As a writer, reading builds my creative reservoir. This is a reverse chronological order of everything I’m reading and a few comments as I complete each piece. I rarely buy books, and since the pandemic, I’ve used an app on my phone to read books from my local library. I visit the library at least once a month and have voted in favor of every single millage increase for libraries in my district. Support your local library, but if you have favorite authors, support them by buying their books.
March 2024
These Tattered Threads by Sarah Loudin Thomas: This was an interesting read, but it was a little tough to keep bouncing between three different timelines. A good read all the same.
Wild Side by Fern Michaels: Very poorly written with lots of passive voice and weak, flabby description. It could have been about 100 pages shorter too.
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown: I was about one third of the way through this and had to put it aside. It was too bleak, too dark. I’m often ashamed of my nation’s history of brutality against Native Americans and every other ethnic group. We simply MUST do better.
Cold-Hearted Rake, Marrying Winterbourne, Hello Stranger, Devil in the Spring, Devil’s Daughter, Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas: This set, known as the Ravenels series, was pure escapism and fun to read. The author obviously did a lot of historic research in developing these characters.
Finding Mercy by Karen Harper: Another take on a Witness-style story. I needed some escapism.
The Girls We Sent Away by Megan Church: It is so hard to believe that young girls had their babies ripped away from them with little explanation and expected to simply pretend it never existed. What an incredible loss.
A Year of Second Chances by Lara Avery: I am always fascinated to read about normal, everyday women who come through major grief and loss to rebuilt. This was a beautiful, poignant and funny tale of survival. Robin Lindstrom is my heroine!
You Shouldn’t Have Come Here by Jeneva Rose: This could have been about 100 pages shorter and been much more impactful. It dragged on too long and the twist at the end was very predictable.
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann: I am always dismayed to learn just how ruthless our government is when it comes to Native Americans, Blacks and “others.” It’s frightening to see it becoming mainstream once again.
Hillbilly Elegy by J.D Vance: What lyrical writing! It’s the story of a whole generation that has been lost in the rust belt of Appalachia (and could easily be Michigan).
February 2024
Finding Me by Viola Davis: A powerhouse memoir by one of the best actors in our generation.
Spare by Prince Harry: I am a royal aficionado and knew most of the information in this tome. My overarching impression is what a waste of an intelligent human being. He and his wife could have done so much for the British monarchy, but not now. Not ever.
On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni: A nice little piece of escapism.
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell: This read like an updated Lolita and was such an eye opener as to how pedophiles groom their targets.
Writer and Raconteur 