The Big White Farmhouse

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#68. PATTERN OF WOUNDS by J. Mark Bertrand
★★★★☆
The “Series September” Readathon was held this month and even though I don’t read a lot of series, I still wanted to participate!  I decided to start with this police procedural, which is the second book in the Roland March Mystery series.  (I read the first book back in June.)  Gritty and dark for sure, but without all of the swearing and gratuitous descriptions of violence and sex.  I’ll definitely be picking up book #3 soon.

#69. SAINT MONICA: MODEL OF CHRISTIAN MOTHERS by F.A. Forbes
★★★☆☆

“So it is, my child,” said the old woman.  “It is those who are strong and true in the little things of life who are strong and true in the great trials.” (p.5)

A little book about a mother’s great love for her son.  I need to add Saint Augustine’s Confessions to my TBR list now!

#70. CONFESSIONS ON THE 7:45 by Lisa Unger
★★☆☆☆
Meh.  I heard about this thriller from someone on Youtube and it was described as a story about two women who, stuck on a train together, strike up a conversation and each divulge a secret.  Sounded intriguing!  Other than that description, I went into it completely blind and did not realize that infidelity was such a huge part of the story line.  (I’m sure I’ve mentioned before that infidelity, especially one where the reader is pushed to feel sympathetic toward such behavior, is one of my literary pet peeves.)  The level of “man hate” was over the top as well.  The whole story just felt crass and icky and I was happy to be done.

#71. DAYS ON THE ROAD: CROSSING THE PLAINS IN 1865, THE DIARY OF SARAH RAYMOND HERNDON
★★★☆☆

If I was gifted with a talent, with which I could give pleasure to people, I would certainly do so whenever opportunity was afforded.  I would be glad to promote the happiness, and dispel as much sorrow as possible, in this sorrowful world. (p.42)

This was a diary written by a 24-year-old woman as she journeyed to Montana via wagon train.  There were lots of little details from her everyday life, but I still wanted more!  Hard to rate someone’s personal diary in that way, though.  Solid three stars.  (This was also my 1902 pick for the 20th Century in Books Challenge.)

#72. WATCH HER FALL by Erin Kelly
★★☆☆☆
The beginning of this mystery/thriller hooked me as we dove into the cut-throat world of professional ballet.  The costumes, rehearsals, the complicated relationships between dancers and coaches…all so good!  Unfortunately, the storyline deviated significantly from the ballet world and into something completely different.  I found much of it implausible and far-fetched and struggled to stay invested in the story.  Just an okay read for me.  (Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!)

#73. IN THE COMPANY OF CHEERFUL LADIES by Alexander McCall Smith
★★★☆☆
Another book for the Series September readathon!  This is the sixth book in the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, so it fit the prompt “Read a book in a series that is longer than 5 books.”  I sure do love that Mma Ramotswe.  Some of the tongue-in-cheek references to her being a “traditionally built woman” cracked me up in this one.  Solid three stars.

#74. THE GLOVEMAKER by Ann Weisgarber
★★☆☆☆
This book was really slow going, which is not necessarily a bad thing if I cared about the characters.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t just connect with the concept of hiding polygamists and the extensive lies it required. On a positive note, Weisgarber’s descriptions of the cold, snowy weather were great.  And fun fact: this won the WILLA Literary Award for Historical Fiction in 2020.

#75. IRON LAKE by William Kent Krueger
★★★☆☆
One more book for Series September!  I really enjoyed Krueger’s book, Ordinary Grace, so I was excited to dive into his Cork O’Connor mystery series.  Unfortunately, infidelity was a big part of this storyline (you know how I feel about that…) but man, the writing was so, so good.  The ending was great too!  I ultimately settled on three stars for this one and I’m curious to see what I think about book #2.

#76. THE GIFT OF FEAR: SURVIVAL SIGNALS THAT PROTECT US FROM VIOLENCE by Gavin de Becker
★★★★☆
This book was fascinating and an important one for people who tend to second guess their instincts.  Becker details a handful of violent crimes and ultimately argues that crimes don’t just happen out of nowhere.  There are always signs and predictions, most of which we intuitively recognize.  I found it to be an empowering read and challenged me to let go of unnecessary anxiety/fear and instead listen to my gut.  Very thought-provoking.

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