Review: The One and Only Ivan

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Since this has been on my TBR shelf for years and with the movie just out on Disney +, I thought it was about time I read this one, and I am so glad that I did. What an adorable book that had an amazing story from beginning to end. I didn't realize that it was based on true events until reading the author notes in the back of the book.

The way the book is written appeals to readers of all ages, little on up, and is just such an amazing, loving story about loneliness, friendship, and what a small gesture can do to make a huge difference. The characters, mainly a silverback gorilla and a baby elephant, were adorable and loveable. I cannot say enough good things about this book. I truly cannot wait to see how it plays out in movie form!

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This picture is from my Instagram post. My daughter was painting something and had her paints and brushes all over the table and I thought that it was perfect for my review/bookstagram post! Thanks, Audra, for being a messy painter and for painting at the exact right time! 

Review: The Guest List

The Guest List by Lucy Foley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you are looking for an incredibly suspenseful book, this is the one for you! From the very first pages, it pulls you in setting the story from the points of view of multiple characters' flipping between them chapter to chapter. What is supposed to be a joyful wedding weekend turns into something quite different and is written in just a way to keep you turning each page yearning to know who, what, why, when, and where because each chapter leaves you hanging! The characters are really believable and relatable (I may even know some of them in my own life), and the way the scene is set, I can almost feel myself being on the island with the guests. I really enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down. A quick easy read and definitely for those who love a good whodunit. It will definitely make for a good discussion at my book club this month.



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Review: One Year of Ugly

One Year of Ugly by Caroline Mackenzie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Have you ever read a book and could clearly picture the actor in your mind who you thought would play a specific character? That is what happened with this little gem of a book. From the moment that Roman was introduced, I imagined Manny Montana (Good Girls, The Mule, Graceland). With that being said, this book had a little bit of everything - family, love, illegal immigration, human trafficking, birth, etc. It was interesting in the fact that it followed a family who moved to Trinidad from Venezuela illegally to get away from their crumbling county and had done so as an entire family - aunts, uncles, cousins, the works. After an aunt passes away the family discovers that some debts needed to be paid and the family sticks together to make sure that they are, well, really they have no choice due to Ugly and his crew breathing down their necks.

The story is told from the point of view of Yola, the 20-something daughter, and the manuscript that was written by the dead aunt, which gave this book a very unique perspective. Enter Roman, Ugly’s right-hand man. He may be Ugly’s enforcer but that doesn’t stop Yola from feeling the attraction between them. Honestly, so many things happen to this poor family that you just can’t help but route for them to come out on top. It really is an eye-opening book that amongst the humor really tugs at your heartstrings.

I seem to have read quite a few books on immigration this year. Coincidence or is the universe trying to tell me something?

A good book and I recommend it if you have the chance.

I received this book from NetGalley. 

Edit: I had posted this review in all my normal posting places, Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram, and someone (an immigration attorney) kindly pointed out to me that it is not "illegal" to enter another country without the proper papers but it is considered "undocumented." They made a comparison to someone getting a speeding ticket, that if I were to get a ticket I am not illegal, what I did was illegal but I am not illegal. It is all in the wording. I am learning so much about this subject this year. 



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Review: Thread

Thread by J. Franklin Payne
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is certainly a very entertaining, keep you on the edge of your seat, what’s gonna happen next kind of story. And to find out that it is based on the happenings of the author’s younger years just makes it all that much crazier! Witchcraft, embezzlement, takeovers, affairs, divorce, and a wee bit of “The Family” really has you wanting more. The delivery, however, is just a little too all over the place for me. The story does not flow, it’s not fluent, and sometimes pretty difficult to follow or left me confused. Sometimes the subject would change mid-paragraph making me scratch my head thinking I may have missed something.

Overall, the story is fantastic, I just wish that it flowed better or was told from beginning to end rather than in flashbacks. 

Side note: I had received this book in very raw form, as in a PDF file that was marked up prior to being published or having a publisher. With that said, maybe it was just the version that I received that made it hard to follow, maybe it was majorly edited and the final version is much better. I am very tempted to buy the finished copy just to see.  

Worth the read if you get the chance.

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Review: His Only Wife

His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars 

I really enjoy reading books that explore an area that I am not familiar with and learn about the culture, traditions, and way of life. This book takes place in Ghana where it is common to have different types of marriages, traditional and legal, along with multiple wives, and sometimes even arranged. Afi finds herself in an arranged marriage. She was hand-selected by her new husband's family because they did not like his current girlfriend and they thought that if the two of them got married it would lure him away from "that woman."

The emotions that are present in this book are so strong that it is hard not to get involved in the story. When there is a stand-in for the husband at the wedding and then it takes him two weeks to actually meet his new bride, then another two months for him to come around again, that should tell you that something's not right. All the little whispers in Afi's ear along the way -- from her mother, cousin, in-laws or whoever had an opinion -- on how to act, what to say, and how to "keep her husband" are quite angering, as well as her uncle/father's hand always out wanting something from her and her new wealth. However, Afi is a very strong woman, she knows what she wants, goes for it, and stands up for herself not letting all the influence get in her way. You can't help but route for her the entire story.

This was a very informative, emotional, strong book that was written incredibly well. It was an easy read and I highly recommend it.

I received this ARC in a Goodreads Giveaway. 



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Review: The Challenge

The Challenge by K.T. Sun
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great Incentive

I think this book may have been written about me or anyone that has issues with food and/or weight! I was totally feeling the crazy healthy eating and the working out until you can't stand! I've been there and find myself still doing that! With that said, this book was totally relatable. I want to be Melanie's friend so that we can support each other. I liked James' backstory and the fact that he used to carry some excess weight as well and could understand what the challenge was all about to be a true supportive coach. I adored Max, her son, hated the ex-husband, and wished there was a little more detail on the fun neighbor (or maybe I wish I had a neighbor like that!!). I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. It was believable, engaging, and overall a fun easy read.

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

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Review: Bell Hammers

Bell Hammers by Lancelot Schaubert
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Unfortunately, I had a really hard time with this book. I was intrigued by the subject and it seemed interesting (think Robin Hood and pranks), however, the book just never went anywhere for me. The first couple of pages were funny and it pulled me in, but then it just kind of dragged on as I was waiting for something more and found myself struggling to get through it. To me, it seemed like a bunch of stuff just thrown together to make a book, which in a sense I guess it was since the book was created with stories from the author’s family and growing up in that area, but that just made it all over the place for me. I did find the last 75 pages the most entertaining and where most of the excitement was. I didn’t hate the book (once I got to the end) but it was very difficult for me to get through. Not an easy read in my opinion.

The writing style was not an issue for me, I found it endearing, and I did not mind the “Good Lord” references throughout the book, I found that refreshing. Overall, I didn’t quite enjoy it as much as I thought I would and was a little disappointed. Not my typical read but I’m sure others will enjoy it!


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