My fav book!!

L

A stand-alone title from Strout’s that takes readers into the past when a newly qualified minister and his young wife move to a small village in Maine. Disaster strikes the minister’s young family, leaving them in turmoil. Rumors spread through the village and the minister’s future seems uncertain. This is an engaging story about community, faith, friendship, love, families, and life.

It was a very good book. I liked the characters and I recommend buying it.

Runciman tries to work a large amount of information into a tight book. He charts a unique comparison of the 'intelligence' function of states, corporations, and the implications of AI. Much of what he says is an argument against the ideas of centralized 'intelligence.' He discusses in some detail the implication on copyright and intellectual property from AI and mostly frames the deleterious effects of AI usage and development from a left-wing lens.

3.5 stars. This book seemed to have quite a bit of buzz when it was first released and made it back on my TBR with the recent paperback release (and Indie Next pick). I listened to this relatively short book on Libby. I struggle with rating this book because I have mixed feelings. A lot of the family interactions and loose plot fell flat for me. The timeline bounced around a bit, confusing me at times in reference to her daughter’s age for example. The humor around menopause was a highlight for sure! The discussion of motherhood, pregnancy and loss was complicated and thought-provoking.

Excellent book with great plot and characters.

Teen Colby is still recovering from the death of her mother and struggles to cope with long absences from her long haul trucker dad. When Colby is dumped by her secret summer girl friend, it’s almost too much for her to bear. Over the next few months her grades slip and Colby lashes out at her friends and supporters. When a three-legged dog arrives in her life, Colby has companionship and new responsibilities. Lots of drama and turmoil, but mostly happy endings all around.

Ali Cross by James Patterson is a very good mystery book. It has a wonderful and suspenseful plot that always made me want more

At the insistence of her ex, writer Lucy Barton leaves NYC at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and moves with him to a seaside house in Maine. There they spend weeks in lockdown, visiting their children only sporadically. We see pandemic restrictions through their eyes: empty store shelves, masking, washing hands - and clothes after a trip to the grocery store - and distrust of outsiders. As weeks turn to months, each ponders their shared future, their past in NYC, and the complications and unhappy surprises as 2020 becomes 2021. Readers need not have read other Strout novels to enjoy this book, but those who have already met Lucy will appreciate this deep dive into her life.