Title: Thursday’s Child
Author name: Joseph Wurtenbaugh
Genre: Literary Fiction / Romance / Business Intrigue / Legal Thriller
This is an epic story, seasoned with mystery and romance, of how Adele Elizabeth Jansen’s life transforms slowly but irrevocably after meeting author, poet, polymath, and unrecognized genius, Thomas Newcombe.
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Title: A Place of Timeless Harmony
Author: Curt Eriksen
Genre: Literary Fiction
A Place of Timeless Harmony is about a couple, Richard and Sofie, who go on a romantic vacation to the African safari. But they are carrying secrets that are weighing heavily on their hearts, and the two realize that no matter how much they hide from each other, not opening up about the darkness within is only hurting their chance at love.
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Title: The Beasts of Electra Drive
Author: Rohan Quine
Genre: Literary Fiction/Magical Realism/Horror
Aptly titled, The Beasts of Electra Drive tells the story of a video game designer’s revenge on the “Dreary Ones,” the corporate leaders at Bang Dead Games, the company where he worked until recently.
They’re about to release a new, glamorous social media software, Ain’t They Freaky!, designed to fuel the tabloid-style view of the world—cutting others down to build oneself up—and Jaymi Peek feels that something is wrong. Despite owning an opulent house on Electra Drive and two nearby rental properties, something is missing…and then he has an epiphany.
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Title: Sophie’s Playlist: The Gramble Chronicles
Author: Michael Finocchiaro
Genre: Fiction, Action and Adventure, Thriller
This is a meandering, literary-style story spiced with romance, grit, and a touch of adventure as it covers the multiple storylines of three characters—Gramble, Zoe, and Samuel—as they explore a kaleidoscope of human experiences.
On the thriller side, there is the story of Gramble, a member of the Bureau of Indian Affairs who has been investigating Florida tribal ties with the mafia for years. He eventually transfers to the FBI, but he’s still drawn to Miami and the troubles that he feels are hidden just below the polished surface of casinos and “legal business.”
Rating: 5/5
This book is amazing. The topic of abuse is not something you want to think much about. It is mostly hidden behind a wall of silence and if it gets public attention, it’s usually garish sensationalism. Not so in this book. It is completely beyond me how the author managed to write about severe abuse – both as a child and as an adult woman – without it being garish and shocking. The atmosphere is one of quiet pain and that gets under your skin.
I could not put the book down and read it in one go deep into the night. I have read things like this before, but usually I either mentally squeeze my eyes shut and hurry through to get it over with or I want to scream with outrage. Here, I found myself trapped right along with Maria in the wide-eyed disbelief that this could really be happening, enduring the suffering with her.
Author name: Diamante Lavendar
Name of the book: Breaking The Silence
Genre of the book: Inspirational Fiction, Chick Lit, Memoir
Book synopsis: Joan Eastman was born like any other girl. However, her existence would prove to be a life of great pain. Growing up, she was treated differently by family members, powerless to defend herself against them. Feeling she had been dealt a wicked hand by the “powers that be”, she spiraled into despair and recklessness. She became a victim of agonizing circumstances and self-hatred.
A Raisin in the Sun
By: Lorraine Hansberry
Review of the 1994 Vintage Books Paperback Edition, with Introduction by Robert Nemiroff
First Pub: 1959
Wow. Ok, so I have already read this play- hence the ‘re-read’ element of this review. Not every re-read warrants a brand new review, as often your opinion of a book will remain the same over time. However, when something happens, like your re-read book turns out to be SO MUCH BETTER THAN EVER REMEMBERED, well, this warrants a Re-Read Rapid Review.
Why did I have such a shocking change of heart- changing my review of ‘Raisin’ to the coveted 5-star section of my Goodreads account immediately upon finishing? Perhaps, I am now old enough to appreciate this play more than I did whilst reading it at school. OR, perhaps it is because this time, I *chose* to (re)read this title, instead of *having to read it* for a class. Or, perhaps I understand that era of American history better now than I did then, when my history classes were about Canadian history. No matter which factor influenced this fantastic re-read, I don’t care. I am just happy it happened.
Title: Choose: Snakes or Ladders
Author: Sally Forest
Genre: Literary Fiction
This rich, sensually-driven literary novel takes readers back to the 1950s, when women were just starting to enter the work-force alongside men on a more regular basis. The story follows Mitty Bedford, a typist who recently graduated with her certificate and has landed a job in the real world. Living on her own for the first time, she embarks on a journey of self-exploration in life, love, and her own sexuality.
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Hagseed by Margaret Atwood
Date Completed: 5/25/2017
Rating: 9/10
I jumped into this book knowing nothing about it, but that I had heard good things. I found that approach worked really well for me, so if you’d prefer, don’t read this, just know that you have my recommendation.
I review The Burning Girl by Claire Messud.
Julia and Cassie have been friends since nursery school. They have shared everything, including their desire to escape the stifling limitations of their birthplace, the quiet town of Royston, Massachusetts. But as the two girls enter adolescence, their paths diverge and Cassie sets out on a journey that will put her life in danger and shatter her oldest friendship.
