booktalkwithkarla's reviews
1337 reviews

Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker

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dark informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Clove is seeking the perfect life, far different from how she grew up. And she’s doing it, pursuing health in her marriage, parenting, friendships, and body. Until a letter arrives -  bringing with it her past, giving her the summer to tell the truth - threatening not just her present but her entire future. 

Chelsea Bieker writes honestly about domestic abuse and society’s blind eye toward women and children. She writes so well that I read parts of the novel with a stomach ache and tears ready to spill. Even though it’s hard, I didn’t want to turn away and ignore the realities in many homes. Bieker’s writing is sharp and smart. Those parts were the best part. I liked the thriller part less, although I understand its necessity. And watching Clove spin out and obsess over was difficult to read. 

I’m glad this book exists and hope it brings clarity, understanding, and action from all of us to not turn a blind eye. Bieker does a phenomenal job of showing the truth in its complexities and inviting us to do better from top down and the ground up. 
From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley

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emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

“This has been one of the most profound experiences I’ve had. Learning to hold joy and suffering and indifference and hope simultaneously.”

My plan for this memoir was to listen to the audiobook, narrated by Julia Roberts and Riley Keough. Then while at a bookstore I saw the cover and the photos inside. I bought the book, started it, and finished it the next day. This is a heartbreaking story and also a story filled with love. Well worth the time it takes to read… even twice. The audiobook is still on hold via my library so I plan to listen too. Riley does a great job added to her mom’s words. The different font styles made it easy to know who was speaking. Addiction, grief, family, trauma, and love are major themes of this memoir drafted by Lisa Marie Presley and finished by her eldest daughter Riley Keough. 
You Like It Darker by Stephen King

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I’ve read just a few of Stephen King’s books / On Writing and The Stand. So this third book - and the first of short stories - was a new experience. I took it slow, mostly because I couldn’t read the stories at night. I read expecting to be freaked out so day time reading was better. I didn’t always want to pick this book up but each time I did I was right in the middle of the story. King is a phenomenal writer and brings characters and situations alive. 

I liked The Answer Man the best followed by Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream. 

“…the sense of impending doom is so strong it’s an actual taste in his mouth, like sucking on a clump of pennies.”

“Maybe creativity is supposed to remain a mystery.”

“Do you see what I mean about how easy it is to ask questions that don’t aid understanding? It devalues the whole process of asking, doesn’t it? Of delving into matters?”
The French House: Gripping and heartbreaking French historical fiction by Helen Fripp

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inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

“I want it for the same reason as you, darling. Freedom from men, respectability. To be above the rules, like you.”

“It’s a collective knowledge, gathered over centuries by thousands of people who’ve worked the land, and I intend to contribute as much as I can while I’m alive.”

“He was like the vines, a cycle of nature. Sometimes he withered, and sometimes he bloomed.”

This fictionalized account of the life of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot was a fun read. Some of the characters and storylines were a bit much for me. After having recently read The Widow Clicquot (nonfiction) and watching the movie of the same name, I found myself comparing the facts with Helen Fripp’s additions. Each work is its own. I’ve enjoyed the process of exploring widow Clicquot’s life and the history of the Champagne region, plus drinking Veuve Clicquot. Our book club discussion about The French House added to its many layers. I would recommend this novel for readers who want to know more about that time in history and enjoy stories about resilience and overcoming. 
The Yoga Store Murder: The Shocking True Account of the Lululemon Athletica Killing by Dan Morse

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dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

5.0

This is a heartbreaking story on so many levels. Senseless. Devastating. Tragic. I couldn’t stop turning the pages based on the story and compelling way it was written. The included photos of both Jayna and Brittany (plus law enforcement and some crime scene images) made it more real in a way the podcasts I listen to can’t. Plus the location being a retail establishment I visit regularly. I feel deeply sad for the families involved and am grateful for Dan Morse’s reporting of this true and awful crime. I appreciate that Morse focused on the entire story from beginning to end - psychologically and judicially - and found it respectful and responsible reporting. I will still be thinking about this story for a long time to come and each time praying for pathological liars and psychopaths to get help before it turns deadly. 
The Running Club by Ben Gross

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dark funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Books written by runners about all things running are so fun. And this one with a murder mystery at the center was no exception. My book club of runners chose it so our discussion should be great. I loved being reminded of the beauty of community and specifically the bonds runners have with each other. Recommend this for the mystery and the running talk throughout. 
Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God's Transforming Presence by Ruth Haley Barton

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hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.5

Yes to everything Ruth Haley Barton claims about solitude and silence. Having her as a guide is wonderful. From her writing and honesty, you can tell she practices where she shares. I listened to the audio and read in tandem. 
Long Bright River by Liz Moore

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

“This was the secret I learned that day: none of them wanted to be saved. They all want to sink backward toward the earth again, to be swallowed by the ground, to keep sleeping.”

“… but he’s not all bad. Almost nobody is.”

Mickey is a cop and Kacey is an addict. Long Bright River is their story of growing up as sisters and then their lives of survival, as Mickey attempts to solve a series of murders and save her sister. 

Liz Moore writes both sisters so well in this modern day retelling of the prodigal son. Her writing is beautiful and poignant. The mystery is solid and I had to know what happened. I cared about all the characters (even Gee) because Moore writes people with depth. 

This is a great read. I wanted to start again at the beginning when I turned the last page. I cried and prayed for everyone to be okay. Outstanding writing. Outstanding book. 
The It Girl by Ruth Ware

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

The It Girl is a thriller about before and after Hannah Jones finds her friend April dead in their room at Oxford University. Ruth Ware set this book in a really cool place and I loved reading about the university. Ware was able to surprise me with who the murderer turns out to be and how it was committed. What I enjoyed least was Hannah’s whining. My book club read this and most of them loved it even more than me. 
Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

October 2024
Rating 4.5 stars.

I like this book even more after a reread. The facts at the heart of the mystery from book 5 became clearer. Penny is brilliant and I’m excited to continue the series. 


June 2021
Rating 4 stars.

“Things are strongest when they are broken.”

In this sixth book of the series, a historian is found dead in the cellars of the Literary and Historical Society building. As Gamache and his team get involved, we revisit the murder from book five.  Olivier is in jail and Gamache is dealing with his own tragic case gone wrong.

The three mystery storylines are handled well by Louise Penny. She also weaves Quebec history, little known facts, and legend in, giving the reader an interesting journey. The title is brilliant, applying to every storyline. Separists and Federalists,  English and French, past and present, injured and healed - differences continually considered with the common reality of death always present. Penny again integrates the four things that lead to wisdom.

I am sorry. I was wrong. I need help. I don’t know.

I am working my way through the Gamache series happily. This one I listened to and it was a wonderful experience. I will try the next one on audio too. I really enjoyed the narration, especially getting clarity with the French pronunciation.  Since I read paper books for the first five, I am sure I was mispronouncing many of the names and French words as I read. Recommend this series.