It's been so long! But I did NOT stop reading! 8 book reviews start now!

Apologies for my absence over the last few months. I'm not sure why I didn't check in here to report on the FABULOUS books I happened upon. I knocked out four states on my #2024BookChallenge as well as a book from Washington, DC. I mistakenly read a book set in Illinois thinking it would be part of the challenge, but I wasted that state on a book I didn't like very much (reviewed in June, amongst others). I also read two books from Minnesota (they were both great!) and two books from Massachusetts (one was great, one was not). I have a lot to recommend so let's get started!

For Massachusetts, I selected hometown hero Dennis Lehane. I've read a ton of his books and Small Mercies (Harper Collins, April 25, 2023, 320 Pages) is another gritty Boston-set tale making us confront a shameful history of race relations and misunderstood cultures in the city. Though a bit of a slow start, this was the closest I've read to his debut A Drink Before the War. It's a realistic, sad tale that forces us to view up close and personal the perspectives of a variety of people all trying to do the best they can for their families and loved ones. I gave it four stars and recommend the read, especially for those MA-based folks like me! Truthfully, read any Dennis Lehane book you can.

Staying in Massachusetts, I also read Helltown: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer on Cape Cod by Casey Sherman (May 2, 2023, Source Books, 528 pages). This was DIFFICULT for me. It's a true story set in Provincetown following a serial killer, clearly mentally disturbed Tony Costa, and those folks pulled into his web. He kills young girls by luring them into the woods and tricking them. The vivid details of the killings are fully explored, making it really hard to get through. There are some boring parts and the constant switching between perspectives (Norman Mailer, Kurt Vonnegut, Tony Costa) created so much back and forth that the story seemed to drag on. Some of it is obviously reimagined and it focuses on giving Tony Costa some sort of legacy. This bothered me as this is a guy that we should all forget and let rot in prison given his gruesome and remorseless actions. I don't recommend.

I finally checked off Washington, DC in my reading challenge exploring the incredible accomplishments of Ms. Frances Perkins who is the real brains and determination behind various labor protections, consensus building with unions and employers, and what we would now consider expected and basic government entitlements for our society. This biography which I highly recommend is called The Woman Behind the New Deal: The Life and Legacy of Frances Perkins, FDR'S Secretary of Labor and His Moral Conscience by Kristin Downey (2009, Nan A Talese, 480 pages). I learned so much about this era in our history and as a government leader it really hit home. Frances was the first female cabinent member and faced so much chauvinistic crap while still out performing her peers and changing the country. Not much has changed, I'm sad to say, in the realm of government and female leaders but it was inspiring to know she perservered through it all and was still effective as hell, leaving an incredible legacy that remains unmatched. The Department of Labor boasts the most female heads with seven; a total of 65 women have served in the United States Cabinent, some of which obtained multiple appointments and positions. Rock on ladies! Let's keep it going!

Off to Minnesota I went to get some lighthearted fun with Abby Jimenez' title Just for Summer, (Forever, April 2, 2024, Forever 432 Pages). I absolutely ADORED this book. It was so sweet and so cute, I was literally smiling all the way through it and completely loved the premise from the first page. I read this in such a short period of time - it was perfect for the summer and just what I needed after reading some more serious titles. Romance books and rom-coms aren't ever my first choice, but I am so glad I grabbed this book because there were some hidden complexities that forced me to see this genre in a different light. I laughed (a lot). I cried and I was definitely invested. Five stars! Read this book!

Staying in Minnesota (by accident), I read another Minnesota story - The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger (Atria Books, September 5, 2023, 432 pages). This story was great! Forcing an analysis of cultural differences, racial divides and assumptions about other people, this is a story with great character development and a beautiful scenic backdrop. We follow Brody who is the sheriff of a small town in a small county and unfortunately the meanest resident has been found floating dead in the river. Gripping from the first page with excellent prose and interesting plotlines amongst everyone we meet in Jewel, this is a very enjoyable read. Perfect for a cozy day on the coach this fall. Highly recommend! And I must say, Minnesota has been excellently represented in this challenge!

Onward to Georgia with Stacey Willingham's All the Dangerous Things (Minotaur Books, January 10, 2023, 336 Pages). This novel is the second after A Flicker in the Dark by this author, which I reviewed in June 2024. I enjoyed her debut but found this follow up to be a bit lackluster. The plotline is sad and quite heavy - A woman's marriage is destroyed upon the kidnapping of her infant son. She is alone, an insomniac, and has a past that riddles her with guilt. The book is slow until abotu 150 pages in at which time it really picks up and you find yourself rooting for Isabelle to confront her a-hole husband and seize her life back. A surprise ending that I didn't see coming pulled this out at three stars. I wouldn't rush to the shelves for this, but it was decent enough if you need a read for a train or plane ride. Willingham's debut is better with more likeable chracters.

Kevin Kwan's Lies and Weddings (Doubleday, May 21, 2024, 448 pages) brought me to Hawaii (and Europe, too) in this hilarious, engaging, and entirely clever novel. The artwork on the cover is beautiful (and I got a matching drink at the hotel pool reading this that made it all that more fun to follow along the fabulous Gresham's and all that ensues under the stormy black cloud that seems to be plaguing the family in all aspects. I laughed throughout this thoroughly entertaining novel and I highly recommend it. The characters were delightful and the swapping perspectives and calamity all around reminded me of a Shakespearean pllay. I hope they make this story into a movie like they did with Crazy Rich Asians, which I have not read, because seeing this play out on the big screen would be utterly fabulous! Read this book and let me know if you agree! Paging Hollywood!

Lastly, I have a second trip to Illinois which I didn't realize I had already visited in my reading challenge. That's because my selection for Illinois was the WORST (See June's review) and I basically blocked it out of my mind. This book, however, is lovely! Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah (Lake Union Publishing, March 1, 2019, 332 pages) starts out with the strangest premise I've ever read. But we are quickly rewarded with a strong storyline (I promise so bear with it after the first chapter) and beautiful descriptions of the scenic natural landscape in which the story is set. I really enjoyed this and was pleasantly surprised with the various twists and turns. It does button up rather neatly, but I think it does do the storyline justice in the end. I'd give it a read and enjoy the strange turns. If you're following along in the book challenge and need a stop at Illinois, this is a great journey to take.

Also, I have to commend the publishing house. The weight of the paperbook and quality of the pages was great. I liked the feel of the book and the feel of the pages. I can't really name why, but the quality of the actual book was way up there. I generally favor hardcover books but this paperback style was really great all around.

Eight books isn't too shabby of a report for you all! I hope you enjoyed the breif run downs of each story. But really going in deep without revealing some spoilers is trickier than I'd imagined! Sometimes I hope people go into the stories blind like I do to get the whole experience. This is especially so in books like Remarkably Bright Creatures where the story is just so real, down to earth, relatable and beautiful. I had a fun end of summer reading both light hearted and heavy reads and I hope you did too!

I have a bunch more states to explore in the Book Challenge. I'm not sure i'll finish all 50 states but I'm going to try!! My current read has been in Missouri. More to come! Happy reading!