Walley's Book Reviews
  • Home
  • Edee's Reviews
  • Ben's Reviews
  • Sam's Reviews
  • About
  • Contact

Before and After by Judy Christie and Lisa Wingate

1/23/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Before and After tells the compelling real life stories of adoptees from the Tennessee Children's Home Society.  After reading Before We Were Yours and feeling so drawn into that storyline, I really appreciated learning more about the history behind Georgia Tann and the Tennessee Children's Home Society.  Before and After brings attention to the heartbreaking stories of those children that found themselves victims of Georgia Tann's schemes. It seemed that many of those affected were able to find some sense of closure by attending the reunion and sharing their stories with the authors.  

I would recommend this book as a companion read to Before We Were Yours.  I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

0 Comments

Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

1/19/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Becky Brandon nee Bloomwood has to be one of my favorite literary characters.  The Shopaholic series has given me more laugh out loud moments than any other book series I have read.  So of course it seems like a no-brainer that the latest installment should tackle the Christmas season with all its associated shopping and stressful holiday family story lines.  

Becky is looking forward to a stress-free Christmas at her mum and dad's house, when they casually inform her that they are renting the house out to Jess, Becky's half sister, and her husband Martin.  Becky's mum and dad are moving to an up and coming neighborhood to try out all the new things the younger generation is enjoying.  Not only will Becky be hosting Christmas for the first time at her home, but she's trying to balance the demands of her parents, her vegan non-consumerist sister Jess and husband Martin along with Martin's parents, and Becky's best friend Suz and her family.  Becky is determined to make it the best Christmas ever and that no one goes without his/her favorite requests, including a vegan turkey.  Becky's also determined to find just the right gift for her husband Luke and simply won't settle for the same tired aftershave.  This quest for the perfect gift has its own twists and turns that add to the plot.  

Becky's exploits never get old for me and I could laugh along every day of the year.  I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

0 Comments

Finding Chika by Mitch Albom

1/5/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Finding Chika is a beautiful tribute to the young girl that came to Mitch and Janine Albom's home, leaving an indelible impact on their lives and all of the lives she touched during her life. It is a poignantly written novel that captures the joy young Chika brought to all that she did and how resilient her spirit was.   

Mitch Albom, as always, has a special way of writing that conveys so much emotion through his words.  I appreciate his work in writing this book so that Chika can be remembered by those who did not have the opportunity to meet her.  

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  

0 Comments

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

1/5/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Giver of Stars hits all the right notes as a great piece of historical fiction!  

Set in Kentucky during the depression, we get to meet five women who became known as the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky.  The story mostly focuses on Alice Van Cleve who came to America with her new husband Bennett Van Cleve, and finds life isn't exactly what she envisioned.  Desperate for some escape from her restrictive home environment, Alice is one of the first volunteers for Eleanor Roosevelt's new traveling library and finds a life she never knew she needed.  

​Margery O'Hare has a deep love of books and her hometown, but struggles with the family reputation that has been saddled to her.  She is deeply committed to the traveling library initiative and quickly becomes a leader for the other women with her unconventional ways.  

I felt that this novel had all the elements for an enjoyable and memorable book.  The characters were unique and well developed.  The historical fiction aspect was compelling and timely.  The plot had adventure, mystery, and intrigue with the right amount of romance.  A strong four star read for me.  I very much enjoyed learning more about the Packhorse Librarians and definitely would recommend this book.

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  

0 Comments

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Ben's Reviews
    Children/YA/Teen
    Edee's Reviews
    General Fiction
    Historical Fiction
    Literary Fiction
    Mystery/Thriller
    Non Fiction
    Recommended For Book Clubs
    Southern Fiction

    Archives

    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.