Many of you wrapped up 2021 last week. I, however, took the week off and I will be using the first week or so of 2022 to wrap up the things I read, knit, listened to, and more. Today it’s the things I read last month. I’ll post about the things I read all year in a future post.
Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The overall theme of this book is wonderful – life is about love and choices and second chances and it continues when we die, just in a different form – but it could have used stronger editing as it’s just too long. I almost gave up more than once but I knew T.J Klune would come through in the end, and he did, it just shouldn’t have taken 2/3 of the book to get to the good stuff.
State of Terror by Hillary Rodham Clinton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What do you get when two women, one a bestselling crime fiction writer and one a powerhouse politician, collaborate on a book? A political thriller that is engaging and exciting with a plot that’s ripped from the headlines. The characters are real and flawed, the story is fast paced and exciting, and the writing is terrific. Highly recommended.
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
If you love books and libraries, you will probably enjoy this book. It’s heartwarming and engaging, with characters who feel like people you’d want to have as friends. I’m a firm believer in reading books to help us cope with the things going on in our lives and this book embraces that notion fully
Murder at the Lobstah Shack by Maddie Day
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another entertaining and fun cozy mystery from this series which is set on Cape Cod. The characters are developing nicely and the author has managed to keep things fresh even though this is the 3rd book in the series. Highly recommended for those who enjoy the genre, particularly if you want the added bonus of recipes at the end.
The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Times like this, people become more human, anyway. Mostly, that’s a good thing.
I think this is my new favorite of Louise Erdrich’s books. It’s extremely timely and painfully relevant. It’s a love story, a ghost story, a pandemic story and so much more. Erdrich ties it all together with beautiful language, richly drawn characters, and a love for reading, books and bookstores that warms my librarian’s heart. Highly recommended
Did you read something in December that you loved? Tell me about it!
I’m reading The Sentence now, but am having a hard time getting into it. I will stick with it because so many people have high praise for it, including you!
I tried over a couple of weeks to get into The Sentence, but I just couldn’t do it. So, that’s why they make chocolate and vanilla, I guess. Maybe later I will try again later this year. I particularly enjoyed These Precious Days and Small Things Like These. Here’s hoping for lots of great reading in the new year.
Re the Penny/Hillary book, I especially enjoyed the descriptions of the former president. And of the current Russian leader! You can tell that Secretary Clinton really knows whereof she speaks. A fun read during Christmas vacation also was the 2nd installment of “The Thursday Morning Murder Club.”
I knew you’d love The Sentence! 🙂
Oh gosh, The Sentence was just so good! I agree with you, it might be my new Erdrich favorite!
🙂
I have both The Sentence and State of Terror at the top of my reading list, now the challenge will be which to read first!