Emilia has an indomitable spirit. This is her story. It didn't keep me riveted but it was good enough.

Five high school friends make a forever pact to protect each other called the covenant. One night out in the woods a mysterious staircase appears and one friend walks up it never to be seen again. Years later, the friends are brought together to see another staircase in the woods and they all walk up it this time in hopes of finding their friend. What lies at the top of the staircase is a haunted house of sorts with a changing labyrinth of rooms and horrors and replays of their traumas that they must overcome to get out. Will they get out of this nightmare? Do they find their long gone friend? Read and find out.

This book drew me into two lives: an aspiring high school journalist and an elderly woman who rarely talked. It takes place in upstate New York with a cross country adventure as the years unfold. Adele sets out to complete a journalusm class assignment at the local Nursing home. She meets Grace, a reluctant to talk resident with no known past. As their visits continue Adele unlocks Grave’s story. It was difficult to put the book down. I wanted to know what happened next.

The book had an interesting storyline told from two peoples point of View. Part of the story takes place in 1953 and part of the story takes place during WWII. A woman in 1953 is working in a thrift shop in England when she comes across a necklace that she thinks she recognizes s from her time as a volunteer for The International Red Cross delivery care packages to POW camps. The second Point of view is from a Jewish woman who lives in Paris during WWII The story s eventually intertwines and there is a bit of a surprise ending. I liked the book and I recommend it

I really enjoyed the beginning of this biography, but it slowed significantly later on. Dani was raised in an orthodox Jewish family. As an adult, she takes a DNA test and discovers that her biological father was not Jewish. This completely alters her image of herself, and she proceeds to investigate how it is possible that her dad is not her biological father, and her parents, no longer alive, never told her. It turns out that she was conceived in the early time of artificial insemination, when little was known about it. She attempts to find family who can help her understand her history, and to find her biological father. Add a star or 2 if you or someone close to you has an unknown parent.

A short (277 pages) novel, but packed with emotion! The protagonist, Michael Woodbine is very relatable. When he was 7 years old, he nearly died from a fireworks accident. We meet him at age 19, starting college, where he meets his film professor, Robert Denning, who will influence Michael's life in a profound way. Deals with the themes of self-acceptance, love, and parenting. This story will stay with me for a long time.

This was a really interesting novel. I already know the story of Huck Finn, and I loved Big River, the musical that is based of it. I could not stop thinking about the musical while I enjoyed this story. It also reminded me of things I forgot when originally reading the Adventures of Huck Finn. I can see why it won the Pulitzer, and why I have been hearing about it becoming a film soon.

Cynthie Taylor and Jack Turner Jones are young actors who star in their first movie together and are tasked with pretending to be in a fake relationship for publicity purposes. The entire relationship implodes and both Cynthie and Jack vow never to speak again. Thirteen years later, the two more famous stars are offered to star in a remake of the original cult classic movie but with the stipulation of having another pretend relationship for publicity. The second time around with ground rules and more maturity, can Cynthie and Jack face the truth about each other? Read and find out. This was definitely a feel good read and I recommend it if you are looking for a little romance.

Sweet romance book. Nice characters. Highly recommend for a summer beach read.

I didn’t realize this was the horror genre, not my typical read. Thematically it addresses issues around families and secrets and betrayals, but on the surface, true to its plot, it is a horror story, and a pretty scary one. Eight-year-old Bella has a friend, but she lives inside the closet. She is not invisible but can take many shapes and forms. Bella names her “Other Mother”. She wants Bella to let her into her heart, but Bella continues to resist. “Other Mother” starts out as a good friend, and Bella has no other friends. As Bella’s mom and dad’s relationship seems to be crumbling, “Other Mother” seems to become more aggressive and stronger. What follows is this family’s journey to be free from “Other Mother”. I am not quite sure how it ended, and I have now read the ending three times. I am still thinking about it.