readerof-books

[readerof-books]

[readerof-books]

Nowhere Like Home by Sara Shepard - Book Review

#1 New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Little Liars Sara Shepard's next adult novel follows a group of mothers living in a mysterious “mommune,” each of whom is running from something When Lenna gets a call from her old friend Rhiannon, she is startled; Rhiannon disappeared years ago without a trace. But Lenna is even more startled to learn that Rhiannon has a son and that she lives off the grid with a group of women in a community called Halcyon. Rhiannon invites Lenna, a new mother herself, to join them. Why suffer the sleepless nights by yourself? It takes a village, after all. Lenna decides to go and hopefully repair her relationship with Rhiannon, but as she drives into the desert and her cell service gets weaker, she becomes suspicious. Who are these women and why did Rhiannon invite her here? And that is before she learns about the community's rules (no outside phone calls, no questions about people’s pasts) and the padlock on the gate that leads out to the main road. But Lenna has other concerns, secrets from her past she is terrified will come out. When a newcomer arrives in the community, Lenna’s worst fears are confirmed—she was brought here for a reason. Nowhere Like Home tackles themes of complicated friendships and trauma but all with Sara Shepard’s expert twists that you don’t see coming. Expected publication: February 20, 2024 by Dutton My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'd forgotten how twisty a Sara Shepard book can get. You really never know what you're going to get, and everything and everyone is up for suspicion.

I'll admit I'm not big on the "lonely woman desperately reaching out for friendship' suspense novel troupe, seems like too obvious a plot but Sara Shepard naturally turned it into something else entirely. I do have to wonder if this book was plotted out from the beginning, or if it was a choose your own adventure type of bulletin board kind of ride while writing because how one gets from point A to point 6 is beyond me. It's quite the adventure in trying to figure how who can be trusted and preparing yourself for whatever might come next.

[readerof-books]

“Life and death were so unpredictable. So close to each other. We existed moment to moment, never knowing who would be the next to leave this world.”

— Richelle Mead, Shadow Kiss

[readerof-books]

Enter the Body by Joy McCullough - Book Review

In the room beneath a stage's trapdoor, Shakespeare’s dead teenage girls compare their experiences and retell the stories of their lives, their loves, and their fates in their own words. Bestselling author Joy McCullough offers a brilliant testament to how young women can support each other and reclaim their stories in the aftermath of trauma.

Enter the Body by Joy McCullough

Published: March 14, 2023 by Dutton Books for Young Readers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Two reasons this caught my attention: I'm currently working my way through Shakespear's plays, and I'm currently obsessed with the musical Six and this gave off a similar vibe.

Joy McCullough does an amazing job giving these characters their own voices. And giving them the opportunity to rewrite their stories was simply the best thing.

As they mention themselves, in their original stories they're mainly just props used by men in a play written by a man. A man who was really weird when it came to writing women, and McCullough really emphasized that fact. So hearing them tell it themselves, as opposed to all the other retelling out there that just attempt to make them look better than originally written, truly made them their own person and gave depth to characters who are just as important to the story that treated them expendable.

Personally, I'd love to hear more from the other women beneath that trap door.

[readerof-books]

Vacation Wars by Meghan Quinn - Book Review

From USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author Meghan Quinn comes a fun, sexy story about the family dynamics that can stand in the way of rekindling a romance.

Prepared for a good time, Tessa is thrilled to spend the weeks before her sister’s wedding at their family’s favorite vacation spot: Santorini. Sandy beaches, stonewashed houses, attractive men—it’s heaven.

But Tessa’s idea of a girls’ trip comes to a screaming halt when her sister thinks it’s high time Tessa finds some love herself. Unfortunately, Tessa forgot about the deal she made back in high school: she has to find her soulmate before her sister’s wedding. Or else.

As she dodges suitors and her sister’s pranks, Tessa finds an ally in the oh-so-dreamy Myles, her childhood crush who just so happens to work at the resort. But Myles is dealing with some family conflict of his own. He’s elated at being reunited with Tessa, but his father’s refusal to acknowledge his interest in the family business and relegating him to only grunt work casts a dark cloud.

As Tessa and Myles help navigate their way through their families’ antics, they begin to realize that their past feelings may have a future—if only they can turn their island fantasies into something real.

Vacation Wars by Meghan Quinn

Expected publication April 18, 2023

My rating 4 of 5 stars

I was absolutely ready to give this 5 stars long before I had even finished reading it. But then I got to the last 10 percent, and honestly ended up skimming most of it up to the incredibly predictable (and in my opinion especially for romance novels cliche) epilogue. I just cannot stand when a character loses themselves and bases their lives and overall happiness on a man, It's worse than miscommunication troupes for me.

The rest did have me captivated though. Once you get past the group of 30-year-old women acting incredibly juvenile. With friends like that who needs enemies?

I adored Tessa and Myles and could not get enough of them finally living out their long-wanted love affair. It is why I was so sure that it was going to be a 5 star rating and maybe in my heart it is but my brain cannot accept Tessa's deciding she's only happy when she's with him.

[readerof-books]

Too Soon for Adiós by Annette Chavez Macias - Book Review

From author Annette Chavez Macias comes a heartfelt novel about a woman who embarks on an emotional journey when she meets her biological father on the day of her mother’s funeral.

No one expects to meet their father at their mother’s funeral. But for Gabby Medina, that’s exactly what happens. Her dad abandoned her when she was a baby, and now he’s back.

And he wants to give her a house.

Gabby doesn’t want the house—or him. But she could use the money. So Gabby agrees to take it under two conditions: First, she can sell the house whenever she wants. Second, accepting it doesn’t mean she accepts him.

After they strike a deal, Gabby hires a contractor in preparation for a quick sale. But as she gets to know the town and these two new men in her life, she learns more about herself than she ever dared to think possible.

But is she ready to open herself up to the truth of what happened—and the promise of what could be?

Too Soon for Adiós by Annette Chavez Macias

Published: March 21, 2023 by Montlake

My rating 4 of 5 stars

At some point the author mentioned Hallmark movies and that is exactly where my mind stayed for the rest of the book.

It has practically all the trademarks of a Hallmark movie: troubled woman getting away from the big city for some reason or another, small town, attractive handyman who makes a terrible first impression (albeit this one wears a baseball hat instead of flannel), characters "finding" themselves, falling in love, happily ever after's for all involved.

But even with its cookie cutter dynamic it's still its own story with a much deeper emotional level that will take readers on a journey of grieving, healing and finding a new path.

[readerof-books]

She-Hulk goes to Murderworld: A Marvel: Multiverse Missions Adventure Gamebook by Tim Dedopulos - Book Review

Embark on an adventure with She-Hulk to uncover a sinister plot from destroying the world where your choices – and chance – drive the story When She-Hulk decides to represent old foe Ruby Thursday, who swears she is being framed for murder, she must overcome her bias to prove Ruby’s innocence. Her investigation leads her into a conspiracy involving tech companies wielding insurmountable powers… and yet who are all mysteriously dying like flies. While trying to get Ruby out on bail, She-Hulk discovers a mysterious Expo being held in L.A., but a swarm of zany villains have been sent to slow her down. But for She-Hulk, nothing will stand in the way of true justice – even if it means facing a villain who believes mazes and games should only end one way: in murder.

She-Hulk goes to Murderworld: A Marvel: Multiverse Missions Adventure Gamebook by Tim Dedopulos

Published: July 19, 2022 by Aconyte

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was the first book in which I was the one to die. And it most likely won't be my last, because it was just so much fun.

I loved being a part of the story and getting to join She-Hulk on this adventure. (Even if I did end up getting us both killed). You truly don't know what to expect when you turn to the next part. Getting to play it as a game gave it so much more than having had it as a novel you'd read straight through. I received this book in exchange for an honest review. About Marvel Entertainment Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media. For more information visit marvel.com. © 2022 MARVEL

[readerof-books]

One Last Shot: The Story of Wartime Photographer Gerda Taro by Kip Wilson - Book Review

From critically acclaimed author Kip Wilson comes this gripping coming of age historical fiction novel in verse about Gerda Taro, a vibrant, headstrong photojournalist with a passion for capturing the truth amid political turmoil and the first woman photojournalist killed in combat. The daughter of Polish Jewish immigrants, Gerta Pohorylle doesn't quite fit in with her German classmates. While she's away at boarding school, however, she becomes a master at reinventing herself as a vibrant, confident young woman. When she returns from school, she joins a group of young activists and is arrested for distributing anti-Nazi propaganda. Her family decides she must leave Germany. In Paris, Gerta meets Andr� Friedman, a Hungarian photographer eager for fame and fortune, who fosters Gerda's interest in photography. Together the pair reinvents their brand of photojournalism under the names Robert Capa and Gerda Taro, in part to gloss over their Jewish ancestry, and soon they're traveling to areas of military conflict and selling their photos for high prices. Gerda continues to travel solo through Europe, often the only woman in journalism circles. Her assignments eventually lead her to Spain to cover the growing conflict that is becoming the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), part of events leading to World War II. True to her political beliefs, Gerda pushes closer and closer to the front line, eager to capture the lives and vibrant hopes of Spanish republican forces fighting against fascism, only to lose sight of her own safety.

One Last Shot: The Story of Wartime Photographer Gerda Taro by Kip Wilson

Published: January 17, 2023 by Versify

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a lifelong photography lover, and a photographer myself, I loved learning about Gerda Taro. Bonus points since I also love reading about women who made history.

Written in verse it's so easy to get caught up in Gerda's world and everyday life. Kip Wilson does a great job capturing what she must have been like and gave readers yet another inspiring woman to admire.

The one thing I did and did not like was the effort of trying to make obvious parallels between 1930's Europe to everything going on today. I liked the emphasis in pointing out that history does seem to be repeating itself in various ways, but it really did feel like an effort. Almost as if they're worried readers won't get the message.

I also feel that it took away from Greda's own story, as if she were a background character to everything going on despite the fact that this is supposed to be her story.

[readerof-books]

Mrs Van Gogh by Caroline Cauchi - Book Review

She’s been painted out of history…until now Who tells her story? In 1890, Vincent Van Gogh dies penniless, unknown, a man tortured by his own mind. Eleven years later his work is exhibited in Paris and his unparalleled talent finally recognised. The tireless efforts of one woman gave the world one of its greatest creative minds. But twenty-eight year old Johanna Van Gogh-Bonger, Vincent’s sister-in-law and the keeper of his immense collection of paintings, sketches and letters, has, until now, been written out of history. This beautiful, moving novel finally gives this extraordinary woman a voice…

Mrs Van Gogh by Caroline Cauchi

February 2, 2023 by One More Chapter

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I should have known that a book titled "Mrs. Van Gogh" would center around a man's wife and not the woman herself. It started off promising, with Jo deciding to be her own woman, to enjoy herself in Paris, devote herself to the art she loves and to speak up for women in the art world.

But then soon after she meets the Van Gogh brothers. Suddenly it's: "Theo, Theo, Theo." Or "I must get Vincent to like me" because: "Theo, Theo, Theo." Then, of course they get married and it's: "my husband, my husband, my husband!" "I didn't know life until I was a wife." I know not a lot is written about Johanna Van Gogh, but this just made her feel flat and as if her only purpose in the world was to show it Vincent Van Gogh. Which is when things did get interesting again, once the Van Gogh brothers are dead. So maybe they were the problem? Anytime Vincent was around I kept thinking I wouldn't blame anyone for wanting to shoot him. And instead of finding a way to address his problems excuses are made, and it seems that a woman is mainly to blame. Mainly Jo, of course. He was sent away from Paris, because Jo kept rejecting him; he cut his ear, because Jo and his brother announced they were getting married. And so on. (Also knowing what we know now about Paul Gauguin's possible involvement with the ear incident I found her: "Paul is being suspicions about this," but leaving it at that annoying. I understand they weren't supposed to know anything about it but why bother pointing it out if nothing will come of it?)

[readerof-books]

I posted 13 times in 2022

That's 1 more post than 2021!

10 posts created (77%)

3 posts reblogged (23%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@womanoncesaid

@claudiagray

I tagged 12 of my posts in 2022

Only 8% of my posts had no tags

#book review - 10 posts

#netgalley - 10 posts

#banned books - 2 posts

#marvel - 1 post

#reyna grande - 1 post

#hide kiersten white - 1 post

#kiersten white - 1 post

#del rey books - 1 post

#harry potter - 1 post

#smart pop - 1 post

Longest Tag: 36 characters

#david copperfield's history of magic

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

David Copperfield's History of Magic

Published October 26th 2021 by Simon Schuster

An illustrated, illuminating insight into the world of illusion from the world’s greatest and most successful magician, capturing its audacious and inventive practitioners, and showcasing the art form’s most famous artifacts housed at David Copperfield’s secret museum. In this personal journey through a unique and remarkable performing art, David Copperfield profiles twenty-eight of the world’s most groundbreaking magicians. From the 16th-century magistrate who wrote the first book on conjuring to the roaring twenties and the man who fooled Houdini, to the woman who levitated, vanished, and caught bullets in her teeth, David Copperfield’s History of Magic takes you on a wild journey through the remarkable feats of the greatest magicians in history. These magicians were all outsiders in their own way, many of them determined to use magic to escape the strictures of class and convention. But they all transformed popular culture, adapted to social change, discovered the inner workings of the human mind, embraced the latest technological and scientific discoveries, and took the art of magic to unprecedented heights. The incredible stories are complimented by over 100 never-before-seen photographs of artifacts from Copperfield’s exclusive Museum of Magic, including a 16th-century manual on sleight of hand, Houdini’s straightjackets, handcuffs, and water torture chamber, Dante’s famous sawing-in-half apparatus, Alexander’s high-tech turban that allowed him to read people’s minds, and even some coins that may have magically passed through the hands of Abraham Lincoln. By the end of the book, you’ll be sure to share Copperfield’s passion for the power of magic.

Who else but David Copperfield would you want telling the history of magic? This is a great mix of biographies for each magician who changed the field in their own way, and part autobiography for Copperfield who added his own story about how each one effected his own career and life. Which is why he would be the perfect choice to tell the story of his fellow magicians, it's not just a flat description about who each one was and what they contributed but also about how in some way or another they helped get him where he is.

0 notes - Posted February 17, 2022

#4

A Deadly Affair by Agatha Christie

Published January 4th 2022 by William Morrow & Company

From the Queen of Mystery—this all-new collection of stories about love gone horribly wrong will get your heart racing. Love can propel us to our greatest heights . . . and darkest depths. In this new collection of Agatha Christie short stories, witness the dark side of love—crimes of passion, games of the heart, and deadly affairs. This pulse-pounding compendium features beloved detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, master of charades Parker Pyne, the enigmatic Harley Quin, and the adventurous Tommy and Tuppence, all on the ready to solve a tantalizing mystery. In “The Face of Helen,” a night at the Royal Opera could reach a deadly crescendo for a woman caught in a dicey love triangle; “Finessing the King” delivers a curious ad in the personals that could mask sinister intentions; who’s in danger of getting stung in “Wasp’s Nest” depends on rounding up suspects and solving a murder—before it even happens; and more tales that make for essential reading that Christie fans old and new will simply love to death.

Agatha Christie in quick short story form? Who wouldn't love it. Not only is each one more intriguing than the one before but each one will also leave you wanting more. Agatha Christie is truly the queen of the genre proving she can weave intriguing mysteries as well with a limited number of pages as she could with entire novels.

0 notes - Posted February 15, 2022

#3

A Ballad of Love and Glory by Reyna Grande - Book Review

A Long Petal of the Sea meets Cold Mountain in this sweeping historical saga following a Mexican army nurse and an Irish soldier who must fight, at first for their survival and then for their love, amidst the atrocity of the Mexican-American War—from the author of the “timely and riveting” (People) Across a Hundred Mountains and The Distance Between Us. A forgotten war. An unforgettable romance. The year is 1846. After the controversial annexation of Texas, the US Army marches south to provoke war with México over the disputed Río Grande boundary.​ Ximena Salomé is a gifted Mexican healer who dreams of building a family with the man she loves on the coveted land she calls home. But when Texas Rangers storm her ranch and shoot her husband dead, her dreams are burned to ashes. Vowing to honor her husband’s memory and defend her country, Ximena uses her healing skills as an army nurse on the frontlines of the ravaging war. Meanwhile, John Riley, an Irish immigrant in the Yankee army desperate to help his family escape the famine devastating his homeland, is sickened by the unjust war and the unspeakable atrocities against his countrymen by nativist officers. In a bold act of defiance, he swims across the Río Grande and joins the Mexican Army—a desertion punishable by execution. He forms the St. Patrick’s Battalion, a band of Irish soldiers willing to fight to the death for México’s freedom. When Ximena and John meet, a dangerous attraction blooms between them. As the war intensifies, so does their passion. Swept up by forces with the power to change history, they fight not only for the fate of a nation but for their future together. Heartbreaking and lyrical, Reyna Grande’s spellbinding saga, inspired by true events and historical figures, brings these two unforgettable characters to life and illuminates a largely forgotten moment in history that impacts the US-México border to this day. Will Ximena and John survive the chaos of this bitter war, or will their love be devoured along with the land they strive to defend?

A Ballad of Love and Glory by Reyna Grande

Published March 15th 2022 by Atria Books

My rating 3 of 5

I am truly torn on this one. On the one hand it’s beautifully written and absolutely captivating. But, well, on the other it was pretty boring.

I went in expecting a timeless love story set amid a war I knew nothing about but was looking forward to learning of. And I did in fact end up learning a lot about the war. A lot. Because there were moments when it felt like it would just go on. After a while, I’m sorry to say, the battles just started running together.

Off in the background, like the occasional interlude, the romance that I came for. Almost like a second thought, because there were moments where I would forget about it. It very well could have been written without these two characters ever falling in love. It’s not a romance novel with a war, it’s a war novel with a romance.

But as I said the writing style is well worth sticking around for. And I did learn something I not only didn’t know but had actually never even heard of.

1 note - Posted April 11, 2022

#2

Hide by Kiersten White - Book Review

The challenge: spend a week hiding in an abandoned amusement park and don't get caught. The prize: enough money to change everything. Even though everyone is desperate to win--to seize their dream futures or escape their haunting pasts--Mack feels sure that she can beat her competitors. All she has to do is hide, and she's an expert at that. It's the reason she's alive, and her family isn't. But as the people around her begin disappearing one by one, Mack realizes this competition is more sinister than even she imagined, and that together might be the only way to survive. Fourteen competitors. Seven days. Everywhere to hide, but nowhere to run. Come out, come out, wherever you are. A high-stakes hide-and-seek competition turns deadly in this dark supernatural thriller from New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White. 

Hide by Kiersten White

Published May 24th 2022 by Del Rey Books

My rating 5 of 5 stars

Has Kiersten White been holding out on us? While I have been a longtime fan of her YA books, if this is her writing for adults all I can say: "Yes, please" and "tell me there will be more."

Adult book Kiersten White is everything I have been looking for. Even more so after a long string of disappointments from books promising me thrills and suspense that got nowhere near delivering on those promises. Hide not only kept me up at night reading but, long after I put it down, wondering what would happen next. And while I won't admit to nightmares; there probably were a few nights when I did wake up worried something was in the room with me.

Unfortunately, while glancing at reviews I did see one that spoiled the big plot point for me, (and I do mean glancing, I wasn't even reading them when I noticed someone literally started their review with "This is what the big plot point is based on") but even with knowing what was coming the story and writing is so great that I was still caught up in it from start to the very finish.

3 notes - Posted May 29, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Elvis and Me: The True Story of the Love Between Priscilla Presley and the King of Rock N' Roll - Book Review

The New York Times bestseller that reveals the intimate story of Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley, told by the woman who lived it. Decades after his death, millions of fans continue to worship Elvis the legend. But very few knew him as Elvis the man. Here in her own words, Priscilla Presley tells the story of their love, revealing the details of their first meeting, their marriage, their affairs, their divorce, and the unbreakable bond that has remained long after his tragic death. A tribute to both the man and the legend, Elvis and Me gives Elvis fans the world over an unprecedented look at the true life of the King of Rock N' Roll and the woman who loved him.

First published September 19, 1985

Audiobook Published August 23, 2022 

Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks

My rating 4 of 5 stars

I have long since made it a rule of mine to not read biographies written by people who weren't there at the time or barely knew the person being written about. So, naturally when it comes to Elvis, who better to tell his story than the women who was a part of?

Personal thoughts about these two asides, because at some point early on I did think to myself that if this was a work of fiction, I wouldn't be able to stand either of them. I enjoyed hearing about a side of Elvis few knew about, or as she even mentions, have tried to turn into something else. This is a story only one person could tell, and Priscillia Presley did a wonderful job in doing so.

As the title says it's about both Elvis and Priscillia Presley, but of course, it is her story so she would be the "main character," making Elvis a secondary character. Looking at it that way makes it all the more interesting, since he was the star that everything, including Priscilla's life, revolved around; so therefore, seeing him through the eyes of an insider, one who I now know so much more about, was enlightening.

It is not a beautiful story, but it is beautifully told and listening to the audio version of it read by Priscilla Presley herself, made it all the better. I especially loved the little moments while reading where she would sometimes giggle, it just gave the story so much more than having it read straight through.

5 notes - Posted August 22, 2022

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[readerof-books]

Resting Scrooge Face by Meghan Quinn - Book Review

Resting Scrooge Face by Meghan Quinn

From USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author Meghan Quinn comes a festive short romance about old flames and mistaken identities. After a bad breakup, Nola wants nothing to do with Christmas, especially in her quaint hometown of Bright Harbor, Maine. Infuriatingly charming and cheery, Nola’s surroundings only worsen her sour mood. To make matters worse, Caleb, the boy who broke her heart years ago, is all grown up and still living in town. While doing her best to avoid him, Nola bumps into the local mailman, who gives her a mysterious letter. And when she finds that the writer is a fellow Scrooge, she can’t help but feel her spirit lifting. Nola writes back to her new pen pal—who, unbeknownst to Nola, is none other than Caleb. When Caleb gets a response hand delivered by the mailman, he’s intrigued by the mystery sender. A friendly correspondence develops—and quickly turns flirtatious. Although Nola and Caleb claim they can’t stand each other, they can’t deny the simmering attraction that brought them together in the first place. Can these nameless pen pals write their own love story—or will they be too caught up with the ghosts of their Christmases past to find a future together?

First published November 29, 2022

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Short and sweet. Just what my own little Scrooge heart needed.

I should clarify: my Scrooge heart has no problem with the holiday season, it's holiday romances that I'd rather avoid. But when it's Meghan Quinn telling the story you can be sure I'll be right there falling in love right alongside the characters. Not only that but definitely leave me wanting more.

As I said it's a short simple story that proves sometimes you do not need hundreds of pages to tell a great love story.

[readerof-books]

Elvis and Me: The True Story of the Love Between Priscilla Presley and the King of Rock N' Roll - Book Review

The New York Times bestseller that reveals the intimate story of Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley, told by the woman who lived it. Decades after his death, millions of fans continue to worship Elvis the legend. But very few knew him as Elvis the man. Here in her own words, Priscilla Presley tells the story of their love, revealing the details of their first meeting, their marriage, their affairs, their divorce, and the unbreakable bond that has remained long after his tragic death. A tribute to both the man and the legend, Elvis and Me gives Elvis fans the world over an unprecedented look at the true life of the King of Rock N' Roll and the woman who loved him.

First published September 19, 1985

Audiobook Published August 23, 2022 

Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks

My rating 4 of 5 stars

I have long since made it a rule of mine to not read biographies written by people who weren't there at the time or barely knew the person being written about. So, naturally when it comes to Elvis, who better to tell his story than the women who was a part of?

Personal thoughts about these two asides, because at some point early on I did think to myself that if this was a work of fiction, I wouldn't be able to stand either of them. I enjoyed hearing about a side of Elvis few knew about, or as she even mentions, have tried to turn into something else. This is a story only one person could tell, and Priscillia Presley did a wonderful job in doing so.

As the title says it's about both Elvis and Priscillia Presley, but of course, it is her story so she would be the "main character," making Elvis a secondary character. Looking at it that way makes it all the more interesting, since he was the star that everything, including Priscilla's life, revolved around; so therefore, seeing him through the eyes of an insider, one who I now know so much more about, was enlightening.

It is not a beautiful story, but it is beautifully told and listening to the audio version of it read by Priscilla Presley herself, made it all the better. I especially loved the little moments while reading where she would sometimes giggle, it just gave the story so much more than having it read straight through.

[readerof-books]

Smart Pop Explains Marvel Movies and TV Shows - Book Review

Who is Iron Man? What’s an Infinity Stone? When did Captain America become the first Avenger? Why does everyone love Loki even though he’s a bad guy? It’s easy for new fans to get overwhelmed by the sprawling mythology and complexity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which now spans more than 20 films and TV shows. Unlike encyclopedias and guides that offer diehard fans trivia, details, and deep dives into every on-screen moment, this first-of-its-kind explainer is an easy, fun, and accessible introduction to the hundreds of characters, plots, and interconnected stories that make up one of the greatest pop-culture franchises of all time. Do you want to enjoy Spider-Man, but don’t quite know what a Skrull is? Maybe you know that it was Agatha all along, but did WandaVision leave you wondering about the multiverse of madness? Do you need a primer on Thor’s backstory so you can grasp how The God of Thunder became friends with The Guardians of the Galaxy? Or, maybe you just want to be able to join in when everyone shouts out “Wakanda Forever!” If you’re looking for an easy to access entry into what literally everyone is talking about, this is the book for you! As the perfect and unauthorized resource to keep on hand when watching something for the first—or tenth—time, Smart Pop Explains Marvel Movies and TV Shows like no one else could.

Published: July 5, 2022 by Smart Pop

My rating 4 of 5 stars

I have very little shame in admitting that at some point while watching Endgame, I laughed to myself because I realized that I could not name half of the characters on the screen. As much as I've grown to like the franchise there is a lot I'm not paying attention to for one reason or another.

Which is why this is the perfect book for me.

It helped fill in a lot of blanks for both characters I was familiar with and those who I know but not as well as I might have before.

My one complaint about it is that it felt all over the place, so it became difficult to keep up with all the information and probably would have been better divided into sections.

[readerof-books]

Smart Pop Explains Harry Potter Books and Movies - Book Review

Who is Snape? What’s a horcrux? When did Sirius Black escape from Azkaban? Why was Hermione sorted into Gryffindor? It’s easy for new fans to get overwhelmed by the sprawling mythology and complexity of the Harry Potter movies and books. Unlike encyclopedias and guides that offer diehard fans trivia, details, and deep dives into every on-screen moment, this first-of-its-kind explainer is an easy, fun, and accessible introduction to the hundreds of characters, plots, and interconnected stories that make up one of the greatest pop culture franchises of all time. Maybe you’re a First Year and need an entry level class on the magical Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Are you trying to figure out why Slytherins are so slippery? Trying to parcel out parceltongue? Having trouble sorting out when Dumbledore battled Grindelwald? Or maybe you’re a confident Ravenclaw who wants to understand why it’s leviOsa, not levioSA! If you’re a Muggle, witch, or wizard looking for an easy entry into what literally everyone is talking about then this is the book for you. As the perfect and unauthorized resource to keep on hand when watching something for the first—or tenth—time, Smart Pop Explains Harry Potter Movies and Books to you like no one could!

Published July 5, 2022 by Smart Pop

My rating 4 of 5 stars

I am a big Harry Potter fan (fell in love while reading the books then "rediscovered" the movies as I went along) so, maybe, kind of funny for me to read this; but I'm also the type of fan who will often not pay too much attention to details. That's where this book comes in.

It's a great introduction to anyone new to the wizarding world and also a pretty good refresher for those of us who might not be excelling at random trivia about the history of whatever small detail mentioned throughout the seven books.

[readerof-books]

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[readerof-books]

Hide by Kiersten White - Book Review

The challenge: spend a week hiding in an abandoned amusement park and don't get caught. The prize: enough money to change everything. Even though everyone is desperate to win--to seize their dream futures or escape their haunting pasts--Mack feels sure that she can beat her competitors. All she has to do is hide, and she's an expert at that. It's the reason she's alive, and her family isn't. But as the people around her begin disappearing one by one, Mack realizes this competition is more sinister than even she imagined, and that together might be the only way to survive. Fourteen competitors. Seven days. Everywhere to hide, but nowhere to run. Come out, come out, wherever you are. A high-stakes hide-and-seek competition turns deadly in this dark supernatural thriller from New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White. 

Hide by Kiersten White

Published May 24th 2022 by Del Rey Books

My rating 5 of 5 stars

Has Kiersten White been holding out on us? While I have been a longtime fan of her YA books, if this is her writing for adults all I can say: "Yes, please" and "tell me there will be more."

Adult book Kiersten White is everything I have been looking for. Even more so after a long string of disappointments from books promising me thrills and suspense that got nowhere near delivering on those promises. Hide not only kept me up at night reading but, long after I put it down, wondering what would happen next. And while I won't admit to nightmares; there probably were a few nights when I did wake up worried something was in the room with me.

Unfortunately, while glancing at reviews I did see one that spoiled the big plot point for me, (and I do mean glancing, I wasn't even reading them when I noticed someone literally started their review with "This is what the big plot point is based on") but even with knowing what was coming the story and writing is so great that I was still caught up in it from start to the very finish.

[readerof-books]

A Ballad of Love and Glory by Reyna Grande - Book Review

A Long Petal of the Sea meets Cold Mountain in this sweeping historical saga following a Mexican army nurse and an Irish soldier who must fight, at first for their survival and then for their love, amidst the atrocity of the Mexican-American War—from the author of the “timely and riveting” (People) Across a Hundred Mountains and The Distance Between Us. A forgotten war. An unforgettable romance. The year is 1846. After the controversial annexation of Texas, the US Army marches south to provoke war with México over the disputed Río Grande boundary.​ Ximena Salomé is a gifted Mexican healer who dreams of building a family with the man she loves on the coveted land she calls home. But when Texas Rangers storm her ranch and shoot her husband dead, her dreams are burned to ashes. Vowing to honor her husband’s memory and defend her country, Ximena uses her healing skills as an army nurse on the frontlines of the ravaging war. Meanwhile, John Riley, an Irish immigrant in the Yankee army desperate to help his family escape the famine devastating his homeland, is sickened by the unjust war and the unspeakable atrocities against his countrymen by nativist officers. In a bold act of defiance, he swims across the Río Grande and joins the Mexican Army—a desertion punishable by execution. He forms the St. Patrick’s Battalion, a band of Irish soldiers willing to fight to the death for México’s freedom. When Ximena and John meet, a dangerous attraction blooms between them. As the war intensifies, so does their passion. Swept up by forces with the power to change history, they fight not only for the fate of a nation but for their future together. Heartbreaking and lyrical, Reyna Grande’s spellbinding saga, inspired by true events and historical figures, brings these two unforgettable characters to life and illuminates a largely forgotten moment in history that impacts the US-México border to this day. Will Ximena and John survive the chaos of this bitter war, or will their love be devoured along with the land they strive to defend?

A Ballad of Love and Glory by Reyna Grande

Published March 15th 2022 by Atria Books

My rating 3 of 5

I am truly torn on this one. On the one hand it’s beautifully written and absolutely captivating. But, well, on the other it was pretty boring.

I went in expecting a timeless love story set amid a war I knew nothing about but was looking forward to learning of. And I did in fact end up learning a lot about the war. A lot. Because there were moments when it felt like it would just go on. After a while, I’m sorry to say, the battles just started running together.

Off in the background, like the occasional interlude, the romance that I came for. Almost like a second thought, because there were moments where I would forget about it. It very well could have been written without these two characters ever falling in love. It’s not a romance novel with a war, it’s a war novel with a romance.

But as I said the writing style is well worth sticking around for. And I did learn something I not only didn’t know but had actually never even heard of.