Sherry and Narcotics by Nina-Marie Gardner

This book deals with some very dark subject matters, but it does so in a compelling way. I was hooked from the first page and even now I feel like I have to take some time to really reflect on what I've read. It was a bit haunting, but so real. I felt like I was really there and I wanted to shake some sense into the characters. It was a very well-written book and I'm happy to have read it.

The only problems with the book were things that were most likely no fault of the author, but of...moreI'll be honest here, I don't normally pick up books that have to deal with drugs or other illegal activities. However, this book was generously donated to a book group I belong to, and I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone and try a book that I would normally walk past. I am very glad I gave Sherry and Narcotics a try, because it was well worth it.

This book deals with some very dark subject matters, but it does so in a compelling way. I was hooked from the first page and even now I feel like I have to take some time to really reflect on what I've read. It was a bit haunting, but so real. I felt like I was really there and I wanted to shake some sense into the characters. It was a very well-written book and I'm happy to have read it. Once I read a book, I usually reflect on it for a little while and then move on to the next book. This is a different kind of book. This is one of those books that is going to stick with me for a very long time.

The only problems with the book were things that were most likely no fault of the author, but of the publisher. It needs page numbers, I like being able to flip to a page to remember where I am. Also, the font was a bit odd, but once I got used to it, I could overlook it.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Outside Wonderland by Lorna Jane Cook

I won this book on a Goodreads Giveaway.

This book deals with three adults who are living their lives 20 years after their parents died. The eldest, Alice, is an actress who doesn't really care for commitment. The son, Griffin, is a gay man who is at-odds with his partner of 11 years. And the youngest, Dinah, is a woman who is constantly trying to find herself, but knows that she doesn't like to be alone.

I found myself really enjoying this book and the characters in it. They were likable and they were human. They made mistakes and they either hid from them or owned them. They had a true sibling relationship with one another and the ups and downs that go with it. I also enjoyed the non-family member characters such as Alice's neighbor Ian and Griffin's boyfriend Theo. I adored Theo so much, I would have loved to see more from his point of view.

At the end of each chapter the book changes it's point-of-view so that we are seeing it from the eyes of the mom, up in heaven. This book very very lightly touches on religion, but it is in no-way over the top. It was almost comforting to see that she was still checking in on her kids, even though there wasn't much she could do for them.

The only thing is I wish the epilogue were expanded a bit more. There were some plots and minor stories that I felt were left unresolved, but all in all it was a great book and I'm glad I read it.

3.5 out of 5 stars

The Ritual Bath by Faye Kellerman

The Ritual Bath is a part mystery, part romance, and part police/crime novel. It follows the story of Rina Lazarus, who is a very strict Orthodox Jew and Peter Decker, a detective. There is a rapist on the loose in the small Jewish community and Lazarus and Decker try to piece the puzzle together to figure out who could be terrorizing their neighborhood.

Even though this book had a lot going on, it moved quickly and I didn't feel like any part of it was overlooked. The mystery of who was the rapist was compelling and it kept me interested. I kept trying to guess and was surprised by the result. There several possible suspects and Kellerman did a great job of not giving out too much information, but still dangling a carrot in front of me to keep me reading.

I also found the romance to be realistic. They moved at a slow but steady pace, and it felt like the two were truly taking the time to get to know one another instead of jumping into a whirlwind romance just after looking at each other. It was also refreshing to see Rina stick to her Jewish faith and values.

This book had the added bonus of teaching me a lot about the Jewish culture. I knew a little bit about it, but The Ritual Bath opened my eyes to a lot more. I like books where I can learn about cultures that I may have otherwise not gotten the chance to learn about.

The Ritual Bath is the first book in a series by Kellerman and I definitely look forward to reading more.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Life From Scratch by Melissa Ford

Life From Scratch was available for free for my Kindle not too long ago, so I decided to download it and give it a try. I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised.

Life From Scratch follows the story of Rachel Goldman who is trying to rediscover herself after her divorce. She starts a food blog and shares her thoughts and feelings with the world. We, as the reader, get to see her try her hand at cooking, baking, writing, and dating.

I really enjoyed the character of Rachel. She is one of those characters that leads with her heart and wears her emotions on her sleeve. She feels deeply and that can be both good and bad. I felt like I really connected with Rachel. I felt like I really got to know who she was...flaws and all.

Life From Scratch was a light, quick, fun read with a heart. This story has hilarious antics and some serious moments too. If you are looking for a nice read, then this is a good book for that. I absolutely enjoyed this book.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Goodness Gracious Green by Judy Christie

I got Goodness Gracious Green by Judy Christie as a free book for my Kindle and finally got around to reading it. This is the second book in the series, but I didn't read the first book, Going to Green. While there were some statements that I didn't quite understand, I felt that Christie caught the reader up nicely and I didn't need the first book to enjoy this one.

Goodness Gracious Green was a quick read. However, it seemed to have trouble deciding what type of book it wanted to be. There was a bit of mystery and a bit of romance, but neither one were really ever fully explored. The mystery and the romance were both a bit boring and I think Christie should maybe focused on one or the other but not both.

Also, the characters were a bit too far unrealistic. The main character Lois seemed to be confused and incompetent. There was only one moment where she really took the bull by the horns, the rest of the time she left it up to her friends. Which would have been okay, but it felt like she was taking a backseat in her own story. I would have liked to have seen a stronger heroine.

This book is a Christian fiction and the Christian message is a bit heavy handed at times, but I've read worse. All in all, if you're looking for a light read, it's not too bad. I was very glad it was free though.

2.5 out of 5 stars.

Unbearable Lightness by Portia de Rossi

A book club that I am a part of decided to read Unbearable Lightness by Portia de Rossi. I knew very little about Portia de Rossi before this book. Really, all I knew was that she is Ellen's wife. This book gave me the chance to really get inside of her head and truly understand what it is like to be in the show business with an eating disorder.

Portia de Rossi is open and honest in this book. She tells of how she binged and then purged and how she justified it to herself. She wrote about what she saw when she looked in the mirror and how she constantly felt the pressure to be thinner and prettier than everyone around her. She was convinced that the only way to land roles was to be thinner than the next girl. That goal became an obsession for her, and the numbers on the scale dipped to a dangerously low number.

Even though Unbearable Lightness deals with a very tough subject, it was worth the read because it was eye-opening and raw. I felt like Portia de Rossi really let the readers into her head. There were some very dark periods in her life, and she chose to share those with the world. I am very appreciative of the fact that I had the chance to read this book. Even people without eating disorders can connect with Portia de Rossi as she struggles with her self-confidence.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

I have heard a lot of good things about author Kristin Hannah, but until recently I had never gotten the chance to read her novels. It was recommended that I start with Winter Garden, and I have to say, all of the love for Kristin Hannah novels is not misplaced.

Winter Garden is the story of two completely different sisters who attempt to reconnect with each other and their emotionally absent mother after their dad's death. I found the characters to be completely real, with their own faults and flaws that they either had to overcome or learn to deal with. The sisters constantly struggle with who they are and what they want, which is something that a lot of people deal with. It made the characters really come to life.

I was hooked on this story from the very first page. It is filled with all different kinds of emotions, from happiness, to sorrow, to despair, with a little bit of anger and disbelief thrown in. By the time I reached the end, I was bawling like a baby because it was just so moving and so touching. I don't think I have read a novel this good in a very long time.

So, if you haven't read Kristin Hannah, I highly recommend that you do so. I know I'm going to read more of her novels.

5 out of 5 stars.