Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Reviewed by Elizabeth Castellano

An incredible story of one small family that decides to move to Alaska in the 1970s, looking for a new start. The Allbright family is very unprepared for the long, cold winters and isolation they encounter. But their new neighbors quickly come to help them and get them ready for their first winter. The dad, Ernt, is a Vietnam vet, a POW who drinks too much and suffers from PTSD and beats his wife often. Cora and her young daughter, Leni, try to navigate Ernt’s volatile moods. It’s a sad but beautifully written love story and demonstrates the power of family and friends. Highly recommend

How many stars does the book deserve?: ☆☆☆☆

Killing Lincoln: the Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever by Bill O’Reilly

Reviewed by Elizabeth Castellano

Killing Lincoln: the shocking assassination that changed American by Bill O’Reilly tells the story of Abraham Lincoln’s life after the Civil War and the events leading to his assassination. I found it very interesting to learn many details about Lincoln, his family and the many people involved in the plot to murder our 16th President. Great read.

How many stars does the book deserve?: ☆☆☆☆

Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton

Reviewed by Patricia Bacchi

This memoir about Glennon’s life is so honest and thought provoking. Glennon begins by sharing her younger years where although she was loved, she did not feel like she was deserving of love. So, she heads into a life of bulimia, alcoholism, drug use, sex, etc. After a second pregnancy, Glennon commits herself to getting better and starts on a journey of self-awareness and healing. The author shares the details of her husband’s infidelity and how they came to forgive themselves (and each other) for the pain they had inflicted on each other. Glennon’s powerful words make this a great read!!

How many stars does the book deserve?: ☆☆☆☆

Verity by Colleen Hoover

Reviewed by Dorothy Zelamsky

Colleen Hoover’s Verity takes the reader on a fast-paced ride with this romantic thriller. She tells the story of how Lowen, a struggling writer, is commissioned to complete the well admired book series started by Jeremy’s now injured wife, Verity. Lowen stays in their home, falls in love with Jeremy, and discovers Verity’s self-incriminating autobiography. As Lowen faces the horrors Verity has revealed, she needs to make life-changing decisions. Twists at the end may leave the reader wondering about the truth.

How many stars does the book deserve?: ☆☆☆☆

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

Reviewed by Dorothy Zelamsky

My Dark Vanessa is a story which is expertly told from the point of view of Vanessa, the character who is the sexual victim of her English teacher at boarding school. Her voice alternates with chapters from her teen years to young adult years; giving much thought-provoking insight into both her own and her abuser’s thinking and perceptions. I found this book to be captivating and particularly meaningful in this time of the “Me too” movement.

How many stars does the book deserve?: ☆☆☆☆

I Have the Right To: a High School Survivor’s Story of Sexual Assault … by Chessy Prout

Reviewed by Elizabeth Castellano

This is a personal memoir of a high school freshman who is date raped at her elite New Hampshire boarding school. The book shows how she struggles through the aftermath of the attack. She eventually goes to trial to face her attacker and starts a movement for girls and women to stand up for their rights and not be shamed into secrecy.

How many stars does the book deserve?: ☆☆

Goodbye, Things: the New Japanese Minimalism by Fumio Sasaki

Reviewed by Dorothy Zelamsky

In Goodbye Things, Fumio Sasaki outlines his personal experience with minimalism and explains the various rewards of this lifestyle, including freedom, focus, time, energy, and money. He asserts that minimalism helps you prioritize by reducing distractions and increases your happiness and longevity as you live in enjoyment of and gratitude for what is really important. It promotes your “true you” to come alive. This book is a wonderful follow up to Marie Kondo’s best seller, and I feel very motivated to follow the many helpful suggestions he listed for parting with stuff.

How many stars does the book deserve?: ☆☆☆☆

Naturally Nourished … by Sarah Britton

Reviewed by Dorothy Zelamsky

This contemporary cookbook has colorful, appealing photos and includes chapters for meatless soups, salads, main dishes, small plates, and snacks. Britton’s uncomplicated style is to start with a foundation (i.e. couscous), make it interesting, add something special, and finish with a sauce and/or a garnish. My take-away is ten new recipes; though I will substitute extra-virgin olive oil for the coconut oil, which is an ingredient in many of her recipes. Please note that coconut oil is about 90% saturated fat, which is six times the amount in olive oil. Saturated fat raises “Bad ” LDL cholesterol levels and increases the risk of heart disease.

How many stars does the book deserve?: ☆☆☆

28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

Reviewed by Claire Daley

A love story taking place in Nantucket that the couple meets once a year labor day weekend. Based on the classic movie Same Time Next Year. If you know the movie you know the story or just can tell from title. It tells of the complications and enriches to their lives this relation brings. The choice of just this weekend or regular relationship is a wonder since the two are so in love with each. A lovely nice summer read.

How many stars does the book deserve?: ☆☆☆

The Book of General Ignorance by John Lloyd and John Mitchinson

Reviewed by Nancy Bellissimo

This book is incredible, it’s amazing how many “facts” we think of as true are not! I cringed when I read that bubonic plague, yellow fever and cholera are the 3 diseases listed in the US as requiring quarantine! Sadly, we now know there’s a fourth, covid 19! George Washington’s false teeth were carved from hippopotamus and elephant ivory not wood! Baseball was invented in England in 1774. Basketball is the only sport invented entirely in the US. The single largest man-made structure on earth is Fresh Kills, the rubbish dump on Staten Island,NY! This book will remain as a reference on my bookshelf for me to reread and consult many times.

How many stars does the book deserve?: ☆☆☆☆