Books Marked

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Seasonal Work: Stories by Laura Lippman My rating: 4 of 5 stars Strong female characters and suspenseful story lines make up the 12 short stories in this book. Highly recommend as I enjoyed each of the 12 stories. View all my reviews

How to Garden Indoors & Grow Your Own Food Year Round: Ultimate Guide to Vertical, Container, and Hydroponic Gardening by Kim Roman My rating: 4 of 5 stars Lots of great information for growing food indoors. I have recently been interested in not just starting seeds indoors but to actually grow and harvest, this book describes several ways to do just that. Hydroponics, lighting, and even making sure your floor is strong enough to use some the the systems. Also info on varieties to grow. Very informative plus I found some experts to follow on Instagram. View all my reviews

Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Zorrie by Laird Hunt My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Blowholes, Book Gills, and Butt-Breathers: How Animals Get Their Oxygen by Doug Wechsler My rating: 4 of 5 stars What a fun way to learn about how some animals breathe. What kid (or even adult) wouldn't be interested in a book with this title. Information is interesting and is well photographed. View all my reviews

A Carnival of Snackery: Diaries 2003-2020 by David Sedaris My rating: 4 of 5 stars It is not often that I find myself smiling and chuckling while reading. This second installment of the diary does just that. Very satisfying read. View all my reviews

The Boy and the Mountain by Mario Bellini My rating: 4 of 5 stars Simply and effectively illustrated, this simple story highlights looking at big picture while finding beauty in the small things that make up the larger view. Wonderful primary picture book. View all my reviews

The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain My rating: 5 of 5 stars I was drawn into the story immediately. Loved the dual timelines. This book covers some many topics but ultimately it is a story of love and redemption. View all my reviews

The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Somebody's Daughter by Ashley C. Ford My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews

O Beautiful by Jung Yun My rating: 4 of 5 stars So many topics covered in this books including; family disfunction, racism, white privilege, the environmental crisis, and the most important the female experience. Celebrating woman who take control and speak for themselves. View all my reviews

A Little Hope by Ethan Joella My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr My rating: 3 of 5 stars I had to force myself to keep reading and to discover the storyline. Of the five characters in the story I was only really interested in two of them. That being said, am glad I read Anthony Doerr's latest novel. View all my reviews

The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country by Amanda Gorman My rating: 5 of 5 stars Brilliant! View all my reviews

The Maid by Nita Prose My rating: 5 of 5 stars This book drew me in from the beginning, Molly, interacts with the world in a different way than most and I found my self rooting for her though out this mystery. View all my reviews '

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles My rating: 3 of 5 stars View all my reviews

The Korean Vegan Cookbook: Reflections and Recipes from Omma's Kitchen by Joanne Lee Molinaro My rating: 5 of 5 stars More than a cookbook. It is the story of a family, a love story, a story of connection and of Korean food. Beautifully photographed View all my reviews

Joan Is Okay by Weike Wang My rating: 3 of 5 stars If asked to describe Joan the first thing that comes to mind is Asperger's Syndrome. Combine that with culture differences and family expectations, and you can understand why Joan's life may not look like everyone else's. I had a hard time warming up to Joan but do believe that she was indeed okay. View all my reviews

The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny My rating: 2 of 5 stars Tiresome and predictable . View all my reviews

Her Honor: My Life on the Bench...What Works, What's Broken, and How to Change It by LaDoris Hazzard Cordell My rating: 4 of 5 stars Behind the scenes look at the judicial system at work from the eyes of a judge. Well written with compelling stories of. actual cases that Judge LaDoris Hazzard Cordell presided over. I was particularly interested in her well thought out suggestions for overhaul of the legal system. View all my reviews

Damnation Spring by Ash Davidson My rating: 4 of 5 stars An environmental novel of immense proportions. This books had elements of family drama, greed, the economic effects of logging, environmental poisoning, conservation and so much more. So many topics to discuss and think about. View all my reviews

On Animals by Susan Orlean My rating: 4 of 5 stars 16 essays on animals ranging from chicken to whales and even taxidermy. Fascinating to read the interactions and history between humans and animals. Fun read. View all my reviews

The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of the Whole Stupid World by Matt Kracht My rating: 4 of 5 stars After reading The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of North America by the same author, I had to follow up and read The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of the Whole Stupid World. Same premise. Sprinkled in among the sarcasm and language are some interesting facts about the birds. Certainly not for the easily offended. I read this book with a smile. View all my reviews

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead My rating: 4 of 5 stars This book is a family saga, a tribute to Harlem in the 60's, and a story of race and power. A real multilayered story perfect for discussion. View all my reviews

Brothers on Three by Abe Streep My rating: 4 of 5 stars Family, school, community and racism challenges all brought to light in a great and thoughtful book about basketball. "Ball is life" View all my reviews

What Kind of Woman by Kate Baer My rating: 4 of 5 stars Wow! View all my reviews

Staples + 5: 100 Simple Recipes to Make the Most of Your Pantry by Tanorria Askew My rating: 5 of 5 stars This book is filled with so many recipes that are especially helpful when you think you have nothing in the house to eat. Using common staple ingredients I already have in the house plus a few (5) others I can create a delicious yet simple dish. View all my reviews

Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach My rating: 5 of 5 stars Wildly entertaining book by Mary Roach on the intersection of wildlife and humanity. Roach follows wildlife professionals to learn how they attempt to control animals in nature using all manner of approaches (even zoning rules in Aspen). Fascinating and funny. View all my reviews

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult My rating: 5 of 5 stars Brilliant! I wasn't sure that I was interested, or ready to read about Covid or the pandemic but leave it to Jodi Picoult to craft a riveting story about something that has affected so many people. This grabbed me from the first few pages. View all my reviews

Three Lines in a Circle : The Exciting Life of the Peace Symbol by Michael G. Long My rating: 3 of 5 stars A very simple book about an important symbol known the world over. Wished it had more narrative. Illustrations were great. View all my reviews

Home Hydroponics: Small-space DIY growing systems for the kitchen, dining room, living room, bedroom, and bath by Tyler Baras My rating: 5 of 5 stars This books provides detailed information on the principals of hydroponics but also instructions on how to build your own hydroponic gardens for the home. Loved that the author provided crop suggestions as well as problems that could affect the crop due to the method used. Off to build a salad bowl garden now. Can't wait to see the results. View all my reviews

Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily R. Austin My rating: 4 of 5 stars I am not sure how to rate this one. I found this book about Gilda, a depressed and anxious lesbian, quirky and at the same time relatable. Despite the topics of depression, mental illness, addiction, anxiety, and religion, I truly enjoyed the story. View all my reviews

The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times by Jane Goodall My rating: 5 of 5 stars Based on conversations between Jane Goodall and author/ publisher Douglas Abrams this book gives sage advise on not only what we have done to our planet but also what her four hopes/actions are for the future. Ms. Goodall's hopes for our future as a species are: human intellect, nature's resilience, the power of young people, and "the indomitable human spirit." Such hope from such an important naturalist and environmental activist. View all my reviews

Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout My rating: 5 of 5 stars After reading the first few pages of Oh William I felt reconnected with my long lost friend Lucy Barton from Elizabeth Stout's previous books. This story of relationships, discovery of the past as well as discovery of self is told in a relatable and comfortable way. Unputdownable! I highly recommend this book and anything Elizabeth Strout writes. I received an advanced copy of this book from Random House through NetGalley. View all my reviews

Forgetting: The Benefits of Not Remembering by Scott A. Small My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is a detailed, yet readable book on the workings of the brain and. its role in the memory process. Fascinating look at how forgetting is a normal and natural process and not necessarily something to worry about. Wouldn't it be great if we could choose what we forgot and what we remember, but I digress. View all my reviews

Home Made: A Story of Grief, Groceries, Showing Up--and What We Make When We Make Dinner by Liz Hauck My rating: 5 of 5 stars As a way to honor her deceased father the author stated a cooking club for youth in a group home. This is a story of building trust and building relationships with the residents and food. and showing respect for each other. The simple act of cooking with kids positively changed the lives of all involved. This is a truly memorable story. View all my reviews

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet Made Simple: Delicious Recipes to Reduce Inflammation for Lifelong Health by Molly Thompson My rating: 4 of 5 stars Beautifully photographed cookbook. Provides information on what to eat to reduce inflammation as well a what triggers it. Definitely will be trying some of these easy to follow recipes. View all my reviews

Trisha's Kitchen: Easy Comfort Food for Friends and Family by Trisha Yearwood My rating: 5 of 5 stars Beautifully photographed, easy to follow recipes with lots of tips and tricks included. I love reading cookbooks that have stories attached to the recipe and this one checks that box for me. Can't wait to get cooking. View all my reviews

Eloquence of the Sardine: Extraordinary Encounters Beneath the Sea by Bill François My rating: 4 of 5 stars I so enjoyed this view into what lives in the oceans, lakes and streams around us. The passion for the authors love of the ocean was clearly evident. Very interesting information on various fish, plus explorations into the folklore and tales of the sea. This is truly a love story to the oceans and a pleasure to read. View all my reviews

I'll Be Seeing You: A Memoir by Elizabeth Berg My rating: 5 of 5 stars The realities of aging. View all my reviews

The Maidens by Alex Michaelides My rating: 4 of 5 stars Lots of twists and turns in this one. My initial thoughts confirmed but with an additional twist. Loved the nod the the Silent Patient. View all my reviews

The Perfect Daughter by D.J. Palmer My rating: 4 of 5 stars Lots of twists and turns in this psychological thriller. View all my reviews

Perestroika in Paris by Jane Smiley My rating: 4 of 5 stars Magical story of friendship. View all my reviews

The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz My rating: 4 of 5 stars Lots of twists and turns in this thriller. This was just the book I needed to get me back into a reading groove. I must say I suspected the outcome early on but the story was so compelling I stayed with it and I am glad I did. View all my reviews

The Unofficial TikTok Cookbook: 75 Internet-Breaking Recipes for Snacks, Drinks, Treats, and More! by Valentina Mussi My rating: 4 of 5 stars I have seen some some of these viral recipes on social media and it was nice to be able to see the entire recipe (along with tips) in writing. Fun book, I will definitely try some of these recipes. View all my reviews

Bittman Bread: No-Knead Whole-Grain Baking for Every Day by Mark Bittman My rating: 5 of 5 stars Love the idea of a jump stater for my starter! Great recipes and easy to follow explanations. Can't wait to try some of these breads. View all my reviews

Hello World! by Kelly Corrigan My rating: 4 of 5 stars Once again, Kelly encourages wondering and asking questions. Great book to help us all engage with others we meet. View all my reviews

Wonder Women of Science: How 12 Geniuses Are Rocking Science, Technology, and the World by Tiera Fletcher My rating: 5 of 5 stars Fascinating and engaging stories about 12 wonder women in science. View all my reviews