Adult Summer Reading Challenge 2023: Submission Form

★★★★★
Such an enjoyable read. A group of four 75+ year old folks in a senior home using their age and society's prejudices to their benefit and setting out to solve crimes. What's not to like?
- Karunya

★★★
I love historical fiction and enjoyed this book. This was a new author for me and the book was laugh out loud funny with a happily ever after and a few bumps along the way.
- Eva W

★★★★
This book is unlike literally any other book I've read. It's unsettling, disturbing, and filled with parasites. It's also written in such a crisp, clear voice that it's impossible to put down. There are themes of shared consciousness, illness and depersonalization in medicine, and how the spread of parasites directly affects society in its entirety.
- Valmai H

★★★★★
Darkly funny, yet poignant, this beautifully written, heart-wrenching, story of love, loss, and perseverance amid outrageous sexism is one of my favorite books this year.
- Dot V

★★★
It was an ok book. I was intrigued by the cover and thought it would be an interesting read. I wasn't thrilled how it ended. I thought it could have ended better, I felt I was left hanging for the end.
- Jeannette M

★★★★
Long book, but worth the read. King is a wonderful story teller.
- Erin B

★★★★★
Javier Zamora's powerful account of his 3,000 mile journey as an 9 year old child, without any of his family migrating from a small village in El Salvador to "La USA" as he calls it to be reunited with his parents who preceded him to the land of opportunity. Javier is helped by strangers, who become his "second family". It was a harrowing journey for a little boy. Javier Zamora is an amazing young man. This tale of strength and perseverance should be read by everyone.
- Cynde B-L

★★★
This spice shop cozy mystery has lots of Southern charm an info about spices.
- Dot V

★★★★
Fun, light romantic comedy filled with scrumptious recipes.
- Cynde B-L

★★★★★
If you love a good mystery and great characters, this is the book for you!
- Loree S

★★★★★
Ahlborn once again nails the South in a creepy Gothic horror thriller. Demonic possession is not for the weak of stomach or light of heart, and you get to know each character so well that the book packs an even heavier punch than you expect.
- Valmai H

★★★★★
Great read! The ending was a huge shock! Probably will read again it was that good!!!
- Mary G

★★★★
This juicy murder mystery is a real page turner.
- Dot V

★★★
I think I might be the only person not obsessed with this book. Loved the dragons, thought everything else was a bit cliche.
- Chrisanne P

★★★★★
Enjoyed this book a lot. I am an 80's child (growing up) and loved the references in the story, a lot of memories made me think of in the story.
- Jeannette M

★★★★
This is the seventh book in the Outlander series. Much happens in this book. Jamie and Claire are dealing with the Revolutionary War from the side of the Americans. Brianna and Roger have returned to modern times. Jamie's illegitimate son, Willie, is now an adult and part of the war effort on the side of the loyalists. Although it is over 1,000 pages, this installment was a relatively quick read compared to some of the previous books in the series because of how much transpires across the various story lines.
- Angela C

★★★★★
Full of wisdom and insight, this book is a delight to read.
- Dot V

★
Didn't care for this book, I thought the beginning was interesting
- Jeannette M

★★★★★
Heartwrenching story, but beautifully written. Filled with touching yet horrifying details.
- Wendy R

★★★★★
This book kept my attention from start to finish.
- Robin B

★★★
Interesting book, different perspective looking at the story. I enjoyed the visions of the travel in Italy.
- Jeannette M

★★★
Disappointing; I was surprised that this made the NY Times Best Seller List.
- Robin B

★★★
Cotton relates his experiences as a policeman in Bangor, Maine with wry humor and great compassion.
- Dot V

★★★★★
This is a book about following your Personal Legend, or calling. Listening to the world/call of God, and following the path your life was meant to take. The young shepherd in this book goes on a grand adventure from Spain in search of treasure at the Egyptian Pyramids. This was a great book and I am so happy I found it one day on a thrift store shelf.
- Melissa S

★★★★★
Surprised with the ending. Enjoyed the 2 books from Simone St. James that I have read in this challenge. I recommended both of the books I read from Simone St. James
- Jeannette M

★★★
This book of short stories from many cultures and also pieces penned by Washington Irving and Charles Dickens proves that tales of horror don’t have to be long to make the hairs on the back of you neck prickle.
- Dot V

★★★
The memoir chronicles the author's trip around the world after her divorce and what she discovered during her travels. At 34 years old, Elizabeth Gilbert was unhappy in her marriage and sought a divorce. Then Gilbert made the decision to spend the next year traveling the world. She spent four months in Italy, eating and enjoying life. She spent three months in India, finding her spirituality. She ended the year in Indonesia, looking for "balance" of the two.

The book is a pretty easy read; however, at times, I found that I was not so interested in what the author was detailing.
- Angela C

★★★★★
Witty & poignant, this book is an absolute delight.
- Dot V

★★★
As with Thompson’s “Gaslight Mysteries,” the historical period and issues are well researched and provide a rich background for this new mystery series.
- Dot V

★★★★
A thriller that sucks you into one woman's orbit, even though you really don't want to be there.
- Valmai H

★★★★★
My Daddy also suffered from a spinal cord injury…. So this story touched my heart… and made me cry. Missing my Daddy! He’s been my angel for 13 years now.
Well worth the read!!
- Mary G

★★★★★
The beauty of the writing and interesting mix of characters make this book is a gem.
- Dot V

★★★★★
- Gloria L

★★★
- Eva W

★★★
- Sarah R

★★★★
- Quirine H

★★★★
- Stephanie A

★★★★
- Isabella J

★★★★
- Kristen F

★★★★
- Maria F

★★★★
- Gloria L

★★★★
- Sally R

★★★
- Cynde B-L

★★★★★
- Malcolm S

★★★★
- Melissa S

★★★
- Kati C

★★★★
- Jen C

★★★★★
- Audrey M

★★★★★
- Jennifer P

★★★
- Rebecca S

★★★★★
- Sarah R

★★★
- Rebecca S

★★★★★
- Rebecca S

★★★★★
- Malcolm S

★★★★★
- Kati C

★★★★★
- Robin B

★★★★★
- Jen C

★★★★★
- Isabella J

★★★★
- Gloria L

★★★★
- Robin B

★★★★
- Lara O

★★★★★
- Gene J

★★★
- Jennifer P

★★★★★
- Sanchali S

★★★★
- Sally R

★★★
- Audrey M

★★★★
- Meghan A

★★★★
- Sally R

★★★★★
- Melissa S

★★★★
- Gloria L

★★★★★
- Chrisanne P

★★★★
- Sally R

★★★★★
- Lara O

★★★★
-Rebecca S

★★★★
- Kati C

★★★★
- Chrisanne P

★★★★
- Gene J

★★★★★
- Stephanie A

★★★★★
- Jen C

★★★
- Isabella J

★★★★
- Gloria L

★★★★★
- Meghan M

★★★★
- Chrisanne P

★★★★
- Jen C

★★★★
- Isabella J

★★★★
- Gloria L

★★★★
- Melissa S

★★★★
- Meghan A

★★★
- Karen B

★★★★
- Isabella J

★★★
- Eva W

★★★★
- Gene J

★★★
- Jessica F

★★★★★
- Lara O

★★★
- Isabella J

★★★★
- Gloria L

★★★★
- Colleen C

★★★★★
- Sanchali S

★★★★★
- Isabella J

★★★★★
- Meghan M

★★★★★
- Karen B

★★
- Melissa S

★★★
- Eva W

★★★★★
- Gene J

★★★★
- Jen C

★★★★
- Isabella J

★★★★
- Melissa S

★★★★★
- Brenda V

★★★
- Sanchali S

★★★★
- Kati C

★★★★★
- Isabella J

★★★★
- Melissa S

★★★★★
- Joy C

★★★★★
- Melissa S

★★★
- Karunya

★★★★
- Jen C

★★★
- Karen B

★★★★★
- Isabella J

★★★
- Karen B

★★★★★
- Isabella J

★★★★
- Gene J

★★★★★
- Jane H

★★★
- Rebecca S

★★★
- Kati C

★★
- Dot V

★★★★★
- Isabella J

★★★★
- Eva W

★★★★★
- Melissa S

★★★★
- Sally R

★★★★
- Karen B

★★★
- Sarah R

★★★★
- Valmai H

★★★★★
- Meghan A

★★★
- Karen B

★★★★★
- Valmai H

★★
- Rebecca S

★★★
- Eva W

★★★★
- Jane H

★★★
- Karen B

★★★
- Gloria L

★★★★★
- Erin B

★★★
- Kati C

★★★★★
- Karen B

★★★★
- Gloria L

★★★★
- Karen B

★★★
- Jen C

★★★★
- Kati C

★★★★
- Melissa R

★★★★★
- Gloria L

★★★★★
- Rebecca S

★★★
- Sanchali S

★★★★★
- Gloria L

★★★★★
- Kati C

★★★★
- Sarah R

★★★★
- Karen B

★★★★
- Gloria L

★★★★★
- Rebecca S

★★★★★
- Stephanie A

★★★★★
- Gloria L

★★★★
- Jackie C

★★★★
- Katie B

★★★★
This book was really good. I did not know that Constance Kopp was one of the first female deputy sheriffs in the US in the early 1900s. I liked learning about Constance, her back story, the 2 younger Kopp sisters and their trials and tribulations as 3 single women living on their own in the early 1900s. I will continue to read this series to learn more about her time as deputy sheriff in NJ.
- Eva W

★★★★
Interesting book and areas are very thought provoking regarding afterlife.
- Jeannette M

★★★★★
Absolutely loved. You would have never expected what happened to her all those years ago would have such an impact to her future.
- Karla S

★★★★★
A roller-coaster ride of terrifying twists, a compelling thriller.
- Cynde B-L

★★★★★
I enjoyed this book more once I heard the authors talking about how the story came about.
- Jeannette M

★★★★★
I will read anything Margaret Owen writes. This sequel did not disappoint!
- Chrisanne P

★★★★★
This is a wonderful blend of mystery, history and romance.
- Dot V

★★★★★
In the battle at the end of the 7th Zodiac Academy book we lost several beloved characters who crossed the Veil. This is their story. We get to see how they interact with loved ones who have long passed and watch over those still alive. This is their perspective of what happens in book 8. There were several scenes I was waiting for, I was so excited to see how the dead reacted to different things that happened. I was not disappointed!! A must read for all the Zodiac Academy lovers.
- Melissa S

★★★
It was an easy read although not my type of book.
- Mary G

★★★★★
Creepy and chilling, heart-poundingly and sobering: every tale will leave you wary of the shadows, wondering which monster may lurk within them...
- Stephanie A

★★★★★
Another fun Rom-Com by Emily Henry. Just the ambiance of Maine with six friends, three couples and memories of their "Happy Place".
- Cynde B-L

★★★★★
Best book I have read in a long time.
- Ann Marie E

★★★
The book was a quick read. I was invested in solving the crime. Overall, there were too many unnecessary characters to keep track of. I sometimes had to look back to remember who a certain character was. The novel describes a serious accident that happened when Kate and Hannah were young. As a reader you know that this is significant and a key clue to solving the current crime. All in all, I did not think this novel was on par with many of the author’s other books.
- Angela C

★★★
This one is a real page turner.
- Dot V

★★★
I don’t normally read a lot of nonfiction, but this was a bookclub pick. I did end up really enjoying the way the author told her life’s adventures in love and loss and figuring out who she is and wants to be.
- Melissa S

★★★★
If Chaucer wrote an episode of CSI, it would be this book.
- Dot V

★★★★★
This book was a wild ride…family, deception, loyalty, love, friendships, dragons, killer obstacle courses, battles, etc. If you like fantasy fiction, you won’t be disappointed!
- Eva W

★★★★★
This is a charming mystery that will touch your heart.
- Dot V

★★★★★
I enjoyed this book, very messed up. I would have ever guess it to end the way it did. So many twists and turns I recommended to a few people already and one read it and really enjoyed it too. I can't wait to ready another book for Mary Kubica. Trying to figure out how I can fit it into the challenge.
- Jeannette M

★★★★
Lots of intrigue, corruption and info about hiding ill-gotten gains, just don't expect to leave that life and enjoy them!
- Jackie C

★★★
This well documented and enlightening book provides an interesting perspective on the drama going on between, Lincoln, Mary, and her relatives, and the president’s related personal struggles.
- Dot V

★★★★★
This book made me want to reread little women.
- Jeanine N

★★★
An enjoyable summer read especially for knitters who may relate to the knitting group setting.
- Dot V

★★★★★
I would give this book 10 stars if I could. I love the mystery, the inspiration and the humor of it all. The author had a hard life, she is working through some intense trauma and she has found a way to thrive. Her coping mechanism happens to be a fictional 81 year old badass literary genius who spreads love through Twitter and I think that’s the best way to work through your demons. I’m obsessed with Duchess Goldblatt and here is my favorite quote of her’s “The only way to be reliably sure the hero gets the girl at the end of the story is to be both the hero and the girl yourself."
- Melissa S

★★★★
Thompson's "Gaslight Mysteries" are always an enjoyable read.
- Dot V

★★★★★
I love the way Malcolm Gladwell’s mind works, all of his books are immediately added to my TBR list. He has an amazing way of writing that teaches you about the human condition while being captivating. This book is all about underdogs and the misconceptions society had about their perceived disadvantages. It’s just so interesting how many ideas, we as humans, think make sense, when in reality, are completely wrong after studying the research.
- Melissa S

★★★
Kline seamlessly weaves two parallel stories of suffering and perseverance.
- Dot V

★★★★★
Anything by Neil Gaiman is worth reading.
- Robin B

★★★★
Slow at the beginning to get into, but I liked the interview style it was written in.
- Taylor R-H

★★★
The atmospheric setting and the cultural intricacies of shogun-era Japan are as intriguing as the plot.
- Dot V

★★★★★
Writing with a startling honesty and candor, Amy tells not only the story of her ordeal needing a second heart transplant nearly 26 years after receiving her first one (that story told in Sick Girl), but the story of the incredible group of women she calls her closest friends and how they prove that in ways she never could've imagined.
- Stephanie A

★★★★★
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this excellent book. Cañas writes romance, vampires, and blends in 1800s historical fact about life in Mexico. Pick it up in late August!
- Valmai H

★★★★★
Great book! Really captured my imagination!
- Mary G

★★★★★
Good book, enjoyed didn't expect the ending
- Jeannette M

★★★★
- Malcolm S

★★★★
- Rebecca S

★★★★★
- Melissa S

★★★★★
- Sarah R

★★★★
- Audrey M

★★★
- Lara O

★★★★
- Quirine H

★★★★★
- Malcolm S

★★★★
- Jen C

★★★
- Isabella J

★★★★
- Rebecca S

★★★★★
- Travis H

★★★★
- Meghan A

★★★
- Jen C

★★★
- Jen C

★★★★★
- Erin B

★★★
- Sarah R

★★★★
- Lara O

★★★
- Eva W

★★★★★
- Kati C

★★★★★
- Colleen C

★★★
- Sally R

★★★★★
- Rebecca S

★★★★
- Malcolm S

★★★★★
- Malcolm S

★★★
- Gloria L

★★★
- Melissa S

★★★★★
- Jennifer P

★★★
- Robin B

★★★★★
- Zina K

★★
- Eva W

★★★★
- Sally R

★★★★★
- Meghan A

★★★★
- Jessica F

★★★
- Sanchali S

★★★★
- Robin B

★★★★
- Malcolm S

★★★
- Kati C

★★★★
- Isabella J

★★★★
- Jen C

★★★★★
- Valmai H

★★★
- Lara O

★★★
- Omayma K

★★★★
- Valmai H

★★★
- Gloria L

★★★★★
- Sally R

★★★
- Sally R

★★★
- Rebecca S

★★★★★
- Gene J

★★★
- Chrisanne P

★★★★★
- Gloria L

★★★
- Meghan A

★★★★
- Valmai H

★★★
- Isabella J

★★★
- Meghan M

★★★★
- Valmai H

★★★★
- Meghan A

★★★★★
- Karen B

★★★★
- Melissa S

★★★★
- Isabella J

★★
- Lara O

★★★★★
- Audrey M

★★★★★
- Kristen F

★★★★
- Eva W

★★★★
- Juliette O

★★★
- Melissa S

★★★★★
- Meghan M

★★★★
- Isabella J

★★★★
- Karen B

★★★★
- Kati C

★★★★
This is a good cozy mystery.
- Dot V

★★★★
- Isabella J

★★★
- Melissa S

★★★★★
- Stephanie A

★★★★★
- Joy C

★★★
- Eva W

★★★★★
- Meghan A

★★★
- Isabella J

★★★★
- Chrisanne P

★★★
- Lori P

★★
- Eva W

★★★
- Joy C

★★★★
- Isabella J

★★
- Dot V

★★★★
- Gloria L

★★★
- Rebecca S

★★★★★
- Stephanie A

★★★★
- Isabella J

★★★★
- Melissa S

★★★★
- Chrisanne P

★★★★★
- Melissa S

★★★
- Isabella J

★★★★★
- Sally R

★★★★
- Gloria L

★★★★
- Sally R

★★★★★
- Sarah R

★★
- Rebecca S

★★★★
- Isabella J

★★★
- Kati C

★★★★
- Isabella J

★★★★
- Melissa S

★★★★
- Amanda T

★★★
- Valmai H

★★★
- Sanchali S

★★★★★
- Jane H

★★★★
- Karen B

★★★★★
- Ann Marie E

★★★★★
- Gene J

★★★★
- Isabella J

★★★
- Karen B

★★★★★
- Gloria L

★★★
- Karen B

★★★★
- Jane H

★★
- Eva W

★★★
- Karen B

★★★★
- Katie B

★★★★★
- Gloria L

★★★★★
- Kati C

★★★
- Melissa S

★★★
- Karen B

★★★★★
- Sally R

★★★
- Karen B

★★
- Omayma K

★★★★★
- Melissa S

★★★★
- Shonna M

★★★
- Kati C

★★★★★
- Sarah R

★★★★★
- Vanessa J

★★★★
- Sarah R

★
- Dot V

★★★★★
- Stephanie A

★★★★
- Jen C

★★★
- Karen B

★★★★
- Sally R

★★★★
- Gloria L