I read 4 books in the first half of December. One was a Christmas book! I’m already planning out some of next year’s reads and debating different reading goals. I will post about that soon.
One thing I’ll be changing with the book reviews is the star ratings. I know a lot of readers who veto books based on their goodreads rating. Some won’t bother with a book with less than 4 stars. In my mind, a 4 star book is one that I really loved! 5 stars are reserved for favorites and 3’s are for books I still liked. So I’m debating coming up with a new rating system or just letting the review stand for itself without a rating.
Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot
I listened to this book on audio via the Libby app. It was recommended on several lists as a powerful memoir as well as a short read for people hurrying to complete a reading challenge before the end of the year. The audiobook was just under 4 hours.
Mailhot’s writing is beautiful. The subject matter, her life, is difficult. She has been through so much with a traumatic childhood, becoming a young mother, losing one child as she gives birth to another, and a hospitalization leading to a mental illness diagnosis. In the book, she is authentic and honest that not all of her memories might be exact. Her pain and humanity come through as she bares all in her writing.
I don’t know if I just had a hard time following the audiobook at some points or if Mailhot jumps around a lot in her narrative but there were points when I was lost in what story or age she was writing about. In other reviews, I’ve seen the story described as fragmented. I would like to read a physical copy someday.
Charms and Chocolate Chips by Bailey Cates
This is the third book in Cates’ Magical Bakery Mystery Series. I have previously reviewed the first book, Brownies and Broomsticks, and the second book, Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti.
When the head of the non profit where Katie has been volunteering is found murdered, Katie gets dragged into another murder investigation. It turns personal when she and another witch receive threats, a folded maroon bat gets slipped under their doors, the same as the one found in the victim’s hand at the crime scene. Katie is also struggling to control her growing power, decide on her feelings for her new firefighter boyfriend, and repair her relationship with her mother.
While I did enjoy this book and it was a relatively quick read, I didn’t like it as much as the first two. It took longer for me to get into and for the mystery to get rolling. I’m also not sold on the Katie/Declan relationship. It was fun to meet the character of Katie’s mother though. I liked the scenes set in the swamp and the ancient Cypress tree was a great touch.
Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand
I listened to this holiday story as an audiobook. It is the first book in a four book series.
Within the first few chapters, it’s clear the holidays will be troublesome. The family inn is in trouble, an affair is discovered and a son is missing overseas. Other issues unfold in each sibling’s life. While everyone would rather be somewhere else, they all wind up at home for the holiday. I enjoyed the relationships and family dysfunction at the play with the Quinns. This is a short holiday read with enough character depth and drama to keep the reader interested. The family dynamics make it a quick fun read and the setting, an inn on Nantucket is definitely wonderful for the holidays.
I was able to listen to most of this book in one chunk making it easier to follow. Fiction is more difficult for me to listen to. I wish it had not ended on a cliffhanger. I have the next book on hold now.
The Summer Garden by Sherryl Woods
I previously reviewed The Inn at Eagle Point and Flowers on Main, Harbor Lights, A Chesapeake Shores Christmas and Driftwood Cottage, Moonlight Cove and Beach Lane, and An O’Brien Family Christmas.
Based on the letter to readers in the beginning of the book, it seems that Woods planned to end her Chesapeake Shores series with this ninth book. I know that isn’t the case because I have five more on my shelf waiting to be read.
I love that this book is set in Chesapeake Shores once again, after their Irish Holiday in the last one. The town has become a character in itself. I enjoyed catching up with the entire growing O’Brien family. Luke is a heart breaker but so charming you can’t help but root for him. I was really drawn to the character of Moira who’s a bit lost in where to direct her life and discovers she has a talent for photography. Getting to follow Nell and Dillon’s developing romance as a side story was wonderful as well.
The series just seems to get better for me with each book. I’m in love with the O’Brien family. The next two books are holiday stories I can’t wait to read around Christmas!
What have you been reading this month?
