td3's reviews
1157 reviews

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 
 
Anne Tyler’s newest release follows the life of Gail, the mother of the bride, over a three day weekend.  For Gail, the marriage comes at pivotal point in Gail’s life.  Facing the possibility of a new job, Gail puts that topic on the back burner in order to get through the weekend. 
 
Gail’s ex-husband shows up for the wedding and ends up having to stay at her home, forcing them into close proximity for three days.  This may of may not be a good thing, Gail is not quite sure. 
 
This is a character driven story and one that grew on me as I read.  Over the weekend many feelings are examined and considered and by the end of the story, I was completely satisfied. 
 
Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor/Knopf for allowing me to read an advance copy.  I am happy to recommend this to readers and give my honest review. 
The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict

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adventurous informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

 
What a fun premise!  Gather the best of the best mystery writers together to solve a true crime.  Each author uses their mystery writing skills to investigate an actual crime. They work together to solve it and catch the killer. 
 
Dorothy Sayre, Agatha Christie and a few others are in on the action.  The sense of place and time is very true to history.  What makes this story even more interesting is that it is inspired by a true story in Dorothy Sayre’s life.  
 
Enjoyable read, fun sleuthing and a great read all around.  Highly recommend! 
 
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy.  I am happy to give my honest review and recommend the book to other mystery lovers. 
From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley

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emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

Us Against You by Fredrik Backman

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Northeaster: A Story of Courage and Survival in the Blizzard of 1952 by Cathie Pelletier

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad tense medium-paced

4.0

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Isola by Allegra Goodman

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 
Isola is the first book in quite a while that kept me reading late into the night.  I absolutely loved this book! 
 
Marguerite is orphaned at a young age and her paternal Uncle Jean Francois becomes her guardian.  He is a complicated man who just happens to have close ties to the king, so it seems he has quite a bit of influence.  He also has a habit of using religion as a weapon that keeps Marguerite unsure of his true intentions. 
 
Unfortunately, Jean Francois has put Marguerite’s inheritance in jeopardy, so he cuts corners on her estate and moves her and her staff to less expensive living arrangements.  Isolated, with no one but her teacher and her nurse to talk to, Marguerite is at her Uncle’s mercy. 
 
When he decides she is to voyage with him to New France (Canada) Marguerite begins to develop a relationship with his secretary who has been close by for the last few years. 
 
When Jean Francois discovers their relationship, he makes a drastic decision that changes the course of Marguerite’s future.  It is during this time that her love and faith is tested and she learns how strong a woman she can become. 
 
I loved the story and highly recommend this to readers who love a historical fiction romance. 
  
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Random House/ Dial Press for allowing me to read an advance copy.  I am happy to offer my honest review and recommend to other readers. 
Epitaph: A Novel of the O.K. Corral by Mary Doria Russell

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I read Doc years ago and this book was every bit as good!
This is Happiness by Niall Williams

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emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25