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mhinnen's reviews
377 reviews
A Different Kind of Gone by Catherine Ryan Hyde
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
3.5
I love this author’s ability to connect unlikely characters. In this case a middle aged women who isn’t exactly a people person. But when specific young women come into her life, they become intertwined. This is an important book about intimate partner abuse and also asks the questions about why a certain kind of woman captures public attention when they go missing but others like the epidemic of missing and murder Native American girls seems to go unnoticed.
Norma is a strong woman with wisdom and integrity. She is not compelled to be a fixer but encourages those around her to trust their own decision making abilities. When the truth is compromised Norma offers clarity and separates hyperbole and conjecture.
Overall I liked the story though it is definitely not my favorite by Catherine Ryan Hyde. The characters interacted beautifully and I appreciated the sense of humanity they each had after enduring such trauma.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
California Golden by Melanie Benjamin
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a good beach read. I read it on a vacation day. It was fun to explore the California life from the surf to the celebrity culture in the mid 60s. It was also important to pull the veil off the sense of nostalgia. I appreciate that Benjamin incorporated the expectations of motherhood, the appropriation of surfing from Hawaii, the risks of interracial relationships. The time shifts and overlaps were confusing at points but overall offered a helpful trajectory from different points of view.
That said, overall this book felt very sad to me. Children growing up unwanted and the superficial paths they eventually take. I didn’t love the characters. While there was some sense of redemption and relief at the end, I came away from California Golden feeling heavy.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
That said, overall this book felt very sad to me. Children growing up unwanted and the superficial paths they eventually take. I didn’t love the characters. While there was some sense of redemption and relief at the end, I came away from California Golden feeling heavy.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Abandonment
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I adored this book! I listened to the Audiobook and tried my best to savor it even though I was tempted to get a hard copy so I could finish it in one sitting. I was inspired, horrified, and moved by the stories of women in the 60s and the challenges they overcame in order for us to have more equality today. In a season when it feels like hard won equal rights are being challenged, it was a good reminder to stay strong and stay in touch with your own self and needs. I heard there is a limited series being produced and I cannot wait.
Death From Beyond by Sharon Linnéa
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
This is not your mother’s murder mystery. Sharon Linnea brings us back into the Tranquility community to reunite with Rev. Hannah, Inspector Spaulding, Marta, Phil and of course our favorite bartender and amateur detective, Avalon Nash.
“Like many communities, Tranquility had a wide rift between those who wanted to keep things as they’d always been and those who wanted to move things forward.”
This was an intense mystery that delves into different perspectives and experiences. The friendships are deep and keep the characters from dealing with challenges in isolation. Unique personalities respond to crisis in a variety of ways - some healthier than others. Some are super toxic and angry. Some are compassionate and nurturing.
At the heart of all of this is the question, how and why did Sandy Wilcox Evans end up dead the weekend of her high school reunion?
As ghosts of the past weave themselves into the narrative, do they hold the truth that can help this community heal?
It’s hard to write too much without spoilers so I will just say, get a copy, sit in front of a cozy fire, sip on a cider libation (did I mention the fabulous themed cocktails at the end of each chapter?) and settle into a heart stopping, witty, journey into Death from Beyond.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
“Like many communities, Tranquility had a wide rift between those who wanted to keep things as they’d always been and those who wanted to move things forward.”
This was an intense mystery that delves into different perspectives and experiences. The friendships are deep and keep the characters from dealing with challenges in isolation. Unique personalities respond to crisis in a variety of ways - some healthier than others. Some are super toxic and angry. Some are compassionate and nurturing.
At the heart of all of this is the question, how and why did Sandy Wilcox Evans end up dead the weekend of her high school reunion?
As ghosts of the past weave themselves into the narrative, do they hold the truth that can help this community heal?
It’s hard to write too much without spoilers so I will just say, get a copy, sit in front of a cozy fire, sip on a cider libation (did I mention the fabulous themed cocktails at the end of each chapter?) and settle into a heart stopping, witty, journey into Death from Beyond.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
The Spectacular by Fiona Davis
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I love Fiona Davis’ historical novels and was excited to receive the ARC from #Netgalley for “The Spectacular.” It was fun reading about the origins of The Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall.
Marion’s excitement and the disciplined energy of following that kind of dream was impressive particularly when it is clear that she must also make emotional sacrifices.
The back story tackles the expectations of women and the traps that were set when they didn’t follow a path that benefitted a patriarchal system. I loved Marion’s strength and determination even as she struggled with losing the support of her father (who in my reading was an unsympathetic character). I also appreciated the love story angles and how they played out.
There were several less preferred elements in this particular novel. One of Davis’ skills is writing a duel timeline. In this case, it felt a little more forced . . . Like the 1992 section could have been an epilogue. And while I was fascinated about the Big Apple Bomber, the extent of Marion and Peter’s investigation felt far fetched - particularly because of their very demanding work schedules. Finally, the characters in 1992 were written in a way that made them feel so old. I was shocked to realize they were only in their mid-50s.
Overall, this was a worthwhile book though not my favorite by the author. I thoroughly enjoyed the final chapters and felt like it was a very satisfying (if bittersweet) ending. And of course the author’s note always adds a helpful fact vs fiction account.
Side note - As someone who lived in the NYC area during the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing and the 9/11 attacks, I was interested to learn through this book about the 16 year 32 bomb spree that happened in NYC.
Marion’s excitement and the disciplined energy of following that kind of dream was impressive particularly when it is clear that she must also make emotional sacrifices.
The back story tackles the expectations of women and the traps that were set when they didn’t follow a path that benefitted a patriarchal system. I loved Marion’s strength and determination even as she struggled with losing the support of her father (who in my reading was an unsympathetic character). I also appreciated the love story angles and how they played out.
There were several less preferred elements in this particular novel. One of Davis’ skills is writing a duel timeline. In this case, it felt a little more forced . . . Like the 1992 section could have been an epilogue. And while I was fascinated about the Big Apple Bomber, the extent of Marion and Peter’s investigation felt far fetched - particularly because of their very demanding work schedules. Finally, the characters in 1992 were written in a way that made them feel so old. I was shocked to realize they were only in their mid-50s.
Overall, this was a worthwhile book though not my favorite by the author. I thoroughly enjoyed the final chapters and felt like it was a very satisfying (if bittersweet) ending. And of course the author’s note always adds a helpful fact vs fiction account.
Side note - As someone who lived in the NYC area during the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing and the 9/11 attacks, I was interested to learn through this book about the 16 year 32 bomb spree that happened in NYC.
I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Memories of teenage years filtered through the lens of adulthood offer perspective and experience but are unreliable. "I Have Some Questions for You" explores the memories of Bodie, a podcaster who is going through adult struggles even as she begins to revisit the tragic murder of her high school roommate in boarding school. The memories unfold as the #MeToo movement is unfolding and women around the US are confronted with remembering a lifetime of unwanted sexual advances and abuse.
Bodie begins to piece together the unjust arrest of black man in a New England boarding school . . . the police were quick to make an arrest without investigating other possibilities. The high school students are not equipped to offer up the truth and were not asked questions that would guide them in their responses. But perhaps the next generation of students can ask the questions that will offer new insight.
I liked the book though it took me a long time to get through it. There was something about Bodie as the narrator that felt unstable but perhaps that was the point. I didn't love any of the characters which maybe kept me from being too invested but it also helped to understand that each of the kids were just kids and struggled with a sense of belonging in a culture that was on the cusp of the millennium.
#NetGalley #IHaveSomeQuestionsforYou
Bodie begins to piece together the unjust arrest of black man in a New England boarding school . . . the police were quick to make an arrest without investigating other possibilities. The high school students are not equipped to offer up the truth and were not asked questions that would guide them in their responses. But perhaps the next generation of students can ask the questions that will offer new insight.
I liked the book though it took me a long time to get through it. There was something about Bodie as the narrator that felt unstable but perhaps that was the point. I didn't love any of the characters which maybe kept me from being too invested but it also helped to understand that each of the kids were just kids and struggled with a sense of belonging in a culture that was on the cusp of the millennium.
#NetGalley #IHaveSomeQuestionsforYou
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a hard book to read. On the one hand, it was clear that Frida was not the best mother and she showed a serious lapse in judgment which left her child open to serious danger (not to mention her choice in men). At the same time, it shines a light on the lack of support for many mothers and the impossible expectations placed on them in the US.
As someone who was a single teenage mom, I am grateful for the community I had to support me and give me space to eventually grow into a competent adult and good mother. I had low self-confidence and poor judgment. I look back and see so many situations that were potentially dangerous but in the moment seemed like the only option. As I became more self-assured and had more options, I became a better mother and my child's life was better balanced.
Rather than develop a sense of community, the School for Good Mothers instills trauma by separating parents from their children. The women weren't taught how to create networks to care for one another's children - everything was put on the individual mother and her "child." Vulnerable families are made even more vulnerable.
I didn't like Frida and it often felt like her concern was about her own loss and needs without a clear understanding of the impact her actions were having on her daughter. She never quite seemed to take responsibility for the danger she put her child in. Still, I felt for her and the other women - the experimental system they are caught up in is unfair and cruel. Her ex is never held accountable for his role that led to her Frida's circumstances and by extension their daughter's. And certainly the ways that race, ethnicity, gender, and marital status all placed Frida in an impossible situation.
As someone who was a single teenage mom, I am grateful for the community I had to support me and give me space to eventually grow into a competent adult and good mother. I had low self-confidence and poor judgment. I look back and see so many situations that were potentially dangerous but in the moment seemed like the only option. As I became more self-assured and had more options, I became a better mother and my child's life was better balanced.
Rather than develop a sense of community, the School for Good Mothers instills trauma by separating parents from their children. The women weren't taught how to create networks to care for one another's children - everything was put on the individual mother and her "child." Vulnerable families are made even more vulnerable.
I didn't like Frida and it often felt like her concern was about her own loss and needs without a clear understanding of the impact her actions were having on her daughter. She never quite seemed to take responsibility for the danger she put her child in. Still, I felt for her and the other women - the experimental system they are caught up in is unfair and cruel. Her ex is never held accountable for his role that led to her Frida's circumstances and by extension their daughter's. And certainly the ways that race, ethnicity, gender, and marital status all placed Frida in an impossible situation.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Delightfully sweet! Was skeptical about the POV of an octopus but Marcellus lives up to the name of the book and was charming with his smug but tender observations. We follow the lives of Tova, a widow whose son had died tragically when he was a teenager, Cameron who is a smart young man with a good heart but troubled upbringing who is looking for his father, and Marcellus the octopus. Their lives intersect at an aquarium in a small town. We get to know some of the quirky characters who live in the town as Cameron's background starts to come together. I listened to the audiobook and looked forward to turning it on every time I got in my car.
The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is Ana Reyes first book and a compelling read. She presents Maya as an unreliable narrator from the beginning- a young woman with demons who is going through withdrawal cold turkey and who drinks heavily. Do you believe her and her memory gaps?
In her dreams she finds herself in a cabin with a mesmerizing pull on her. Echoes of the cabin fins their way into other places in her life.
I appreciated Maya’s back story and learning about the civil war in Guatemala. The yearning she had for home and family is evident throughout the novel.
I think some of it could have been more tightly woven. The time changes and edifying details was occasionally jarring.
The book had a satisfying ending. It was overall a good read - I read it in a day on vacation.
#TheHouseinthePines #NetGalley
In her dreams she finds herself in a cabin with a mesmerizing pull on her. Echoes of the cabin fins their way into other places in her life.
I appreciated Maya’s back story and learning about the civil war in Guatemala. The yearning she had for home and family is evident throughout the novel.
I think some of it could have been more tightly woven. The time changes and edifying details was occasionally jarring.
The book had a satisfying ending. It was overall a good read - I read it in a day on vacation.
#TheHouseinthePines #NetGalley
The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I love how Isabelle Allende writes. It’s nearly impossible for me to read through her books quickly because I want to soak in every sentence. When I received approval for an ARC of “the wind knows my name” I couldn’t wait to set aside time to sit and read.
The story tells of the experiences of several families from different eras who have migrated to flee war and other violence (some of which has been fueled by the US government). The trauma of the past is compounded by the trauma of the migration journey.
Children and parents are pulled apart. And thanks to social workers and others with big hearts like Selena, who cannot bear the cruelty, reconciliation is possible as well as appropriate legal representation.
I appreciate how Allende blends some of the storylines together. She reflects the reality that while the endings are not always happy, because of basic human kindness, people can experience the fullness of relationships even when unexpected.
Good book!
#TheWindKnowsMyName
#Netgalley
The story tells of the experiences of several families from different eras who have migrated to flee war and other violence (some of which has been fueled by the US government). The trauma of the past is compounded by the trauma of the migration journey.
Children and parents are pulled apart. And thanks to social workers and others with big hearts like Selena, who cannot bear the cruelty, reconciliation is possible as well as appropriate legal representation.
I appreciate how Allende blends some of the storylines together. She reflects the reality that while the endings are not always happy, because of basic human kindness, people can experience the fullness of relationships even when unexpected.
Good book!
#TheWindKnowsMyName
#Netgalley
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Violence, and War