Welcome to Quick Lit where I share books that I chose for my own reading enjoyment in a mini-review format. These are not books I received for review, but books that I’ve been wanting to read or that have caught my attention. Most of them have been talked about ad nauseam or have been on my to-read list for a long time so they don’t really need a full review. But, I’d still like to give them some space here on the blog, so instead, I’m offering mini-reviews of the books that won’t get full-page space here.
I’ll be linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy and her monthly Quick Lit link-up. Be sure to head over to see others share their Quick Lit posts. This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read more about that.
My current reads are BOOK LOVERS on audio, CHASING GIANTS in paperback for review, and A GIRL CALLED SAMSON on Kindle for book club.
I’ve also shared a recent 5-star book for review in the last month, ONLY THE BEAUTIFUL. Fans of historical fiction will love this one!
This past month has been a little crazy around here working nearly every day and planning for our daughter’s graduation. My reading time has been almost solely on audio and they are just the books that have come in on my Libby holds. Here are 3 books I’ve listened to in the last month.
LIVE WIRE
Long-Winded Short Stories
By: Kelly Ripa
Narrated by: Kelly Ripa
Published: September 27, 2022
Publisher: Dey Street Books
Non-Fiction/Memoir
Format: Audiobook through Libby
I was a huge fan of LIVE with Regis and Kelly back in the days when I was home with the kids. I watched religiously every morning and remember Kelly Ripa being chosen as the co-host on LIVE. Over the years, as I’ve been working, I’ve been watching the show less and less. But, I was still curious about her memoir. Unfortunately, I wasn’t impressed. When the subtitle says, “long-winded” I would agree. I felt the stories were kind of rambling and I also didn’t like how it jumped around in the timeline. Was there some good gossip? Eh…a bit. Ripa shares stories of her soap actress life, working with Regis Philben, her marriage with Mark Consuelos, and raising their three children. She narrates her own audio which was a plus, but just wasn’t a hit for me.
THE GOLDEN SPOON
By: Jessa Maxwell
Narrated by: Andrea Emmes, Andy Garcia-Ruse, Graham Halstead, Kitty Hendrix, Kamran Khan, Jackie Sanders, André Santana, Emily Tremaine,
Published: March 7, 2023
Publisher: Atria Books
Fiction
Format: Audiobook through Libby
As a huge fan of the Great British Baking Show, I was immediately intrigued by this novel. This baking show is set in Vermont on a sprawling estate called Grafton. The owner of the estate, Betsy Martin, is also a celebrated baker and the aging judge of “Bake Week”. It seems the show’s producers are trying to get her out when they add Archie Morris, host of a cut-throat cooking show, as a judge. The six very different competitors arrive at Grafton Estate for the week and before too long, chaos ensues and a murder happens. All the competitors have very different reasons for being on the show, but only one of them has a history with Grafton and Betsy. Could she be the murderer?
I was hesitant to read this because of the murder mystery aspect of the book, but I found the storyline to be so enjoyable I wasn’t turned off by that at all. In fact, I enjoyed the mystery that built up throughout the story. The audio offers a full cast narration which was a complete delight. This light-hearted mystery was such a fun book to read and is one I’ll be recommending all summer.
“They always tell you that you have to be enough for yourself before you can heal. And I respectfully disagree. I by myself was not enough. I think you need others to be able to see yourself fully. The best way to find the value in yourself is by being good to someone else. There you find your purpose and that is the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted.”
Prodyumna in THE GOLDEN SPOON
THE LEVEE
By: William Kent Krueger
Narrated by: JD Jackson
Published: February 28, 2023
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Originals
Historical Fiction/Novella
Format: Audiobook through Libby
Based on the historic Mississippi River Flood of 1927 in Minnesota, one family refuses to leave their home believing the levee will save them. Four men (including 3 convicts) in a row boat paddle to their home to convince them to leave and head for safety. This audiobook tells a powerful story in a compact novel. Krueger’s trademark character-building and build-up to a few shocking events will enthrall the listener. Krueger fans will love this short story.
“Do you know what that river is? It’s a mirror held up to show us our own folly, our own hubris in believing that we are somehow smarter than nature. “
Stacie, yep, these are the best reads –>’a powerful story in a compact novel’
The Golden Spoon is one I hope to read this summer. I have heard it is good. Only The Beautiful is also on my list to read. I love her books. Thanks for sharing what you have been reading. It is always fun to see what others are reading!
That Krueger book sounds a bit spooky, yet so interested! This Tender Land was so powerful, so I need to read another book by him soon.
Linking a new review/author interview of a favorite WWII novel written by a local Texas author, if interested!