Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

Bookish Quote of the Day!!!

 

Fire Exit by Morgan Talty

 

I recently found the hardback edition of Fire Exit by Morgan Talty at a Little Free Library in Livermore, California last month. 

I've had this desire to read more books written by Native American writers. So, when I saw Fire Exit at the Little Free Library last month, I felt like it was serendipity that I read Fire Exit this month.

I'm not sure what I was really expecting from Fire Exit, but it wasn't this. I liked Fire Exit, but it was a darker read for me. The novel deals with Native American culture and identity, mental health and dementia, alcoholism, and touches upon the lgbtqia+ topic. 

Also, the fact that in order to be considered a Native American, one must have a certain percentage of Native American blood in them. This was a huge topic/storyline in this novel! The protagonist, Charles Lamosway, is the biological father of a girl named, Elizabeth, but he only has one interaction with Elizabeth as a child because Elizabeth's mother, Mary. Mary wants a man named Roger to assume the role of father to Elizabeth, so that Elizabeth can be considered a full member of the Penobscot Tribe as Roger is Native American.

Over the years, it becomes apparent that Charles Lamosway continues to long to be part of Elizabeth's life and regrets not being a part of her life. He wrestles with the idea of whether or not to confront Elizabeth and tell her that he is her biological  father. Charles Lamosway wants Elizabeth to know her true background and cultural identity and not solely what Roger and Mary have told Elizabeth.

Charles Lamosway also deals with alcoholism. Charles Lamosway's friend, Bobby, is an alcoholic too. So this is another topic touched upon in Talty's novel. 

Mental health issues and dementia are also a big part of Fire Exit as Louise (Charles Lamosway's mother) has dementia and he takes care of her. Elizabeth also has mental health issues throughout the novel as well.

Fire Exit deals with so many topics/subjects. I feel like Morgan Talty does a good job combining all of them to make a cohesive novel.

Below is a short YouTube video of Morgan Talty discussing his novel, Fire Exit. I always enjoy hearing authors discussing the inspiration behind what made them write their novels.

Below is the summary for Fire Exit by Morgan Talty, which I found on the Goodreads website:

Does she remember this day? Does she remember it at all? Does she know this history—this story—her body holds secret from her?

From the porch of his home, Charles Lamosway has watched the life he might have had unfold across the river on Maine’s Penobscot Reservation. On the far bank, he caught brief moments of Roger and Mary raising their only child, Elizabeth—from the day she came home from the hospital to her early twenties. But there’s always been something deeper and more dangerous than the river that divides him from this family and the rest of the tribal community. It’s the secret that Elizabeth is his daughter, a secret Charles is no longer willing to keep.

Now it’s been weeks since he’s seen Elizabeth, and Charles is worried. As he attempts to hold on and care for what he his home and property, his alcoholic, quick-tempered and big-hearted friend Bobby, and his mother, Louise, who is slipping ever-deeper into dementia—he becomes increasingly haunted by his past. Forced to confront a lost childhood on the reservation, a love affair cut short, and the death of his beloved stepfather, Fredrick, in a hunting accident—a death that he and Louise cannot agree where to lay the blame—Charles contends with questions he’s long been afraid to ask. Is it his secret to share? And would his daughter want to know the truth?

From award-winning author of Night of the Living Rez, Morgan Talty’s debut novel, Fire Exit, is a masterful and unforgettable story of family, legacy, bloodlines, culture and inheritance, and what, if anything, we owe one another.

I am giving Fire Exit by Morgan Talty a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

At the start of this month, I was given a strong recommendation to read Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy from a former college professor of mine with whom I'm still in touch with decades after I graduated from college. It just so happens that my former college professor, Bill, is also an avid reader, like myself. We discuss the books we read with each other when we speak periodically on the phone. 

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy happens to be one of Bill's favorite reads this year. With that kind of recommendation, how could I resist reading this novel? I should also add that we have similar taste when it comes to reading books. So, I had no doubt that I'd enjoy reading this novel.

I immediately downloaded the unabridged audio version of Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy to my iPad and began listening to it cold... Meaning that I didn't even bother learning what the book was about before I began reading it. I simply wanted to be surprised by the storyline and plot development as it unfolded over time. 

All I can say is that Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy is magnificent!! In fact, I think it may be my favorite novel read in 2025... The Seas by Samantha Hunt and Pet by Akwaeke Emezi are very close runner ups for favorite novels read this year... And, I haven't even mentioned my favorite nonfiction books read this year!!

Okay, so where to begin? The very first chapter for Wild Dark Shore, which is very short, grabs your attention in a big way! I wanted to know what the heck was going on after reading the first chapter and where this novel was leading readers.

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy has so much going for it. The writing is wonderful! I loved the characters, along with the character and plot development for this novel. The pacing was great for this novel. 

Additionally, there are so many layers to Wild Dark Shore. I loved the amount of depth there is to this novel. It touches upon climate change, nature, family dynamics, love, and isolation. There's plenty of mystery, intrigue, and enough plot twists and turns leaving you wanting to read more. In other words, it's a real page turner. 

I'd say that Wild Dark Shore falls equally into both the climate fiction and the thriller/mystery genres. I am not going into the plot synopsis here in my review. Read the publisher's summary below if you want to know more.

Also, if you're into audiobooks, then I highly recommend the audio version for Wild Dark Shore as it is read by multiple narrators and they do a terrific job.

Below is the publisher's summary for Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy from Chirps's website:

A family on a remote island. A mysterious woman washed ashore. A rising storm on the horizon.

Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. Home to the world’s largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers, but with sea levels rising, the Salts are now its final inhabitants. Until, during the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman mysteriously washes ashore.

Isolation has taken its toll on the Salts, but as they nurse the woman, Rowan, back to strength, it begins to feel like she might just be what they need. Rowan, long accustomed to protecting herself, starts imagining a future where she could belong to someone again.

But Rowan isn’t telling the whole truth about why she set out for Shearwater. And when she discovers sabotaged radios and a freshly dug grave, she realizes Dominic is keeping his own secrets. As the storms on Shearwater gather force, they all must decide if they can trust each other enough to protect the precious seeds in their care before it’s too late―and if they can finally put the tragedies of the past behind them to create something new, together.

A novel of breathtaking twists, dizzying beauty, and ferocious love, Wild Dark Shore is about the impossible choices we make to protect the people we love, even as the world around us disappears.

I am giving Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading! 

Dogland by Tommy Tomlinson

 

I love dogs and I also love watching dog shows when I find the time. With that in mind, I decided to listen to the unabridged audio version of Dogland by Tommy Tomlinson, which is a nonfiction book about dogs and dog shows like the Westminster Dog Show here in the USA. Also worth noting, Jonathan Davis does a wonderful job narrating Dogland.

I learned a lot about dogs from reading Dogland. Everything from selective breeding to the fact that even dogs can get STIs like brucellosis (a bacterial infection)! If you love learning about dogs and their history in and out of the show ring, then you may enjoy reading this book as much as I did. I also liked that this book discusses whether dogs are happy or not. Plus, there's even a discussion on the difference between show dogs and pet dogs.

Below is the publisher's summary for Dogland by Tommy Tomlinson found on the Goodreads website:

From Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of The Elephant in the Room comes the first inside account of the Westminster Dog Show—America’s oldest and most beloved dog show—following one dog on his quest to become a champion.

Tommy Tomlinson was watching a dog show on television a few years ago when he had a sudden thought: Are those dogs happy? How about pet dogs—are they happy, too? Those questions sparked a quest to venture inside the dog-show world, in search of a deeper understanding of the bond between dogs and humans that has endured for thousands of years. Dogland shares his surprising, entertaining, and unforgettable adventures.

Tomlinson spends three years on the road and goes behind the scenes at dozens of dog shows across the country, where he is licked, sniffed, or rubbed up against by dogs of nearly every size, shape, and breed. Like a real-life version of Best in Show, Dogland follows one champion show dog—a Samoyed named Striker—and his devoted entourage of breeders, handlers, and owners as he competes in the Westminster Dog Show, the oldest and most famous dog show in America. Tomlinson brings the dog-show circuit to life as he witnesses teams scrambling from town to town in search of championship points and colorful ribbons. Along the way, he also speaks to scientists who have discovered new insights into how dogs and people formed their bond—and how that bond has changed over the centuries.

Engaging, charming, and informative, Dogland is an irresistibly appealing read for pop culture followers and animal lovers alike.

I am giving Dogland by Tommy Tomlinson a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin

 

I read Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin thirty years ago for the first time in college for a Russian literature course I'd enrolled. I have a BA in Russian language and taking a elective in the form of a Russian literature was part of earning my degree.

I wasn't a huge fan of this iconic Russian classic at the time. It wasn't that I disliked Eugene Onegin when I first read it. It's just that sometimes when you're required to read something for a college course, it isn't something that one ends up truly enjoying or appreciating at the time.

So, thirty years later I decided to give Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin another look with fresh eyes and a new perspective. Maybe, I thought to myself, I'd enjoy this novel more now than in my twenties.

What did I love about Eugene Onegin? It's entirely written in verse (aka poetry), which I found to be unique. Eugene Onegin covers the topics of love, regret, and the consequences of neglecting what truly matters.

Alexander Pushkin is widely considered to be Russia's greatest writer and also the founder of modern Russian literature. I also learned from Google that Alexander Pushkin is often compared to William Shakespeare. Pushkin mastered multiple genres.

Although, I enjoyed listening to the unabridged audio version of Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin, I wouldn't say I loved this Russian classic novel. I'm not sure if it was due to the translation itself, as translating a novel in verse is difficult to do I would imagine. Or if it's simply due to the fact that a novel in verse isn't my thing.

Below is the summary for Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin from Chirp's website:

In this timeless Russian classic, the charismatic but aloof Eugene Onegin rejects love, friendship, and opportunity in favor of cynicism and self-isolation. When he returns to his rural estate, he crosses paths with the idealistic Tatyana, who falls deeply in love with him. But Onegin’s cold dismissal of her leads to a tragic sequence of events that changes all their lives. With sharp wit and vivid characters, Eugene Onegin is a rich exploration of love, regret, and the consequences of neglecting what truly matters.

I am giving Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading! 

The Master of the World by Jules Verne

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Master of the World by Jules Verne and it is well narrated by Matthew Lloyd Davies.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was the first novel by Jules Verne I'd ever read. I loved it so much that I've read it at least twice! I've also read The Mysterious Island and Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne. 

I recently learned about The Master of the World by Jules Verne, which was first published in 1904 and one of Jules Verne's last works. I decided to give it a try as it sounded intriguing and it is set in the USA. 

Honestly, I was truly hoping to love The Master of the World as much as I had enjoyed reading the three previous novels I'd read by Jules Verne. However, The Master of the World was a bit formulaic in that it was too much like Verne's other novels. The only difference to me were the specific details to fit the storyline and move the plot along. 

The Master of the World also fell flat in terms of capturing and holding my interest. It wasn't that the writing or storyline were awful or anything like that for The Master of the World... It just didn't live up to Verne's other works I'd previously read.

The following is the publisher's summary for The Master of the World by Jules Verne from Chirp's website:

One of Jules Verne’s final books, The Master of the World, which was released in 1904, is a science fiction classic. The novel was written as Verne’s health was deteriorating. The Master of the World is a “dark novel,” full of dread and anxiety about the emergence of totalitarianism and tyrants, embodied by the novel’s antagonist, Robur.

I am giving The Master of the World by Jules Verne 3 stars out of 5 stars. This is my fourth read of September 2025.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Blubber by Judy Blume

 

I enjoyed listening to Blubber by Judy Blume, which is well read by Halley Feiffer!! This is the sixth novel I've read by Judy Blume. I don't ever recall reading any of her novels as a youngster, so I guess you could say I am making up for lost time by reading them now.

The major theme of Blubber is bullying in elementary school. Great topic to write about and shed light on as who hasn't either been a victim of bullying, been a bully themselves, or witnessed bullying while attending the K-12 system? I think Blubber looks at the situation of bullying from different angles and can help facilitate discussion on the subject.

Although, I like Blubber and feel that it offers a lot to ponder, it isn't my favorite novel written by Judy Blume.

I also learned after a Google search that Blubber by Judy Blume was a banned/challenged due to racial slurs and also the "focus on unpunished or seemingly unpunished bullying behavior."

Below is the publisher's summary for Blubber by Judy Blume from Chirp's website:

Blubber is a good name for her, the note from Wendy says about Linda. Jill crumples it up and leaves it on the corner of her desk. She doesn’t want to think about Linda or her dumb report on the whale just now. Jill wants to think about Halloween.

But Robby grabs the note, and before Linda stops talking it has gone halfway around the room.

That’s where it all starts. There’s something about Linda that makes a lot of kids in her fifth-grade class want to see how far they can go – but nobody, least of all Jill, expects the fun to end where it does.

I am giving Blubber by Judy Blume a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until next time, happy reading!!

Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell, which was narrated by Xe Sands. 

Secondhand Spirits is the first novel in the 'Witchcraft' cozy mystery series and Juliet Blackwell is a new to me author. I love cozy mystery novels and Secondhand Spirits was a delight!! I loved that this novel is set in the San Francisco Bay Area as I live the San Francisco East Bay. I enjoyed hearing local details featured in this cozy mystery novel.

The writing was really good. I liked the pacing of this novel, the characters, the storyline, and more. The only major complaint I have is the narration for this book... This is the fourth novel I've listened to that has been narrated by Xe Sands. I've either loved the way Ms. Sands has narrated the book I've listened to OR the narration has been a complete bust. I simply wasn't fond of the way this book was narrated.

Below is the publisher's summary for Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell, which I discovered on the author's website:

Lily Ivory is not your average witch. Her spell-casting powers tend to draw mischievous spirits while keeping normal humans at a distance. But now her vintage clothing store could give her a chance to make friends in San Francisco….

Lily hopes for a normal life when she opens Aunt Cora’s Closet. With her magical knack for vintage fashion—she can sense vibrations of the past from clothing and jewelry—her store becomes a big hit.

But when a client is murdered and children start disappearing from the Bay Area, Lily may be the only one who can unravel the crime. She tries to keep her identity a secret while investigating, but it’s not easy—especially under the spells of sexy “mythbuster” Max Carmichael and powerful witch Aidan Rhodes. Will Lily’s witchy ways be forced out of the closet?

I look forward to reading other novels from the 'Witchcraft' cozy mystery series.

I am giving Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Menopause Confidential by Tara Allmen, MD

 

In my quest to learn more about menopause, I chose to listen to the unabridged audio version of Menopause Confidential by Tara Allmen, MD, which is well narrated by the author.

Dr. Tara Allmen MD gives women a very comprehensive look at perimenopause and menopause as well as other women's health issues/tests one can/should expect in midlife and beyond. Topics like colonoscopies and the latest information on pap smears and pelvic exams, mammograms, ultrasounds, and so on, that added more value and understanding when it comes to aging when women hit midlife and beyond. The primary focus, of course, for this book is perimenopause and menopause.

I loved the wide variety of topics discussed in Menopause Confidential by the author and the chapters that focused on specific topics that I felt were pertinent for a better understanding of women's health as I move forward from middle age into old age. 

I also loved that Dr. Tara Allmen MD read her own book! She made listening to her book so much fun. I found myself enjoying the knowledge she shared in her book about women's health to be less scary or intimidating. Menopause is sort of a scary topic if you ask me. The author made her book about menopause extremely accessible to the average reader (nothing overly scientific or complicated) and also a very engaging read. 

I was also very pleased that Dr. Tara Allmen MD discussed bioidentical hormones in one of her chapters!!

Although, I enjoyed Menopause Confidential by Tara Allmen, MD even more than Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause by Naomi Watts, I still felt that it wasn't a perfect read. It was originally published back in September 2016. Although, I felt like it contained relevant information, I'm sure there is the possibly that there's newer information out there regarding perimenopause and menopause. 

Also, Menopause Confidential does elude to the fact that there isn't a one size fits all solution for treating perimenopause and menopause. The same is also eluded to in Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause by Naomi Watts as well. So, there seems to be a bit of trial and error in finding what best works for you in terms of treating both perimenopause and menopause. However, with that said, I feel like there are more detailed treatment options given in Menopause Confidential for one to explore and discuss with their medical doctor.

Watch the following book trailer for Menopause Confidential... It's short, to the point, and features the author talking about her book!!

Below is the publisher's summary for Menopause Confidential by Tara Allmen, MD from Chirp's website:

An authoritative guide to understanding and navigating the hormonal changes and health issues women experience in midlife and beyond, from one of the leading medical experts in the field.

The physical changes that occur after women turn forty are unavoidable—and can be unnerving. Menopause affects every aspect of life—from sex and sleep to mood and mental clarity to weight and body temperature. While there are a number of resources available, many are confusing and contradictory. Now, Manhattan gynecologist Dr. Tara Allmen, an experienced, nationally board-certified menopause practitioner and the recipient of the 2015 Doctor’s Choice National Award for Obstetrics & Gynecology, shares her knowledge to help women be their happiest and healthiest, and turn this challenging time into an exciting one. 

Written in her effervescent yet assured voice, Menopause Confidential provides simple strategies and cutting-edge information on:

• hormonal changes and the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause;
• the health risks associated with midlife—from cutting through the conflicting opinions and advice about health screenings (Do I really need a colonoscopy? How often should I get a mammogram?) to common medical conditions, such as osteoporosis;
• various remedies, both allopathic and natural, to combat symptoms and empower women to make the best choices for their individual needs;
• practical tips and resources for mitigating the effects of menopause.

Fifty-one-year-old Dr. Allmen knows firsthand what women are going through, and shares stories of her own personal travails and solutions. Women can’t turn back the clock, but they can take control of their health and flourish in midlife. Menopause Confidential encourages them to be informed, be proactive, and be their greatest selves.

I am giving Menopause Confidential by Tara Allmen, MD a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Six In Six 2025

I learned about Six In Six from both Marianne @ Let's Read and also from Yvonne @ It's All About Books.

I've since learned that Jo @ The Book Jotter created Six In Six. Jo created 52 bookish related categories from which book bloggers select six of the categories that most resonate with them and then share six books/authors that belong into the categories they've chosen. All six books/authors selected must be ones that were read during the first half of the current year. See the official rules here.

Six new authors to me

1. Samantha Hunt

2. Marie Benedict

3. Colin Higgins

4. Patti Callahan Henry

5. Lois Murphy

6. Erle Stanley Gardner

Six authors I have read before

1. Willa Cather

2. John Steinbeck

3. Jessica Hagedorn

4. Harper Lin

5. Richard Matheson

6. Joshilyn Jackson

Six audiobooks I’ve listened to

1. Colorful by Eto Mori

2. The Seas by Samantha Hunter

3. TheSacrifice by Rin Chupeco

4.Aphrodite's Island by Hilary Green

5. 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

6. Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters

Six from the non-fiction shelf

1. Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron

2. Trust Your Intuition by Jill Sylvester LMHC

3. Botanical Curses and Poisons Fez Inkwright

4. The Oswalds: An Untold Account of Marina and Lee by Paul R. Gregory

5. Millionaire Mission by Brian Preston

6. Stealing the Show: A History of Art and Crime in Six Thefts by John Barell

Six books recently added to my wishlist

1. Talulla Rising by Glen Duncan

2. By Blood We Live by Glen Duncan

3. I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan

4. Butcher by Joyce Carol Oates

5. These Things That Walk Behind Me by David Surface

6. Every Day Is A Gift by Tammy Duckworth

Six authors I read last year – but not so far this year

1. Gary D. Schmidt

2. Paul A. Offit MD

3. Jeff Strand

4. Martha Wells

5. Peter Straub

6. David Morrell

So, are you willing to create your own Six I Six post?

Consider yourself tagged if this kind of post you like

to create!!

2025 Half Yearly Reading Update!!

 

So far 2025 has been a fun year of reading!! I've listened to audiobooks exclusively this year vs reading physical books or ebooks. 

I've listened to a total of 40 books since the start of 2025. I've discovered plenty of new to me authors and explored a wide array of both fiction and nonfiction along the way.

My favorite fiction books to date include:

1. The Seas by Samantha Hunt
2. The Case of the Velvet Claws by Erle Stanley Gardner

3. Aphrodite's Island by Hilary Green

My favorite nonfiction books to date include: 

1. Botanical Curses and Poisons: The Shadow-Lives of Plants by Fez Inkwright
2. Millionaire Mission by Brian Preston
3. Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron

4. Trust Your Intuition by Jill Sylvester LMHC

Which books have been your favorite reads so far in 2025?

Audiobook Burnout

 

I never thought I'd see the day where I'd be writing a post stating that I currently have burnout from listening to audiobooks! 

I love listening to audiobooks and have been listening to audiobooks for more than a decade now. However, in recent years I've relied more heavily on listening to audiobooks vs. reading books due to an ongoing eye/visual issues, which have fluctuated in my left eye since November 2022. Because of my ongoing left eye issues, audiobooks have been a way for me to continue devouring books uninterrupted, avoid eye strain/fatigue, and so on. Without audiobooks, I'd probably be reading far less than I currently do and not writing or posting many book reviews throughout the year.

This year alone, I've exclusively listened to audiobooks. In other words, I haven't read a single book in 2025, which seems kinda of strange to write. I don't there's been a time in the past where I've exclusively listened to books and not read any books. At any rate, I've listened to 40 audiobooks to date. Also, in recent years, I've listened to more audiobooks and read less books as a trend.

I started noticing burnout from listening to audiobooks beginning last month. Audiobooks just weren't and still aren't holding my attention as much as they use to in the past. At times, I'd find my mind wandering instead of focusing on the content of the book despite the fact that the book was a good one.

Maybe it's simply time to take a break from audiobooks and return to reading books again. I'm thinking of sticking with ebooks on my Kindle app for the time being, so that I may adjust the font size to best suit my visual needs. Plus, read a few physical books here and there too.

I doubt I'll quit listening to audiobooks altogether. I simply plan to mix things up a bit for more variety and mental stimulation. Reading vs. listening are two different skills altogether and require a different focus.

How do you feel about audiobooks? Do you like listening to audiobooks or do you prefer reading books exclusively?

Audiobooks and How Accessibility Sparked A Revolution!

 

Here's a quick history of the audiobook! Watch the above video I discovered on YouTube.

Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins

I finished listening to the unabridged audio version of Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins, which is nicely narrated by Amy Rubinate. Miss Mayhem is the second novel in the 'Rebel Belle' trilogy.

For me, Amy Rubinate's narration of Miss Mayhem may be the best part of this young adult novel. The first chapter is essentially a recap of the happenings from the first novel, which is fine. However, Miss Mayhem is on the slow side for me personally. Plus, the plot details and storyline are not interesting enough to make Miss Mayhem an engaging read. I wasn't excited enough to care about what happens with the characters or the storyline. Some of the plot details and teenage angst seemed way to dramatic and superficial for me. The last few chapters were the best part of Miss Mayhem because the storyline finally picked up a bit. Overall, I found Miss Mayhem boring and disappointing.

I've finished listening to the first chapter of Lady Renegades (third book in the 'Rebel Belle' trilogy) by Rachel Hawkins. I do not have high hopes for this novel, but I am hoping to see some resolution by the end of it.

Below is the publisher's summary for Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins I discovered on Chirp's website:

Life is almost back to normal for Harper Price. The Ephors have been silent after their deadly attack at Cotillion months ago, and best friend Bee has returned after a mysterious disappearance. Now Harper can return her focus to the important things in life: school, canoodling with David, her nemesis-turned-ward-slash-boyfie, and even competing in the Miss Pine Grove pageant. Unfortunately, supernatural chores are never done. The Ephors have decided they’d rather train David than kill him. The catch: Harper has to come along for the ride, but she can’t stay David’s Paladin unless she undergoes an ancient trial that will either kill her…or make her more powerful than ever.

I'm giving Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

 

I've had Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins on my reading wishlist since like 2014 when it was first published. Rebel Belle is the first novel in a young adult fantasy trilogy. Eventually, I ended up adding the unabridged audio version of Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins and the subsequent novels in the trilogy to my 'to be read' pile about two years ago. Rebel Belle is nicely narrated by Amy Rubinate.

I've decided that 2025 has become the year I start and finish the entire Rebel Belle trilogy. I finished listening to Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins on Easter morning and started listening to Miss Mayhem (book two of the Rebel Belle trilogy) by Rachel Hawkins later that same day.

Let's begin by stating that I had high hopes for Rebel Belle based on the publisher's summary and the hype/reviews for this novel by other readers. I will also state here and now that I wasn't as enamored with this novel as I'd hope I would be when all was said and done. If I had not purchased the follow up novels to Rebel Belle, I'd have skipped reading them altogether.

I generally like young adult books. I also find the fantasy genre can be fun and entertaining. The plot is interesting for Rebel Belle and the fantasy aspect was fine overall. The main character for Rebel Belle, Harper Price, is a high school student who has everything going for her... Harper is head cheerleader, class president, homecoming queen, popular with almost the entire student body, involved in many social activities including cotillion, an excellent student, and dating the popular jock. Harper is an overachiever and almost too perfect, in my opinion. Essentially, Harper's life is a cliche.

At the start of Rebel Belle, Harper is attending prom night with her boyfriend, and is about to be crowned homecoming queen. Harper goes to the ladies room to reapply lip gloss just before the crowing happens, when she comes across a scene so unlikely to happen. Harper is turned into a paladin, a sort of knight with special abilities and strength, and she will have to protect an oracle, someone with psychic abilities. This event drastically changes Harper's life in more ways than she can even imagine. Throughout Rebel Belle, Harper learns about her special powers as a paladin, what they mean, how to use them, who the oracle is, and a host of other things.

I was less then impressed with the overall execution of Rebel Belle. I felt it was slow in parts. Certain scenes could have played out differently for more entertaining reading. 

Additionally, I was annoyed by the fact that Harper, and the rest of her high school friends with boyfriends, all assume that they will marry their high school sweethearts and live happily ever after. Really??? This book was published in 2014. I'd have thought the idea of marrying one's first love in high school would not have been a topic or at least one that was not emphasized so much in this novel. Maybe it's just me? I don't know.

Below is the publisher's summary for Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins from Chirp's website:

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper’s destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts. Just when life can’t get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she’s charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper’s least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him - and discovers that David’s own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

I am giving Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins a rating of 2.5 stars out of 5 stars. 

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Earthbound by Richard Matheson

 

I have read and reviewed four previous works written by Richard Matheson here on my book blog. I've enjoyed the four previous books I've read by Richard Matheson. I eagerly looked forward to reading more books written by Richard Matheson.

I decided on listening to the unabridged audio version of Earthbound by Richard Matheson and narrated by Bronson Pinchot as it had been on sale through Chirp Audiobooks website. Earthbound's plot/storyline sounded intriguing enough to warrant my interest, BUT I found Earthbound to be the BIGGEST FLOP ever!! 

In hindsight, I wished I had DNF'd Earthbound after the first couple of chapters. However, I kept reading Earthbound because I'd enjoyed reading Richard Matheson's other books and figured that Earthbound had to get better. Earthbound did pick up and grow somewhat better the second half of the novel, but not enough to warrant a higher rating.

Earthbound is billed as an erotic, ghost story. The plot centers around a married couple taking a second honeymoon in an attempt to rejuvenate their failing marriage. Things fail fast from the very beginning in every way possible. The writing is so painfully, slow and boring. The storyline is repetitious in parts. I found the couple's interactions unrealistic... neither one of them speaks their mind or communicates very well with each other and the husband, David, is quick to anger over stupid stuff. The last half of Earthbound does pick up and grows a tad more interesting when the ghost begins to inhabit Ellen's (David's wife) body, but overall Earthbound is a major dud. Spare yourself!! Skip reading Earthbound.

Below is the publisher's summary for Earthbound, which I discovered on Amazon's website:

A ghost story from the celebrated author of Hell House and I Am Legend, featuring a succubus homewrecker preying upon a troubled marriage.

In 1982, before Matheson had fully achieved the cult-and-grandmaster status that he has today, Playboy Press published a version of his erotic ghost story that was so severely edited that Matheson took his name off the book and instead published it under the name Logan Swanson.

In this restored version of the original manuscript, David and Ellen Cooper’s twenty-one-year-old marriage is nearing the rocks, so they decide to leave Los Angeles for a honeymoon and go to Long Island. Soon after they arrive at their beach cottage, a strange woman, Marianna, appears to David, and he is immediately entranced.

Matheson adeptly explores David’s growing fear and guilt, which becomes intensified after he and Marianna make love in a secret room in the house. Although Marianna is portrayed as an “earthbound spirit” (a ghost who rejects the afterlife, appears real to all senses, believes she is alive, and through psychic attack, sucks life from the living) she’s really more or less a succubus, gussied up in Casper the friendly ghost clothing. With each graphically detailed sexual rendezvous, Marianna pushes David to deeper levels of obsession, loss of will and irrationality. The story reaches an even higher pitch as the evil ghost begins to threaten Ellen, injecting some excellent suspense into unabashed pathos and outright titillation.

I am giving Earthbound by Richard Matheson a rating of 1 star out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

The Mermaids Singing by Lisa Carey

 

I've had The Mermaids Singing by Lisa Carey for ages in my 'to be read' pile!! I actually listened to the abridged audio version of this novel, which was very well narrated by Jan Maxwell.

Listening time for The Mermaids Singing by Lisa Carey is 2 hours, 42 minutes. So, a very quick read indeed!

The Mermaids Singing is the author's debut novel. For a debut novel, I truly enjoyed this novel. I only wish that The Mermaids Singing was unabridged vs being the abridged audio version.

The novel is set in both Boston, Massachusetts and Ireland. The focus is on three generations of Irish-American women and their complicated relationship. I loved the writing, the storytelling, and the characters. I will definitely seek out another one of Lisa Carey's novels to read in the future.

The Mermaids Singing by Lisa Carey is my 14th read of 2025!!

The following is the publisher's summary for The Mermaids Singing by Lisa Carey I discovered on Chirp's website:

There is an island off the west coast of Ireland called Inis Muruch the Island of the Mermaids a world where myth is more powerful than truth, where the sea sings with the healing and haunting voices of women, and where death is never as strong as the redemptive power of family and love. It is here that Lisa Carey sets her lyrical and sensual first novel, weaving together the voices and lives of three generations of Irish-American women.

Years ago, Cliona strong, proud, and practical sailed for Boston, determined to one day come home. But when the time came to return to Inis Muruch, her daughter Grace fierce, beautiful, and brazenly sexual resented her mother’s isolated, unfamiliar world. Though entranced by the sea and its healing powers, Grace became desperate to escape the confines of the island, one day stealing away with her small daughter, Grainne.

Now Grainne, motherless at fifteen after Grace’s death from breast cancer is about to be taken back across the ocean by Cliona, repeating the journey her mother was forced to make years before. She goes to meet a father she has never known, her heart pulled between a life where she no longer belongs to a family she cannot remember. On the rocky shores of Inis Muruch, she waits for her father, and begins to discover her own sexual identity even as she struggles to understand the forces that have torn her family apart.

In her first novel, Lisa Carey has crafted voices so real and passionate that they resonate within the listener long after the last words are heard.

I am giving The Mermaids Singing by Lisa Carey a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Blood & Ivy by Paul Collins

 

I enjoy reading nonfiction books quite a bit. So, when I read the publisher's summary for Blood & Ivy by Paul Collins, I couldn't resist checking it out. I ended up listening to the unabridged audio version of Blood & Ivy by Paul Collins, which is narrated by Kevin Kenerly.

Although, Blood & Ivy by Paul Collins is very detailed in relaying the "delectable true-crime story of scandal and murder at America’s most celebrated university", I found it to be a bit dry in parts. So, dry in fact, that I found myself tuning out in parts and only half listening to the narrator at times. Also, Kevin Kenerly is a good narrator, but he could have slowed his pace down a tad for a smoother listen, which would allow the listener to absorbed more of the information easily.

Below is the publisher's summary for Blood & Ivy by Paul Collins discovered on Chirp's website:

A delectable true-crime story of scandal and murder at America’s most celebrated university.

On November 23, 1849, in the heart of Boston, one of the city’s richest men vanished. Dr. George Parkman, a Brahmin who owned much of Boston’s West End, was last seen that afternoon visiting his alma mater, Harvard Medical School. Police scoured city tenements and the harbor―some leads put Parkman at sea or in Manhattan―but a Harvard janitor held a much darker suspicion: that their ruthless benefactor had never even left the Medical School building. His shocking discovery engulfed America in one of its most infamous trials, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts vs. John White Webster, Harvard’s professor of chemistry. A baffling case of red herrings, grave robbing, and dismemberment, it became a landmark in the use of medical forensics. Rich in characters and atmosphere, Blood & Ivy explores the fatal entanglement of new science and old money in one of America’s greatest murder mysteries.

I am giving Blood & Ivy by Paul Collins a rating 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Do You Like Listening to Authors Narrate Their Own Books?

As many of my longtime blog followers already know, I love listening to audiobooks! 

I love listening to audiobooks for a variety of reasons. Audiobooks are great to listen to while commuting medium distances or during longer trips too. I enjoy listening to audiobooks while doing other activities like while I'm taking walks alone, eating meals alone, or doing other simple activities that do not require a lot of attention. Also, as I've grown older small print is more difficult to read due to aging eyes even with progressive lenses in my prescription eyeglasses... Additionally, I have an ongoing issue in my left eye that causes some issues occasionally in terms being able to read clearly. 

So, audiobooks have become my 'go to' way of reading these days the majority of the time. It just makes life easier and I've also come to enjoy the audiobook format immensely. In fact, everything I've read this year (so far!!) has been in audiobook format. I've listened to 12 books this year already.

Narrators are one of the key factors that make for a great experience when it comes to listening to audiobooks. There are some great narrators out there whom I love listening to when it comes to audiobooks. But today, I'm not going to focus on the topic of professional audiobook narrators. Instead, I am going to focus on authors whom have chosen to narrate their own books. 

Personally, I've discovered that not all authors make good narrators! However, I have had some great experiences with listening to authors narrator their own books. 

Below is a shortlist of audiobooks I've listened to over the years that have been well narrated by the author themselves. I am sure there are many other audiobooks narrated by the authors themselves I've enjoyed, but decided to stick with a shorter list of books vs a longer list of books!

The Seas by Samantha Hunt

Born A Crime by Trevor Noah

The Sentence by Louise Erdrich

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich

An American Sunrise by Joy Harjo

The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson

The Story of English in 100 Words by David Crystal

Chasing the Sun: How the Science of Sunlight Shapes Our Bodies and Minds by Linda Geddes

Fascism: A Warning by Madeleine Albright

The Professor & the Madman by Simon Winchester

Share with me in the comment section which audiobooks narrated by the author have you enjoyed listening too!!