High School Senior Lexa Donovan auditions for her school play on a whim, usually part of the stage crew, she wants to leave a mark.  Surprisingly, Lexa is chosen for the lead role, Cherie, in the play Bus Stop famously portrayed by Marilyn Monroe. Unfortunately, Lexa's first thought is that she'll have to drop out.  Lexa doesn't believe she has the confidence, charisma or body type to play Cherie.  It also doesn't help that the boy she'll have to kiss, Brian, has been her crush for ages and Brian's jealous girlfriend, Hilary, is watching her every move.  However, Lexa gets a helping hand from an unexpected source: the spirit of Marilyn Monroe herself finds Lexa and helps her discover Cherie's character as well as her inner strength.  

Channeling Marilyn is a heartfelt young adult drama about finding yourself with a little help from an unlikely source.  Lexa's character carries many insecurities- about her looks, performing, relationships and her future.  The spirit of Marilyn is in love with the rediscovered feelings of life and is just the push that Lexa needs.  Marilyn's connection with Lexa might stem from Bus Stop, but her spirit is supportive and honest, pushing Lexa past her comfort zone to discover what she really wants and to find Cherie's character. I liked that Lexa took her time to figure out what she wanted, even with Marilyn in her head. I also enjoyed that Lexa maintained healthy relationships with her best friend, Em, even as their circumstances changed, and that she figured things out with Brian and Jeremy in a way that did not hurt either of them, coming to a peaceful, mature resolution with Hilary.  Overall, Channeling Marilyn is a fun, sincere young adult novel with an interesting twist. 

This book was received for free in exchange for an honest review. 

After studying to be a chocolatier in Paris, Emmie Wynne returned to her hometown of Poulsbo, Washington.  Emmie returned as a single mother with her son, Gus, to care for her mother and their candy shop after her father's unfortunate death. Now, as her 34th birthday approaches, Emmie hopes for a vision to guide her as she blows out the candle on her cake—a gift that the women in her family have received for generations.  When Emmie does see her vision, it seems like a distant dream, being proposed to by TV star Henry Summers in her own chocolate shop.  However, when Henry shows up in Poulsbo, Emmie quickly sets the gears in motion to make her vision come true. Other forces are also at work, though: the candy shop is falling into disrepair and needs extensive work and Jakob, Emmie's friend from high school has also returned to Poulsbo and is mixing up her feelings. 

A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity is a cozy, contemporary romance with a dash of magical realism.  Emmie's character is instantly relatable as she struggles to care for a child and her aging mother while neglecting her own wants, needs and identity. I adored Poulsbo's setting and could easily imagine the Norwegian influence on the store fronts.  Emmie's vision was intriguing and I liked hearing about the visions of the other women in her family and how those visions influenced their lives. Emmie seemed to have her life on hold until she received her vision, then she mapped out a process to achieve it instead of figuring out who she is and what she wants for herself.  I liked both Henry's and Jakob's characters and both offered sweet, realistic and healthy relationships.  Most of all, I enjoyed watching Emmie's journey of self-discovery as she realized her dreams. 

This book was received for free in exchange for an honest review. 

​When the pandemic strikes, the world's insects flock to the New York Public Library's exhibit, Insectopolis to learn more about each other, what humans think of them and the humans who studied and revered them.  

Insectopolis is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel that briefly recounts the natural history of insects and their relationship with humanity.  Beginning with the rise of insects 400 million years ago to today, the book explores their diversity and importance.  Each picture is incredibly detailed and every quote, poster and graphic in the background of each exhibit piece is worth looking at.  Even the QR codes in the exhibit drawings work, taking you to scientists discussing the insects they study.  While every species of insect or even major group of insect could be highlighted, the focus was on where insects intersect with humanity, from waste management to pollination.  I also enjoyed the spotlight on entomologists who have dedicated their lives to studying these creatures, and on other scientists—especially the unsung female and Black scientists—who affected the world of insects.  With plenty of book recommendations at the end for a further dive, Insectopolis is a delightful read for any insect or nature lover. 

Five of the world's top billionaires are captured using new technology and brought to a concealed healing center in Canada. These five men have not only accumulated most of the world's wealth but have also significantly contributed to the decline of Earth's health.  At the healing center, a group of determined women hopes to help the men change their ways and collaborate to solve climate change.  However, first they must heal themselves and believe in the cause.  The women plan to use a series of healing drugs, meditation and therapy to guide them. 

They Could Be Saviors is a slow paced, quiet confrontation focused on a gradual change in perspective.  I really liked the premise of the story: bringing billionaires responsible for large portions of carbon emissions to try and solve the problem using their skill sets.  Most of the story focused on deprogramming  the men using drugs, meditation, time and therapy.  This focus drew attention to the characters, both the male billionaires and the women trying to help them, keeping the focus on the power of mindfulness, trauma processing, and therapeutic drug use rather than on climate change.  While the characters' transformations and reactions to the therapies were interesting, I wish there was more focus on climate change itself—specifically, helping the men understand the problem that they were contributing to and how they could actively help solve this complex problem.  Overall, a unique story of healing and change. 

This book was received for free in exchange for an honest review. .

Keiko Furukura has always struggled to meet societal norms, but has always been completely comfortable with who she is.  After finishing school, Keiko finds a job at the nearby Hiiromachi 24 hour convenience store, Smile Mart.  Keiko finds comfort in the routine and structure of the job. She excels at understanding store needs, restocking inventory, anticipating regular customers' wants at specific times of day, and finding effective ways to interact with her co-workers. However, after working at Smile Mart for 18 years, Keiko has surpassed the societal norm for remaining in an entry level position as an unmarried woman.  When Shiraha begins working at Smile Mart and is quickly fired for his poor work ethic, Keiko proposes a plan that will help both of them be more accepted by society and relieve the pressure from their families. 

Convenience Store Woman is a delightful and insightful look into everyday life.  I was immediately wrapped up in Keiko's character, though portrayed as different, she is charming, observant and simply unconcerned with societal norms.  Keiko says and does what most people wish they could say and do.  Many of her sentiments resonated with me such as keeping one's mouth shut to maintain peace, how people influence one another and absorb each other's traits and how the norm dismisses and eliminates anything or anyone deemed different.  Keiko's connection to the convenience store itself was another interesting element to the story and I enjoyed how she realized she needed the store's connection more than any other person's. 

​

Nikki, Diane and Orla have been friends since they played sisters in a production of Fiddler on the Roof.  As time passed, the friends moved away but always stayed connected.  Nikki marries a real estate tycoon after a successful run of a show and then becomes a mother.  Diane experiences ups and downs in her screenwriting career, and Orla settles into a job at a travel agency.  After surviving the AIDS epidemic that took many of their theatre friends, an economic crash, the attacks on the World Trade Center, COVID-19, and devastating California wildfires, Nikki and Diane learn that Orla is missing.  They set off to Manhattan to find their friend. 

Manhattan Triptych is a story about life, friendship and overcoming loss. Nikki, Diane and Orla are all very realistic characters with imperfections and flaws; they all seem like friends I might know.  The writing shows the messy realities of life and how the three friends navigate different challenges whether by meeting them head-on, pretending they don't exist, or escaping to a new reality.  The timeline hops back and forth through time slowly revealing secrets, motivations and what happened to Orla. Nikki, Diane and Orla's stories strongly display the power of friendship across time, distance, and trauma. 

This book was received for free in exchange for an honest review. 

Halloween on Jute Island is always a big deal, residents start dressing up and decorating as soon as October hits. Seth must face this October without his best friend, Colin, who recently passed away.  As Seth helps Colin's uncle around the churchyards, he encounters a young woman he's never seen before.  Peggy is unique and seems to appear out of nowhere, but she understands Seth's grief and shares his love of music.  As Seth and Peggy continue to meet and create music, Seth pairs Peggy's story with the old island mystery of the missing girl, Margaret McCulloch, and begins to uncover the truth.  As Seth and Peggy spend more time together, Seth begins to recover from his grief. He finds companionship with a new intern, William, at his mother's marine refuge as well as receiving a precious reward for unravelling the mystery of Margaret McColloch. 

October's Ocean is a young adult, paranormal novel that explores themes of friendship, grief, and the enduring power of music. The writing drew me in from the beginning with sensory details and vivid descriptions that made me feel as if I were on Jute Island.  The mystery of Margaret's disappearance and her missing family jewels was introduced early on, keeping me intrigued.  Seth's character was well-developed, and his journey through grief was beautifully described. At first, Seth is overcome with his grief saying "I've never had to do anything without him. And now I have to do everything...Even breathing seems impossible.  Everything feels like a mountain." Margaret is dealing with grief herself, though has had much more time to process, and provides valuable insights to Seth at the right time. I enjoyed seeing Seth bond with Margaret and William, effectively showing that love can have many different forms.  Overall, October's Ocean is an emotional and heartfelt story incorporating mystery, hope and love.  

This book was received for free in exchange for an honest review. 

​Ramón Lopez lives along the US-Mexico border in Brownsville, Texas.  He often accompanies his dad on many entrepreneurial tasks that involve crossing the border.  Ramón's mom spends her day taking care of Rubén, Ramón's disabled younger brother.  Chasing the American Dream, Ramón's parents enrolled him in private school, where he excelled. However, when the family's finances diminished, Ramón decided to stay with his Grandma Fina in the US and attend public school while his parents and Rubén moved to Mexico. Although the public school faced challenges, Ramón excelled in art and won a scholarship to study in New York for his senior year.  Ramón's life moves quickly in New York, and he faces new challenges as he becomes an artist whose subject is the Mexican-American experience. When circumstances change at home, Ramón must pivot and return to the border town where he grew up.


The Border Between Us is an emotional story about family, identity, and the challenges of navigating life between two cultures. Ramón's life is always a dichotomy.  In childhood, he experienced not only life in Mexico and the US but also a hardscrabble existence with his family and the opportunities he received at school.  Following Ramón's life from age nine through adulthood provides a well-rounded perspective on how he perceives his family, circumstances, and home. Ramón's feelings about his father fluctuate throughout the story from those of a hero to a failure, and from support to enemy.  All the characters in the story are very realistic and multidimensional.  Ramón's mother caught my attention as she sacrificed to care for Rubén, constantly cheered on Ramón, and started a business to buoy the family in times of need.  Ramón's experience in New York and return to Brownsville forced him to examine his life, the meaning of his experiences, and how they would shape his future. Overall, an amazing story of a life on the border. 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

Elaine Gillies is a high schooler whose family owns the funeral home in her small town.  As a family-run business, Elaine pitches in by playing piano, greeting guests, and ensuring details are correct, earning her the title of "Funeral Girl." However, Xander, a new student, loves that Elaine lives in a funeral home.   Xander is a ghost hunter and is keen to investigate Gillies Funeral Home.  Against her better judgment, Elaine allowed for a ghost hunt.  Amazingly, a full apparition appears to Elaine. In researching the apparition, Elaine finds that a former proprietor's daughter may have fought similar battles to those she faces now. Meanwhile, Elaine faces challenging decisions regarding her friendships, relationships, and future. 

Grave Things Like Love is a young adult paranormal romance that focuses on Elaine's coming of age.  Elaine's home, which functions as a funeral home, is an intriguing setting.  Elaine dutifully helps her parents run the funeral home, often forgoing friends and her personal life. Elaine finally begins to do things for herself after meeting Xander.  Xander's influence makes Elaine push her boundaries, and she allows a paranormal investigation in the funeral home.  I enjoyed Flossie's presence and learning about her past.  I wish she had reached out to Elaine more.  As Elaine's world breaks down around her, she figures out what she wants to do with her life, rather than what her parents expect. Elaine's love triangle with Xander and Miles forced her to examine what she really wanted and come to terms with her long-ignored feelings.  

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

Right after hatching, a tortoise is plucked from her ancestral homeland and brought to a collector's estate.  Deemed Daisuke by the grounds caretaker, the tortoise explores her new home and comes to terms with the boundaries that have been imposed upon her and some of the other animals on the grounds.  She gets to know some of the people around the residence, taking a liking to young Lucy.  Lucy treats the tortoise as a friend and calls her Magic.  As the years pass, the tortoise finds solace in the music that the residents play, especially the live music.  The people around the tortoise come and go, but Lucy comes back for her.  Time passes differently for the tortoise, with other animals and people dying while she stays steady. Finally, more than a century into life, Tortoise discovers exactly who she is and the legacy she carries; however, even this revelation does not come with freedom. 

Told completely from Tortoise's perspective, The Tortoise's tale is an enlightening and emotional read.  From the first moments of Tortoise's life, I felt connected to her and her well being. It was insightful to read about Tortoise's views on captivity and her interactions with the other animals in the estate, both free and captive.  Even more interesting were Tortoise's interactions with the humans that came through her life, her deep connection to Lucy was amazing, even through prolonged absences. I enjoyed Tortoise's connection to music and its impact through the passing decades. While Tortoise definitely had good times on the estate, made connections with both other animals and people and enjoyed the constant flow of music, it was overshadowed by the constant knowing that she didn't belong there and that there was a place that she belonged in the outside world. A bittersweet ending rounded out this memoir from a tortoise's perspective. 
 
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.