Book Review: Daisy Jones & The Six: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid-Women's Fiction

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of Daisy Jones & The Six: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Title: Daisy Jones & The Six: A Novel

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Women's Fiction

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Publication Date: March 5, 2019

Language: English

Hardcover: 368 pages
Meet the Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

Everyone knows DAISY JONES & THE SIX, but nobody knows the reason behind their split at the absolute height of their popularity . . . until now.

Daisy is a girl coming of age in L.A. in the late sixties, sneaking into clubs on the Sunset Strip, sleeping with rock stars, and dreaming of singing at the Whisky a Go Go. The sex and drugs are thrilling, but it’s the rock ’n’ roll she loves most. By the time she’s twenty, her voice is getting noticed, and she has the kind of heedless beauty that makes people do crazy things.

Also getting noticed is The Six, a band led by the brooding Billy Dunne. On the eve of their first tour, his girlfriend Camila finds out she’s pregnant, and with the pressure of impending fatherhood and fame, Billy goes a little wild on the road.

Daisy and Billy cross paths when a producer realizes that the key to supercharged success is to put the two together. What happens next will become the stuff of legend.

The making of that legend is chronicled in this riveting and unforgettable novel, written as an oral history of one of the biggest bands of the seventies. Taylor Jenkins Reid is a talented writer who takes her work to a new level with Daisy Jones & The Six, brilliantly capturing a place and time in an utterly distinctive voice.

My Thoughts

I have read a few other Taylor Jenkins Reid's books, and I know she is a great writer. Had all the intention to read Daisy Jones and The Six, actually last year, but as often happens, other books got on the way. I finally read Daisy Jones. Took me less than three days and OMG, loved it. 

I know this is a well known book in the book community. Book of the Year at Book of The Month. I had seen and read nothing but great things about it. Not much else I can say that has not been already said. I loved how fast it reads, how every character has the chance to tell their stories, and that unexpected narrator. A pleasant surprise.

Really enjoyed Daisy Jones and the Author, as always, very different from her other books, but the great writing and stories never stops.

Wendy

Book Review: Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow-Espionage/True Crime

Hello dear Readers,

Below my book review of Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow.

Title: Catch and Kill

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Espionage/True Crime

Author: Ronan Farrow

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication Date: October 15, 2019

Language: English

Hardcover: 464 pages
Meet the Author: Ronan Farrow
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

In this instant New York Times bestselling account of violence and espionage, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Ronan Farrow exposes serial abusers and a cabal of powerful interests hell-bent on covering up the truth, at any cost.

In 2017, a routine network television investigation led Ronan Farrow to a story only whispered about: one of Hollywood's most powerful producers was a predator, protected by fear, wealth, and a conspiracy of silence. As Farrow drew closer to the truth, shadowy operatives, from high-priced lawyers to elite war-hardened spies, mounted a secret campaign of intimidation, threatening his career, following his every move, and weaponizing an account of abuse in his own family.

All the while, Farrow and his producer faced a degree of resistance they could not explain -- until now. And a trail of clues revealed corruption and cover-ups from Hollywood to Washington and beyond.

This is the untold story of the exotic tactics of surveillance and intimidation deployed by wealthy and connected men to threaten journalists, evade accountability, and silence victims of abuse. And it's the story of the women who risked everything to expose the truth and spark a global movement.

Both a spy thriller and a meticulous work of investigative journalism, Catch and Kill breaks devastating new stories about the rampant abuse of power and sheds far-reaching light on investigations that shook our culture.

My Thoughts

I had seen this book around the Bookstagram community for months but still, it took me all this time to pick it up, better late than never. I am so glad I did.

I can say, this is the best book I have read this year, so far. I did both, listened to the audiobook and read my physical copy. The audiobook is a gem, narrated by the Author. Amazing.

After an extensive and exhausting investigative work, Ronan Farrow presents us with Catch and Kill, the result of his findings mostly on Harvey Weinstein, but also other TV executives and TV personalities. Investigation on sexual assault, abuse of power, and the culture of silence surrounding Hollywood and that industry in general. 

Catch and Kill is such a fantastic read. You can see all the research and effort the Author put on his investigation, resulting in a very honest and transparent account of events, a very eye-opening book.

I could not put it down. The small chapters make it a fast read. I just wanted to keep reading. Granted, the subject in question is one big reason to keep you interested but also the passion the author put on telling the story, translating so many stories into paper. 

I recommend this book 100%. Very relevant in this period of time we are leaving. A must read. 

Wendy

Book Review: Pretty Things: A Novel by Janelle Brown-Mystery/Thriller/Women's Fiction

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of Pretty Things: A Novel by Janelle Brown.

Title: Pretty Things: A Novel

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Women's Fiction

Author: Janelle Brown

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group

Publication Date: April 21, 2020

Language: English

Hardcover: 496 Pages
Meet the Author: Janelle Brown
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

Two wildly different women—one a grifter, the other an heiress—are brought together by the scam of a lifetime in a page-turner from the New York Times bestselling author of Watch Me Disappear.

“Pretty Things is awesome. Simple as that. I loved every page. Janelle Brown is your new must-read author.”—Harlan Coben, New York Times bestselling author of Run Away

Nina once bought into the idea that her fancy liberal arts degree would lead to a fulfilling career. When that dream crashed, she turned to stealing from rich kids in L.A. alongside her wily Irish boyfriend, Lachlan. Nina learned from the best: Her mother was the original con artist, hustling to give her daughter a decent childhood despite their wayward life. But when her mom gets sick, Nina puts everything on the line to help her, even if it means running her most audacious, dangerous scam yet.

Vanessa is a privileged young heiress who wanted to make her mark in the world. Instead she becomes an Instagram influencer—traveling the globe, receiving free clothes and products, and posing for pictures in exotic locales. But behind the covetable façade is a life marked by tragedy. After a broken engagement, Vanessa retreats to her family’s sprawling mountain estate, Stonehaven: a mansion of dark secrets not just from Vanessa’s past, but from that of a lost and troubled girl named Nina.

Nina’s, Vanessa’s, and Lachlan’s paths collide here, on the cold shores of Lake Tahoe, where their intertwined lives give way to a winter of aspiration and desire, duplicity and revenge.

This dazzling, twisty, mesmerizing novel showcases acclaimed author Janelle Brown at her best, as two brilliant, damaged women try to survive the greatest game of deceit and destruction they will ever play.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed Pretty Things. It was a fast read for me. Liked the two view point, and how both characters, Vanessa and Nina, very different ones but nonetheless connected throughout the whole story. 

Also liked the unexpected twists, and how all the elements for a great thriller are present. Janelle's writing style is very unique and enjoyable, and will definitely be checking out her previous work. 

Thank you Random House and Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wendy

Book Review: Eight Perfect Murders: A Novel by Peter Swanson-Mystery/Thriller

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of Eight Perfect Murders: A Novel by Peter Swanson.

Title: Eight Perfect Murders: A Novel

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Author: Peter Swanson
Publisher: William Morrow

Publication Date: March 03, 2020

Language: English

Hardcover: 288 Pages
Meet the Author: Peter Swanson
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

“Swanson rips us from one startling plot twist to the next… A true tour de force.” —Lisa Gardner

"Fiendish good fun." —Anthony Horowitz

From the hugely talented author of Before She Knew Him comes a chilling tale of psychological suspense and an homage to the thriller genre tailor-made for fans: the story of a bookseller who finds himself at the center of an FBI investigation because a very clever killer has started using his list of fiction’s most ingenious murders.

Years ago, bookseller and mystery aficionado Malcolm Kershaw compiled a list of the genre’s most unsolvable murders, those that are almost impossible to crack—which he titled “Eight Perfect Murders”—chosen from among the best of the best including Agatha Christie’s A. B. C. Murders, Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train, Ira Levin’s Death Trap, A. A. Milne's Red House Mystery, Anthony Berkeley Cox's Malice Aforethought, James M. Cain's Double Indemnity, John D. Macdonald's The Drowner, and Donna Tartt's A Secret History.

But no one is more surprised than Mal, now the owner of the Old Devils Bookstore in Boston, when an FBI agent comes knocking on his door one snowy day in February. She’s looking for information about a series of unsolved murders that look eerily similar to the killings on Mal’s old list. And the FBI agent isn’t the only one interested in this bookseller who spends almost every night at home reading. 

The killer is out there, watching his every move—a diabolical threat who knows way too much about Mal’s personal history, especially the secrets he’s never told anyone, even his recently deceased wife.

To protect himself, Mal begins looking into possible suspects . . . and sees a killer in everyone around him. But Mal doesn’t count on the investigation leaving a trail of death in its wake. Suddenly, a series of shocking twists leaves more victims dead—and the noose around Mal’s neck grows so tight he might never escape.

My Thoughts

Well, this book surprised me. This was my first Peter Swanson book, and I enjoyed it a lot.

Malcolm Kershaw, I would say, is one of the most dark, and at the same time, sincere characters I have encountered on a thriller story. 

We are introduced to Malcolm, the owner of Old Devils, a bookstore in Boston. He loves mystery novels, and has two employees, Emily and Brandon, and a cat, Nero.

We learned Malcolm was married, to Claire, who died a few years earlier, and also learned Malcolm lives now by himself, in his apartment. 

The story begins when FBI Agent Gwen Mulvey calls Malcolm, asking for help on a series of unsolved murders, which look exactly like the murders described in books on a list Malcolm put together and posted in the booktore's blog years earlier, calling the list the Eight Perfect Murders. Agent Mulvey hopes Malcolm, somehow, can help her solve the mystery behind the unsolved murders, and how they connect to the books.

However, the story does not really begin there. As we go through the pages, we see the story unfold, we learn of each murder, Malcolm's wife Claire death, people close to Malcolm, and Malcolm himself involvement in everything happening, and what happened in the past.

What I liked the most about Eight Perfect Murders was that kept me hooked from the beginning to the end. I could feel the suspense, the twists, the mystery on every page. A well-written book with interesting characters and a very unique plot.

Wendy

Book Review: The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio-Memoir/Immigration

Hello dear Readers,

Below my book review of The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio.

Title: The Undocumented Americans

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Memoir/Immigration

Author: Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

Publisher: Random House One World
Publication Date: March 24, 2020

Language: English

Hardcover: 208 pages
Meet the Author: Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

One of the first undocumented immigrants to graduate from Harvard reveals the hidden lives of her fellow undocumented Americans in this deeply personal and groundbreaking portrait of a nation.

“Karla’s book sheds light on people’s personal experiences and allows their stories to be told and their voices to be heard.”—Selena Gomez

Writer Karla Cornejo Villavicencio was on DACA when she decided to write about being undocumented for the first time using her own name. It was right after the election of 2016, the day she realized the story she’d tried to steer clear of was the only one she wanted to tell.  So she wrote her immigration lawyer’s phone number on her hand in Sharpie and embarked on a trip across the country to tell the stories of her fellow undocumented immigrants—and to find the hidden key to her own.

Looking beyond the flashpoints of the border or the activism of the DREAMers, Cornejo Villavicencio explores the lives of the undocumented—and the mysteries of her own life. She finds the singular, effervescent characters across the nation often reduced in the media to political pawns or nameless laborers. The stories she tells are not deferential or naively inspirational but show the love, magic, heartbreak, insanity, and vulgarity that infuse the day-to-day lives of her subjects.

In New York, we meet the undocumented workers who were recruited into the federally funded Ground Zero cleanup after 9/11. In Miami, we enter the ubiquitous botanicas, which offer medicinal herbs and potions to those whose status blocks them from any other healthcare options. In Flint, Michigan, we learn of demands for state ID in order to receive life-saving clean water. In Connecticut, Cornejo Villavicencio, childless by choice, finds family in two teenage girls whose father is in sanctuary. And through it all we see the author grappling with the biggest questions of love, duty, family, and survival.

In her incandescent, relentlessly probing voice, Karla Cornejo Villavicencio combines sensitive reporting and powerful personal narratives to bring to light remarkable stories of resilience, madness, and death. Through these stories we come to understand what it truly means to be a stray. An expendable. A hero. An American.

My Thoughts

The Undocumented Americans is the book that we need out there, the book needed to help us understand, to really help us see, and really listen. 

At the end of the day, we all are human beings, no matter where we are, where we come from, we all have a story, and when it comes to tell other people's stories, we need the truth, we need the reality that comes with telling those stories. 

Karla Cornejo, I admire her ability and dedication to make other people's stories count, Undocumented Americans, their stories matter too. Through her own experience, she gets to these people, she builds relationships, she makes an effort to really get to know them and therefore, deliver an accurate representation of the realities, struggles, daily life of undocumented people in this country.

Thank you to the publisher, One World, and Netgalley, for the advanced free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wendy

Book Review: You Are Not Alone: A Novel by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen-Thriller

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of You Are Not Alone: A Novel by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen.

Title: You Are Not Alone: A Novel

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Thriller

Author: Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: March 03, 2020

Language: English

Hardcover: 352 pages
Meet the Author: Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

Shay Miller wants to find love, but it eludes her. She wants to be fulfilled, but her job is a dead end. She wants to belong, but her life is increasingly lonely.

Until Shay meets the Moore sisters. Cassandra and Jane live a life of glamorous perfection, and always get what they desire. When they invite Shay into their circle, everything seems to get better.

Shay would die for them to like her.

She may have to.

My Thoughts

Greer and Sarah nailed it again. Another brilliant, suspenseful, addictive thriller. I would read anything this duo writes, never disappoints.

It started slow for me, nothing wrong with that, but different from their other two books, however,  once it picked up, oh boy, there was no stopping. One of these books where you think you have it figured out but no, the authors keep surprising us. Family dynamics, betrayal, love, hate, friendships, lost. You are not alone has it all.

I personally love when an author comes up with a story where the characters can be relatable, Like Shay, where they seem to be like most people, with problems, struggles, going through things that we somehow can relate to. And of course, we have the plot, stories with unique twists and addictive.

If you've enjoyed the author duos' previous two novels, you will definitely enjoy this one.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Wendy

Book Review: The Book of Rosy: A Mother's Story of Separation at the Border by Rosayra Pablo Cruz (Author), Julie Schwietert Collazo -Memoir/Immigration

Hello dear Readers,

Below my book review of The Book of Rosy: A Mother's Story of Separation at the Border by Rosayra Pablo Cruz (Author), Julie Schwietert Collazo.

Title: The Book of Rosy: A Mother's Story of Separation at the Border

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Memoir/Immigration

Author: Rosayra Pablo Cruz (Author), Julie Schwietert Collazo

Publisher: HarperOne
Publication Date: June 02, 2020

Language: English

Hardcover: 256 pages
Meet the Author: Rosayra Pablo Cruz
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

A searing tale of the human lives behind the immigration crisis, written by two remarkable mothers—a Central American woman whose children were taken from her and the American who helped reunite the family.

When Rosayra Pablo Cruz made the wrenching decision to seek asylum in the United States with two of her children, five-year-old Fernando and fifteen-year-old Yordy, she knew the journey would be incredibly difficult, dangerous, and potentially deadly. But violence had made life in Guatemala untenable; Rosy knew her family’s only chance to survive was to go north.

After a perilous journey that left them dehydrated, starved, and exhausted, Rosy, Fernando, and Yordy crossed into Arizona. Almost immediately, they were forcibly separated by government officials under the Department of Homeland Security’s “zero tolerance” policy.

In The Book of Rosy, Rosy and Julie Schwietert Collazo, founder of Immigrant Families Together, the grassroots organization founded to reunite mothers with their children, tell Rosy’s story. They expose the cruel conditions of the detention facilities, the unbearable anxiety of having her children ripped away, and the faith and love that helped her through the darkest time. 

A gripping, unflinching depiction of the human cost of inhumane policies and the unbreakable bonds of family, faith, and community.

My Thoughts

I devoured this book. I could not stop reading it. I have never gone through or been in the position the author was, however, I strongly believe this is in indeed an accurate representation of what people at the border experience. I know it could be seem as cliche or easy to say for me, but I admire when people like Rosy share their experiences, when they are brave enough or feel compelled to do something about it. Somehow, help the others that are living the same pain and suffering to have hope.

For us readers, it is a way to better understand and not easily judge or think all the people trying to cross the border are bad people, like they want us to believe. I can only imagine how hard and heartbreaking was for Rosy, and all the other moms there, to be separated from their children and for them as well, being without their moms, for such longs periods of times. Granted they are taking care of but is it not the same. 

This certainly won't be the last book I will be reading on the subject of immigration, border stories, border separation. I want to know of other people's stories and better educated myself. I think we as a society have the responsibility to understand that behind the pain, the suffering, the difficulties, are real people and we have an obligation not to judge but understand and be more compassionate.

Wendy

Book Review: American Dirt: A Novel by Jeanine Cummins-Fiction/Hispanic American Literature

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of American Dirt: A Novel by Jeanine Cummins.

Title: American Dirt: A Novel 

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Genre: Fiction/Hispanic American Literature

Author: Jeanine Cummins

Publisher: Flatiron Books

Publication Date: January 21, 2020

Language: English

Hardcover: 400 Pages
Meet the Author: Jeanine Cummins
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

También de este lado hay sueños. On this side, too, there are dreams.

Lydia Quixano Pérez lives in the Mexican city of Acapulco. She runs a bookstore. She has a son, Luca, the love of her life, and a wonderful husband who is a journalist. And while there are cracks beginning to show in Acapulco because of the drug cartels, her life is, by and large, fairly comfortable.

Even though she knows they’ll never sell, Lydia stocks some of her all-time favorite books in her store. And then one day a man enters the shop to browse and comes up to the register with a few books he would like to buy―two of them her favorites. Javier is erudite. He is charming. And, unbeknownst to Lydia, he is the jefe of the newest drug cartel that has gruesomely taken over the city. When Lydia’s husband’s tell-all profile of Javier is published, none of their lives will ever be the same.

Forced to flee, Lydia and eight-year-old Luca soon find themselves miles and worlds away from their comfortable middle-class existence. Instantly transformed into migrants, Lydia and Luca ride la bestia―trains that make their way north toward the United States, which is the only place Javier’s reach doesn’t extend. As they join the countless people trying to reach el norte, Lydia soon sees that everyone is running from something. But what exactly are they running to?

American Dirt will leave readers utterly changed. It is a literary achievement filled with poignancy, drama, and humanity on every page. It is one of the most important books for our times.

Already being hailed as "a Grapes of Wrath for our times" and "a new American classic," Jeanine Cummins's American Dirt is a rare exploration into the inner hearts of people willing to sacrifice everything for a glimmer of hope.

My Thoughts

I finished reading/listening to American Dirt and wanted to share my thoughts. As a story teller, I think the author does a great job. The book as a whole has pretty much all the things I usually like in a book. Good writing, good pace, characters that you can somehow relate to. 

Now, that being said, I also understand where all the rejection, anger, controversy towards it comes from. See they say writers should only write what they know. I don’t necessarily agree with that. A writer can write about any subject, but if you are going to write about something you don’t know, you better do it right. And that is when I had conflict with the book. I listened to an interview with the author, where she says she did her research, and I believe she might but i don’t think her book necessarily reflects that. 

After reading other non-fiction books on the same subject, I can’t agree that American Dirt is an accurate representation of the realities of Immigrants. I am an Immigrant, however, the way I came to the US was totally different from the people on these non-fiction books I have read, and as a writer I could never feel totally confident to tell a story on the subject as if my experiences were the same as theirs. I can speak from my experience, I came here by choice not because that was my only choice. That is the issue I have with the book. 

I think when it comes to sensitive topics, situations causing so much pain and suffering in real life, you can do ‘research’ and also go for the ‘fictional’ work route but that will never be an accurate representation, that will never be the same as the non fiction, or should I say, very real stories from people who are actually living the pain and the struggles of their circumstances. We as writers need to write with purpose, need to remember that behind some story lines, narratives, there are real people and they deserve better. 

Again, this is my opinion, you don’t necessarily have to agree. I also won’t say American Dirt is a great or is a horrible book. I think each person should read it and form their own opinion.

Wendy

Book Review: Long Bright River: A Novel by Liz Moore-Literary Fiction/Thriller

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of Long Bright River: A Novel by Liz Moore.

Title: Long Bright River: A Novel

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Literary Fiction/Thriller

Author: Liz Moore

Publisher: Riverhead Books

Publication Date: January 07, 2020

Language: English

Hardcover: 496 pages
Meet the Author: Liz Moore
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

Two sisters travel the same streets, though their lives couldn't be more different. Then one of them goes missing.

In a Philadelphia neighborhood rocked by the opioid crisis, two once-inseparable sisters find themselves at odds. One, Kacey, lives on the streets in the vise of addiction. The other, Mickey, walks those same blocks on her police beat. They don't speak anymore, but Mickey never stops worrying about her sibling.

Then Kacey disappears, suddenly, at the same time that a mysterious string of murders begins in Mickey's district, and Mickey becomes dangerously obsessed with finding the culprit--and her sister--before it's too late.

Alternating its present-day mystery with the story of the sisters' childhood and adolescence, Long Bright River is at once heart-pounding and heart-wrenching: a gripping suspense novel that is also a moving story of sisters, addiction, and the formidable ties that persist between place, family, and fate.

My Thoughts

Seems like the last few years, the first book I read/finished the first month of that new year, turned out to be an amazing one. This 2020 was not the exception. Long Bright River is such a beautiful book, one of these books that stays with you even after finishing it. 

It is not just the plot, or the characters, or the setting, or the writing. It is absolutely everything about this book that makes it an incredible reading experience. There were moments I had a hard time putting it down, I couldn't stop reading. For a nearly 500 pages long, this book is fast paced and easy to follow along with.

This was not an easy or comfortable read. Due to the subject in display, drug addiction, the opioid crisis. This kind of topics can be a trigger for people, for different reasons. I was a little hesitant as to what to expect or the way it was going to be presented/worked but the more I read, the more I could see the author really did a great job even though the subject is not an easy one, but she managed a well, beautifully-written book, about addition, the hardships it comes with and in this story, the complications and impact that issue has in the bond, relationship sisters Mickey and Kacey had growing up.

I was certainly not expecting that twist in the story, but at the end made a lot of sense for the story. Mickey, who is our narrator, is a very reliable character. Both sisters bring a lot to the story and all the other characters. I admire both sisters for all their courage and honesty and the way they confront their own issues. When Mickey realized the possibility her sister Kacey could be missing, she feared the worst and did everything she could to find her. Something else I loved about the book is how well the author present the place the story takes place. Kensington, in Philadelphia. While reading I could feel I was there, I could easily picture the place in my head.

I do not what else to say about this book other than it is one of the best books I have ever read and that I cannot recommend it enough. A powerful and beautiful novel.

Wendy