I agree that The Measure is a good buddy read book. I did enjoy it and I agree that you had to stop and think about it, and I did not fall in love with the characters. I am glad that I read it but not a book that I will reread. I actually borrowed it from the library and am glad about that because it is not a book that I would keep.
Loved hearing about your books. I did not have a 5 star in January, but one I really enjoyed was No One Leaves the Castle, which is a middle grade historical fantasy. Your description of Frances and the Monster sounds intriguing - I will go look for that one.
Frozen River was one of my December favorites-so interesting! My top book of January was As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow-it will very likely be one of my top 2024 books!
The Frozen River was one of my favorite reads of January as well. I raved about it on my January wrap up video! I heard about this book from Gloria Thompson as well.
I just finished The Frozen River and it was easily a 5 star for me as well. I listened to it on audio, and it was the best audio I have ever liistened to. I was invested in the characters right from the beginning, as you were. Very memorable.
I definitely felt the emotional side of the measure. I didn't get caught up in thoughts of what would I do and just felt for the characters. I loved it!
I just finished The Measure in January as well. I have observed that this book is a bit polarizing. Some folks love it and for some it's just meh. I loved it. I had no problem with the number of characters and was impressed with the way the author connected the very diverse characters into a cohesive story. Like you, I also could see the surprise coming. But, for me it didn't take away any of the enjoyment of the book. Since I am fairly anonymous here, I will tell you that I got so invested in the characters that I melted into a 3 paper towel ugly cry most of the last 20% of the book. But, to be honest the Budweiser Clydesdale and the Hallmark Card commercials on TV can reduce me to sobs. Frozen River is one I just can't wait to read and is on my library TBR. Thanks for the recs. Enjoy your channel.
Agree about the present day story line for Bluebird, completely superfluous. So glad you read it and enjoyed! It’s very inspired by Peaky Blinders per Genevieve Graham, which makes total sense.
The Frozen River was my first read this month and I absolutely loved it. Best read I've had in ages. The authors notes were very interesting too. I've ordered another book by Ariel Lawhon so looking forward to seeing what that's like.
I had 8 5-star reads in January, including an MLK, Jr. Non-fiction, The Measure, and Remarkably Bright Creatures. Stunning reads. They all deserved to be my favorite January read. But that honor went to Killing Me Softly by Julie Mulhern. It is an amateur detective series #17 of the Country Club murders. It was a superb story. I love the main family and decisions made in this book just stole my heart. The rest were from another amateur detective series which I love, but ranked below the stand-alone stories. I recommend all of these. The Measure. I became invested in these characters early on. I got teary-eyed a few times and figured I cry a river at the end. Surprisingly, the ending stories gave me peace. The ever-after was filled with hope. The Winter King: did you know that starvation is listed under trigger warnings? I have never missed a meal in my life and I LOVE food. This was the second book I read in the last 6 months that had characters who didn’t know where their next meal was coming from. My heart broke for these characters. But I’m glad I got through both of them. (The other book was Juniper Bean Resorts to Murder.) You have whetted my appetite for all the rest of the books you read. The two Pip Williams books you mentioned are really intriguing. Maybe there will be a third book to tie up more loose end? The Candid Life of Meena Dave sounds fabulous! Alas, the Frozen River story sounds compelling, but it does have a trigger that I cannot ignore. Thank you for such a complete review video. I always appreciate your reviews.❤
Frozen River has now been added to my TBR list. You changed my mind on Ghost. It was originally something I didn’t want to read and now I am more interested in it. Maybe it was the cover/name that turned me off I don’t know but every time I thought about reading it, it just turned me off. Bluebird sounds very interesting to me. I think my daughter would love to read the North King with me. (She is middle grade). Finally I am relieved to hear you didn’t love Fawkes. I felt guilty for my meh opinion of it.sorry for the windy comment
I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the Track series. I ran track as a kid so I can relate to that part, even if it's small. It's really more about these kids and how the team helps in their life. I loved that first one. I hope you enjoy Frozen River whenever you get to it. And bring on the windy comments! haha
Frozen River is going ti be next on my reads. I finished up The First Ladies and really enjoyed it! Going to do some research on it. I totally missed the Zoom on The Measure 🤦♀️. I did read it though. Other than Frozen River, I don't really have a list of books yet. Anoth I did pick up Three Golden Spoon and Three Unexpected Mrs Pollifac. My cover is totally different then yours, and pretty skinny, but it is a small print yikes, lol. Have a great weekend!
I also read the frozen river this month! It was great!! It’s totally gonna be a favorite of the year! The only thing I found annoying was her matchmaking cause it was so obvious. And I was smugly glad it didn’t pan out. I hate matchmakers.
I have only read When We Had Wings which was a compilation novel. That was also very good. I do have Codename Helene on my physical TBR, but haven’t gotten to it yet.
I'm glad to find someone who felt the same way I did about Fawkes. Liked the historical part, but could not find myself to care a lot about Thomas. Felt he was a bit whiny.
Two kindle books this month.......who are you?! I love it. My favorite book for January was Kinfolk by Sean Dietrich. Currently reading "The coworker" by Freida McFadden. Don't hate me.....but I DNF "the frozen river". Only because the first chapter didn't hook me. After seeing your review......I've decided to try again.
I’m adding The Frozen River to my TBR list. In January I read: Ghost Canoe; Kasher In the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy From Oakland Who…; Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing; Have I Told You Tis Already? Stories I Don’t Want to Forget to Remember; The Queer Bible; Welcome to St. Hell: My Trans Teen Misadventure: A graphic novel.
I missed the patreon discussion of The Measure. I get what you are saying about not being emotionally involved with the characters because there were so many. I’m desperately looking for my next read. Nothing is appealing! I’m reading a Linda Howard mystery. Meh.
The Frozen River was a 5 star read for me in January as well. It’s the first Ariel Lawhon book I’ve read and it won’t be the last. I also gave The Bluebird (and The Measure as well) 4 stars. I typically do not like dual timeline books because I’m never as invested in the current timeline. This one was tolerable for me because it was pretty non existent.
I think book 6 of Spy X Family is the first of "the end" for me. I don't know tht I enjoyed any others after that one but if so, it was only one. Frozen River sounds AMAZING. I might need that one. Okay, no "might" about it. I had high hopes for Wake Up Call but... sigh. Guess not. oh well.
Yikes. I just finished book 7 of Spy X Family and didn't really care for that one either. Now I'm wondering if I just DNF the series or finish it because they don't really take that long to read. UGh. Reader dilemma! haha Be aware that Frozen River does have talk about a rape in it. I can't remember if I mentioned that in this video.
I totally agree with your thoughts on The BookBinder, I actually DNF'D it, I just couldn't get into it. 60% in to listening to Frozen River, so far I am loving it as well!!! 📔😃
Frozen River without question was a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐book for me!
Yes! The Frozen River was so good. The relationship between her and her husband was so refreshing - sweet but very real!
Read the book A Century of War by F.William Engdahl.
I agree that The Measure is a good buddy read book. I did enjoy it and I agree that you had to stop and think about it, and I did not fall in love with the characters. I am glad that I read it but not a book that I will reread. I actually borrowed it from the library and am glad about that because it is not a book that I would keep.
I totally agree!
The cover for The Frozen River is beautiful!
I agree! Perfect wintery read.
Read the book 'A Century of War' by F.William Engdahl@@BooksAndJams
Finished reading The Maid by Nita Prose & The Return by Anita Frank. Enjoyed both books very much.
Loved hearing about your books. I did not have a 5 star in January, but one I really enjoyed was No One Leaves the Castle, which is a middle grade historical fantasy. Your description of Frances and the Monster sounds intriguing - I will go look for that one.
Ooo that MG book sounds good!
I Read and listened to Take My Hand 2x. I will definitely add that to my shelf.
Frozen River was one of my December favorites-so interesting! My top book of January was As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow-it will very likely be one of my top 2024 books!
I just finished reading Ghost with my kids. We all enjoyed it and are looking forward to reading the rest in the series.
those sound really good
YES I love the Ghost series, glad you enjoyed book 1!
Im adding
Frozen river/bluebird!
Hope you love them!
The Frozen River was one of my favorite reads of January as well. I raved about it on my January wrap up video! I heard about this book from Gloria Thompson as well.
Currently reading Frozen River. Agree with everything you said. Love a good character driven story that pulls you right in!
I just finished The Frozen River and it was easily a 5 star for me as well. I listened to it on audio, and it was the best audio I have ever liistened to. I was invested in the characters right from the beginning, as you were. Very memorable.
I definitely felt the emotional side of the measure. I didn't get caught up in thoughts of what would I do and just felt for the characters. I loved it!
Krista I received the books yesterday (02/9) once again thank you for the cute stickers. I get to put them on my new kindle I'm getting on Tuesday.
Love the sound of the winter king. My library hasn’t got it but hopefully I can find it on amazon 😊
Loved, loved The Frozen River
I too loved The Frozen River glad you gave it a five star.
Wow The Frozen River - a must read!
I’d like to read Frozen River and Ghost after your descriptions ❤
Oooo The winter king - adding to TBR!
I just finished The Measure in January as well. I have observed that this book is a bit polarizing. Some folks love it and for some it's just meh. I loved it. I had no problem with the number of characters and was impressed with the way the author connected the very diverse characters into a cohesive story. Like you, I also could see the surprise coming. But, for me it didn't take away any of the enjoyment of the book. Since I am fairly anonymous here, I will tell you that I got so invested in the characters that I melted into a 3 paper towel ugly cry most of the last 20% of the book. But, to be honest the Budweiser Clydesdale and the Hallmark Card commercials on TV can reduce me to sobs. Frozen River is one I just can't wait to read and is on my library TBR. Thanks for the recs. Enjoy your channel.
I'm so excited to read the Frozen River! Congrats on 10k!
Thanks! I hope you like Frozen River.
Agree about the present day story line for Bluebird, completely superfluous. So glad you read it and enjoyed! It’s very inspired by Peaky Blinders per Genevieve Graham, which makes total sense.
I read Ghost a couple years ago for MGM. Thinking I should read another from the series now. I need to get The Frozen River. I know I will love it!
The Frozen River was my first read this month and I absolutely loved it. Best read I've had in ages. The authors notes were very interesting too. I've ordered another book by Ariel Lawhon so looking forward to seeing what that's like.
Yeah, I have another book by her on my shelves and am so glad. I've read 2 others and really enjoyed both of those as well.
Lots of fun reading this month! I'm wondering if either of my boys would like The Winter King or Fawkes. Looking for MGM ideas!
I think they might. I would probably have enjoyed both as a teen reader.
I had 8 5-star reads in January, including an MLK, Jr. Non-fiction, The Measure, and Remarkably Bright Creatures. Stunning reads. They all deserved to be my favorite January read. But that honor went to Killing Me Softly by Julie Mulhern. It is an amateur detective series #17 of the Country Club murders. It was a superb story. I love the main family and decisions made in this book just stole my heart. The rest were from another amateur detective series which I love, but ranked below the stand-alone stories. I recommend all of these.
The Measure. I became invested in these characters early on. I got teary-eyed a few times and figured I cry a river at the end. Surprisingly, the ending stories gave me peace. The ever-after was filled with hope.
The Winter King: did you know that starvation is listed under trigger warnings? I have never missed a meal in my life and I LOVE food. This was the second book I read in the last 6 months that had characters who didn’t know where their next meal was coming from. My heart broke for these characters. But I’m glad I got through both of them. (The other book was Juniper Bean Resorts to Murder.)
You have whetted my appetite for all the rest of the books you read. The two Pip Williams books you mentioned are really intriguing. Maybe there will be a third book to tie up more loose end?
The Candid Life of Meena Dave sounds fabulous!
Alas, the Frozen River story sounds compelling, but it does have a trigger that I cannot ignore.
Thank you for such a complete review video. I always appreciate your reviews.❤
EIGHT five star reads?? That is incredible!! 🎉
Bluebird sounds good!
Frozen River has now been added to my TBR list. You changed my mind on Ghost. It was originally something I didn’t want to read and now I am more interested in it. Maybe it was the cover/name that turned me off I don’t know but every time I thought about reading it, it just turned me off. Bluebird sounds very interesting to me. I think my daughter would love to read the North King with me. (She is middle grade). Finally I am relieved to hear you didn’t love Fawkes. I felt guilty for my meh opinion of it.sorry for the windy comment
I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the Track series. I ran track as a kid so I can relate to that part, even if it's small. It's really more about these kids and how the team helps in their life. I loved that first one. I hope you enjoy Frozen River whenever you get to it. And bring on the windy comments! haha
Frozen River is going ti be next on my reads. I finished up The First Ladies and really enjoyed it! Going to do some research on it. I totally missed the Zoom on The Measure 🤦♀️. I did read it though. Other than Frozen River, I don't really have a list of books yet. Anoth I did pick up Three Golden Spoon and Three Unexpected Mrs Pollifac. My cover is totally different then yours, and pretty skinny, but it is a small print yikes, lol. Have a great weekend!
I also read the frozen river this month! It was great!! It’s totally gonna be a favorite of the year! The only thing I found annoying was her matchmaking cause it was so obvious. And I was smugly glad it didn’t pan out. I hate matchmakers.
Ooo I felt the opposite. It was very obvious but I was kind of sad that her son didn't find a love in the book. I was hopeful for him.
@@BooksAndJams I was sad for him but I also never root for matchmakers to win. The manipulation infuriates me. Nothing against her son.
I read The Frozen River a few weeks ago. It was a 5 star for me too. I just could not put it down.
Yea it was so good. Have you read others by her?
I have only read When We Had Wings which was a compilation novel. That was also very good. I do have Codename Helene on my physical TBR, but haven’t gotten to it yet.
Yeah Fawkes was a miss for me I gave it 3.5 I think last year - Wishtress is my fav by her so far!
Five of these books are on my want to read list but I haven't gotten to any so far.
It's the story of all of us readers. haha.
I'm glad to find someone who felt the same way I did about Fawkes. Liked the historical part, but could not find myself to care a lot about Thomas. Felt he was a bit whiny.
Two kindle books this month.......who are you?! I love it.
My favorite book for January was Kinfolk by Sean Dietrich. Currently reading "The coworker" by Freida McFadden. Don't hate me.....but I DNF "the frozen river". Only because the first chapter didn't hook me. After seeing your review......I've decided to try again.
I’m adding The Frozen River to my TBR list. In January I read: Ghost Canoe; Kasher In the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy From Oakland Who…; Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing; Have I Told You Tis Already? Stories I Don’t Want to Forget to Remember; The Queer Bible; Welcome to St. Hell: My Trans Teen Misadventure: A graphic novel.
I missed the patreon discussion of The Measure. I get what you are saying about not being emotionally involved with the characters because there were so many. I’m desperately looking for my next read. Nothing is appealing! I’m reading a Linda Howard mystery. Meh.
The Frozen River was a 5 star read for me in January as well. It’s the first Ariel Lawhon book I’ve read and it won’t be the last. I also gave The Bluebird (and The Measure as well) 4 stars. I typically do not like dual timeline books because I’m never as invested in the current timeline. This one was tolerable for me because it was pretty non existent.
I think book 6 of Spy X Family is the first of "the end" for me. I don't know tht I enjoyed any others after that one but if so, it was only one.
Frozen River sounds AMAZING. I might need that one. Okay, no "might" about it.
I had high hopes for Wake Up Call but... sigh. Guess not. oh well.
Yikes. I just finished book 7 of Spy X Family and didn't really care for that one either. Now I'm wondering if I just DNF the series or finish it because they don't really take that long to read. UGh. Reader dilemma! haha Be aware that Frozen River does have talk about a rape in it. I can't remember if I mentioned that in this video.
talk of or details of? And thanks for the warning!@@BooksAndJams
Frozen River sounds so intriguing. I like midwife stories. Do you know the title of the NF ?
I'm not sure. But I do think it has her name in the title - Martha Ballard.
Looking for read like the Hannibal Lector books. Any recommendations?
That's not really the kind of book that I ever read so I don't have any recs. Sorry.
@@BooksAndJams no worries. Thank you for answering. I appreciate it.
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
Haha. Yep. that's it!
I DNFed The Dictionary of Lost Words. I just couldn't get into it. Not my jam.
I totally agree with your thoughts on The BookBinder, I actually DNF'D it, I just couldn't get into it. 60% in to listening to Frozen River, so far I am loving it as well!!! 📔😃