REVIEW: Alive Day by Kate Fugett

 

This is one of my Book of the Month selections and I was happy that I got it, although my next read is definitely going to be a lighter one! 

Barely out of her teens, Kate Fugett married Clive, her high school sweetheart, on a complete whim. Did she believe she loved him? Yes, I think so. But she was also homeless, jobless and living in her car when she met him. Marriage to Clive provided a degree of security that she wasn't experiencing at the time that she married him. Clive was in the military so marriage meant that she could be put on to his health plan and have a place to live. Cleve was soon deployed for a second  time. He didn't come home in one piece - he came home with an injured leg, that soon was amputated. All of the tenuous stability that Fugett had managed to cobble together fell apart.  She became a wounded warrior's caregiver - something that the military convinced her was so essential, that she gave up caring for herself and her own needs. 

This was a powerful and impactful read that I could only take in small pieces - the great part of this memoir is that Fugett did break the chapters into short pieces.  She struggled to deal with PTSD, physical healing, opioids and addiction and worse.  She describes how she had to learn about paperwork and other things on the fly because she was so young and literally had no experience. It was emotional, vulnerable, illuminating and a necessary memoir about the state of the military and how it handles not only it's wounded warriors but the people closest to them that have to care for them. She is resilient and strong and I admire her.  

A must read and a definitely necessary addition to your library.  Brava!

REVEW: College Joe by Tom Perrotta

 

I got this book from my local library so it qualifies for the Library Love Challenge!  Fantastic!  

I've read Tom Perrotta books before and enjoyed them - he's most well known for Election (which was made into a movie with Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon) and The Leftovers, which is now a series on HBO, but not as much for this novel, which came out in 2000.

Daniel, the main character, is a Junior at Yale University in 1982. It alternates its locations between Yale, in New Haven, CT and Daniel's working class town in New Jersey, where Danny goes for spring break. We follow Daniel as he attempts to navigate certain situations (some seriously and other comically), from romance, to work and danger. His romantic interests and their other relationships also complicate things, as does his father's work driving a lunch truck called the "Roach Coach."

I love Perrotta's ironic wit, his ascorbic style and his sarcasm, all of which are present in this novel. He is one of my favorite authors for this reason. However, this book is not one of my favorites.  I felt like I was reading about a more modern day Holden Caulfield and found myself wondering how many times a person could whine/make so many dumb mistakes/be such an a'hole before he figures it out.  It was a story that had been told already and wasn't original (granted Catcher in the Rye was written many moons ago, but still if you read this book, I don't think that you can help but make the comparison). The characters, however, are all gems.  You can't help but see them and hear them while you're reading about them.  They are quite memorable and very well developed. The book itself is short and a quick read.

Generally though, stick with some of Perrotta's other books. This one you can skp. 

Links I love

 

Last weekend, my son had his junior prom - which is crazy to think about.  Lots of goings on around here including a full bath remodel and remodeling/redecorating my daughter's room.  The moving parts are out of control but I did just have the final piece fall into place so now we're just looking to schedule! I am looking forward  to having a new bathroom and two concerts this summer: Keith Urban and Brad Paisley! I'm nearly done reading this book by Tom Perotta, an author I adore. The series adaptation of his book The Leftovers is on my list - currently watching Discovery of Witches and Paradise Lost. This list was helpful in assisting me to add new series.

• A rare willow tree is discovered.
• 5 books -2025 Pulitzer non fiction!
• Who is the girl in all the Wendy's stuff?
• Starbucks v. Dutch Brothers - who has the best rewards program?
  
• Aldi v. Walmart - who has better deal for groceries?
• New study shows how much protein you need to support your bones.
• What happens to your body when you feel homesick?
• Most popular burgers in each state.
• 5 mysteries set in hotels.
• Esquire names the best books of 2025, so far. The full list can be found here. 
• For those of you doing the summer reading challenge, here are some books featuring travel.
• This flavor pod looks interesting.
• What Starbucks drink has th e most protein?
• Quiz: can you name the greek god or goddess?
• Inside the effort to repair access to eroding maternal care in rural NH.
• George Wendt, who played Norm on Cheers, has died.
• McKitterick prize shortlist announced. Here is the official website.
• 6 mysteries set in international destinations.
• This blogger's take on top ten novels about travel.
• Heart Lamp wins International Booker Prize
• 80's kitchen trends that no one remembers
• Why McDonald's calls its shakes "milkshakes."
• Best Walmart frozen desserts.
• How to deal if you cry during every argument.
• Margaret Atwood on the Handmaid's Tale and her new memoir.
• Lilo and Stitch has a live action remake.
• 14 books for those traveling to Greece
• 17 books NPR critics are looking forward this summer.
• How Nespresso differs from drip coffee
• Most popular TV Genre in each state
• Round up of summer reading lists.
• Historical fiction set in America's various Chinatowns.
• How to stay safe outside this memorial day weekend - in NH.
• When are witches not witches.
• Chicago Tribune publishes a summer reading list that is AI generated and has fake books on it!
• Hot Sauces from around the world.
• Why espresso cups are so small.
• Father's day and graduation gift ideas
• Fastest drivers by state - not sure how NH is only 49.9

Don't forget to get $5.00 off your first order at Pangobooks by using the code found here and  to check out Book of the Month Club.

REVIEW: The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness

 

This is the third book in the All Soul's series by Deborah Harkness. With this book, Harkness attempts to close up a triptych of books that follow witch Diana Bishop and vampire Matthew Clairmont (along with a myriad of other memorable characters) in their quest to find an ancient text and change a centuries old law that prevents creatures from intermarrying. This book also focuses on Matthew's quest to find (and ultimately destroy) his evil son, Benjamin, who has been wreaking murderous havoc around the world. 

I was happy to finally finish this trilogy since I want to move on with the series on Netflix, but also because this book was about 150 pages too long.  It moved particularly slowly in parts and was more mundane then I expected a conclusory book to be. I loved Diana's parts of the novel, but found that the parts involving Benjamin and his tortuous antics were old, worn and stereotypical. There were parts that were funny - at one point, Harkness makes a joke about what vampire blood would do to the mosquito population that gave me pause for a chuckle and which was appreciated since a lot of the book felt very heavy. The secrets of the Book of Life, when  revealed, were pretty predictable. I wanted it to be something more sexy and crazy.

I did love the action of the ending - which I won't give away here and I hope to see more of Gallowglass, one of the main characters in future novels. I liked that Diana came into her own power (finally!) in this book.  It was too long coming. 

I'd suggest that you read this book, if only to provide yourself with closure to a series that has taken time to wade through, but I think it's perhaps the weakest of the three books featuring Diana and Matthew. 

Links I love

I hope that everyone had a good weekend and a nice mother's day last week. I've been doing a lot of walking - given my oral surgery this is really all I'm limited to.  One day I even hit 16,000 steps!  Lots of things are percolating here, including a potential bathroom remodel. My allergies have been going insane though.

•  What espresso drink at a Dunks or Starbucks is best?
• Women need two times more iron than men do.
• New Disney mugs released on Amazon.
• The bad coffee shop etiquette that annoys Starbucks baristas.
• A bridge along the AT has been deemed unsafe.
• The NY Times best books of the year so far.
• British Book of the year winners. You can find the lists, including shortlists, here.
• These books might be good for a summer reading challenge.
• The new librarian of Congress is a former defense attorney.
• 15 books about summer romance. 
• Cottage cheese vs. greek yogurt - which has more protein?
• Madonna is getting a biopic on Netflix. I'm currently watching Discovery of Witches and Gone Girls (about LISK).
• Menendez brothers are resentenced.
• A fun (and easy) summer reading challenge for adults.
• Historical fiction that explores motherhood.
• The Best five nonfiction books: Women's Prize 2025.
• Summer bucket lists and other self care ideas.
• What happened when Fentanyl was legalized in Portland, OR.
• Oprah's 114th book pick.
• Accessories that scream that you're reading.
• 15 books with summer vibes.
• 8 Bath and bodyworks scents that are missed.
• Murdaugh Court clerk arrested on perjury charges.
• There and back with Wally Lamb -he has a new book out!
• Rushdie's attacker gets prison time.
• Not gonna lie, this list was nostalgic.

Get $5.00 off your first order on Pangobooks by using the code here. Try out Book of the Month! These are links that I get credits for. 

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.