A new psychological thriller/suspense, The Gatekeeper's Notebook is a bold and poignant story about love and loss, the past colliding with the present, and the unimaginable devastation caused by spitefulness, arrogance, deceptions, and lies.

“As much as we crave a concise, linear narrative, life happens as it will, often in a haphazard fashion that feels anything but finished. We must cobble together our most important moments and call them our story.”
Profoundly accurate.

This book... this story...the writing... there aren‘t enough words to describe how absolutely beautiful this book was and how much I didn‘t want the story to end. Kate Quinn wrote an exceptional story laced with historical facts, filled with characters that felt so real. A great book club read.

This was a super fun book to listen to on audible. I found myself trying to listen to it at every opportunity. It‘s a story about every woman who has tried to live a life out of sync with her authentic self. Funny, eye-opening, and heartwarming.

Extremely well written. A difficult story to digest. Topics included depression, severe mood disorders, alcoholism, neglect...emotional abuse...infidelity—but also love and compassion.

An interesting story highlighting OCD, the strong desire for friendship, and distant memories told through the perspective of ‘two‘ characters. Well written, entertaining...but at times, utterly confusing. I liked it, but didn‘t love it.

I absolutely loved this book. Learned a ton about The Red Cross Girls—more historical insight into what WWII soldiers at the front faced...plus a great fictional plot.

An enjoyable romance to listen to on audible. Bit of a cool plot twist at the end that I didn‘t expect.

“ People sometimes say that sorrow is mental but longing is physical. One is a wound, the other an amputated limb, a weathered petal compared to a snapped stem. Anything that grows closely enough to what it loves will eventually share the same roots. We can talk about loss, we can treat it and give it time, but biology still forces us to live according to certain rules: plants that are split down the middle don‘t heal, they die.”
Tissue please.

I loved every single thing about this book. ❤️
Heartwarming, funny, eye-opening, refreshing... entertaining... incredible characters...fabulous plot...Perfect pitch and pace— in awe. So much fun❣️
Loved ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ it.

"Poignant and beautiful, filled with unexpected twists, The Next Person You Meet in Heaven reminds us that not only does every life matter, but that every ending is also a beginning—we only need to open our eyes to see it." –Amazon

What more can I say... it's just one of those books...5*****

The Case of The Toxic Tenor [love the title] is Moore‘s third mystery in the series; however, each book is adeptly written as a standalone––not that you would ever want to miss any of her others. As an Augusta McKee fan, I can‘t wait for the next mystery to unfold. #cozymystery #mystery

“Spiritually, is a quest for meaning that goes beyond the linear mind to access a vaster force of compassion. Our emotional landscapes are practically unintelligible w/o this. ‘Without ‘ an expanded context to decipher emotions, the bare bones of many experiences can seem bleak or punishing—a dead-end conclusion that imprisons. Spirituality is freeing because it means opening the heart to see every nanosecond of existence through this aperture.”

Still processing how this book made me feel, and what I took most away from the story. For me, this book amplified the strength of the spirit—battling the loneliness of the heart...to endure in a space of isolation without apology, and facing the challenges that come from not belonging to the pack, yet thriving in the authentic.

WAISTED —“Meyers delivers a timely examination of body image, family, friendship, and what it means to be a woman in modern society. It will appeal to anyone who has ever dreaded stepping on a scale; even those who haven't will learn from it. Culturally inclusive and societally on point, this is a must-read.”
—Library Journal. #amreading ❤️❤️❤️

"Women Under Scrutiny is an honest, intimate examination of the relationships we have with our bodies, ourselves, how we‘ve been treated by the world based on our appearance—and how we have treated others." ––Randy Susan Meyers

My first steampunk novel... 💜 the cover!

“But why does she not speak?” —Euripides, Alcestis

My next #weekend read!
#psychologicalmystery #suspense #twists #chilling #thriller

Irwin is not only the local Librarian; he‘s also a book snob & all-around grouch. As a loner, he‘s happy to be surrounded by books, content in his predictable, routine existence until a young girl barrels her way into his dreary life, turning it upside down. Harper is smart, free-spirited & stubborn. Irwin tries to brush her off, but Harper refuses to budge, latching onto him more. Friendship, after all, can be found in the most unusual places. 💜

“When I gave Mrs. Cappuzzelli the aged Parmesan, she acted as if her hands were filled with diamonds. Then she made some fettuccine— rolling it out so thin you could see right through it— and we sat down and ate it with nothing but butter and grated cheese. It will always be my favorite kind of pasta.”
I remember my Grandmother, who had lived through WWII, describing eating a single cube of chocolate with this same reverence. xox

I read Moloka‘i a few years ago and loved it. The story stayed with me...So when Alan Brennert came out with this next read—I couldn‘t wait. From the very first paragraph, I was glued to my seat.
Trying to make this delicious read last as long as possible by only allowing myself to read while waiting 📖 at the bus stop... 🚌

To read or not to read... is Never the question. 😂 #amreading

My book club selected this read...which I started with the best of intentions last night. Since my eyes closed on me, I‘m only 68 pages in, but to be honest, I don‘t know what to make if it yet—which is perfectly fine. So, onward and forward I go, deeper into the vault that contains this story‘s plot...

The Great Alone is marketed as a story that unpacks a struggling family‘s experiences in the Alaskan wilderness —which it does in harrowing detail. However, the novel also exposes the many dangers untreated PTSD presents while tackling the complexity of domestic violence and survivorship. Well written and engaging.

The brutality... the cruelty... the inhumanity—- yet throughout it all, compassion, empathy, sacrifice and love survived. The Tattooist of Auschwitz will chisel your soul in two but you won‘t be able to look away... and you shouldn‘t. We all shouldn‘t.

Next book club selection. Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. A story about four generations of a proud immigrant family and the challenges they face when exiled from their homeland... “a story of love, sacrifice, ambition, and loyalty”

It‘s raining all weekend. I plan on reading and eating... sipping tea and ignoring everyone and everything but my books. What better way to spend the quiet hours ahead?

American War by Omar el Akkad, has been described as “Both poignant and horrifying” —I‘m counting on it. 😉

🙌🏻 It‘s out! Author Happy Dance 💃🏻

“Tethered to a man perfectly willing to destroy her sanity, Bella must somehow find the strength to leave and never look back.

Blaming, shaming, power and control converge in Sahar Abdulaziz‘s new contemporary fiction novel, EXPENDABLE–the intimate story behind the “normal” veneer of one couple‘s unraveling marriage.”

#psychological #suspense #fiction #narcissism

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

An incredibly warm, thoughtful, and irresistible read. A big-life story which highlights the ordinary, and wittily catapults it into extraordinary.
Highly recommended. 👍🏻

#bookreview
#charmingread
#bepreparedtolaughandcry

A quick yet insightful read about marijuana‘s medical applications and how this natural plant can provide extensive relief from pain: especially for those suffering from chronic illness.

A real eye-opener and a fascinating read. #memoir #culture

“Here, they speak. Here, we listen. Perhaps the act of listening can be as empowering as the act of speaking. Perhaps the act of reading can be as empowering as the act of writing. I believe this to be true. Maybe reading these stories will give you a level of understanding that you didn‘t have before and motivate you to create change. Small changes, big changes —they all have impact.” Erin Moulton
#CSA #rape #survivors #empowerment

A concise, quick overview on writing industry standard book blurbs and synopses. I picked up a few helpful pointers I will implement. Quick read. *I bought the kindle version but in hindsight, I should have gotten the softcover to make referencing it easier.

This book—Ripped me apart and sewed me back together. The emotions this author pulls to the surface is nothing less than phenomenal. Love, trust, betrayal, past haunts, the promise of a future —selflessness and selfishness —no rock is left unturned... and she throws in romance and humor to boot. Loved this 📖. I plan to gift this book to a few of my gal pals in need of a voice; a way to hear their feelings explored, dismantled, and validated. 5 *

Hygge is a concept that on the surface may seem simple, perhaps even too simple, yet how often do we truly embrace the simplicity of the here and now without guilt? —Rushing past what is really important..How often do we prioritize our emotional health over outside pressures, consumerism or assumptions? This sweet book explains the conscious mindset of giving the gift of you to you & by extension, you to those you love and care about. Awesome 👍🏻

Can one fit a lifetime into a single day? “On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They‘re going to die today.”
Author Adam Silvera knocked this out of the box! I couldn‘t put it down. Intriguing concept, nuanced characters, fast-paced storyline, and dialogue that rang true to perfection. 5-Stars

Loved-♥️ Loved-♥️ LOVED- from the first page to the last! Funny, romantic, incredible pace-a real page turner... Incredible characters —did I mention hilarious? HILARIOUS 🤣
5 Stars/ I would give it more if I could!

Powerful read! A journey behind the many masks of toxic people, narcissists, & sociopaths. The author, Shahida Arabi -an advocate for survivors, wrote an outstanding book for those struggling to cope with the aftermath of emotional/narcissistic abuse. It is a guidebook filled with self-help strategies on healing, survival, and ultimately-a pathway to recovery. This is a proactive, highly accurate must-read.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is set for the big screen!

“War is ugly and tumultuous, but for the people of Guernsey, each day of their five-year Nazi occupation seemed more perilous than the next; an undetermined devastation derived from countless lives damaged, lost, and forever changed.”
—Sahar Abdulaziz
https://www.guernseytravel.com/blog/a-guide-to-the-guernsey-literary-and-potato-...

Pardon me while I shamelessly share for a hot minute... but a friend from Texas sent me this photo after spotting my book, Tight Rope, in somebody‘s TBR pile! ♥️ Not only am I swooning, but I‘m so honored to be included with such an incredible book lineup! 🙌🏻☺️...
Thanks for listening 👂🏻 ♥️
#authorlife #blushing #pinchme

Too many good points so I had to read this book twice. Thought provoking, insightful, but not pretentious. The author, Timothy Snyder, wastes no time uncovering the historical and current social issues which have manifested in the political quagmire we face today. Not long-but worthy. A must-read for anyone refusing to drink the Kool-Aid.

A little late night work-read... 📚

"Man With No Yesterdays is a relatable story, not only for those who have had to struggle with memory loss but for veterans and the people who love them. This is a story for those who have returned home, body intact, but a mind in downfall, suffering from crippling mood disorders like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. It is a well-researched and engaging story full of hope, love, forgiveness, and survival. A must-read."

#PTSD #depression #anxiety

This true story left my heart racing. Although Hyeonseo Lee tells about her journey, it is still hard to come close to imagining everything this young woman experienced to escape North Korea. An amazing memoir/autobiography.

Time to get this party started 📕📖 #amreading

"I lowered my head until my nose was only inches from her hands ... She opened and closed her fingers in the empty space between us, squeezing tight. Before I realized I was crying, a tear dropped from the tip of my chin onto the baby‘s cheek. It ran in a thin line to the edge of her mouth, and her red lips puckered in surprise. I laughed, and the tears ran faster. The open forgiveness in her eyes, the uncensored love, terrified me."

"Moloka'i: A Novel" by Alan Brennert

"The sea, he told her, was always in command, humanity an invited guest; those who did not respect that did not return."

While there were certainly aspects of this book which left me breathless and spellbound, there were far more parts which IMO fell flat, deteriorating the plot, & compromising the flow and pace enough to leave me disappointed. I kept reading, hoping to see everything pull together, but it never happened for me. With that said, and in all fairness, a close friend of mine read this book at the same time and adored it; two polarized opinions.

Thank you, @MrBook for your generous spirit, friendship, and endless support of authors.
So great seeing you today at the Writer‘s Workshop, and thank you for all your help! You‘re the BEST! 😎! 📚📚📚

More of a thriller than horror, this is probably a classic; one of the greatest 20th century haunted-house horrors ever written. A perfect book for all you October readers looking to be scared silly. As for me, I will be sleeping with all the lights on. Like, forever. Permanently. Not kidding. #gothicfiction #scary