andiesmith's reviews
2022 reviews

The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez

3.0

Forest of Noise: Poems by Mosab Abu Toha

5.0

Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane by Matt Whyman

5.0

The boss (aka Toto Wolff) said “This book lifts the lid on what life is really like inside our team and it has been based on unprecedented access—nobody has ever been this close to what happens behind the scenes.” it is a fantastic look into The Mercedes F1 team. Matt Whyman had the opportunity to be embedded with the team to get a hands-on look at how one of the legendary teams works. He gives us insight from pre-season testing to current season races. He talks to everyone, from Toto to engineers…and yes George and Lewis! 

We are 24 hours away from practice day in Brazil for the race….and witnessing Lewis' last few races with Mercedes.  I enjoyed the insight into one of my favorite teams! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the inside tour of the Silver Arrows. #InsideMercedesF1 #NetGalley

The Author's Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams

4.0

I get so excited when the W’s get together to write a book. 

 

Three VERY different authors get together to write a novel, or get their publishers to pay for a girls trip. Kat de Noir, a slinky erotica writer; Cassie Pringle, who writes multiple cozy mystery series; and Emma Endicott,  historical fiction author head to historic Castle Kinloch in Scotland…it is best known for grizzly murder, they are going to figure out who did it..that is until their host is found dead. 

 

I enjoyed this mystery. I could imagine how much fun The W’s had writing it together. 

 

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC. #TheAuthorsGuidetoMurder #NetGalley

Like Mother, Like Mother by Susan Rieger

5.0

A multi-generational story of mothers…and what kind of mothers women are and what kind we want. 

 

Grace is one of the daughter’s of Lila the executive editor of The Washington Globe. Lila was never the kind of mother she wanted, but Lila’s mother left when she was young she didnt have a good example. After Lila dies, Grace starts digging into family stories. 

 

This story is multiple timelines and miltiple points of view, but not hard to follow. I think this is a must read. 

 

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House | The Dial Press for an ARC. #LikeMotherLikeMother #NetGalley

Our Narrow Hiding Places by Kristopher Jansma

3.0

Book: Our Narrow Hiding Places 

Format: Print 

Goodread Giveaways 

 

Eighty-year-old Mieke Geborn’s grandson, Will, and his wife, Teru, show up for a visit. Will startes asking questions about Mieke’s life and family secrets from when she was a child. She grew up in coastal Holland. There, in the last years of World War II, she survived the Hunger Winter. 

 

Crossroads by Devney Perry

4.0

The Secret War of Julia Child by Diana R. Chambers

5.0

Julia McWilliams took a job working for America's first espionage agency, before the world got to know her. She was too tall and too memorable to be a spy, so she worked in operations (with Wild Bill!) where she meets mapmaker Paul Child.

Candace Joice does a wonderful job, especially with Julia’s parts. We all know what she sounds like! 

This was a great audiobook where the main character is a person we all know from later in her life. And bonus points for a World War II story that takes place in Asia. 

Thank you Tantor Audio and NetGalley for an advanced copy. #TheSecretWarofJuliaChild #NetGalley

The Waiting by Michael Connelly

5.0

The Treasure Hunters Club by Tom Ryan

5.0

I love a good treasure hunting story. A hunt for the Obelisk treasure (near where the Oak Island treasure is rumored to be) is a hunt that spans generations. Unbeknown to Peter Barnett he is part of a family connected to the treasure through his estranged grandmother. She writes him a letter asking for him to come to maple Bay, he agrees. Peter isn’t the only new person in town. Are the arrivals connected in some way? 

 

I thought I had the story figured out halfway through…until I gasped and I didn’t not have it figured out! Reads like Nancy Drew in the middle of a treasure hunt! Okay Nancy Drew isn’t in it, but a girl named Dandy is very much Nancy Drew like is. 

 

Thank you NetGalley and Atlantic Monthly Press, for allowing me in on the treasure hunt. #TheTreasureHuntersClub #NetGalley