrets of her trusted friends are what might very well bring about disaster.
This is book seven in the series. I wanted to slow down and savor this book because book eight isn't out yet but I couldn't. I flew through it and I LOVED it! I can't get enough of the charming neighborhood of St. Crispians. The series has evolved in the best possible way. The characters have grown and show real emotional depth. They also continue to reveal intriguing mysteries and backstories. Islington, Pierce, and Hawkes...need I say more?! Although I continue to root for Islington.
I stayed up way too late reading this book on into the early morning hours. The series is addictive! It is so well written, witty, and clever. Each volume is an entertaining and heartfelt adventure. I can't say enough about this series. It's special! Now I will VERY impatiently wait with all of the other Emma M. Lion fans for book eight. I'm so invested.
Now what to read? I think I will try another Beth Brower book... The Q.
My Rating: Excellent!
9.) Happy Place by Emily Henry
From Goodreads:
Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college—they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now—for reasons they’re still not discussing—they don’t. They broke up six months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.
Which is how they find themselves sharing the largest bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blue week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most. Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show. It’s a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week… in front of those who know you best?
I read this book for several reasons. First, because it was the Goodreads Best Romance Winner of 2023. Second, I've read several Emily Henry books before and liked them. Third, that bright pink cheery cover. It was an entertaining and quick read. The perfect summertime beach book with some depth.
I loved that this book was set in a vacation home in Maine and the premise of post-grad college friends who have gathered there every summer since college. This group of friends have become found family and they have years of traditions and shared experiences. Unfortunately, it's also their last summer together in the vacation home. It is being sold AND they are growing up and growing apart.
I liked Emily Henry's cast of characters...Wyn, Harriet, Sabrina, Parth, Cleo, and Kimmy. They are an eclectic, interesting, and fun group. But... I disliked their names. How is Emily Henry picking the names of her characters??
In addition to this being a second chance/forced proximity romance which was fun... the characters are all going through some hard things. Henry writes romances that have depth and I appreciate that. Each person is navigating different challenges in their lives while trying to remain friends as their lives take them in different directions. They've grown and changed and are experiencing the friendship tension that comes with that. This book was about letting go of the expectations of others, about endings and new beginnings, and the challenges that come with adulting.
At times I had to suspend some disbelief especially about Harriet. Pottery? Come on. But I loved reading about friendships that have persisted over the years especially as people mature and become different people while still maintaining a tight bond. I'm grateful to have friendships like that in my life. I also appreciated a story where a long held family vacation home is being sold and all the emotions that come with that. #reallife.
This is my third Emily Henry book. I liked it better than The People We Meet on Vacation and Beach Read and less than Book Lovers. If you've liked previous Emily Henry books...you will like this one.
My Rating: Fairly entertaining with some depth.
10.) Romney: A Reckoning by McKay Coppins
From Goodreads:
Authoritative, personal, and vividly written, Romney: A Reckoning is a revealing account of Mitt Romney’s life. Based on dozens of exclusive interviews with Romney, his family, and his inner circle as well as hundreds of pages of his personal journals, this book offers a rare, portrait of a politician who in recent years has been at the center of our nation’s most defining political dramas.
I read this biography because this guy is a mystery to me. I don't love him and I don't hate him. But I was curious as to what made him tick. He was also my husband's boss (a good one) while he worked for the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee and also Romney's son went to college with me. I was curious to find out who Mitt Romney really is...and...what does this so-called flip-flopper actually stand for?
To write this biography the author, McKay Coppins, was given full access to Romney's journals, texts, emails, and personal papers. He interviewed him over 45 times for 2 years. Many of his family, friends, political rivals, and colleagues were interviewed as well. Romney also declined having the final say...he was willing to let people come to their own conclusions about his political choices. Coppins does a good job of making a political biography readable. I'm not a political junkie and I found it interesting.
It is also a rather disheartening look at American politics...the state of the current political climate...Congress...political campaigns...and politicians on both sides of the aisle. In that way it was depressing and frustrating especially reading about the disappointing inter-workings of Congress.
Romney doesn't hold back on his opinions. There is a lot of political tea spilled. He calls people out. He names names. He also calls people names...including calling multiple members of Congress and other politicians *stupid* and *crazy* multiple times and not all of them were Donald Trump! There were several bizarre bombshells. Apparently there was almost a Romney/Oprah Winfrey third party ticket?!
This was an interesting insider look at his life, family, career, and his astonishing wealth. As someone who shares Romney's faith it was interesting to read about how his religion influenced his life and career especially the little glimpses that we got of his interactions with the leaders of our faith. I also really enjoyed reading the part about him taking over as CEO of the Salt Lake City Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Very interesting!
I appreciated the author showing Romney's shortcomings as well as his strengths. He is portrayed as flawed but with integrity. It seems like he ultimately tried to do what he thought was right and in the best interest of the country. He is very disappointed with the members of his party...people that he once respected...but that he now feels have sold out their values and principles for reelection. He feels that there is an epidemic of cowardice in politics. Romney sees himself as a political martyr. Someone who was willing to sacrifice himself and his political career for the greater good. He also acknowledges that he didn't do everything perfectly. He admits to the loneliness that comes from having alienated many of his own party, faith, and constituents. He is angry. He feels betrayed by the members of his own party and by President Trump and all that he stands for.
Mitt Romney is weirder, cringier, and nerdier than I previously imagined. He has many strange idiosyncrasies. One of which is that he is a germaphobe; another is his constant need to overexplain (this book is evidence.)
My husband is currently reading this book so that we can discuss many of the things that were revealed in this biography. The book is frustrating AND thought-provoking. It was also an interesting glimpse into Romney's psyche and thought-process. I appreciated learning more about the complexity of the challenges that he faced.
My Rating: Good. An interesting look at a complicated political figure.
11.) The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis
From Goodreads:
The Great Divorce is a novel by the British author C. S. Lewis, published in 1945, and based on a theological dream vision of his in which he reflects on the Christian conceptions of Heaven and Hell.
This was my book club's pick for June 2024. It was my second time reading. It is a quick, interesting, religious, and philosophical commentary. This is Lewis' allegorical depiction of heaven and hell and the space in between. CS Lewis always makes me think and ponder. It is his stance that many of us willingly choose hell over heaven whether it is here on Earth now or after death.
This slim volume reads like a trippy dream. A man wakes up in hell and climbs on a bus that takes a bunch of people to heaven from hell. Some choose to stay in heaven but most choose to return to hell. As the bus travels from hell to heaven; our main character meets and observes all kinds of people who all ultimately choose to go back to hell. Their attachment to their sins is too strong. They want to return to hell rather than let go of their sins and self-interest. Their decisions are influenced by things like selfishness, pride, ego, envy, anger, hatred, personal recognition, the need to be right, bitterness, status etc. Hell is depicted as an ever expanding city where people move further and further apart until they are alone with their self and all that comes with it. That is hell.
The story challenges us to think about our priorities, motivations, and how we treat people. It is about the choices we make right now. Why do we so often choose misery over joy? Lewis invites us to reflect on ourselves and the choices that we are making. He also invites us to see God's love, mercy, and forgiveness.
“There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done, and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘THY will be done.’ All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires Joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened.”
My Rating: Insightful and worth a re-read.
12.) The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
From Goodreads:
Drawn into twisted games on opposite sides of the globe, Grayson and Jameson—with the help of their brothers and the girl who inherited their grandfather’s fortune—must dig deep to decide who they want to be and what each of them will sacrifice to win.
This is the fourth book in the Inheritance Game Series. I've enjoyed the first three books. They were light entertaining YA reads. This book starts after the previous plotline wrapped up in book three. I wasn't sure about the direction that this book was headed. Our main protagonist, Avery, is now a side character in this book. I missed her POV. This book is about two of the brothers, Jameson and Grayson, heading off on their own storylines that revolve around their biological fathers and family secrets. It took me a lot longer to get into this book. Quite a bit longer. I was on page 247 before it started picking up and getting interesting. I almost DNFed it several times. One of the brothers storylines was more interesting to me than the other brother's and every time it flipped to him...my interest waned. But by page 247 I was interested in both stories. The pacing in this book, despite its short chapters, was so slow unlike the other books in the series which were quite fast-paced.
I liked the addition of Grayson's sisters and their mother. I especially liked the character of Gigi. I would've like more of Nash and Xander too. I love the sibling dynamic between the four Hawthorne brothers. In a book called The Brothers Hawthorne I wish ALL of the Hawthorne brothers would have been featured more prominently.
This is my least favorite book in the series. Will I read another one? Probably. Clearly there will be another book because there were several plotlines that were left dangling and lots of questions including a big reveal at the end. All in all...I like the world of the Hawthorne family and will keep reading.
My Rating: Okay
