Category: Fiction

Fiction, Women's Fiction

The Stars Don’t Lie: Release Party and Book Club Questions

Kristie
It’s Mia-approved!

This beta reader is very excited! The Stars Don’t Lie, by Boo Walker, released on Tuesday, August 22nd. It’s available in all formats and can also be easily accessed for those of us with a Kindle Unlimited subscription as an ebook with accompanying audio.

There was a Facebook Live release party to celebrate the launch, and Boo spends about 50 minutes talking about the plot, the overall writing process, and answering viewer questions. Here it is!

He has also added some book club discussion questions:

Right now I’m listening to the audio version of the book. And, although Boo was nice enough to surprise me with a set of CDs the other day, I think I prefer listening to it on Audible (through KU) because it’s comfortable at about 1.25x to 1.3x speed. I’m one of those readers who enjoys listening to a book AFTER having read it, and it is fun to revisit the characters in Stars and reexamine my feelings towards them. I’m liking it just as much or more this time around.

And, yes, I’m very aware that I’ve been a complete slug about writing reviews this last month. We lost a very close friend on August 5th and I’m still wrapping my head around it. But I have finally recovered from my initial reading slump and will have some recommendations on here soon. Promise!

ARC (Advanced Reader Copy), Beta Reading, Fiction

A Conversation With Author Boo Walker

Kristie

It’s been a VERY slow reading month. Favorite book so far? Definitely The Seven Year Slip, by Ashley Poston. It deserves its own review! I hope to get to that soon.

In the meantime, Boo Walker readers are gearing up for the August 22nd release of The Stars Don’t Lie! My signed copy–a special thank you for being a beta reader–was waiting for me yesterday afternoon. Hubby and I were returning home from a very emotional funeral for a close friend, so the arrival of this gift was especially timely. I’m a lot more motivated to be an unpaid beta reader because the author I work with is so appreciative and generous.

Speaking of which, here’s a 20 minute interview Boo did the other day with another member of our beta reading team, Lynn Scornavacca. He talks about his teenage ambition to be a writer, a few career detours along the way, and his current (and future) projects. Plus, he gives a gracious shout out to people like me, who read early drafts of his work and throw a few ideas and critiques in his direction.

By the way, Boo will be hosting a Facebook Live Launch Party to celebrate the release of The Stars Don’t Lie! You can tune in on Tuesday, August 22nd, at 2:30pm Pacific/5:30pm Eastern. I’ll be tuned in too! Here’s the link for more information: https://fb.me/e/1bBEtyhM9

And now, the interview. Enjoy! Click the link: A Conversation With Boo Walker from Lynn Scornavacca on Vimeo.

Fiction

Movie Review: Happiness for Beginners, Book by Katherine Center

Kristie

Movie: Available Now on Netflix, with Ellie Kemper and Luke Grimes

Book: Available Now in Audio, Print, Digital

It seems like Hollywood is always, always scrambling for new material. So last year, when I learned that Netflix was adapting my favorite Katherine Center book, Happiness for Beginners, I was both thrilled and nervous. You know what I mean, right? That scary combination of “woohoo!” and “oh, boy, what are they going to do to it?”

***SPOILER ALERT*** If you want zero spoilers about the book or movie, this is where you should stop reading. Right here. Yep. Here…. Stop.

.

Hey, you stayed! Awesome. Let’s dig in…

First off, we know that “the book was better” is pretty much the norm. Not always (Example: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society,) but usually. We prepare for some artistic license. We prepare for possible disappointment. We hope we will be happily surprised, but it’s no shocker when we aren’t. That was my mindset when I watched Happiness for Beginners on Netflix early this morning.

What’s ironic is that the things I was initially concerned about–the supporting cast, the setting changes, the smaller age discrepancy between Jake and Helen–turned out to be non-issues. My biggest complaint? Screenwriter/Director Vicky Wight chopped a very important section at the beginning.

If you’re completely unfamiliar with the book, it is about a new divorcee named Helen Carpenter who decides to reset her life by participating in a three week hiking course. Aside from being completely out of her comfort zone, she is surprised to learn that her younger brother’s best friend, Jake, is also going to be there. There are so many wonderful and bittersweet moments in the book, but the fact that Helen and Jake travel together to the hiking course sets a strong foundation for their relationship. It also explains the changes between them once they meet up with their instructor, Beckett, and the rest of the group.

This entire section was cut from the movie. Instead, Helen travels alone and sees Jake once she arrives. Whaat? It’s one of the best parts of the book! A terrible creative decision and my main gripe. But it’s a big gripe because, without this section, a lot of expository info was kept from us. Some production was scaled down because the film was made during COVID, but I doubt that’s the reason for this specific choice. (Therefore I give the film a tepid “B” for “butchering.”)

I loved the casting of Ellie Kemper and Luke Grimes (because who doesn’t love Kayce from Yellowstone, right?) And, even though the age difference was a lot less than in the book, it worked. The scenery was lovely. I really liked the casting for Windy, Beckett, and Grandma Gigi (the always fabulous Blythe Danner.) But I hope that future adaptations of Katherine Center’s books are put in the hands of someone else. Vicky Wight has been at the helm of two KC projects now (The Lost Husband and now Happiness for Beginners,) and both are so diluted in story and emotion compared to their respective source material, that most of the special moments we saw in the books are completely gone. I’ve been severely underwhelmed twice now.

So would I recommend the movie of Happiness for Beginners? Eh, sure. It’s cute. (It currently has an unimpressive 5.8 on IMDb.)

Would I recommend the BOOK of Happiness for Beginners? YOU BETCHA. Skip the movie. Read the book or listen to the audio (also super.) You can learn more about it here: https://readwithkristie.com/2022/03/16/author-spotlight-katherine-center/

Final thought? THE BOOK WAS BETTER.

Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance

Two Superb Historical Romances

Kristie

Thanks to two wonderful books, my sensitive heart was left in pieces twice this week. A rare thing. Allow me to share them with you. Both are available now. Both are worth your time.

Hope Between the Pages, by Pepper Basham, is a dual timeline story. Set in Asheville, North Carolina, the modern plot follows Clara Blackwell, a bookseller struggling to maintain the family business. A trek to England weaves in the story of Clara’s great-grandmother Sadie, a plucky young woman who once worked at the Biltmore Mansion and followed her heart across the sea. There is mystery, intrigue, profound loss, and unusual romances in both time periods. The strong family connections and class distinctions add extra elements of thought-provoking drama in this surprising find by an author I’ve read before, but only an advanced copy rom-com. Pepper Basham’s historical fiction is definitely where her strength lies. 9/10 Stars

The Lady and the Lionheart is by Joanne Bischof, one of the BEST author discoveries I’ve made in 2023. You’ll recall my recent glowing reviews of her Blackbird Mountain series. The Lady and the Lionheart is another beautiful, heart-wrenching novel that touches on the themes of trusting God and rising above our challenges. Set mostly in a Victorian-era circus, we follow lion tamer Charlie Lionheart as he cares for his infant niece. The baby’s high fever brings him to Ella, a nurse-in-training with her own tragic past. Compassionate Ella sees beyond Charlie’s profession and scandalous appearance. There is so much depth and nuance to this book, I do not want to reveal too much except to say it is a masterful piece of writing. Strangely, it parallels well with the contemporary More Than We Can Tell, by Brigid Kemmerer. If I was still in college I would write a paper about these two books. Read The Lady and the Lionheart. You’ll be glad you did. It deserves much more applause and acclaim than I can give it here. 9.5/10 Stars

Fiction, Short Stories

Theme: The Art of the Short Story

Kristie

When I was younger, short stories were mostly confined to fairy tales. A little older, I loved everything written by Roald Dahl, including his short stories for young readers in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More and later, those for adults in The Roald Dahl Omnibus.

Such high quality exposure to the art of the short story left me thinking that creating a rich plot in a mere few pages was simple. I now realize it was the naivete of youth and lack of experience reading works by different authors that made me think this way.

It was when I read Unaccustomed Earth, (which I highly recommend) by Jhumpa Lahiri, a few years ago, that I had renewed appreciation for the talent required to write an excellent short story. In just a few pages, the author needs to pull in the reader and make them care about characters, set a scene, and immerse them in a plot. Not as easy as it seems.

Which leads me to two books I’ve read this month. Like Unaccustomed Earth, which took place in India, Everything Inside is full of culturally-rich short stories. Author Edwidge Danticat (who was recently honored with a prestigious lifetime achievement award) takes us to the fascinating country of Haiti.

What I loved about this collection was the way it reminded me that, yes, cultures have their differences, but people are essentially the same no matter where they live or where they come from. We deal with victories and challenges, love and learn, and we all have choices in how we live and interact with others. Many of our external hardships stem from our cultures but, at our core, we all want health, happiness, and peace. I’m so glad to have found this author. 9/10 Stars

My online book group has several little challenges for Pride Month, one of which is to read a book with all of the colors of the rainbow on the cover. I came across Scattered Showers, by Rainbow Rowell (do I get double points?) and I was so impressed by these nine stories. Most are contemporary, one is a modern fairy tale, and the final one (my favorite) could be considered fantasy.

The three I loved the best were: Winter Songs for Summer, The Prince and the Troll, and In Waiting. I LOVED In Waiting! It tells of a purgatory-like place where book characters wait to be used. Walking around in different states of completion, they are all either in development or abandoned. Two characters make a special connection, knowing that their time together is limited. I wish this story could be a full-length book! It is one of the most creative pieces I’ve ever read. 9/10 Stars

There are so many wonderful short stories to be discovered! I hope this post will inspire you to seek them out.

Fiction, Historical Fiction, Suspense, Young Adult

Book Hangover Titles, 2023 Pt. 1

Kristie

This morning I saw an interesting post. Someone asked the question: “What was the last book you read that left you with a book hangover?” It got me thinking.

If you’re unaware, a book hangover can best be described as that feeling of numbness and mourning that happens when you finish a book that leaves you emotionally gutted. Some authors, like Diane Chamberlain and Brigid Kemmerer, are especially skilled at writing stories that have that effect on me. It’s probably why I keep going back to their books again and again.

Can a story still be great and not leave you with a book hangover? Absolutely! In fact, three of my favorite authors usually don’t (Katherine Center, Boo Walker, Mimi Matthews,) but I still find their writing engrossing and love their books. Like all reading, it’s a highly personal feeling. The important thing, hangover or not, is that special connection between an author’s work and the reader.

After seeing the original question, I went to Goodreads and browsed books I’ve read so far this year. There are lots, many of which I’ve rated very highly on this blog, but only fourteen qualify for the book hangover category. If you’re a reading slump, and it happens to all of us, I’m certain that one of these books will save you. Most have reviews on this site. Happy Reading!

Moonrise, by Sarah Crossan

Making Faces, by Amy Harmon

Whiskey When We’re Dry, by John Larison

The Stolen Marriage, by Diane Chamberlain

More Than We Can Tell, by Brigid Kemmerer

The Escape Artist, by Diane Chamberlain

The Spectacular, by Fiona Davis (just released!)

The Last House On The Street, by Diane Chamberlain

The Homecoming of Samuel Lake, by Jenny Wingfield

One, by Sarah Crossan

Restart, by Gordon Korman

Entitled, by Cookie Boyle

What to Say Next, by Julie Buxbaum

The Child Finder, by Rene Denfeld

ARC (Advanced Reader Copy), Fiction

The Last Exchange, by Charles Martin

Kristie

AVAILABLE October 3, 2023

You never know quite what to expect with a Charles Martin book, and that philosophy certainly carries over with his upcoming novel, The Last Exchange.

Despite the serene-looking cover, a lot happens in this story, centering around the bond between the oddly-named young actress Maybe Joe Sue and her Scottish bodyguard, Pockets. Yes, Charles Martin wins the award for unique character names!

“Joe” skyrocketed to early fame after being discovered while waitressing, garnering awards, millions of dollars, and plenty of unwanted attention. But a troubled childhood has left a lot of emptiness that she attempts to fend off with pills and bad relationships.

Kelly MacThomas Pockets, with his experience in the military, has now been hired as Joe’s bodyguard while her husband films on location and philanders with other women. Pockets is a firm believer in “the line,” that boundary of emotion and physicality that you never, ever cross with an employer.

Yet, within this platonic team is fierce devotion, and it goes in both directions. Between Joe’s resources and Pockets’ unusual methods, they go to great lengths for each other in a story that has suspense, action, and a plot that grabs hold of you until the very end. I don’t want to give anything away, so this vague review is done by design, but I really enjoyed this surprising book!

9/10 Stars

ARC (Advanced Reader Copy), Fiction, Women's Fiction

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley, by Courtney Walsh

Kristie

AVAILABLE June 13, 2023

See that date up there? June 13th? Mark it on your calendar. Mark it… Are you marking? You better be marking…

Oh, Isadora. I just love you. I want to be friends with you. Twenty years ago I think I was you. Why did I let your story sit in my Kindle for 4 months? This was a story that spoke to my heart. It is a story that will speak to the heart of any introverted, cerebral, never-married-but-wants-to-be woman in her thirties who wonders why that kind of happiness seems to only be reserved for other people.

Chicago University researcher, Isadora Bentley, is celebrating her thirtieth birthday. Alone. (Does that qualify as celebrating?) Alone except for the local mini mart’s sugary delicacies that await her in Aisle 8. Twinkies, chocolate, and a 2 liter of Coke have medicinal properties that the science world has yet to recognize. (If you know, you know.) While checking out, Isadora spots a headline on a magazine: 31 Steps to Happiness, by Dr. Grace Monroe. Ha! 31 Steps. What a crock. On a whim of rebellion, Isadora buys the magazine with the intent of testing Dr. Monroe’s theory. She will implement one step per day–in any order–record her findings, and prove, unequivocally, that happiness can never be achieved so simplistically.

Unfortunately, most of these steps involve interacting with other people. Yuck. People. People lead to feelings, and feelings lead to loss and sadness and hurt. And Isadora has been hurt. A lot. Who wants that? Alone is safe. Alone is comfortable. Alone is…sometimes not all it’s cracked up to be.

Except that when you are a university researcher like Isadora, who is supposed to be working with other people, being alone isn’t always an option. Her self-imposed solitude is interrupted when Isadora’s boss assigns her to work with opposite-of-ugly Dr. Cal Baxter, a psychologist preparing a book for publication and conducting his own experiment.

Over the next year, Isadora Bentley embarks on a roller coaster ride of self-discovery, soul-searching, emotions, and regret. This sounds heavy–and it is–except that all of this wisdom is dressed in so much hilarity (her inner dialogue made me LOL on multiple occasions) that you almost don’t realize that you, the reader, are learning something too. And there are feelings–deep, deep feelings–as our beloved heroine goes on this journey, realizing that, while defensive walls are sometimes necessary, they aren’t always the answer.

I adored this book, its writing, characters, and many insightful nuggets. It’s a treasure. I highly recommend it. Remember: June 13.

9.5/10 Stars

Fiction

The Night of Many Endings, by Melissa Payne

Kristie

Assumptions. We’ve all made them. We create narratives for strangers based on their housing (or lack thereof,) their jobs, their weight, race, religion, political party, tattoos, piercings, clothes, hair color…need I go on? No. Anyone reading this knows what I’m talking about. You probably did it today and so did I. The assumptions are usually wrong and yet, we keep on doing it. We’ve all been on the receiving end too, likely in a hurtful way, promising ourselves we would never do that to someone else…and yet…

The irony is that we all know the solution. Once we truly get to know someone, once they become distinct and a friend, those categories we originally focused on vanish. It’s amazing what a little effort and a little compassion can accomplish.

This is the theme of The Night of Many Endings, by Melissa Payne, a unique book with five main characters, each dealing with their own losses and challenges, each making incorrect assumptions about the others, and each set on a new path after one momentous night.

It is closing time at the library in Silver Ridge, Colorado. Head librarian, Nora, is ready to resume the search for her missing older brother, an addict and transient. Assistant librarian Marlene, a recent widow and self-appointed watchdog, has just caught teenager, Jasmine, stuffing an unchecked book into her bag. Horrors. Vlado, the steady, calm security guard, prepares for an evening of reading to further his education. Outside, Lewis, a grizzled old homeless man, numbs the pain with some obscure white powder. Five lives, five people who have no intention of letting their stories overlap.

Until a blizzard changes their plans. A tree falls and the roads become impassable. Suddenly Nora, Marlene, Jasmine, Vlado, and Lewis are stuck in the library all night. With no power, minimal sustenance, and dwindling cell phone batteries, options are limited. So is patience, understanding, and generosity. However, as conditions at the library get colder, defenses drop and hearts start to thaw.

If you were a teen in the eighties as I was, you remember the iconic John Hughes film The Breakfast Club, about the motley crew of five high school students stuck in Saturday detention. The Night of Many Endings reminded me of that film, but is still a story all its own. One that is profound and thought-provoking.

This was a terrific read. I put a lot of scenes through my own filter of experience. Sometimes I felt light and hopeful, sometimes I felt shame and regret. But I left with a personal vow to try and be better. In my opinion, that is what this story is trying to teach us. I recommend it.

9/10 Stars

Fiction, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Women's Fiction

Weyward, by Emilia Hart

Kristie

“The connections between and among women are the most feared, the most problematic, and the most potentially transforming force on the planet.”
― Emilia Hart, Weyward

Three women across five centuries are bound by an ancient name, a special gift, a humble cottage, and hardship. This is the story of Weyward, a loving tribute to the strength of females everywhere.

England, 1619. Altha, like many others of her era, has been accused of witchcraft and must stand trial for her alleged crimes. Violet, languishing in her family’s mansion in 1942, longs to know more of the outside world. And Kate, pregnant and afraid, escapes an abusive relationship in 2019, fleeing to a cottage left to her by a great aunt she never knew.

One by one, we learn more about these extraordinary women. We discover their connections to the mysteries of nature and to each other, showing their collective ability to rise above their constraints and the men who try to dominate them. They have their accusers, their predators, and their allies. But first they must endure their separate challenges and tap into the history and secrets that weave their stories together.

Weyward is an exceptional debut novel. It is unique, beautiful, haunting, and uplifting. Be aware that there are definite triggers, such as rape and emotional/physical abuse. But also know that in its storytelling lies the message that overcoming such things is possible. The power is within all of us.

9.5/10 Stars

Fiction

April Reading Wrap Up!

Kristie

Here are the books I read this month! Twenty-six in all. Several were average, there was one huge disappointment (which you can read about in my previous post,) and a handful of delights, mostly from familiar authors I can usually rely on to deliver a great story.

The biggest surprises were The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Matthews and The Stolen Marriage by Diane Chamberlain. Surprises because, while I expected them to be very good since these are go-to authors for me, I didn’t expect them to be superb, which they were! The one by Mimi Matthews is the first in a four-part series, so I’ll talk about it more in another post, BUT I will say that the Kindle book for The Matrimonial Advertisement is only $0.99 right now. Totally worth it! This is a clean, semi-gothic romance with fantastic characters. If you buy the book, the audio is only $1.99.

If you want books that are also excellent with some unusual plots, I recommend Just a Regular Boy by Catherine Ryan Hyde and Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander. The stories are a bit on the somber side, but very thought-provoking and unique. You can go to the blog search and/or menus to find their individual reviews.

So on to May! It’s nearly May, how is this possible?? I have a few reads lined up already. Let’s see how many get conquered.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Happy Place, by Emily Henry

Kristie

What a frustrating book. I was so looking forward to it. The release date has been on my calendar for ages. Now the disappointment I’m feeling is palpable.

Have you ever been to a party where you don’t know anybody? Where all the people have memories and history with everyone else but not with you? Where, when you try to enter a conversation, all they do is talk around you and keep saying things like “hey, remember that time we (not you)…?” You’re constantly left out and reminded that you don’t belong. That is a little what it was like to spend time with Wyn, Harriet, and their four friends.

Which brings me to the next set of problems. These are six friends who are educated professionals (a doctor, two lawyers, two urban farmers, and a talented furniture maker) that aren’t very interesting except for the collective gift of acting unbelievably stupid. There is drunkenness and amnesia-inducing hangovers, pot gummies, a random bra that goes flying, and other nonsense. Segue into childish bickering, no concept about the difference between sex and love, terrible communication, and…need I go on? This is immature teenage idiocy, not the behavior of supposedly intelligent adults. It wasn’t funny or charming, and it certainly wasn’t enjoyable to read.

But wait, there’s more. We have Wyn and Harriet who were engaged and are now broken up but don’t want to tell their friends and ruin the week they’re spending together. So now we fall into the tropes that are so overdone they have their own taglines: fake dating, forced proximity, friends to lovers, second chances, found family, blah, blah, blah. And don’t even get me started on why they broke up in the first place and the ending that fails to redeem itself. It’s ridiculous. *sigh* Did I mention I was frustrated?

This book is a total misfire. I tried to like it, but it kept going downhill. Add the slow pacing, dual timelines that switched over at the worst times, unnecessary drama, and “angsty but cool” characters (which rarely works,) and I have to wonder if Emily Henry was abducted by aliens and someone else is standing in for her. I don’t like saying it, but Happy Place is so beneath her talent. Where are the likeable characters? The wit? The solid writing? It’s not here.

5/10 Stars