The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So many feelings about this book! This was a slow read with my friend Evelyn who thankfully knew so much about Russian history and literature and her husband Tom who knew about Christianity. Both of these are really helpful in reading the book. The experience of reading this book was quite the journey and I am really glad I read it slowly. The beginning was a drag for me, there was so much going on and I understood so little of it. The middle was the best since I managed to let go and truly enjoy the absurdity and the plot was settling a bit by then. And then the ending went to the next level. Net net, I am still not convinced that this book can stand on its own. That it can be uncoupled from the time and location it was written in. Because in of itself, it is more nonsensical than not. But when coupled with all the texture and politics and history of Russia and Faust and Bulgakov himself, it’s indeed quite the novel. I’m glad I read it.

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Fruit Fly by Josh Silver
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars.

Apparently i am in the minority. Others found this book brilliant. It’s definitely an interesting book. It’s likely that I am not a fan of satire. I am definitely not a fan of over the top stories. And this story, in my opinion tried a bit too hard. It was too over the top, too in your face. I know it was all on purpose. But I guess it didn’t work for me. I am in the minority though, many loved it so please don’t let me be the reason you don’t read it.

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Immortal Rose by Alexandra Bracken
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I totally would have given this more stars but the ending drove me mad. It’s clear it will be a series and there will be another book but considering that books take a while to come out, I really dislike it when they end in the kind of hook that won’t resolve for another year or more!

Especially considering that this book was strong and the characters and the world in which they live is interesting and I would be happy to pick up the second one without the author having to do a gimmick like that.

Aside from the rant about the way she chose to end the story, I enjoyed the time I spent with this story. I liked the idea of magic infused in a fragrance. I like books that have lively sensory experiences and this one was beautifully done. I liked both Viola and Hugh and felt vested in their narrative. i liked the theme around ancestry, obligations we have to family, and deceit of course.

The audio narration was fantastic and kept me excited to keep reading.

with gratitude to netgalley and Avon for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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You Know Why by J.T. Ellison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Excellent fast-paced and twisty thriller. I haven’t read J.T. Ellison before so this was my first time. This is about Brooklyn who is on a plane to Italy for what her husband tells her is an impromptu family vacation when their reservation gets rebooked with a connection. When they go to the connecting city, they board but he goes missing at the airport and never boards, so they get off the plane.

And everything goes awry.

He disappears, he’s taken all the money from all their accounts, credit cards are canceled. And she is stuck in a city she doesn’t live in with two kids.

I don’t want to give away any spoilers. This is fast paced, interesting, and goes back and forth between characters and in time.

If you like fast-paced mystery you will like this book! I read it on audio and it was absolutely fantastic.

with gratitude to netgalley and Brilliance Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was a lot darker than it appeared at first. But I loved it. It was sweet and meaningful and really enjoyable to read.

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Riverbend by Karis Walsh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a very sweet story of healing. Even though on the surface Amber comes to Bend, Oregon to heal her body after a fight with cancer, she ends up healing so much more than that and healing several others around her along the way. Beautiful story in a beautiful setting with a beautiful message. Loved it.

with gratitude to netgalley and Tantor Media for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I listened to this one on audio and it made for a very lovely companion while I painted.

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