None of this is True: A Novel by Lisa Jewell-Suspense Thriller

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of None of This is True: A Novel by Lisa Jewell.

Title: None of this is True: A Novel

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Genre: Suspense Thriller

Author: Lisa Jewell

Publisher: Atria Books

Publication Date: August 08, 2023

Language: English

Hardcover: 384 pages
Meet the Author: Lisa Jewell
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author known for her “superb pacing, twisted characters, and captivating prose” (BuzzFeed), Lisa Jewell returns with a scintillating new psychological thriller about a woman who finds herself the subject of her own popular true-crime podcast.

Celebrating her forty-fifth birthday at her local pub, popular podcaster Alix Summer crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie, it turns out, is also celebrating her forty-fifth birthday. They are, in fact, birthday twins.

A few days later, Alix and Josie bump into each other again, this time outside Alix’s children’s school. Josie has been listening to Alix’s podcasts and thinks she might be an interesting subject for her series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life.

Josie’s life appears to be strange and complicated, and although Alix finds her unsettling, she can’t quite resist the temptation to keep making the podcast. Slowly she starts to realize that Josie has been hiding some very dark secrets, and before she knows it, Josie has inveigled her way into Alix’s life—and into her home.

But, as quickly as she arrived, Josie disappeared. Only then does Alix discover that Josie has left a terrible and terrifying legacy in her wake and that Alix has become the subject of her own true crime podcast, with her life and her family’s lives under mortal threat.

Who is Josie Fair? And what has she done?

My Thoughts

I still love Lisa's work and will keep reading her books. With that being said, this was not a favorite.

I liked it and enjoyed it but never understood how the "twin birthday" thing was really relevant to the story. Also, it was pretty infuriating, almost unbelievable how Josie got to have so much power and feel so entitled during the time she stayed at Alix's house. Also, who leaves their children at home with a complete stranger?. I just did not get it. 

Still enjoyed the book but not my favorite. I would still recommend it if you want a fast read. 

Wendy 

Where There Was Fire: A Novel by John Manuel Arias-Literary Fiction

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of Where There Was Fire: A Novel by John Manuel Arias.

Title: Where There Was Fire: A Novel

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Genre: Literary Fiction

Author: John Manuel Arias

Publisher: Flatiron Books

Publication Date: September 19, 2023

Language: English

Hardcover: 288 pages
Meet the Author: John Manuel Arias
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

A lush and atmospheric novel about three generations of a Costa Rican family wrestling with a deadly secret, from rising literary star John Manuel Arias

“An exciting new voice with a prowess for lyricism.” ―Publishers Weekly

A B&N DISCOVER PICK * A GMA BUZZ PICK * MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2023: CrimeReads, Debutiful, Good Morning America, Library Journal, Zibby Mag, The San Francisco Chronicle, and more!

Costa Rica, 1968. When a lethal fire erupts at the American Fruit Company’s most lucrative banana plantation burning all evidence of a massive cover-up, and her husband disappears, the future of Teresa’s family is changed forever.

Now, twenty-seven years later, Teresa and her daughter Lyra are picking up the pieces. Lyra wants nothing to do with Teresa but is desperate to find out what happened to her family that fateful night. Teresa, haunted by a missing husband and the bitter ghost of her mother, Amarga, is unable to reconcile the past. What unfolds is a story of a mother and daughter trying to forgive what they do not yet understand and the mystery at the heart of one family’s rupture.

Brimming with ancestral spirits, omens, and the anthropomorphic forces of nature, John Manuel Arias weaves a brilliant tapestry of love, loss, secrets, and redemption in Where There Was Fire.

My Thoughts

Being from Costa Rica, this book was a delight to read.

When mention old Costa Rica (though I was not even born yet) by reading the history, places like the National Theater, the Banana Company, the "barrio", all these words that are so familiar but sometimes seem too far away.

I listened to the Audiobook (which did not affect my opinion of the book).

It started a little slow for me but then it picked up and was a very interesting and enjoyable read. 

Books with different POV's, I can always appreciate. Different timelines, complicated characters, and family relationships. All that made the book more interesting for me.  Glad I had the chance to read the work of a Costa Rican- American author.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the Advanced Free Copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Wendy

Book Review: Someone, Somewhere, Maybe: Poems by Sophie Diener-Poetry

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of Someone, Somewhere, Maybe: Poems by Sophie Diener.

Title: Someone, Somewhere, Maybe: Poems

Rating:  5/5 Stars

Genre: Poetry

Author: Sophie Diener

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: September 26, 2023

Language: English

Paperback: 176 pages
Meet the Author: Sophie Diener
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

For fans of Rupi Kaur, Cleo Wade, and Amanda Lovelace, Someone Somewhere Maybe speaks to the joys and sorrows of finding your way as a young woman today.

Poignant and beautifully written, TikTok fan favorite Sophie Diener’s debut poetry collection takes readers on an introspective journey through first love, heartbreak, loss, identity, and self-worth. 

Filled with honesty and warmth, each poem reveals something new about the human condition, and brilliantly captures what growing up feels like, in a way that is both relatable and affirming.

Someone Somewhere Maybe is the perfect companion for a rainy day, curling up in bed with a cup of tea, sitting on the porch with a glass of lemonade, or lying on the beach watching the waves. 

It offers readers hope, healing, understanding, and the certainty that they are not alone.

My Thoughts

I love reading and writing poems. Every time I get my hands on a new poetry collection, I feel very curious to see what new writers/ authors are bringing to the table. Sophie Diener did not disappoint.  

What I liked the most about Someone, Somewhere, Maybe is that even though each poem touches on very personal topics, however, they are topics that a lot of people can relate to. 

I like the familiarity I felt while reading this book, and that I could see myself in these words, and knowing that I am not the only one who has gone through certain situations gave me some sort of relief.

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin and Netgalley for the Advanced Free Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wendy