Thursday, February 13, 2025

Book Review:The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichi


 GOOD READS SUMMARY:
When her estranged mother dies, Stella is left with an unusual a one-way plane ticket and a note reading Go to Paris . But Stella is hardly cut out for adventure; a childhood trauma has kept her confined to the strict routines of her comfort zone. When her boss encourages her to take time off, Stella resigns herself to honoring her mother’s last wishes.

Alone in a foreign city, Stella falls into old habits, living cautiously and frugally. Then she stumbles across a vintage store where she tries on a fabulous Dior dress. The shopkeeper insists that this dress was meant for Stella and, for the first time in her life, Stella does something impulsive. She buys the dress and together they embark on an adventure.

Her first iconic brasserie Les Deux Magots, where Stella tastes her first oysters, and then meets an octogenarian art collector who decides to take her under his wing. As Jules introduces her to a veritable who’s who of the 1980s Paris literary, art, and culinary worlds, Stella begins to understand what it might mean to live a larger life.

As weeks—and many decadent meals—go by, Stella ends up living as a “tumbleweed” at famed bookstore Shakespeare & Company, uncovers a hundred-year-old mystery in a Manet painting, and discovers a passion for food that may be connected to her past.

TEE'S THOUGHTS:


I was just carried away to Paris while reading Ruth Reichl's book The Paris Novel, and let me tell you it was a magical trip through those pages. This book has everything you think of when you say Paris...Art, fashion, food, Shakespeare & Company Bookstore, love. Is there anything I missed?

Stella St Vincent's mother has died. She was never the best role model for Stella as she grew up, she tended to be very much an extravagant freewill, living for the moment. She leaves a note for Stella, along with a small inheritance, telling Stell to take the money and go to Paris. Stella has no intention to do so, she has responsibilities with work and life, and she does not want to be anything like her mother, but fate steps in when her boss tells her she needs time off to mourn, so she takes the small amount of money and heads to Paris.

A bit after arriving in the city of Love she spots a black vintage Dior dress in a shop window and is instantly drawn to it. Short on money she makes a deal with the shopkeeper and leaves with it and a few instructions from the shopkeeper.

This simple black dress opens Stella to a whole new world ( I hate to admit it but I sang that last part of that sentence, proving to myself that I watch more Disney than I care to admit ) and also gives her much insight into her mother's past life.

You can not beat the descriptions in this book. The food and wine made me hungry and I craved a good baguette, you could taste the food, and rightly so, I learned later that the author is a food writer, a talent she used well in the story.

The story is a bit predictable, but it is so darn good, that you overlook that small thing. Stella herself wasn't particularly likable, but all the characters in the book are richly written and so different from each other. You have sweetness in one, stalkerish, and somewhat eccentric in some others.

The Paris Novel is an easy read, so it is a good book to relax with during a free afternoon. Don't expect a lot of action, it isn't that type of book, it is a book you savor like fine wine, and just enjoy while you have it in your hand.


Sunday, February 2, 2025

BOOK REVIEW: THE LOST HOUSE BY MELISSA LARSEN


 GOODREADS SUMMARY:
Forty years ago, a young woman and her infant daughter were found buried in the cold Icelandic snow, lying together as peacefully as though sleeping. Except the mother’s throat had been slashed and the infant drowned. The case was never solved. There were no arrests, no convictions. Just a suspicion turned into the husband doing it. When he took his son and fled halfway across the world to California, it was proof enough of his guilt.

Now, nearly half a century later and a year after his death, his granddaughter, Agnes, is ready to clear her grandfather’s name once and for all. Still recovering from his death and a devastating injury, Agnes wants nothing more than an excuse to escape the shambles of her once-stable life—which is why she so readily accepts true crime expert Nora Carver’s invitation to be interviewed for her popular podcast. Agnes packs a bag and hops on a last-minute flight to the remote town of Bifröst, Iceland, where Nora is staying, where Agnes’s father grew up, and where, supposedly, her grandfather slaughtered his wife and infant daughter.

Is it merely a coincidence that a local girl goes missing the very same weekend Agnes arrives? Suddenly, Agnes and Nora’s investigation is turned upside down, and everyone in the small Icelandic town is once again a suspect. Seeking to unearth old and new truths alike, Agnes finds herself drawn into a web of secrets that threaten the redemption she is hell-bent on delivering, and even her life—discovering how far a person will go to protect their family, their safety, and their secrets.

TEE'S THOUGHTS:

For some reason, my winter is never complete until I read a good mystery set in a desolate winter location, it gives the story an atmosphere that feels barren and cold, sometimes almost frightening. I find that snow absorbs the sounds somewhat, making it seem almost silent, knowing that adds a bit of " no one can hear you scream " aspect to the story. The Lost House by Melissa Larsen ticked every box, with its wintery location in Iceland.

Larsen was absolute perfection at describing the scenery, the location, and the characters, it all drew me in quickly, and reaching for a fluffy blanket to shield me from the frosty air I imagined as I listened along.

Probably the thing I liked least, and please know, when I say this, it wasn't a dislike that would make me not want to continue reading, or even give the book a lower rating, this is purely on me. The book includes a podcast, and in the past few years, it feels like every book I pick up centers around a podcast and I am just tired of that aspect of a story, it feels overdone to me personally. However, I am sure plenty love this in a book.

Anyway, Agnes goes to Iceland to appear on a podcast to speak about the murder of her grandmother and aunt. Her grandfather was the suspect in their murders and she is trying to clear his name. While she is there, a girl also goes missing, so she and the podcast host set out to find her.

The mystery is well crafted and the story has plenty of suspense that drives the plot and brings the characters out of the pages into a plausible situation. Speaking of characters, there are several, and you will have a hard time trying to decide if they are trustworthy or not. 

The Lost House is entertaining and well-written, and I look forward to reading what Larsen puts out next.

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

BOOK REVIEW: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MCCRAY'S BY TRACEY LANGE


GOODREADS SUMMARY

When Kyle McCray gets word his father has suffered a debilitating stroke, he returns to his hometown of Potsdam, New York, where he doesn’t expect a warm welcome. Kyle left suddenly two and a half years ago, abandoning people who depended on him: his father, his employees, his friends—not to mention Casey, his wife of sixteen years and a beloved teacher in town. He plans to lie low and help his dad recuperate until he can leave again, especially after Casey makes it clear she wants him gone.

The longer he’s home, the more Kyle understands the impact his departure has had on the people he left behind. When he’s presented with an opportunity for redemption as the coach of the floundering middle school hockey team, he begins to find compassion in unexpected places. Kyle even considers staying in Potsdam, but that’s only possible if he and Casey can come to some kind of peace with each other.


TEE'S THOUGHTS

Usually, I don’t really jump on a book that everyone is raving about on bookstagram, I find myself being an odd man or girl in this case, out. I tend to get so hyped up by what everyone is saying about it that it never seems to live up to it for me. But I did pick up We Are The Brennan’s by Tracey Lange when it came out and I can honestly say it is one of those books that seemed to be everywhere that worked out for me. So when I was offered a chance to read her latest book ( I’m a little behind on getting reviews out as you can tell ) What Happened To The McCrays I knew I’d enjoy it.

I have always loved a good family saga and Tracey Lange knows how to write a good one. You get good drama, characters that pull at your heartstrings, and writing that brings out such emotions. 

The narration on the audio was fantastic, with a dual narrative. Both the female and the male drew out feelings with their reading that I never imagined feeling... 

I’m not going to go into what the book is about, you can read the summary anywhere, but I highly recommend picking What Happened To The Mc Cary’s up, it’s a wonderful story