Book Review: The World That We Knew by Alice Hoffman

Funny, I stopped reading a WWII book to read THIS WWII book.  This is a story from a few different perspectives, so there is that jumping around. But it's easy to follow and really great story that pulls you in.

And as always, just enough magic to make it fun. One of the characters is a golem and it comes from her point of view as well.

Oooo, really it was so good!

Book Review: 29 Seconds by T.M. Logan

**I received a digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

I read Lies, thanks to St. Martin's Press and was instantly hooked to this author. When I saw this story, I couldn't wait to read it.

And yes, it was still fantastic! The twists and turns. Just when you think you know what is going to happen, it shifts and all bets are off!

The main character is a woman, a hopeful college professor. She is trying to get a permanent contract, and she has a boss who is an awful, awful man!

I thought that was the way this was going, until she saw a little girl being kidnapped.

Wait, what??? What about that boss?

Seriously, a truly exciting story. Way to go, Mr. Logan!

Book Review: Unicorn Bowling by Dana Simpson

**I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Attention! We have Phoebe and her Unicorn #9!!! My son and I have read these from the first book. We were beyond excited.

First let me tell you what Ivan says. "This was full of the funniest jokes yet!"

It's very lighthearted, and as an adult I still enjoy this series. I especially get it when her parents are on scene. But Phoebe and her Unicorn speaks to the little girl I used to be. Love it, seriously!

Book Review: Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

**I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Warning! This book will leave you with a massive book hangover.

I never wanted to stop reading this. The characters are amazing. It's told form the 1st person, so it only has the one lady's perspective. But it's her story, so it works really well.

There is some romance, and some overcoming adversity, but really it's a story about forgiveness. The main character is a firefighter, she is wicked smart and talented and loves her job more than anything. I just can't say it enough, I really, really loved this book. Even more than the last one by Katherine Center that I read. I'm 100% a fan now!

Book Review: Narwhal's Otter Friend: A Narwhal and Jelly Book

A new Narwhal and Jelly book! My 10 year old son was very excited. He really has enjoyed this series.

It's cute, and silly. I like how it has a few facts about otters and jellyfish. And that they talk about jealousy in friendships. If your BFF makes a new friend, how does that make you feel?

My son said it was great, but too short. I think he's starting to get a little too old for these. Very cute read, perfect for the younger crowd.

Book Review: The Wedding Guest by Jonathan Kellerman

Can you believe this is #34 of the Alex Delaware series???

I still love them. This one was really gripping, it took ages to figure anything out.

Alex is still pretty cool under pressure and Milo is by far my favorite fictional character ever.

There is a wedding, kind of strange. Everyone was supposed to dress kind of slutty. The venue used to be a strip club. It was fun, until a dead body is found. No one knows who this girl is, much less who killed her. And there starts the journey of #34!

Book Review: There are Things I Know by Karen Golightly

**Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this one.**

This story follows an 8 year old autistic boy who is kidnapped. It is interesting to see how he comes to certain conclusions, as the kidnapper tells the boy that his mother died.

It is all from his perspective. And it's all in how he survives, plans out his moves and who he can trust. Asking for help where he knows it is safe to do so. It was amazing how he kept trying, even through failure after failure.

It was a short book, and went by very fast, but I truly enjoyed every minute!

Book Review: All We Ever Wanted by Emily Griffin

**Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to review this title.**

This is another one of those books that jumps between characters. We have Nina, a rich housewife who is becoming increasingly unhappy with her life. Tom, a single dad who works as a carpenter. And Lyla, she is Tom's daughter and goes to a ritzy private school on an academic scholarship.

It's just an amazing journey of discovery and truth. The fact that so much of this has to do with the line between sexual assault and harassment that is such a part of our current culture made it really speak to me.

I think so many of us women have dealt with this in one way or another, and will relate to the characters in this story. And it may be a trigger to some, so be warned. I found parts of it difficult for myself to get through. It made me feel so very sad for far too much of it. I think the incredibly unhappy marriage didn't help.

That being said, I still found it an engaging and important read. I don't regret it and it truly is a well written book. One of Emily's better ones.

Graphic Novel Review: Upgrade Soul by Ezra Claytan Daniels

**Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to review this title.**

This was one strange and powerful story. Hank and Molly are getting older, and decide to invest in this new procedure. They also get to be the first human beings to try it out. They get young new bodies, the company gets the money and the research.

I found the artwork disturbing and sometimes depressing. The story was dark, and it really made you think. I hated it and I loved it. I wanted to put it down, but I couldn't. And in the end, I don't regret it at all.

I really do have to thank NetGalley for expanding my mind one more time, because I never would have picked this up in my library.

Book Review: Lies by T M Logan

**Thanks to St. Martin's Press for an advanced readers copy!**

From start to finish, this book had me hooked! Constant thrills, and really it just kept moving so fast I just couldn't put it down. It broke through my reading lull.

And you kind of get an idea of what is going on. And you are like, "yeah, here's what is going to happen." And it was still good, but I thought I had it all figure out...nope...just nope.

An absolutely amazing thrill ride! Seriously, go buy a copy or go visit your library, but do yourself a favor and read this one.

Book Review: The Bookshop of Yesterdays by Amy Meyerson

**Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy!**

This was a pretty sweet story. Miranda is living with a guy in Philadelphia, where she is a teacher, and she thinks her life is pretty perfect. But then she finds out her uncle, whom she hasn't seen in 16 years has died.

That's bad enough, but then she finds that he has left behind one more scavenger hunt for her. She only hopes they will lead her to the answer about what the final argument was that he had with her mother all those years before.

The story had excellent pacing and I enjoyed the characters. However, it was very predictable, and that fizzled some of the excitement. But only some, I don't regret reading this as it fully held my attention from beginning to end. You find yourself rooting for Miranda all the way.

Half-Truths and Semi-Miracles by Anne Tyler

**Thanks to NetGalley for this little gem!**

Well, that went quicker than expected. I was really in that reading zone and the story was over. So, the good thing is, great story.

But the bad news is, it's very quick and then over. I'm not even sure what to tell you without ruining the story.

It's about a likable lady with a heavy burden. You'll have to read it to learn more. It's $0.99 on Amazon. I do like Anne Tyler, and it's an awfully good story.

Book Review: The Hawkman by Jane Rosenberg LaForge

**Big thanks to NetGalley for this digital copy in exchange for my review.**

It was a little slow to start, but I think that was my fault. I was expecting some wild fantasy novel. It was wild, it was fantastical, but it wasn't a fantasy. You only got to know 2 of the characters very well, and even that wasn't much.

I was also distracted trying to figure out when it took place. Again, that may be more my fault. The hints were fine, I just had to look it up and refresh my history knowledge.

But then, it just took off for me. The storytelling in this book was amazing! Not just the main characters, but there were little stories thrown in all over the place. Miss Williams was a writer, that's how she met Mr. Sheehan. She was teaching at the women's college. And that's really all I will tell you. It really was a wonderful story!

Book Review: how hard can it be? by Allison Pearson

**Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a digital AND physical copy of this book!**

This book really hit home for me in the beginning. And it was uncomfortable. But I loved Kate Reddy, she is one strong cookie. She is in this big house that needs to be redone and her husband has lost his job and decided to retrain as a counselor. So, it is up to Kate to get back to work.

I couldn't get enough of this one. She's starting with the life change - which is a nice change of pace for a main character. She's trying to reenter the workforce (I'm living that nightmare now), and she is dealing with children who are full-on-teenagers, aging parents who need more and more care, and a husband who doesn't seem to be of much help.

But hey, how hard can it be?

Book Review: The Council of Twelve by Oliver Pötzsch

**I received a digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

I have said it before, but this is such a unique series! This is book #7 in The Hangman's Daughter series. I read only the 1st book before I read this one. I still plan on tucking into the rest of them. But point being, you can still make it through if you haven't read them all.

They keep you riveted. And this felt like a 2-for-1 deal. There were 2 mysteries happening here - the murdered girls being the biggest, of course!

I think it's interesting the hangmen have their guild meeting in Munich, Germnay! People treat them with such distaste, and yet they are a professional group of men.

Anyway, still a great story dealing with the reality that was the 1600s while trying to be a mystery novel. I love it!

Book Review: The Plastic Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg

**Thank you NetGalley for this review copy**

Let me start of by saying, this one was prepurchased on Amazon for quite a few months. But NetGalley gave me a copy, so here I am...happy as a clam.

I kind of happened upon the Paper Magician by Ms. Holmberg, and fell in love. I read the next 2, and all I knew was that this was another magician book...turns out it's a spinoff and not a sequel. I did not know that going in.

We have a whole new group of people, so if you haven't read the other books you should be ok. She's pretty good at describing things, it's just the whole world might take you a little bit to get used to.

So, in this book we have Alvie, who is moving from Ohio to Great Britain to be an apprentice. She is set to be a magician of plastic, which is a new and exciting field for the early 1900s.

She meets new people, makes new friends. But the intrigue in here really surprised me. It's a very sweet story, and you really don't know how it will all play out until the end.

I loved this from start to finish!

Book Reviews:

I haven't written in awhile, and I have a few books I need to talk about. Let's start with my new favorite:

How to Walk Away by Katherine Center
**Thanks to NetGalley for the digital copy!**

When I first started this book, it was really hard to read. It triggered some of my abandonment and accident fears. But it was so flawlessly written, engaging, and all that. I just had to see what happened with Margaret.

And she hasn't seen or talked to her sister in over 3 years, what on earth is up with that? Will Margaret walk again, how will she heal? What will happen then? And that title...who is walking away???

Loved it. It made me laugh and cry, and made the security guard at work think I'd lost it because I had a huge grin on my face as I finished this one. Book hangover for sure!

Sheets by Brenna Thummler
**Thanks again to NetGalley for this digital edition lent to my tablet**

I try to pick up graphic novels I think my 9 yr old will enjoy. He's all about the Smile books, doesn't even phase him that the main characters are all girls. He just loves those heartfelt stories. Yeah, Ivan! He likes that we can share a book. And we both loved this one!

The main character is reeling from the loss of her mother. She is trying to keep the family business going, and keep her family together all while being a middle school student. She is running a laundry. And then guess what?

Yeah, ghosts...seriously great story about loss and adversity. You just have to read this one! Plus the graphics were amazing, the colors are few but they just pop!

The Big Empty Life of Alphonse Tabouret by Sibylline Desmazières,  Jérôme d'Aviau
**And again, thanks Netgalley!**

This one fell kind of flat. I enjoyed it well enough. But I didn't love it. I don't care to ever read it again.

But it was cute, and sometimes silly. My son had me read it to him, but he never picked it up. It just didn't move fast enough, and it really didn't make enough sense.

Knowing this was a translation, I wonder if it's a bad story or a bad translation.

Fruit Ninja & Jetpack Joyride Hc by Nate Cosby
**Thanks NetGalley for keeping my son in books!**

I didn't read this one. And I'm not going to either. Let me tell you about this. I didn't download it, I showed it to Ivan and he insisted. Apparently there's a game or two involved her.

What I do know is that Ivan sat down and read this in one evening. Now, he's a fast reader, I just tell you it grabbed his attention. My 9 year old reader, wouldn't put it down. Not even when it was time for me to read to him. Nope, we skipped reading that night. So, that should tell you enough about this one.

The Creature Garden by Harry and Zanna Goldhawk
**Thanks NetGalley!**

I almost forgot about this one! Oh my gosh, it's a fantastic drawing book!

All sorts of animals, all sorts of cute tidbits and great instructions. If you or someone you know wants to play around with drawing animals - grab this book!

If someone you know doesn't like to draw, but likes art and animals, likewise grab this book.

Book Review: Hurricane Season by Lauren K. Denton

**Big thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to review this title**

This author has been on my radar for awhile, and I didn't even realize that until I reached the end of this book. Honestly, the cover is what kept drawing me in, over and over until I finally gave in and asked NetGalley for a copy.

This book really drew me in. It's about 2 sisters who really weren't sure how to be with each other. When Jenna has an opportunity to grow as an artist thrust upon her, she drops her girls with her sister, Betsy.  Betsy lives on a farm with her husband Ty.

It really throws Betsy off her game, as she is still trying to recover from infertility issues. Thinking she'll never have a chance to be a mom, she really has a hard time connecting with her nieces and caring for them. And poor Jenna, it is the first time since she had the girls that she was truly selfish. You just really hope those two can figure it out and reconnect.

It was a very good story, and I had a hard time putting it down. I recommend it to anyone who likes a good family story.

Book Giveaway: The High Tide Club by Mary Kay Andrews

**I want to again thank NetGalley for allowing me to review this already - go see my post here to read my review.**

You can't imagine my surprise this week when a hardcover copy showed up in my mailbox from St. Martin's Press.

When I first saw this book was coming out, I stalked their website. It said to fax in a request on your company's letterhead, so I took a few minutes, whipped up a letterhead, then added a quick request and sent it off.

I never heard from them, but they did sent a copy of How Hard Can it Be? by Allison Pearson. Keep your eyes out for this one coming soon.

Yesterday I found a beautiful copy of this in my mailbox. I was very excited. But alas, I've already read the book and reviewed it. So what to do?

Giveaway time!!! Leave a comment here, and on Friday, May 11, 2018 at 8:00pm EST, I will randomly draw a winner. Leave extra comments if you share on social media, one extra entry for each share. (This is about getting the word out, so feel free to share often and comment just as often.)

United States only, sorry.

Thanks so much for reading!
Angie

Book Review: Digging In by Loretta Nyhan

Big thanks to NetGalley for letting me finally pick this one up. 

The cover on this one kept taunting me. I'd see it on NetGalley, here on Goodreads, and even on Amazon. So, when I saw it for the 20th time, I asked for it. And I am really glad I did. 

This story opened up like a warm fuzzy blanket. You can't help but like Paige, and your heart breaks a little for her. She lost her husband, and he was her anchor. She has a teenage son, and that's about it for a support system. Until one night she goes a little crazy and starts digging in her yard. 

Her life ends up opening up to all sorts of characters who liven up her life, and offer her a support system she didn't even know she needed. 

I just loved Loretta's writing here, and the characters really developed and it became it's own world for me. I can't remember the last time I finished a book this fast. I couldn't put it down. 

Thank you, Loretta! Please, keep writing, and I will keep reading.