Ruth Franklin did a lot of research to fill in the gaps about Anne Frank's life and death, Anne's writing and rewriting of the diary, Anne's father's editing of the diary through the years, and Ruth discusses the plays, books and movies based on Anne's life.

This novella is from Warner’s point of view after the events of the first book: Shatter Me. I gave this book three stars not because I don’t like it but because there wasn’t anything crazy out of the ordinary about it and I think that had to do with the fact that I read the first three books and then came back to read this novella. I feel like it also got repetitive at times. I really enjoyed it in the sense that we get to see Warner’s feelings after he portrays himself as a tough bad guy in the first book. I think if you really want an element of newness, you should read it directly after the first book when we don’t know so much about Warner from the next books already. However, even though I read it after the first three books, I still enjoyed back tracking and getting to experience the events from the end of Shatter Me and beginning of Unravel Me and everything in between from Warner’s perspective. We also get to see bits from Juliette’s journal that is spoken about in Shatter Me and of course Mafi’s writing and use of similes and metaphors are excellent. It makes you feel the character’s pain.

Stephen King's new thriller, is primarily a detective story. A Holly story. If you know King, then you know. If you know Holly then you know. A really good detective story starring some well-known characters, most of all Holly. It can be a stand alone but more fun if you have read the other Holly books. Really enjoyed this read.

This book was very difficult to get through. Wally Lamb is one of my favorite authors. This one is very well written and realistic, however it is extremely sad. Corby Ledbetter is the father of twins, , a boy and a girl. They are 2 years old. He is depressed because he has lost his job as an artist and can't seem to find another. His wife Emily is a teacher, and he stays home with the children. He is very depressed, and ends up drinking too much and taking to much of the medication the doctor has prescribed. One day while getting them in the car to go to his mom's house, something terrible happens. He forgets Niko, is not in his car seat but behind the car.

This was another amazing book by Kristin Harmel. It’s a dual timeline set in the time leading up to WWII and WWII itself in Paris and 2018 in Boston. It explores an intriguing theme of moral ambiguities. What if someone is doing what’s considered immoral but for a good cause? In this book, the main character, Collette’s family is descended from the legendary Robin Hood. They have succeeded in following Robin Hood’s mission from stealing from the rich to give to the poor. At the age of 10, Collette learns the family trade of being a jewel thief. It all seems to go well for her and her mother Annabel until a tragic event that shakes the family to the core during WWII. It was a mission to steal some jewelry back for their Jewish friends who were sent away to the death camp. But, it ends up going horribly wrong and has Collette losing her mother and 4 year old sister, Liliane in one instant. Flash forward to 2018 in Boston and at 89, Collette is still a successful jewel thief, still stealing from evil people with wealth, to benefit the disadvantaged or for a mission to fund a Holocaust education center in Boston. What she didn’t expect was one of the bracelets of the dear friends her family lost in the war on that tragic night to turn up again. The same one her sister had on her person all those years ago when she disappeared. This leads to the mystery of where it came from and the story flashes between two timelines to fill in the gaps of what happened all those years ago. Like many of her other books, this was a quick read. In fact, I finished it in a day. It’s a testament to her engaging characters and compelling storytelling that tugs at your heartstrings. I highly recommend this book.

Pam Jenoff books do not disappoint! Fiction based on History over two time periods (1950’s and 1933-1944). Two women’s lives intertwined as history unfolds. Three countries: London, England, Paris. France, and Germany. It starts with Louise who works in a thrift store. She finds a bracelet that reminds her of time in France. A mystery to solve is revealed.

THE FROZEN PEOPLE, author Elly Griffiths' latest book, has many of the same features as her previous books. She has a well drawn central character, great supporting characters, experts in a variety of subjects, and the wonderful English humor, countryside, and history. Her new book has now added time travel to the mix ... How much easier crime solving would be if the police could arrive in time to see the villain running from the body with a bloody knife in his hand? ( Why they couldn't arrive before the murder and stop it is a question for another time!) This book takes the investigators back to Victorian times. Why were they looking into such an old case? You'll have to read the book to find out ... Or, better yet, start reading her series featuring forensic pathologist Ruth Galloway!!

If you enjoyed Interview With a Vampire you will like Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil. This book is the epic story of three women bound by love and bloodlust. Sabine, Charlotte and Alice unwind their stories and connections to each other covering decades of years both together and apart. Love becomes their undoing. I enjoyed this book and recommend it as a must read.

For the July reading challenge and the Summer Reading program, I read the book, "Nine Perfect Strangers", finishing it on 7/28/25. This book was made into a TV mini-series. I watched the first season last year and it was very good. When the second season started and I saw the book would be perfect for the July challenge, I decided to read it. The book was definitely better than Season 2 of the show. Season 2 was very strange. So strange, in fact, that if there is a third season of Nine Perfect Strangers, I probably will not watch it.

This story is set in China during the 1800s. The fate of girls and women were tied to male society. During that time mothers bound their daughters feet. Generally, the feet of girls born in the country were not bound. This story is about two young girls: Little Flower and Lingjing. Little Flower’s mother bound her feet to give her a good chance of marriage. Lingjing’s father interceded in the binding of his daughter’s feet so she was released from the process. When Little Flower’s father dies, her mother needs to make a deal for her daughter’s future. The fate of both girls is sealed. The look at Chinese culture as well as twists and turns in the life of the two girls was fascinating. I could not put this book down. I was engaged in all the twists and turns in little Flowers’ life.