There is no predicting what will happen with this one!
The Caregiver by @nlhinkensauthor
Morgan thinks she has found the perfect solution to her problems when she happens to meet Dana, a nanny, on the playground. Morgan's 81 year old mother is suffering from dementia and her care is becoming more difficult each day. On top of that Morgan is essentially a single parent to her 4 year old twins because her husband is away on business all week, every week. Morgan knows that her husband would tell her to thoroughly vet someone who is going to be living in their house as a carer, but she doesn't have time for that so she skips a few steps and has Dana move in to their guest house immediately. When Morgan's mother dies suddenly, she lets Dana know it's time to leave, but Dana likes the accommodations a bit too much to agree to leave. She digs in her heels, finding holes in their rental/work agreement, and Morgan starts to wonder if there might be more to Dana's desire to be part of her family than she originally thought.
I could not put this book down, especially in the last 1/4 or so! The ending was so unexpected that I had to keep going until I got through it all. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it. It is out now, so go grab yourself a copy, while I go and add all of this author's books to my TBR!
Thanks to @Netgalley and the publisher @joffebooks for giving me the chance to read and review this book!
A Fatal Inheritance by Lawrence Ingrassia
This audiobook is both a medical non-fiction and a memoir that explores both cancer and genetics, using the author’s family as a specific case study. The book is interesting, but dry at times, especially as it goes into the more medical/scientific study of genes. Some parts were repetitive and it became easy to zone out a bit, something that I am prone to with audiobooks. The narrator was great, the writing was well done, and the audiobook was well-produced, but at times it felt a bit like listening to a textbook rather than a story. Overall it was a bit bogged down by the complicated genetics and intense scientific background, am would perhaps be a bit easier to focus on and retain information in a written form rather than an audiobook. While it is definitely an interesting and informative book, I was expecting something more like some of the books it has been compared to, like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks or Hidden Valley Road, but it was not really a story so much as a case study.
The Night They Stole My Baby
By: Darren O'Sullivan
This is definitely a thriller you wont want to put down! Alternating between Emily’s traumatic childhood and the present when her newborn is stolen from her while she is still recovering from the birth. When Emily was young, her family made headlines on Christmas when her younger sister Freya died. Emily has tried to distance herself from her difficult past and is reluctant to connect the disappearance of her newborn with the loss of her sister so many years ago, but could the two traumatic events be related somehow?
Both parts of the story (past and present) are interesting and will have the reader invested all the way through. This book is both fast-paced and a quick read, making it impossible to put down. This is a super well-written suspense novel, and one I would definitely recommend! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this great book!
The Head Teacher by @hannahlynnwrites is a suspense novel about a principal who suddenly finds her world being turned upside down by a series of pranks and rumours that seem malicious or harmful are directed at her and her family. Despite it being a tough job, Liz is finally starting to feel like she has a handle on her role as Head Teacher. She even got to enjoy 3 weeks off visiting family over the summer where she barely even thought about school! But it has been less than a week back to school when an awkward and scandalous photo from her past ends up on the projector screen during a beginning of the year assembly, and before the parent emails even hit her mailbox she knows this is going to shoot her stress levels through the roof. Over the following days and weeks a number of other pranks and rumours about Liz and her teen daughter keep surfacing that threaten to ruin her relationships with friends and family, her respect as head of the school and even her job and marriage are at stake! Liz has to get to the bottom of this, even if she feels like she might go crazy in the process.
I loved this book, it was so hard to put down! I really liked the realistic descriptions of what life is like in a school, especially one where parents are a little too vocal at times - much like my school. It was very hard to figure out who was the blame for the tricks and rumours, and while I did make a correct prediction pretty early on, I doubted it all the way through until the reveal! The writing was really great, and I really liked the main characters. It's a great book so I would definitely recommend it!
Pubdate August 15, 2024
Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher @theboldbookclub for giving me the chance to read and review this one!
The Pitch Queen - Karin Gillespie
This one was such a fun, wholesome novel that I would definitely recommend!
The Pitch Queen by @gillespiekarin tells the story of a young literary agent who is one book deal away from being the top dealmaker in debut novels. When a deal falls through unexpectedly, Claire realizes that the slow summer months is a good time to get away from the big city and settle her late-mother's affairs in a small town in coastal Georgia. In this very #bookloving small town she begins to question just about everything she ever knew about the literary world, and most importantly, her role in it.
This book is perfect for anyone who loves a good #bookish book. Similar to how Yellowface comments anecdotally on life as a novelist, this book gives readers a peek into the smoke and mirrors of publishing, reminding us that things are not necessarily as glamorous as they may seem. I also loved how the author made us question our assumptions and biases around what makes a book sensational.
I was invested in the story from the beginning and enjoyed the light but interesting read. The main character, Claire, is fun and loveable while also being focused and driven, making her relatable to lots of different readers. This book is out now so go grab a copy! Thanks to @netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review it!
Her Last Summer
Nina Manning
Her Last Summer tells the story of Rey an actress who has been out of work after a few unfavourable public moments but has been offered a new role that could turn things around. Just as she begins to prepare for this role, her sister, Scarlet goes to the media and sets things in motion to bring up some very difficult moments from their past. Narration alternates between the present, and the past, a summer many years ago when Rey's youngest sister Franny, disappears during a family vacation near the coast. Between infuriating paparazzi, tense family relationships and Rey's own fears and self doubt, preparing for this role and continuing to keep her past in the past just got a whole not more difficult!
I have read a few of Manning's books and enjoyed them, but this was my first Manning suspense/thriller. I enjoyed the book, and found it a pretty good balance between suspense and regular fiction, but it was not my favourite book from this author. I did find that there were a few grammatical and mechanical errors (mostly awkward/incorrect use of punctuation) as well as a few repetitive parts, something I haven't noticed in her other books. I found the ending just ok. There was a lack of closure, but also not a cliffhanger or ending where the author seemed to intentionally allow the reader to make their own guesses to the ending, so I just ended things feeling a bit disappointed. I am glad I read the story and did enjoy it, but I was hoping for a little more in all areas.
Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher, @theboldbookclub, for giving me the chance to read and review this book!
Deaf Girl - Abigail Heringer
When I picked this book on @netgalley it was because of the title and the fact that it was a memoir about disability that made me pick it. But once I got into reading it, and found out that the author was on The Bachelor, my love of reality tv also made this book a winner!
In The Deaf Girl @abigail_heringer tells her life story growing up as one of two deaf children in her family. Both Abigail and her sister Rachel have cochlear implants and can read lips. Abigail shares her journey learning how to communicate with others, the challenges of learning to adjust to hearing in different environments and how she learned to self-advocate. She also shares perspectives of the Deaf community, some misconceptions the general public have about hearing loss and Cochlear Implants (and disability in general), as well as what it was like being the one deaf person in a lot of situations even though she grew up with a deaf family member and went to schools where she was very much a part of the Deaf/deaf community. Of course the final section of the book also looked at her time on The Bachelor and The Bachelor in Paradise and what things were like behind the scenes and being deaf in a house full of people all vying for the spotlight.
I really enjoyed this memoir, and even watched a bit of #thebachelor to see her season and see what Abigail was really like on TV. I think she is a fantastic role model for young women and people with disabilities, as well as a great advocate for disability rights and awareness. Throughout the story she demonstrates the importance of being true to yourself and being proud of who you are.
I did find the writing style a tiny bit juvenile or simplistic at times, especially earlier on in the story when Abigail was writing about her childhood and even before she was born. This could be because she was writing about a time that she couldn't remember or it could just be her writing style as a debut author. As the book went on I found the writing style improved a bit and was easier to read and connect with. It was still a great book, but I think the author's voice really came through about 2/3rds of the way in.
This would be a great read for anyone who wants to know a bit more about disability advocacy and representation, as well as bachelor fans! It is a fairly light and quick read, but also gives you lots to think about! I would definitely recommend it, and would like to thank @sourcebooks for the chance to read and review it! The Deaf Girl is out September 10!
The Summer Pact
Emily Giffin
Finding out I got approved for this one was definitely a very exciting moment, so continuing the excitement by celebrating it on it's pubday was an obvious choice! I love Emily Giffin's books because they are interesting, cover some difficult topics, and closely examine relationships. The Summer Pact is no exception!
After their friend Summer unexpectedly commits suicide right before their college graduation, Lainey, Tyson and Hannah make a pact to always be there for each other in times of need. So when Hannah calls, Lainey and Tyson drop everything to come to her. Despite being there for Hannah, Lainey and Tyson both begin to realize that they are also at a point in their lives where they could use a break and time away to re-evaluate their careers and relationships so they take a very special trip that changes all of their lives going forward.
I was sucked in from the very beginning. I loved the connection between the four friends and their very different but also complimentary personalities. Giffin's ability to explore human connections and relationships was a really huge part of what made this book special. The writing was as poignant as I expected and the character development was top notch. If you're a Giffin fan, I'm sure you'll enjoy her latest book, and if you've never read one of her books, this would be a great one to start with! And it is officially out now so go grab a copy!
Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher, @penguinrandomca for giving me the chance to read this excellent book.
The Wisdom of Nurses
Aime Avarley & Sara Fung
I really enjoyed this book! The Wisdom of Nurses by @amieavarley and @sara.fung.rn was a collection of stories and essays on a variety of topics related to nursing in North America. I appreciated the balance of memoir style writing by the authors about their own experiences and narrative writing about other nurses' experiences. Many topics were covered, from challenges working with colleagues, to inefficient procedures, to mental health and burnout and much more, the information was both anecdotal and informational giving great insight into the profession that can be enjoyed by people who know the field and also outsiders like me who are just interested in learning more.
I loved that both of the authors were Canadian and could give context from a Canadian perspective, but also that some of the other nurses discussed in the book were American so there was an opportunity to see the similarities and differences between the countries. I also loved that both authors were POC and able to share their perspectives. The fact that both authors also worked in Labour & Delivery and Post-Partum also allowed them to comment on women's reproductive rights which I always find really important and valuable. Finally, I liked the little interludes about famous or little-known but worthy nurses and their contributions to the field. I learned a lot and also really enjoyed this book. I would definitely recommend it. Thanks to @Netgalley and the publisher, @harpercollinsca for giving me the chance to read and review this excellent book! It's out now so go grab a copy!
Beautiful Country
I really wanted to love this one but kept putting it down and not picking it back up again. It is award winning and was nominated for goodreads best memoir in 2021 and has lots of great reviews, so I may just be the outlier here but it just didn't hit with me. I ended up DNFing because it needs to get back to the library and I just can't commit, but that's ok because that just means it is ready for someone else to read and love!
12Trips in 12 Months
Audiobook Review
This was a nice quick and easy to listen to audiobook that I really enjoyed! The memoir chronicles the author's journey over the course of one year as she commits to travelling more. The book covers some travelling tips and tricks as well as fun and interesting anecdotes from her time in each location. Other themes from the story include the transition from young adulthood to turning thirty, life as a hard working single woman, trying new things/putting yourself out there, and re-evaluating what is most important to you in life. The book is narrated by the author, making it feel more like a friend sharing their recent vacations than an audiobook. I would recommend this for anyone who loves travelling or wants to travel more, and for someone looking for something to sit back and enjoy without worrying too much about missing important plot lines or critical details (something I very much value in an audiobook).
Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher, @blackstonepublishing for giving me the chance to listen to and review this audiobook!
Paging Dr. Hart
Paging Dr. Hart by @melissadymondauthor is more than just your average rom com and one you should definitely check out!
This cute medical romance with suspense book is a great light read with all the romance tropes and silly moments of a great rom com blended with some interesting doctor drama. Dymond clearly has a medical background which makes the descriptions and situations feel very real and accurate. The characters, especially the FMC, are well developed and interesting, even down to the supervising doctor who is a little quirky and very sniffly. I also really liked Tiffany's backstory and how growing up in Vegas with a single mom made her who she is today. There were also lots of fun additions to the book like a list of songs to listen to that are related to the characters, some clear and straightforward content warnings and a glossary to help readers. Beyond that, there are bonus chapters from other characters perspectives and even other versions that are sweet vs spicy. Overall I think this author gets what romance readers in 2024 want and she is delivering it!
This book is out now so go grab a copy! Thanks to @Netgalley and the author for giving me the chance to read and review this one!
Taylor: Era by Era
Audiobook Review
Written by Caroline Sullivan
Narrated by Katelyn Levering
This was a nice and easy to listen to audiobook. The author is clearly very knowledgable and was able to give detailed and interesting background information about Taylor and her music. The information was well planned out and easy to follow and the narrator did a great job of keeping the energy consistent throughout. I think there was enough information in the book to be interesting to listeners whether you are a die hard fan or someone who just wants to know a bit more about this iconic singer. Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher, @dreamscape_media for giving me the chance to listen to and review this book.
What My Bones Know
Stephanie Foo
Growing up, Stephanie Foo lived in a state of constant chaos. Her parents' mental illnesses and a cycle of neglect and abuse made her entire childhood and young adult life a continuous series of traumatic experiences culminating in a complete abandonment by both of her parents while she was still a minor. Stephanie was able to graduate high school and college, have a successful career and find a wonderful partner to share her life with. Much of this was because of her incredible resilience, but it was not without hardships and a number of retraumatizing experiences. After years of therapy she receives a diagnosis of Complex-PTSD and then begins an exploration into the reasons for her trauma and begins to research number of treatments and strategies that can help people with C-PTSD cope and move forward. Backed by a significant amount of research, Foo does not just share what worked for her and why, but also covers treatments that might work for other people and the data or knowledge behind them. A mix of memoir and self-help, What My Bones Know is an interesting and informative book that can help readers who also have similar diagnoses or the people and practitioners who care about them, to learn why they are experiencing particular challenges and what they could try to do about it.
Foo's vulnerability and openness is a huge part of what made this book interesting. She shares the highs and the lows and everything in between in a way that let's you see the real deal. The writing is very well done and the book is laid out chronologically for the most part, so it is easy enough to follow. Before giving examples or describing how a treatment or strategy worked for her, she gave a significant amount of background information which was research-based yet written in a way that is easy to understand. I appreciated this because I understood the reasons behind the concept and then got to hear about her experiences with it.
"Healing from PTSD isn't truly possible while you are still in danger. You can't convince yourself you're safe if you're actually unsafe." - Stephanie Foo What My Bones Know
There was so much I loved about this book. I am a childhood trauma survivor, and continue to live and deal with PTSD. I don't think C-PTSD fits for me, but I did still find that there was so much in this book that helped me better understand my own trauma responses and even reflect on the impact anxiety and grief have on me when I am facing situations that remind me of the trauma I experienced.
There were also just so many other cool things I learned about reading this book. Foo explores a lot of research and theory around trauma and brings this information to readers in a way that is really easy to follow. Almost the Coles notes version. She also covers quite a bit around the experiences of children of immigrants, specifically of Asian descent, as well as her own culture and the inter-generational trauma related to her family's immigration to the US. Beyond that, she explores a variety of therapies and strategies and the science behind them, including: mindfulness, restorative yoga, acupuncture and EMDR to name a few. I would definitely recommend this book and am so glad I read it! The following sections include quotes and my personal discussions or reflections on the parts of the book I found relevant to my own experiences.
"Dissociation exists for a reason. For Millenia, our brains and bodies have removed us from our pain so we can keep moving forward. A tiger just ate your wife? Bummer, but breaking down or freezing up is not an option. You better go out hunting today or your kids will starve. Your hose was just destroyed in an air raid? Okay, but you have to pack up with's left and find a new shelter, now. Feelings are a privilege."
- Stephanie Foo What My Bones Know
Dissociation is such a weird thing because the whole point is you aren't aware of what is going on so it is hard to be full aware that you are doing it. I loved how Foo tried to convince one therapist that she did not dissociate and the therapist kind of half called her out on it. I had a similar conversation with my therapist once. I always thought that freeze was so much better than fight or flight. I saw my go-to reaction as a more well-adapted version of these other instinctual responses. My thoughts were: I'm not gonna run away from my problem, and I'm not going to cause anyone pain by fighting either, freezing is perfect. Then she explained that freezing is like preparing yourself for death. Like the prey who is about to be eaten and has given up. So then....maybe not perfect...?
When you live with trauma and anxiety, it is really hard to be objective with yourself. That is why I think therapy is so important. Whether your brain thinks it is protecting you by dissociating or it feels important and useful when you are awake at three a.m. making your plans B through Z, it can be hard to catch on to what it is doing and say "no, I need to be here, right now, in this moment" or "Future Angie will handle creating plan C tomorrow IF it is necessary and she'll be better at it if she's had a good night sleep." Having someone to be that external brain at times, reminding you of these things you know but can't always access, can be a huge help when you're trying to change these anxiety- and trauma-driven habits.
"The terror wasn't coming from my body. My actions allowed me to assure myself that I was well rested, well fed and healthy. This anxiety must have come instead from the dark alleys of my mind. Well, I thought, I guess I better muster up the courage to walk inside and look for the source."
- Stephanie Foo What My Bones Know
One part that stuck out for me was when Foo talked about the three P's of trauma, something I may have heard of before, but didn't remember.
Personal - we have caused all the problems we face
Pervasive - our entire life is defined by our failings
Permanent - the sadness will last forever
I think that I can definitely relate to each of these things at times, but permanent is the one that speaks to me the most. I'm very afraid of being sad because I worry it wont go away. This leaves me worrying about someone dying or moving away because if that happens, I'll be sad forever.
If I could add to it, I'd add precarious. I feel like the good moments or things in my life are like the wobbly tower of blocks. At any moment one small breeze could cause a colossal change where the good things are gone and replaced by that permanent sadness again. I have a permanent position at a job that I love, but could it come tumbling down somehow? I have a house and income and a loving husband, but what if I lose all that and I am alone and living in poverty again? I'm relatively healthy but what if I get really sick? Each wobbly block could cause the other wobbly blocks to fall (or if I look at it as personal and pervasive - I will cause all the blocks to fall) and then I will be sad forever. If you pick through that, it's pretty easy to see that the trauma from my childhood included: loss of (parental) income due to illness, divorce (loss, abandonment, loneliness, plus exposure to violence), and poverty. Is my situation really as precarious as it was when I was little? No, but when that's what you learned to believe was normal, it's hard to not be afraid it will happen again.
"But this time I also knew: This self-punishment was all a waste of time. It solved nothing. What was really happening in this situation? I now had a bunch of tools in my kit."
- Stephanie Foo - What My Bones Know.
Another thing Foo talks about with her therapist is the idea of repair being a two way street. The therapist explains that people who are traumatized are use to apologizing, but not having their own issues properly repaired. Foo says "That sounds really good. I want to be able to have that two-way thing. But I don't know how to do that, really." I agree with her. It does sound really good. I often "get in trouble" for over-apologizing to my husband (that's probably the personal/pervasive thing again) when something goes wrong. My trauma response is telling me I need to apologize, that's how I fix this. But eventually he gets annoyed that I won't stop apologizing. I don't know how to move on.
"...Negative emotions are not simply something to endure and erase. They are purposeful. Beneficial. They tell us what we need."
Stephanie Foo - What My Bones Know
Even re-reading that now, my brain is like "Hmm are you sure... That doesn't sound right... Let me just wander over to this alarm right here so I can pull it as soon as the next negative emotion comes." Trusting that negative emotions are helpful and, more importantly, will eventually end, is hard. There's that permanent thing again.
Kinky Roots
Ingrid Arlington
Kinky Roots is a memoir about the author's life growing up in Zimbabwe, her young adult life in South Africa and travels in Europe and finally her move to the UK. Arlington's childhood involved a fair amount of change and loss as she was taken in by a variety of family members once her mother married a new man who didn't believe in raising another man's child. Eventually she made her way back to living with her mother and step-father, and then found her plans for the future complete ruled by him. Later, she marries a white man in South Africa, a place where interracial marriages are almost unheard of and very much looked down upon even in post-apartheid times, and explores what race means to her.
Themes of overcoming sexual and physical abuse, domestic violence and toxic relationships, as well as coming of age and finding your way in the world are woven throughout this story. Though there were a few moments where the writing came off as a bit moralizing, for the most part it was a very honest and thoughtful reflection on her own personal experiences navigating relationships and challenges in life, which were easy to relate to and connect with. It was a fairly quick and interesting read and is one I would recommend. Thanks to @netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book.
Audiobook Review: Bits and Pieces
By:Whoopi Goldberg
As with many audiobook memoirs read by the author, this one is definitely one of those books that actually might be better listened to than read. Whoopi Goldberg has one of those voices that is very memorable and so listening to her tell her own story feels right. Her memoir is well written and interesting, and gives the reader (or in this case, listener) an insight into her life. I did not know too much about her story, and have really only seen a few of her movies/tv shows, so I think that other readers/listeners who aren't super familiar with her as an actress or celebrity will be interested as well. There is also not a ton of information in the story about politics, so for those that find her views that go against their own, I wouldn't worry too much about that. This book is really about relationships, especially with the author's immediate family. It was nice to listen to and one I would recommend.
Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher, @blackstonepublishing for giving me the chance to listen to and review this audiobook!
Sober Daughter
Fawna Asfaw
I recently read Sober Daughter by @fawnaasfaw. It was one I had been wanting to read for a while but finally picked up, and I'm glad I did!
Fawna's parents instilled very important values while raising her. They opened their arms and their home to anyone in need and taught Fawna the importance of being there for others. Unfortunately, their legacy ended too soon and Fawna was left trying to continue their dreams, live up to their expectations, grieve and somehow survive on her own. Like many young adults who become carers, Fawna put her needs last and did everything she could to support her parents when they each became sick. She experienced significant trauma and had to grow up fast. After she lost her mother, she became overwhelmed by the looming debt her parents left behind and the grief and addictions that she had been coping with for several years. Despite being seen as very successful and skilled at her job, she could no longer balance it all and so she found herself unemployed, mentally and physically ill, in a house that was falling apart and which she could not afford and in serious need of help. Luckily help came in the form of amazing friends and rehab, and she was able to come out a survivor on the other side.
I learned a lot about addictions, rehab and recovery while reading Fawna's story, especially about her specific condition, which was a complication of addiction and causes some significant cognitive and neurological deficits. I admire her ability to be so open and honest even about the most difficult and traumatic moments of her life. She wrote this book to share her story and help others, and that shines through in her writing from start to finish. I would definitely recommend this book.
Thanks to @netgalley and @girlfridayproductions for giving me the chance to read and review this book!
Darker Shade of Blue
I spent a bit of time earlier this week at my cabin on #LakeOfTheWoods and definitely got a nice chance to recharge and reconnect with my husband, reading, relaxing and enjoying the views.
I got to reading Darker Shade of Blue by Keith Merith. This was one of the books I was assigned in the memoirs category for the Canadian Book Club Awards.
Check out all of my reviews for the awards in my blog post: https://teachreadinspire.wixsite.com/website/post/canadian-book-club-awards-2024
Also check out my #whereinwinnipeg post where I review these three fabulous books I read in July:
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