A Special Report for Book Lovers
Greetings to new and returning subscribers! I post slice-of-life blogs on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. If there is a 5th Tuesday, I post a Special Report for Book Lovers. This is it!
As usual, I am sharing my five favorite novels from the last several months. In three cases, one book has caused me to mention another book, so I am sharing reviews for those books as well. But eight book reviews are not enough! So I am sharing a blog I wrote about a prolific writer, Anne Lamott. For some odd reason, in the last 28 days, the algorithm gods have directed 1268 readers from 74 countries to my website to read about her books. Now I direct you there as well!
Just a reminder that I am now an Affiliate Marketer on Amazon. This means my book reviews will include a link to the book on Amazon. If you purchase the book using my link, I will earn a small commission. This is at no additional cost to you. More details here. Thank you for supporting my Book Blog in this manner.
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My five favorite books this quarter:
- After Annie by Anna Quindlen
- Something Wild by Hanna Halperin
- The One by John Marrs
- The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
- Trust by Hernan Diaz
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NOTE: Click the “Book Title” to get my review.
Book Title: After Annie
Author: Anna Quindlen
Brief synopsis: A moving story – by the amazing Anna Quindlen – about the untimely death of a woman and how it impacts her daughter, husband, and best friend.
One more thing to say: One of my all-time favorite books was written by Anna Quindlen. It is called One True Thing. It was published in the 1990’s. A film adaptation also came out at that time. It starred Meryl Streep, John Hurt, and Renee Zellweger.
Learn more about After Annie on Amazon.
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Book Title: Something Wild
Author: Hanna Halperin
Brief synopsis: An author who has worked as a domestic violence counselor writes very convincingly about an older woman who is physically abused by her husband.
One more thing to say: Currently, this author has two novels in print. Something Wild came first and then I Could Live Here Forever. Both books are stories about romantic relationships that obviously are not going to end well. I devoured both books in back to back fashion. See the second review below.
Learn more about Something Wild on Amazon.
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Book Title: The One
Author: John Marrs
Brief synopsis: Imagine a time when DNA can be used to find a person’s one true love! Everyone would flock to the test, because really, what could go wrong?
One more thing to say: This book has been made into a miniseries that has the same premise though it follows different couples, not the ones who are introduced in the book.
Learn more about The One on Amazon.
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Book Title: The Berry Pickers
Author: Amanda Peters
Brief synopsis: When Joe was six, his little sister, Ruthie, went missing. As the last to see her, he blames himself. She is never found, which flavors his entire life.
One more thing to say: I read another novel with a similar plot that was equally unsettling. It is called What Could Be Saved and is about a brother who went missing. I have added a link to that review below.
Learn more about The Berry Pickers on Amazon.
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Book Title: Trust
Author: Hernan Diaz
Brief synopsis: Hernan Diaz’s book, Trust, won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2023. The book tells the same story from four perspectives. Which can you TRUST?
One more thing to say: There were actually two Pulitzer Prize winners for fiction in 2023. Trust by Hernan Diaz and Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. While I liked Hernan Diaz’s book very much, I liked Barbara Kingsolver’s even better. You will find a review of her book below.
Learn more about Trust on Amazon.
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Here are the three other promised reviews:
Book Title: I Could Live Here Forever
Author: Hanna Halperin
Brief Synopsis: This is an addictive love story about addiction – a page turning story about a woman who falls for a guy who is a recovering heroin addict.
Learn more about I Could Live Here Forever on Amazon.
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Book Title: What Could Be Saved
Author: Liese O’Halloran Schwarz
Brief Synopsis: A family whose child disappeared fifty years ago may have finally found the lost son. Can it possibly be Philip? Where has he been?
Learn more about What Could Be Saved on Amazon.
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Book Title: Demon Copperhead
Author: Barbara Kingsolver
Brief Synopsis: This novel has elements of many amazing books that have been popular over the years – like The Goldfinch and White Oleander – all rolled into one.
Learn more about Demon Copperhead on Amazon.
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And here is the blog about Anne Lamott:
Loving Anne Lamott Frizzy Hair and All
Brief Synopsis: Anne Lamott’s sometimes-messy life becomes fodder for her writing. Life lessons abound in the nineteen books – fiction and non – she has written.
Here are three of my favorite books by Anne Lamott:
Learn more about the author on Amazon.
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And as always, please tell a friend about my book reviews, blogs, and newsletters, and suggest they join my mailing list.
Thank you!
Lorie
I found a book from this list that I am going to read this summer. Thank you for sharing. I love to read and find new books to try.
I love to read book lists too! It’s a great way to find books. Glad this list helped you!!!
Agree about Demon Copperhead! When I was going to read it for a book club, I delayed and delayed. I swore I was never going to read another “hillbilly” genre book. Then I ended up at the social security office, and during a 2 hour wait 🙄, decided I would start reading this on my phone. Surprise! I really enjoyed it. And then I finished it way before the book club meeting (for a change!)
I heard an interview with the author on Dax Shepard’s podcast. She didn’t exactly write it as a response to Hillbilly Elegy, but on the other hand, she actually did!
I always follow your lead on book recommendations, and these look terrific! Thanks for your thoughtful reviews!! You keep my public library waiting list filled to the brim!
Glad this newsletter is helpful!!! Feel free to suggest a book or two here as well…