A Curious Beginning

Book 45 in 2020.

“A Curious Beginning ” by Deanna Rayburn.

I was on the hunt for a new series. It has been a while since I found one that have made me want to continue with it. I almost put this down around page seventy five. It was moving a bit slow for me. I persevered, and in the end was so glad I did.

Veronica Speedwell has no family left. Her spinster Aunts who raised her have both passed. She is fiercely independent, well as much as a woman in the 1880’s can be. Getting ready to start a new expedition, continuing with her accomplished travels as an lepidopterist (someone who studies butterflies) her humble cottage is ransacked and she finds herself fighting off the intruder. Suddenly appears a man to aid her in her escape. He fears her life may be in danger , but is very cryptic about why and who he is. She travels with him to London despite her concerns, because he bought her train ticket which saved her money, and embarked on a completely different adventure, far removed from butterflies.

I thought this was great, after I got through a bit of a long beginning. Which I understand was necessary to set up where the reader needed to go. I have already ordered book two from the library and we will see if it moves a little faster. Loved the characters, story and wit. Overall afterthought, more please.

What If It’s True?

Book 44 in 2020.

“What If It’s True?” by Charles Martin.

When I started this I thought it was going to be more of Charles Martin’s fictional accounts of Jesus and the people he met in the Bible. As I read though it was more of Charles’s journey with Jesus in his life. The things he has learned through his study of scripture and experiences.

With all that is going on in the world, I was brought to tears several times during this read. Just the basic reminder of who God is and his love for me was powerful. I needed this more than I thought. I am a Bible reader and do little studies all the time. Charles Martin was able to remind me of exactly what I needed to hear. Jesus Christ is Lord over all. Overall afterthought, amen and amen!

The World That We Knew

Book 43 in 2020.

“The World That We Knew” by Alice Hoffman.

Alice Hoffman is an amazing story teller. I have read quite a few of her books. Some I loved, some I could not finish. This fell into the category of one I loved. It was up there with her book “The Dove Keepers”, which I absolutely loved. Both are about the Jewish people, their faith and mysticism.

This book takes place during WWII, which is my favorite genre of historical fiction. Naturally then, there is a lot of hard, sad things to read about. Families being torn apart, the loss of innocence, fighting for what you believe is right, coming of age in times of utter turmoil, are not easy topics. Yet, her writing flows effortlessly, leaving you not wanting to put the book down. Overall afterthought, intriguing, infuriating, and interesting.

If I Never Met You

Book 42 in 2020.

“If I Never Met You” by Mhairi McFarlane.

Why. Why I have never read anything of Mhairi McFarlane’s before? I have already requested another book of hers from the library. I really enjoyed her writing. There was a bit of language, but no “too much info” love scenes that I needed to skip over. Win.

The Breakdown:

– Woman has eighteen year relationship with man she works with

– Said man leaves her for another woman

– New man at work, known player, needs steady girlfriend in order to impress boss

– Woman agrees to “pretend” to be in a relationship with him to make ex jealous

– Will known player and the woman actually be able to pull it off without having real feelings?

This was not as funny as I thought it was going to be. Since it is listed as a romantic comedy. There was much more drama, than silliness. However, I still enjoyed the story, and loved the main character. Overall afterthought, good read.

I’ve Got Your Number

Book 41 in 2020.

“I’ve Got Your Number” by Sophie Kinsella.

Whew. I have been reading some heavy stuff lately. Plus, the world is stinking crazy right now. Drama. Everywhere. I needed a nice, cute, chick lit story. This was exactly what I was looking for.

After Poppy lost her priceless engagement ring at a hotel event, her cellphone was stolen right out of her hand in the parking lot. Walking away she found one laying on the top of a trash can. How convenient! She started using it and discovered it was from a Personal Assistant of a man named Sam. She gave the hotel management her new number in case her ring was found. She was reluctant to give the phone back to Sam when he called and found out his PA had quit. She needed to hotel to contact her. So began their strange, work/business/friendship/shared phone relationship.

Sort of a silly idea. But really cute. I even laughed out loud a couple times. There was a bit of language, but other than that very clean. Overall afterthought, I love a good love story.

Killing the SS

Book 40 in 2020.

“Killing the SS” by Bill O’Reilly & Martin Dugard.

This was quite an interesting read. I love history, and WWII. There was so much information in here, it was almost overwhelming. I learned a ton that I did not know about post war times. It was a lot more hunting than actually “killing” of the SS. Which was so disappointing! I wanted them to all be caught and not be able to get away with the atrocious crimes they willingly committed. And what the crap Argentinian government?!? Ugh.

What a dark and ugly time in history. What dark, ugly, sick and relentless murderers. War is horrific. It was then, it is now. In a perfect world, all of the bad guys should get caught and punished accordingly. Sadly, that is not how it always goes. Overall afterthought, intense.

Girl in Translation

Book 39 in 2020.

“Girl in Translation” by Jean Kwok.

I am not really a fan of “coming of age” stories. I guess I read them but they are not usually my first choice. However, this, once I started kept me wanting to read more. I love rooting for the underdog. I love endurance of the human spirit. I want the “good guys” to win.

Kimberly Chang and her mother emigrate from Hong Kong to Brooklyn, New York in the 1980’s. She is around eight years old, but quickly becomes older as she as to help her mother by translating. She was a very bright and gifted student in China. Here there are so many more challenges to overcome.

The rest of the story goes through Kimberly’s life through young adulthood. Her journey, her failures, and her triumphs. Even though this had some great elements, and I enjoyed it, I really need to find some more light hearted books. Whew. This was some heavy stuff. Good, but heavy. Overall afterthought, interesting.

The Giver of the Stars

Book 38 in 2020.

“The Giver of the Stars” by Jojo Moyes.

I absolutely loved this book. I thought it was such a great story. However it seems to go along with my recent reads of sad, tough, stories.

Highlights that I feel made this great:

• main characters are librarians

• took place in 1937 (aka my fav genre: historical fiction)

• based on an actual library in the hills of Kentucky

• tough, hardcore lady folk

• a couple different loved stories mixed in

Awe, yay for good stinkin reading. I could not put this down. Overall afterthought, social distant high five.