Welcome to another book talk post! I have been reading a lot of good stuff. Actual books that people are reading and liking. All fiction. I might be almost done with reading about manifestation!
I seem to have joined or commented on some book groups on Facebook, and now I get lots of book posts. I have to admit that most of what I read is more oriented toward female readers; I don’t read too many thrillers that are more aimed at men (Jack Reacher, for example, although I loved his books that I read). I used to love Baldacci, but then I read a couple that confused me at the end — after loving the rest of the book. Maybe I will try again. However, I think most of these books will appeal to anyone.
Coral Cottage and Coral Cafe by Jan Moran – These were the two books that I was reading when I wrote the last book post. There were five more books in the series, and I have read them all since: Coral Holiday, Coral Weddings, Coral Celebration, Coral Memories, and A Very Coral Christmas. Most definitely for women! I loved them until I got to the last one, and it just seemed like one too many in the series. However, I would really recommend them to women who want an easy fun read with some romance, some recipes, and a little family drama. Definitely fun.
The Guncle by Steven Rowley – This is a light and humorous book (although I didn’t think it was ha-ha funny) about a once-famous gay sitcom star whose unexpected family tragedy leaves him with his niece and nephew for the summer. His Palm Springs lifesltyle is not suited to children, and his parenting style might be a little unusual, but it works! I gave this one **** stars.
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi – I won’t forget this one. It is one of my favorite books, along with A Man Called Ove, which this one reminded me of a little. It has gotten a lot of press, and most readers have loved it. But, as always, some couldn’t get through it. Theo is an octogenarian who arrives in the town of Golden, but no one knows why. He visits the local coffeehouse, where ninety-two pencil portraits of the people of Golden, done by a local artist, hang on the walls. He begins purchasing them, one at a time, and putting them back in the hands of their “rightful owners.” He makes friends with just about everyone in town. It is a beautiful book with a great message. I gave it ***** big stars.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles – In 1922, Count Alexander Rostov is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, and is sentenced to house arrest in a luxury hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Rostov has never worked a day in his life and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel’s doors. There are many fascinating characters and storylines. Most people seem to love this book. I got through it, enjoying some parts and storylines and finding others tedious. I think my issue with the book is that I am not a history buff and didn’t really know the events and situations of the setting. I think those who are more in tune with history will love this book. I gave it only *** stars.
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston – Another book with a male octogenarian protagonist. Frederick Fife is desperately lonely, broke, and on the brink of homelessness. But his luck changes when, in a bizarre case of mistaken identity, he takes the place of grumpy Bernard Greer at the local nursing home — and how his life changes. I loved this book. Full of charm and kindness. I gave it ***** stars.
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni – Sam Hill was born with red pupils. He was called “Devil Boy” or Sam “Hell” by his classmates. His mother called his ocular albinism “Gods will.” Her words were of little comfort to him, but eventually his mother’s devout faith, his father’s wisdom, and his two other misfit friends helped him to live an extraordinary life. I think just about everyone loves this book. I gave it ***** stars.
Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth – Wow, another book starring an octogenarian! But this time a female. Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick is eighty-one years old. She’s lived on her idyllic street, Kenny Lane, for sixty years–longer than anyone else. No one would suspect her of having the strange history of several people in her life coming to a foul end. The story goes back and forth between her childhood and this strange history, and the present — when the history catches up to her and her neighbors. This book received rave reviews. I didn’t love it, but I did like it. I probably should have given it more stars, but I thought the past and present were not woven quite smoothly enough, and you really had to pay attention to remember all the characters on the street. I gave it *** stars, but I might give it one more.
Off to read some more …
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