Montauk

 

Title: Montauk

Author: Nicola Harrison

Publisher: Viking

 
ISBN: 9781250200112

 

Thoughts:  Harrison paints a stunning picture of Montauk in the 30s.

 

Rating: 4/5

The Secret History

 

Title: The Secret History

Author: Donna Tartt

Publisher: HarperAudio

 
ISBN: 9780060814205

 

Thoughts:  Very much reminds me of The Magicians, just with no magic.

 

Rating: 4/5

Vampire Soul

 

Title: Vampire Soul

Author: Shay Roberts

Publisher: Smashwords

 
ISBN: 9780996726108

 

Thoughts:  The dialogue is OK, but everything else is flow-less info dumps for each character, plus the plot is just confusing.

 

Rating: 1/5

The Ugly Cry

 

Title: The Ugly Cry

Author: Danielle Henderson

Publisher: Viking

 
ISBN: 9780525559351

 

Thoughts:  While there are a few heart-wrenching parts, do not let the title mislead you - there are also many laugh-out-loud parts to this memoir as well.

 

Rating: 4/5

Raventide

 

Title: Raventide

Author: T.A. Miles

Publisher: Raventide

 
ISBN: n/a

 

Thoughts:  Good premise and world-building, but too many characters to keep straight and plot was slightly confusing at points.

 

Rating: 3/5

How to Kidnap the Rich

 

Title: How to Kidnap the Rich

Author: Rahul Raina

Publisher: Harper Perennial

 
ISBN: 9780063028784

 

Thoughts:  A distinctly Indian dark comedy.

 

Rating: 3/5

While We Were Dating

 

Title: While We Were Dating

Author: Jasmine Guillory

Publisher: Penguin Audio

 
ISBN: 9780593409817

 

Thoughts: Very enjoyable rom com that also deals well with mental health.

 

Rating: 4/5

Park Avenue Summer

 

Title: Park Avenue Summer

Author: Renee Rosen

Publisher: Berkley

 
ISBN: 9781101991145

 

Thoughts: Fun and fascinating fictional but factual look at the making of Cosmo as we know it today.

 

Rating: 4/5

She Persisted: Ruby Bridges

 

Title: She Persisted: Ruby Bridges

Author: Kelka Magoon

Publisher: Philomel

 
ISBN: 9780593115879

 

Thoughts: I learned a lot I did not know about Bridges' activism in later years, but this brought up some questions for me about her early life that I will need to look into further as I am sure the answers are too complicated for a children's book.

 

Rating: 4/5

The Kids of Cattywampus Street

 

Title: The Kids of Cattywampus Street

Author: Lisa Jahn-Clough

Publisher: Anne Schwartz

 
ISBN: 9780593127575

 

Thoughts: I really wish I could say these stories were fun if not deep, but unfortunately, they really fell flat, even for younger readers.

 

Rating: 1/5

The Forest of Vanishing Stars

 

Title: The Forest of Vanishing Stars

Author: Kristin Harmel

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

 
ISBN: 9781797123820

 

Thoughts:  A fictional tale of survival during the Holocaust with a hint of magical realism.

 

Rating: 4/5

15 Minutes

 

Title: 15 Minutes

Author: Lairssa Reinhart

Publisher: Past Perfect

 
ISBN: n/a

 

Thoughts: The mystery was solid, but some of Maisie's interrogation choices just did not seem logical.

 

Rating: 3/5

Goldilocks: Wanted Dead or Alive

 

Title: Goldilocks: Wanted Dead or Alice

Author: Chris Colfer and Jon Proctor

Publisher: Little, Brown

 
ISBN: 9780316355933

 

Thoughts: Excellent story, but the facial expressions did not always match the words.

 

Rating: 4/5

Golden Girl

 

Title: Golden Girl

Author: Elin Hilderbrand

Publisher: Little, Brown

 
ISBN: 9781549117374

 

Thoughts: Great beach read with romance, intrigue, and humor.

 

Rating: 4/5

Three Plays

 

Title: Three Plays: Changes of Heart/The Game of Love and Chance/The Triumph of Love

Author: Pierre de Marivaux

Publisher: Smith & Kraus

 
ISBN: 9781575251486

 

Thoughts: These three plays are a nice mix of Restoration and Commedia dell'arte.

 

Rating: 4/5