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None of This is True written by Lisa Jewell

Author: Lisa Jewell

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 384

Setting: London suburbs 

Tone/Mood: Suspenseful

Subject headings: Podcasting, Interviews, Deception, Murder Investigation

Alix, a podcaster and celebrating her 45th birthday in a pub, meets Josie who is at the same pub also celebrating her 45Th birthday.  In the bathroom on a chance meeting they discover that both women were born on the same day in the same year and at the same hospital. A few days later, at another chance meeting, Josie convinces Alix to create a podcast about the two of them and call it Hi! I’m Your Birthday Twin. Alix is intrigued and looking for a new podcast topic- she agrees to interview Josie as her birthday twin.

Episode One begins with Josie telling her life story.  She begins the podcast with details about her youth and about her relationship with her single mother, she also discusses her relationship with her husband-how they met and how she feels he “groomed” her as he was 40 years old and she a mere 13-year-old.  He bought her expensive gifts, treated her as an adult- he even took her to a bar.  He made her feel special. She figures in today’s world it would be classified as child abuse- he took advantage of her and her youth. 

Episodes later, Josie reveals she wants to take her life back.  She begins to disclose secrets she has kept about her husband and his treatment to their daughters. She downright calls her husband a pedophile.   Alix is both interested and repulsed by the stories Josie is weaving.  She continues the podcast even though she knows she getting in too deep.

Karen’s thoughts: Amazing book! As a phycological thriller this book does not disappoint!  It’s fast pace and twisted plot will make you want to continue reading. Book clubs will devour this one.  

NOTE! The podcast featured in this novel was turned into a real podcast which you can listen to. Here is the link: https://www.penguin.co.uk/lisa-jewell-birthday-twin-podcast

This book is available at your public library!

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Mad Honey written by Jodi Picoult with Jennifer Finney Boylan

Author: Jodi Picoult with Jennifer Finney Boylan

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 480

Setting: New Hampshire

Tone/Mood: Suspenseful

Subject headings: high school students, bee keeping, murder, trial, family secrets

Olivia McAfee, a professional beekeeper, and single mother left her abusive husband to give her son, Asher, a better life in the small-town of Adams, New Hampshire. All was fine in Adams until Asher meets a girl named Lily and they become an item. They have lots in common and they find that they really enjoy spending time with one another.  Lily has secrets and she decides to confide in Asher, and things suddenly go awry.  Next thing we know Lily is dead and Asher is facing murder charges.  

A long and very public court room drama follows with all types of secrets revealed and plenty of blame to go around. 

Karen’s thoughts:  What works in this story is the captivating drama in the courtroom.  It was tough to put the book down, I kept wanting to know more.  I felt the story was long winded in areas and had characters that did not need to be in the storyline.  Other than that, I felt the book was well written and one that book clubs will enjoy.

This book can be found in your public library!

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Identity written by Nora Roberts

Author: Nora Roberts

Genre: Romantic Fiction

Pages: 434

Setting: Baltimore Maryland, Vermont, 

Tone/Mood: Intense, creepy, disturbing

Subject headings: Identity theft, Psychopaths, Serial Murder/Investigation

I haven’t read a Nora Roberts novel since high school, recently I was in a reading slump and didn’t have any idea what to read.  All the books I have on my TBR list were checked out…so I reached for something that I could find comfort in – a Nora Roberts novel.  As soon as I started reading, I was hooked. 

Military brat, Morgan Albright, has traveled the world. By the age of 25, she feels the need to set her roots.  She settles in Baltimore as she buys her first home while working two jobs.  All is good, Morgan has a roommate, Nina, and the two of them begin making the fixer-upper a home they are proud of.  Nina has a knack with plants and landscaping while Morgan is handy with tools and building plans.  Nina has a boyfriend, soon to become her fiancé, while Morgan hasn’t found time to date- being too busy with her two jobs. While tending bar one evening, Morgan meets a very attractive man who appears interested in her.  She decides to go on a date with him and on date two, Morgan invites him over for dinner. As dinner is being prepared, Morgan’s date excuses himself to go to the bathroom.  Days later we find out that the date maliciously put malware on Morgan’s computer as he begins to unravel Morgan’s life.     

I really liked the story and I found myself rallying for Morgan as she figures out how to rebuild her life once her identity was stolen.  Lots of romance and sweet conversations with a suspenseful plot. Recommend for personal reading, not really for a book club- unless you are focusing on a few Nora Robert novels and if that is the case your club members could vote on some of their favorite Nora Roberts stand alone books and club members could read those.

This title and all of Nora Roberts novels are available in your public library!

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Target finds for the holidays!

This year I picked up a few items at Target (links below) to update my green Christmas decor. This year I will decorate with green as my main color- I usually alternate green and red each year.  Last year was fun pulling out the red ornaments, bright ribbon and colorful Santa’s.  This year will be more subdued with colorations of green with hints of silver and natural twig vines.   Pics of last year’s Christmas here.

Also new this year, Dave and I will make our own craft project.  We will be  creating stars with twigs I ordered from Amazon. Goal is to hot glue the twigs into 6 inch stars and place them on the tree as filler and also on the garland flanking the fireplace.  We’ll see how this works!  I also bought twig garland  (5ft) , I am hoping to also add that to the fireplace garland. I keep thinking the theme might be Woodland…touches of wood tones and green.

Click on images below for shopping details.

Excited to see how the decor turns out. 🙂  We have a few gatherings and one large party to look forward to this Christmas season and I can’t wait to have the house shine and people gather!! 🙂

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London, Ontario (Not Calling)

The first few days of October brought beautiful weather to Michigan. So why not take advantage with an impromptu biking trip to London, Ontario? London is only an hour drive east of the Blue Water Bridge that connects Port Huron, MI to Sarnia, ON. We’ve read that London, Ontario is known as the “forest city” with many miles of forested bike paths in and around the city. That proved to be the case and we really enjoyed London’s extensive trail system. 

However, what we did not expect was the pervasive homelessness (and drug) problems in downtown London. We had to literally sidestep way too many homeless people sleeping on the city sidewalks during our morning runs. During the day it felt like we were in a zombie movie, with the homeless walking around zoned out on something. Unfortunately, that overshadowed most of the good aspects of downtown London.

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The House Guest

Author: Ryan, Hank Phillippi

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 328

Setting:  Massachusetts, current day  

Tone/Mood: Suspenseful

Subject headings: Marriage/divorce, Manipulation, secrets, friendship

Alyssa Macallan is a devoted wife to her wealthy, yet very- hard-to-please husband, Bill.  All is well after years of marriage, until one day Bill abruptly decides to leave.  Alyssa is left with questions and doubts she ever knew her husband.  Alyssa feels alone and overwhelmed with the financial decisions she will soon face.  At a hotel bar one evening she unloads on a woman who sits next to her.  She needs a friend but is the women she is telling her secrets to a friend or foe. 

Alyssa decides to trust her instincts and offers her new friend, Bree, a free place to stay- her guest house.  AS they continue to get to know one another they realize they can help solve each other’s problems.  

I didn’t like this book, feeling like I knew what was going to happen before it happened. I also did not like the characters or the plot twists.  But I recognize many people like Ryan as a writer and maybe this one book was just off.  I would not recommend.

This book is available in your public library.