This is a place for book reviews from an avid reader of all genres. You will find familiar names plus some unknown authors here.
Sunday, July 5, 2026
THE SUSPECT: MURDER IN A SMALL TOWN BOOK 1 by L.R. Wright
Saturday, June 27, 2026
PEACE AS A COSMIC LAW: ALIGNING WITH THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE by Francis Pekpe
This book will help you to find inner peace, if you really want it and work for it. Peace just doesn't come to you. It is your job to calm your mind and soul, then help quiet the chaos around you as much as possible.
There are a few exercises explained in this book to help. Meditation, slow steady breathing, and mental awareness of your surroundings are common processes to keep yourself at peace.
With personal peace, you can help bring peace to your surroundings and community. And with a little charity and love, even to the world. This will take you showing love and patience to someone else, who hopefully will then show it to others. Until everyone is "paying it forward" throughout the whole world.
It could have been about 100 pages less and still gave the same information. There was a lot of repetition to the book.
But overall, I found the book informative and many of the processes and exercises useful.
Friday, June 12, 2026
STRANGE SHAPE OF LOVE by Herta Feely
I received Strange Shape of Love through LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.
When the magazine she writes for is bought out by a London online company, she is sent to London to work. She used to live there 7 years ago. She reconnects with Celia, her good friend. Charlotte runs into her ex, Rafe. They reignite their relationship and then her past comes back to haunt her.
The story is sometimes fast paced and sometimes slow. Sometimes it's exciting, but more often boring. You figure out quickly who is to blame for Charlotte's troubles. It isn't much of a mystery.
I understand the devastation Charlotte felt when her cousin died. But the horrible choices she made, I can't feel sorry for her. I like a character that I can relate with or commiserate with. I feel sorrier for Rafe. He has 2 women that he cares for and both are screwed up.
I would recommend this book for the way it puts a spotlight on human trafficking and harassment, along with the #MeToo movement.
If you read this book, please leave a comment. I would like to know if you liked it. And why or why not.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
BEYOND THE MIND'S ILLUSION: SIMPLE ANSWERS ABOUT SOURCE, STILLNESS, AND LIVING IN PRESENCE by Rosemarie Quay
Beyond the Mind's Illusion" is meant to be a companion book to "The Space Between". I have not read "The Space Between". But this book does make me think about moments of feeling connected to everything. Moments of realizing the simple things going on around me. Such as birds, the breeze, or vibration of the earth when a semi drives by. Little things that normally you would not notice, remember, or even care to remember.
Everything that happens in your life is shaped by your own perception, awareness, and reactions to all the events going on around you. How you respond to a sudden downpour, a stubbed toe, or waiting in traffic. You should take a moment, breathe, and enjoy it all.
"Beyond the Mind's Illusion" and "The Space Between" are helping hands in understanding how to feel the world around you. And how to know when you are aware of all things and connected to them.
I feel that using some of the tips in this book will help me to slow down, center myself, connect, and become aware of the small things in the world.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
STILL COMING by Joseph Flynn
SNOW FLEAS AND CHICKADEES: EVERYDAY OBSERVATIONS IN THE SIERRA by Eve Quesnel
Have you ever gone for a walk and wondered what is making that sound? Or what kind of bug is that? This book answers some of those questions for the Sierra Nevada region in California.
Animals, trees, insects, or birds: Eve Quesnel tells of some of her favorite nature finds that are right within walking distance of her home.
I never heard of a snow flea, but learning about them and the way they propel themselves was interesting. She explains the difference between a white fir and a red fir.
This book is for anyone interested in nature. It's not like any other nature guide; this has a homier, more comfortable feel. Almost like talking to a friend about her adventures of the day.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
FEARLESS FOURTEEN (STEPHANIE PLUM SERIES BOOK 14) by Janet Evanovich
Would you deal with a crazy monkey, an aged has-been pop star, a stalker?
Stephanie Plum has to deal with all of this while on a case. One of her skips, Loretta, has disappeared after Stephanie took her in for reprocessing. While searching for Loretta, Stephanie has to take care of Zook, Loretta's son.
Loretta's brother is part of the crew to rob the bank many years ago. Now the rest of the crew wants the money that Dom hid, and are willing to kill for it.
If you read this book, please leave a comment or review. I would like to know your thoughts.
LEAN MEAN THIRTEEN (STEPHANIE PLUM SERIES BOOK 13) by Janet Evanovich
She has the help of Ranger and Morelli. Even though Morelli is a bit disconnected while protecting someone at a safehouse.
We get the usual Plum family fun and fiascos. Grandma, Lula, Connie, and the rest of the crew are here.
Book 13 is just as good as the rest.
If you read this book, please leave a comment. I would love to know your opinion.