The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells by Andrew Sean Greer

This is the story of a woman who has undergone terrible tragedy.  She just lost her brother - her twin and then, to add insult to injury, her husband leaves her.    To deal with the tumult in her life, she decides to undergo electroshock therapy.   During the treatments, Greta somehow slips to alternative lives taking place in 1918 and 1941, as well as her own time, 1985.

In each life she finds all the people and places she loves.  Sometimes they are altered and Greta imagines perfected somehow.   What if you had a chance to glimpse your alternate lives, if such a thing were real?  What if you could hold on to the ones you loved just a little longer?

This book is sweet and very quick and yet, it really makes you question and have real, philosophical thoughts.  There were so many quotes in the this book that just really challenged me.  I'm going to share a few here:

THERE ALMOST HAS to be a heaven. If other worlds surround us, just a lightning bolt away, then what would stop us from slipping there? If love has left us, well, then there is a world where it has not. If death has come, then there is a world where it has been kept at bay. Surely it exists, the place where all the wrongs are righted, and so why had I not found that place?

“Who are we when we’re not ourselves?”


This is a powerful little book that gives you lots to think about.  It's magical.  5 out of 5 stars.

Defy by Sara B. Larson

 This is the story of Alexa and her brother Mical.  They watch as their parents are murdered before their eyes by the invading Blevon army led by a black sorcerer.  In order to hide her identity and avoid the Breeding house, Alexa poses as a boy and joins the army.  Years later, she becomes the head of Crown Prince Damian's personal guard.

Things are not as they seem in this book.   Those that we think of as enemies are not necessarily so.  It's a book about friendship and being who you are.  Most of all, it's a quick enjoyable read.


 This is a wonderful fantasy YA novel with a very creative plot line.   I give this one 4 out of 5 stars.

After You by Jojo Moyes

    I waited too long to read Me Before You ( the prequel to this book), so, when this book came out I purchased it right away.  I'm so glad I did!  

I loved all the characters in Me Before You but my favorites, of course, were Will and Lou.   I wanted Lou's story to go on, and it has in such a brilliant way!  Twists and turns in fate that I never saw coming challenge Lou in new ways.    This book is about holding on to what is important while, at the same time, letting go of the past to find the future.  As usual with Jojo Moyes, it is beautifully written with a rich cast of characters all fully developed.  There are new characters to love and dislike, old characters make a visit ( Patrick)  and old friends are all there waiting.

I never thought that I could love this book as much as Me Before You but I did.  If I could give them both 10 out of 5 stars, I would.   If, heaven forbid, you haven't read Me Before You,  DO IT NOW!   Then, when you finish, give yourself a few days and continue on with this lovely book.   This was  brilliant birthday present!

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

  I have wanted to read this forever and having been putting it off for nearly as long because I knew it would be exactly what it is.... a fabulous book that made me cry.  A LOT.

It's a philosophy book hidden inside the wonderful story of a dog, Enzo, and his family.   His human, Danny, is a race car driver that is sort of down on his luck, he never seems to find the right brakes... and then he meets Eve and they have a beautiful daughter together.  It sounds like everything comes up roses, right?   Not exactly.

This book is about life and learning to deal with everything that it throws at you - the metaphorical title - you learn how to race in the rain.  I loved this book but it was extremely difficult for me to read.  You see, I've done the Cancer dance now and I really don't ever want to do it again.  My beloved Grandmother had the same type of cancer that one of the characters in the book gets.  The chapter with Enzo guarding this person through the night - it just KILLED me.

I also couldn't understand why Enzo thought humans were so wonderful, why he thought that dogs envolved into humans.   As for me, I think it's the other way around and maybe, if I'm lucky enough and work hard enough,  I'll come back as a dog in my next life.   This is a wonderful book, but have your tissues handy because you will need them   I was balling before the first chapter even finished.

5 out of 5 stars.

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

   This one has been waiting on my TBR pile for some time - it happens when your pile is well over 1000 books.   I came across it while I was browsing what was available on Kindle Unlimited and it, happily, moved to the top of my pile.

I have been a fan of books set in Scotland since I first fell in love with Jamie Frazer.  If you are a fan of Outlander, ( and who isn't?) , you know what I am talking about.   I also enjoy the occassional historical fiction.  This one is about a little known, but accuraate, period of time - a Jacobite uprising in 1708 - long before the Battle of Culloden.

I enjoyed this book thoroughly as it moved back and forward through time.  I found both the setting and characters to be delightful.  I gave it 5 out of 5 stars just for the pure joy of it.

The Testing by Joelle Carbonneau

 This is a classic dystopian novel - something has happened to the Earth, in this case a devastating war resulting in contaimination and ruin.   The government that has risen from the ash, isn't being completely honest with it's people.

Cia is from Five Lakes colony.   All her life she has wanted to be chosen for the testing - and become a student at the Universtiy.  Only a very select few are chosen to do so.   Cia's father shares his recurring nightmares with his daughter and warns her to trust no one.  Nothing is as it seems.

During the testing, Cia and her friends are tested intellectually and morally.   There are tests within tests.   A little slow in the middle but worth continuing.  I will most likely finish the series.  I gave this one 3/ 5  stars.

The Lost Prince ( Iron Fey #5) by Julie Kagawa

   It pains me to do this.  It really does.  I am a HUGE fan of the Iron Fey series books 1-4.   I loved the fresh take on the Fey courts and the incorporation of the Iron Fey.  I thought that the characters in the books - all of them - but particularly Ash, Meaghan and Puck - were very memorable.  They felt like friends.  

When I saw this title, I was really excited to return to that world, but sadly, this is not that.   Yes, you do return to the NeverNever.  You do see favorite characters again but this time, they are the supporting cast for a new crew - Meaghan's half brother Ethan, his annoying, ripped straight from Lost Girl  love interest Kenzie and Todd - the half fey who needs Ethan's help.

I couldn't wrap my head around Ethan.  I understand that he hates the Fey because of bad things that happen to him, but, he's a tool.   I understand the tough guy with a heart of gold  persona, but Ethan just didn't do it for me.  Because I couldn't relate to Ethan - OR Kenzie - who I just found annoying - the whole story fell flat for me.   So disappointed.  Stick with books 1-4, they are AWESOME - and then, let it go......