The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

2.5/5. I enjoyed the beginning this book but then the characters' actions and thoughts became so frustrating. You know how the book is going to end five minutes into the book, but the path it took to get there was disappointing. It'd been long time since I'd read a "sexy" book. That started out fun, but then it too got old. 

Meanwhile, this is only the second book I've read this year.  Usually by now I would've read ten or more, but with this pandemic going on, I'm having a hard time concentrating and focusing on anything. I picked up this book based on a review I saw on Instragram.  It sounded like the kind of thing that might get me out of my reading rut.  It was a quick read, and I guess it did get me out of the rut because I've moved on to another book.  I just wish it'd been a more enjoyable experience.  

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The Forgiven by Lawrence Osborne

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


2.5 stars.

The book jacket says, "David and Jo Henniger...in search of an escape from their less than happy lives in London, accept an invitation to attend a bacchanal at their old friends' home, deep in the Moroccan desert. But as a groggy David navigates the dark desert roads, two young men spring from the roadside, the car swerves...and one boy is left dead."

The story deals with the aftermath of that accident. It sounds like it should be a page turner, right? Alas, it was not. For me anyway.... Instead, I would read a bit and then put it down and not return to it for several days. I didn't look forward to reading it, yet, was determined to finish to see how it turned out.

It's well written but there is too much detail that didn't seem necessary. The story deals with (really) unpleasant people and morality and probably could have been a really good short story if the author edited himself.

p.s.  I didn't appreciate the author's repeated use of the words, "sluts" and "whores," by all of the characters in the book, including the female characters.  What was that about?!

Do You Mind If I Cancel by Gary Janetti

Do You Mind If I Cancel? by Gary Janetti

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love Gary Janetti's Instagram page and looked forward to more of his humor in this memoir/collection of essays. The humor carries through and I really enjoyed it. I started out listening to the audio book and do not recommend that. Gary is the narrator and I just couldn't stand his monotone cadence. Halfway through, I switched to the Kindle version and realized I much preferred reading his words myself.

Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow

Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators by Ronan Farrow

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Whoa. I don't even know where to start. This was so illuminating and shocking. Ronan's investigative journalism is top notch and this reads like a spy novel. I listened to the audio version and could have done with out the random music interludes and Ronan's attempts at different accents, but still, it was intriguing and so often, I just couldn't believe what I was hearing. I kept thinking about tangled webs. It's crazy how everything is connected among those in power.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


3.5 stars, really. This was an interesting look at therapy and I enjoyed reading about a therapist's own experience with going to a therapist for herself. I was very touched by her sessions with Julie. Thanks to patient/doctor confidentiality requirements, the book says that she got signed permission from patients, masked their identities, and put the characteristics of several different people into one. So, then how real was Julia's storyline? Some parts of the book dragged for me--it's probably a bit longer than it needs to be.

Overall, I enjoyed it, but I didn't LOVE it.

p.s.  For another good look at a therapist talking to a therapist, I recommend Showtime's Couples Therapy.  I'm not sure why people would allow their very personal therapy sessions to be shown on TV, and I often feel like a voyeur watching, but it's really interesting to see the process in progress. 

Make Your Home Among Strangers by Jennine Capo Crucet

Make Your Home Among Strangers by Jennine Capo Crucet

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

This is the story about Lizet Ramirez, and young Cuban-American who leaves Miami to attend a prestigious college in the northeast. During her first semester, a young boy, Arial Hernandez, arrives on the shore of Miami in an inner tube after a harrowing trip from Cuba. (Arial is heavily based on Elián Gonzalez.) At the end of the book is an interview with the author and she describes the book as being "about people landing in places and having no clue who they are as a result." That's a good description.

There are parts of the book I really liked a lot...Lizet's fish-out-of-water story and her troubled relationship with her family. There were other parts that left me a little flat, particular that of Lizet's mother, Lourdes, and her obsession with Arial. I wish the author had delved more into where that was coming from, but then that would probably be a completely different book, wouldn't it? I couldn't relate to Lourdes and was left guessing about her motives.

Of course I'll never forget that photo of young Elián with a military rifle in his face.  But I didn't remember a lot of details about the situation.  I did some googling after I finished the book and saw it was a 5-month ordeal.  There are videos of vigils and protests being held outside the home where Elián was staying, and the author did a great job of describing those scenes in the book. 

Ms. Crucet is a good writer and I look forward to more from her.

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 rounded to 4 stars.

The best words to describe this graphic novel are: "very cute."

I wouldn't even call it a graphic novel--more like a graphic short story. It's a quick read and the art is great. I didn't get a lot of "the feels" with the story like I usually do with Rainbow Rowell's work but this was still an enjoyable read. It would probably be even more enjoyable to read it while sipping hot apple cider in cooler weather.

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It's difficult to put into words how I feel about this book, so I'll start with two cheesy statements--first, believe the hype! It's being called the Most Anticipated Book of 2020, and that is so well deserved. Second, you can judge this book by its cover. Honestly, I think this is the most beautiful cover I've ever seen, and the story inside is equally beautiful. And harrowing, and heartbreaking, and hopeful, and ever-so-timely. It's about a mother and her eight-year-old son who escape to the United States after 16 members of their family are murdered by a cartel. The book details their treacherous journey and helps you understand the utter desperation of people who will risk that trip because their lives at home are even more dangerous. The author's note at the end was also especially poignant. I wish there was a way to make every American read this book. It's so important. Congratulations to Jeanine Cummins for such a wonderful accomplishment.

This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay

This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor by Adam Kay

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book contains the journal entries of a British junior doctor's six-year career in England. It was interesting to read his perspective on England's National Health Service as compared to the American system. Adam Kay worked as an OB/GYN and his writings about all that happens (or could happen) during childbirth confirmed for me that my decision to not have kids was the right one (for me). This book also confirmed that I could never, ever, be doctor. The book is at turns funny, heartbreaking, educational, and cringe-inducing, and I enjoyed it.

Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman by Lindy West

Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman by Lindy West
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars. I read this in anticipation of the Hulu series inspired by it. There are some essays I'd give 5 stars to, and other I didn't like as much, so for me it averaged out to 3.5 stars. She's a great writer and offers many thought-provoking points of view on various topics. The chapters about her exchange with Dan Savage and then her experience with stand-up comedy were most interesting (and troubling and infuriating). I had to admire how she persevered through it all.

I just finished the Hulu series, which I really enjoyed.  There were only six episodes.  The last episode about the troll that she talked to in person was better handled in the book, but it still drove home a point.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read part of this on my Kindle, but listened to most of it on Audible. I enjoyed both formats. The story is told alternately between a psychotherapist, Theo, and his (silent) patient's diary, so his parts are read by a man, and the diary is read by a woman. The writing is great and I don't want to say much more for fear of giving anything away. I look forward to more from this author.

*** POSSIBLE SPOILERS ***

Debbie, if there's any chance you're going to read this book, stop reading now.



Stop.  Stop now, I tell you!



Okay, you've been warned.

Here I go....

I'm glad I didn't read any reviews of this book before I picked it up.  As I read the reviews after the fact, people say things about the "big twist" and the "twists and turns" in the book.  Reading that kind of review, even if it doesn't tell me what the twist is, builds anticipation, so I'm just waiting for "the thing" to happen, and when it does, I'm often disappointed. 

Even though this is called a "psychological thriller," it's really not that.  I was glad to hear an interview with the author at the end of the audiobook where he says other people put that term on the book.  He was surprised by the word "thriller."  He thinks of it as a slow, suspenseful story.  The lady doing the interview points out that there's a real richness to the characters and their lives.  I agree with that.  It's not so much a thriller--there are no jump-out-of-your-seat moments, that I usually associate with thrillers.  Instead, it's more clever and I found myself grinning when all was revealed.  The author said he had Alfred Hitchcock in mind as he was writing it, and I can see that. 

And now a word about potential spoilers.  As you see, I didn't really give away any plot points here.  However,  I've written before about inadvertently spoiling something for my sister, hence my warning to her above. 

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I've had this book on my shelf for at least 10 years but had never read it. This year, I kept seeing Kristin Hannah's name all over the place, because of The Great Alone, and I decided before I delve into that, I should read her book that I already own.

I started off liking Firefly Lane a lot. The story of two girls meeting in 1974 at the age of 14 and becoming best friends resonated with me and reminded me of some of my own childhood friendships. Then through 30 years of their friendship, it just started to drag and become unbelievable and clichéd. I disliked both of the main characters at different points for different reasons and it was difficult to believe they'd still be friends over all those years.

I can definitely understand the comparisons to Beaches, which I enjoyed a whole lot more. (However, I also read that 30 years ago, in my late teens, so maybe I'd feel differently reading it now.)

Nit-picky minor detail: If the girls met at the age of 14 in 1974, then presumably, it'd be approximately 1978 when they graduate high school and then 1982 when they graduate college. There's a scene right before their college graduation where they were listening to the Purple Rain soundtrack. That album didn't come out until 1984. As soon as I read that I was annoyed. And the annoying feeling, unfortunately, never went away as I read the book.

Despite all that, I finished the whole thing and even shed a few tears toward the end. It wasn't the best book I've ever read, but I liked it well enough and it didn't turn me off Kristin Hannah forever.

For what it's worth, I enjoyed the "soundtrack" of the book--the author makes notes of the songs they're listening to and I created a playlist that's fun to listen to.  Here's the playlist.

The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton

The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the true story of Anthony Ray Hinton, an innocent man who spent 30 years on death row. It's so difficult and frustrating to read about how the system was stacked against Ray, and so astounding to read about Ray's perseverance and positive attitude. It should be required reading for every single person.

The Gilded Hour by Sara Donati

The Gilded Hour by Sara Donati

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'd give this 3.75 stars.

The author pays a lot of attention to detail so I always had a very clear vision of the characters, scenery, clothing, and atmosphere. The book is very long and I felt some parts perhaps had too much detail. There's a little bit of everything here: female doctors (in the 1800s), one of them half black, racism, misogyny, contraception and men controlling women's reproductive rights, humor, sadness, religion, conservative folks and progressive folks, orphaned children, the police, and oh, a serial killer. It was a lot. I was very disappointed that some storylines weren't resolved over the nearly 800 pages, but I am now indeed curious about the coming sequel.

Rust & Stardust by T. Greenwood

Rust & Stardust by T. Greenwood

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As you read reviews of this book, you'll see the words "heart wrenching" used over and over again. There are no better words to describe this fictional retelling of the real-life kidnapping and sexual assault of 11-year old Sally Horner in 1948. I knew it was going to be a tough read, and I appreciated that the author was not needlessly graphic about Sally's abuse. I was captivated by the narration of the audio version as well as by the story itself, and listened it over two days. Other emotions I felt while listening were anger, frustration, sadness, and hope. I think the author did a wonderful job bringing this story to life. I docked it one star because some portions dragged a little bit and could have probably been shortened. This book definitely kept me on the edge of my seat and it will probably stay with me for a while. I'll need to read a comedy next, I think.

Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I listened to the Audible of this. The author (an actress from Downton Abbey) is the narrator, and she is fantastic. I give the audio performance 5/5 stars. The story, however, dragged a lot for me. I grew rather frustrated with the protagonist and her dumb choices, and I was left wanting with a lot of unanswered questions at the end.

My friend Kerri read this and asked who I would cast in the movie.  Even though both characters are British, I would cast Emily Blunt and Jon Krasinski as Erin and Mark.  There's no reason the husband can't be American.  I'm still thinking about who could play Eddie Bishop, an older criminal who's in prison, and a subject of Erin's documentary.  I was thinking Jason Staham, but he's too young.  Need someone like him, but a bit older.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read through some of the negative reviews on Amazon and Goodreads and agree with a lot of them, particularly about the writing style, the plot holes, and the romance. Still, I was engaged the whole time and ultimately didn't feel disappointed.  I LOVE the cover.  I also enjoyed the audio version (I alternated between the book and the Audible--I often read along as I listened to the Audible because I liked to hear how the Yoruban words were pronounced.  It was actually sometimes important to see the words on the page while listening to the audio because in the book, the author often puts the characters' inner thoughts into italics.  When you listen to the audio, it sounds like those words are being spoken.  Overall, I enjoyed it.

I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara

I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. This book is chilling and haunting. I alternated between the Kindle version and the audio version and the I think the audio was more chilling....something about the narrator's voice. The book is very well-written and fascinating. So many adjectives. I didn't know anything about the Golden State Killer, but now he'll always be on my mind until he's caught. It's interesting to read about Michelle's process and obsession with this case. It's so sad that she passed away before the book was completed, but her editors, husband and researchers did a great job putting the final product together.

***Possible spoiler***
The final chapter of the book is a letter to the killer from the author.  The book suggests that he followed the news reports of his crimes and altered some of his tactics accordingly.  I can't help but think that if he's still alive, he'll definitely read this book.  And then he'll read Michelle's words directed at him.  That thought gives me chills.

***Update***
Oops!  I wrote everything above on March 30, 2018 and just realized I never published it.  As you've probably heard, an arrest has been made in this case.  As soon as I heard, I went back and listened to that final letter from Michelle to the killer.  It still gives me chills and it seemed to have happened just as she predicted.

Who Do You Love by Jennifer Weiner

Who Do You Love by Jennifer Weiner

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

I loved the first two thirds of this book, but the last third seemed rush and the characters did things that seemed so out of character and I found myself skimming just to see what happened. It'd been a while since I'd read Jennifer Weiner's fiction (I read her memoir last year) and I've found that I do still enjoy her writing.

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Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


What a great read! I loved how the story about Eleanor unfolded in bits and pieces. Her quirkiness sometimes made me wince, but often her observations about how people act in the world made me laugh. And, we'd all do well to have Raymond in our lives.

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