November 2024
- Katie Peterson
- Nov 3, 2024
- 8 min read
Something old, something new, something steamy, something true-ish
November was filled with heartache, triumph, and the many imperfections of humanity.
Alert: I had 2 (!) 5 cup reads. Read below to find out which books got the perfect ranking.
(Hint: If you click on the image of a book below, it will take you directly to the section about that book!)
Something old: The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
Something new: The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand
Something steamy: The Backtrack by Erin La Rosa (What was supposed to happen)
Something steamy: The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams (What actually happened)
Something true-ish: The Silence in Between by Josie Ferguson
Book club pick: All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
The Ratings:
Like plain, black coffee. Strong dislike.
A little cream, a little sugar. Not bad. Not great.
Add some flavor or syrup, it's getting good.
I liked this a latte!
Love! Refill please!
The Steam:
No peppers: Love/romance not a major part of this story
One pepper: Mild! Some love scenes; nothing risque on the page; fade to black
Two peppers: Moderate! Slightly descriptive romantic scenes may occur on page; some implied innuendos
Three peppers: Hot! Blushing while reading may occur; lots of spice
The Lion Women of Tehran
Marjan Kamali
I was born in the 90's...so I have never known an Iran that is not war-torn or in constant turmoil. This book left me with a feeling of nostalgia for something I've never even known, and if that's not literary magic, I don't know what is.
Ellie is a young girl living in luxury with her parents in Tehran, Iran in the 1950's. Her father's death forces them to relocate to a downtown slum. While her mother finds nothing but fault in their new home, Ellie loves the simplicity and close proximity to other children her age. At her new school, she makes her first real friend. A brave, passionate girl named Homa who teaches her about the spirit of lion women: strong women determined to work towards change, bringing success and power to other females. Homa and Ellie spend much of their time together...when not at school, they can be found at Homa's. Although they have never known a life of wealth, Ellie is immensely jealous of the richness of their home. Loving parents and siblings. A kitchen always filled with delicious smells and even better tastes. An overall positive and warm feeling envelops her whenever she is there...so much different from her own life.
Circumstances force the girls apart for many years, but their friendship rekindles in high school and continues into college, where Homa is still determined to doggedly pursue women's rights. Iran as a country finds itself in turmoil when the current leader is pushed out and a new one put in place. The freedom that women once knew is diminishing before their eyes. Mandatory coverings in public, with cruel punishment following any rule breaking. Females now have to have the permission of their husbands to do most things, and divorce in Iran awards all children to the father. While Ellie understands her friend's devotion to the cause, she has never felt the pull to join. One fateful night, the ultimate betrayal will sever the friendship into seemingly irreparable pieces. However, lion women are not easily broken, and a common goal will bring the friends back together once again.
My rating:
The Perfect Couple
Elin Hilderbrand
A wedding murder whodunit set on the historic, luxurious island of Nantucket. From the outside, it looked to be a wedding to desire. The family of the groom has spared no expense to make certain all of the details are pristine and perfect. The location, the attire, and the food have all been hand picked to ensure that the wedding will be flawless. The only thing they weren't able to guarantee? That the entire wedding party makes it to the altar. When the maid of honor is found dead on the morning of the wedding, the police have their work cut out for them solving the mystery. Any evidence that may have existed is long washed away, and during interviews they are often left with more questions than answers.
Although everyone swears they're telling the truth, the officers know there are details being left out. Affairs, jealousy, and dislike are all lurking in the shadows. Just when one secret is revealed, another is discovered. And there is someone very close to the wedding that will do anything to keep it from happening. No one knows exactly who to trust...but they'll all do whatever it takes to clear their own name. This one doesn't unfold the way you think it will, and you won't get all of the pieces until the very end.
This is my first Elin Hilderbrand, but I'll definitely pick up another one. If you've read and enjoyed her books before, I'm told that her writing style is fairly consistent so you'll probably like this one, too.
Good to know before reading:
-Multiple viewpoints (changes narrator quite frequently)
-Back and forth timelines. I had to continuously go back and see what dates I was reading to see if it was past or present.
My rating:
The Backtrack
Erin La Rosa
ERRRRRR. Let me backtrack here. [See what I did there?!] Due to circumstances totally within my control (not making it to the library in time), I didn't actually get The Backtrack by Erin La Rosa checked out and read in time for this blog post. {Enter: Sheepish face}.
But, I can pivot with the best of them, and therefore, I bring you:
The Cheat Sheet
Sarah Adams
Bree and Nathan have been best friends since high school. Now that they're adults, Bree is busy running her own dance studio and Nathan is a star in the NFL. Even though they're both busy with their professional lives, they continue to make time for one another. They know about each other's pasts, worries, and dreams. They think that no secrets exist between them. But, they're both harboring a deep, intense secret from the other. Bree loves Nathan, and Nathan loves Bree. Both of them have hopelessly fallen for the other, but neither wants to be the first to make a move, fearing unreciprocated feelings may lead to a ruined friendship.
Nathan's teammates, Bree's sister, and the teenage dancers at the studio all try to convince them that their desires are not one sided...but it takes a drunken confession to a reporter (who subsequently posts to all social media) to force their hand. Once the public thinks they're a couple, they figure they have nothing to lose from faking a relationship...at least as long as it takes for the interest to die down. But the longer they "fake" their affection, the more real it feels. Pretending to be in love in public while keeping everything platonic in private is harder than they ever imagined. The pressure continues to build until something has to give...will it be their hopes for something more...or the reservations that are holding them back?
Classic friends to lovers storyline. Although this book is relatively predictable, that was exactly what I needed in this read. I had just read two really heavy books followed by a murder/mystery...so I wanted something that wasn't going to stress me out at all and I would be guaranteed a happy ending. I did not know this prior to reading, but this author only writes 'closed door' romances, meaning any 'spiciness' happens off page.
My rating:
(I wish there would have been some 'steam', but I really liked all the characters (including the background teammates and friends). Quick, fun read.
The Silence in Between
Josie Ferguson
Rita, grandmother.
Lisette, mother.
Elly, daughter.
All women living in Berlin. None have actually fought in a war, but all have become casualties just the same. When Hitler rises into power and the climate in the country changes, everyone is forced to make a choice: join Germany's fight, or be persecuted yourself. While the men are called to the front lines, the women face their own battles on the home front. Neighbors are disappearing and food and shelter become scarce. Helping someone out may put you on a watch list. And when the Allies march nearer, the German women are left to the mercy of whatever armed force discovers them first. For the females in Lisette's family, it's the Russian's who knock through their door. Making a deal with the devil may save their lives, but forever alters their souls.
Long after the war is over, the repercussions are still felt by all living in Germany. In Berlin, it is literally a tale of two cities. The East is controlled by Russia. The West by The United States, England and France. Being under Stalin's rule feels eerily similar to Hitler, and many East Berliners make the trek westward. To stop the exodus, a wall is built. East Berlin is now completely segregated from the western part of their city. Rita, Lisette, and Elly have lived their entire lives in their apartment in the East. But on the night the wall is erected, their beloved grandson/son/brother is on the other side, being treated in the hospital. Any attempts to cross lead to instant persecution or death.
A lifetime of misunderstandings, hurt, and resentment are bottled up in one apartment...and the only way to find any peace is to ensure that the entire family is back under one roof. While the women may not have been in any war-time battles, they are prepared to fight for their family...and will do whatever it takes to win.
Good to know before reading:
-multiple narrators
-back and forth timeline
My rating:
I *loved* this depiction of WWII and the aftermath from a perspective that I've rarely (if ever) read about before! The atrocities committed against Jewish persons is not diminished in this book, but it is not at the forefront of the storytelling. This narrative revolves around the German population...their role in the persecution of their fellow countrymen and the repercussions and guilt that they feel for the rest of their lives.
All the Colors of the Dark
Chris Whitaker
I was well over a third of the way through this book and still unsure if I wanted to finish it. It was so heavy and tragic. The viewpoint was flipping back and forth. So many things were frustratingly left unsaid between characters. And the writing was so descriptive and wordy that I felt lost at times.
BUT.
I stuck with it. And soon, the heaviness was coated with a dusting of light. Tragedy was overcome through extreme perseverance and faith. The multiple story line connections started to appear until they were all so entwined there was no longer any separation. All of the truths, hidden throughout, were laid bare. And that descriptive, wordy writing had me fully invested in the rapidly approaching conclusion.
Patch and Saint are two outsiders, bound together through a childhood friendship born of necessity. Necessary, because, well...no one else befriended them. They're willing to take the whole world on, and if you mess with one, you best be prepared to deal with both. But one encounter changes the course of both of their lives forever.
*Slight spoiler alert if you continue*
Patch intervenes in a kidnapping attempt, saving the girl, and sacrificing himself. What ensues is a year in captivity, kept in absolute darkness. The only thing that helps him get through is a girl named Grace. Painting pictures for him in the dark with her descriptions and stories. Never giving up on her friend, Saint leads a rescue attempt, resulting in Patch's escape. But, there's no sign of anyone else having been in captivity with him. Was she even real?
Patch's obsession with locating Grace sends both him and Saint down a path neither could have ever imagined. Once spending hours chasing make believe pirates and imaginary adventures, they will both spend the better part of their youth and adulthood chasing something much more real. The missing. Patch chases them. Saint chases Patch. Their search takes them across the country and forces them to unearth secrets that have been long buried. Secrets that once dug up, will have repercussions for all.
My rating:
(I actually think this book was too good for me. Like, I could tell it was incredibly well written. But I think I need a simpler, more straight forward path to closure. I gave it a 3, but if you like compelling story lines and complex characters, I do recommend giving it a shot.)
Book club ranked from DNF to 4.
Read along with me in December
Something old | The Kingdom of Sweets by Erika Johansen |
Something new | The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox |
Something steamy | In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren |
Something true-ish | The Santa Clause Girl by Patricia P. Goodin |
Book club pick | The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon |
Send any book recommendations, questions, or comments to me at sosnssst@gmail.com
(something old something new something steamy something true-ish @ gmail.com).
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