Review: Midnight Train to Prague

Midnight Train to Prague by Carol Windley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 out of 5 stars - It was ok

Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic, Atlantic Monthly Press for this Advanced Reader Copy.

This book follows the life of Natalia Faber from shortly after WWI to post WWII. We're introduced to many other characters along the way as they weave in and out of her life story, including: her mother, Dr. Magdalena Schaefferová, Miklós Count Andorján, and Anna Schaefferová.

While I found the story somewhat interesting, I have to be honest and state that I got bored and wondered where the heck it was going. The only reason I continued reading to the end was because I needed to know if the story line actually wrapped up all the characters we'd met. Many of the "coincidences" of meeting people and then running into them later seemed highly unlikely.

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Review: The Dollhouse: A Ghost Story

The Dollhouse: A Ghost Story by Charis Cotter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books for this Advanced Reader Copy.

Alice and her mom are heading to some small town where Alice's mom will be a live-in nurse to a rich elderly lady. While there, she wakes up to a young girl nicknamed Fizz resting in her bed when she wakes up. When Alice wakes up seeing Fizz, she has been transported to another time or place. Alice is convinced Fizz is a ghost. Fizz is convinced that Alice is the ghost.

In Fizz's world, there's a dollhouse that her mother has been slowly adding new items to. Alice notices that the dollhouse is an exact replica of the house she and her mother are staying in (and also Fizz's house). Alice finds the dollhouse in her own world behind a locked door in the attic. What she notices in both worlds is that the dolls appear to be replicas of the people in Fizz's world, with the addition of an Alice doll.

While I didn't find this book at all creepy as described, I was intrigued by the story and wanted to know the outcome of the mystery. Who was the ghost? Was the dollhouse magic? How did other characters in the story tie in? I think this would be a great story for a middle grade student who likes mysteries and magic.

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Review: In the Garden of Spite: A Novel of the Black Widow of La Porte

In the Garden of Spite: A Novel of the Black Widow of La Porte by Camilla Bruce
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 out of 5 stars - It was ok

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkely Publishing Group for an Advanced Reader Copy.

This is based on the story of Belle Gunness (Belle Sorensen, Brynhild Storset, and other names I'm sure) who was an active serial killer in Chicago, IL, and La Porte, IN, around 1900. While not a lot is known of specifics, and no deaths were ever tied directly to her, this book takes a look at what might have happened.

While I was intrigued by a female serial killer that I'd never heard of, the book left me a little bored. Sure, there was death and mental health issues and violence, but it was a pretty slow build to get there. I kept wondering when the "serial" part of the killer was going to start. The story was interesting, with historical details that brought it to life, but I kept waiting for something to happen.

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Review: Make You Feel My Love

Make You Feel My Love by Robin Lee Hatcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for the advanced reader copy.

This book was really nothing more and nothing less than a great way to escape with a little mystery and history thrown in. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters, both contemporary and historical. It was a quick read that tried to keep me guessing what might happen next. It did make me want to visit Idaho, though.

Both story lines include a woman fleeing a bad situation (oppressive father, abusive boyfriend, etc), and both story lines also include the women finding love in their new location. The two stories intersect with a beautiful violin, first owned in 1895 by Cora Anderson and later found by Chelsea Spencer in her aunt's antique shop.



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Review: A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to this book, and I'm glad I did. I really enjoyed it, but I think it might have been harder to get into if I'd been reading it.

I enjoyed that the story, the people, and the experiences that all seemed relatable. I contrast this book with "Wild", which I really disliked because I couldn't relate to the author/narrator in any way. While I don't think I'll ever follow in their footsteps and do a through hike of any long trails, it did make me want to get back to my hiking of the Ice Age Trail in segments.

This was my first Bill Bryson book, and I look forward to reading/listening to more! I really enjoy his Iowa connection, even if it's been a while since he lived there.

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Review: People We Meet On Vacation

People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an Advanced Reader Copy to review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a story of Poppy and Alex, two opposites who met and became friends in college. They have always gone on an annual trip together, until something goes terribly wrong on one of them. It's now been a few years since they've spoken, and Poppy now finds herself looking for why her life seems a little "off". A friend tells her to go back to the last time she was truly happy, which was on vacations with Alex.

The story had lots of fun twists and turns. I could relate to both characters in some way (I think I would call myself a mix of the two of them). The adventures they go through while Poppy tries to make a "perfect" trip with Alex are nothing short of ridiculously hilarious. Everything that possibly could go wrong, definitely does.

I spent the whole book attempting to figure out how the title fit in, and I'm happy to say that it does end up making sense in the end.

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21 in 21 - July Update

I said I would update the blog once a month with an update on my 21 in 21 project. Here's the July update! It's been a rough one....

I've decided that I'll continue working on these, but it seems unlikely that I'll actually complete them all as planned. For now, I'm working on myself.... If I accomplish these, all the better!

1. Donate 1 item per day
2. Bike 52 hours
3. Run 52 hours
4. Hike the complete Ice Age Trail in Dane County
5. Hike the complete Ice Age Trail in Fond du Lac & Sheboygan Counties
6. Hike the complete Ice Age Trail in Green County
7. Hike the complete Ice Age Trail in Rock County
8. Hike the complete Ice Age Trail in Walworth & Jefferson Counties
9. Hike the complete Ice Age Trail in Washington County
10. Mail 1 "just because" postcard each day
11. Mail 1 "just because" gift each month
12. Get a massage once a month
13. Complete the 2021 PopSugar Reading Challenge
14. Maintain a feedback ratio of 80% in NetGalley
15. Sort through 1 box/tub/crate/drawer per week
16. Watch 1 TED Talk per day
17. Complete GEP 3 for DAR
18. Update Blog monthly with 21 in 21 status
19. (Re)Learn to Cross Country Ski
20. Watch one "new to me" movie each month
21. Get a facial once a month