Book Review, Catch Up: Part 4

The Hypnotist’s Love Story by Liane Moriarty

• I really enjoy this author, I’ve read a few of her books & each time I’m consumed by the story. I read this book in a day, 1 day! Per usual to Liane Moriarty books, this story is a tangled web of secrets. Kind of reclusive hypnotherapist being stalked by a love interest’s ex-girlfriend, love interest still in love with dead wife & very much aware of stalker ex-girlfriend. This book feels like “chick lit” told from the pov of the deranged chick. Rated 4 stars on GR.

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

• Oh my god was this story good, mysterious not so much, although I wouldn’t go as far as saying I predicted the details of the plot but the plot none-the-less. Either way I was gripped & couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I liked Lisa Jewell’s writing style, the depth she gave the characters & story, it felt like real people in the midst of a real tragedy. Floyd you just wanna *insert strangling motion* grrrr, Laurel you wanna slap here & there & the way Poppy’s character is brought to life makes you feel like there’s a real child you need to console once you’re done. Rated 4 stars on GR.

Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty

• Okay, Liane Moriarty had me in a bit of a chokehold, un poquito, but I think this book snapped me out of that. I had such high hopes, I was disappointed. While this is very much another tangled web of secrets & deception as Liane Moriarty books tend to be but it just fell flat. The story of the Kettle triplets is boring as full of secrets as it may be. This book unfortunately goes on the shelf of books I read just to read. Rated 2 stars on GR.

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Edoo-Lodge

• I will recommend this book to everyone, 1st because it’s very well researched & written, 2nd because people’s reaction to the title speaks volumes! I listened to this book on audible, choosing to buy a physical copy to keep on my shelves for reference after completing. I don’t read political history books much compared to other genres but this book sparked an interest to check out a few more. Rated 5 stars on GR.

We’re Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union

• This book was another audible listen, most memoirs are for me, I like hearing the different inflections of emotion as the writers read their own words recollecting the memories again. I think of ’10 Thing’s I Hate About You’ & ‘Bring it On’ when referenced Gabrielle Union & don’t pay too much mind to celebrities personal goings ons. Needless to say, I started this book not knowing much about her & finished it feeling like I know a-calculated-lot. Rated 4 stars on GR.

The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty

• I had really high expectations for this one, despite my disappointment with the previous Liane Moriarty book I read. A story about love, heartbreak, a well known family on a prestigious island, an unsolved mystery by Liane Moriarty! Unfortunately this one didn’t captivate me the way her other books have, I found myself confused about what was going on for a while in the middle & not in a what a mysterious thriller kind of way, more in a how does that make sense kind of way. Rated 3 stars on GR.

The Mother of Black Hollywood: A Memoir by Jenifer Lewis

• What a story! I also listened to this book on audible, hearing Jenifer Lewis PERFORM this book is worthy of a 5 star rating in & of itself. Some things were a bit repetitive, but isn’t life that way sometimes too. This memoir is powerful, a young woman’s battle with undiagnosed mental illness. Heart-wrenching & funny, rated 5 stars on GR.

Last Call: A True Story of Love, Lust, and Murder in Queer New York by Elon Green

• Heartbreaking & infuriating, this reads like a true crime book about the “last call killer” & how the anti-lgbtq+ societal climate & history in this country facilitated his crimes, to me. There are a lot of mini history lessons throughout which made the story for interesting. The inaction & failures of police to properly investigate this guy is annoying, to say the least. Finished this book in 5 days, rated 5 stars on GR & discovered a new interest in true crime books.

Part 5 coming soon…