This was a pretty good writing week to start off the new year! I wrote my December reading post, the best books I read in December, my 2022 reading post, and I reviewed Sam, by Allegra Goodman. I hope the good writing vibes continue.
Happy writing!
Tag: book review
Book Review: Sam, by Allegra Goodman
Title: Sam
Author: Allegra Goodman
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 3.0
There is a girl, and her name is Sam. She adores her father, though he isn’t around much. Her mother, Courtney, struggles to make ends meet, and never fails to remind her daughter that her life should be different. Sam doesn’t fit in at school, where the other girls have the right shade of blue jeans and don’t question the rules. Sam doesn’t care about jeans or rules. She just loves to climb–trees, fences, walls, the side of a building. When she’s climbing, she discovers a place she belongs: she can turn off her brain, pain has a purpose, and it’s okay if you want to win.
As Sam grows into her teens, she grapples with self-doubt and insecurity. She yearns for her climbing coach to notice her, but his attention crosses boundaries she doesn’t know how to resist. She wishes her father would leave for good, instead of always coming and going, but once he’s gone, she realizes how much she’s lost. She rages against her mother’s constant pressure to plan for a more secure future. Wrestling with who she wants to be in the face of what she’s expected to do, Sam comes to understand that she alone can make her dreams come true.
This book felt very pointless to me. What was the plot? I’m not sure. What about conflict? Um…Yeah, there wasn’t anything in particular, except for Sam’s self-destructive tendencies. Sam doesn’t just “grapple with self-doubt and insecurity” as the blurb says. She’s flat-out childish and selfish—and frequently astonished when things turn out badly. Maybe this just wasn’t my cup of tea, but I’m not sure why I even bothered finishing this.
Allegra Goodman lives in Massachusetts. Sam is her newest novel.
(Galley courtesy of Random House/The Dial Press in exchange for an honest review.)
The Best Books I Read in December (2022)
In December, I read 18 books, bringing my yearly total to 216 books, pretty far short of my goal of 250 books.
I’m going to make an exception this month and pick four “best books,” because two of them are by the same author and are basically connected.
I’m a massive fan of Charles Martin, and will basically devour anything he writes, but this month, I discovered his two non-fiction books, What if It’s True? and They Turned the World Upside Down. I never write in books, but I highlighted in in the second one, cried over both, and listened to the first on audio book (the author narrates, and it was just so wonderful to listen to.) Both were phenomenal reads.
The Secret Society of Salzburg, by Renee Ryan. This was an excellent WWII fiction! I enjoyed every single page.
Saint, by Adrienne Young. I’ve enjoyed all of Young’s books, but reading this prequel to the Fable books was wonderful!
What I Read in December (2022)
Books Read in December: 18
Books Read for the Year: 216/250 Definitely didn’t hit this one!
Yearly Reads:
Amazing Grace: 365 Daily Devotions.
Grace for the Moment, by Max Lucado.
She Reads Truth Bible.
Topical Books/Monthly Goal Books:
Help is Here by Max Lucado (spiritual). Great read!
What If It’s True? by Charles Martin (nonfiction, audio). This was an incredible book!
They Turned the World Upside Down, by Charles Martin (nonfiction). Absolutely loved this.
The Raven Song, by Luanne Smith (TBR). I enjoyed the second book in this fantasy series
Christmas at Rosie Hopkins’ Sweetshop, by Jenny Colgan (TBR). I enjoyed this, but Rosie kind of got on my nerves.
The Sacrament of Happy, by Lisa Harper (spiritual). So good!
Live Your Truth (and Other Lies), by Alisa Childers (spiritual). I don’t entirely agree with Childers here. A lot of it, yes, but not all.
For Review:
To Get to the Other Side, by Kelly Ohlert. This was…okay. The characters felt very superficially fleshed-out, and their personality quirks felt forced, not believable.
The Wedding Ranch, by Nancy Naigle. This was a sweet read–definitely worth binge-reading on the weekend.
The Secret Society of Salzburg, by Renee Ryan. I was glued to the page with this one! I loved both main characters and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened to them.
Pretty Little Pieces, by Carmen Schober. I really enjoyed this novel! The interaction between Georgina and her BFF were stellar, and, let’s face it, Cassidy was pretty darn great, too.
Just Because:
Saint, by Adrienne Young (TBR). I have loved all of Young’s books, and reading this prequel to the Fable books was fantastic.
The 28-Day Prayer Journey Study Guide, by Chrystal Evans Hurst (spiritual).
Going Rogue, by Janet Evanovich. This series always makes me laugh.
Rules at the School by the Sea, by Jenny Colgan. I’ve enjoyed these books a lot!
Left Unfinished:
The Blackout Book Club, by Amy Lynn Green. I wanted to like this. I love books, I love World War II fiction, this should have been a sure thing. But I didn’t like the characters much, and I just couldn’t bring myself to read more.
The Lipstick Bureau, by Michelle Gable. Another DNFed WWII fiction? Who am I? This seemed a bit erratic, and the transitions between POV characters were clunky. And….Niki wasn’t a very likable person. I read 38% of this before realizing I didn’t care about her or what happened to her because she was pretty cold and heartless.
Book Review and Blog Tour: The Lipstick Bureau, by Michelle Gable
Title: The Lipstick Bureau
Author: Michelle Gable
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: DNF
1944, Rome. Newlywed Niki Novotná is recruited by a new American spy agency to establish a secret branch in Italy’s capital. One of the OSS’s few female operatives abroad and multilingual, she’s tasked with crafting fake stories and distributing propaganda to lower the morale of enemy soldiers.
Despite limited resources, Niki and a scrappy team of artists, forgers and others—now nicknamed The Lipstick Bureau—find success, forming a bond amid the cobblestoned streets and storied villas of the newly liberated city. But her work is also a way to escape devastating truths about the family she left behind in Czechoslovakia and a future with her controlling American husband.
As the war drags on and the pressure intensifies, Niki begins to question the rules she’s been instructed to follow, and a colleague unexpectedly captures her heart. But one step out of line, one mistake, could mean life or death…
This seemed a bit erratic, and the transitions between POV characters were clunky. I felt very distant from all the characters—they were more paper dolls than actual people. And….Niki wasn’t a very likable person. I read 38% of this before realizing I didn’t care about her or what happened to her because she was pretty cold and heartless.
Michelle Gable is a bestselling author. The Lipstick Bureau is her newest novel.
(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/Graydon House in exchange for an honest review.)
Book Review: Pretty Little Pieces, by Carmen Schober
Title: Pretty Little Pieces
Author: Carmen Schober
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Ambitious influencer Georgina Havoc and her designer beau Lance Broussard have been dubbed the the next Chip and Joanna Gaines, but their happily-ever-after falls apart when Lance blindsides her with a “pause.” The show must go on, so Georgina takes on the task of renovating a forgotten cottage in the tiny, tight-knit town of Tarragon, Tennessee on her own.
Georgina has a plan to save her relationship–and her show–but a surprise drop-in from her troubled twin sister makes things extra messy. That, and the presence of rugged ex-sniper Cassidy Stokes, who throws a wrench in all her plans.
As she puts the pieces of her rippled life back together, will Georgina retreat to the familiar or embrace a new design?
This was a great read! I enjoyed the romance, as Georgina and Cassidy got to know each other. They were obviously perfect for each other! Cassidy’s ex was such a jerk, too. I loved the friendship between Georgina and her best friend—that relationship was absolutely believable and so funny! I even loved the small town of Tarragon—nosy busybodies and all.
Carmen Schober lives in Kansas. Pretty Little Pieces is her newest novel.
(Galley courtesy of Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.)
Sundays Are for Writing #203
Despite this being a busy week, I’ve written three book reviews! I’m a bit short on time, so that’s all I have. 🙂
Happy writing!
Book Review: The Secret Society of Salzburg, by Renee Ryan
Title: The Secret Society of Salzburg
Author: Renee Ryan
Genre: Historical fiction
Rating: 5 out of 5
London, 1933
At first glance, Austrian opera singer Elsa Mayer-Braun has little in common with the young English typist she encounters on tour. Yet she and Hattie Featherstone forge an instant connection—and strike a dangerous alliance. Using their friendship as a cover, they form a secret society with a daring goal: to rescue as many Jews as possible from Nazi persecution.
Though the war’s outbreak threatens Elsa and Hattie’s network, their efforts attract the covert attention of the British government, offering more opportunities to thwart the Germans. But Elsa’s growing fame as Hitler’s favorite opera singer, coupled with her secret Jewish ancestry, make her both a weapon and a target—until her future, too, hangs in the balance.
From the glamorous stages of Covent Garden and Salzburg to the horrors of Bergen-Belsen, two ordinary women swept up by the tide of war discover an extraordinary friendship—and the courage to save countless lives.
I love World War II historical fiction. That being said, I did DNF one just a couple of weeks ago. I wasn’t ever in danger of putting this book down, though! Both Hattie and Elsa were fascinating characters, and I was fully invested in both of their stories. I wanted to see them succeed beyond their wildest dreams—and it was exhilarating seeing that happen on the page.
World War II was one of the most horrific times in world history, but seeing Hattie and Elsa jump in, determined to help Jewish people despite the danger to themselves was inspiring and uplifting. I truly loved every page of this book!
Renee Ryan grew up in Florida and now lives in Wisconsin. The Secret Society of Salzburg is her newest novel.
(Galley courtesy of Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.)
Book Review: The Wedding Ranch, by Nancy Naigle
Title: The Wedding Ranch
Author: Nancy Naigle
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4 out 5
When Lorri Walker’s husband gifted her with a mastiff puppy on Valentine’s Day, she believed he was recommitting himself to their marriage after going astray. Six months later, he left both her and their dog for someone else. Since her recent move to Dalton Mill to unbraid herself from the past, Lorri’s graphic design business is now flourishing, her growing mastiff, Mister, has plenty of space to romp, and her ex in Raleigh can fade to a distant memory.
Ryder Bolt is haunted by the tragic loss of his wife and young son seven years ago. Thankfully, ranching keeps Ryder busy, and spending time with his niece and nephew—whose venue, The Wedding Ranch, has become a popular tourist destination—keeps him from getting lonely.
When Lorri and Ryder met, love was the last thing they were looking for. When they’re together, smiles come easier and burdens feel lighter, and both are embracing the possibility of something deeper.
But when a long-buried revelation surfaces, the fate that brought them together threatens to tear them apart.
I enjoyed this sweet read, although Lorrie felt a bit distant and cool. I enjoyed the small-town feel and how sweet and thoughtful Ryder was—and The Wedding Ranch was a cool venue idea. I didn’t find anything surprising in this novel, but I loved how faith was woven throughout the story, and how much emphasis was put on forgiveness.
Nancy Naigle is a bestselling author. The Wedding Ranch is her newest novel.
(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)
Sundays Are for Writing #203
This week, I actually wrote two book reviews, To Get to the Other Side and The Wedding Ranch. It was nice to get some reading done, amidst all the craziness. And maybe, just maybe, I feel a fiction idea brewing.
Happy writing!
Tomorrow Is Another Day 