How a Woman Becomes a Lake by Marjorie Celona

 A woman calls police, telling them she has found a little boy lost in the woods, but when a police officer arrives on the scene, there is no sign of either the woman or the child. The mystery slowly unravels throughout the book, which is told through the perspectives of several key characters. The reader will learn about the complex relationships these characters have with others close to them, and that sometimes, spontaneous actions and decisions have far reaching and unexpected consequences.

I found the plot to be fast-paced and I read it quickly. Although I had an inkling about what may have transpired, I was still surprised by how everything played out. I gave this book a rating of 4 stars.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Marjorie Celona, and Hamish Hamilton for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  

Songs for the End of the World by Saleema Nawaz

I found it amazing that this book was started six years before COVID-19 because it eerily mirrors so much of what the world is going through right now! In the book, one of the characters is an author who writes a book about a deadly global virus that ends up coming true...just like Saleema Nawaz wrote this book which also ended up coming true. I liked how the characters all seem to be connected somehow, whether by purpose or coincidence. I found this an effective way of showing how a person conducts themselves in a pandemic world really can affect everyone they come in contact with.

I found myself really getting into the various character threads for the first half of the book, and couldn't wait for their stories to pick up again. However, when, or if, they did, those characters seemed like different people and I found myself disappointed. Obviously people change through time or circumstances but I felt like I missed out on it. I also found myself wanting more closure for a couple of characters at the end.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I gave this book a rating of 3.5 stars.

The Book on Pie by Erin Jeanne McDowell

 

The Book on Pie by Erin Jeanne McDowell is brimming with information on everything you need to know to make a good pie. The author explains what ingredients work best, provides loads of helpful tips, and offers troubleshooting suggestions when things go wrong.  This book provides chapters on all kinds of different doughs and crusts (including gluten free and vegan recipes), decor and toppings, fruit pies, custard pies, cream/chiffon/cold-set pies, and even savory pies.  Each recipe includes at least 3 different recommendations for different doughs, crusts and finishes to try, so the same pie could be a new adventure every time you make it.

I had a hard time choosing which pies I wanted to make first. Birthday Cake Pie sounded so intriguing, but I ended up making Peanut Butter-Banana Cream Pie and Black Forest Pie because I had bananas and cherries on hand. 

I made the All-Buttah Pie dough for the Peanut Butter-Banana Cream Pie, and the Chocolate All-Buttah dough for the Black Forest Pie.  Both were very easy to make, but even though I followed the author's instructions, I found they still shrunk a bit too much when blind-baked. The author suggests using pie weights when you bake the crusts but I don't have any, and even though I docked each one with a fork, they still floofed a bit in the middle.. I consider myself a pretty good baker but I had a hard time with both fillings.  I couldn't get them to thicken or get bubbles to the top even after stirring constantly for several minutes, and then they both got very lumpy (which she explains in the book).  The recipe does say to strain the filling into the pie, but I'm not sure this was the reason intended!  Having said that, both fillings were sooo good, and overall both pies were delicious.  The Peanut Butter-Banana Cream Pie recipe doesn't tell you when to add the vanilla, but I added it in order presented and I'm sure this error will be fixed before printing. I gave this book a rating of 3 stars.

Truth, Lies and Second Dates by MaryJanice Davidson

Ava Capp is a commercial airline pilot with a sarcastic personality. She left Minnesota after someone close to her was murdered, but returns years later for the 10 year memorial anniversary. However, it seems as though the murderer has also resurfaced, in order to finish what they started. Will Ava be able to withstand the accusations and finger-pointing directed her way, and finally put the past behind her? Will the handsome Medical Examiner be able to trust her enough to help find the real killer?

The author talks about tropes in her introduction, and I liked that there were many instances where this book broke traditional stereotypes. The author includes footnotes within each chapter: I liked the idea of this at first as it made the book feel autobiographical, but after a while I just found it irritating to flip back and forth while reading a fictional book. I didn't really find this book to be much of a mystery, but others may find this the perfect book to escape 2020 for a while.

I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martins Press for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. #NetGalley #TruthLiesandSecondDates. I gave this book a rating of 2 stars.

The Room Where It Happened by John Bolton

I found this book incredibly boring. Even though I knew it would cover American policies and politics, but at times it read more like a work diary. The author seems to hold himself in very high regard, and only others are to blame when things go wrong. Sound like someone else in the White House? I gave this book a one star rating.

Too Much and Never Enough by Mary L. Trump

I feel Mary Trump clearly and believably explains how Donald's personality and characteristics are a direct result of his parents' treatment of him and his siblings growing up. However, I would say the book seems to deal more with how her grandparents and Donald treated her "weak" father. What a family. Is Mary bitter? Oh yeah! Does she have reason to be? I'll leave that up to you. I gave this book a rating of 4 stars.

Fable by Adrienne Young - Young Adult Review

 

Danger and adventure, both on land and on sea, abound in this book by Adrienne Young.  Fable is a strong and compelling heroine who will capture your heart as treasure. She has already suffered loss and abandonment in her seventeen years, but she maintains a strong moral compass in her constant fight to survive. It is hard to know who she can trust, as each character has their own secrets and hidden stories, but the author slowly peels back the layers until you learn who is a fake and who is a diamond in the rough. This book had me hook, line, and sinker, and I cannot wait to see what happens next!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Wednesday Books for allowing me to read an advance copy of this fabulous book in exchange for my honest review. I gave this book a rating of 5 stars.