My Mother Was Nuts by Penny Marshall

 

My Mother Was Nuts by Penny Marshall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to Penny Marshall read this book. Hearing her stories told in her nasally, New York accent made them really come alive. Her life was interesting and she could see humor in most everything. 

While she drops A LOT of names, the book isn't a tell all. She's respectful about the people she talks about. 

I was a bit shocked at the way she casually talks about her drug use -- although maybe I shouldn't be since many of the people described as close friends were known to be heavy users. 

A quick and easy listen.

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Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

 

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the story of a coffee shop that has a seat that allows you to back in time for a brief moment - as long as it takes for a cup of coffee to get cold. It gives you the opportunity for one last moment with a loved one, but there are rules - nothing in the will future change, you can only return to the coffee shop, and your stay will only last a short while.

The book tells four stories of people who are seemingly unconnected. They all "travel" for different reasons. All four stories are heartfelt and distinct.

 This book is translated from the Japanese and the language is spare and sometimes doesn't have the fluidity we are accustomed to with English writers. I also wonder about some cultural differences - especially in the way emotions are described.

I think people should read this book and just sit with the stories - accept them at face value.

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The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate

 

The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There is no finer historical fiction author than Lisa Wingate! I liked "Before We Were Yours" a lot, but I LOVED "The Book of Lost Friends". In both books Wingate takes a little known historical fact and uses it as a starting point. In this book it's the "Lost Friends" ads in newspapers.

This story contains two timelines - today and post Civil War during Reconstruction. Reconstruction is a time I don't frequently read about, and goes a long way toward helping the reader understand how truly difficult is was for the newly freed blacks - unprepared with no support and still having to rely on often unscrupulous former owners. It was also a time that families that were torn asunder could try to find each other again. No small feat considering that names were frequently changed and most freed slaves were illiterate.

The modern timeline follows an English teacher in a failing school and her students. The Reconstruction timeline follows an ex-slave who is also the illegitimate child of the plantation owner.  It doesn't take too long for the reader to discover that neither protagonist is what she appears to be.  

The book takes its name from the "Lost Friends" advertisements that were placed in southern newspapers and read aloud in black churches.  Actual advertisements are printed between the chapters in this book.  It really lent an authenticity to the story and really hit my heart.  I knew nothing of this and was glad to learn about them.

As the book progresses the timelines begin to merge, and it's very satisfying to catch glimpses of the past in the present.

The book is well researched and documented.

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The Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly

 

The Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I started with Harry Bosch years ago, and they are good enough that I will always read the next entry. I especially like when universes collide and while this is a Mickey Haller book, Harry Bosch plays his part. A solid story with old friends.

Here we find the tables have turned on Mickey Haller.  Instead of defending the accused, he stands accused of murder himself.  Of course he was framed...while we know Mickey maybe a bit of a shyster, he is not a killer.   Mickey and company work to not only clear his name, but also find the killer.  

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When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O'Neal

 

When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O'Neal
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book takes us from Northern California to New Zealand, and is the search for family. Certainly it's not only about location (although the descriptions of the location were a favorite part of mine), it's also about finding room in one's heart for family.

As the book begins we meet Kit, an ER doctor living a very impermanent life in northern California.  She gets quite a shock when she thinks she sees her dead sister on TV in New Zealand.  Through flashbacks we learn about her unconventional childhood and why finding her sister is so important to her.

Overall, I liked the book.  There were a few things that didn't quite add up for me, but I was able to suspend some cynicism because the book and its message are beautiful

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Still Life by Louise Penny

 

Still Life by Louise Penny
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I keep seeing Louise Penny books popping up on the "Best of..." lists, but had never read any. I loved this book. I loved the quirky characters and town. I also loved Inspector Gamache and his humanity. This is a series I will return to.

In this first book of the series we meet Inspector Gamache, a legend among the police in Quebec.  He is sent to solve a murder in a small town, not on any maps.  Of course, it will be populated with quirky characters who need to escape or are hiding secrets.  Meeting these people and discovering their secrets is half the fun of solving the mystery.  Since the book is set in Quebec we are also treated to French Canadian sensibilities and plenty of French phrases.  It added to the coziness of the setting.

It was so refreshing to read a mystery without an unreliable narrator.  I think that's been too overdone.  I feel a bit like we've lost enough trust in others in our "real" lives, that I don't think we need to fill our reading life with mistrust also.

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