Sharing the Stories

My summer was jump-packed with traveling and reading. Summer gives me the opportunity to read outside my regular genres with extra time to delve deeply into my reading and savor stories. This summer's travel included Idaho, Spain, Utah, and South Dakota. Most of my books continue to be audiobooks provided by Libro.fm, Libby, and/or Hoopla. My books came from local Indie bookstores at each location and local Free Little libraries. Reach out for extra details on any of these titles.    How to Stop Time by Matt Haig is a love story across time📚 Day Zero by Kelly deVos fast-paced moving survival story that takes step-siblings on a "save the world" type of adventure🎧 Abuela, Don't Forget Me by Rex Ogle. Heart-warming🎧 The Paris Model by Alexandra Joel on the power of taking chances📚 Happy Place by Emily Henry to survive love takes acceptance🎧 El Viento Sabe Mi Nombre (The Wind Knows My Name ) by Isabel Allende immigrant stories across time 📚 Demon Cooperhead by...

I'm extra grateful this reading month for Spring Break and the chance to get lost in great stories. Lots of audiobooks thanks to libro.fm 🎧 and Libby.   Mysteries continued strong with two additional titles from the Dublin Murder Squad series by Tana French . I'm loving following characters from one book to another and seeing them change, know their backstories, and figure out the mysteries together. Broken Harbor #4 The Secret Place #5 #murdertrending by Gretchen McNeil a Lincoln Nominee for 23-24 was my additional mystery. I wanted to like the story but honestly, I found it hard to follow at first, the characters were predictable, and overall the story wasn't anything new or engaging. Realistic Fiction and Romance made a comeback this month with titles I had on my TBR list and a few surprises. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt was on my TBR and a book club option. While it started to slow it quickly got a hold of my attention. With a strong resemb...

Started the year diving into a new series  In the Woods by  Tana French  (#1 series). Audiobook.  The Dublin Murder Squad series is not going to disappoint. Detective Rob Ryan has tried to put his past away, the events of twenty years ago when he has a kid buried deep but a new case brings back all those memories. Could the two cases be connected?  Mystery Thriller Supporting my local indie bookstore Bookies   The House Girl a Novel by  Tara Conklin  connects the reader with the stories of Josephine Bell, an escaped slave house girl in 1852, and Lina Sparrow an ambitious New York city lawyer. Beautifully written each woman's story, tenacity, and passion will bring them together. A tale of redemption.  Historical Fiction The House in The Pines by  Ana Reyes . Audiobook courtesy of   libro.fm . A story of suppressed memories, murder, complicated characters, and the need for answers brings Maya back home. A unique story that keeps you ...

  Finished 2022 with 76 books ! Great reading year~ read lots of books, loved most of them, reviewed some of them. I closed the year with 3 favorites: Based on a true story, this book was the perfect combination of inspiration, grit and the power of libraries. The underground tunels of Brethnal Green tube station transformed into a small town during WWII. Within Clara Burton served as librarian to everyone who needed a book or a place to belong.  Historical Fiction based on the stories of young women who became 1932 and 1936 Olympians. The first girls to compete in Field & Track events along side the likes of Jesse Owen. An inspirational read to fuel my own running dreams. This was an impulse buy at my local indie bookstore and one that carried me into 2023 with dreams of new travels. My wonderlust desire to travel to new places, to meet new friends, to experience new cities all under a tight budget will be a reality this upcoming year thanks to Matt Kepnes. Three books th...

  November flew by with a handful of books read and many more added to the TBR list.  A good mix of audiobooks and hardcovers. A mix of sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, and strong realistic fiction. Just one non-fiction/ autobiography by Amy Roe.  All The Bad Apples by Moira Foley. Magic realism is set in Ireland. Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby. Two dads coming to terms with their sons' murder seek revenge. In the process, they learn how to let go of prejudice, injustice, and racial differences. Becoming Boston Strong by Amy Roe. Inspirational as I'm getting ready to run Boston 2023. Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng. Mother and son reunited under a system that punishes those that are different. The Wilderwomen by Ruth Lang. Sisters possess unique abilities, sensing and predicting past and future. Reunited to find their lost mother, they will travel far following their instincts, and meet strangers that will point them in the right direction. Sometimes not all that are wonde...

Late posting what this past reading month, October, had in the books for me. It was a month of variety with various genres, and surprisingly more actual books than audiobooks, which are my preferred option. Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry~ what could be the worst thing that happens to an atheist? For Michael that is having to attend a new school in a new town, but not just any school. A Catholic School. No friends until he meets Lucy, possibly another non-believer after she challenges a school teacher, a nun nonetheless! But Michael is in for a world of revelations.  Great humor story.  The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune. Loved this slow-building fantasy world with the most lovable characters. Linus Baker has always followed the rules until he's assigned to the Marsyas Island Orphanage where six dangerous magical youths live. His mission is to be impartial and report on his findings. But how does he that when the secrets he uncovers challenge everything he has t...

  Unforgettable. Transformative. Heartbreaking. Hopeful.  How do you move forward if you only look at the past?  A small forgotten town, a big corporation with immunity to walk away from all the damage they had caused.   Three girls with a unique bond coming of age in a town that has given them every advantage while holding them back.   Meet... Mad always doing the right thing because "it's the least she can do". Monday the analytical, questioning, by-the-rules sister. Mirabel is trapped within herself with a remarkable mind bursting to share ideas with the world. Their combined actions will forever change the future of their small town and with it their own destinies. 

This collection of short stories brings together six teens under Mr. Nak's angry management group.  With a short introduction to each teen's background story, Mr. Nak sets the stage for moments in which each character shares their insecurities, their anger, and the prejudice they have lived with. But also they have the opportunity to find love, freedom, and the power of their stories.    This quick read is about surviving, hope, and the power of the human spirit. Ms. Galan