Sunday, January 16, 2022

Book Review-The Last House on the Street




Title: The Last House on the Street

Author: Diane Chberlain

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: Advance copy e-book from Netgalley

Synopsis

1965
Growing up in the well-to-do town of Round Hill, North Carolina, Ellie Hockley was raised to be a certain type of proper Southern lady. Enrolled in college and all but engaged to a bank manager, Ellie isn’t as committed to her expected future as her family believes. She’s chosen to spend her summer break as a volunteer helping to register black voters. But as Ellie follows her ideals fighting for the civil rights of the marginalized, her scandalized parents scorn her efforts, and her neighbors reveal their prejudices. And when she loses her heart to a fellow volunteer, Ellie discovers the frightening true nature of the people living in Round Hill. 

2010
Architect Kayla Carter and her husband designed a beautiful house for themselves in Round Hill’s new development, Shadow Ridge Estates. It was supposed to be a home where they could raise their three-year-old daughter and grow old together. Instead, it’s the place where Kayla’s husband died in an accident—a fact known to a mysterious woman who warns Kayla against moving in. The woods and lake behind the property are reputed to be haunted, and the new home has been targeted by vandals leaving threatening notes. And Kayla’s neighbor Ellie Hockley is harboring long buried secrets about the dark history of the land where her house was built. 

Two women. Two stories. Both on a collision course with the truth--no matter what that truth may bring to light--in Diane Chamberlain's riveting, powerful novel about the search for justice.


My Thoughts Ms. Chamberlin has written another fantastic book. This book grabbed me from the start and didn’t let go until the end. The twin storylines twist together wonderfully. I enjoyed the suspense and civil rights era timeline.


Rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


#cubsfan3410reads #bookreview #bookblogger #keepreading #advancecopy 

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Book Review-Driving Miss Norma

 


Genre: Nonfiction-Memoir/Travel

Format: Audiobook on hoopla app

Synopsis: When Miss Norma was diagnosed with uterine cancer, she was advised to undergo surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. But instead of confining herself to a hospital bed for what could be her last stay, Miss Norma—newly widowed after nearly seven decades of marriage—rose to her full height of five feet and told the doctor, “I’m ninety years old. I’m hitting the road.” 

And so Miss Norma took off on an unforgettable around-the-country journey in a thirty-six-foot motor home with her retired son Tim, his wife Ramie, and their dog Ringo. 

As this once timid woman says “yes” to living in the face of death, she tries regional foods for the first time, reaches for the clouds in a hot air balloon, and mounts up for a horseback ride. With each passing mile (and one educational visit to a cannabis dispensary), Miss Norma’s health improves and conversations that had once been taboo begin to unfold. Norma, Tim, and Ramie bond in ways they had never done before, and their definitions of home, family, and friendship expand. Stop by stop, state by state, they meet countless people from all walks of life—strangers who become fast friends and welcome them with kindness and open hearts.

Infused with this irrepressible nonagenarian’s wisdom, courage, and generous spirit, Driving Miss Norma is the charming, infectiously joyous chronicle of their experiences on the road. It portrays a transformative journey of living life on your own terms that shows us it is never too late to begin an adventure, inspire hope, or become a trailblazer.


My Thoughts: Bring your tissues and be ready to laugh and cry through this amazing journey. This is the story of a final journey and embracing the moment and what/who is around you. I highly recommend this book!


Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tuesday, January 04, 2022

Book Review-The Minor Third

 


Title: The Minor Third (3rd book of The Magical Misfits series)

Author: Neil Patrick Harris

Genre: Juvenile fantasy

Format: audio on Libby app

Synopsis:

Theo Stein-Meyer loves being part of the Magic Misfits. Armed with his trusty violin bow, he completes the team with his levitation skills, unflappable calm, and proper manners. But when a girl named Emily begins to spend time with the group and the other Misfits grow suspicious, Theo is surprisingly drawn to her. She seems to understand the pull he feels between music and magic, family and friends.


Then a famous ventriloquist arrives in town, and the Misfits are sure he (and his creepy dummy Daniel) are up to no good. With their mentor, Mr. Vernon, suddenly called away and tension simmering among the friends, will they be able to come together to stop this newest member of the mysterious Emerald Ring? It's time for Theo to make a choice about where -- and with whom -- he belongs.


My Thoughts: 

I have enjoyed the three books I have read of this series. The Misfits like to solve mysteries together using their special talents and abilities. All the Misfits are lovable and entertaining. I’m looking forward to reading the fourth book.

If you enjoy the first two Harry Potter books, you would probably enjoy these as well.


Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️




Monday, January 03, 2022

Monday Media

 Formerly Movies on Monday…

Our family watched some movies that were randomly on TV channels over the weekend. Of note, I watched a couple of other things too.

The Harry Potter Reunion on HBO Max.
It was an enjoyable look with some of the cast and crew on the filming and stories behind the scenes. 
I felt like it was a little choppy in places with some of the segments but it was enjoyable.
⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

I also watched the Mr. Mayor Christmas special.
(Mr. Mayor is a sit com on NBC)
It was funny and snarky, like the rest of the series has been.
I would recommend the series!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (For the special & the series)

Sunday, January 02, 2022

My other new blog

 Good morning!

IF you are interested, I started a blog of my crafty stuff. You can find it HERE

2021 Reading

 According to my stats on The Storygraph, this was how my 2021 reading wrapped up.









I’m pretty happy with how much I read last year.

Saturday, January 01, 2022

2022

 Here we are in a new year. I’m looking forward to a good year ahead.

You may have noticed a little name change here. I’m planning to focus primarily on books, movies and a little TV here. I’ll share my thoughts and I welcome yours! I’ll still drop an occasional post about life and my crafty stuff.

I hope you find something positive that happened to/for you in 2021. And I wish you a very happy, healthy 2022! ❤️