REVIEW The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand

 

This book checks off two challenges and two of the spots on my summer reading challenge scorecard:  there is a beach on the cover and it takes place on Nantucket, a summer destination! Look at me!

In this novel (which is Number 2 in the Nantucket series), Hilderbrand sets her exploration of friendship, love and loyalty on the island of Nantucket. The novel opens with the death of married couple Tess and Greg Macavoy, leaving behind their two children and their closest friends, all of whom are trying to figure out how the couple died. As the novel moves forward, it reveals drug addiction, mental health issues, secrets, indiscretions and infidelity amongst the friends and also how they deal with it.

This was a compulsively readable book and kept me hooked from the beginning. Hilderbrand deftly and expertly developed her characters using mainly flashback while her characters are experiencing tragic loss in the present. I couldn't help but be drawn into the lives and emotions of the characters. It did, sometimes, feel like one character was getting way too much attention, but all in all, loved this novel.  It's compulsive and easy pacing makes it a good, interesting beach read. 

Links I love

 

I hope that everyone had a good week.  Last weekend, I got both a pedicure and a massage, both of which were much needed. 

1. Stories of the old man before he fell off.
2. Warren Buffett is retiring.
3. Tips on getting the most from deep reading. 
4. What your favorite literary genre says about you.
5. If you like Nespresso pods, here is an article about how much you can expect to spend each month.
6. Why is it called extra virgin olive oil.
7. Long novels, if that's what you like. 
8. Popular period dramas and where to find them for streaming. 
9. Where does the expression put your foot in your mouth come from?
10. Met gala looks.
11. 2025 Pulitzer prize winners.
12. Last minute mothers' day gifts for readers.
13. 10 diverse magical books to read that aren't Harry Potter.
14. This looks good.
15. Ten most popular mother's day activities.
16. Ten facts about Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run.
17. New Disney Starbucks mug and new Disney Legos.
18. Magic Kingdom is selling alcohol now?
19. Best adaptations to stream right now.
20. First American pope.
21. Amazon's clash with independent bookstores.
22. The best books to give grads.
23. Novels about real life women.
24. A graphic novel about how ginseng, China and America are linked.
25. 20 most beautiful bookstores from around the world.
26. Justice Souter has passed away.
27. Best historical fiction of 2025 (so far).
28. This looks good.
29. WHen my brain finally broke.
30. Every state's favorite ficitional moms.

I hope that everyone's weekend and mother's day was good.

REVIEW: Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

 

This is a work of non-fiction, the first by this author, in which Villavicencio documents the lives of undocumented Americans and the things that they experience as a result of their status. She highlights experiences based upon geographical location, including, but not limited to, Miami, Flint and Cleveland. She also reflects upon her own experiences as an undocumented youth on DACA and in a university setting. She also specifically reflects upon immigration and its impact on her relationship with her family and mental health. 

While the book definitely had some poignant and highly emotional moments, I thought that it was more genuine then say an influencer on social media - these are real people with real issues and real lives and it highlights the impact that policy has on them. Villavicencio managed to convey the lives of the people through her own lens while still respecting them and that same experience as one that was personal to them. This isn't necessarily an easy balance to strike. This book was also essential to beginning to convey an understanding of the daily lives of undocumented Americans because these aren't stories that are highlighted in the news. 

REVIEW: The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis

 

This book looked absolutely fascinating - I like mysteries and Egypt has fascinated me. Some of my favorite parts of any museum was seeing the mummies.  This book also was from the library so it covers one of my challenges.

This book focuses on NY - specifically the Metropolitan Museum of Art - and Egypt.  The timelines often alternate between the 1930's and the 1970's (during the height of the King Tut phase). It is both a mystery and historical fiction. We follow Charlotte (when she's 19 in the 30's) and in her 60's (in the 70's) and Annie (who is 20 in the 70's). When we first meet Charlotte, she's trying to find her way and she's been offered a position with a dig in Egypt. While there, she uncovers unknown history and falls in love. She also suffers an unimaginable tragedy (I don't want to tell - it's unfolded over a period of time!) that makes her vow to never be in a relationship again. Annie, in 1978, is also struggling. She works two jobs and is trying to support her mother. She's thrilled to land a job with Dianna Vreeland at the Met and to work on a very important exhibit for the Met Gala that year. In the 70's Charlotte is also working at the Met as an assistant curator in the Department of Egyptian Art. She's consumed by her research on Hathorkare, one of the few female Pharaohs that was dismissed by history as a usurper.   

On the evening of the gala, one of the museums pieces is stolen, as is Charlotte's research on Hathorkare. Annie and Charlotte team up to find both, and Charlotte tries to get to the bottom of things that occurred in her past, while she was in Egypt. I loved reading about Egypt in the 30's, less so NY (maybe because I grew up there in the 80's) and, while Annie is more energetic, I preferred learning and reading about Charlotte and her journey. We definitely got to know each character extremely well. I enjoyed the multiple viewpoints provided on how museums get art and whether that art is better suited to be in the country of origin - should that art from Egypt, for instance, be returned to Egypt for exhibition? 

This is a very vivid and fast paced novel, that held my attention.  I enjoyed the themes of family, feminism, and art. There's a lot to discuss about relationships as well.  Highly recommend. 

Links I love

I hope that everyone had a good week.  I saw my oral surgeon on Monday. He was very happy with my progress.  I hope I'm on the mend. I've been trying to get some walks in each day so that I can get the blood flowing. I'm going to start adding some yoga and maybe pilates to the rotation.   I hate not being able to run or go to spinning class.  I am also experiencing significant sinus issues in part due to allergies I believe.  I am starting a process with an ENT but may end up at my PCP next week if I don't get much relief. 

I'm excited about pedicures with my daughter and a massage this weekend.  I am also dorkily excited about going to Sam's Club - I'm such an adult. I'm listening to Kim Goldman's podcast, Confronting. Her first season is OJ (obviously) and her second is on Columbine. 

• The Wolf King reading series in order.
• Students at Pentagon schools sue Secretary of State over book bans.
• Hugo award finalists are announced.
• NaNoWriMo website to close.
• Nespresso pods ranked.
• Should we also be worried about Spaceship Earth?
• Photos from the Pope's funeral mass. Here's how Papal Conclaves work.
• How losing a poetry competition launched Ed St. Vincent Millay's career.
• 5 vintage drive thrus no one remembers anymore.
• Two simple ways to add spices to your coffee.
• The most iconic female detectives.
• Vegetarian taco fillings other than beans.
• When does menopause actually start.
• Historical fiction set in the US.
• Classic fiction written by women in 1925.
• Here's why you don't find brand names at Aldi.
•  It has been 50 years since the Vietnam war has ended. 11 ways to support Vietnam War veterans. Some iconic photos.
• Why are the Blue Ridge Mountains Blue?
• New perk for WDW hotel guests.
• mysteries set in a cabin or the woods.  This sounds terrifying to me.
• Romance and fantasy pop-up store in NYC!
• 17 mysterious time capsules
• Best books on the Vietnam war
• Ten best states for working moms.
• The movie "Rust," is finally in theaters.
• If you're like me and are going through it currently, here are some tips. 
• Coffee is linked with longevity benefits.
• 11 facts related to the Alien and Sedition acts.
• Trump orders ending funding for NPR - I LOVE NPR!
• Book covers cliches have maxed out. 
• I'm a big fan of Elena Ferrante - her books are getting a new cover.
• The cult of the wicker man.
• Are the Mass Market Paperbacks on the way out?
• 7 ways to find microseconds of self care when short on time.
• Ten best hikes in country
• Fatigued v tired, what's the difference?
• Update on Karen Read.

Please don't forget to check out Book of the Month and Pangobooks. These are referral links, so I do get some credit for them.

20 books of summer reading challenge

 

This also looks like a great challenge to read! Head over to Annabookbel for the rules!  I'm going to do this one too. :) 

There's even a helpful Bingo card for you!

Library Love Challenge

 

This challenge is definitely one that I can get behind - they know me by first name at my local library! The rules can be found here.  The summer semester of this challenge begins May 1 and runs to August 31 and you have to read at least 12 books from the local library.