andiesmith's reviews
2022 reviews

The Enigma Girl by Henry Porter

4.5

The Enigma Girl is about Alice "Slim" Parsons, a 4th generation spy. She is one of the most skilled, and obstinate Mi5 agent. While she is undercover her mother is pushed down the stairs and is dying. Slim also is given some news about her estranged brother. Are both connected to what she is investigating while undercover? 

It is argued that Henry Porter is this generation’s John le Carre. While not everyone agrees, every time I read a book by Porter, I think of le Carre. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Grove Atlantic/Atlantic Monthly Press. We know I’m a sucker for a good spy thriller. #TheEnigmaGirl #NetGalley 

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

4.0

Fluent Forever (Revised Edition): How to Learn Any Language Fast and Never Forget It by Gabriel Wyner, Gabriel Wyner

5.0

If a genie gave me three wishes, being able to speak every language fluent would be one of them. Gabriel Wyner speaks seven foreign languages fluently. In Fluent Forever he shares his method of learning, and one of the tricks is to make it personal. Think of images for words that you are connected to. 

While I have spent time every day since March of 2020 learning new languages and I don’t fell comfortable speaking any of them. I look forward to applying some of Gabriel Wyner’s ways to future learning. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Harmony!  #FluentForeverRevisedEdition #NetGalley 

The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia

5.0

Jasmine is fleeing an abusive relationship and needs to get out of town. With money borrowed from a lifelong friend she flees Madison for San Diego. On the flight she meets Stephanie who is on her way to a conference. After a few days, they text their friends the same exact messages about the same man…and that is just the start of the bizarre texts. 

The Business Trip has great twists and turns, I never was 100% sure where the story was going, and it kept me on my toes. Loved it! 

Narrated by a full cast!!  Andrew Eiden; Dylan Fitzpatrick; Fred Berman; Gail Shalan; Hillary Huber; Jennifer Pickens; John Pirhalla; Kimberly M. Wetherell; Kirby Heyborne; Tim Campbell. So so good. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio!  

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler

3.5

Gail Baines is having a bad day, a very bad day. She is fired, for not being personable, on the day of her daughter’s wedding rehearsal and her ex husband Max shows up to stay with her for the wedding weekend…along with a cat. 

The writing was fantastic, I often was frustrated with Gail and wanted to shake her. Not personable, anxiety ridden, and an over thinker. 

Thank you, Goodreads and Knopf Books! 

Truth, Lies, and the Questions in Between by L.M. Elliott

5.0

While Patty Appleton is making history as one of the first female congressional pages, history is unfolding around her, Watergate. Patty’s father is a doctor and Nixon fundraiser, she grew up sheltered and wanted to be a page so she could become the perfect politician’s wife someday. D.C. showed her life in not black and white and a lot more complicated and interesting than she ever knew. Patty new friends push her to open her mind, and we watch Patty question and grow. 

 

I absolutely loved this story with so many connections to the world today.  The Illustrations throughout of real-life images and headlines, is amazing! 

Thank you NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers #TruthLiesandtheQuestionsinBetween #NetGalley 

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

4.0

Stuart Woods' Golden Hour by Brett Battles

3.0

Ace, Marvel, Spy by Jenni L. Walsh

5.0

 Fun fact: I am the only person in my family that doesn’t play tennis. My brother even played D1 tennis. Spies on the other I know a lot about. I had to read this novel about Alice Marble, a real-life tennis ace and spy during WWII. Alive delt with health issues, a miscarriage, and her husband a pilot fighting in Europe. 

 

Ace, Marvel, Spy was a great read the follows Alice’s early tennis career and then later in life. I recommend this book. 

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse! You know Jenni L Walsh is always a must-read author for me! #AceMarvelSpy #NetGalley 

The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry by Ransom Riggs

5.0

 Leopold Berry is a teenager living in Los Angeles with his dad (who is a jerk). After his mom dies, he started watching the cult classic show “Sunderworld”. When Leopold has an especially bad day, he ends up in Sunderworld and learns he may have the magic to save it. 

 

I will admit, I wanted to read this book because of the cover, but really did enjoy the book and look forward to more adventures with Leopold. 

 

Thank you Goodreads for a copy.