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bethreadsandnaps's reviews
2411 reviews
Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash
4.25
4.25 stars
I was entranced by the initial storytelling in this novel. Millie and Reginald, an English couple, send their 11 year old daughter Beatrix to ride out World War II in Maine with the Gregorys. Now I knew Londoners had sent their children to the countryside, but I did not know that some even sent their children to the United States! I'm not sure I could have done that.
Beatrix blamed her mother for being sent away and held resentment toward her, but she slowly begins to thrive with the Gregorys, with fill-in mother Nancy who had always wanted a girl and her two brothers William and Gerald.
After the initial few years Beatrix spends with the Gregorys, the pace of the novel quickens and we then jump several years at a time checking in on these two families. Of course, major milestones will occur of the next few decades. Overall, I really liked the journey; I almost wish the book had been longer since I got transported during the deep dives of their lives so found the jumps in time a tad abrupt.
I enjoyed the sections during WWII, when Beatrix is living in the household with the Gregorys. There are some relationships Beatrix has that I didn't *feel* as much as I wanted to feel, so ultimately I couldn't give this 5 stars. However, it was a fabulous reading experience.
I was entranced by the initial storytelling in this novel. Millie and Reginald, an English couple, send their 11 year old daughter Beatrix to ride out World War II in Maine with the Gregorys. Now I knew Londoners had sent their children to the countryside, but I did not know that some even sent their children to the United States! I'm not sure I could have done that.
Beatrix blamed her mother for being sent away and held resentment toward her, but she slowly begins to thrive with the Gregorys, with fill-in mother Nancy who had always wanted a girl and her two brothers William and Gerald.
After the initial few years Beatrix spends with the Gregorys, the pace of the novel quickens and we then jump several years at a time checking in on these two families. Of course, major milestones will occur of the next few decades. Overall, I really liked the journey; I almost wish the book had been longer since I got transported during the deep dives of their lives so found the jumps in time a tad abrupt.
I enjoyed the sections during WWII, when Beatrix is living in the household with the Gregorys. There are some relationships Beatrix has that I didn't *feel* as much as I wanted to feel, so ultimately I couldn't give this 5 stars. However, it was a fabulous reading experience.
Behind You Is the Sea by Susan Muaddi Darraj
4.25
4.25 stars
I really enjoyed this set of interconnected short stories that center the Palestinian American experience. Each character seems so fleshed out, and the stories are a perfect length.
Unlike some other collections of interconnected short stories (like ROAD TO DALTON), in this one you might not be able to chart out the relationships among the characters afterward. Tertiary characters in one story, like a cousin briefly mentioned, might be center stage in the next story. So don't feel compelled to remember - just take each as a unique story about a Palestinian American living in Baltimore and appreciate the diversity of the experiences, like one character from a family who has "made it" and another character that is constantly struggling. I think I would have liked more of a thread that connected the stories although I did appreciate that we got some follow-ups from a main character in one story who becomes tertiary in a later story.
I felt like I learned some about Arab culture through the commonalities amongst the stories.
I really enjoyed this set of interconnected short stories that center the Palestinian American experience. Each character seems so fleshed out, and the stories are a perfect length.
Unlike some other collections of interconnected short stories (like ROAD TO DALTON), in this one you might not be able to chart out the relationships among the characters afterward. Tertiary characters in one story, like a cousin briefly mentioned, might be center stage in the next story. So don't feel compelled to remember - just take each as a unique story about a Palestinian American living in Baltimore and appreciate the diversity of the experiences, like one character from a family who has "made it" and another character that is constantly struggling. I think I would have liked more of a thread that connected the stories although I did appreciate that we got some follow-ups from a main character in one story who becomes tertiary in a later story.
I felt like I learned some about Arab culture through the commonalities amongst the stories.
Pete and Alice in Maine by Caitlin Shetterly
4.25
4.25 stars
This is a quiet, character/marriage-driven story about a couple with two girls who retreat to their second home in Maine early in the pandemic. I was surprised with the low reviews this one got because I quite liked it. However, I am drawn to character-driven stories, and I don't shy away from the pandemic backdrop.
The driver of their retreat to Maine is the pandemic, yes, but there is a bit more going on than that. And I enjoyed the layers being pulled back like an onion.
This is a quiet, character/marriage-driven story about a couple with two girls who retreat to their second home in Maine early in the pandemic. I was surprised with the low reviews this one got because I quite liked it. However, I am drawn to character-driven stories, and I don't shy away from the pandemic backdrop.
The driver of their retreat to Maine is the pandemic, yes, but there is a bit more going on than that. And I enjoyed the layers being pulled back like an onion.
Landslide by Susan Conley
4.25
4.25 stars
Jill and her family live on a remote Maine island, and her husband is a fisherman. When he's hurt in an accident, he's in a hospital in Canada. The already fractured family that Jill has been keeping together by a thread becomes broken as she can't keep together the separateness and be all the things.
Part of me had a bit of a hard time adjusting to Jill referring to her sons as "wolves," but I understand that it can be apt descriptor of teenage boys. Her younger boy Sam is smoking pot and seems uncontrollable. Her older son is getting a little too close to his girlfriend.
The character of Jill did frustrate me a bit, as it laid out what could be going on with Sam early on in the story.
While I liked the path the characters were taking toward the end of the novel, it might come across as a bit too simplistic.
I really thought the characters were well-formed, and the situations they were put in were true to life. Also, I thought the rural Maine ambiance was terrific.
Jill and her family live on a remote Maine island, and her husband is a fisherman. When he's hurt in an accident, he's in a hospital in Canada. The already fractured family that Jill has been keeping together by a thread becomes broken as she can't keep together the separateness and be all the things.
Part of me had a bit of a hard time adjusting to Jill referring to her sons as "wolves," but I understand that it can be apt descriptor of teenage boys. Her younger boy Sam is smoking pot and seems uncontrollable. Her older son is getting a little too close to his girlfriend.
The character of Jill did frustrate me a bit, as it laid out what could be going on with Sam early on in the story.
While I liked the path the characters were taking toward the end of the novel, it might come across as a bit too simplistic.
I really thought the characters were well-formed, and the situations they were put in were true to life. Also, I thought the rural Maine ambiance was terrific.
Ladies' Lunch: and Other Stories by Lore Segal
3.5
3.5 stars
The concept of the collection where older female friends have lunched over the past decades and are now in their 80s really appealed to me. The collection started out rather inaccessible. I struggled with reading it - far more than I should have for it being so short.
That said, this collection gained steam for me, and, while the "Ladies' Lunch" portion of the short stories was about 2/3 of the book, I really enjoyed the later "Ladies' Lunch" short stories, the few later short stories, and the essay that takes place in the hospital. So the back half was a lot better than the first half for me.
I don't know why the initial "Ladies' Lunch" short stories were so darn difficult, but my advice would be stick with the collection because it does get better!
The concept of the collection where older female friends have lunched over the past decades and are now in their 80s really appealed to me. The collection started out rather inaccessible. I struggled with reading it - far more than I should have for it being so short.
That said, this collection gained steam for me, and, while the "Ladies' Lunch" portion of the short stories was about 2/3 of the book, I really enjoyed the later "Ladies' Lunch" short stories, the few later short stories, and the essay that takes place in the hospital. So the back half was a lot better than the first half for me.
I don't know why the initial "Ladies' Lunch" short stories were so darn difficult, but my advice would be stick with the collection because it does get better!
My Southern Journey: True Stories from the Heart of the South by Rick Bragg
4.0
Enjoyable essay collection with all the Southern vibes. I have a few more Rick Bragg's books on my list, and I look forward to reading them.
A Right Worthy Woman by Ruth P. Watson
4.0
I learned so much about Maggie Walker, a light-skinned Black woman who was a powerhouse in the late 1800s and early 1900s. She joined the Independent Order of St. Luke as a teenager, came into leadership of the organization, and even founded a bank! Ms. Walker was amazing and a source of strength to many. Her courtship with Armstead and their early marriage was interesting to see.
While I learned so much about Maggie Walker, there was something off in the writing style that I couldn't quite pinpoint. The narrative was written in first person, which I typically like, but it came off more as an autobiography than historical fiction (memoir aspects) that I was expecting to find. As in, the author didn't put in as many thoughts and feelings of Maggie Wheeler that I thought were warranted to take it to that next level.
Also, it would have been great to understand the Independent Order of St. Luke a little more. I don't feel it was explained that well, so I had to google it to learn more/fill in gaps.
All in all, I came away with a much greater understanding of Maggie Wheeler's life, which is what I believe the author's purpose was in writing this.
While I learned so much about Maggie Walker, there was something off in the writing style that I couldn't quite pinpoint. The narrative was written in first person, which I typically like, but it came off more as an autobiography than historical fiction (memoir aspects) that I was expecting to find. As in, the author didn't put in as many thoughts and feelings of Maggie Wheeler that I thought were warranted to take it to that next level.
Also, it would have been great to understand the Independent Order of St. Luke a little more. I don't feel it was explained that well, so I had to google it to learn more/fill in gaps.
All in all, I came away with a much greater understanding of Maggie Wheeler's life, which is what I believe the author's purpose was in writing this.
Failure Is Not NOT an Option: How the Chubby Gay Son of a Jesus-Obsessed Lesbian Found Love, Family, and Podcast Success . . . and a Bunch of Other Stuff by Patrick Hinds
3.25
3.25 stars
I went into this not knowing who the author is, so I have not listened to even one of his podcast episodes (despite liking true crime podcasts).
This is a very light read. I didn’t even chuckle once, but I’m sure some readers will laugh at parts. The author *tries* to come off as self-deprecating, but it’s more like a series of humble and not-so-humble brags.
Even though it’s in the subtitle, I don’t think the author gave even one piece of evidence that his mother is Jesus obsessed.
This might be a good reading palate cleanser between denser books.
I went into this not knowing who the author is, so I have not listened to even one of his podcast episodes (despite liking true crime podcasts).
This is a very light read. I didn’t even chuckle once, but I’m sure some readers will laugh at parts. The author *tries* to come off as self-deprecating, but it’s more like a series of humble and not-so-humble brags.
Even though it’s in the subtitle, I don’t think the author gave even one piece of evidence that his mother is Jesus obsessed.
This might be a good reading palate cleanser between denser books.
The Favor by Adele Griffin
3.0
Nora and her husband Jacob have had several unsuccessful attempts at IVF, which has left them in debt. When rich Evelyn walks into the shop Nora works at, they develop an unbalanced friendship/working relationship, and then Evelyn offers to be a surrogate for Nora and Jacob.
This was ok. There’s a lot about fashion, which I don’t care about, and Nora didn’t come across as having a lot of insight. I think the narration was too far removed for me to get a sense of the characters.
This was ok. There’s a lot about fashion, which I don’t care about, and Nora didn’t come across as having a lot of insight. I think the narration was too far removed for me to get a sense of the characters.
The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians: Their stories are better than the bestsellers by Matt Eversmann, James Patterson
4.0
This collection of essays is from booksellers and librarians throughout the United States, and I believe one or two of the essays had Canada representation. Books are wonderful, and it's obvious that books are the mainstays of all of the contributors. I thought more independent bookstores would represented, and - while they are - there are quite a few essays from Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million employees and managers.
I had a certain soft spot for those essays about book banning and more unique stories, such as getting into the details of the prison library program. The essays about opening up a bookstore got a little repetitive, and they all congealed into one lump in my mind except for the one that took over a gas station for a children's bookstore. And for that one I wanted to see some before and after pictures.
There is homage paid to James Patterson in several of these essays. Yes, I know he donates a ton to book causes and is a named author on this book (although I'm sure the coauthor did most of the actual work), but it felt a bit self-serving.
I do wonder how the contributors were selected. Sometimes there were regions with several contributors, and I was wondering if they used Patterson's connections or put out an all-call in some way.
Overall, great collection but I would liked more unique stories because I'm sure they are out there!
I had a certain soft spot for those essays about book banning and more unique stories, such as getting into the details of the prison library program. The essays about opening up a bookstore got a little repetitive, and they all congealed into one lump in my mind except for the one that took over a gas station for a children's bookstore. And for that one I wanted to see some before and after pictures.
There is homage paid to James Patterson in several of these essays. Yes, I know he donates a ton to book causes and is a named author on this book (although I'm sure the coauthor did most of the actual work), but it felt a bit self-serving.
I do wonder how the contributors were selected. Sometimes there were regions with several contributors, and I was wondering if they used Patterson's connections or put out an all-call in some way.
Overall, great collection but I would liked more unique stories because I'm sure they are out there!