Recap of two rockstars of books - one unexpected and the other oh so satisfying!

James McBride's Heaven and Earth Grocery Store is absolutely worth the hype it is receiving. This novel, which is Pennsylvania for the #2024BookChallenge, is told exquisitely and that is this novel's defining feature, separating it out from other stories. The way in which the characters are introduced and then followed, each giving a piece of the story for a complete reveal by the end is mesmorizing. It is so real and also demonstrates what community is - made up of all of the people within it. If one part is missing, it is incomplete and untold. This is easily one of my favorite books that I've read so far and I hope more people read it so I can chat about it with them. I'll likely re-read this one, too, and soon. It was that good - easily 5 stars. And the greatest part of my falling in love with this novel is that it was so unexpected! I didn't know much about this book and it was recommended (and given!) by a friend. I am so glad she did (Thanks ,Anne!) as this is now one of my favorite novels ever.

My favorite aspect of the novel is that it focuses on Chicken Hill, a small area within Pottstown, PA full of society's outcasts, but each resident is so important to the community and contributes uniquely to it. In my profession, community is everything and building a strong one is so important to economic and society vibrancy. To see it coming back to me in this way was wonderful and I miss being immersed in this world. I was so enamored with it that I absolutely forgot that there is a dead body in the opening pages! Thank you, James McBride, for delivering this story and helping me get lost in your fabulous novel!

Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, James McBride, Penguin Random House, August 8, 2023

My second book for this post came off of Reese's Book Club so I could predict what I was getting myself into - female lead with some secrets and twisty madness within. That's exactly what First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston delivers, and it was delectable. I really liked Evie Porter as a character. She was super interesting and is very slick and smart. I loved witnessing her journey and letting her tell me how it all worked out in the end, because I definitely was not predicting what played out. It was a very enjoyable ride with great characters, fun interactions amongst them, and of course our girl being a badass. I listened to this book as an audio book and it was pretty good, but I think have the hard copy novel would have been even better. Elston provides a strong story line, an entertaining stage and really good twists. Good pick by Reese and a great beach read.

First Lie Wins, Ashely Elston, Penguin Random House, January 2, 2024

Have you read either title? Any recommendations to share? I'm 12 states down in my Book Challenge to read a novel from every state. I've had a couple of repeat states and have read books taking place internationally. I've completed 19 books so far in 2024 - Less than my goal for this point in the year, but that's ok! My next stop is Maine with The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. Hopefully my book club will pick this title for next month's read! It's been on my list for a while! Happy Reading!