“My summer plans went up in flames exactly six days ago.” How are your summer plans going? For #firstlinefriday I thought the first line from Hello, Goodbye by Kate Stollenwerck was perfect. Although I hope your summer is going better than Hailey thinks hers is going in the book. This is an adventurous story thanks to Hailey learning some family secrets. Hailey is 15 in the story so we all remember how dramatic that age can be and I’m currently reliving it with my daughter. This book really helped me take a step back and remember what the teen years are like especially when they involve family.

Trials of Fire and Rebirth by Edith Pawlicki, Edith Pawlicki

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

5.0

In Trials of Fire and Rebirth by Edith Pawlicki, Nig and Karana learn that the more they avoid their fears the more the fear increases. I love the Asian mythology incorporated into the storyline. Mythology always reminds us that we can learn from the mistakes of those who came before us. What I love about @edithpawlicki writing is that she writes melodrama without any excess drama. We are there in a mythical world with fluid characters and can embrace their acceptance, empathy, and exploration. The biggest lesson I’ve learned from the Immortal Beings series is things won’t be easy but take the path you choose and those who truly understand you will follow.

A Letter in the Wall by Eileen Brill

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Eileen Brill’s novel A Letter in the Wall skips through the mundane parts of Joan’s life while also embracing the events that shape and mold her with strength and resolve. I loved how the letters written by Joan embodied characteristics that represented Joan’s life at the time they were written. The expanse of time covered from 1918 to 2007 is embraced as perspectives shift within Joan, her family members, and society. I was hooked from the very start when it opened with Joan being betrayed by a business partner in Oklahoma. I kept reading with great fury to figure out how Joan got to Oklahoma and why. And the end with everything coming full circle was perfection! I loved how it ended with Joan’s daughter’s quote, “We’re all products of our decisions.” The Author’s Note gives the details of the real Joan and her letter found by the author.

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annegoodreads's reviews 75 reviews

annegoodreads's reviews
75 reviews