Goodreads Blurb

This version of the Bennet family and Mr. Darcy is one that you have and haven’t met before: Liz is a magazine writer in her late thirties who, like her yoga instructor older sister, Jane, lives in New York City. When their father has a health scare, they return to their childhood home in Cincinnati to help and discover that the sprawling Tudor they grew up in is crumbling and the family is in disarray. 

Youngest sisters Kitty and Lydia are too busy with their CrossFit workouts and Paleo diets to get jobs. Mary, the middle sister, is earning her third online master’s degree and barely leaves her room, except for those mysterious Tuesday-night outings she won’t discuss. And Mrs. Bennet has one thing on her mind: how to marry off her daughters, especially as Jane’s fortieth birthday fast approaches. 

Enter Chip Bingley, a handsome new-in-town doctor who recently appeared on the juggernaut reality TV dating show Eligible. At a Fourth of July barbecue, Chip takes an immediate interest in Jane, but Chip’s friend, neurosurgeon Fitzwilliam Darcy, reveals himself to Liz to be much less charming. . . . And yet, first impressions can be deceiving. 

My Review

Truly a remarkable book. When reality hits close to the heart. Loved that the author has brought topics and issues that we all currently encounter in our society today. It made the story feel like anyone of us are part of the Bennett’s family. I was so happy to be able to read another story that reminded me so much of Pride and Prejudice, each character had a flaw unlike the original. I was in love with the original but this book made life so much more real, colorful, powerful and enlightening. Hoping to see this book turned into a movie. I rated 5 out of 5 stars.

Author Biography

Curtis Sittenfeld is the author of the new novel Eligible, a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice(due out April 2016) as well as the bestselling novels Sisterland, American Wife, Prep, and The Man of My Dreams, which have been translated into twenty-five languages. Curtis’s writing has appeared in many publications, including The Atlantic, The New York Times, Vanity Fair,Time, Slate, Glamour, and on public radio’s This American Life. A graduate of Stanford University and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, she currently lives in St. Louis, MO.

Goodreads Blurb

Love speaks in flowers. Truth requires thorns.

Travel to a world of dark bargains struck by moonlight, of haunted towns and hungry woods, of talking beasts and gingerbread golems, where a young mermaid’s voice can summon deadly storms and where a river might do a lovestruck boy’s bidding but only for a terrible price.

Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, #1 New York Times–bestselling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love.

Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans, these tales will transport you to lands both familiar and strange—to a fully realized world of dangerous magic that millions have visited through the novels of the Grishaverse.

This collection of six stories includes three brand-new tales, all of them lavishly illustrated with art that changes with each turn of the page, culminating in six stunning full-spread illustrations as rich in detail as the stories themselves.

My Review

Magical tales filled with mystery, love, revenge and power. Each tale leaves you with a lesson to learn. I loved how the illustrations kept on being built as you read. Made you really see the true picture of the tale. Each story was filled with magic and weird scenarios you usually do not see. Leigh truly has a magical imagination with creatures that seem scary and dangerous but truly are kind and powerful. The one thing that I saw throughout this book is that bullies come in different forms. That even in fairy tales bullies take power, but at the end they are the ones that lose. I rated 5 out of 5 stars.

Author Biography

Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels and the creator of the Grishaverse. With over three million copies sold, her Grishaverse spans the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, the Six of Crows Duology, The Language of Thorns, and King of Scars—with more to come. (To hear about new releases, tour dates, and giveaways first, sign up for Leigh’s newsletter here.) Her short stories can be found in multiple anthologies, including The Best of Tor.com and the Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy. Her other works include Wonder Woman: Warbringer and the forthcoming Ninth House. Leigh was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Southern California, graduated from Yale University, and has worked in advertising, journalism, and even makeup and special effects. These days she lives and writes in Los Angeles.

She would be delighted if you followed her on Twitter, elated if you visited her at web site, and fairly giddy if you liked her selfies on Instagram. 

Goodreads blurb

Would you rather love the more, and suffer the more; or love the less, and suffer the less? That is, I think, finally, the only real question.

First love has lifelong consequences, but Paul doesn’t know anything about that at nineteen. At nineteen, he’s proud of the fact his relationship flies in the face of social convention.

As he grows older, the demands placed on Paul by love become far greater than he could possibly have foreseen.

Tender and profound, The Only Story is an achingly beautiful novel by one of fiction’s greatest mappers of the human heart.

My Review

This is the first time I read a book by this author. I had some difficulties staying with the story and felt is was boring and took forever to read. It was written in a narrative of Paul in his early life with Susan. I liked that the story was with two characters who are over 20 years apart. I can relate to this story. Age is only a number, but one of them is married which causes many issues throughout the story. I was upset that this love story didn’t end the way they wanted. Sometimes love is difficult and people cannot move on from their pass. The ending could have been written better. That last sentence ended this book abruptly. I rated 3 out of 5 stars.

Author Biography

Julian Patrick Barnes is a contemporary English writer of postmodernism in literature. He has been shortlisted three times for the Man Booker Prize— Flaubert’s Parrot (1984), England, England (1998), and Arthur & George (2005), and won the prize for The Sense of an Ending (2011). He has written crime fiction under the pseudonym Dan Kavanagh.

Goodreads Blurb

It’s 1924 and there have been many changes at Downton Abbey since the family and their servants first welcomed us there twelve years ago. A generation of men has been tragically lost at the front; children are once again breathing new life into the great house; a chauffeur now sits at the Grantham dinner table; and skirt hems continue to rise.

Still, in the midst of all this upheaval, many things at Downton remain largely unchanged. Nanny still holds sway in the nursery, and there are still summer fetes to be organized, menus to be planned, and farms to be run.

This gorgeous book explores the seasonal events and celebrations of the great estate—including house parties, debutantes, the London Season, yearly trips to Scotland, the sporting season, and, of course, the cherished rituals of Christmas. Jessica Fellowes and the creative team behind Downton Abbey invite us to peer through the prism of the house as we learn more about the lives of our favorite characters, the actors who play them, and those who bring this exquisite world to real life.

A Year in the Life of Downton Abbey is packed full of exclusive new photographs, with a delicious array of traditional British recipes adapted for modern kitchens: kedgeree, orange marmalade, asparagus tarts, cream of watercress soup, Irish stew, lemon barley water, meringues with red berries, parmesan straws, Christmas pudding with brandy butter and more. From the moment when the servants light the fires against the chill of January, through the last family game of charades and the servants’ Christmas ball, this magnificent book invites us to take part in twelve months in the life of Downton Abbey.

My Review

This was another amazing book that brought me back to Downton Abbey. Such vivid pictures, details, recipes and backstage sneak peaks. Downtown Abbey truly has been one of the best British series that many cherish, love and enjoy at home. Jessica did an amazing job of sharing wonderful images and history and character developments through out the series. All the characters were a huge part of why this series was so prosperous. I rated 5 out of 5 stars.

Downton Abbey Movie Trailer

Downton Abbey movie will be released on September 15, 2019. Here is the link to the official trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbV8LpEzYgQ

Author Biography

JESSICA FELLOWES is an author, journalist, and public speaker. She is the author of The Mitford Murders novels as well as the New York Times bestselling official companion books to the Downton Abbey TV series. Former deputy director of Country Life, and columnist for the Mail on Sunday, she has written for the Daily Telegraph, theGuardian, The Sunday Times, and The Lady. Jessica has spoken at events across the UK and US, and has made numerous appearances on radio and television. She lives in Oxfordshire with her family.

Goodreads Blurb

Puerto Rico Strong is a comics anthology that explores what it means to be Puerto Rican and the diversity that exists within that concept, from today’s most exciting Puerto Rican comics creators. All proceeds go to UNIDOS Disaster Relief & Recovery Program to Support Puerto Rico.

Despite being a US territory, Puerto Rico is often thought of as a foreign land, if it’s even a thought in the mind of the average American at all. Its people exist in all corners of America; some of them have parents who immigrated from the home island, others are a part of families that have been on the mainland for generations. Then there are those who have come to the states in search of a dream but struggle to integrate into an unfamiliar culture, while there are those who have lived in the United States all of their lives but still have the same struggle because of the color of their skin or their sexual identity. These stories follow individuals from diverse walks of life but are all part of the culture that is Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico Strong features art and writing by Rosa Colon, Vita Ayala, Naomi Franquiz, Javier Cruz Winnick, Sabrina Cintron, Ronnie Garcia, Fabian Nicieza, Joamette Gil, and many more!

My Review

Truly a powerful comic anthology that reflects what it means to be Puerto Rican. The moment I found out about this comic book and how the proceeds were going to support relief and rebuilding efforts in PR, I had to be part of this project also. I was born in Puerto Rico and most of my family lives there. It was a hard time trying to hear from my family. I loved the comics in this book. It is a book that will teach all who read it about PR’s history, culture, values, strong family support but it also goes over the number of events that made them vulnerable and caused hurt to my people. What is truly amazing is that even though their home was destroyed, no power, no lights or food they stood strong together and will continue to rebuilt the “Isla Preciosa” back to its glory. I learned so much from this book about the history that we here in the USA do not learn. I think this is a great book to bring everyone up to speed that yes Puerto Ricans are US Citizens since March 2, 1917, the Jones–Shafroth Act was signed. Lets stand strong with Puerto Rico!!!  I rated 5 out of 5 stars.

Author Biography

Hazel Newlevant is a Portland-raised, Queens-residing cartoonist. Their comics include Tender-Hearted, Sugar Town, No Ivy League, and If This Be Sin. They are the editor and publisher of the anthologies Chainmail Bikini and Comics For Choice. Their work has been honored with the Ignatz Award, Xeric Grant and the Prism Comics Queer Press Grant.

Goodreads Blurb

From Jennifer Weiner, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Who Do You Love and In Her Shoes, comes a smart, thoughtful, and timely exploration of two sisters’ lives from the 1950s to the present as they struggle to find their places—and be true to themselves—in a rapidly evolving world. Mrs. Everything is an ambitious, richly textured journey through history—and herstory—as these two sisters navigate a changing America over the course of their lives.

Do we change or does the world change us?

Jo and Bethie Kaufman were born into a world full of promise.

Growing up in 1950s Detroit, they live in a perfect “Dick and Jane” house, where their roles in the family are clearly defined. Jo is the tomboy, the bookish rebel with a passion to make the world more fair; Bethie is the pretty, feminine good girl, a would-be star who enjoys the power her beauty confers and dreams of a traditional life.

But the truth ends up looking different from what the girls imagined. Jo and Bethie survive traumas and tragedies. As their lives unfold against the background of free love and Vietnam, Woodstock and women’s lib, Bethie becomes an adventure-loving wild child who dives headlong into the counterculture and is up for anything (except settling down). Meanwhile, Jo becomes a proper young mother in Connecticut, a witness to the changing world instead of a participant. Neither woman inhabits the world she dreams of, nor has a life that feels authentic or brings her joy. Is it too late for the women to finally stake a claim on happily ever after?

In her most ambitious novel yet, Jennifer Weiner tells a story of two sisters who, with their different dreams and different paths, offer answers to the question: How should a woman be in the world?

My Review

A stellar novel that revolves around two Jewish sisters’ lives, downfalls, strength and forgiveness. The story begins in 1951 and ends in the future 2022. It shined a light on the expectation of women in society at that time. The timeline evolved slowly seeing the characters freeing themselves from being a housewife by standing up for what they love. This story touched so many touchy topics lesbian relationships, rape, drugs, abortion, body image and racism. This book had so much emotion. You wanted to fix each character’s flaws but this is what made the story feel real. What I got out of this book is the resilience it takes to fight back for love, equality, fairness, forgiveness and rights for women. Society has evolved and women now have careers, are get married and having babies later in life. We also have the strength to be single with children and make it all by ourselves. We still have so much more to do in order to feel like equals among men, but together fighting as one and standing up for our rights we will succeed. This was a wonderful novel with real life family drama. I rated 4 out of 5 stars.

Author Biography

Jennifer Weiner is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of sixteen books, including Good in Bed, In Her Shoes, and, coming this June, Mrs. Everything. A graduate of Princeton University and contributor to the New York Times Opinion section, she lives with her family in Philadelphia. Visit her online at JenniferWeiner.com.

Goodreads Blurb

A secret shared…

But can she trust him?

In this Debutantes in Paris story, Diana Martin is thrilled to be a writer covering the Parisian Exposition. But her new role must be kept quiet—her parents would never allow it! When enigmatic Sir William Blakely discovers her ruse, he knows it could lead her into danger. With the sparks igniting between them, William realizes the only way to protect Diana is by staying as close to her as possible!

My Review

This was such a great story, taking me to my favorite city of lights, Paris. I loved that this story wasn’t just a love story, it also had a robbery of a jewel which made the story very engaging. Diana was such a wonderful character for this book. She was a strong women, who knew what she wanted to do, and went an did it. She was a great friend and someone truth worthy. William reminded me of Darcy. He harbored feelings for Diana, but tried his best not to show them, in hopes he can keep her safe from danger. The details in the description of Paris and the fashion at the time made this story come to life. You can sense, see and feel what the characters saw and felt. Thanks for the time in Paris and the happily ever after. I rated 4 out of 5 stars.

Author Biography

Amanda wrote her first romance at the age of sixteen–a vast historical epic starring all her friends as the characters, written secretly during algebra class (and her parents wondered why math was not her strongest subject…)

She’s never since used algebra, but her books have been nominated for many awards, including the RITA Award, the Romantic Times BOOKReviews Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers Choice Award, and the Holt Medallion. She lives in Oklahoma with a menagerie of two cats, a Pug, and a very bossy miniature Poodle, along with far too many books.

When not writing or reading, she loves taking dance classes, collecting cheesy travel souvenirs, and watching the Food Network–even though she doesn’t cook. 

Goodreads Blurb

This is a moving and impassioned picture book about the iconic handbag designer Judith Leiber that will embolden young readers to use their imaginations and inspire the world with their own creativity!

At night, she took comfort

making handbags 

with any scraps she could find.

Every purse she made

made her dreams come alive.

Growing up in Budapest, Hungary, Judith Leiber drew inspiration from her father, who always brought back special handbags for her mother from wherever he traveled. After getting a job at a handbag house, she dreamt up designs that took her mind off her difficult life. World War II had broken out, and Judith and her family were Hungarian Jews facing persecution. At night, she would make handbags with any scraps she could find. 

She found her passion for fashion, and after the war ended Judith immigrated to America. Here, she found her vision for her designs from preening peacocks, fanciful frogs donning gilded crowns, burgers and fries, and layer cake. She turned the ordinary into extraordinary handbags, designing creations unlike anything that had been seen before.

This is an inspiring picture book about finding your passion and being creative from the same team behind Polka Dot Parade: The Story of Bill Cunningham!

My Review

Can you possibly imaging gluing 13,000 stones per handbag? You need to have patience and a steady hand. Judith Leiber was iconic with her fabulously, sparkly and unique handbags. They were special evening bags that were shaped as animals, foods, castles, and really anything that came to Judith’s mind. Her love for purses came at an early age and she knew that she would grow up to create handbags that people will love. She had a tough life after War World II broke out. Her and her family had to sew army uniforms and at some point had to hide in order to be safe. This never deterred her and she kept on creating handbags with leftover scraps. She fell in love with an American soldier and in New York she created her business. One mistake with a metal she used on a handbag turned a bad experience to a glittery wonderland. Her happy unique bags was the “it” bag that first ladies and celebrities carried to events to pair with their outfits. These purses are costly, unique and a conversation starter. I love purses just like these beautiful master pieces. Having a bag from Judith lets you be unique and standout. This book had great illustrations that let you see how amazing and different her handbags are. Her story will teach kids that when you have a passion for something, keep doing what you love and think outside the box. Kids will truly enjoy the glittery life of Judith Leiber.

Author Biography

Deborah Blumenthal is an award-winning journalist and nutritionist who now divides her time between writing children’s books and adult novels. She has been a regular contributor to The New York Times (including four years as the Sunday New York Times Magazine beauty columnist), and a home design columnist for Long Island Newsday. Her health, fitness, beauty, travel, and feature stories have appeared widely in many other newspapers and national magazines including New York’s Daily News, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Family Circle, Self, and Vogue. 

Blumenthal lives in New York City.

Goodreads Blurb

Louisa Clark arrives in New York ready to start a new life, confident that she can embrace this new adventure and keep her relationship with Ambulance Sam alive across several thousand miles. She steps into the world of the superrich, working for Leonard Gopnik and his much younger second wife, Agnes. Lou is determined to get the most out of the experience and throws herself into her new job and New York life. 

As she begins to mix in New York high society, Lou meets Joshua Ryan, a man who brings with him a whisper of her past. Before long, Lou finds herself torn between Fifth Avenue where she works and the treasure-filled vintage clothing store where she actually feels at home. And when matters come to a head, she has to ask herself: Who is Louisa Clark? And how do you find the courage to follow your heart—wherever that may lead?

Funny, romantic, and poignant, Still Me follows Lou as she navigates how to stay true to herself, while pushing to live boldly in her brave new world. 

My Review

A brilliant story with more wonderful adventures with Louisa Clark. She lives temporarily in the high life of NYC, while searching for her future. Jojo wrote a book filled with experiences, joy, heartbreak, love, deceit and forgiveness. As I read, I accompanied Louisa in her adventures in NYC. She made me laugh but I also got sad when she experience horrible moments. I truly feel for Louisa who is such a kind, funny and caring individual. She gets used by people because she is trust worthy and a true friend. I know that feeling. This novel let’s you see moments most of us have went through or might go through in life. Friendship is not always what it seems. Some times it’s a one way street or it comes from the least expected person. Thank you, JoJo for a lovely story filled with life, hope, dreams and adventures. I rated 5 out of 5 Stars.

Author Biography

Jojo Moyes is a British novelist.

Moyes studied at Royal Holloway, University of London. She won a bursary financed by The Independent newspaper to study journalism at City University and subsequently worked for The Independent for 10 years. In 2001 she became a full time novelist.

Moyes’ novel Foreign Fruit won the Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) Romantic Novel of the Year in 2004.

She is married to journalist Charles Arthur and has three children.

Goodreads Blurb

How far would you go to find The One?

A simple DNA test is all it takes. Just a quick mouth swab and soon you’ll be matched with your perfect partner—the one you’re genetically made for.

That’s the promise made by Match Your DNA. A decade ago, the company announced that they had found the gene that pairs each of us with our soul mate. Since then, millions of people around the world have been matched. But the discovery has its downsides: test results have led to the breakup of countless relationships and upended the traditional ideas of dating, romance and love.

Now five very different people have received the notification that they’ve been “Matched.” They’re each about to meet their one true love. But “happily ever after” isn’t guaranteed for everyone. Because even soul mates have secrets. And some are more shocking than others…

My Review

Can the one, truly make you happy? This novel truly leaves your mind twisted. It revolved around 4 main characters who all were searching for their one true love, but what they found was not what they expected. A plotted twist that will leave you stunned until the very end. Human nature always has flaws even though your DNA tells you something else. This was an amazing thriller filled with secrets that will evolve as you read this messed up story. Let love come as it always does and don’t let Science change that. I rated 4 out of 5 stars.

Author Biography

John Marrs is the author of The One, The Good Samaritan, When You Disappeared, Her Last Move and Welcome to Wherever You Are.

A former freelance journalist based in London, England, he spent twenty-five years interviewing celebrities from the world of television, film and music for national newspapers and magazines until becoming a full-time author in 2018.

He has written for publications including the Guardian’s Guide and Guardian Online, Total Film, Huffington Post, Empire, Q, GT, the Independent, S Magazine and Company.

His books have been translated into twenty different languages and The One is soon to be a major new Netflix series.