This is a parable about setting out on your journey in life to find your true meaning in the world (or fortune). Santiago leaves his life as a shepherd in Spain to travel to Egypt. He was told by an old gypsy that he will find his fortune under the pyramids. Along the way of his journey Santiago meets people who help him on his quest and people who hinder his journey but all the time he follows the omens to reach his true destiny. I enjoyed this book and definitely think it’s worth a read. Maybe we can all follow our omens and meet the alchemist who can teach us to go for it.

Martha Hall Kelly presents well integrated woven with some family memories into historical fiction. The mystery is set in current time when a young Californian woman travels to Martha’s Vineyard for an Art Class to begin her quest. During her visit, the art instructor shares the story of a local family set during WWII. I came to know the family well and wanted to know the fate of each person. A beautiful summer read. When finished check out Martha’s website. She shares some of the recipes dating back to the ‘40s.

This was a fascinating book. I know that it is hotly debated how much of this story was true and how much was sensationalized, but I still found it fascinating. I personally love the science of casinos, and this was a great insight into how these people dealt with it. I am no genius and only wish I had this ability. I really liked the way the author told this story when it was told to him. I also like how he got multiple perspectives. I have also seen the movie multiple times and liked it, but not as much as the book. It made me want to go back to Vegas.

Magda's best friend Sarah dies and Magda makes a bucket list road trip. She takes Sarah's ashes with her. There are a lot of flashbacks to past experiences and conversations, plus letters and cards that Sarah sent over the years.

I wanted to like this book. I actually got it at a previous library summer reading even as part of my parting gift. The premise was a little too into the fantasy camp for my taste. The novel is about a CSI photographer who can see ghosts, both in her family and of the victims she photographs. There is a lot of Native American lore, which is interesting, but unfortunately the reveals are anti climactic and do not live up the the "thrilling" part of being a thriller. More of a summer beach read.

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

In my opinion this was a mediocre book about a woman having a few bad days.

The Giver, is about a person who holds the memories of the true joys and pain of life in the world that is described as a futuristic one. And the twist is that he is the ONLY one who has this capacity to keep memories, and saves his world from the pain they might bring. The novel follows a 12-year-old boy named Jonas who experiences shocking truths, revelations, and hidden philosophies about the world around him as he has been SELECTED to be the next GIVER. The one who shall hold the memories for the entire world around him. Memories of joy, love, happiness, enjoyment, safety, danger, sorry, surprise, admiration, disgust or fear. The writing is so lucid that when you read about an emotion (Memory - in case of this book), you visualize all the small elements that go into making and feeling an emotion. The innocent and ingenuous way that the young protagonist tries to understand the new JOB profile he has been assigned is very thought provoking. A very GENIUS book!

I really enjoyed this fantasy, historical fiction/ thriller. It kept my interest, going to 3 different eras, 1600’s, 1940’s and 2019. I was drawn to read this book after reading the author ‘s 2nd book.

What fun I had reading Strange Planet by Nathan Pyle - A MUST READ - an intelligent comic relief - with a play on words that made me smile from beginning to end - that I constantly found myself giggling - I never imaged I would enjoy a Graphic novel and I certainly did! It wasn't a mystery and it wasn't a who-did it and I couldn't put it down