Heartbreaking, heartwarming, funny, sad, charming, poignant—this book hits many emotions. Fredrik Backman knows people, and his characters are multi-dimensional, complex, and charming. The book is a story within a story, as the retelling of one remarkable summer for four teenage friends is shared during a train ride. Chance encounters, special connections, and the power of good friendship, especially during teenage years. Highly recommend.

It was a decent volume, and I really liked the cool negotiation type of meeting in the gokage summit, and it was really cool when the raikage broke the table and all the escorts just immediately jumped in front of their kage, weapons ready.

Jennifer Weiner's latest book that does not take place on the Outer Cape but in Philadelphia and New York in August of 2023. The main character of the book is Abby Stern who is a "larger" person that struggles with criticism from her Mother as well as society. Abby is also an avid biker who ends up leading a 14-day bike trip on the Empire State Trail from NYC to Niagra Falls. Among the fifteen riders on the trip is Sebastian whom Abby had a one-night-stand with two years earlier. The rest of the book centers around Abby, Sebastian, and Abby's current boyfriend, Mark. I enjoyed the book as well as the different stories of the characters on the bike trip.

Takes me into the land of Hilo with extreme details

Interesting multigenerational historical fiction inspired by a community of the formerly-enslaved, situated in the mountains of Western NC/SC. Nikki (a DC real estate agent) goes to visit her grandmother, Mother Rita, hoping to ease the estrangement between mother and daughter. But instead Rita tells her a story of the land—how her great-great-great grandmother Luella was the queen of a kingdom on the very land Rita is fighting to keep. Touching and interesting, it's a tale of perseverance and hope.

Already left a review for this week when I posted my previous time. I still feel the same about the book-good read but not one of my favorite books by this author.

Jeanne Birdsall is a very talented writer in my opinion I just can’t stop reading. She made this book so interesting I think everyone should read it girls boys and even grown ups and it is an absolute masterpiece of awesomeness

Highly imaginative romp through a multiverse that some characters seek to capitalize on financially, others militarily, and some for the restoration of magic eclipsed by technology. The story is told through various characters, riffing on different vernaculars in comic ways, including a surfeit of acronyms and inflated business speak, which deserve the comic treatment. The plot gets a bit long and byzantine, but the imagination propelling the story and the funny dialogue are charming. Terrific entertainment overall.

I thought that I would like this more than I did. I liked reading from the viewpoint of Lily more than Matthew. Although the plot of this story kind of reminded me of Crazy Rich Asians.

I loved this book. It was like a walk down memory lane as he describes the roles he did and his journey through Hollywood.