Been a bruising few weeks. This book is exactly what I needed.

joining the long list of people raving about this book. a beautiful sucker punch of a novel, can't wait to see what's next from Brit Bennett.

I'm in love with a fictional character.....again. always a sucker for a British mystery, and Sidney Chambers is dreamy. Reads like Ngaio Marsh, which is a fabulous thing.

The author was Chief Usher for the Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Nixon White Houses. I loved that the book gave an inside look without feeling indiscreet. West talked a lot about his interactions with the First Ladies without playing favorites or being gossipy. Also, I wanted to be friends with Bess Truman after finishing this, to be honest.

oh man, did I love this book. NKJ created an entirely otherworldly yet logical universe, and her characters were rich and multi-faceted. I'd never read her books before, but am definitely a fan now.

Less "tirade against fracking", more "life is complicated, let's talk about it", with just enough science to keep it grounded but not overwhelming. Definitely going to read more from this author.