jedore's reviews
498 reviews

This is a fictionalized account of the life of Belle da Costa Greene, a brilliant yet little-known historical figure who served as J.P. Morgan’s personal librarian and helped build his renowned book and art collection. Belle is an intelligent and ambitious woman who rose to prominence in the early 1900s, maneuvering through New York’s elite circles while concealing her true identity as a black woman. Her journey is a powerful exploration of identity, ambition, and resilience as she walks a very thin line of societal expectations and personal secrets to make her mark in a world dominated by privilege and prejudice.

I’ve thoroughly enjoy learning about key historical figures who have been largely overlooked, like Belle da Costa Greene. What a remarkable life full of contributions to art, history, and culture—she's an inspiring woman who navigated a time in U.S. history with significant social limitations. This fictionalized take on her life gives us a peek inside her world in an engaging way mainstream history books rarely capture.

It was both challenging and enlightening to get a glimpse of the entitled and often misogynistic individuals who were influential figures in U.S. history. Benedict does an excellent job of revealing the complexities of the period when influential people were rarely all good or all bad. Many of the men around Belle are depicted as both influential and deeply flawed—individuals who were capable of building legacies yet were complicit in upholding systems that marginalized those who were not like them.

I do feel like the story was tainted by a bit of "toxic positivity." This was solidified for me when Belle reunites with her father 17 years after he left the family and started another one and she expressed only positive feelings when he came back into her life. Not so realistic, especially since Belle was the one who took on all of the responsibility of supporting the entire family after he left. 

This is an outstanding read for fans of historical fiction, and particularly for women who draw strength from learning about trailblazing sisters like Belle. 

This book follows the journey of 19-year-old Lily Bushwold who in search of a fresh start leaves heads to Bolivia for a teaching job. There she meets Omar, a charismatic man who quickly becomes her boyfriend and invites her to join him in his remote Amazonian village. In the jungle, Lily faces a world that is both awe-inspiring and relentless, forcing her to confront the jungle’s hazards and her own fears and limitations.

Living in what I’d call the “jungle lite” here in Panama, I found myself relating to Lily’s experience—steering clear of strange (and very large) bugs, carefully navigating the hidden threats off the beaten path and in the water, and witnessing the invasion of humans for financial gain. Ferencik paints a vivid and accurate picture of the jungle’s beauty and its dangers.

Lily’s not a typical hero; she’s scarred by her past and deeply flawed, but it’s these imperfections that make her journey compelling. I was silently cheering her on as she transitioned from a vulnerable young woman to one who is strong and capable.

The depiction of Omar’s family was also spot on. They were understandably suspicious of Lily, seeing her as an outsider and keeping her at arm’s length until she earned her place in their world. 

This is an especially compelling read for expats living in Panama or those drawn to adventurous coming-of-age stories. 

This book follows the journey of a single mom and her adopted son, who has a rare cranial condition. Together, they navigate the challenges of judgment and misunderstanding, and share a unique and loving bond. It’s a story of resilience, love, and finding beauty in unexpected places.

I found this book to be pretty average. One of my main struggles was the dialogue—it felt overly cheesy and didn’t quite match the characters' ages or experiences, which pulled me out of the story. The characters, too, felt a bit simplistic and underdeveloped, especially given the weight of their actual circumstances. With such complex issues, I was hoping for deeper character exploration and more realistic exchanges. Instead, I'd say that, for the most part, it felt a lot like toxic positivity. 

If you’re into Hallmark-style fiction that wraps up in a nicely packaged, feel-good way, then this is your book! 

This is Tana French’s debut novel that introduces us to Detective Rob Ryan and his partner Cassie Maddox, members of the Dublin Murder Squad. They are called to investigate the murder of a young girl, Katy Devlin, whose body is found in the woods near her home. But these woods aren’t just any location for Detective Ryan—they’re the very place where, as a child, he was found traumatized, with no memory of the disappearance of his two friends. As the case unfolds, Rob finds himself forced to confront his past, though he’s unsure if it will lead him to answers or greater darkness. *In the Woods* is part psychological thriller, part police procedural, and it deftly blurs the line between past and present mysteries.

I often find police murder mysteries can feel a bit predictable or even cheesy, but this one wasn't. Tana French’s writing is excellent, without relying on the typical tropes that can make this genre feel overdone. The characters—Rob, Cassie, and the supporting cast—aren’t overly developed, but they’re definitely intriguing and more than enough to hold your attention throughout the novel. Their relationships aren't cliché or predictable. The distance French keeps between the reader and the characters works here; it maintains a focus on the mystery itself and the complexities of human dynamics, rather than a deep dive into any single character’s emotional world.

Since French keeps the characters at a slight distance, this isn’t a story that’s particularly deep or emotional. The appeal is more about uncovering the layers of mystery and exploring the tense dynamics between people. French builds suspense well, and also focuses on how people relate to one another under pressure—whether as partners, suspects, or even friends. 

This book is engaging and intriguing...I’ll definitely be reading more of Tana French!

Couldn’t get into it

Average fantasy

This part self-help/part memoir challenges societal expectations and encourages readers to trust themselves, reclaim their voice, and live authentically. The book traces Doyle's personal journey from a seemingly perfect personal life—a married Christian woman with children—to falling in love with soccer star Abby Wambach, ending her marriage, and rediscovering herself in the process. Through a collection of essays, Doyle speaks about embracing inner truth, the struggles of womanhood, and the importance of shedding external expectations to become "untamed."

As I'm fresh out of an 11-year relationship, I thought it was time to finally read this book, which I've owned for a while. I’m on a mission to de-center men in my life, and while this book isn’t specifically about being single (in fact, Glennon moves into another relationship quickly after her marriage), it still helped me. I found it intriguing—and lovely—that her new partner is a woman.

I'm not typically a fan of self-help-style books, so I didn’t expect to love this one as much as I did. But Glennon’s honesty about her own messiness makes her incredibly relatable. She’s not trying to present a perfect image—she’s real, raw, and human, which is so refreshing. It’s empowering to witness someone drastically change so openly.

Each chapter is an essay that focuses on a relevant topic—whether it’s a serious social issue, an experience of womanhood, or a personal anecdote. Every page is filled with heart and common sense. Doyle’s writing had me laughing, sniffling, and cheering throughout. Definitely a highly impactful read. 

I must admit, I developed a bit of a platonic crush on Glennon. She’s been added to the very short list of people I’d love to have dinner with—joining Tupac Shakur. What a blast it would be!

This is a sweeping historical novel set against the backdrop of Korea’s fight for independence from Japanese rule in the early 20th century. The story follows several intertwined lives: from Jade, a young girl sold to a courtesan school, to JungHo, a street orphan turned soldier, and the wealthy, powerful figures whose fates are inextricably linked with theirs. Through personal struggles, love, loss, and the brutality of war, Juhea Kim explores themes of survival, identity, and the transformative power of hope.

At first, I was a little worried because there were so many characters introduced in the beginning, and it was challenging to keep track of them all. But then, suddenly, everything clicked—and I couldn’t put the book down! 

I absolutely loved the book. Kim’s writing is beautiful and the story spans a lifetime, covering decades of history and personal evolution in a way that isn't cliché or predictable. It's also educational, offering a personal glimpse into a turbulent time in Korea's history without feeling like a history lesson. The depth of the characters and the unexpected turns kept me hooked until the very end.

If you enjoy novels that are intricately layered, historical, and beautifully written, I highly recommend this book! 

This is a reflective memoir co-authored by Sue Monk Kidd and her daughter, Ann Kidd Taylor. The book follows their journeys through Greece and France as they each navigate pivotal moments in their lives—Sue grappling with the transition into midlife and the empty-nest phase, and Ann seeking direction after college while struggling with self-doubt. As they explore these ancient lands, their personal reflections deepen, revealing the complexity of their mother-daughter relationship and their own individual quests for identity and purpose.

This book was not what I expected. For no clear reason, I assumed it was about a mom-daughter U.S. road trip, not an introspective journey through Greece and France. I liked how Greek mythology was a significant part of the storytelling; not being Christian, I couldn't relate at all with the large amount of content about Mary (mother of Jesus).

As a mother of an adult daughter whom I cherish, I was eager to dive into this book. We moms can always use all the help we can get as we navigate the sometimes-tricky terrain of relating to our daughters as they enter adulthood. This book invited me to reflect on my own relationship, and I was interested in the way Sue and Ann shared their different perspectives. The lesson of never taking anything personally was constantly running through my head. 

Beyond the mother-daughter relationship, the book is a good one for empty-nester women who are looking to redefine their lives in a new chapter and for young women at the end of college who are struggling to launch themselves into the world.

While I found bits and pieces of the book helpful, the pacing was quite slow for me. It’s a very reflective narrative that moves at a gentle, sometimes sluggish, pace. At times, it felt like it dragged, and it wasn’t one of those books I was rushing to pick up again.

Any woman with a deep love of Greece or an appreciation for its mythology, history, and landscape will especially enjoy the book. 

This book is set during World War II and follows Maddie, her husband Ellis, and their friend Hank as they journey to the Scottish Highlands in search of the Loch Ness monster. While the men are obsessed with proving its existence, Maddie faces her own battles, grappling with personal revelations about her marriage and the war-torn world around her. Along the way, she uncovers secrets and builds unexpected relationships, leading her to question her life and identity.

Overall, this was a pretty average read for me. The story itself felt somewhat formulaic and lacked depth. There wasn’t anything particularly unique or insightful about the plot that made it stand out from other historical fiction.

The characters felt underdeveloped and didn’t have much complexity. Their motivations and personalities followed familiar tropes, making it difficult to fully invest in their journey. The emotional growth felt superficial, and I found the relationships and interactions rather formulaic.

The ending was also quite predictable, and I saw it coming well before the final chapters. It wrapped up neatly, but without any surprises or significant emotional impact.

I would characterize this as a solid "beach read." It’s light and easy to get through but doesn’t offer much in the way of depth or lasting impressions. If you’re looking for something quick and entertaining, it’s a decent pick, but I didn’t find it particularly memorable or thought-provoking.