⭐⭐⭐⭐ Who knew that the term “redneck” had its roots in a bloody labor uprising in West Virginia? I certainly didn’t! That’s just one of the fascinating things I learned from Taylor Brown’s Rednecks, a historical novel based on the West Virginia Mine Wars of 1920–1921. The story follows thousands of coal miners who fought against brutal working conditions, intimidation, and the powerful coal companies that controlled their lives. Their rebellion culminated in the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest labor uprising in American history. Brown brings this turbulent period to life through a colorful cast of characters on both sides of the conflict. I especially appreciated learning about real-life […]
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A Thoughtful but Repetitive Look at Generational Trauma—A Review of Evil Eye
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ½ (3.5 Stars) I was a huge fan of Etaf Rum’s debut novel, A Woman Is No Man (5 stars),so I had high hopes for Evil Eye. While I appreciated much of this story, it didn’t quite measure up to its predecessor. Yara is a Palestinian American woman who seems to have it all—a successful husband, two beautiful daughters, and a rewarding career. But beneath the surface, she’s deeply unhappy. When an altercation at work lands her in mandatory counseling, Yara begins confronting the painful memories of her childhood and questioning the life she’s built. Rum doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects, including mental illness, grief, cultural […]
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Who Knew Scrabble Could Be So Cutthroat?—A review of The Last Letters of Sally and Walter
⭐⭐⭐⭐ As a Scrabble enthusiast, I couldn’t resist a novel featuring my favorite word game. But high-stakes Scrabble tournaments? Who knew there was such a thing? Apparently, I’ve been playing in the minor leagues! In The Last Letters of Sally and Walter, Cammie McGovern introduces us to two unlikely friends at Golden Grove, a retirement community. Sally is a newcomer hoping to find her place, while Walter is a cantankerous old fellow whose passion for Scrabble borders on obsession. When Sally joins his rather sparsely attended Scrabble Club, an unexpected friendship blossoms, and Walter discovers that life might still have a few surprises in store. But this book is about […]
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A Fascinating Slice of History—A Review of Isabela’s Way
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ One of my favorite things about historical fiction is discovering a chapter of history I know little about. Isabela’s Way by Barbara Stark-Nemon took me to 17th-century Portugal, where the Inquisition made life dangerous for Jews and “New Christians” suspected of secretly practicing their faith. Fourteen-year-old Isabela has lived a sheltered life, but when her father sends word that she must flee, she finds herself traveling through a secret network of safe houses across Europe, with danger lurking around every corner. Along the way, courageous strangers risk their lives to help her and other refugees escape a ruthless priest determined to hunt them down. What fascinated me most was […]
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A Wild Ride—and a New Series to Binge! My Review of Antihero
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5 stars) Antihero was my first introduction to Gregg Hurwitz’s Orphan X series, and boy, have I been missing out! A friend recommended it, so I jumped at the chance to snag a complimentary copy from NetGalley. I’m glad I took his advice! Evan Smoak is a former government assassin who now uses his considerable talents to help people in desperate situations. His latest mission involves a young woman who has been kidnapped and assaulted. Evan is determined to bring her attackers to justice, but she has one condition: No killing. Easier said than done for a man who has spent much of his life eliminating bad guys! Hurwitz […]
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A Lovely Reminder to Savor the Ordinary: A Review of Life: A Love Story
⭐⭐⭐⭐ I’ll admit, I expected Life: A Love Story to send my sappy meter straight into the red. Happily, it didn’t. This was warm, thoughtful, and heartfelt without laying the sentiment on with a trowel. At 92, Florence “Flo” Greene knows her time is short, so she begins writing to Ruthie, the young woman who grew up next door and became like a daughter to her. Through those letters, Flo looks back on her marriage, friendships, mistakes, joys, and a few truths she kept tucked away for years. At the same time, she is still meddling—in the best possible way—in the lives of the people around her. This is very […]
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The Gourmet Bookworm’s Picks and Pans—Issue 42
This month’s reading took me from a nearly forgotten Black community in the North Carolina mountains to wartime Genoa, the tunnels beneath Paris, and even the icy shores of Antarctica. Three books earned a full five stars, several historical novels sent me searching for more of the story, and a handful of mysteries reminded me that a clever premise does not always guarantee a satisfying payoff. Here are all sixteen books, beginning with the ones I loved most. Five-Star Favorites Happy Land By Dolen Perkins-Valdez ★★★★★ A Hidden History That Refuses to Stay Buried Blending past and present, Happy Land explores family, identity, and the nearly forgotten Kingdom of the […]
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All the Pieces…But No Puzzle: A Review of The Night We Lost Him
⭐⭐⭐ I went into The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave hoping for a smart, twisty family mystery. Instead, I got a story that looks polished on the surface but never quite pulls you in—and one that’s easy to forget once it’s over. The premise has bite. Nora Noone’s father—hotel magnate, serial husband, and all-around mystery—dies after a fall from his cliffside home. The authorities call it an accident, but Nora and her estranged brother Sam aren’t convinced. They team up to dig into his past and figure out what really happened. The problem is that the stakes feel low. There’s no real danger or urgency—just a steady search for answers […]
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Power, Politics, and Pressure at the Top: A Review of In High Places
⭐⭐⭐ Arthur Hailey built his reputation on turning complex institutions into page-turning fiction, and In High Places pulls readers behind the scenes of Canadian politics. The story centers on Prime Minister James Howden as he pushes forward an ambitious Arctic defense project while navigating political rivals, cabinet tensions, and trouble within his own family. When a potential security scandal erupts involving a key government appointee, Howden must decide how far he’s willing to go to protect his administration—and whether loyalty should outweigh truth. I enjoyed this novel because it reminded me of the recent negotiations between the United States and its neighbor to the north. The political maneuvering, debates, and diplomatic friction […]
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Plenty of Twists—But the Verdict Is Mixed: A Review of False Witness
⭐⭐⭐ Phillip Margolin has long been a reliable name in legal thrillers, so I picked up False Witness expecting a tight courtroom drama with plenty of twists. The ingredients are all there—murder, secrets, and the kind of high-stakes legal maneuvering that usually keeps readers flipping pages late into the night. The story centers on defense attorney Amanda Jaffe, who takes on the case of a young man accused of murdering a police officer. As the investigation unfolds, the case becomes tangled with past crimes, hidden identities, and a web of deception that stretches further than anyone first suspects. Margolin clearly knows the legal world inside and out, and the courtroom scenes feel […]
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