Amy’s Picks and Pans, Issue 39

This month’s reading list took me all over the world—and a few centuries, too. I unraveled a murder mystery in Italy, chased spies through Switzerland and Lithuania, wandered the streets of York and London, and even made stops in Georgia and Alabama. Between the historical fiction, a clever middle-grade adventure, a heartwarming picture book, a bit of magical realism, and a guide on how to stay Rapture-ready (just in case), it’s safe to say my literary passport is full. Buckle up—this month’s reviews are quite the trip. Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Shadow By Brian Freeman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars) Electrifying Action: Brian Freeman Delivers with The Bourne Shadow Brian Freeman’s The […]

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Faith, Family, and Finding Oneself in 1967 Alabama

3.5 rounded up Untethered is a thought-provoking exploration of faith, duty, and self-discovery set against the backdrop of a racially tense 1967 Alabama. Katia Daniels, the protagonist, has dedicated her life to caring for others—first her family, and now the boys at the Pike County Group Home. Her struggles with love, loss, and a deeply rooted sense of obligation unfold in a story filled with emotional depth and historical context. While I appreciated the book’s focus on faith and its examination of trauma, I had trouble fully connecting with the characters and the narrative. The writing sometimes felt awkward, and the story lacked cohesion, which made it hard to stay […]

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