Doll-baby by Laura Lane McNeal
(historical fiction, civil rights era, coming of age)
Source: audiobook
Summary: After Ibby’s father dies, her mom leaves her and her father's urn full of ashes with a grandmother she didn’t know she had.
Content: A few swear words, non-descriptive rape, racial slurs
Review: ****
Final statement: I wish I remembered where I got this book recommendation. It was a good story, with just one major eye-rolling element. The narrator for the audiobook was really good.
I Must Betray You by Rita Sepetys
(historical fiction, young adult, Romania)
Source: hardback from library
Summary: During the Romanian Revolution of 1989, a teenage boy is blackmailed into becoming an informer for the secret police.
Content: A few mild swear words, protesting/revolutionary violence. In my opinion, this book is suitable for 12+
Review: *****
Final statement: This book dove into a part of history I really knew nothing about, so I am glad to have read it.
A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
(middle grade, historical fiction, WWII)
Source: e-book
Summary: Three orphans are billeted during WWII in hopes of finding a forever family.
Content: Grandma-friendly
Review: ****
Final statement: This was cute story.
A Deadly Fortune by Stacie Murphy
(mystery, paranormal, historical fiction)
Source: audiobook
Summary: A young woman with a psychic gift is placed in an asylum where she discovers that women are dying under false identities.
Content: some PG-13 language and promiscuity
Review: ***
Final statement: This month I hosted book club, and this was the book I chose. This is the first time I've ever chosen a book I haven't read already. Someone in book club wanted a murder mystery, so I researched and found this one. It didn't lend itself to great conversation. I wish I could have a do-over.
The War that Saved my Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
(middle grade, Newbery Honor, historical fiction, WWII)
Source: e-book
Summary: Ada is a neglected child with a club foot who runs away with her brother Jamie and ends up in the care of a woman who never wanted children.
Content: Grandma-friendly
Review: ****
Final statement: This book was very similar to A Place to Hang the Moon, but I liked this one a little bit better.
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
(dystopian, artificial intelligence)
Source: audiobook
Summary: Klara is an "Artificial Friend" chosen from the shop to go home with a girl named Josie, and um... I guess Klara really likes the sun.
Content: A couple of swears
Review: **
Final statement: I spent the whole book anticipating the many different directions the story could go, and it kind of went nowhere at all.
The Mother's Promise by Sally Hepworth
(contemporary, women's fiction)
Source: e-book
Summary: Alice is diagnosed with aggressive ovarian cancer, but she doesn't have much of a support system, so she and her 15-year-old daughter must find their way through the diagnosis with help from a social worker and a nurse.
Review: ****
Content: language and sexual abuse (not explicit)
Final statement: I've liked everything I've read from Sally Hepworth so far.
Roxy by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman
(young adult, mental health, science fiction)
Source: hardback book from library
Summary: In this story, various addictive substances are personified as characters who compete to lure their users.
Review: ****
Content: substance abuse and minor language
Final statement: This was creative and interesting. Definitely not for everyone, but I found it intriguing from my point of view.
The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell
(family drama, contemporary fiction)
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