Guide to the Stars/Claire Comstock Gay

I love to read my horoscope and then say to myself “that’s so generic it could be anyone’s horoscope.”
That’s not what Claire Comstick Gay writes in her book Guide to the Stars.
Of course I went right to the Pisces chapter to see what she said about me. And I have to say I saw myself mirrored back from the pages.  Some of the fun horoscope stuff and then some quite serious life affirming stuff. She writes about Fred Rogers being a Pisces and it was so interesting to see the astrology spin on his character. It’s about being human and how we all get through this life.
Each chapter is a Sign of the Zodiac, so you can look at yours right away. After I read mine, I read some family and friends and yes, some exes chapters. Couldn’t resist.
Whether you believe in Astrology or not,  I think you will enjoy this one:)
Harper Collins, Publisher

True Love/Sarah Gerard

True Love/Sarah Gerard
Honestly, I’m surprised I finished this book. Not only finished it but enjoyed it, I think. It grabbed me and wouldn’t let me go!
I was just into the book about 3-4 paragraphs and I realize that what I’m assuming is the main character, Nina, is cheating on her boyfriend. Names of characters start appearing and without even knowing who they are, I can figure out what’s happening...and it happens so many times!
This novel is a crazy ride. Well written because you can feel the craziness.
Poor girl is looking for love, in all the wrong friends, and friends of friends, and their friends, too.
Fast paced, head shaking, heartbreaking...if you are up to it, I recommend it.
Harper Collins Publisher
July 2020

Monogamy/Sue Miller

Annie met Graham and fell for this big, burly, larger than life man. Married him and lived with him for thirty years. He died in his sleep and she was devastated. Until the get together after his funeral, when a woman acquaintance was found crying uncontrollably in Graham’s study.
Right away Annie knew....and then she had to pretend she was grieving... and that was just the beginning.
Great story, great read. Enjoyed it and recommend it.
Harper Collins Publisher/
September 2020

All the Light We Cannot See

All the Light We Cannot See
Anthony Doerr

This one. Wow. Pulitzer Prize Winner? Yes, every word of it. Put this on your TBR list, peeps.
So well written...Werner, a young German boy. Marie-Laure, a young, blind French girl. In the middle of WW2 and the French Occupation. So it’s not a light read. But so worthy of reading.
Most of the chapters are short. Some only little more than one page. It jumps between characters, between time, between countries. And towards the end of the book it moves you very quickly through events and the intensity drives you to keep reading.
(For me, way into the next morning)
I’m not going to get into the story, I want you discover this one on your own.

Fabulous

Fabulous by Lucy-Hughes-Hallett

Love a good book of short stories. It’s the kind of book to carry along with you on a day of errands when you know you will be in line waiting for your turn.
That does not mean the stories are any less meaningful or powerful than chapters in a novel. They can be even more so, packed full of power in fewer words.(remember Brokeback Mountain/Annie Proulx?)
Hughes-Hallett has given us stories of ordinary people, going through extraordinary circumstances. Drawn from fables, bible stories and Roman myths, you may recognize some of them and others you won’t. But truly all interesting reads.
This author has won many awards for her writing.
Published by Harper Collins Jan 2020

The Astonishing Life of August March/Aaron Jackson

Fantastical. You will have to believe that a newborn baby boy, thrown into the trash in the dressing room of a grand theater in NYC, can not only survive but thrive. INSIDE the theater. An elderly, spinster seamstress found the baby, decided to keep him for her own but couldn’t bring him home...
Alittle Pippi Longstocking, alittle Crawdad Sings, alittle Benjamin Buttons. Maybe some Garp thrown in.
But I have to tell you, I loved this book.
As I read all the incredible things happening in this kids life, I cheered him on! I wanted him to win, against all the odd and odds. And I believe you will, too. Look for it in bookstores in April.
Harper Collins, publisher
Author Aaron Jackson is a writer and comedian. This is his first novel.

Everlasting by Katy Simpson Smith

I will say right up front that I liked this book but it’s not an easy read. Historical fiction with a dash of modern philosophy. There are four interesting characters, all from different centuries spanning two thousand years.  A Christian child martyr, a monk on crypt duty, a Medici princess and a modern day biologist. There are common threads that connect them, and I think that was the hardest part reading the book. As I read, my mind searched for hidden meanings and a common anything to bring the story together. It takes awhile, but once you have read a few chapters, you will want to read more!
Each main character has a connection to Rome, a connection to faith and a connection to love in one form or another. And one more connection that I’m not going to mention;)
Author Katy Simpson Smith has a PhD in history and you can tell, details of the time period are authentic and you will feel enlightened on many levels.
I’m not sure I can even explain why I think this is a must read. It’s reading on a higher level...does that make sense?
Author Simpson Smith wrote The Story of Land and Sea, which I also enjoyed.
Look for it in March 2020/ Harper Collins, Publisher