Killers of the Flower Moon is a meticulously researched and shocking tale of the murder spree that killed countless wealthy Osage Indians during the 1920s. The murders detailed in the book are chilling in their ruthlessness and greed, targeting not just the Osage but also people brought in to investigate their murders. Prior to reading this book, I hadn't heard anything about this, and it's sad that such a dark time in the nation's history has been glossed over and mostly forgotten.

The author has done a superb job of weaving a narrative through all this bloodshed, helping the readers step through the murders and then the ensuing investigations, evidences, setbacks, and breakthroughs. Part of what really troubles me about this story is that justice has come too late or never for so many of the Osage. If you want to know more about this horrific period in the nation's history, this is a must-read.

Readaroo Rating: 4 stars

This book got such great reviews from so many people that I'm wondering, are we all reading the same book?

The book is structured so that it's told in past and present times in alternative chapters. That works in the first half of the book, but once the "past" in later parts of the book become later than "present" in earlier parts of the book, it doesn't work anymore. It feels like the author pretty much did it as a superficial means of increasing the suspense in the book. Speaking of suspense, the book's not really suspenseful or a thriller. And it's not really a mystery because you can guess what the book is about just by reading the book jacket.

*** Minor spoilers below (aka what you can guess just by reading the book jacket) ***

The two main characters in this book are just ridiculous caricatures of their roles in this plot. Grace is incredibly submissive even though she has gone toe-to-toe with her parents about her sister and has built up a fabulous career that involves her flying around everywhere. Jack is the most over-the-top villain, to the point where he never comes across as menacing but more as cartoonish. I'm surprised he didn't reveal his real name as Jafar and bust out his serpent staff.

Everything about their relationship is just silly. At one point, Jafar--I mean Jack-- pretty much said "I don't love you and I'm going to abuse you mwahaha" and Grace's response is along the lines of "I must have heard wrong. You don't mean that". It's hard to care about characters like that. I did enjoy some of the minor characters, including Millie and Esther, as they seem to have their wits about them.

The first two-thirds of the book feels really dull and slow to me as not much happens other than what you can already guess from the book jacket. I was glad to reach the climax of the story, partly to see what happens after all that setup and also to finally reach the merciful end to this unrealistic story.

Readaroo Rating: 1 star

I first read Brave New World many years (decades) ago in high school, and I remember thinking it was really interesting at the time. Well, I must have been a doofus back then because this reread just didn't live up to expectations. To be honest, my impression now is that it's all a bit of a mess.

First, who exactly are the main characters here? We start following a few people, but end up focusing on someone else entirely. None of the characters are particularly sympathetic, not even the supposedly enlightened "savage" man from outside this world. And this savage man, even though he had a bit of homeschooling in the middle of nowhere, can converse on a superior level with the Controller of Western Europe upon meeting him. (Cue eye-rolling.)

The story relies heavily on Shakespeare quotes to make its point, often devolving into random ramblings for pages at a time. In a whole chapter devoted to discussions on religion, it clearly implies that turning one's back on religion causes a society to melt down into dystopia. (More eye-rolling.)

And on top of that, the part that annoys me the most is its treatment of the female main character. The "savage" calls her a whore every time he feels attracted to her and goes so far as to physically attack her, since it's obviously her fault for tempting him. I know this was written in the 1930s, so maybe this sort of rape-culture thinking was the norm back then, but it doesn't make reading it now any less offensive.

I'll be generous and give it 3 stars for being a classic with some interesting ideas about dystopian society. But if I were to rank it against books out there today, it's not worth more than 2 stars. Womp womp.

Readaroo Rating: 3 stars

A sweet, lighthearted story with lots of lovable characters all looking for their happily ever after. It's meant to be a feel-good story, and it perfectly achieves that goal. I did find the ending to be a little cheesy and everything wrapping up a bit too neatly, with just about everyone finding their soul mates and pairing off. Still, it's an enjoyable read when you just want something light and fun.

Readaroo Rating: 3 stars

It took me a while to pick this book up because I don't know anything about rowing, and I thought I wouldn't find this book particularly interesting as a result. Boy, was I wrong! Riveting and uplifting, this book has surpassed all my expectations. For a book in which you know the outcome (it says so in the subtitle), it is suspenseful, gripping, and full of raw emotions.

I appreciate that it's meticulously researched, and even though it's full of personal details about the boys and historical details about what's going on at the time in the US and the world, it never feels bogged down. It's well-written so that all the characters pop off the page, along with their hopes and dreams. As I'm reading it, I can't help but cheer for these boys who come from such humble backgrounds, and through determination and perseverance in the face of extreme obstacles, finally achieve their dreams. This is surely one of the best books I've ever read!

Readaroo Rating: 5 stars!

I thought I'd seen it all when it comes to murder mysteries. But then Magpie Murders comes along and completely blows me away!

Author Alan Conway is well known for his famous Atticus Pünd detective series, so when editor Susan Ryeland receives his latest manuscript, she's excited to dig in. But it soon becomes clear that Conway enjoys hiding clues of real people inside his stories. And when she gets word that he has unexpectedly passed away, she starts to wonder. What secrets does Conway's latest manuscript hold, and could they have led to his death?

This story is set up as a mystery within a mystery. We get to enjoy the Atticus Pünd manuscript in its entirety, and its style is reminiscent of Agatha Christie. And we get the whole mystery of Conway's death, as well as how the two of them tie together. It's absolutely brilliant how the book interweaves both a throwback to the golden age of crime and a more modern take on the same genre.

The two mysteries are full of the things I love in a whodunnit: twists and turns, red herrings, and suspects that all have something to hide. The whole thing is riveting and so unapologetically fun. And when we get to the resolution, it is utterly satisfying and rewards the reader for having paid attention.

When I come across a truly clever murder mystery, I both binge read it and consciously try to slow myself down to savor each delicious detail as it comes up. Looking back on mysteries I've read in recent years, I don't think I've enjoyed any other contemporary author's take on this genre as much as Anthony Horowitz's. If there ever was a book I wish I could scrub from my memory just to have the joy of reading it again, it would have to be this one.

Readaroo Rating: 5 stars!

Backman has a knack for writing quirky, eccentric, grumpy characters that in other authors' hands would have turned into completely unlikable and unrelatable people, but in his hands turn into sympathetic souls we understand and love. Britt-Marie is just like this. While at first glance she may seem to be awkward and unkind, there is so much more to her than meets the eye. Backman slowly draws her out as the story progresses, until she works her way into the readers' hearts.

This story is about changing for the better, that it's never too late to be the person you want to be and to make your dreams a reality. It's about making connections with the people around you and letting others in. It was a real joy to read this sweet and uplifting book!

Readaroo Rating: 4 stars

Let me pose a question so you'll understand my low rating: Say you were fleeing for your life, running nonstop, no food or water for days, seeing people around you drop from exhaustion, being bombed, and surrounded by blood and the stench of death. Would you then, as the first thing you do after arriving at shelter with potential food, kiss a stranger with burning desire and profess your love?

That is just one example of why this book is not my cup of tea. Everything is overly dramatic to the point of being silly, making me feel like I'm reading a soap opera instead of a serious historical novel about WWII. The main characters (the two sisters) aren't particularly likable or interesting. They come across as one-dimensional cliched versions of their personality types: one afraid of everything, the other reckless and impetuous.

Also, how can a book set in WWII about two brave female protagonists be so dull and uninteresting? Most of this book drags on and on (not helped by its long length), offering up developments tidbit by tidbit, seemingly without going anywhere. Thankfully, things do speed up to a brisk rate in the last few chapters of the book, bringing everything to a merciful conclusion.

If you're wondering whether to read this book, I would say read it if you're looking for a cheesy historical drama; otherwise, skip it... there are better WWII novels out there.

Readaroo Rating: 2 stars