My goal in 2024 was to read two to three books per month. At the start of the year, I averaged a little more than that. The idea has been to spend as much time as I can completing my own book, Book Two: It’s Just Your Imagination – Not! The ABCs to Facing Our Fears, as well as time getting our “little casita” organized. Now mid-December 2024, I’m starting on book #35, which is astounding to me.

This year I have been alternating back and forth between nonfiction (usually memoirs) and fiction (striving for a focus on mysteries this year). So far, I haven’t had to DNF a book yet. And in an effort to just have fun, I’m thinking I’ll be rounding out the year with just reading fiction in the evenings, mainly mysteries.

Thank you for tuning in with me as I share my reading (and writing) journey with you. Your presence is most appreciated.

Happy reading!

Hugs, Virginia Alice Crawford (Virg)

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January 2024

Inside Out: A Memoir

Demi Moore

My Review: “A memoir that sheds light and inspires….I was always attracted to Demi Moore’s youthfulness, fresh face, and witty characters, not realizing she was only three days younger than me in real life. Watching her grow up from starring in soaps to marrying Bruce Willis made me wonder if being famous made life any easier for her as a person. After reading her memoir, I realized that acting took her away from the life she was stuck in and gave her opportunities she wouldn’t otherwise have had; her acting was part of what she did, like a career, but it wasn’t who she was, just like my job isn’t who I am. By reading her memoir, I was able to get to know her just a little bit. I was especially impressed with and happy how she came out on the other side of her story, learning and embracing who she was and is, as well as uniting with all three of her daughters.”

Book Quote:

“One of our collective fears is being alone. Learning that I’m okay with just me was a great gift I was able to give myself. Spending time on my own may not have been exactly what I wanted, but I was okay. I wasn’t afraid. I didn’t need to rush to fill the space. There was an aspect of that time of isolation that was for my healing – which is how I started experimenting with looking at things in general. What if everything hadn’t happened to me but had happened for me? What I learned is that how we hold our experiences is everything.”

Demi Moore, Inside Out: A Memoir (Page 250)

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Go Ask Fannie

Elisabeth Hyde

My Review: “Four familial perspectives of love, loss, and desired connectivity….Murray anticipates his upcoming weekend with trepidation. His three grown children will be arriving soon, all with their own ideas and agendas of their visit’s purpose. Sure, everyone is expecting the usual bickering. But no one is expecting what events will transpire. Neither are they expecting to find the answers to any of the questions which only their memories have been asking. If you enjoy stories with family dysfunction that find resolve in the end, then you’ll fall in love with this unusual story of love lost, family regrets, and unexpected revelations and healing results.”

Book Quote:

“The call came at 2:58 A.M. Ruth knew the time because she’d turned the illuminated clock on the bedside table to face in her direction so she could get up and do some yoga before Lizzie and George made their morning appearances.

No middle-of-the-night phone call ever brought good news.”

Elisabeth Hyde, Go Ask Fannie (Page 270)

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Crying in H Mart

Michelle Zauner

My Review: “The journey of mother and daughter toward each other….Crying in H Mart was truly engaging and revealing. I appreciated everything about this memoir, from being in H Mart and realizing how much the author now misses her mom to her telling us the story of their journey together – and toward each other. In the end, I could see – through the author’s sharing of parts of her mom’s story – how our own mother-daughter story is shaped by our mother’s experiences. I also appreciated how the author stuck as closely as she could to the main theme of her memoir, that of her relationship with her mother, rather than diverting to another interesting facet of her life.”

Book Quote:

“…but catch me at H Mart when some kid runs up double-fisting plastic sleeves of ppeongrwigi and I’ll just lose it. Those little rice-cake Frisbees were my childhood, a happier time when Mom was there and we’d crunch away on the Styrofoam-like disks after school, splitting them like packing peanuts that dissolved like sugar on our tongues.

I’ll cry when I see a Korean grandmother eating seafood noodles in the food court, discarding shrimp heads and mussel shells onto the lid of her daughter’s tin rice bowl….”

Michelle Zauner, Crying in H Mart (Page 5)

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Oona Out of Order

Margarita Montimore

My Review: “A book that gets you thinking about how your choices affect your future….This novel was a page-turner for me. Not being one for time travel, I was pleased that the author kept the plot flowing and was especially pleased with the one plot twist I didn’t see coming. I truly enjoyed how the author, without asking, gets the reader to question the choices we make and how they affect our lives long into the future. I highly recommend Oona Out of Order to anyone who enjoys fiction, time travel, and a little mystery – all rolled into one.”

Book Quote:

“The blowout with Madeleine and the heart-wrenching evening with Kenzie left Oona depressed, so she kept busy in the following weeks by converting her den into a home theater. She had a giant screen and surround-sound speakers installed, along with two rows of seating, microfiber love seats in the lower tier and reclining leather chairs on the upper. Red velvet drapes on either side of the screen and an antique popcorn machine completed the effect.

Every few days, she called her mother and got her voice mail. She never left a message.”

Margarita Montimore, Oona Out of Order (Page 240)

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February 2024

Finding Me

Viola Davis

My Review: “A story that reminds one of the importance of identity, hope, and listening to and following your inner voice….I found Viola Davis’ story not just inspiring but interesting, full of hope and the desire to do better for herself than where she grew up. Although growing up poor myself, and relating to some of what Viola experienced, what I found truly insightful was when she was told how nice it was that her parents came to her performances and were genuinely happy for her success. It was a turning point in Viola’s perspective of her parents’ life. And, oh, how I love turning points – whether my own or someone else’s. If you enjoy reading memoir, you’ll find Viola’s story of finding herself to be truly empowering.”

Book Quote:

“I wanted my story to be small. I wanted it to shrink like a tumor down to a manageable size.

Drama provided an escape. The emotional release acting allowed gave me great joy. Perfect joy. When I was acting, I felt everything – every last receptor in my body was alive, 100 percent alive, and I was not hiding anything….”

Viola Davis, Finding Me (Page 106)

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ROME: Centuries of Stories of the Eternal City

Stephanie Larkin, Editor

My Review: “A compilation of stories to be read by anyone wanting to visit or in love with Rome….If you are looking to broaden your research on Rome before a future first trip to Rome or to reminisce about your love of Rome, I highly suggest this collection of poems and stories. You will be warmed by each one. I love anthologies and this book was especially enjoyable with its focus of Rome, the eternal city. Also, my good writer friend, C. D’Angelo’s short essay, Rome, was featured, and I couldn’t be happier for her and to read of her Rome adventure on her and her husband’s tenth wedding anniversary. Each story is unique and gives you a warm feeling of each writer’s experience. You’ll be glad to add this remarkably unique story collection to your library of travel books.”

Book Quote:

“The last featured memory for me is how in all of our exploring in Rome we could never find the Piazza Navona. I felt like we were in National Lampoon’s European Vacation circling Big Ben and Parliament….”

C. D’Angelo, Rome, in Centuries of Stories of the Eternal City ROME (Page 8)

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STEVE & ME

Terri Irwin

My Review: “A story that astounds and warms you simultaneously….I remember Steve Irwin in the Crocodile Hunter and always admired his openness and zeal for life, nature, and all animals. It was pure joy to read his wife, Terri’s biography of hers and his life together. I hated for her story-in-print to end, as most of us know what happened and were just shocked by his death, wanting to know more about their life in the great outback. I was especially fascinated from the start at how similar Terri and Steve were in their love for protecting animals and preserving wildlife. Her love for Steve, and their combined strength as lovers of nature, made reading their story so gripping. I particularly found Terri to be a strong and inspiring person and am still inspired by her ability to survive the loss of the love of her life. If you haven’t read Steve & Me yet, you will be amazed at their zest for life and how Terri loved a man who put his life on the line every day to save the animals he loved so much.”

Book Quote:

“Steve took all the knowledge he’d acquired over the years and added his own experience. Nothing seemed to daunt him, from green ants, mozzies, sand flies, and leeches, to constant wet weather. On Cape York, we faced the obvious wildlife hazards, including feral pigs, venomous snakes, and huge crocodiles. I never saw Steve afraid of anything, except the chance of harm coming to someone he loved.”

Terri Irwin, Steve & Me (Page 236)

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THE VISITOR: A Novel

C. D’Angelo

My Review: “A book that makes you appreciate family and one’s heritage more….The Visitor is a wonderful read, filled with family intrigue, female independence and determination, and neighbors who pull together in a united effort to help each other out. The author’s writing style is easy and gripping, asking readers, as she writes, to follow along as she strives to solve a family puzzle which will ultimately save her home and her business. You’ll find the main character’s Italian heritage, love of family, and quirky but amiable neighbors to be a story worth rooting for. Get your copy today and be immersed in the lives of Mary, her neighbors, and an interesting but mystifying visitor. Ms. D’Angelo fills a much-needed niche with her easygoing writing – you’ll absolutely enjoy her story and way of telling it.”

Book Quote:

“This is too much. Everything Patsy tells me seems to be transported through a narrow tube so it can seep into my brain, bit by bit. If I allow more to come all at once, it’ll splatter against the inside of my skull and would be way too overwhelming. What are the odds that my grandmother lived in the same home as I do all these years later?….”

C. D’Angelo, The Visitor (Page 190)

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March 2024

INHERITANCE: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love

Dani Shapiro

My Review: “A memoir about discovering who you are and who you are not….I became writer friends with the author on Instagram long before I discovered her memoir, Inheritance. In 2023, and in a plight to increase the number of memoirs to read in the future, I happened upon Dani’s name and tho’t, why not. I had always enjoyed her posts on IG and was not to be disappointed in reading this memoir of hers. In fact, a year later, I have been quite inspired by her dilemma, to – at 54 – discover she was not who she thought she was and yet as minutes and hours and days evolved to realize this is exactly why she felt a disconnect to her family. I found Dani’s effort to make sense of this information fascinating, being that I never felt like she did, knowing exactly who my parents were. I was happy that by the end of her story that she had discovered the why she was different growing up and had made peace with holding and molding two identities into one.”

Book Quote:

“ ‘Do you know the three great spiritual questions?’ [the acupuncturist] asked.

‘Who am I?’ I whispered and paused. I couldn’t remember the other two.

We were silent for a long moment….

Finally, he continued. ‘Why am I here?’

Tears ran down my temples and into my hair.

He paused before offering me the last question.

‘And how shall I live?’ “

Dani Shapiro, Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love (Page 181)

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LOVE, MEG

C. Leigh Purtill

My Review: “A surprisingly cute coming-of-age story about a girl who wasn’t wanted but cannot be resisted….This was a cute story that kept my attention from start to finish; in fact, it’s the first coming of age book I’ve read since I was a teen that I have actually loved from beginning to end. Love Meg kept me hooked on the plot and the characters, first, wondering if Meg was really friends with Jennifer Aniston, and second, how did she fit into her sister’s life and what would eventually happen to her. Sadly, I don’t think this book got the attention it deserved. First titled, Love Meg in 2007, and later named, Jennifer Aniston is My Best Friend, in 2012 in Kindle format. The main character is your typical teen, seeking acceptance and trying to figure out how to exist with a self-absorbed sister. As the plot develops, we learn – as we often do – that everything is not what it seems. Meg learns a hard truth that cannot be ignored and travels to the opposite side of the US to find out more. With the help of her friend, Jennifer Aniston, and new boyfriend, Juny, Meg discovers hard times are everywhere and makes the decision to return “home.” Love Meg is a wonderful depiction of someone who searches for their truth, finds it, and decides not to let it define their future. You will enjoy it’s easy-to-read dialogue, Meg’s family, and her new friends.”

Book Quote:

“If a person was ever in need of a ladies’ room while roaming the Upper East Side of Manhattan, it was Meg’s considered opinion that person should immediately take herself to Bloomingdale’s, where the women’s lounge looked like it was lifted from the queen’s quarters in Buckingham Palace. She was fairly certain that, had Friends actually filmed in the store when Rachel was an employee there, they could have shot entire scenes in the ladies’ room.”

C. Leigh Purtill, Love Meg (Page 125)

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KNOCKOUT: A Memoir

Mia Kang

My Review: “A memoir about learning your why and finding your true balance….Young Mia first seeks to find herself in modeling and all its pitfalls along the way. It isn’t until she takes a break and tries Muay Thai that she finds her true self and what she is made of. Through her courage and perseverance, she rises above the negative influences of a less-than-ideal home life and a modeling career filled with eating disorders and drug abuse to a place of peace and self-confidence. And it is in her newfound energy that Mia models this for young girls just starting out. In choosing to no longer starve herself to fit into the modeling world’s “ideal” size, Mia embraces a bigger dream to help others stand up for themselves. In doing so, Mia breaks out of the old-world beauty mold of becoming rail-thin and instead takes only modeling jobs that accept her as the true beauty she is. If you are struggling to find yourself, this book will help you see that you are not alone. You can find your true self and you can set the bar for what is acceptable and what is not – in your life – just as Mia has done for herself.”

Book Quote:

“…The Mia before Muay Thai might have fit into all the sample sizes, but she was unhealthy, depressed, and riddled with insecurities. It was like seeing two versions of myself; one was shriveled and gray, and the other was colorful and vibrant. And I needed to stand up for the version of me who was strong and powerful. The version who was finally alive, finally happy. I needed to stand up for her not only for me, but all the other women out there, too, because I wish I’d had a woman like me to look up to when I was younger.”

Mia Kang, Knockout (Page 258)

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WINTER GARDEN: A Novel

Kristin Hannah

My Review: “When the past is revealed, two daughters find not only their mother but themselves….I picked up Winter Garden as I had read two other books by Kristin Hannah, Between Sisters and True Colors. I probably wouldn’t have read them except they were chosen for a book club I was in at the time. I enjoyed each one and found Winter Garden just as engrossing. I wasn’t sure, at first, if I’d be as happy with the development, unfolding, and discovery of why there was such a rift between mother and daughters. I was not disappointed. Sometimes, it just takes a while to decipher what and why each person makes their decisions, feels the way they do, and reacts to each other – or to that person’s story. Like in real life, it can take years to find one another amongst all the hurt and pain one might experience. And just like in Winter Garden, sometimes it’s the reading between the lines that gets us to a place of insight, forgiveness, and joy. If you don’t care for family drama, you probably won’t enjoy this book. But if you like understanding why a person does what they do, you might find Winter Garden worth reading. I did.”

Book Quote:

“Meredith nodded. How was it that her whole life could be distilled down to that simple truth? Words mattered. Her life had been defined by things said and unsaid, and now her marriage was being undermined by silence….”

Kristin Hannah, Winter Garden (Page 246)

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April 2024

TRAVOLTA

Dave Thompson

My Review: “A bio that shares much of this talented man yet leaves much of the person out….This biography is worth reading. The author did an outstanding job of research, making it something we can hold in our hands and refer to for parts of John Travolta’s life without having to do all the research ourselves. My favorite parts were where the actor himself is being quoted. I missed seeing more of the essence of the actor as a person – his disappointments, joys, successes, the emotions which would be revealed if the actor had written the book himself or if the author had been able to personally interview him and include more real-time quotes. If you’re looking to read about John Travolta’s acting – his beginnings and middle up through Face/Off and Broken Arrow, this book is a great place to start. However, with Mr. Travolta’s extensive talents including stage-work and singing, as a pilot, as well as his involvement in Scientology and many other organizations such as ecological and drug rehabilitation, you may be inclined to add other books and research to your regimen.”

Book Quote:

“As he grew, John’s life continued to revolve around the twin dreams of flight and the theater….the nuns all but despaired of the boy who could barely do his multiplication tables because his head was already full of numbers – the seating capacity of the DC-6, the number of weeks Gypsy spent on the road. They were exasperated by the boy who could not retain a few lines of scripture but could recite entire movie scripts without fault….”

Dave Thompson, Travolta (Page 12)

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THE SWEENEY SISTERS

Lian Dolan

My Review: “A delightful story of three sisters, who discover they have enough love for one more….This novel touches on when we least expect it – when life is happening and when we are barely handling what we have on our own plate – and how we can add one more thing or, in this case, person to our life. The Sweeney Sisters is filled with love, laughter, and tears. And if you have a sister (I have five), then you will relate to this fun and light-hearted story of how at the reading of their father’s will, they come to learn of one unknown family member. As would be expected, they are all on high alert. But with time and a few family events, they come around to new rhythm of life – together. This story is a feel-good sister story I believe everyone will enjoy.”

Book Quote:

“‘As you know, your father was a man in full. He lived a life that was both rich and often complicated, the result of which could be brilliant writing but difficult personal relationships. As you come to terms with your father‘s death, I must add one more complication. It came to my attention about a month ago that your father had a previously unknown child outside of his marriage to your mother.’ Cap paused to let the last sentence sink in.”

(Cap Richardson) Lian Dolan, The Sweeney Sisters (Page 44)

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ENOUGH ALREADY: Learning to Love the Way I Am Today

Valerie Bertinelli

My Review: “A memoir written with love, food, and the desire to let go of what holds us back….Enough Already is about doing away with the revolving ideas in our mind that keep us from our best self. Valerie Bertinelli is as transparent in her book as she is in her smile and laugh. Many of us watched her grow up on television’s One Day at a Time and were enthralled with her marriage to 80’s music band’s Eddie Van Halen. What we didn’t know at the time, and maybe she didn’t either, is her great love for food and wanting to make others happy with what she made. Through her search for her true self and longing to come to terms with the weight, that elusive ten pounds she (and many of us) was always trying to lose, she found her new passion. And in that, she found herself. If you are looking for a change and help in doing that, this memoir will go a long way to getting you there. What the author touches on in her memoir is what many of us need to know in order to start shedding that extra weight in our own life – whether physical or emotional.”

Book Quote:

“The walk upstairs to the bedroom is the last mile of a daylong hike. As I get into bed, I notice several books about forgiveness in the stack on my nightstand.

How to forgive.

Learning how to forgive.

The blessing of forgiveness.

The lessons in all of them lead to the same place, and I realize that it is surprisingly easy to forgive someone when you love them.” Valerie Bertinelli, Enough Already (Page 26-27)

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May 2024

THE LAST SUPPERS: A Culinary Mystery

Diane Mott Davidson

My Review: “A cozy mystery with comfort food to help solve the crime….I love a cozy mystery and this one did not disappoint. From beginning to end, not just trying to figure out “who did it” but if the groom was safe or not. Each character was a suspect. The bonus is the mouth-watering recipes supplied throughout.”

Book Quote:

“Never cater your own wedding reception. It’s bad luck, sort of like the groom seeing the bride before the service. Death or destruction could result. Not to mention ruined cake.”

Diane Mott Davidson, The Last Suppers (Page 3)

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A BODY TO DIE FOR: A Bailey Weggins Mystery

Kate White

My Review: “A mystery that keeps you on the edge of your massage table….Another amateur woman sleuth who can’t help but try to solve the mystery of who-dunnit. In this case, you’ll never look at spa retreats the same way again.”

Book Quote:

“I jumped a foot and spun around. The man in the plaid coat was standing just a few feet behind me. He looked as big as a water buffalo and as mean as one, too.”

Kate White, A Body to Die For (Page 94)

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MEMORIES: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF RALPH EMERY

Ralph Emery with Tom Carter

My Review: “A memoir that encompasses decades of country music and its celebrities….I truly enjoyed this memoir. I loved reading about Mr. Emery’s beginnings as a radio talk show host, DJ, emcee, and country music announcer. It was interesting to learn how his staying power in the country music world helped him in his transition from radio to television as he hosted hundreds of country music stars. His interviewing skills gave him the ability to communicate well with them, several of which became good friends. I highly recommend this memoir to anyone who enjoys country music, whether they remember Ralph Emery throughout the years or not. The book is filled with lots of memories and experiences in country music history. Some chapters are even devoted to stars such as Jimmy Dean, Johnny Cash, Barbara Mandrel, Dolly Party, Shotgun Red, and Keith Whitley – just to name a few. And Ralph Emery’s kind voice can be heard on every page.”

Book Quote:

“….Children have no idea how much they are loved. Parents suffer with them more than they ever know. If you’ve never been a parent let me say simply that when your children are hurting, so are you. You find yourself trying to live their lives vicariously while struggling to maintain your own.

The strain is nerve-racking and heartbreaking. You give them all the wisdom and love you have, and hope that God and luck intercede to do the rest.”

Ralph Emery, Memories: The Autobiography of Ralph Emery (Page 155)

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UNBURY CAROL

Josh Malerman

My Review: “A story of love, loss, and redemption set in a western, cryptic other-world….This book is different than any other genre I’ve read. I wasn’t sure that I liked it at first. However, it held my attention, and I’m glad I finished it. I loved all the characters, good and bad, as they exhibited a little bit of the good and bad in each of us. And had I not finished the book, I would have missed the lovely ending, as well as two clear messages I got from the story: a woman can be self-sufficient without a man; and love is a choice that can be lost but return to us again and again.”

Book Quote:

“Carol thought of the many variations on love and the myriad ways it was shown. She recalled Hattie in the workroom, John Bowie on the porch, and James Moxie on his knees in a grave, staring into an empty casket he’d broken open himself.”

Josh Malerman, Unbury Carol (Page 362)

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June 2024

PAULA DEEN A MEMOIR: It Ain’t All About the Cookin’

Paula Deen with Sherry Suib Cohen

My Review: “Not just a book about cookin’ but a book about the life behind the cook and the cookin’….Paula Deen’s memoir is a delightfully written story of a cheerleader with stars in her eyes turned gutsy entrepreneur. Her story encompasses how she went from deeply loved daughter to protective mother to driven risktaker as a southern cook and businesswoman. She made mistakes along the way and bottomed out a time or two, yet she picked herself up and figured out how to turn her love of cookin’ like her Grandmother Paul into a multi-million-dollar business, all the while retaining her deep-south Georgian roots. If you enjoy memoirs, this one will be in your top favorites.”

Book Quote:

“Looking back, I think that maybe one reason my sons and I have such a great relationship today is that we went through some pretty rough times together. Jamie and Bobby didn’t have the same opportunities as kids whose parents have the money for educating them. Those kids leave home at eighteen for college and fall into the lawyering, the banking – the cushy office jobs. My sons had only one choice – if you call it a choice. The choice’s name was Momma.”

Paula Deen with Sherry Suib Cohen, Paula Deen A Memoir: It Ain’t All About the Cookin’ (Page 79-80)

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KILLER PANCAKE: A Culinary Mystery

Diane Mott Davidson

My Review: “A mystery that keeps your attention and makes your appetite grow.…I enjoyed this mystery even more than Ms. Davidson’s last title, The Last Suppers. Killer Pancake kept up a fast pace throughout and was difficult to put down. If you enjoy cozy culinary mysteries, you’ll love this one. Plus, recipes for all the yummy food prepared throughout this catering-focused amateur sleuth novel are included in most of its chapters.”

Book Quote:

“ “….Hey, Mom! These pancakes are awesome…I mean, cool! You should call them Killer Pancakes!” He shoveled in a few more mouthfuls. I looked out my kitchen window and found myself wishing for some of that soothing saxophone music….Then I did hear a familiar roar – the Jerk’s Jeep. I sighed and headed for the front door to let him in….”

Diane Mott Davidson, Killer Pancake (Page 79-80)

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July 2024

ANN-MARGRET: MY STORY

Ann-Margaret with Todd Gold

My Review: “From childhood through career, from shy and timid to a one-woman powerhouse….I’ve read a number of memoirs, but this is the first one that really made me thoroughly feel like we really don’t know anyone; that is, until we hear their story through their own words. Ann-Margret’s memoir is filled with details of her life from when she was a little girl, first started singing, and how she embarked on a new life in America, attended college, became part of the singing group, The Suttletones, and life on the stage and in the movies. I learned so much about her and admired how hard she worked to be not just a success but good at anything she did from singing to dancing to acting. You will be amazed by her dedication and determined spirit. If you love memoirs, you’ll definitely want to read this one.”

Book Quote:

“…I stole away to the little white church in nearby Hotagen, where my mother had been baptized, confirmed, and married. Outside, in the small, carefully tended graveyard, her parents – Mooma and Moofa – were buried. In that emotional setting, I knelt beside Mooma’s grave and whispered, “Thank you for my mother.” ”

Ann-Margret with Todd Gold, Ann-Margret: My Story (Page 314)

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If Looks Could Kill: A Bailey Weggins Mystery

Kate White

My Review: “A mystery that keeps your attention from beginning to end….Another engrossing mystery suspense by Kate White, and actually her first book in a series of eight books, having read her second book, A Body to Die For, earlier this year. I was as satisfied with the direction and completion of this author’s first mystery as I was with her second. Kate White has a way of creating a story and keeping you interested from start to finish. I’m looking forward to her next six mysteries in the Bailey Weggins series.”

Book Quote:

“If this were the case, the murderer was very clever. He had thought out his plan carefully. It would also mean that he must be fairly entrenched in the magazine business to be aware of the theories floating around….The only hitch: He hadn’t been aware that [the] poisoning had occurred in Bucks County, making the plot-against-editors idea less probable.”

Kate White, If Looks Could Kill (Page 167)

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August 2024

Here’s the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice

Maureen McCormick

My Review: “A story that puts the reader right there as the author discovers her best self….This memoir was amazing. From child star to Marcia Brady to Barbara Mandrell, Maureen McCormick had the talent and voice to be anyone and anything she wanted. It just took her awhile to figure it out. Despite family hardships, struggles with drug addiction, and confidence in her incredible acting talents, she overcame these hurdles and rose above the voices in her mind telling her she was less than. Through a supportive spouse, friend network, and the joy in motherhood, she found the strength and determination she needed to believe in her talents, to face the loss of her mother, and to deal with lingering family issues involving her father and an older brother. If you enjoy celebrity stories, you’ll find this one worth your reading time.”

Book Quote:

“From what I’ve been able to figure out, all of us are here together and we need one another. We must celebrate one another’s differences. Learning to ask for help is as important as learning the value of helping other people. I believe all the people in my life have been there for a reason, and I hope I have been in theirs for a reason as well. It’s taken me a while, but I feel truly blessed. After all is said and done, I love life. I love people. And I love being me…well, most of the time.”

Maureen McCormick, Here’s the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice (Page 274)

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RIPTIDE: Do I Matter? (Book I)

Susan Thode

My Review: “A book of hope for anyone questioning if they matter….Riptide is a must-read book for older teens and on up. It focuses on main character, Sara, but offers so much more. The author does a wonderful job of letting us see inside the mind of Sara as she rationalizes being popular with being liked. As Sara’s desire to fit in with the in-crowd affects her relationships with her parents, best friend, and even herself, she finds comfort in the amazing connection with her horse, Star. But when Sara is diagnosed with an auto-immune disease, it only adds to her troubles as she is now talked about more and avoided at school. Sara questions if she really matters to anyone at all. After a near death experience, Sara works her way toward better relationships with her parents and best friends and discovers just who really cares for her after all. This story of high school angst, bullying, and teen suicide could be anyone’s story, and it may even be your story in little or big ways, as being bullied was mine when I was growing up. If you choose to read Riptide, you won’t be disappointed by the hope found within its pages.”

Book Quote:

“I finished my homework then got ready for bed. I read my Kindle for a while, then turned off the light. The conversation I had with Mom that afternoon replayed in my mind. I realized I knew one thing for sure that helped me know I mattered to someone. It’s when they’re honest with me. Are Mom and Dad lying to me? From what I remember, they are. I wish I knew. I rolled over on my side and punched my pillow into the right shape. Tawny’s right. It’s not like them. Maybe I should ask? Sighing into sleep, I knew I wasn’t ready for that.”

(Sara Mitchell) Susan Thode, Riptide: Do I Matter (Book I) (Page 148)

Note: I was asked in the middle of July by the author, Susan Thode, if I would read her new book. She and I have been following each other for a while now on Instagram, and I replied that I would be happy to. I had no idea her book was a young adult but was pleased I said yes. I enjoyed her story so much. Knowing my younger self can relate so much to it, I recommend it to any young person who is trying to come to terms with who they are, looking for their purpose, and searching for if they matter or not. Be sure to follow Susan on IG; her second book will be worth reading as well.

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THE GRILLING SEASON: A Culinary Mystery

Diane Mott Davidson

My Review: “Another cozy mystery keeping mind and tastebuds interested….After two previous books in this culinary mystery series, it was like picking right up again with a good friend. Almost from the start, I was gripped with who-dunnit. And throughout I was wondering if it was The Jerk who did it or not, all the time hoping for justice no matter what. You won’t want to miss out the sleuthing or on all the tasty foods (and recipes) being catered nearby the crime scene.”

Book Quote:

“ “The phone rang. Patricia McCracken’s voice zinged across the wire. “I can’t cancel this party,” she wailed.

“You’d better not,” I exclaimed as I stared at the mountains of colorful vegetables I’d already cut into uniform thin slices.

“The police have been here, Goldy. I was so nervous….I don’t remember a thing.” She took a deep breath and added defiantly, “I didn’t kill that…lady.” “

Diane Mott Davidson, The Grilling Season: A Culinary Mystery (Page 97)

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September 2024

WHO NOT HOW: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork

Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy

My Review: “A book for those with a desire for not just more money but more time….This book is a must-read for anyone wanting to break through the barrier or plateau of earnings and build a team of people where everyone increases their income – not just the potential but where their dreams of profit become reality. Written, I feel, for those with money already or resources to funds that will take them to the next level, this book offers a proven formula for success for anyone wanting to develop a life where they make their own schedules and allow others to reach their fullest potential. Filled with chapter after chapter of wonderful examples of how others have chosen to Who Not How to achieve their goals, you will come away believing you can do it, too. Dan Sullivan, known for his strategic coaching, and with the assistance of Dr. Benjamin Hardy, outline a no-nonsense strategy for success. Get yourself a copy today and glean from it how you can increase your income and live the lifestyle of less stress and more attainment.”

Book Quote:

“If you’re ready to realize a much bigger and more powerful future, then you must stop asking yourself, “How can I accomplish this?”

That question, although common, leads to mediocre results, frustration, and a life of regrets.

A much better question is: “Who can help me achieve this?” “

Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy, Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork (Page 7-8)

Note: This book was recommended to me a few years ago by a friend, Steve Tyson, where I used to work at St. Brigid in San Antonio. I was thumbing through old notes recently, you know just trying to clear clutter and came across it. So, I decided to order it. I really enjoyed it. It is definitely worth your reading time.

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CALYPSO, CORPSES, AND COOKING: A Caribbean Kitchen Mystery

Raquel V. Reyes

My Review: “When corpses keep dropping and the clue is food-related….This mystery kept me engaged the whole time I was reading it. Ms. Reyes has a way of making the main character, Miriam, come to life. It’s almost like you’re living right alongside her. Miriam’s amateur sleuthing is believable with supporting characters adding depth, humor, and mystery to the mix. Being part Hispanic, I enjoyed the Spanish phrases throughout, noting that the author added them in a way that if you don’t understand the language, you don’t have to know what they mean, as the English interpretation is also included in the same paragraph. And, although I have enjoyed other cozy cooking mysteries with the recipes inserted amidst each chapter, I appreciated how Ms. Reyes simply placed the recipes at the end of the story, avoiding the distraction of getting too hungry while reading. I’m looking forward to reading Ms. Reyes’ third and fourth books in this series.”

Book Quote:

“ “You’re not staying for dinner? You know my wife is an amazing cook, right?” Robert said with a smile.

“Oh, yes, I know all about Abuela Approved,” Pullman winked. “But my wife is also an excellent cook. And she is making my favorite tonight.”

Raquel V. Reyes, Calypso, Corpses, and Cooking: A Caribbean Kitchen Mystery (Page 118)

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AGAINST ALL ODDS: My Story

Chuck Norris with Ken Abraham

My Review: “A memoir that will leave you inspired and hopeful….This memoir is one of the most fascinating I have read to date. I am most impressed with Chuck Norris’ integrity and desire to help others with the money he has earned as a martial arts instructor, actor, and entrepreneur. Although he faced a lot of loss in his life as well as financial challenges in his early career, he stayed true to himself in wanting to do the honorable thing. His role as Walker, Texas Ranger, is only a small portion of his bigger-than-life adventures and experiences. Chuck Norris, and all those who helped him make it happen, is credited for the KICKSTART program, otherwise known as Kick Drugs Out of America which originated in Houston, Texas, and has been involved in supporting our Veterans and helping children through United Way’s Make-A-Wish Foundation, just to name a few. If you love memoirs and have yet to read this one, you will want to find a copy and become absorbed in it. You’ll be amazed that this individual whose mother would always tell, “God has plans for you,” rose above all the odds and is giving back today from all the bounty God has provided him.”

Book Quote:

“….Every life matters to God, so every life must matter to us.”

Chuck Norris with Ken Abraham, Against All Odds: My Story (Page 181)

Note: If you visit his website, scroll all the way to the bottom after viewing the intro and you’ll find some witty words (all in fun, I’m sure) about this legendary man, Chuck Norris, also known as Cordell Walker, The Texas Ranger.

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October 2024

LETHALLY BLOND: A Bailey Weggins Mystery

Kate White

My Review: “This mystery keeps you guessing all the way to the end….Although I have enjoyed the two previous Bailey Weggins books in this series which I’ve had the pleasure of reading, Lethally Blond kept me intrigued and guessing all the way to the end. And to be honest, I was wrong about who-dunnit so many times which usually doesn’t happen. So, kudos to Ms. White for writing such a captivating and engaging plot. The most interesting part of this mystery for me is how Bailey developed a genuine caring for the victim, even though she never met him, and how it kept her digging for the truth until it almost killed her. I look forward to finding the other five books in this series to get to know Bailey better as the main character and to see how Ms. White improves on her plot development. From book one to book five was off the radar.”

Book Quote:

“The road seemed even longer on the way out, but finally I spotted the main road running in front of me. I hit the brake, put the Jeep in neutral, and dug my BlackBerry out of my bag. The 911 operator picked up after two rings. “I need to report a dead body on Dabbet Road, in the town of Andes,” I said. “It may be a homicide.” ”

Kate White, Lethally Blond: A Bailey Weggins Mystery (Page 68)

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LOVE CAN BUILD A BRIDGE

Naomi Judd with Bud Schaetzle

My Review: “A story of redemption that touches the meaning of heart, home, and family….This rags to riches story is one of the most profound I have read to date. Reading how Diana Ellen (now Naomi) Judd battled the odds raising her two daughters alone brought home how much we really don’t know about anyone’s life before they get to where they end up. Through sheer determination, hard work, and love, Naomi kept her daughters fed, clothed, and supported their artistic and creative talents. The road from to dire straits to stardom may have seemed odd to outsiders looking in or on, but Naomi did what she needed to make sure her daughters were cared for at every point in her life, even being separated from them for months throughout the years. Today, we have the words, the songs, the music from those tough times as testimony to the love she fought so hard to give them.”

Book Quote:

“….Because we’d return to play the same towns every year, we’d see with our own eyes the changes. Shopping malls where family farms had been. Tract houses where beautiful open fields or lushly dense woods once stood. Every night the chorus of “Grandpa.” “They call it progress, but I just don’t know. Grandpa, tell me ‘bout the good old days.” ”

Naomi Judd (with Bud Schaetzle), Love Can Build A Bridge (Page 361)      

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November 2024

DARK TORT: A Culinary Mystery

Diane Mott Davidson

My Review: “Another great catering mystery by Ms. Davidson….I love the character of Goldy Schulz. She cannot help but stumble over mysterious deaths as she caters events in her local community. Try as she might not to get involved, she is still pulled into the muck of it all. In Dark Tort, we get to experience Goldy’s effort to solve the death of her neighbor and friend, Dusty, a person who has an unknown and shady past yet seemed to be doing better for herself. That ominous question of who would want to do her in is ever at the forefront of Goldy’s mind. I particularly enjoyed reading this book with my niece who is herself a trained baker and cook. I would love to read the rest of the series and hope to start with book one in the coming future.”

Book Quote:

“ “No,” Meg (Blatchford) said. “And I have no idea what Dusty was doing over there on her lunch hour every day. Working on the inventory? Then why not stay longer? And working on what?” Meg paused. “I never found out any of those things because two days after Dusty came out with the tube, you found her in the law firm. Dead.” “

Diane Mott Davidson, Dark Tort (Page 176)

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RELEASING THE REINS: The Tundra Secrets Series

Catherine Matthews

My Review: “A story of finding oneself and a mystery needing to be solved….Releasing the Reins was a refreshing perspective of a strong-willed woman determined to fit into a man’s world. While searching for her place in life, Bunny/Benny stumbles across a few things that just don’t add up. Acting on her natural tendency to seek justice, she follows the trail to who she believes is the culprit, only to find she is completely wrong. This story is filled with intensity, grit, and another chance for a do-over. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.”

Book Quote:

“ “Please don’t call me that anymore.” It was petty. After twenty years of refusing to be called Benjamina or Benny, Bunny seemed wrong now too. Bunny was the little girl playing farmer, not the woman deserving respect. With that, she grabbed her duffel bag and rifle case, and she walked away. She didn’t look back.”

Catherine Matthews, Releasing the Reins (Page 286)

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December 2024

WHAT COMES AFTER CRAZY

Sandi Kahn Shelton

My Review: “When life growing up crazy skews life as an adult, sometimes it just takes a while to figure out what comes after….Maz has always deferred to her mother, and then to her husband. So when things start to really fall apart, she doesn’t do anything about it. Once she starts to figure things out for herself though, she knows exactly what she must do to start living the life she needs to, for her own sake and that of her two daughters. It takes a bit of crazier before she starts to gain the confidence she needs to stand up to her husband, soon to be ex, and her zany mother who is used to having her way. But when Maz does, she knows it’s the right thing to do.”

Book Quote:

“And so it comes down to this, I thought then. Vacuum cleaners and light switches. But along with that feeling was a kind of exhilaration over the difficult drama of it all. I’ll admit to that. I would be the heroine of my own life again, picking up the pieces, bravely going on. People would help me. Someday men might think I was attractive again, once my eyes weren’t so swollen from crying.”

Sandi Kahn Shelton, What Comes After Crazy (Page 27)

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BEACHCOMBERS

Nancy Thayer

My Review: “A family coming-of-age story of loss, love, and new beginnings….Beachcombers was a captivating read for me. I loved how the author gave her readers each of her characters’ perspectives as their stories intertwined and unfolded. And I appreciated how each character could have chosen a different path. Each one was faced with a choice that wasn’t always clear-cut.  And it was good to see, hear, and feel them anguish over what to do about the place they found themselves in. It was also good to see their character flaws as well as their strong suits. I was most impressed with how each chose the path that was best for themselves even though it wasn’t the easiest one, rather than taking the known and familiar route. I highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to see how others handle their relationships positively – and not so positively, as a few of the characters did at times. This book is fiction, of course, but so much of it resonated with real life.”

Book Quote:

“A nervous wind swept over the island all through the night, and when morning came, the blue sky was hidden by flying clouds that let in brief, bright flashes of sun. It was hurricane season now, and storms in the south spun the wind and waves up north into a blustery turbulence. Often the summer season ended like this, with an abrupt temperature drop and a cool snap of fall in the air. It was the season of change.“

Nancy Thayer, Beachcombers (Page 55)

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REDISCOVER JESUS: An Invitation

Matthew Kelly

My Review: “A book worth reading again and again….This book starts out with the question: Are you Jesus? And every question after that is just as profound. Each chapter provides insight into seeing things with a new perspective. This book’s pages are full of ways we can inspire others and ourselves. And I’m all about inspiring others. Matthew Kelly ends this book with: Who are you going to inspire today? Filled with short, easy-to-read chapters, inspiring topics such as having a pure heart, not judging, praying, and dancing for joy, you will find this book inspiring you into action. Action to love others more, to develop a prayer life, to trust that there is something more to this life than we can imagine or consider questioning the possibilities. Take time to read this book, and you will be transformed.”

Book Quote:

“A healthy sense of self-love is essential to the life of a Christian. God desires it for you. This self-love can coexist with true humility.

God wants you to be very clear that you are as important as anyone else. Any thought that you don’t matter, that others are more important than you, that your thoughts or feelings are not valid, or that people will not like you unless you please them are not from God. These are not thoughts that come from the mind of God.

Learn to love yourself. That’s radical. Your ability to love yourself will have a direct impact on your ability to love God and to love your neighbor. That is radical and profound.“

Matthew Kelly, Rediscover Jesus (Page 55-56)

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And 2024 is a reading-wrap!

Rediscover Jesus closes out my year of reading at #36. I started reading it in early 2021, but it inadvertently got packed up in a box meant to be immediately unpacked once we moved/retired that summer. However, it got lost in the many boxes being unloaded by helping hands and only got unpacked over this summer – four years later. It’s been a pleasure to finish it and will be reading it again – starting now.

My goal for 2024 was to read maybe two books per month, yet my average rounded out as four books each month. My writing goal was to get my second book published but life happens. So, in 2025, in an effort to meet this goal before the end of spring, I won’t read a book until I’m done with my writing tasks each month. Let’s see how it goes….

Please note: In regard to book reviews, they will be made public here on my website. However, my reviews will appear only occasionally on Amazon, Goodreads, or Barnes & Nobel – unlike in past years. Perhaps, in future, I’ll go back to posting on most online retail requests. And I will consider ‘by request’. But for now, my focus is to get Book Two finished and published. May all our goals be met.