Two Dogs and a Book

Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff My rating: 3 of 5 stars This book is really a 3.5 stars. I saw this book on many "Book of the year" lists in 2015 and I figured out that it would be a great read. It was not bad, but I found the story about these egoistical people to be mind-numbing and repetitive at times. I did not like many of the characters. Too many of them were insensitive and phony. I did like the second part better. It revealed unexpected surprises, answered many questions and had a better flow. View all my reviews

Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is the story of a family whose oldest daughter goes missing and how they each copes with their grief. Years later, the estranged family members are reunited by disturbing circumstances and are faced with the dark side of Julia's disappearance. If I had seen this story in a movie instead of reading it; I think I would have nightmares for weeks. After reading a few chapters, I really thought I could not finish this book. Not because it was not well written or the story was dull... on the contrary!! A lot of thoughts went into the writing of this book and the story is far from being boring. This suspense-thriller gets right under your skin and chills you to the bones. But just like all forbidden thing; I could not stay away from it and had to finish it. I finally took a deep breath at the end… I did not realize I was holding it all along. If you like thrillers; this one is frightastic! ...

City of Women by David R. Gillham My rating: 5 of 5 stars "City of Women" has been on my list to read for a while. I finally got to it and discovered a literary gem. "City of Women" takes place in Berlin in 1943. A German woman named Sigrid lives two lives. One of a wife waiting for the return of her husband from the Russian front and living a German war time day-to-day life. Another of a passionate woman who has an affair with a Jewish man and gets involved with helping those who are wronged by this horrifying war. David R. Gillham delivers a book that is raw at its core and does not spare you the hideous details of inhuman actions. The characters are honest in their delivery and communicates their feelings effectively. This book is also a story of courage and hope, and a story of good prevailing over evil. A must read! View all my reviews

Tell the Wind and Fire by Sarah Rees Brennan My rating: 4 of 5 stars I received an advance reading copy of “Tell the Wind and Fire” by Sarah Rees Brennan from Clarion Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. "Tell the Wind and Fire" is the story of a teenager named Lucie who is gifted with light magic. The story starts with her describing how she bravely saved her father from a certain death. Her act of bravery changes her life and she becomes a symbol of courage in two very different cities. The Light City uses her to promote purity and peace and the Dark City uses her to rally its people to start a revolution and conquer the Light City. Lucie is a citizen of both cities and she is challenged to make decisions which will impact her life and the lives of many around her. The story is well written and has a good pace. Sarah Rees Brennan has created strong characters who bring substance to the story in each their own ways. This b...

The Butterfly Sister by Amy Gail Hansen My rating: 5 of 5 stars The Butterfly Sister is a well thought and unpredictable book. This is the story of a young woman’s struggle with depression and being forced to face her past to make a wrong, right. Ruby has a secret which is eating her alive. When her old school friend Beth is reported missing; she is forced to go back to where all her troubles started and face the man who hurt her deeply. Ruby puts all the pieces together to discover what happened to Beth, who is involved and why. This book is beautifully written and keeps you guessing to the end. Who did it, really? View all my reviews

Saving Saffron Sweeting by Pauline Wiles My rating: 4 of 5 stars This was a fun book to read while on vacation. It is a feel good story! View all my reviews