Here at Chapter Break, we don’t always write a full review of every book we read. Well, now we decided to do these monthly wrap-up posts with roundups of our reviews this month and mini-reviews to fill in the gaps. Enjoy!
Mini Book Reviews
It’s Not About the Banana: The 5 Step Method to Stop Living Other People’s Lies and Start Living Your Truth This book, while containing a bit of the woo woo, is a good reminder to us to focus on our mindset. The point of the book is it isn’t about what it seems. It’s not just about the issue you’re raging or being anxious about in the moment. But, dig deep, what is it really about. What are you really struggling with. And can you do internal work to help yourself grow. And, I guess, if you’re into essential oils, you can use the ones as suggested in the book. The audiobook was provided by the author and I enjoyed the listen. It isn’t a long book, and you get to connect with the author about her limiting beliefs and ponder your own. I enjoyed hearing the author’s stories and how she learned and grew from them. Definitely something we can relate to our own lives.
LIVING LIES: While the Lone Star Lit blog team was touring another book by Natalie Walters, I thought I’d try out one of her books. I meant to download the first in the SNAP series. But grabbed a different book instead. Oh well! This one was good, too! Lots of characters with mental health issues. And they are definitely stigmatized for that. I enjoyed the mystery aspect of this novel – solving murders and crimes. Though I wouldn’t necessarily say there was much in the way of suspense until the very end. Clean romance as well. I will say that Lane and Charlie built the foundations of a relationship here. Plus I’m genuinely interested in the next in the series. Deputy Frost is a hoot!
HAWTHORNE LEGACY: I enjoyed the first book in this series enough to actually read the second. But this one falls flat for me. I found the ‘big reveals’ to be rather predictable. And there was still more back and forth between Greyson and Jameson and Avery. And I was rather disappointed in the lack of Xander in this story after the ending of the first novel. Mostly fine. But didn’t blow me out of the water. I’ll probably continue on with the series. But am not in an overwhelming urge to do so.
ALEX & ELIZA: I’m always intrigued by historical novels based on real lives. Who wants to read a boring old memoir when I can read a fictionalization of real life! This is the courtship\romance between Alexander Hamilton & Eliza Schuyler. Honestly, I found this well written, exceptionally well narrated, and an engaging story. Not particularly earth-shattering when you already know the outcome. But an enjoyable journey none the less. I do wonder how much of the story was fictionalized. But not really enough to research and find out.
IN THE LIVES OF PUPPETS: Another winner from TJ Klune. If you haven’t read his books yet, get on that right now! In this one, we have robots and androids instead of mythical creatures. Including a sociopathic nurse-bot and anxiety-riddled Rumba named Rambo. More found family. Some adventure. And more emotional connections between the characters and me as the reader. Honestly, I also think narrator Daniel Henning contributes to my love of these books. He does an amazing job with all the voices. I don’t know that Nurse Ratched’s sarcasm and empathy modes would be nearly as entertaining if I was simply reading the novel. A true triumph as a read for me.
Books we reviewed this month:
- [22 May] The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Out and About by Giselle Nevada, Jennie Chen, Ann Kelble ★★★★
- [30 May] The Baba Yaga Mask by Kris Spisak ★★★
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In the Lives of Puppets sounds interesting.
Have a great June reading month.
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I really like listening to TJ Klune’s books too – looks like I’ll have to get to THE LIVES OF PUPPETS soon!
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Looks like some good books this past month. The Inheritance Games is one of the award nominees for my state this year, and it seems to be popular. Sorry to hear the sequel wasn’t great. Hope June is going well so far!
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