The Moonlight Child (Karen McQuestion)

Why I have this book: My mom recommended it, so I joined Kindle Unlimited for .99 so I could read it. The plan is to cancel KU before the trial period ends (since I have so many books to read already), but I'll try to make the most of it before then to see if it's a worthwhile subscription. I actually borrowed the audio version, as well, since it was available, and I used both to finish this book in about 24 hours time.

I gave the book four stars on Goodreads. I enjoyed it quite a bit, and it was intriguing enough to make me want to get back to it whenever I had to take a break from it. I even stayed up last night until nearly 1:00 am to finish it.

I thought the author did a good job on character development for the main characters. One character seemed a little too cliché, but it was fine. I felt like a few things were left a bit open-ended, but overall, it was a satisfying ending. I didn't really like how one character talked to another toward the end, but I can't really say more than that without giving it away.

I remember one swear word, although maybe a missed a few? Idk. There is no sexual content. The storyline deals with abuse, drug use, death, but none of that is the focus. I don't know how to explain... those things all tie into the story, but the story itself is more about the main characters, and as a reader, I didn't get bogged down by those heavy subjects. They were kind of more in the background... you know they are happening, but you're not watching them happen (if that makes sense).

The Things We Keep (Sally Hepworth)

Why I have this book: I tend to really love Sally's books, so I bought this one not too long ago when it was on sale for about $2.00.

I liked this one to the tune of three stars on Goodreads. It had such an interesting premise, and the story kept me involved. It gave me things to think about, especially how aging and diminished mental capacity affects people, and how important it is to focus on the people and not just what they are capable of as their minds begin to fail. That's a part of the story that really touched me. I also appreciated the contrast of kindness vs cruelty that we humans tend to show one another. It should go without saying that kindness is so much better.

I just finished this last night, and I'm trying to remember why I decided on three stars instead of four... 

I didn't love the parts that came from the perspective of the 7-year-old character. I didn't feel like it added much to the story.

I felt like Eve's story and character were the most developed, although I can see how it would have been difficult to develop Anna's perspective very well considering her loss of words and thought. Still, it was done well enough for me to feel a lot of compassion for her experience.

There could have been a bit more editing to clean up the writing, and once again, the book was obviously written from a UK/Australian setting or writer (I believe Sally is Australian), then placed in a US setting. Even though one of the main characters was British, there were still too many "British'isms" (or Australia'isms) to believe it was set in America. If it was originally published in Australia or GB, then just leave the setting there, please. It's totally fine. We Americans can adapt.

There was some swearing, including the F-word. There was also some sex outside of marriage, but nothing descriptive. The storyline does deal with suicide.

On Mystic Lake (Kristin Hannah)

Why I have this book: I keep thinking I've enjoyed other books by the author, so when it popped up as a suggestion not too long ago, I bought it.

Honestly, I didn't love it.  Kristin Hannah writes books that get a lot of press, but in looking back at the ones I've read, I've never given any of them more than three stars. I'll have to think harder before I buy any more of her books. (Although I just remembered that I have her newest book on my Kindle, and it's getting super great reviews from everyone, so we'll see.) This one was just okay for me... I gave it three stars. I actually looked up the publishing date because the writing didn't seem very polished. It was published in 1999, so she's written a lot of books since then.

It kept my interest for the most part, but it just wasn't outstanding.

Pretty sure there was some swearing. There was some sex, but not overly descriptive. I read it a couple weeks ago (as reflected in the date of this post), so I can't remember all the details.

A Desperate Fortune (Susanna Kearsley)

Why I have this book: I'm not sure when I bought it (and can't be bothered to look, apparently), but it was on my Kindle. I really like Susanna Kearsley as an author, so whenever I did buy it, I know that's why!

To be honest, I'm writing this a couple of weeks after I finished the book (although the post itself will be dated as if I wrote it the same day), so I'm trying to remember details. I know I gave it four stars on Goodreads, and I know the book definitely kept my interest. One thing I can say is that the author does so much historical research and gives thorough notes as to which characters really existed and which she created and inserted into the story. As I'm about to begin a History major, it made me stop and wonder if I'll ever be able to grasp the complexities of European history. 

I don't recall any swearing, but there may have been a couple of words. It's just been too long for me to say for sure. I don't remember anything else that I would mention here in the "advisory."

Five Survive (Holly Jackson)

Why I have this book: I read the author's series The Good Girl's Guide to Murder and liked it well enough to read another of her books.

Oh, my goodness. I was completely engrossed in this book. I was kind of dumb and started it just before bed, and it got pretty spooky and creepy. Not too smart to read a scary book when it's dark and quiet in the house. Yikes.

I gave it four stars on Goodreads. Like her other books, I'm not sure how plausible the storyline is, but it kept me totally sucked in and invested in the outcome. Some people might hate the ending, but I think leaving some questions at the end probably made the book even better.

Lots of swearing, including the F-word. It's a murder mystery, so there's murder and death involved. It's got a creepy vibe, for sure.

Stray Magic (Jackie Bouchard)

Why I have this book: I've enjoyed other books from the author, and because her books are pretty inexpensive on Kindle, I bought it. (My ebook library doesn't carry her books for some reason.)

I probably would give this about 3.5 stars on Goodreads if that were an option, but since it's not, I rounded up to a 4. It's not necessarily as profound or deep as some of my other 4-stars-books, but I really enjoy the cozy feeling her books have. Maybe it's because all her protagonists have dogs that bring a lot of comfort to them. 

This one has a kind of weird addition of a "fairy grandfather," but it doesn't distract from the book and storyline too much. I think the story would have been just as strong (or stronger) without that little twist, but it was fine.

One thing that was interesting... in the book I read just previously (The Bright Side of Going Dark), the author used the word "empirically" several times. It's a word I didn't recall hearing before, so I looked it up for the meaning while reading that book. I was surprised she used it three times when it's not really a common word. Is it? Maybe I just don't hang with the right crowds (although the characters in the book don't seem like they are in any kind of elite crowd, either). 

Anyway, imagine my surprise to see that same word used in this book. I had to look it up again because I didn't remember what it meant. Haha. I should try to memorize the meaning and make it part of my regular vocabulary to see how many people look at me with a puzzled expression because they have no idea what I'm saying.

Clean... maybe a little swearing, but I don't recall any of the stronger swear words. Can't be 100% on that, though.

The 19th Wife (David Ebershoff)

Why I have this book: I bought it quite a while ago after reading Wife No. 19 by Ann Eliza Young. Ann's book was her own memoir, and this one was supposed to somehow tie her story into a modern day murder mystery involving polygamists.

What a complete disappointment. First of all, the author fictionalized Ann's story. He didn't just fictionalize it, he made it sleazy (in "telling" her mother's story). The part that I knew was going to be fiction (the modern murder mystery) just seemed... bleh, so I wasn't motivated to continue on with that part of the book, either.

I think I only read about 10% because once I realized that the author was (by his own admission in an article I read online) putting his own spin on the lives of real people, I stopped reading. Super lame.

Not super clean in the bit I read. Swearing (including the F word), suggestions of incest, prostitution, abuse, etc. Not sure where it would have gone from there since I didn't finish it.