History, Nonfiction, Political Science, Sociology

On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century I've decided I might as well just go ahead and start calling 2018 my year of nonfiction. Two full months in and I've only read one traditional work of fiction out of the 10 books I've read. Also, I'm prepared to lose friends and alienate certain groups of people… Continue reading On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

Fantasy, Fiction, Retelling

Mermaid by Carolyn Turgeon

I love a good fairy tale adaptation and when I first heard the true story of the Little Mermaid, I became a bit obsessed with all accurate adaptations. Synopsis Princess Margrethe has been hidden away while her kingdom is at war. One gloomy, windswept morning, as she stands in a convent garden overlooking the icy sea,… Continue reading Mermaid by Carolyn Turgeon

Contemporary, Fiction

Brida by Paulo Coelho

One of my GED students from Brazil recommended this book to me as the author is from her home country (though she read it in English) and she really enjoyed the premise. I agreed to read it in an effort to continue to encourage her to read in English, but I was not quite as… Continue reading Brida by Paulo Coelho

Fiction, Historical

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

Miniaturist #1 Given that the BBC is doing a miniseries ofย The Miniaturist for the holidays, I thought it a pertinent review for today!ย A few weeks ago, I admitted to owning a Kindle. For Christmas a few years ago, my father gave me a Kindle โ€“ yes, I finally gave in and accepted that some of… Continue reading The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

Fantasy, Fiction

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Prachett

My now husband picked this book out to read shortly after we started dating, and when we were looking for a book to listen to while driving from Pennsylvania to South Carolina, he recommended it. It has been one of my favorite books ever since. Synopsis According to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes… Continue reading Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Prachett

Biography, Nonfiction

Kick Kennedy by Barbara Leaming

The Charmed Life and Tragic Death of the Favorite Kennedy Daughter Ever since I was introduced to Kick Kennedy as a character in theย Montmaray Journalsย (review to come!), I have been fascinated by her life and her experiences as an American in England during the Second World War. When the ARC for this biography arrived at… Continue reading Kick Kennedy by Barbara Leaming

Book Club, Graphic Novel, Memoir/Autobiography, Nonfiction

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Persepolis had been on my TBR list for a very long time, probably since I first saw the trailer for the film adaptation (which I still haven't seen) at an art theater in the town I grew up in. When Emma Watson, one of my personal heroes, decided to make it a selection for her Goodreads'… Continue reading Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Book Club, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror

The Vorrh by Brian Catling

Vorrh #1 Today my husband and I are celebrating the 7th anniversary of our first date so I figured I would review one of his favorite books, that I also read for our book club, The Modern Readers.  This is the original graphic used to promote the book club. Synopsis Outside the colonial town of… Continue reading The Vorrh by Brian Catling

Fiction, Historical

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

I enjoy a well written WWII narrative as much as the next person - there's a reason there is a whole sub-genre of historical fiction dedicated to the time period - 70+ years later it still holds the world's attention, particular in the current world climate that seems to threaten WWIII. I picked up The Nightingale not… Continue reading The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Six of Crows #1 / Grishaverse #4 It's been nearly two years since I read my first Leigh Bardugo book,ย Shadow & Bone, and was introduced to the Grishaverse. I enjoyed it greatly, but when I was reading it, everyone was talking about her newest book,ย Six of Crows, and how spectacular it was going to be.… Continue reading Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo