Loving to Read the Story: 2025

1. The Little Liar by Mitch Albom (audiobook)

Completed: January 19, 2025

Rating: 10/10

Review:

2. This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

Completed: February 7, 2025

Rating: 7.5/10

Review: In 1932, Odie and his brother are orphans that have been sent to live at the Lincoln Indian Training School, a residential school, even though they are not of First Nations descent. Odie hates it there and he frequently is at the receiving end of the superintendent's wrath. For silly "crimes" and rebellion he is often locked in a shed where his only friend is the rat sharing the space. When something tragic happens when Odie is trying to escape punishment yet again, he and his brother Albert, along with Odie's best friend Mose, break free along with a little girl whom the superintendent wants to adopt. Heading to St. Louis, where they think they have an aunt who will take them in, the four runaways go from Minnesota's Gilead River to the Mississippi in a stolen canoe in the hopes it will be harder for them to be tracked if they are on the water. On their journey they run into a variety of folks from desperate farmers to faith healing evangelists who either help them or hinder them. Who to trust becomes a challenge they must overcome even as they learn to trust themselves and their friendship is tested to the limit.

This book came highly recommended to me. Set during the Great Depression, the story is told through the eyes of 12 year old Odie, who along with his older brother, find themselves sent to a residential school after their mother and father have both died because there is no where else to place them. Odie's life is not easy at the school and there are many portions that were hard to read due what he and other children endured at the hands of the school administrators. Once they leave the school, their lives are up and down as they struggle to survive during their journey. There are many heartwarming moments of friendship and coming of age and also many ones of suffering as they learn some hard lessons along the way to find their aunt. There are many deep things and issues of the time woven into the story that makes the reader think. Odie struggles throughout the story believing in a God who would let these bad things happen and this plays into the story throughout different parts. Character development was excellent and I came to care for and really hope for all the main characters. The story is very atmospheric and the author's description of the areas takes you right there. It is a longer book at 444 pages and though I did like the story, I did find myself starting to skim in parts and wishing it would wrap up. So while I'm not loving it as much as others seemed to love it, it is a good book that drew me into the lives of the four young friends trying to find healing for hearts and a place to belong.

dnf at page 47- could not get into the story telling style. Didn't capture my attention.

3. The Year of Less by Cait Flanders (audiobook)

Completed: February 21, 2025

Rating: 7/10

4. Specters in the Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

Completed: February 23, 2025

Rating: 9.5/10

Review: In 1921, Marian Arnold's family built their fortune in the brewing business. But after her parent's death, and prohibition demolishing the business, Marian goes to live in her mother's summer estate which is the only thing left to her. But when she is there Marian starts experiencing frightening visions. When the milkman is found dead in her mother's beloved butterfly house, things take an ominous turn in Marian's life. Then when her cousin Ivo, shows up, Marian is excited as she has always looked up to Ivo. But Ivo does not come alone. He shows up bringing a fiance and friends in tow and Marianne is no longer sure of his intentions. The group doesn't seem to care that prohibition exists and are only too eager to break out the drinks each night. When another person turns up dead, chaos ensues and Marian no longer knows who to trust. Fearing she is next, Marian turns to her childhood friend Felix, a war veteran, who lives on the estate with his mother. But is he enough to protect her from what is happening?

In the present day, Remy Shaw has taken a job as a research assistant with a popular biographer. She moves into his sprawling home which is the former manor of his latest person of interest to write about, Marian Arnold. The house is odd, with many strange hallways and rooms and a layout that makes no sense and Remy is given a bedroom off a little room where it is rumored Marian Arnold was killed by the infamous Butterfly Butcher serial killer who was never identified or caught. As she starts to dig into Marian's life and the mysterious murders linked to the mansion, out of the blue, Marian's great-great grandson turns up wanting to protect his ancestor's legacy from anything Remy and the author may find.

I really enjoyed this book. Though not a huge fan of being scared, this author blends just the right mix of creepiness, mystery and great story telling that also takes on a serious subject. The era is interesting as I have not read many books that deal with the effects on the lives of people who were affected by prohibition. The main characters and some of the relationships really drew me in and all the emotions are brought out in the reveals as the story moves along. The pacing was excellent and kept me wanting to pick up the book and keep going to find out what was going on.