Review: The Witch Hitch

The Witch Hitch by Elizabeth Bass
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it (but read the first book in the series first!)

This is the second book in the Cupcake Coven series. It was light and fun and I was easily swept away.

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Review: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

This is an entire book written in the form of letters and telegrams and notes. The upside to this is that you can get the perspective of several characters. The downside of this is the remembering the dates of all the items and determining the timing of items.

I really liked the main character, Juliet, and her relationships with the various other characters. The various love stories (or lack thereof) that created the tension in the book. I was happy to see how the story played out and to see a strong heroine at the end. Who needs the man to ask for marriage??

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Review: Station Eleven

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it (if it sounds interesting to you)

I think this book would have been completely different had I read it when it was first released. Reading a book about a flu pandemic after having lived through a flu pandemic is a little weird. It makes you grateful that the world didn't end up like it did in this book.

I enjoyed the characters, but I wasn't a huge fan of the way the story jumped around. I know that it was necessary in order to make more things come to be understood as the "present day" progressed, but I still found it a little confusing (as I nearly always do when timelines jump around).

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Review: The One and Only Ruby

The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

Book three in the "One and Only" series follows Ruby the Elephant. We are introduced to her back story and the belief that you can be no one without your circle of family and friends.

I enjoyed hearing Ruby's story, but I wasn't sure it was quite as good as the other two. I would still recommend reading it in order to get the whole story of the three characters. It's good to read them in order, too, since the present time story lines build on each other.

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Review: The One and Only Bob

The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 out of 5 stars - I'll tell you to read it, even if you don't ask me.

An adorable follow up to "The One and Only Ivan" following the life of Bob the dog as he joins a family and becomes 'domesticated'. We learn a little more about how Bob came to be in Ivan's cage at the mall. We then get to see how their friendship has progressed through their moves out of the mall.

Bob shows that even someone who believes that you need to put yourself first at all times can learn quickly why there can be a reason to be selfless. A great story, quick read, and amazing illustrations.

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Review: The Woman at the Front

The Woman at the Front by Lecia Cornwall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

This book, like many others lately, is set during WWI. Eleanor Atherton is the daughter of an English doctor. She attends medical school at a time when many think that women cannot and should not be practicing medicine. Wanting to help in the war effort, she tries to volunteer at a local estate turned hospital. When turned away, an unexpected opportunity is presented to be the personal physician to the heir of the estate.

This book is an amazing story of one of the strong women in history who stood up for what they believed through all those standing in her way. She proves that women can do anything men can do, and they can do it with grace under fire.

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Review: Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl

Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl by Renée Rosen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it

This is the story of Estée Lauder and how she got started in the beauty and skin care industry. It is told from the perspective of a friend of hers, Gloria Downing. They both have secrets to keep, and yet they stay friends throughout it all. Gloria is running from a white collar crime scandal her father committed, while Estée is hiding her true family background. Estée claims to be from European aristocracy, yet we come to find out that she is actually the daughter of Hungarian Jewish immigrants to New York.

The drive shown by Estée throughout the book, as well as the support of her friend and husband, shows that you truly can become something from nothing with enough effort and help.

I really enjoyed this book. I've read others by this author and will continue to follow her.

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