BOOK Reviews - New Section!One of the things that jumpstarted my writing again was reading. I’ve always been an avid reader since I was three. Well, during my author hiatus, I stopped reading! In January 2021 as soon as I began reading again, the writing bug kicked back in full swing. I wound up reading over 40 books last year. Since I believe in the “sharing is caring” principle, I decided to share what I read with you as a short book review. Hopefully, you can find your next reads here. Enjoy!
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When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole
My rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Gripping thriller about gentrification
I’m so delighted I read this Book Club Pick! Gentrification of a Brooklyn neighborhood takes on a sinister new meaning in this gripping thriller best described as Rear Window meets Get Out. When Sydney’s longtime neighbors start to move away suddenly, she thinks she's going crazy. Is she or is there something really wrong in her neighborhood?
My rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Gripping thriller about gentrification
I’m so delighted I read this Book Club Pick! Gentrification of a Brooklyn neighborhood takes on a sinister new meaning in this gripping thriller best described as Rear Window meets Get Out. When Sydney’s longtime neighbors start to move away suddenly, she thinks she's going crazy. Is she or is there something really wrong in her neighborhood?
Bridgerton: The Duke & I by Julia Quinn
My rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Light, pithy rom-com
In all honesty, I’m not a fan of historical romances typically because of the limited role of women and the lack of diversity. So, I knew what to expect going into the first of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton novels. Overall, it’s a light, pithy rom-com with snappy dialogue and fun chemistry between the main characters, Daphne and Simon. However, throughout the book, I kept thinking that it's cute but it fails to live up to the sizzling, captivating Shonda Rhimes treatment seen on Netflix. An unfair comparison I’m sure, but I hope it urges authors to think bold, push the envelope, and write more inclusively in the future.
My rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Light, pithy rom-com
In all honesty, I’m not a fan of historical romances typically because of the limited role of women and the lack of diversity. So, I knew what to expect going into the first of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton novels. Overall, it’s a light, pithy rom-com with snappy dialogue and fun chemistry between the main characters, Daphne and Simon. However, throughout the book, I kept thinking that it's cute but it fails to live up to the sizzling, captivating Shonda Rhimes treatment seen on Netflix. An unfair comparison I’m sure, but I hope it urges authors to think bold, push the envelope, and write more inclusively in the future.
Daemon by Daniel Suarez
My rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Scary, crazy harbinger of IT taking over the world
If you’re like me and can easily imagine the Terminator future where robots take over earth, then read Daemon. Daniel Suarez’s sci-fi technothriller novel investigates a scary all too real possibility. What if people were getting murdered by a dead man? With the inventive and frightening use of artificial intelligence technology, can a recently deceased computer game architect refashion the world to his twisted will? This twisty, high-tech murder mystery thriller takes you on a wild journey with gruff Detective Peter Sebeck. Leaving readers to sweat as they wonder, what if?
My rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Scary, crazy harbinger of IT taking over the world
If you’re like me and can easily imagine the Terminator future where robots take over earth, then read Daemon. Daniel Suarez’s sci-fi technothriller novel investigates a scary all too real possibility. What if people were getting murdered by a dead man? With the inventive and frightening use of artificial intelligence technology, can a recently deceased computer game architect refashion the world to his twisted will? This twisty, high-tech murder mystery thriller takes you on a wild journey with gruff Detective Peter Sebeck. Leaving readers to sweat as they wonder, what if?
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
My rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Heartbreaking memoir of the fight for justice
If you truly want to understand the devastating effects of systemic racism in the criminal justice system, read this book. Just Mercy is the heartbreaking memoir of Bryan Stevenson, a young black lawyer fighting for the disenfranchised, underserved, and/or wrongly convicted serving time on death row. Not only does he cover the case of Walter McMillian, which is the basis of the major motion picture starring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx, but he shares the stories of so many, many more. This is an excellent read and if you want to help, support his Equal Justice Initiative!
My rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Heartbreaking memoir of the fight for justice
If you truly want to understand the devastating effects of systemic racism in the criminal justice system, read this book. Just Mercy is the heartbreaking memoir of Bryan Stevenson, a young black lawyer fighting for the disenfranchised, underserved, and/or wrongly convicted serving time on death row. Not only does he cover the case of Walter McMillian, which is the basis of the major motion picture starring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx, but he shares the stories of so many, many more. This is an excellent read and if you want to help, support his Equal Justice Initiative!
