Category: book of the month
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Book Review: The First Ladies by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray
I’ve unintentionally been on a Roosevelt kick this year. I’ve read a few of Marie Benedict’s books and was excited to see she (and Victoria Christopher Murray, though I have not read their previous collaboration) had a book that featured Eleanor Roosevelt…
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Book Review: The Spectacular by Fiona Davis
As expected from Fiona Davis, The Spectacular has a stunning NYC backdrop. I didn’t even read the synopsis when I picked up this book. I saw Radio City Music Hall on the cover and didn’t care to know more. Plus, having read The Magnolia Palace, I figured it was a safe bet…
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Book Review: Paper Names by Susie Luo
Literary fiction with generational themes has been an unintentional go-to for me this year. I picked up Paper Names not long after reading Banyan Moon so it was fun to switch perspectives. While Banyan Moon followed mother/daughter/grandmother dynamics, Paper Names had more of a father/daughter theme to it…
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Book Review: Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling
Dystopian plots fascinate me. Many times they’re prophetic. It’s especially interesting to read one set in the nearish future. Camp Zero has a great premise, but I wish I hadn’t spent most of the book trying to figure out what the focus of the book was…
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Book Review: Banyan Moon by Thao Thai
I’m almost always up for a book centered on family drama. Banyan Moon brings this to the table with the extra layers of generational struggles and the differences brought on by being raised in different cultures…
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Book Review: The Circus Train by Amita Parikh
Before reading, I saw a lot of hype for this book. I get nervous when this happens because more often than not my reading tastes aren’t similar to other readers in my various online social circles. I was relieved to see such exquisite writing when I finally opened it up. Though this wasn’t a five-star…
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Book Review: Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls
I forget how much I love Depression-era stories until I come across books like this. There’s so much grit to be found, especially when the book is so character driven. I hung on every word and was completely immersed…
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Book Review: The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane
I’ve been on a literary kick so this book came along at the perfect time. This might have been the first time all year I read my Book of the Month selection in the same month I chose it…
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Book Review: Independence by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
I’ve had a thing for stories set in India lately. I don’t think I even looked at the plot when I made my Book of the Month selection. Even if I had I would have scooped it up immediately, but in the end, it just didn’t resonate with me…
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Book Review: The Last Russian Doll by Kristen Loesch
With some fairytales, history, dolls, and mystery, this book has a little bit of everything. Mixed together with beautiful writing, The Last Russian Doll is a lovely read…