True Biz by Sara Nović
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sara Novic does not just invite you for a look into Deaf culture, she pulls you into it so you feel you are part of it. It's a great story, more than that it is a walk through the eyes (and non hearing ears) of the characters. I really enjoyed reading it. Do yourselves a favor and study the portions she has inserted about ASL and historical facts. It really adds to the ability to empathize rather than sympathize with the deaf community. There are so many beautiful nuances to ASL and BASL that I never realized - the whole things makes for an enlightening and beautiful read..

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The Keeper of Lost Things

The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sweet story. Really a 3.5 for me. Started out really promising and was still a good read but sort of lost it's steam toward the last 3rd of the book. Lovely vignettes about the stories behind the "lost things" saved it for me. I also loved the ending - very clever! Some of the underlying story left me a little unsatisfied though. I do recommend, but with caution that the "keeper" story is often sidelined, and some of these side stories get lost in the words.


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The Flight Portfolio by Julie Orringer

The Flight Portfolio by Julie Orringer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

took forever to finish - a little too long for a book that is not exactly a page turner (but I have to admit reading it late into the night a few times). Overall I did really enjoy it. The story was quite a bit more complex than I expected and there are a lot of characters to keep up with, which also slowed my progress. But a book is not meant to be raced to finish. Just know you'll need plenty of time - it's no weekend read!

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The Things She's Seen by Ambelin Kwaymullina
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

way too short but still a well told & beautiful story. An interesting look at grief from the side of the departed, and an homage to Australia's indigenous people

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Leopard at the Door

Leopard at the Door by Jennifer McVeigh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Every since Karen Blixen wrote about her Africa, I've been drawn to stories about that place and time. This one, though almost as good, was a little different. The Character is coming back "home" to a place she no longer recognizes, and that place is far into the bush, isolated from anyone but her immediate (newly blended) family and the kikuyu who work for them. The book takes a fairly leisurely pace for a while, nicely threading story and scene, which normally is not my thing but McVeigh handles nicely. Then it gets really exciting toward the end, becoming a real page turner!


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The Scribe of Sienna

The Scribe of Siena by Melodie Winawer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Contrary to what I had read about this book, it is not “Outlander” redux. It is filled with lovely scenes of Sienna both current day and 14th Century. The story is timeless, despite the plague being weaved throughout. I love the attention to the roles of women and how they are strong characters no matter the time period. Historical fiction is probably my favorite genre, and it is refreshing to find good subject matter other than WWII. Highly recommend.


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Ode to Vinyl: The Music Shop

The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so tickled to win this on a giveaway by the author. I had put down kindle because I read at night before bed - so It took me a while to read in-between other books. Having "had it with me" for nearly a year, I will miss it now. I loved this book! I thought it would be an "ode to vinyl" of sorts, and it was for sure - but it was more about the music within - and without. Rich and warm characters surround a dying record shop - can they bring it back to life? The whole thing is a backdrop for the relationships between these characters, most notably with a beautiful and mysterious stranger who charms them all in different ways. Took a while to get going, but that may be because of the way I was reading it. Also, good character development takes a while - trust me it was worth it. I laughed and cried and cried happy tears - it is a great read!


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