Devastating and utterly maddening! This book broke my heart and boiled my blood!  Necessary Lies gives a (fictional) human face to one of the most horrifying, inhumane programs in US history.

Living in poverty and being raised by a grandma, Mary Ella and Ivy had little hope of managing their own future in North Carolina in 1960.  Social workers, like Charlotte and Jane, had the power to sterilize anyone that might be “a weight” on society without their knowledge or input. Thankfully young, idealistic Jane sees the egregious error in this ideology and intervenes to protect Ivy’s ability to forge her own future.

I went into this book well informed of the Nazi eugenics program. But I was completely ignorant to its existence in the United States. And this book changed that. While I would’ve liked the characters to have been more multifaceted and less predictable, I found this book a necessary commentary on antiquated beliefs and the power they wielded in history while also drawing a necessary parallel on how we (like Jane) have hope for a different future when treating others with compassion and respect. 

As I went into this 30 hour audiobook, it was apparent to me that I would either leave it completely irritated with Obama’s voice (and lack of succinctness) or come to understand him in a new way.  Given Obama’s ability to turn a phrase, the latter prevailed.  

In this book, Obama reflects on his path to the presidency and how he managed the responsibilities of the job during his first term.  In one of my favorite quotes, Obama states, “Lessons are painful but useful.”  As he contemplates the job he’s done, he focuses on both the successes and the opportunities for growth, noting that there were many of both.  

What I liked most about the book was seeing Obama as a person.  I enjoyed the stories of late night card games and seeing his grandmother for the last time and his first impression of Air Force One.  His struggles with balancing work and family life or not being able to accomplish all that he wanted are ones we all face.  Mostly I enjoyed the fact that he could laugh at himself while also being his own harshest critic.  And while, even after reading his thought process, I don’t agree with all of his policy decisions, I do respect his belief in the possibilities of America, knowing that our commonalities are stronger than our differences. 

What’s funny is that after such a lengthy investment of time, this book just ends.  It doesn’t wrap up.  It doesn’t conclude.  It’s just finished.  And after 30 hours, I actually wasn’t ready for it to be done (especially given the topic of the last chapter).  It’s completely crazy to say, but I wanted more…at least a good summary!  (So obviously, I will be listening to the next volume.)

Heartfelt, whimsical, and full of childlike wonder

I felt no need to try and understand the powers that Weylyn held.  Instead I was deeply drawn to his immense likeability and how he continually overcame hardship.  This book made me nostalgic for magical stories from childhood.  And while the storyline itself lacked a depth that I desired and was a bit messy at times, I was thoroughly charmed by Weylyn just as the wolves and fireflies are in this novel.

Throughout history, women have often been thought of as soft and mushy, unnecessary in the building of history or nations. In this extraordinary work of historical fiction, Dray sets the record straight!  The ladies associated with Lafayette’s chateau are nothing soft and mushy.  They are formidable, brazen, and stouthearted world changers!  Adrienne, Beatrice, and Marthe were women willing to sacrifice, resist, and fight.  And while I love a fictitious, well written, strong female protagonist, the best part of this novel is that two of our heroines are indeed based on real individuals and the third is crafted from factual information. Real women that made a real impact on history with a fascinating connection and colorful lives.  

In this novel, we see countries in strife, fighting for freedom and justice.  Rather than look at the men in the forefront, we are allowed a glimpse at the heart of the mission.  Three eras. Three wars.  Three women who believed themselves as capable as the men.  And with their influence, we see justice and humanity prevail. 

Dray expertly executes this complicated storyline, weaving the fight for freedom and decency through each character and timeline with an exquisite turn of a phrase.  Not only did I come to know each lady as if she were a friend, I also felt deeply at home in the chateau itself.  The past echoed through the stones of the castle through the words Dray used to craft its modest splendor.  

You’d think delving into the history of three eras and artfully intertwining them would be enough for any author to undertake.  But Dray doesn’t stop there.  This novel is a discourse on many things beyond the fight for freedom.  Dray also looks at the inner workings of marriage, the ramifications of infidelity, the desperation of loss, and the cost of sacrifice.  They aren’t merely side notes either.  These themes are well done. 

To read this book is to dedicate yourself to it.  It is a dense book with a depth of richly researched history.  While the immensity of the history and details can be a bit overwhelming at times, I found the novel to be well worth the investment.  I particularly appreciated the Author’s Notes at the end which indicated Dray’s dedication to maintaining historical accuracy.  She also outlines the liberties undertaken in order to best manage the storyline as a whole.

This novel was brilliantly executed and is a testament to the power of devoted women.

Many thanks to Stephanie Dray, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Haunting, devastating, and tragic. This is an enthralling novel that left my (very mixed) emotions upended. It’s a story about broken people and toxic love. It’s a story of survival- both physical and mental. And it’s a story about overcoming. 

Hannah masterfully created a diverse cast of multifaceted characters that draw on every possible emotion. I had a visceral hatred for Ernt and yet also felt deeply empathetic to his very real mental health challenges (which weren’t recognized in that timeframe). I was beyond frustrated at Cora for continuing to put Leni in abusive situations and also saw the trauma she faced as a victim.  And we watch Leni irrevocably changed as she grows up in an environment where you can’t thrash out the difference between love, hate, and fear. But my favorite of all was Large Marge. She was both a force to be reckoned with and a gentle teddy bear. I think her hugs wielded more power than the shotgun she carried. 

I also fell in love with the Alaska that Hannah expertly depicted... both devastatingly beautiful and wild. The weather and hardship and wildlife and breathtaking panoramas became like its own character. 

What didn’t work for me was the way loose ends were tied up too easily and quickly and somewhat implausibly at the end. After spending so much time creating a depth to this story, I felt Hannah shallowly concluded it.

Is there such a thing as a book hug? Because I feel as though this book has just hugged my very soul! Oh dear Emmie! What a treat! 

If you’re looking for an immersive, delightful read...this is it. I’ve recently finished a few deep, dark books, and Dear Emmie Blue gave me the the perfect uplift that I needed!  I immediately became besotted with her, and with every page, dreaded her story coming to an end. 

This is a book about real life and it’s hardships. It’s also about the power of love and hope. Life almost never goes as planned, but sometimes the actuality is better than the dream. 

Good Neighbors is very well written.  Langan superbly blends character anecdote with interviews, newspaper clippings, and social media excerpts to beautifully foreshadow the ugly truth that is to come.   The plot itself is tragic, bleak, and disturbing.  But I kept reading “just one more chapter” because I *had* to know who was murdered.  And even with the brilliant foreshadowing, there were still jaw dropping moments of surprise at the end. 

While the writing is well done, the character development leaves much to be desired.  I have read many stories with “characters you love to hate.”  But I could find no love for these characters. They are probably some of the most unlikeable I’ve ever read.  Unlikeable without purpose.  Unlikeable without reason.  And without quality character development, I struggled to find value in the story as a whole.

Ultimately, I think this book hit me at the wrong timeframe.  Right now, in the broad sense, real life scarily resembles what happened in this book: people clamoring to hype rather than fact and people leaning in to emotion rather than truth.  It feels exhausting in real life.  And I just didn’t have the energy for it in my fictional escape. 

However, I believe this book will be wildly acclaimed, and I do see this book exploring several  necessary commentaries.   

Many thanks to Sarah Langan, Atria Books, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Buckle up! You’re going to need nerves of steel to ride shotgun with Beauregard in this intensely dark crime thriller.  Cosby has expertly crafted the elements of this novel, and I’m not sure which is done better: the gritty and twisty heist storyline, the depth with which Beauregard was portrayed, or the essential commentary on poverty.  This story will have you on the edge of your seat as you cheer for criminals.  And ultimately, it’ll break your heart.  

Sidenote: As with most dark crime thrillers, this one is heavy on the violence.

I was quickly enveloped into Jason’s perfectly normal life with his artsy wife and teenage son.  Blake Crouch has a way of putting you right there at the dinner table immersed in the love and laughter. 

He also is masterful at using mind bending science to develop a story that fleshes out important philosophical questions:  What makes life worth living? Are you truly happy? What is “home?” 

As you delve into Jason’s multiverse, you’ll likely find yourself re-examining your own life while being completely captivated by Jason’s journey to get back to his family.  

Wow. This book left me SHOOK.  In spite of how gut wrenching and disturbing it was, I couldn’t put it down. And now, I keep asking myself- can I love a book that is as dark and chilling as this one is? Especially one that is about motherhood? This not the kind of book I like to give 5 stars to. It’s not sweet and endearing. It doesn’t have the most beautifully poetic prose.  But man was it riveting.

Blythe. Oh how conflicted she made me feel! I couldn’t decide if she deserved a heaping portion of empathy or if I disliked her immensely. Was she telling me the truth? Or was her perception completely off? The author masterfully created the perfect unreliable narrator in Blythe which kept me guessing up until the very last sentence. And man, oh man. That last sentence!  This book will stick with me for long time.

Definitely heed the trigger warnings. This is not a book to go into blind.