Find Your Next Great Read
Welcome to my book recommendation page, a cozy corner for fellow book lovers! Here, you’ll find a curated selection of books that have either captivated me or are waiting on my ever-growing "want to read" list. Some, I’ve already read and rated with my honest opinions, sharing what made them shine or fall short. Others are those hidden gems I’m excited to explore soon. From gripping novels that you can't put down to lighthearted reads perfect for a lazy afternoon, there’s something here for every mood. So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and find your next page-turner!
My Want to Read List
Talking to Strangers by Fiona Barton
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
The Waiting by Michael Connelly
The House on Biscayne Bay by Chanel Cleeton
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa Sea. Historical fiction. The Island of Sea Women takes place over many decades, beginning during a period of Japanese colonialism in the 1930s and 1940s, followed by World War II, the Korean War, through the era of cell phones and wet suits for the women divers. Throughout this time, the residents of Jeju find themselves caught between warring empires. Mi-ja is the daughter of a Japanese collaborator. Young-sook was born into a long line of haenyeo and will inherit her mother’s position leading the divers in their village. Little do the two friends know that forces outside their control will push their friendship to the breaking point.
When the World Fell Silent by Donna Jones Alward. Historical fiction centered around the 1917 Halifax Explosion which was the largest man-made explosion until the atom bomb. A munitions ship destined for Europe exploded in the Halifax harbour killing nearly 2000 and injuring 9000 more. It left a whole section of the city demolished and thousands homeless.
The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes. Based on the true story of a team of women delivering books as part of Eleanor Roosevelt’s traveling library,
Books I’ve Read
Books by Michael Connelly - Score 5/5
I have read all of Michael Connelly’s books and I have loved every single one. He never disappoints!
Next Year In Havana (Perez family #1) by Chanel Cleeton - Score 5/5 - After the death of her beloved grandmother, a Cuban-American woman travels to Havana, where she discovers the roots of her identity--and unearths a family secret hidden since the revolution...
When We Left Cuba (Perez family #2) by Chanel Cleeton - Score 5/5
The Last Train to Key West (Perez family #3) by Chanel Cleeton - Score 5/5
The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba (Perez family #4) by Chanel Cleeton - Score 4.5/5
Our Last Days in Barcelona (Perez family #5) by Chanel Cleeton - Score 4.5/5
The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton - Score 4.5/5
The Book of Lost Names by Kristen Harmel - Score 5/5 - Eva Traube Abrams, a semi-retired librarian in Florida, is shelving books one morning when her eyes lock on a photograph in a magazine lying open nearby. She freezes; it’s an image of a book she hasn’t seen in sixty-five years—a book she recognizes as The Book of Lost Names. Set against the backdrop of World War II, and inspired by real-life events, this book is part historical fiction, part romance, and part mystery.
The Winemaker’s Wife by Kristen Harmel - Score 5/5
The Paris Daughter by Kristen Harmel - Score 4.5/5 - This was a very good story but a tad predictable.
The Room on Rue Amélie by Kristen Harmel - Score 5/5
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See - Score 4.5/5 - An historical novel inspired by the true story of a woman physician in 15th-century China.
The Widow by Fiona Barton - Score: 5/5 - At the heart of the story is Jean Taylor, a widow whose husband, Glen Taylor, was accused of the abduction and murder of a young girl. The book explores the psychological toll of living with a partner who may be capable of unspeakable acts, and delves into Jean's psyche, as she grapples with her loyalty to her husband, her own guilt, and the burden of carrying secrets that threaten to consume her. Through the character of Kate Waters, a journalist determined to uncover the truth, Barton also examines the relationship between the press and the public's insatiable appetite for sensationalism.
Nothing is as it seems and everyone has something to hide. The story line is gripping, twisty, and turny. This book is for anyone who is a fan of psychological thrillers or mysteries, and will keep you guessing until the very end.
Local Gone Missing by Fiona Barton - Score: 5/5
The Suspect by Fiona Barton - Score: 5/5
The Child by Fiona Barton - Score: 5/5
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan - Score 5/5. This is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and true-life stories of heroism.
The book follows Pino Lella as he lives under Nazi occupation in Milan. At just 17 years old, Pino becomes involved in the Italian resistance movement, helping Jews escape over the Alps to Switzerland. Later, he is recruited as the personal driver for a high-ranking German officer, giving him a unique opportunity to gather intelligence for the Allies.
This book is extremely well written, allowing the reader to witness the courage and sacrifices made by ordinary people in the face of extraordinary circumstances. It paints a vivid picture of wartime Italy, capturing the fear, tension, and hope that characterized the era.
The Women by Kristen Hannah - Score: 5/5 - A twenty-year-old nursing student impulsively joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows in her brother’s path after he ships out to Vietnam. She is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war, as well as the unexpected trauma of coming home to a changed and politically divided America. The Women shines a light on the story of all women who put themselves in harm’s way to help others. This book was very touching, emotional, and thought provoking. Everyone in my book club loved it.
The Girls at 17 Swann Street by Yara Zgheib - Score: 4.5/5 - Anna Roux, once a dancer, finds herself in a residential treatment centre for eating disorders after her anorexia spirals out of control. At the centre, she meets several other women, each with a unique story and struggle. They form a support system, navigating the harsh realities of their illnesses together. The plot moves between Anna's present-day experiences at Swann Street and flashbacks to her past, revealing how her relationship with food, her body, and her husband, Matthias, have evolved over time.
Despite their personal battles and personality differences, these women find strength in one another. Anna's journey, in particular, will resonate with anyone who has faced adversity and sought a path to healing. The book delves deeply into painful and potentially triggering topics so don’t start reading it unless you are emotionally ready. But while the novel does not shy away from the grim aspects of anorexia, it also offers a message of hope.
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