While this book didn't exactly surprise me, (if you are familiar with the Hunger Games Universe you suspected something of this sort happening to the characters) but the details that is shared and emotion is conveys is well worth the read. I loved Haymitch in the original books so getting to hear his story and background was really interesting to me (while also breaking my heart!). A must-read for Hunger Games fans

Wild Dark Shore is a climate fiction novel that intertwines the themes of climate change with personal and emotional journeys. It is a very “heavy” novel with both environmental issues, and emotional issues. Lots of triggers in this one. It is set on remote completely isolated frozen, Shearwater Island. The Island was set up, with labs and homes, (in addition to the lighthouse that serves as home to the Salt family) to save seeds so that in case of a catastrophe they can be planted to provide food to the world. The Island is being overtaken by the ocean, the facility is decaying and no longer viable. The scientists have all left. Only the Salt family, dad and three children remain on the Island to pack these seeds to relocate them. The story explores the dynamics of the family left on the Island and Rowan, a mysterious woman who washes up on the shores. The novel explores ethical actions in the face of climate change. It also explores themes of life, death, grief, love, suicide, sacrifice and mental illness. Wild Dark Shore examines the interconnectedness of life and death, hoping, I think, to encourage readers to consider the moral responsibilities humans have towards the environment and each other.

The descriptions are very vivid in this fast pace, murder mystery that involves the White House

The bodies of the Pine family, mother, father, sister and little brother are found dead in their vacation home. Two sons have survived one, a college student, who couldn’t attend the trip because he had classes, and one a prisoner for the murder of his girlfriend. What happened here, and why. An intriguing story. Very suspenseful.

Carl Hiaasen is on of my favorite writers. His books aquirky a

Trapped in a terrifying marriage with two young daughters, and a baby on the way, Ciara knows that she and her children are no longer safe in their home. Her husband is cruel, and although he has not become physical, he is emotionally torturing her. While she has been thinking about it for a while, she impetuously leaves when one evening taking the children. Things become impossible. From here on, the book describes her attempt to leave, navigating the impossible bureaucracy, the challenging housing market, being penniless, with children, being unable to work, and being tormented by her husband, as she tries to navigate the situation and keep her children safe, and regain control of their lives. Along the way she encounters the good, the bad and the ugly. Friendships blossom; professionals try to help. The mean stay mean. An emotional rollercoaster, an insider’s look into the difficulty of “leaving”. A good attempt at exposing of how difficult it can be for a woman, especially with children to leave a marriage. A look at the practical as well as the emotional.

Great book! Nora and her sister Libby go on a reconnect vacation to Sunshine, N Carolina. While there, Libby makes a list of everything they must accomplish before vacation is over. While there Nora meets Charlie, her nemesis from NYC. As they spend more time together, Nora and Charlie become the romantic couple that can never be together… or can they? I recommend this quick, fun read.

Sloan is a serial liar, mostly white lies, and she lies out of habit, mostly harmless on silly things, or to make herself look better, or be liked more. Sometimes her lies catch up with her and bring on serious consequences. One day her lies bring her into contact with an apparently lovely family. She eventually becomes their nanny. But, as it is lately with Nanny situations, all is not right with this family, or with any of the characters. The beginning was slow, almost too repetitive. Some of the situations were absurd, but ok, things happen in novels. A lot of this was outrageous, and the writing at times seems YA. At one point, I thought, how is this author going to write herself out of this quandary…. she did, and it made for an adequate, if improbable twist.

When I started this book, I thought it might become a DNF book for me, but I was wrong. As I continued to read, I really became invested in the characters. I ended up enjoying it very much and would highly recommend.

I enjoyed this book taking place in the south, nearing the end of the Civil War. A southern woman, her precocious niece, a freed slave who works for her and a wounded Union soldier leads to an intriguing story.