First Lie Wins (Ashley Elston)

Why I have this book: I borrowed it from the ebook library, and then had to turn my Kindle's airplane mode on so it wouldn't get returned before I could finish it. December was not my best month for reading.

I enjoyed this book a lot. I used an Audible credit to buy the audio version so I could go back and forth, and the narration was smooth and easy to understand. There was some back and forth in the timeline, so I was glad to be able to reference the Kindle version to keep things straight.

I was kept intrigued throughout, and gave it four stars on Goodreads. Very clever story.

Again, I don't remember specifics. It was on par with most modern books as far as profanity and sexual content, I'd say. Nothing extreme that I remember, but not squeaky clean.

Thursdays at Eight (Debbie Macomber)

Why I have this book: I think it was probably on sale for Kindle, and I've enjoyed books by the author in the past. Seemed like a nice, light read.

So I finished this nearly a month after the last book I finished. Part of that was that we had company and I couldn't focus, but part of it was that it was so boring. Maybe it would have kept my attention better had I read it faster. I don't know. 

The other weird thing was that I bought the audio version to help me get through it faster, but didn't realize that it was an abridged version of the book. So weird! Why would a regular length, nothing-special-about-it book need to be abridged? I only figured that out after I had almost finished the abridged audio version (all the while thinking that I didn't know I was so close to finishing the book itself) with only ten minutes left. I then went to my Kindle to finish those last ten minutes, and realized I was reading stuff that hadn't been in the audio version. Anyway... that just made the whole experience even less enjoyable.

Overall, the story could have been great, but I just couldn't get into it. Was it my brain or was it the writing? Either way, I gave it one star on Goodreads.

I don't remember specifics about the moral content as I'm once again writing this weeks after the date I actually finished it. The topics include divorce, affairs, death, cancer...

Sister Wife: A Memoir of Faith, Family, and Finding Freedom (Christine Brown Woolley)

Why I have this book: I borrowed the audio version from the ebook library out of curiosity. I had binged watched the first 16 or 17 seasons when I had covid back in 2022, and then watched another season or two after that. I haven't watched the last two seasons yet. I haven't had the correct streaming service, plus most of the information is online. 

Anyway, Christine narrates her book, and I think she did an excellent job. Her voice is very soothing, and it all sounds conversational and not stiff or awkward. Because I have watched most of the show, I was easily able to picture many of the situations she talks about. It was good to hear that she feels like what is portrayed on the show is pretty accurate and not being manipulated in an unfair way.

I found it interesting and entertaining, and I appreciated hearing her story from her own perspective. I came out of this liking her even more than just from watching her on the show.

I think it was mostly clean. I don't recall any profanity, but if there was, it was mild. She does discuss sex a little bit, but nothing graphic or gratuitous.

Sisters Under the Rising Sun (Heather Morris)

Why I have this book: I borrowed the audio version from the ebook library after a friend recommended it. She remembered that I had read non-fiction accounts of the same WWII events.

I tried to like this. I think I only got maybe 15'ish % through and had to give up. The writing seemed really simplistic and almost juvenile (even though it didn't seem geared toward younger readers) and I was not enjoying it or looking forward to listening again after a break. I reminded myself that I don't have to finish books I'm not enjoying, so I stopped listening and added it to my "Did Not Finish" list on Goodreads with no rating.

What I read was clean, although there was a some description of wartime violence that was hard to think about.

Reasons to Stay Alive (Matt Haig)

Why I have this book: I borrowed it from the ebook library.  I had read his book The Midnight Library, so thought this book about his struggles with mental health might be interesting.

I gave this one four stars on Goodreads. It kept my interest and was educational about depression and anxiety. I also liked seeing someone have success even while struggling with mental health issues. He gave some good suggestions and hope to those who might need help with their own struggles.

I'm sure there was profanity, but (oops) once again, I've waited to update my blog and can't remember all the details.

Someone is After LuLu Dupree (Josi S. Kilpack)

Why I have this book: I bought the Kindle edition after learning about it. I've liked some of her other books and was excited to see her return to a modern setting instead of the regency genre she's been in for a while. 

I was sad to only give this three stars. I liked it, but I had a hard time getting into it like I had with her other "cozy mystery" series. This is supposed to be the first of a series, so I'm hoping it will get more intriguing for me.

I thought it could have used a bit of editing to clean it up, and that surprised me with her long history of writing. 

I'll definitely read the next book in the series because I know she is a good writer, and like I said, I have hope it will get better.

Clean.

A Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine L'Engle)

Why I have this book: I borrowed the audio version from the digital library.

I remember that my best friend in upper elementary school loved this book. I don't think I ever read it? I didn't recall anything from the story as I was listening, so if I did read it as a child, it certainly didn't make an impression on me.

Honestly, it's right up there with the most boring books I've ever read. I have no idea how it won so many awards. It was fairly shallow, anti-climactic, and not very imaginative. It was published in the 1960's, so it's at a disadvantage now that we have books like the Harry Potter series in comparison.

I did enjoy the "afterward" by the author's granddaughter that told about her grandma's life. That was way more interesting than the book itself.

I gave this one star on Goodreads.

Clean. Younger kids might find it scary in parts.