authorjenn's reviews
10 reviews

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

It made me sad that it took to almost page 200 to get into this book. After that it was a fast, easy, but sad read. This is a fiction story but I'm sure there are some non fiction stories out there very similar to this. I used this book as part of a teaching lesson on how blessed we are to live in 2024 and that we don't have to eat wallpaper off the walls to survive. This would be a great book to have in a High School or College literature class. Lots to learn from this book.

Into the Forest and all the Way Through by Cynthia Pelayo

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

4.0

My heart just breaks for every family that has a missing person! I think this book is a great way to keep these cases out there and to help to get them solved. Every family deserves the truth. I looked up every case after I read each poem. The poem " Echo" was my favorite. It spoke the truth for all the missing. Of WHY! Also in my research I found two cases that had typos, the age and last name did not match what I had found online.

Verity by Colleen Hoover

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Verity had me hooked at chapter 1. Very good easy read. Love the name Verity!!!! I read the edition with the exclusive chapter. I was told it makes a HUGE difference. I did not get the "Shock Factor", but it still had me hooked to the point I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! I look forward to reading more Colleen Hoover books.

Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica

dark mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

After reading "Local Woman Missing" and Loving it, I was very disappointed in "Just the Nicest Couple". It was a very fast read for me, I was very driven to finish it, even though I didn't enjoy it. I knew there was more to Lily than met the "eye" ( or words lol ). I was not really expecting the twist at the end but at the same time not surprised. 

Out of the Spin Cycle: Devotions to Lighten Your Mother Load by Jen Hatmaker

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

5.0

I received this book as a Christmas gift in 2023 from my bestie! I read one devotional a day, 1st thing in the morning and it was such a wonderful way to start the day. The book has amazing advice for 1st time Moms and great reminders for us seasoned Moms. I've been a mother for 11yrs now and I found great reminders there for those challenging boy mom days. She even talks about if you grew up with generational trauma/ dysfunction and how you want to break the cycle. My favorite quotes from the book are: " Forgiveness is one-sided", "Forgiveness end your suffering because it end the wish for repay that is never forthcoming and that makes your heart sick because your hope us differed, cut it loose and you will be free". Such POWERFUL words, words to live by in all walks of life not just motherhood.

The Devil and John Holmes: And Other True Stories of Drugs, Porn and Murder by Mike Sager

adventurous dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

3.0

I went down the rabbit hole for this book after listening about John Holmes from the Morbid Podcast. Being a true crime junkie this is like nothing I have ever read before. Interesting to say the least. I learned a lot about the "Porn Lifestyle" than  I wanted or cared to know. I understand that it is all part of their stories. 

Bloodstained Louisiana: Twelve Murder Cases, 1896-1934 by Alan G. Gauthreaux

dark sad slow-paced

3.0

A great way to read some southern history.  Lots of stories of women killing their lovers.

Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

After borrowing book 1 from my aunt and reading it. I HAD to read book 2 in this series. I enjoyed book 2 more than book 1. Due to some of the violence ( we will call it) in the book, I did have to take breaks from reading it at times. It overwhelmed me emotionally, especially being a woman! It made my heart so happy for the ending after all the violence. It's amazing that this fiction story is based on a real person and her heroic story. I'm really looking forward to book 3!  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Violence, and Rape

Moderate: Violence, Rape, and War

Carrying Albert Home: The Somewhat True Story of A Man, His Wife, and Her Alligator by Homer Hickam

adventurous hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This " Somewhat True Story" is full of Tall Tales. Its a cute story but I found it to be boring at times. I find it hard to believe a bank robbery, explosion of a sock mill, bootlegging, kidnapping, serial killer, ghost, and crime duo just to name a few, all happened to one couple and their alligator & chicken all in a two week period. I appreciate the photos in the back of the book, interestingly there are no photos of Albert. Things that make you go hmmmmmm. 

Hidden Girl: The True Story of a Modern-Day Child Slave by Shyima Hall

emotional informative inspiring sad medium-paced

4.5

I received this book as a gift about 5yrs ago. I hate that it took me so long to read it. Very interesting. This book taught me many things, about the Muslim culture and religion.  Shyima gave amazing pointers to watch for if you suspect a working child slave. Even though I have never me Shyima, I am very proud of her and her journey. It takes so much strength and courage to move on and better your life when you have experienced trauma. Very well written book. I think every American should read!