May: What I Read & Chicken 3 Ways

Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line by Elle Cosimano Reread a favourite. So, I don’t reread books. Life is too short and there are way too many good books out there to reread books that I’ve already read before. However, this is the latest book of my favourite series so I thought it fit better for me. The prologue had me laughing so hard because I could picture it so perfectly lol I knew I was in for another great book of chaos with Finlay Donovan, it also reminded me to book my annual Pap! Lol. I like how the first chapter gives you a refresher of all the craziness of the past five books, but in a quick and concise way, that doesn’t feel forced. This book felt different than the previous books in the series, less murder and more goose chasing. This was the first time I kind of got annoyed that Finlay and Vero keep secrets and don’t accept help. I liked that we got more background on Veronica than we have in past books, I didn’t realize she was so young lol. This book still had humor, misdirection, red herrings, and chaos, but this time in a college setting, which really did make the book feel like it was for a younger audience. There was more Javi than Nick and lots of Cam and Arnold, which is always a good thing lol. My favourite part was Vero’s Mom and Aunt taking over Mrs H’s snoop detective role. I did like the ending and the direction the next story is going.

Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor A book that features weather as a major element. I love the Wizard of Oz and this story drew me in right from Dorothy‘s little toy lion. I loved all the little WofO references. This book is broken up into 5 parts and tells the story of Emily Kelly, who becomes Emily Gale otherwise known as Aunty Em. It’s Chicago, 1932 and Emily’s sister and BIL have tragically passed away leaving her with their most precious treasure, their very imaginative 7 year old daughter, Dorothy. After taking legal guardianship of her niece, the story goes back a decade to 1922 and tells the story of Emily and her sister, Annie’s relationship before the sisters marry cousins, Emily moves to Kansas and Annie has Dorothy. Part 2 tells the story of what happens to the sisters the years after Dorothy is born and Emily moves to Kansas. The years leading up to the Dust Bowl. It was interesting to read about that time from a farmer’s pov, how machinery changed prairie farming and the consequences. I also liked how Emily reflects on the land and how they treat it, who was there before them and what can be learned from elders and indigenous peoples although this could have gone further in my opinion. Then the crash happens and we are back in 1932 and in part 3, Dorothy is taken to Kansas, her new home and Emily becomes Aunty Em. This part really showed the devastation of the dust bowl and the love people had for the land. Part four continues on in the black, gray and Sepia of the prairies in 1932 where a rainmaker plays at being a wizard. Part 5 is the conclusion of the story and 1932. Overall, I really liked this book. There aren’t a lot of books out there about the dust bowl and the tie to the Wizard of Oz brought a little whimsy to a devastating topic. I also really liked Emily‘s journey of acceptance.

Starside by Alex Aster A book from your favourite genre This is ANOTHER deadly trial book so I went in a bit skeptical. Aris is a mortal, the only survivor from her village of Silverside, who is obviously special since a godsword and a dragon end up claiming her. She has a vendetta against the god that killed her family and entered the Questral to get her revenge. Raker is the King’s favourite and has also joined. First they have to get through the culling and the journey. They have to make their way through Starside to reap the rewards. Nobody is safe in this book, nobody trusts each other, and nobody has knowledge or information. There are many magical enemies to get through in order to finish the Questral, and get a goblet of magic all in the 50 days before the gates close. There is a lot of positive affirmations and using manifestation and a positive mindset to get through hard things. I really liked that. I liked that Aris could save herself. Every time he left her, she thought she needed him but ended up proving to him and to herself that she could be her own hero. Ari’s and Raker’s relationship is interesting. They don’t really have one. There’s a lot of anger, hate, and violence between them, but there’s also a spark and loyalty and for two people that constantly spar, they sure do seem to save each other‘s lives an awful lot lol. I saw the twist coming, or at least most of it but I was fully satisfied when it was revealed. That ending is crazy, how long do we have to wait for the next one??

Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin 🇨🇦 Title Starts with “D”  & AAPI. Right off the bat the thjngs I liked were the Canadian setting, the Muslim aspect, and how all different minority groups that make up Toronto were represented, also how self aware this book is. I found myself chuckling at many parts and one liners, although I have to admit, the American spelling in such a Canadian book was jarring. Kauser is a recent widow who is very detail oriented and because she notices things, her friends think of her as a detective. When her daughter gets mixed up in a murder investigation, she is on the case. Kauser reminds me of Vera Wong books, she is clever, quiet, asks good questions, and notices things that others don’t. Another aspect of this book that I really liked was how these mature women came into their power. Through female friendships, relationships, and a honest look at their circumstances they took control of the situation. It was refreshing and bold. While this book is a murder mystery it also really describes the immigrant community in Toronto and the risk of gentrification, pricing out hardworking Canadian families and crime endangering family communities. I was almost satisfied with the ending but one loose end isn’t tied up and I hope it will be cleared up in the second book.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein Animal Narrator or Protagonist I am not a fan of books from the point of view of an animal. Or at least I thought I wasn’t. This book is told from Enzo’s perspective. Enzo is Denny’s dog and later they welcome Eve and then Zoe to their family. Denny is a race car driver and racing is talked about throughout the book. I don’t like race car driving but I found the race to life comparisons thoughtful and interesting. Seeing life through a dog’s eyes was also interesting and surprisingly emotional. This book made me cry multiple times. You would think that all the stuff that happens throughout Denny‘s life would be trivialized through a dog‘s perspective, but it’s completely opposite, Enzo sees things that people don’t. I love how Enzo learns how to think/be a human by watching TV during the day. His viewpoint through the lens of Law & Order was funny. It shocked and angered me to see how Denny was treated by his in-laws. My favourite part was when Enzo stole the papers from Denny. He was trying so hard to make him understand. This was a very good and easy read.

This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crumb Community Picks This book is told from the perspective of Benny and Joy, best friends and podcast cohosts. In part 1, Benny’s perspective is told from the present and Joy’s POV is through excerpts of the dual memoir they are writing together. In the first chapter Joy and her husband Xander go missing. As the unreliable narration continues, the past 13 years unravel with some expected and unexpected twists and turns. This is a mystery that keeps you guessing and learning new things about their lives on every page. The quiet abuse in this book is staggering. I could see friends who had been in abusive relationships before, in Joy. In part 2 it is still told by Joy and Benny, but both of them are narrating from present day. I liked the convoluted wrap up to the mystery and all the answers wrapped up conveniently. The thing is, I didn’t really enjoy the characters and the only person I liked was Luna and I don’t think she was treated very well. But on a whole, I was satisfied with the conclusion.

The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer Reading Inception By the end of chapter 1 I was totally hooked. What a cool concept for a book. I also love her name, Rainy is a book witch, able to jump into books when character’s stories need help staying on track. You are told a little bit about Rainey‘s history, the important people in her life, about her job/gift, and her mission right away and then it begins. Her mission is to jump into her favourite books series, and save her book crush, without getting involved with him, of course. This book is broken up into different parts dedicated to literary genres. It moves quickly, you can’t take it too seriously, and it it seriously funny. Rainy breaks the fourth wall as she narrates the story that we’re reading while she jumps into other stories. It’s refreshing to read a book about the love of books and characters, that is new. I love how this book describes the Oregon coast, Elizabeth Bennett, and how many amazing and important books are name dropped within this book. I have a small little lending library myself and Rainy’s sweet spell warmed my heart. This is a book for book lovers. When her grandfather goes missing as well as her heirloom from her mother, Rainy hires her fictional PI Duke. From romance the story hops in and out of classics while living a mystery. I love the breakdown from the author when they hit a dead end and the fantasy twist into the nonfiction world. I loved all the twists and turns in this book.

The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez Book Everyone Is Talking About As soon as he called the coffee shop to see if they used nuts, I was in. This is exactly how I want my Abby Jimenez, dual povs, likeable main characters, funny quips and a mention of the Toilet King! As someone who met her husband (also Chris) through his best friend 😜, I thought this book was super cute. This is the second book in the. Say You’ll Remember Me series. The thing I love the most about Abby Jimenez is that you can read them as a series or read as a stand alone. In this book there’s a group of guy friends, so I knew I was missing something lol but it doesn’t affect the story. In fact, I always say if you’re going to read one book from her, read Yours Truly, the second book in the Part of Your World series. The Canada geese conversation was hilarious and the snake 😂. To be honest, 100 pages in I didn’t know how this book could have 200 more pages. It’s so obvious who should be together. But, Mike is a good guy with a some problems. And the complexity of the situation makes all the different relationships, interesting and dynamic. This book talks about mental health a lot and in a very mature way, and between men which I think is so important. I thought this was a good and easy read. Not my favourite book from her but it was a non spicy, healthy romance that was a perfect pallet cleanser for some of the serious books I’ve been reading lately.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans A book with an unlikeable protagonist. What an interesting book. Sybil is a retired lawyer/law clerk living on her own in Annapolis, Maryland. Over the decade spanning 2012–2022, Sybil corresponds with family, friends, and colleagues. All of her correspondence makes up the pages of this book. It is made up of letters, notes and emails that tell you about Sybil’s past, present and her fears/hopes for the future. At first, I didn’t know what to think about Sybil. She’s an educated woman in her 70s that isn’t really that likable. She writes letters to businesses, newspapers, authors, and educators with complaints and arguments. However, most of the time she’s perfectly correct, but it’s the way she says, or in this case, writes it that irked me a little. However, then I started getting a chuckle out of her like I would one of my elderly clients who tell a story that maybe a little outdated but charming just the same. I guess I got to like her a little especially through her vulnerability, guilt and grief and her dating life cracked me up! It made me laugh and it definitely made me cry, this was a good read for sure.