James by Percival Everett
Goodreads blurb: A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn , both harrowing and ferociously funny, told from the enslaved Jim’s point of view. When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father, recently returned to town. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and too-often-unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond. While many narrative set pieces of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn remain in place (floods and storms, stumbling across both unexpected death and unexpected treasure in the myriad stopping points along the river’s banks, encountering the scam artists posing as the Duke and Dauphin…), Jim’s agency, intelligence and compassion are shown in a radically new light.
My take: 4.75 out of 5. This is a brilliant and smart book. This is not my genre at all and I was in awe of what was done. I have to say I did not remember huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer so had to do some backreading to get all the details that I have of course forgotten from what like over 20 years ago, but its so smart. Beautiful insight and quite a story. IT is also a short story, quick to read and lots to absorb.
The Sicilian Inheritance by jo Piazza
Goodreads blurb: From bestselling author and award-winning journalist Jo Piazza, comes a transporting novel rooted in the author’s own family history about a long-awaited trip to Sicily, a disputed inheritance, and a family secret that some will kill to protect . . . Sara Marsala barely knows who she is anymore after the failure of her business and marriage. On top of that, her beloved great-aunt Rosie passes away, leaving Sara bereft with grief. But Aunt Rosie’s death also opens an escape from her life and a window into the past by way of a plane ticket to Sicily, a deed to a possibly valuable plot of land, and a bombshell family secret. Rosie believes Sara’s great-grandmother Serafina, the family matriarch who was left behind while her husband worked in America, didn’t die of illness as family lore has it . . . she was murdered. Thus begins a twist-filled adventure that takes Sara all over the picturesque Italian countryside as she races to solve a mystery and prove her birthright. Flashing back to the past, we meet Serafina, a feisty and headstrong young woman in the early 1900s thrust into motherhood in her teens, who fought for a better life not just for herself but for all the women of her small village. Unsurprisingly it isn’t long before a woman challenging the status quo finds herself in danger. As Sara discovers more about Serafina she also realizes she is coming head-to-head with the same menacing forces that took down her great-grandmother. At once an immersive multigenerational mystery and an ode to the undaunted heroism of everyday women, The Sicilian Inheritance is an atmospheric, page-turning delight.
This is an ARC review thanks to a gift from the publisher.
My take: 4.25 out of 5. I absolutely loved the female empowerment aspect of this book. All these women kicking ass whilst their husband where away. The concept of such a strong female crew/tribe is so refreshing and encouraging. At the same time it must have sucked to live at a time where women were so dependent and looked down upon as early 20th century Italy.
The part of the story that was the search for the history, the family relationships I was all in. The mafia aspect of it although I understand the necessity in a Sicilian story, I feel like it was the least successful aspect of the book, it added a thriller aspect and some excitement but a bit much maybe?.
I love how interesting and flawed the characters where. For example guisy, do we love her or do we hate her, who knows? qudos to including lyrics from Meredith Brooks I’m a Bitch
Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb
Goodreads blurb: Is love on the small screen better than the real thing?A new divorcee finds herself in the ideal world of her favorite 2000s teen soap in this second-chance, whimsical, steamy romantic comedy from the author of This Spells Love.
This is an ARC review thanks to a gift from the publisher. it comes out September 3, 2024.
My Take: 2.75 out of 5. The premise of this seemed cute if a bit farfetched, and a cute romance is always up my alley. Also I was obsessed with teen dramas so I went into this with a total open mind (i have to say the best part was the readers note referencing some of the inspirations). The buildup of the relationship was adorable, but the whole concept of the them living in this dawsons creek world 10 years later yet everyone was there felt a bit bizarre. i love to suspend my disbelief and love where magical mystery books make hard to explain things fabulous (case in point all of Rebecca Searle books) but here it was a bit odd and it just felt weird. I was getting more sketchy than nostalgia in some of the pages and it was totally putting me off. I did like the ending quite a bit.
This could be us by Kennedy Ryan
Goodreads blurb: Soledad Barnes has her life all planned out. Because, of course, she does. She plans everything. She designs everything. She fixes everything. She’s a domestic goddess who’s never met a party she couldn’t host or a charge she couldn’t lead. The one with all the answers and the perfect vinaigrette for that summer salad. But none of her varied talents can save her when catastrophe strikes, and the life she built with the man who was supposed to be her forever, goes poof in a cloud of betrayal and disillusion. But there is no time to pout or sulk, or even grieve the life she lost. She’s too busy keeping a roof over her daughters’ heads and food on the table. And in the process of saving them all, Soledad rediscovers herself. From the ashes of a life burned to the ground, something bold and new can rise. But then an unlikely man enters the picture—the forbidden one, the one she shouldn’t want but can’t seem to resist. She’s lost it all before and refuses to repeat her mistakes. Can she trust him? Can she trust herself? After all she’s lost . . .and found . . .can she be brave enough to make room for what could be?
My Take: 4 out of 5. I really enjoyed the first installment of the Skyland series, before I let go, so def had to come here to continue the story with Soledad’s tale. There was a lot thrown in here: divorce, making ends meet, fraud, autism and learning disabilities, jail etc.and it could have been too much but it actually works quite well. There is a very slow burn developed here and it is quite satisfying. There is so much amazing cooking done by Soledad that you will really want to do some good snacking or make a fabulous meal as you read this book. I’m very much looking forward to finishing up this series with the third book. Also they are making Before I go into a peacock series so hopefully if it does well this is season two? I’m so excited.
The Princess of Las Vegas by Chris Bohjalian
Goodreads blurb: A Princess Diana impersonator and her estranged sister find themselves drawn into a dangerous game of money and murder in this twisting tale of organized crime, cryptocurrency, and family secrets on the Las Vegas strip. Crissy Dowling has created a world that suits her perfectly. She passes her days by the pool in a private cabana, she splurges on ice cream but never gains an ounce, and each evening she transforms into a Princess, performing her musical cabaret inspired by the life of the late Diana Spencer. Some might find her strange or even delusional, an American speaking with a British accent, hair feathered into a style thirty years old, living and working in a casino that has become a dated trash heap. On top of that, Crissy’s daily diet of Adderall and Valium leaves her more than a little tipsy, her Senator boyfriend has gone back to his wife, and her entire career rests on resembling a dead woman. And yet, fans see her for the gifted chameleon she is, showering her with gifts, letters, and standing ovations night after night. But when Crissy’s sister, Betsy, arrives in town with a new boyfriend and a teenage daughter, and when Richie Morley, the owner of the Buckingham Palace Casino, is savagely murdered, Crissy’s carefully constructed kingdom comes crashing down all around her. A riveting tale of identity, obsession, fintech, and high-tech mobsters, The Princess of Las Vegas is an addictive, wildly original thriller from one of our most extraordinary storytellers.
My Take: 3.75 out of 5. I really enjoyed the overarching theme through out the book on the role of luck in life and how no narrator is reliable. My overarching conclusion of the book: Betsy is an idiot. Now let me be more eloquent. It was a very interesting take of a woman’s dumb actions having dire consequences. You could tell what was going to happen a mile away, yet somehow the ride was quite pleasant. It mgiht not be a book for everybody but I enjoyed the ride even if I would hgave wanted to get there faster. Bonus points for the creativity of fake Vegas hotels and shows, it kind of made me wish there should be Buckingham palace or UK themed hotel somewhere around the strip with a Diana Cabaret.
Tati's Tidbits 