Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

There are a handful or so of authors that I keep an eye on for their next books – Liane Moriarty is one of these authors.

~Sheila

The Delaney’s are that family. Everyone in their community knows them from their long running Tennis Academy. Both Joy and Stan are avid players, and their 4 children, Amy, Troy, Logan and Brooke grew up playing as well, common fixtures on the court.

But when the children grow up and no one wants to take over the Academy, the Delaney’s have no choice but to sell. And when a scared young girl shows up on their doorstep one night, old hidden hurts take spotlight, and fingers are pointed.

As the family seems to spiral beyond repair, Joy disappears without a trace. Local Authorities suspect foul play and as the siblings try to connect to get to the bottom of where their mother has gone, pieces of a long buried puzzle start to come together, bringing forth a secret that had long ago been buried.

Here we go. Strap in.

I am a firm believer in reading the book first. When I noticed this book was being made into a mini series on Peacock, I was thrilled to see what the movie version of this would look like. I was not disappointed.

Having read the book first (yeah baby!) I jumped right into the into the mini series. I enjoyed the book very much – loving Moriarty’s subtle way of leading us in never knowing which direction the twist will come from.

Stan (Sam Neill) and Joy (Annette Bening) rule their roles. I binged this baby as fast as I could. It was well put together and highly recommended.

The Covenant Of Water by Abraham Verghese

Set throughout most of the first century of the 1900’s, The Covenant Of Water follows 3 India generations of a family that at least one person dies from drowning each generation.

As we follow these families, alongside them we share their joys and their sorrows, their dreams and their fears.

The Covenant of Water is beautifully written and filled with great topics for discussion with a group. This is one of those books that will only give you more by talking about it with others who have read it.

As a book club read it a bit big for me to finish around my work schedule and other commitments and admittedly I was not finished with it by the time we discussed it. I did go on to finish it in the days to follow.

While enjoyable, it was heavy… a lot of things to keep track of/ character heavy and some words (while beautiful) were unknown to me and pulled a bit from the experience. Overall, I feel it could have been about 200 pages shorter and not take anything away from the story or feeling you get when you read a Verghese book. I did enjoy Cutting For Stone much more than this one.

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

A sweet read about love, loss and courage
~Sheila

Patrick and Sara met in College and became close friends, almost inseparable. Sara was the first person to tell Patrick her would be famous some day…. She called Patrick out and while his attraction to her was in a sisterly way… he loved her all the same.

As years went on and Patrick did indeed become famous, and Sara fell in love and married Patrick’s brother, the two friends while still close… drifted with Patrick’s crazy schedule and Sara raising her two children. When Sara became sick, Patrick felt he had time to go and see her and vowed to do so….
and then it was too late.

When Patrick goes to the funeral he is asked a big favor from his brother, to watch his niece Maisie (9), and his nephew Grant (6) for a while as things are sorted out.

Thus begins an interesting summer, Patrick know to the kids as Guncle (Gay Uncle) has no idea how to entertain two children, especially two children that has just lost their mother – and his lifestyle is not exactly set up for young houseguests….

But a summer of togetherness may be just what is needed on both sides as the three go through changes, heartbreak, and rebuilding together.



I first heard about The Guncle on line when social media scrolling (don’t pretend you don’t do that…. ;P)
After coming off two heavy reads I was looking for something fun and lite and immediately secured myself a copy of The Guncle.
It checked the boxed I needed checked.
Lite, funny and heartwarming is the best way I can describe this book. You can see the relationship that Patrick and Sara had built the foundation of all those years ago come forth in what could be a very true situation.
Author, Steven Rowley does a wonderful job of capturing the essence of the children’s resilience and questions during a hard time. Don’t over think it, if you are looking for a sweet read – pick up The Guncle.

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

Picoult never ceases to amaze, Wish You Were Here caught my totally by surprise in all the right ways. ~Sheila

Diana and Finn are moving forward in their relationship and their careers. Diana works in the auctioning of art, and Finn is a Surgical resident. As the couple prepare for a wonderful vacation in the Galápagos, Diana knows Finn is about to pop the question and can think of no better setting.

The days before they are planned to leave, a virus breaks out that brings the world to its knees. Finn finds out it is all hands on deck at the hospital and no one is approved to leave. He encourages Diana to use her ticket and at least get a chance to get away from whatever is going on. Hesitantly, Diana agrees.

The vacation of course is no where near as planned. Between harsh remarks and looks from the locals towards Diana for coming from an area that the virus is heavy so she can be “on vacation”, poor to no cell service, and the surprise that stores and restaurants are closed. As the island goes on lockdown, Diana finds that she can not get back to Finn even when her vacation is over.

As she makes a few friends, and learns the way of a slower paced life, Diana finds she has time to think more of the life she was creating, her relationship with her mother who is in memory care – and wondering if when she returns to Finn, will she be the same person that he knew.

This was my first fictional read centered around the COVID/a virus outbreak. Well, unless you count Year One by Nora Roberts which is just freaky as her book was written before we even knew what COVID was.

The book started out a little paced, the beginning feeling a bit slow for me, and basically about a woman questioning her decision to get on that plane in the first place. It’s definitely different than anything I read by Picoult before and I found myself not really getting the point of this being book worthy.

It’s not the first time I made a decision on a book too soon….

Let me say this. Hold on to your brain cells because Picoult is once again going to blow you away with a remarkable twist that as it was revealed I really found myself saying….. Whoaaa….No…. way.

Worth the read? You bet. I’m sure there are thousands of fictional reads out there about the pandemic (either the one we lived through, or a made up one). The way this book handles a couple of BIG topics and shows a side of the pandemic that I never considered in nothing less than brilliant.

Do yourself a favor and pick this book up today or enjoy it on audio.

The Inmate by Freida McFadden

McFadden has a way with creating a twist time and again that you think you know what’s going to happen…. but you really have no idea. ~Sheila

Brooke Sullivan is still wondering if taking the job as Nurse Practitioner at the Men’s Maximum Security Prison was the right decision. Sure, it was going to pay the bills, and it is going to help to build a better life for herself and her 10 year old son….
But old memories resurface when she runs into an old friend from school. Not only do they share a past, but they also share the night that Brooke was almost killed by her boyfriend, who just so happens to be in the very prison that Brooke is now working.

Yes… I have been on a McFadden kick. This is the 3rd one this month and this one, only because I realized I had already downloaded it and you know… why not? This one may be my least favorite of the three. Brooke’s decision to work where the man who attempted to kill her as well as be in situations where they are in a room together doesn’t fit for me. Too many things we have to suspend disbelief
1) This Maximum Security Prison did not do a back ground check on Brooke’s past? Wouldn’t knowing an inmate personally and in this way be a deal breaker?
2) Brooke’s consistent naivety in trusting and making poor decisions
3) Shane was put in prison when Brooke could not even identify him – she claims several times she never saw her attacker

Throughout this whole book I felt that the author was being too predictable…. I was sure I had the answer and was just waiting to hear how it would all come together… and then…

I was McFaddened.
The way this book came together was a WHOA….. wait… WHAT???? The ending was actually pretty crazy and I had no idea.
While an impressive ending, even right up to the end Brooke was making crazy half assumptions and I just… could not.

I will most likely read this author again. At Book Club last night several of the girls had read others by her and we overall found her books to be engaging, entertaining, and average reads.

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

Occasionally one can forget how amazing an author is until they dive into another of their books… Picoult once again takes me into a world that I swear I come out better on the other side of the pages. ~Sheila

Olivia McAfee is a strong woman. When the man she loved turned out to have a side that endangered not only herself, but her son Asher as well, she leaves. When her father passed away, she makes the move back to New Hampshire and takes over his Beekeeping Business. And when Asher is accused of killing his high school girlfriend, she stands by her son… even when unwanted doubts creep in….

You never know how strong you are… until being strong is your only choice. ~Bob Marley

I went into this read only knowing that it is getting rave reviews, and something something about bee keeping… which fun fact… I know a little about from a friend who has a Bee Business and an adventure I took with her in the fall of 2014….

Of course, if you read this book… you know it is about WAY MORE than bees and honey… but honestly, the parallels of the bee keeping story line that is woven within the pages is brilliant… I learned more about bees – and more about people.

Mad Honey may very well be the best book I have read so far this year. Jodi Picoult, along with co-author Jennifer Finney Boylan, created an incredible read that gave me so much more than I thought it would. The book reminded me how much I enjoy Jodi Picoult’s ability to bring hard topics to life and give you a well-rounded perspective of all sides. This partnership with Boylan, I am certain only enhanced the story.

For me, definitely a book I did not want to put down, I felt as though I was waiting right along with the rest of those within the pages to hear the outcome, myself wavering on what I believed happened…. hoping for the best – fearing the worst… and even when you think you know… Do you really?

Highly recommended… as mentioned – Picoult is known for taking on tough topics (Nineteen Minutes) – sadly looking at my review that I wrote in 2008 does not do that book justice and may be due for a re-read.
Give Mad Honey a chance and be sure to let me know if you do and what you thought!
Full on 5 star from me… for so many reasons.

~Sheila

The Co Worker by Frieda McFadden

Enjoyably twisted…. just the way I like them. ~Sheila

Dawn Schiff is high level functioning autistic (IMO). She does her job well. She is beyond punctual. She has a love of turtles. She notices things others wish she wouldn’t. She struggles with friendships of any kind.

When the day comes that Dawn does not arrive at work with no phone call stating she is ill… co worker Natalie Farrell is quick to notice and find it odd. As clues begin to fall into place – a startling realization does as well… Dawn has met with foul play – and there are more than a few clues that point right at Natalie and its up to Natalie to clear her name – if she can.

This is my second book I have read by McFadden. Honestly, I read it right after my first book by her (The Teacher) which I read for book club and wanted a more well rounded idea of who McFadden is as an author, rather than basing my opinion on one book.

I believe, while the writing style is similar and I get a real sense of her style of twists and turns, I like this one a bit more than the previous one. Perhaps the subject matter was a little more user-friendly… and of course, my personal opinion. The Co-Worker was a good read with plenty of happenings and twists to keep me guessing until the end. Definitely a lighter mystery, it never felt dark or made me think too hard or struggle to keep track of the main characters.

Enjoyable? yes
Size? About perfect – on audio I like a good 7 to 11-hour commitment unless I know I am in for a real treat and then I am happy to go longer. Book size – standard.

Recommended? McFadden feels like an author everyone should give a try. I have seen a lot of positive thoughts on her books from fellow readers.

The Teacher by Freida MCFADDEN

Addie is returning to high school with the weight of the world on her shoulders. Last year, she was part of a student/teacher scandal that resulted in the teacher losing his job. Addie swears she did nothing wrong, however teenagers can be fickle and her once friends now eye her suspiciously and other than making trouble for her, have nothing to do with her.

Eve and Nate are both teachers at this high school. She is a math teacher and he works with poetry. Both have her Addie in their classes – Eve suspiciously keeps an eye on this troubled girl knowing she was the cause of her fellow teacher losing his job, Nate on the other hand, finds Addie to be full of compassion and hurt – all things that make for a good writer.

But can Addie be trusted? What really happened? And if happened once… couldn’t it happen again?

This was my first McFadden book. I was excited to read this as I have seen excellent reviews on this author through trusted fellow reviewers and friends. When our book club nominated this for our April read I was excited to put my vote on this choice.

After reading a series of heavier books, this came as a welcomed easier read. I listened to this on audio and enjoyed the narration by Leslie Howard and Danny Montooth, they flowed well with the story line, so well, that when they switch you do not event notice as it is all part of the story.

I enjoyed the book – although if you read it, you might find that a strange choice of words – but you know what I mean. I did feel that there was a point that was leading to a big plot discovery that I felt this was all going to be a ploy by the author to get us to think one way and shock us with another. Admittedly, I was a little disappointed when instead, it was not a ploy and felt a little like the easy route.

Final over all thoughts – the book did not disappoint. There are twists and turns that keep you turning the page because no matter how you feel about this book, you do want to know how it all comes together…. and that my friends does give me the “WHOA…” I was looking for.

Overall rating by me… a solid 3 (average). I will read her again as I am now curious as what else she brings to the table. There are some elements I plan to bring to the Book Club discussion and food. ;P

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

If you think word of mouth doesn’t work – think again. The rave reviews everywhere I looked caused me to pick up this book and give it a try. I am so glad I did. What an adventure! ~Sheila

Martha Ballard is a midwife and a healer. One day in Maine, Martha is requested to come and examine a body of a man found frozen in the river. Martha knows this man well as he had been documented in her well kept daily journal as a suspect in a rape. But it is 1789, and Martha’s documentation needs a lot more to make this accusation ring true.

As fingers are pointed and stories told of what not only happened to cause the body to be found in the river, but details of incidents in the days prior to the death that can bring a number of things to light.
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The heart of this story really falls into Martha’s incredibly detailed documentation of her whereabouts and visitors – it is a rare for a women of this day and age to read or write and Martha has the ability to do both.

The book was just as engaging as others in my circles were saying it was. As the details come to light I found myself reaching for this one every chance I had to inch my way towards the truth – and when it does come out, its so worth the wait.

The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway

When in Key West, you should not miss out on this historical tour and learning more about one of the great authors of our time. ~Sheila

Santiago was a fisherman. Old and without any luxuries of the world, he lived in the same clothes day in and out, the same raggedy blanket that covered him each night, and with the ease of someone who wants nothing from the world.
For a while, a boy had fished with him, but after a long stretch of time… more than 80 days of not catching one fish, the boys parents removed the boy from Santiago and put him on another boat that was successful catching fish.

Santiago decides he needs to go our further and deeper than he has been and sets up for a journey alone although the boy offers to go with him. With his eyes and heart set on catching a big fish, Santiago finds he is in for the journey of a life time.

When in Key West, you would be remiss to not take the time to tour the Hemingway Home and Museum. Did you know Hemingway had over 70 cats? Did you know that many of the Hemingway Cats and their descendants still live there? I was going to count the cats… I gave up within 10 minutes. Indoors and outdoors, on his bed, in the book store on a shelf, in a planter sleeping in the sun, on the roof, everywhere outside. It was actually pretty cool – with places for them to sleep and a large feeding area.

The house itself was fascinating, going through his writing space, seeing many pictures or him with actors and learning more about him then I ever knew.

In confession, I have never read a Hemingway book until now. Before leaving I went to the onsite bookstore and chose The Old Man and The Sea. I read this one afternoon in Fort Myers Florida. It is not a large book, easy to read in one or two sittings… but it is a powerful one. I knew the tale before I read the book, however reading it brought it all together for me, and experiencing this was an adventure of my own.
Hemingway won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954 and died on July 2nd, 1961.

Through the years I have tried to put on my radar to read the big names of literature. Hemingway is one I can now cross off that list.