Books, Books, Books, and a Cat

  There is so much juicy drama in this book and it is all based on real facts!  I have read books about Elizabeth II but I had no idea the extent of the scandal that her uncle and her parents were involved in.  This novel is primarily told from the perspectives of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon married to second son Bertie, and Wallis, an American divorcée, who is involved with Edward David Windsor, heir to the British throne.  Mary the mother of both men also shares insight into the story in a couple of chapters.  Both Elizabeth and Wallis share their stories about how their rivalry began and how it had a huge effect on not only their lives but on England.  This story fascinated me as I really did not know much of it. I honestly felt like I could have been watching a soap opera as it was filled with so many jaw dropping details of what happened between them.  Although I was rooting for Elizabeth because I could relate more to her, I appreciated the backstory on...

  A delightful read that has me ready to pack my bags for a weekend in Maine.  Not only did this book have a wonderful setting but it also features three extremely strong women of all different ages in 1954.   Cynthia is a college student whose scholarship to a prestigious college has run out.  She had high hopes of getting a paid assistant job after writing a research article for her professor for the "American Economic Review."  However she is passed over because it is a man's world and her professor doesn't think it should go to a woman. Cynthia's only hope to stay in college is to get a summer job.  She travels to her wealthy roommate's summer home, hoping that a resort town will provide her with someplace to find work. She ends up finding work at Elizabeth Arden's Maine Chance Resort.  There we also meet Geraldine, a wealthy woman in her 70s who wants to escape her late husband's family who have happened to invite themselves to stay at her ho...

  Would you turn back time knowing you only had one opportunity to do so?  In Once and Again, the Novak women were gifted with a ticket that allows them to undo an event but only once.  Told primarily from the point of view of Lauren, the novel explores how a do over can have the ultimate impact on your life.   Lauren has been married to Leo for 3 years and infertility is taking over her life.  When her husband has a job opportunity in New York, she decides to return home to Malibu for the summer.  Her mother, father and grandmother all live together at their home on the beach.  Lauren has a rocky relationship with her mother but loves cooking with her grandmother and surfing with her dad.  Lauren's ex-boyfriend is also back home and she ends up seeing him often as he is out surfing.  As the story unfolds we learn about the complex relationship of all three women and the impact of their choices. The premise of this novel was really intri...

 From philosophy to romance to politics to mystery, this was a story that grew on me.  At first all of the philosophy talk and Adora's job made the book drag a little for me.  However as I kept reading I was drawn in as I learned about Adora's past and what she went through.  As the book progressed to the end, I did not want to stop reading to find out what was going to happen.  When we first meet Adora she is a philosopher working for a prominent New York City family.  She likes her life and when she meets a man at the ballet things slowly take a turn.  The novel flashes to the past where we learn about  Adora's time as a screen writer.  This is where the book really hooked me.  The book returns to the present where we learn of a possible conspiracy and art theft.  Adora also has the possibility of a new romance on the line.  There were not really chapters in this book but it was written in parts.  I did not mind this sty...

 4.5 Stars- There was so much to love about this novel. From the odd creatures, the quirky characters, the mystery surrounding Green, and the setting in the Catskills Mountains, I did not want this novel to end.  I really hope that there is a follow up novel because I want more to the story.  Green has a near death experience and finds himself drawn to nature.  He leaves everything behind to go to the Catskill Mountains.  Once there he rents a campground plot but really has no idea how to camp. While sleeping in his car the first night he encounters two strange creatures.  He ends up finding out that he has an unusual ability to see cryptids.  He becomes an apprentice to his neighbor who is a cyrptonaturalist and his world is turned upside down.   There was mystery, action, strange animals, and quirky but lovable characters. I enjoyed the fantasy elements and all of the different animals.  There were some interesting twists as well....

  This was such a great story especially if you love cats!  There were so many wonderful little touches that will draw you in.  From the magical oven that bakes pastries at midnight, intelligent characters willing to do whatever it takes to save others, and cats who steal the show; this is a fantastic, wonderful book filled with magic, action, and a little romance.   Agnes is a woman in her 30s who is grieving the loss of her partner and has now dedicated her life to saving cats.  She runs a cat shelter and is desperate to find a new home.  When a shop she can actually affords comes up she jumps at the chance to rent it.  However she finds out that a magician named Havelock is using her shelter as a front so that he stays hidden from the police.  Havelock is a world famous magician who almost ended the world. Agnes would be ok with this until one day another magician shows up and almost destroys her shelter and the cats in her quest to find a...

  This was a fascinating look at the life of Evelyn Talbot, a girl who was raised in poverty to become a Broadway sen sensation in the early 1900s.  Based on a real person, Evelyn has the look that draws everyone in.  As a young girl, Evelyn is spotted and becomes an artist's muse.  She works her way up to model and then actress.  The only problem is that this is a man's world and there are many wealthy men who want to take advantage of Evelyn.  Her mother, who should be looking out for her, really only craves the comfort and security that Evelyn's new found fame has brought.  Evelyn must figure out how to have it all including her freedom. Evelyn's story was captivating and an excellent read for anyone who loves historical fiction or strong females. I loved her intelligence and spirit.  She had so much happen to her in her life and I always love to read about women who can accomplish so much when there is so much against them.  I appreciate ...

  If you have ever been the fat girl then you will completely get Cherry.  Cherry is in her late 30s and has always been overweight. She has accepted it and moved on, embracing her body.  However, her soon to be ex-husband, Tom, has written a popular comic featuring a character based on her that is going to be turned into a movie.  This shouldn't be an issue but it is, because just when Cherry thinks she can move forward with her life this character comes back to haunt her.   It is hard to describe what this book is except by saying that if you have ever been over weight in your life you just get this story.  Cherry was an incredibly relatable character and I felt her struggles and she delved into her past dating life and her current struggles.  This book is not just about her weight but about her relationships. First she needs to figure out if she should give her ex a second chance or forge a new path with a guy she liked in the past.  The b...

  If you love books, you will LOVE this book!  This book is the fantasy of every book lover out there.  A chance to go to a magical library where you can spend time in your favorite books.   Alix was abandoned by her mother and raised in the foster care system.  Now in her twenties, she works several dead end jobs and is about to be homeless.  Her identity has been stolen and she has nowhere to turn to.  Feeling hopeless she takes refuge at the Boston Public library when a door opens for her and she finds herself in the Astral Library.  She meets the Librarian who offers to take her into any book she wants to live for as long as she wants.  This is a dream come true for Alix but before she can decide where to go, danger comes for other patrons of the Astral Library.  Alix decides she wants to help and becomes entangled in an attack on the library.  Alix must help the Librarian save the library before this magical place can be d...