Author: Carson McCullers

This was definitely one of those books chosen by the cover. It’s been on my list for a long time and on a recent trip I downloaded it from Libby. It was almost time to return it when the hard copy I had requested from the local library came in.

I took a long time to read the book for a few reasons. Christmas was coming and I was busy planning, buying and wrapping gifts. I was reading on my phone and/or iPad and, because I was mainly reading in bed, it wasn’t comfortable. And, to be honest, I didn’t really care for the book.

The girl depicted on the cover is only one of several characters in a small Southern town in the 1930s. The characters all seem “broken” in some way and, although they are all connected, it didn’t feel like a continuous story but more like individual stories told over time.

Goodreads Rating: * * *

Author: Harlan Coben

This is one of the books included in Kathryn’s 2025 birthday bag. I saw the idea on Facebook and decided to pass it along. On her birthday Kathryn received a bag of books (second hand that for the most part I’ve pre-read) each wrapped in brown paper. The idea is that once a month (on her birthdate) she can pick a book to read. Each book includes a bookmark of some sort.

I was first made aware of this author through a series on Netflix. I read one of his books and knew I’d be reading more of them.

The Baye’s are a successful family; Tia is a lawyer and Mike is a transplant surgeon. They have a son, Adam, and a daughter, Jill, and from the outside they seem to be a perfect family. After the suicide of his best friend Adam changes and his parents are worried. But will they really spy on him and what will they do with the information they glean? In the meantime murders are being committed and connections between the murders and the Baye family are revealed.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Bonnie Grams

This title was from the Crossmount Book Club that both Stacia and Deloise belong to. It really wasn’t on my list but I needed a book to read and, again, I was able to download the book and didn’t need to bring the physical copy home with me.

When Elizabeth Zott falls in love with Calvin Evans it is a match made in heaven. Both are scientists but Calvin is famous and Elizabeth is treated very poorly in a field dominated by men. When Calvin dies unexpectedly Elizabeth is devastated and, as she awaits the birth of their child, she sets up her own lab in the kitchen. She eventually earns a spot on a cooking show but frustrates the producer by continually teaching the chemistry behind each of her recipes.

I saw this listed as a series on Apple TV+ but I never paid it any attention. I’ll be watching the series now that I’ve read and enjoyed the book.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *