The Saga of Book Club Continues

 So I have now attended my third book club. We had a few new members, older women who said they had joined because they like to read and they wanted to make new friends, which is perfection!  I was highly amused when they were asked what they like to read and one lady said, "well I don't like the sex books" which made me think that she definitely DOES like "the sex books"... alas, her favorite genre is... "historical fiction" (of which there are indeed a LOT of historical fiction romances...Hmmm).

For an introvert like me, I did find that this third time was better, I was more comfortable, and relaxed, so I'm glad I continue to force myself into this social experiment of attending something I'm not totally enamored with. I enjoyed sitting next to someone different than last time and she seemed friendly, and is even reading some books I've wanted to read (!!)  so I may actually, make some friends - which is not at all what I expected after my first foray. So YES, it pays to use the library! 

Citation: Federal Art Project, Sponsor. For Greater Knowledge on More Subjects Use Your Library More Often. Chicago Illinois, None. [Chicago: illinois wpa art project, between 1936 and 1941] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/98508155/.

I thought the book we read was terrible.  I could also see that the person who recommended the book we read - loved it with her whole heart and soul and took every criticism as a blow to her soul, so I wisely... just didn't say anything at all.  

   This month's leader was determined to be "different"  so instead of leading a discussion with questions and answers, she essentially quizzed everyone by saying quotes and asking "who said that" which was... interesting, but also felt a little like we were all  in 8th grade and being quizzed by a teacher who wanted to be sure we'd read the assigned reading.  So, if I ever get a chance to lead book club, I think I'll avoid that style.  On the plus side, there was a lot more participation, which is excellent! So, maybe a hybrid.  I do so hope I get to lead book club one day so I can choose an excellent book by a diverse author, and move the club just one click away from the "women's fiction" I have a few books that I think are great for Book club.  Authors like Brendan Slocumb  or Elif Shafak  Both authors tell such compelling tales that are easily discussed in a public forum like a book club. So we shall see. 

 So Book club. I'm still not 100% sold on it. But I'm learning it's more about getting together than actual book discussion, it seems. I'm sticking with it, though I honestly, don't know if I'm going to for more than a year, we'll see! 

Book Review Oracle, By Thomas Olde Heuvelt 5/5 stars

 Once in a while, a reader comes across a gem of a novel. One that is wholly unique, thought provoking and emotionally engaging. 

I did not expect to find that in Oracle. But, yet, there it all was! It even has a great cover. 

 Obviously I picked this up because of the oceanic theme. (Water 2025!) I don't think I would have found it otherwise. Oracle, and the first book in the series - Hex- have not been on my radar.  Neither book had a huge presence on TikTok, Instagram or even Booksky. I think I found it while browsing the library catalog on line. I am so glad I did because it was just so fresh and unexpected, delightfully horrific and complex. Just the kind of book a reader can sink their teeth into.

    In short - an ancient ship appears one day in a tulip field, with an old bell tolling that gives a local farmer the creeps.  he knows it's a bad omen. People go in to investigate, but they don't come back out, and all the while the bell tolls. Soon, Government agencies are involved, families are silenced as a rag tag team of folks with different motivations work side by side (but definitely not together) to try to prevent what seems to be impending doom. 

   I am unclear how Heuvelt did it but he managed to put together a cohesive engaging novel combining deep sea oil rigs, ancient Doggerland Mammoths, Smallpox ships  , Vengeful ghosts/oceans, an older cranky quasi-detective, and a somewhat sullen teenage boy.  When described this way, it sounds like an impossible writing prompt.  When read, the reader gets an experience of reading something wholly new.  While Heuvelt draws on history, the story and characters seem to be of his own invention. There is such a good balance of horror, suspense/thrills, and emotion, that it kind of defies being placed into one genre box, and I'd recommend it to readers who read in almost all genres (there's not real romance, so if you are looking for that, this is likely not the one for you.) 

  Will this top my top reads for 2025?  possibly... possibly.  It is in contention!  I have already put all his other books available in the library on hold. 

STATS

First Published : 4/30/2024

Pages: 384

Available as an Audio Book : YES 

Trigger Warnings: parent death, child death, violence, alcohol, drugs, gun violence,  

As always - this is not a complete list, read responsibly! 

Book Review: The Color of Water By James McBride 4.5/5 stars

 James McBride is a household name after his Absolute Banger - The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. 

In 2024 this book was everywhere, and I wanted to read it and also didn't want to read it, so in the end, it being in very high library demand, I never picked it up.  I'm imaging I'll find it at my lovely used store soon enough because so many copies were sold, it's going to drop in there soon.   

But, as I am reading on my 2025 Water Theme, I did decide to pick up The Color of Water: A black man's tribute to his white mother.  To be honest, I wasn't sure I was going to like this book. 

But, my water theme demands I pick things up that don't seem to be exactly my style. In this case, I am so glad that I did. The one message that I took away from this novel is that, despite what people say about the 1930's, 1940's and 1950's in America, things really were not exactly as orderly and homogenized as people would like to believe. 

McBride's Mother, an immigrant, grew up in a strict household. She left, married two different black men, had 12 children and raised them in a chaotic world.  Reading this in 2025 it's easy to sort of "move the timeline" especially because of the dual timeline.  The James timeline is that of the 1960's-1970's and beyond while Ruth's timeline starts way back in the 1930's. So sometimes it's easy to think of Ruth's life as mostly happening around say 1974 - when the world was a more tolerant place than it was before and would be after. 

We are generally taught - in the US-  that things like inter-racial marriage, and 12 children wasn't really something happening in the 1940's and 1950's but reading from Ruth's story it's obvious that while she stood out, she knew several other people in similar relationships/families.  So, I love that this book really shows this as not an unusual phenomena, but something that did occur occasionally (more frequently than textbooks or advertising from the times show), despite it being risky and difficult. Ruth was a brave woman, just by existing every day with her family.  

There is more to this story than just that, but I think it's one that gives different things to different people, and that for every reader there's areas that are so relatable and meaningful and others that slide by- like water in a stream. And for me, what really stood out was the time frame for Ruth's life and how she really did take the harder road and had no real regrets about that.  

Did I enjoy it, yes! I thought it was worth my reading time, and I really did enjoy especially Ruth's timeline. Do I recommend it, also Yes. Will it be one of my top ten reads? Not that likely despite it being a good piece of writing, and very impactful, I suspect it will fall into one of those books I recommend, but didn't love with my whole chest. This is likely because it was just too real, and reminds me that we're still a society working on itself.  This is a great book for book clubs, classes, and event that want to generate discussion. 

STATS

First Published : 1995

Pages: 336

Available as an Audio Book : YES 

Trigger Warnings: parent death, child death, SA, child abuse, racism, poverty, 

As always - this is not a complete list, read responsibly! 

  

Book Review: Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant 5/5 Stars

 Wow! Into the Drowning Deep did not disappoint!  If you've ever, wondered what happens when you combine mermaids, science academics, and slashers in a beautiful oceanic setting, then this book is for you.  Me?  I never even imagined this particular scenario, but I am glad that Mira Grant (Seanan McGuire)  did it for me! 

This book came out in 2017 - so it's ideal for a Beat the Backlist choice, but it reads as if it were published last week. If you are down for some diverse representation with gory science-y horror which does not sacrifice character development for thrills, this is one you'll want to pick up. 

Spoiler free (I hope) summary:  Seven years prior a ship was found drifting, with all crew gone. Footage showed some strange creatures, but since the ship was crewed by Imagine entertainment, no one was exactly sure what was real.  Imagine downplayed whispers of "mermaids are real" but eventually- wanted to get at the truth... or as close to the truth as an entertainment network can go. (This entire event is captured in the novella Rolling in the Deep, which was also fantastic. It helped to have read this short one first, kind of primed the pump!) 

  A new crew is put together with a combination of great minds, great game hunters and great personalities.  What could go wrong?  Oh - reader friends- so much can go so deliciously wrong- but...it can also "go right" in the form of two awesome "final girls"  (and a cast of others) who make choices and decisions that will result in devastation or safety.  What happens? Well, this is a spoiler free review,

so I suggest you go read it. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire last half of the book. 

 What sets Into the Drowning Deep apart from many maritime sci-fi/horror/"something's in the water" novels for me, is the author's obvious familiarity with the current science, research techniques and research environment. The sci-fi scenarios created are so believable, because they really are kind of- one step away from what we currently know about deep ocean creatures. Grant captures the foibles of academic life with refreshing clarity- and if you've been a grad student in certain fields, the characters are recognizable and relatable without being flat stereotypes. And the fantastic elements are so detailed, that you know you're right there on the ship deck, waiting for the next wave of terror! 

If you want to read it - you might have a wait, however, if you go for it via the library.  For a book published in 2017 I noted a 9 week wait at one library and a 7 week wait at another.  In comparison- Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King - also published in 2017 - is "ready to borrow",  As is Grisham's Camino Island, and Paula Hawkin's Into the Water. Sooooo, it seems that this book is Hot stuff at the moment. 

(Illustration shows Theodore Roosevelt setting a back-fire showing the face of William H. Taft, to break the progress of a fire labeled "3rd Term" and showing the face of Roosevelt, in the background.) Keppler, Udo J., Artist. The back fire / Keppler. , 1907. N.Y.: J. Ottmann Lith. Co., Puck Bldg. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2011647233/.

Why do I bring this up?  

I was hoping for another book.  Into the Drowning Deep has a definite conclusion, but there are many things I want to know more about- there are new relationships developing, interesting sci-fi biology situations, and lots of ethics questions to delve into. There is not another book, and according to an author post from 2021 this is why:

Someone needs to pick up the sequel, at least one of them. PLEASE.  I need to know!  Maybe 2018 readers weren't ready for this, but I feel like in 2025- we readers have "Seen some things" and we're ready to learn more about the fate of the remaining crew and their mysterious cargo. Orbit - one of my favorite imprints published this novel, and I mean, I could go for more today, immediately. 

Put this one on hold at the library, or better yet, pick up a copy from your local independent bookseller- they will be happy to order it for you, and then... you get to go back to the bookstore to pick it up!  (BONUS!) 

Let me know if you've read this one, or if you pick it up! 

First Published : November 2017 

Pages: 480

Available as an Audio Book : YES 

Trigger Warnings:  Death of sibling, Gun violence, body horror, dismemberment, poisoning ,blood, drowning, animal death,  As always, not a complete list- read responsibly. 

Book Review: The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner 4.25/5 Stars

 Did I just finish the Beach Read of 2025 ?  I think it's possible that I did! 

    In keeping with my Water theme of 2025, I saw this book on Net Galley and again broke my rule about only requesting audiobooks this year.  I do not regret this at all. Many thanks to Harper Collins/Harlequin Trade Publishing  for the Advanced Copy - I am delighted to provide this honest and spoiler free review! 

For me, this is a perfect beach read. It has everything I want for a vacation read.  A beautiful setting, compelling story, engaging characters and a touch of mystery and magic! 

   Penner gives readers a dual narrative, with a modern day nautical archeologist travelling to the gorgeous Positano Italy for a ground-breaking project that she believes is critical for her career. She does, of course, have one ulterior motive that brings her to these shores, and of course there might also be a smidgen of romance (I mean I did say Beach read, didn't I?) Juxtaposed against the modern narrative, is a story of seemingly star crossed lovers in the 1820's when Positano was just a small fishing village, one with unusual good luck!  Indeed the residents of this earlier Positano never seemed to have a bad fishing season, or raiders attacking the coast line, only a few people understood where this "luck" came from, and as the reader, you get ALL the details! 

Underwood & Underwood, Publisher. "Where the waves and mountains meet"-Positano, southern Italy. Italy, 1900. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2020683062/.

Penner toggles between both storylines eventually bringing them together through events of maelstrom and magic - moving the reader gently to a peaceful, satisfying ending. There are even some recipes at the end, so if you can't travel to the beach, you can fix yourself a treat and FEEL like you're right there as you devour this treat!

This was my first book by Sarah Penner, and I was concerned that it might not live up to the hype.  I can say that I really enjoyed reading it, and I can definitely recommend it for friends, readers of most ages (probably not for the 5 yr old set), and book clubs! 

STATS

First Published : Coming April 29, 2025

Pages: 336

Available as an Audio Book : YES 

Trigger Warnings:  gun violence, death, death at sea, Death of parent, kidnapping, 

                                                       (this is not a full list, read responsibly) 

Book Review Killer on the Road & The Babysitter Lives - Double Feature by Steven Graham Jones 5/5 Stars!

   I am supposed to be reading on the theme of water in 2025, but indeed sometimes, when amazing things come up,  I have to take advantage of it!!! 

And indeed when I was browsing on NetGalley I saw that Saga Press has a new edition of some of  Steven Graham Jones earlier works - a Double Feature of  The Babysitter Lives and Killer on the Road.  I could not resist.  Below is an image of what's coming out in July, and it really is quite a nice cover!  It is about time that books other than romantasy got some really nice editions and covers... I read some romantasy, but lately the covers and edges almost seem to be there as an apology for the bad writing inside.  

Not so for this Double feature, SGJ delivers. 

 The Babysitter lives was apparently only available via audiobook, and I did pull the audiobook to do some immersive reading, as I explored these two "new to me " stories. 

    I loved both!  

To be 100% honest, I had a lot of trouble with The Baby Sitter Lives   It was so relatable and scary to me that I couldn't really read it at home at night - and it became my gym book.  If you were ever a babysitter, you'll really relate to the creepy parents, the noises in an unfamiliar house and the low-key horror of the possibility of something awful happening to the children that you're getting paid a very low wage to watch. It brought back a lot of memories!  So, In some ways it was a delicious scary - relatable mess, and in others, it was maybe, just  a smidge too terrifying for me. 

A Killer on the Road, chronicles a run-a-way teens escape from family life, only to find herself part of an intricate plan that is not at all pleasant.   Just imagine, you're trying to escape, but somehow without your knowledge, you're also part of a killer's 3 year plan in the making and you step right into it! Definite disadvantage there. 

 This gorgeous double feature is coming in July, and would make a perfect gift for the horror lover in your life, even if that horror lover is YOU, because after all, don't we all deserve a treat in our current times? 

The rise of the audio book

  As a kid, I don't think I could have imagined that I'd be one day asking readers what format they prefer for reading.  But I recently did and a few of you commented that you really prefer the audiobooks!  I was a skeptic about audio books until I decided just to try one to see what the hype was about, and now, readers - I am a convert. For almost everything- for me the audio book is the winner. 

   As I was growing up- the format was pretty much. 

                      Book

                                        Credit(Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.                                                 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print)

While there were books on tape (yes cassette tapes, or even reel to reel) and some records of books, those were touted for people with visual problems, not for just anyone.  And they were really just a person reading the book - no one "did the voices"  and a full cast type of narration wasn't even imagined.  I don't remember anyone reading audiobooks until fairly recently.  I do recall as a child having one LP where a narrator did read some children's stories, in such a monotone that we just laughed and laughed at it. 

Being a bit curious,  I did a little research - it seems audio books really gained steam in around 2015-2016 though they had long been popular,  and they have continued to take off, sometimes outpacing sales of physical or ebooks.  In 2017  NPR did an excellent short piece of the rise of the audiobook. It seems audible released a device specifically designed for audio book listening.  I searched on line and the only photo associated with this early device was within the NPR article:

So - that looks ridiculous these days!  We can get audio content so much easier because.. we have the mobile phones! When the device was released in 1997 mobile phones really weren't something that people were stuffing in pockets and taking everywhere for purposes of catching Pokemon.  If you had one, THIS is what it looked like:

those antenna... 

No one was really texting, sending fun memes or enjoying "social media" back in those days. We had a device for everything, pagers, a walkman for music, the weird audible thing? (If you had one, please let me know about it), and a phone for talking. So even though Audible was touting the new listener, it seems that...it still took some time for the audio books to really take off. 

Overdrive notes in their blog that 2017 was indeed a year of record growth for audiobooks in schools. 

As children are using audiobooks as tools, they are more likely, I think to continue using them as they grow older. For people like me, they were a bit of a novelty, but for "kids these day" it's just another format. 

 We have great phone apps, with excellent sound quality on our phones, and we can augment the experiences with portable speakers, headphones, use of home speakers/listening devices (like alexa) or for some folks, we can still check out CD's from the library. 

But-  is the audio book going to replace print? 

For me, personally NEVER. 

  While audio is my preferred method of reading most books, I still love having copies of the print version, especially is the cover is something to talk about. if a book is particularly meaningful, I like to take notes in the margins, tab my books and otherwise "make them mine" Books don't require any electricity (unless you need a lamp) or to be charged to run, and if you want to lend to a friend, well- it's a lot easier to lend a book than an audio book. 

In the end, I'm so glad that I have all the options available, though I have to say the Ebook is my least favorite, it is super economical, but no covers, no full cast narration, and it kind of leaves me wondering why? I will also be honest, my geriatric e-reader was bought as a refurbished item and I find it glitchy, I can't easily go back and find something I didn't highlight and even looking for the e-highlights takes a lot longer than flipping through a tag or a dog ear in a physical book.   And as NPR points out, E-readers may not be as sustainable/economical as we immediately assume. 

How do you feel about Audio replacing print?  Would you want to give up those beautiful covers, and your bookshelves?