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(amazon // bookshop // better world books)
First line: “People wishing to time travel go to Houston Intercontinental Airport.”
This novel has a lot of interesting things going for it: there’s a flu pandemic, time travel and a love story. I found it to be beautifully written, but the story itself is a little confusing and I got lost in the weeds a bit with the post-pandemic world. The ending was also heartbreaking and sad. (I also read this for my Reading the Alphabet Challenge.)
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)
First line: “Jane woke up and whispered, ‘Julie?'”
I’ve had this one on my Goodreads TBR list since 2016, so was happy to finally check it off the list. The story is about a 13-year-old girl who is abducted from her home in the middle of the night. Years later, a young woman appears at the door and claims that she is the lost daughter, finally home safe. But is she? I blew through this book in 24 hours but the ending left me unsatisfied.
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)
First line: “This journey took place in a part of Canada which lies in the northwestern part of the great sprawling province of Ontario.”
This was a read aloud for school and such a beautiful book. And the ending was so beautiful too – trying to read aloud while getting all choked up is terribly difficult, ha!
(amazon // better world books)
First line: “She was big.”
While this one is a memoir and the author’s story, I felt like it was written in two parts. I absolutely LOVED and was completely engrossed by the parts about butchery, but I could have totally done without the parts about her love life. (I also read this for my Reading the Alphabet Challenge.)
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)
First line: “Darkness.”
Over 250 pages, but the issue could be summarized in one line: our electrical grid is increasingly at risk and our nation as a whole is not prepared. Scary. (I also read this for my Reading the Alphabet Challenge.)
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)
First line: “Later, when memory was all she had to sustain her, she would come to cherish it: Old Honolulu as it was then, as it would never be again.”
Moloka’i is the story of a girl and her experience living in a leprosy colony throughout her lifetime. I was completely invested in the beginning and end, but felt it lagged a little somewhere in the middle. Even so, I read one review that said that the biggest message in this book is: life isn’t over until it’s over. I like that. 3.5 stars.
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)
First line: “Had CC de Poitiers known she was going to be murdered she might have bought her husband, Richard, a Christmas gift.”
Isn’t that such a great first line? This was the second book in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series. I hear such high praise for these books and and while I’m not quite a believer yet, I do want to keep reading. 3.5 stars.
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)
First line: “Doug and I grin at each other in surprise and delight.”
I’ve had this one on my Kindle since 2018…I think it may have been a free book for Prime members way back when? I was enjoying it until the halfway point where it took a really weird turn. Meh. (I also read this for my Reading the Alphabet Challenge.)
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)
First line: “Mrs. Arundell died on May 1st.”
It’s been awhile since I’ve read a Hercule Poirot mystery! Not my favorite, but enjoyable.
MY UNREAD SHELF PROJECT
Unread Books as of January 1, 2023: 207
Books Finished in March: 9
Finished Books Donated/Sold in March: 3
Books Added: 0
Unread Books Remaining: 201