After a lonely childhood spent with an unloving family, William Waters finally feels at home playing basketball at a prestigious college in Chicago. When William meets Julia Padavano, a dynamic and beautiful girl with a tight-knit and loving family, he is quickly embraced by the lively Padavano clan. Julia is a literal… Keep Reading
SOMEONE ELSE’S SHOES by JOJO MOYES
What makes a book a winner for me? When I can’t put it down, even reading while on bus or car rides, and very relatable main characters. I am happy to report that this book (my first by this author! ) ticked all the boxes. Nisha and Sam are from two very different worlds… Keep Reading
MY LAST INNOCENT YEAR by DAISY ALPERT FLORIN
Excuse me while I recover from a book hangover. This is a powerful yet very tender coming-of-age story set in late 1990’s academia. Isabel is a college senior at a small liberal arts college who has a non-consensual sexual encounter with a fellow student. That acts as the catalyst for her affair with her (married)… Keep Reading
RULES OF CIVILITY by AMOR TOWLES
What a rich and sparkling view of New York City just before World War II! An absolute joy to listen to. At the heart of this book are Washington’s Rules of Civility (actually created in 1595 but copied by Washington into his notebook), a list of common-sense manners which should be followed today. These rules… Keep Reading
BIG SWISS by JEN BEAGIN
I’m certain I won’t read another book this year as quirky as Big Swiss. The title refers to the nickname that our main protagonist Greta gives to the voice in the therapy sessions she is transcribing. Greta works for a sex therapist named Om in Hudson, New York (where everyone knows each other) transcribing… Keep Reading
DEMON COPPERHEAD by BARBARA KINGSOLVER
Stunning! Epic! Where do I begin? Well the endnotes provide the framework for this extraordinary novel: Barbara Kingsolver thanks Charles Dickens for creating David Copperfield and writing about the damage poverty had on children at that time. Sadly, those problems are still with us. Our narrator Demon (born Damon) is born into abject poverty and… Keep Reading
SIGN HERE by CLAUDIA LUX
What a creative and unique debut novel! I literally started 4 different books for my last book of 2022, but only this one grabbed me from the very first page. I first saw this book floating around Instagram and I’m my opinion, it lives up to all the hype. So refreshing, sarcastic and fun, especially… Keep Reading
THE RABBIT HUTCH by TESS GUNTY
Astounding! Tess Gunty is brilliant. I am not smart enough to give this book the review it deserves. This absolutely STUNNING debut novel, the winner of the National Book Award 2022 for Fiction, is unlike any book I’ve ever listened to. Definitely not an easy read, this book tackles trauma, the foster care system,… Keep Reading
FRIENDS, LOVERS AND THE BIG TERRIBLE THING by MATTHEW PERRY
Unflinching. Brutal. Honest. Incredibly enlightening. These are just some of the feelings inspired by Matthew Perry’s outstanding autobiography. Even if you weren’t a huge fan of ‘Friends’, the inside story of the megahit and its influence on Matt’s life is compelling. All the fame and money in the world couldn’t stop him from relapsing over… Keep Reading
SECLUDED CABIN SLEEPS SIX by Lisa Unger
“I’m the big bad wolf, come to blow your house down.” What a thriller! I am captivated by Lisa Unger’s thrillers (especially with Vivienne Leheny narrating). There is always a delicious twist and a slow burn to get to the conclusion. Her latest book features a large cast of characters as well as dual… Keep Reading
