book review

BOOK REVIEW: Worms by James R. Montague

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Title: Worms

Author: James R. Montague

Book Length: 186 pages

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Horror, Gothic

Read Start Date: June 23, 2023

Read Finish Date: July 7, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: 

My Review: I found this book at the local library. I had never heard of this book before, but it seemed like something that was right up my alley. I usually love horror novels from the 1970s and 80s (Worms was first published in 1979). I was expecting a creature feature similar in style to Jaws by Peter Benchley. However, Worms was more of a thriller with a flavor of worms.

James Hildebrand is not a good guy. In fact, he’s a murderer. Retiring to the Norfolk coast, he seeks peace and quiet, and for no one to suspect him of fowl play in the untimely death of his wife. Invasive in his daily life are the worms, and at first we do not know whether the worms are figurative — a metaphor for the guilt festering in his mind — or whether they are real.

As he begins to suspect that someone knows his secret, the infestation intensifies, leading to an expected conclusion.

I liked the book, but I didn’t love it. I’ve thought about it a lot and I do not know why this book didn’t do it for me. Don’t get me wrong, it was entertaining, and I’m glad I picked it off the shelf, but I also could have lived without ever reading this book. It was good, but not life altering.

Stats: As of August 29, 2023: 3.6 stars on Goodreads from 145 reviews.

Recommended? Yes, but I wouldn’t add it at the top of your list.

BOOK REVIEW: Spare by Prince Harry

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Title: Spare

Author: Prince Harry

Audiobook Length: 15 hours and 39 minutes

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, Autobiography

Read Start Date: June 20, 2023

Read Finish Date: July 3, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: It was one of the most searing images of the twentieth century: two young boys, two princes, walking behind their mother’s coffin as the world watched in sorrow—and horror. As Princess Diana was laid to rest, billions wondered what Prince William and Prince Harry must be thinking and feeling—and how their lives would play out from that point on.

For Harry, this is that story at last.

Before losing his mother, twelve-year-old Prince Harry was known as the carefree one, the happy-go-lucky Spare to the more serious Heir. Grief changed everything. He struggled at school, struggled with anger, with loneliness—and, because he blamed the press for his mother’s death, he struggled to accept life in the spotlight.

At twenty-one, he joined the British Army. The discipline gave him structure, and two combat tours made him a hero at home. But he soon felt more lost than ever, suffering from post-traumatic stress and prone to crippling panic attacks. Above all, he couldn’t find true love.

Then he met Meghan. The world was swept away by the couple’s cinematic romance and rejoiced in their fairy-tale wedding. But from the beginning, Harry and Meghan were preyed upon by the press, subjected to waves of abuse, racism, and lies. Watching his wife suffer, their safety and mental health at risk, Harry saw no other way to prevent the tragedy of history repeating itself but to flee his mother country. Over the centuries, leaving the Royal Family was an act few had dared. The last to try, in fact, had been his mother. . . .

For the first time, Prince Harry tells his own story, chronicling his journey with raw, unflinching honesty. A landmark publication, Spare is full of insight, revelation, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom about the eternal power of love over grief.

My Review: I think most people know who Prince Harry is. He is a public figure, and has been one since birth. Spare, a title taken from the English saying “the heir and the spare,” is a revealing memoir about Harry’s life from childhood to the present. It is hard to write this review without acknowledging that I had read a fair bit about the book in the media prior to actually reading it. I was expecting something very dramatic and damning of the Royal Family. In this aspect, the book did not really meet my expectations.

The brothers fought? Of course, they did. They are brothers. Is William supposed to be someone above reproach because he’s the next in line to the throne? Why is it so scandalous to portray the Princes as human beings with emotions? Maybe because I’m American I don’t get it, but I didn’t find any “oh my God” moment in the book.

While I liked reading about how the “other half lives,” I feel the memoir missed the opportunity to show more of what it is actually like to be a Prince beyond the “pap” harassment. I thought the story spent too much time explaining how Harry took drugs, how his penis got frostbite this one time, and complaining about being the spare. The whole time, I kept thinking that Harry has some enormous chip on his shoulder because he’s not the heir and yet has to deal with all the unwanted attention that comes with that title.

I think on this note, the best book review to read is from Orangutan Librarian. One of my favorite paragraphs from the review is below.

“Irritatingly, a lot of Harry’s narrative comes down to infantile whining. Forgive me for not feeling sorry for him that he had the smaller bedroom in a castle- I can’t exactly relate. Then again, this prince is delusional about class, privilege and money- seemingly completely unaware that you can’t get into Eton without a shed load of all of the above (even if they let a few plebs in every year to maintain charitable status, it’s undoubtedly a club for the rich and powerful). Yet here he is, lamenting his lot in life and feeling sorry for himself. Not that I don’t sympathise- I guess I am just too far removed from the line of succession (probably about 357,405,837th in line to be precise) to understand the point when #TIARAGATE matters in the grand scheme of things.”

Did this book make me feel bad slightly that they were harrassed by the media? Yes, actually. I did think it was terrible, but at the same time, he seems to confirm that a lot of what the media said about him was true.

Mybookworld24 had a different opinion.

“I think he might have everything material-wise but not what he really needs, which is family support and perhaps therapy to help him deal with the loss of his mother. It’s sad to see him carry that trauma into his adulthood, and I find that the palace and the media seem to forget that celebrities and royals are people too. After his second and final tour fighting for his country, he suffered from bad PTSD episodes, and when he told his family, they weren’t the most supportive until he hit rock bottom. This memoir felt raw and honest, which is why I gave it four stars.”

Stats: As of writing this blog post on August 21, 2023, this book has a 3.91 rating on Goodreads. My review is less than the average by nearly 1 star. So, I would recommend to read these other fabulous reviews for some comparison: Sprayed Edges and George L. Thomas.

Recommended? This book was good but not phenomenal. If one were to manage expectations, this book would be a good read, especially for people interested in the Royals.

BOOK REVIEW: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

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Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Audiobook Length: 16 hours and 8 minutes

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

Read Start Date: July 11, 2021

Read Finish Date: August 22, 2021

Number of Book in Series: 1

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads:  When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled her world.

At least, he’s not a beast all the time.

As she adapts to her new home, her feelings for the faerie, Tamlin, transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient, wicked shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it, or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

From bestselling author Sarah J. Maas comes a seductive, breathtaking book that blends romance, adventure, and faerie lore into an unforgettable read.

My Review: The first book in the series, the story follows Feyre Archeron, a young huntress living in a realm divided between humans and faeries. The faerie lands are split into the mortal realm, known as the Spring Court, and four other courts, each ruled by powerful faerie High Lords representing different seasons and aspects of nature. Due to a long-standing treaty, the two realms are separated by an invisible wall, and humans must be cautious not to venture into faerie lands.

Feyre’s life takes a drastic turn when she kills a wolf in the woods, only to discover that it was a faerie in disguise. Up until this point, the story was good. There was action, stakes (Feyre is hunting to feed her poor, starving family), and it was paced well.

As retribution, a beastly faerie lord named Tamlin arrives in the human realm to claim her. This is the point in the book where I began to get both annoyed and bored.

She is taken to the Spring Court as a “mercy” because the Treaty between the two species demands a “life for a life”. This means she can choose to be killed, or choose to live out her days in the faerie world of Prythian. I’m very confused. Why would this be an option for killing a faerie? Living in wealth and luxury? The Treaty also forbades slavery — although taking her as a servant would have made more sense as “punishment,” than living her days being able to do as she pleases. But I guess Maas couldn’t think of any other reason why Feyre would have to go to Prythian.

Once she gets there, she learns that a curse plagues the land and its inhabitants. A malevolent blight, threatens to destroy the faerie world, and Feyreis’s presence is entwined with the court’s salvation.

As Feyre navigates the unfamiliar and treacherous faerie realm, she begins to unravel the layers of secrets shrouding the curse, the court, and its enigmatic inhabitants. She also forms a complex and evolving relationship with Tamlin, the High Lord of the Spring Court, which transforms from hatred / fear to passionate affection.

And there is where Maas totally lost me. Beyond the repetitive use of the same words over and over (e.g. growl and snarl used over a hundred times), there was the creepy, predatory, abusive relationship between Tamlin and Feyre. Okay so you know how in Twlight, Edward is perpetually 17? It was like he never matured past being a teenager. So in human years he was 100+ years, but in vampire years he was 17. Well, Tamlin might “look young” but he is well over 500 years old in human years — and in fairy years he is like 40. At least that was my impression. There was nothing about Tamlin that indicated that he was a fairy “teenager.” Maybe this is why Feyre is hitting the end of the age range for YA fiction.

That being said, I was completely shocked when I learned that this book was YA. I would NEVER want my daughter to read this and think that abusive relationships are “hot.” Or even “okay.” Also I would be uncomfortable if my daughter read such graphic, explicit sex scenes. Maybe that makes me a prude, but whatever.

I first read this book as an audiobook in 2021 and disliked it. Then I thought I’d try it on Kindle because it seems like a popular series. I DNFed at 50%. I just couldn’t anymore.

This book was supposed to be a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I didn’t see it. Tamlin was the opposite of the Beast — he was good-looking on the outside and ugly on the inside. And where were the “Thorns and Roses”? I don’t remember seeing any. They weren’t intricate to the book.

Stats: As of the writing of this post on August 20, 2023, this book has a rating of 4.20 on Goodreads. So clearly, my review is not tot typical reception that this book usually receives. This book was also a Goodreads Choice Award Nominee in 2015.

Recommended? No, but as stated above, my opinion is the minority.

BOOK REVIEW: Cthulhu Comes to the Vampire Kingdom by Cameron Pierce

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Title: Cthulhu Comes to the Vampire Kingdom

Author: Cameron Pierce

Book Length: 172 pages

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Bizarro Fiction, Horror, Fantasy, Lovecraftian, Vampires

Read Start Date: June 17, 2023

Read Finish Date: June 22, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: Franz and Lola are vampires in love. They live in a cottage near the sea with their little vampire baby.

Burn Girl is a lonely girl who walks along the bottom of the sea, constantly on fire. The water doesn’t put her fire out or soothe her burns. It only makes her feel like she’s wearing an itchy wool sweater.

Bruno is the buffest vampire. He is building Muscle Island, a floating fortress comprised of mussels.

The Vampire Science Council has been working for centuries to prevent the depletion of their arctic planet’s blood supply, but the blood has finally run out.

Cyrus Lugosi’s friends want to slaughter him as part of a ritual sacrifice that will raise Cthulhu from his tomb at the bottom of the sea. There are just two The closest thing to the Necronomicon they’ve got is a unicorn coloring book, and Cthulhu is more interested in his quest for the perfect hamburger.

Their fates will converge when Cthulhu Comes to the Vampire Kingdom .

My Review: This is a hard review to write. I got this book from the library, having never heard of it before. What called my attention to it at first was the name Cthulhu in the title. While I have several Lovecraft books on my shelf, I have not yet read them, and was intrigued about the author’s take on this Lovecraftian character.

I was pretty quickly turned off from the moment I started reading. Franz and Lola are a vampire couple, who have a vampire baby. In the first few lines, the baby is dead, Lola has drunk his blood, and the pair have dismembered the baby’s corpse. There was no emotions felt from either parent, and as a parent myself, I was not amused. I know its supposed to “bizarre” or whatever, but it just didn’t sit well with me.

Then they decide to use the baby’s body to summon Cthulhu in hopes of saving their dying planet. The results of the summoning are not what they expected, which leads to even more superfluous scenes of violence (like cutting up dozens of vampires to make one large mega vampire to fight Cthulhu).

There were many such scenes where I wanted to gag.

I am not a person who can put down a book once starting it, so I reluctantly kept reading, but it was slow going.

Stats: As of writing this review (August 8, 2023), this book has a 3.81 rating on Goodreads. My 2 stars therefore falls rather far from the average reader of this book. So, while I will not recommend it, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good book, or that you might feel differently upon reading it.

Recommended? No.

BOOK REVIEW: Atomic Habits by James Clear

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Title: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

Author: James Clear

Audiobook Length: 5 hours and 35 minutes

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: Nonfiction, Self-Help

Read Start Date: August 1, 2023

Read Finish Date: August 7, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving—every day. James Clear, one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don’t want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you’ll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.

Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Along the way, readers will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field.

Learn how to:
– Make time for new habits (even when life gets crazy);
– Overcome a lack of motivation and willpower;
– Design your environment to make success easier;
– Get back on track when you fall off course;
…and much more.

Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits–whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal.

My Review: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear is a self-help book that provides practical insights and strategies for creating lasting positive changes in one’s life through the power of habits. The book emphasizes the idea that small, incremental changes, or “atomic habits,” can lead to significant transformations over time.

James Clear breaks down the process of habit formation into a comprehensive framework that explores the psychology behind habits, how they work, and how they can be effectively harnessed for personal growth. The book is divided into four parts, each addressing a different aspect of the habit-building process.

In Part 1, Clear introduces the concept of the “habit loop,” which consists of a cue, a craving, a response, and a reward. He delves into the science of how habits are formed and offers insights into why certain behaviors become ingrained over time. This section sets the foundation for understanding how habits can be modified.

Part 2 focuses on the “Four Laws of Behavior Change,” which are key principles that underlie habit formation. These laws are: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. Clear provides practical strategies for incorporating these laws into daily routines to create positive habits while simultaneously breaking negative ones.

Part 3 delves into the idea of habit stacking, which involves linking new habits with existing ones. This strategy leverages the natural associations between activities to reinforce positive behaviors. Clear also discusses the importance of social influences and the role of the environment in shaping habits.

Part 4 explores the concept of identity and how it relates to habit formation. Clear argues that lasting change occurs when individuals adopt a new self-image that aligns with their desired habits. He discusses the power of belief and how personal narratives influence behavior.

Throughout the book, Clear provides numerous real-life examples, case studies, and anecdotes to illustrate his concepts. He also draws from research in psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral economics to support his ideas. Additionally, each chapter ends with practical action steps, encouraging readers to apply the principles discussed in their own lives.

I have already started implementing some of James Clear’s advice on habit formation. I can’t wait to see where this takes me! If you are a person who struggles with the formation of good habits, this is a great book!

Stats: As of writing this post (August 8, 2023) Atomic Habits has a 4.37 rating on Goodreads. My 5 star rating is a bit higher than the average, but it is well deserved!

Recommended? Absolutely!

BOOK REVIEW: The Stranger Times by C.K. McDonnell

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Title: The Stranger Times

Author: C.K. McDonnell

Book Length: 424 pages

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Mystery, Crime, Magic

Read Start Date: May 28, 2023

Read Finish Date: June 15, 2023

No. of Book in Series: 1

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: There are Dark Forces at work in our world (and in Manchester in particular) and so thank God The Stranger Times is on hand to report them. A weekly newspaper dedicated to the weird and the wonderful (but more often the weird) of modern life, it is the go-to publication for the unexplained and inexplicable . . .

At least that’s their pitch. The reality is rather less auspicious. Their editor is a drunken, foul-tempered and
-mouthed husk of a man who thinks little (and believes less) of the publication he edits, while his staff are a ragtag group of wastrels and misfits, each with their own secrets to hide and axes to grind. And as for the assistant editor . . . well, that job is a revolving door – and it has just revolved to reveal Hannah Willis, who’s got her own set of problems.

It’s when tragedy strikes in Hannah’s first week on the job that The Stranger Times is forced to do some serious, proper, actual investigative journalism. What they discover leads them to a shocking realisation: that some of the stories they’d previously dismissed as nonsense are in fact terrifyingly, gruesomely real. Soon they come face-to-face with darker foes than they could ever have imagined. It’s one thing reporting on the unexplained and paranormal but it’s quite another being dragged into the battle between the forces of Good and Evil . . .

My Review: I had never heard of this book and found it sitting on a shelf at the public library. The synopsis was intriguing, so I decided to give it a shot. I am so glad I did. This book is freaking hilarious! It is not often that I find myself laughing out loud while reading, but I definitely did just that several times while reading this book.

Hannah, a newly divorced woman with no job experience, had quite a peculiar job interview for The Stranger Times, a newspaper that reports on the weird, extraordinary, and supernatural event. The editor of the paper, Vincent Banecroft literally shot himself in the foot with an old blunderbus while trying to get one of his employees not to jump from the building (something that he threatens to do every week). The bizarre occurrences didn’t end there, as she soon joined the eccentric team at the newspaper as the “new Tina” a.k.a the new assistant editor.

Hannah’s colleagues were a colorful bunch. Banecroft, known for his foul-smelling and foul-mouthed ways, lived in the office, along with Manny, who had an interesting dress code (if he wore clothes at all, that it). Grace, the office manager, had her hands full managing Banecroft’s temper. Stella, the young runaway teen taken in by Grace was a constant presence even if it wasn’t clear what she actually did at the paper. Reggie served as the paranormal consultant, and Ox was the ufologist and resident “general paranoid.”

Meanwhile, the man standing outside the building, Simon, desperately wanted to work for The Stranger Times but faced a peculiar hurdle with their “No Simon” policy. When he is killed under mysterious circumstance, and the police are left scratching their heads, the newspaper staff takes it upon themselves to solve the case.

In the greater Manchester area, Simon’s death is not the only strange occurrence that the police are investigating. Little does anyone know at the beginning, but magic is afoot and rules of the magical underworld are being broken, leading to chaos in the mortal realm.

This book has it all. Fantasy, crime, mystery and most of all humor. If you haven’t read this book yet, you must!

BOOK REVIEW: The Astronaut Dream Book by William Pauley III

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Title: The Astronaut Dream Book

Author: William Pauley III

Audiobook Length: 2 hours and 1 minute

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Bizarro Fiction, Horror, Novella

Read Start Date: July 6, 2023

Read Finish Date: July 8, 2023

Number of Book in Series: 3

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads:  A poisoned man dreams of astronauts.

My Reivew: I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. In The Astronaut Dream Book, we are granted a fascinating glimpse into the psyche of a poisoned man trapped within the confines of the enigmatic Eighth Block Tower. Through his dreams, we are taken on an otherworldly journey where he envisions himself as an astronaut, but these dreams are far from serene. Instead, the astronaut finds himself bombarded with negative waves, creating a haunting and surreal experience (including a weird church on an abandoned planet).

When the astronaut finally awakens from his reverie, the narrative skillfully transitions back to the Tower, seamlessly connecting with a familiar scene. Here, we encounter the young boy who was bitten in the first book, further deepening the interwoven nature of the stories. The tension mounts as the boy rushes to his mother, and we brace ourselves for a confrontation between her and the imprisoned man. The intricate web of connections within the Eighth Block Tower continues to unfold, captivating us with its strangeness.

One of the standout features of the book is undoubtedly the superb narration and masterful descriptions. The author’s ability to paint vivid and evocative scenes with words left an indelible impression on my mind. Each sentence is crafted with precision, immersing us fully into the surreal world of dreams and the ominous reality of the Tower.

Another highly recommended installment of the Bedlam Bible series.

Other Books in the Series (that I have read):

See my review of The Tower here.

See my review of Fight Tub here.

See my review of The Ballad of Old Joe Booth here.

Reviews Published
Professional Reader
10 Book Reviews

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

BOOK REVIEW: Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

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Title: Cleopatra and Frankenstein

Author: Coco Mellors

Book Length: 384 pages

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, (Romance)

Read Start Date: May 8, 2023

Read Finish Date: May 28, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: Twenty-four-year-old British painter Cleo has escaped from England to New York and is still finding her place in the sleepless city when, a few months before her student visa ends, she meets Frank. Twenty years older and a self-made success, Frank’s life is full of all the excesses Cleo’s lacks. He offers her the chance to be happy, the freedom to paint, and the opportunity to apply for a Green Card. But their impulsive marriage irreversibly changes both their lives, and the lives of those close to them, in ways they never could’ve predicted.

Each compulsively readable chapter explores the lives of Cleo, Frank, and an unforgettable cast of their closest friends and family as they grow up and grow older. Whether it’s Cleo’s best friend struggling to embrace his gender queerness in the wake of Cleo’s marriage, or Frank’s financially dependent sister arranging sugar daddy dates to support herself after being cut off, or Cleo and Frank themselves as they discover the trials of marriage and mental illness, each character is as absorbing, and painfully relatable, as the last.

As hilarious as it is heartbreaking, entertaining as it is deeply moving, Cleopatra and Frankenstein marks the entry of a brilliant and bold new talent.

My Review: When I first read the title, I thought this book was a clever reimagining/love story between Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the Egyptian Queen. I picked it off the shelf at the bookstore on my birthday, wondering whether this would be the book I gifted myself. The synopsis quickly dissuaded me from the notion that this would be a parody horror love story set in ancient Egypt. Although, that sounds like an awesome book. Just saying.

I won’t get into the book too much, as the synopsis lays out the plot nicely. “Cleopatra” and “Frankenstein” are the pet names that Cleo and Frank give each other. I thought, ok, eh, and left without buying the book.

When I saw it on the shelf at the library, however, I decided to give it a go and was pleasantly surprised (almost enough to regret my decision not to buy it).

Having read mostly commercial fiction of late, the literary style of Mellors writing was a welcome change.

Written in the third person (mostly), Mellors not only gives us the POV of the main characters Frank and Cleo, but also their closest friends. The ensemble of characters is highly intriguing, but some of their interactions exhibit toxic dynamics. The only chapters which were in the first person was for the POV of a woman named Eleanor, and to be honest, I am not a fan of alternating from third to first. I know it is a legitimate style of writing, but its just not my thing.

Trigger warning for animal death, drugs and alcohol abuse.

What Others Have Said that Resonated With Me: Sophie’s Edit: “Anyway, the bit I really wanted to write about was the fact this novel is a letter to New York. And although this may be to contrary opinion, I actually think it is quite a clever one. It highlights that some people thrive in the city and some people are destroyed by it. Mellors, in conjunction with the theme of growing up, shows how addiction and success are in the veins of such a place, which is why Cleo struggles so much to find herself. The younger characters spend the novel ‘finding’ themselves in a city which has too much of a personality for you to find yourself with any ounce of integrity. Whereas the older generation are in a state of success but also unhappiness and discontent with the decisions they’ve made – Franco turns to alcohol and Santiago is enamoured by his weight loss journey and how he appears to others. It makes you wonder if any of them can be truly happy in the world they live in. New York breeds unhappiness and problems, and in that sense, it makes you fit into a mould that truly, only some people are made for.”

Stats: At the time of writing this review (July 6, 2023), this book has an average rating of 3.85 stars on Goodreads. My rating of 4 stars, therefore, falls a little higher than the average, but is still within range of the general audience.

Recommended? Yes!

BOOK REVIEW: The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama

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Title: The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times

Author: Michelle Obama

Audiobook Length: 9 hours and 59 minutes

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, Self-Help, Autobiography, Politics

Read Start Date: May 11, 2023

Read Finish Date: May 23, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: There may be no tidy solutions or pithy answers to life’s big challenges, but Michelle Obama believes that we can all locate and lean on a set of tools to help us better navigate change and remain steady within flux. In The Light We Carry, she opens a frank and honest dialogue with readers, considering the questions many of us wrestle with: How do we build enduring and honest relationships? How can we discover strength and community inside our differences? What tools do we use to address feelings of self-doubt or helplessness? What do we do when it all starts to feel like too much?

Michelle Obama offers readers a series of fresh stories and insightful reflections on change, challenge, and power, including her belief that when we light up for others, we can illuminate the richness and potential of the world around us, discovering deeper truths and new pathways for progress. Drawing from her experiences as a mother, daughter, spouse, friend, and First Lady, she shares the habits and principles she has developed to successfully adapt to change and overcome various obstacles–the earned wisdom that helps her continue to “become.” She details her most valuable practices, like “starting kind,” “going high,” and assembling a “kitchen table” of trusted friends and mentors. With trademark humor, candor, and compassion, she also explores issues connected to race, gender, and visibility, encouraging readers to work through fear, find strength in community, and live with boldness.

“When we are able to recognize our own light, we become empowered to use it,” writes Michelle Obama. A rewarding blend of powerful stories and profound advice that will ignite conversation, The Light We Carry inspires readers to examine their own lives, identify their sources of gladness, and connect meaningfully in a turbulent world.

 My Review: I read Michelle Obama’s other book last year (you can see the review of Becoming by clicking on the link here). While I liked this book, I thought that it paled in comparison to the author’s first book (which is why I only gave it 4 stars). Don’t get me wrong, I think that says more about her first book than her second i.e., that her first book was so good, it is a hard act to follow.

The Light We Carry is less of a political memoir and more of a self-help book. The title encompasses the over arching theme of her book. “I believe that each of us carries a bit of inner brightness, something entirely unique and individual. A flame that’s worth protecting. When we are able to recognize our own light, we become empowered to use it. When we learn to foster what’s unique in the people around us, we become better able to build compassionate communities and make meaningful change.”

and: “One light feeds another. One strong family lends strength to more. One engaged community can ignite those around it. This is the power of the light we carry.”

Giving practical advice on overcoming adversity, Michelle Obama lets readers take a look into her “toolbox” for getting through the world we live in today. From parenting to anxiety, the author uses stories from her life and childhood to illustrate her points.

I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Michelle Obama herself. I always love it when the author can narrate their own novel. It’s like hearing it from them personally.

Stats: At the time of writing this review (July 4, 2023), this book had an average rating of 4.29 on Goodreads, so my review seems to be right on par with the general populace.

Recommended? Yes!

BOOK REVIEW: VVLNA by William Pauley III and Joseph Bouthiette Jr.

/ E.A. Hoffmann / 1 Comment

Title: VVLNA

Author: William Pauley III and Joseph Bouthiette Jr.

Audiobook Length: 1 hour

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Science Fiction

Read Start Date: June 6, 2023

Read Finish Date: June 6, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: Brushing away dust and dirt and sand and grit, the towering penumbra men stagger, drift, and wonder of the dark earth that surrounds them. These gods of an ancient world are simple men staring at a nothing moon struggling to invent a word to describe such darkness. The penumbra once had a word for the sun, VVLNA, but in this strange world, this black earth, there seems no use for it. And Father Jackal… every trace has vanished. The penumbra wonder if indeed they are alone here. In the distance stands The House of Wolves. There they will find answers. Some wish for food. Some wish for God. Only one will see the light.

My Review: I received this audiobook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The penumbra are a race of cyclopes who awake to a strange world after an indeterminate amount of time sleeping in the ground. Everything is new, their Gods have seemingly forsaken them, and they are no longer immortal. Danger awaits them around every corner, and I as a reader sat on the proverbial edge of my seat wanting to know what happened next. Will they make it to the House of Wolves? Who will perish along the way? Will their Gods of the old world save them?

The writing is beautiful and descriptive and sucks you in with every sentence. The melodic timbre of the narrator’s voice is perfect for this story.

Definitely worth a read!

Reviews Published
Professional Reader
10 Book Reviews

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.