Show Us Your Books May 2023

May 2023, how did that happen? Wasn’t it just Halloween? Anyway, I didn’t think April was a very good reading month, but looking back it was actually okay. No five star reads, but plenty of four stars. I think my memory is just reacting to the busyness of this time of year. It’s like once Spring Break happens buckle up, because each day after that means something to do. Teacher and senior gifts, sports, end of year projects and parties, and keeping up with all of the laundry and cooking associated with all of that is exhausting.

Anyway, here’s the best of the best from my April reads.

Four Stars

Hidden Moon by James Church -- These books make very little sense, but when you read mysteries having to do with North Korean government agencies that‘s part of the charm. This is book two in the Inspector O series and I found it just as confusing and enjoyable as the first.

The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey -- I loved the characters and setting of this mystery. I‘ll definitely read more in this series.

Watergate by Garrett Graff -- Graft’s deep dive into the history of Watergate had me riveted. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

The Ransomware Hunting Team by Renee Dudley and Daniel Golden -- I enjoyed this history of ransomware, and the stories of the (sometimes) misfits who stepped in to help stop it when the government was slow to act.

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Show Us Your Books May 2022

Pat Conroy’s house in Beaufort, South Carolina

I was away for last month’s Show Us Your Books so this is two months worth of reviews. I’ve been on a roll lately so there’s some good ones here that you all probably ready years ago.

Five Stars

The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne - I‘ve had this book on my TBR for years and I‘m glad I finally read it. Every emotion was contained in this book, and I easily gave it five stars.

Sandworm by Andy Greenberg - Wow! If you want to know why everyone got really scared about cybersecurity about a month ago read this book. I‘m going to have to read it again just to make sure I caught everything.

Four Stars

The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy - This was an impulse read because I spent some time in Beaufort, SC last month. I‘m really glad I read this sweeping, epic story of the Wingo family. It was a bit too drawn out in some places, but overall an excellent read. I might have to read it again now that I know what happens in the end.

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - This was a re-read for me. I still love this book although I forgot how long it takes the ending to come. I think Kingsolver does a masterful job of developing the voices of these girls, and that really comes out in the audiobook.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford - I‘m ever so slowly chipping off the books that have been on my TBR the longest. This one, added in 2016, I almost skipped because it‘s yet another WWII book. I appreciated the different spin on this one though, and liked the background about jazz on the West Coast. I‘m glad I finally got to it.

American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson - I really liked this book about a Cold War federal agent who also happens to be an African American woman.

Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix by Ibi Zoboi - These modern Austen retellings set in different cultures than the original British versions really work for me.

Three Stars

Indemnity Only by Sara Paretsky - I was blown away by this series when I first read it in the 90‘s so I thought I‘d give it a re-read this year. I still like VI and her tough as nails crime fighting ways.

Hell and Other Destinations by Madeline Albright - I enjoyed this memoir about Albright‘s career after being Secretary of State. I didn‘t/don‘t know a lot about her, but she seemed very funny and smart. I‘d like to read more of her books.

Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia - This dragged some in spots, but the time period and setting made up for it.

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