Title: The Winner
Author: David Baldacci
Published: December 1997
Pithy Review: LuAnn Tyler won the lottery! She always dreamed of a better life for her and infant daughter. Far away from their small town and her no-good boyfriend. But there's a catch with the winning ticket: leave the U.S. forever and change her identity. But it becomes a high-stakes game when she breaks the promise that made her rich. Now the lottery winner has to fight a financial mastermind. This book was a buddy read with Chickadee and a colleague. What a spin it took us!
Quote Grab: "All of these illusions would be remembered by even the most casual observer." ~ pg. 9
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title: Eff This! Meditation
Author: Liza Kindred
Published: October 2019
Pithy Review: This book was like a gift I didn't know I needed. It takes a lot for me to focus and sit still long enough to meditate. My mind doesn't turn off completely. But the 108 tips, tricks, ideas and lessons within are powerful tools that actually helped me. Good for those feeling down, anxious, stressed or overwhelmed. Thanks to the author for my meditation break-through. I will refer to this book for months to come.
Quote Grab: "Take a digital detox day." ~ pg. 114
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title: Even the Stars Look Lonesome
Author: Maya Angelou
Published: April 2014
Pithy Review: What is Africa to me? How poor were you? What problems does fame bring? Can you sing the praises of sexuality? These are just a few questions asked while Maya Angelou talks about things she cares about most. Her wisdom on such a wide variety of topics is a gift for my soul.
Quote Grab: "No, I am merely observing that paltry creatures such as ourselves, who labor two-thirds of our lives to oppose gravity and remain erect, require some time to laze on sofas, relax before fireplaces, to recline on white beaches under a benevolent sun." ~ pg. 51
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title: You Won't See Me Coming
Author: Kristen Orlando
Published: January 2019
Pithy Review: L The first two books of this series were outstanding! So I didn't expect the final book of trilogy to disappoint much as it did. Reagan and Luke are walking targets forced into hiding. The plan is to keep a quiet safe live. But when someone close to the pair is being kidnapped, they defy all Black Angel orders and risk blowing their cover. Why won't this girl just sit down somewhere and chill?!
Quote Grab: "Disappointed. One of the worst words a parent could say." ~ pg. 61
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️
Title: Hurricanes
Author: Rick Ross & Neil Martinez-Belkin
Published: September 2019
Pithy Review: Rapper Ricky Rozay chronicles his life amid Miami's crack epidemic and his rise to fame. Candid. Vivid. Controversial. This revealing memoir is all that with no apologies. He could've wore a shirt on the book cover though. From a young age to current day, Rick Ross paid close attention to the smallest of details and made methodical moves. That's a Virgo for ya! Grab some lemon pepper all flats from Wing Stop and start reading.
Quote Grab: "Do you know what I mean when I say this shit is deeper than rap?" ~ pg. 97
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title: The Beautiful Ones
Author: Prince
Published: October 2019
Pithy Review: My favorite artist. A philosopher. A famous spiritual being. The Artist formerly known as..., The Sign, The Kid. The Oh Great Purple One. The reason little ole' 3-year-old me sang at the top of my lungs to anyone that would listen. The actor/creator of one of my favorite movies ever. The musician/writer/singer of my all-time favorite song which is also the title of this new much-anticipated-didn't-think-it-would-ever-happen memoir. Need I say more? Okay, I will say a little bit. Prince began writing this memoir before his death. The Beautiful Ones is full of photos, thoughts, scrapbook items, lyric sheets and explanations. He really lets readers in to his private world. But the best part in this whole memoir—for a stan like me—is the original treatment for Purple Rain. I almost cried like a dove. See what I did there?
Quote Grab: "Handwriting is a lost art in need of resurrection." ~ pg. 86
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title: 19th Christmas
Author: James Patterson
Published: October 2019
Pithy Review: A new holiday novel for the Women's Murder Club! Kind of early for Christmas but I'll take it. The biggest heist ever is hitting San Francisco on Christmas Day. Lindsay and the girls are running ragged around the city with chaos, traps and false alarms. This criminal may be their match.
Quote Grab: "If this circumstance isn't exigent, I don't know what is." ~ pg. 262
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title: Never Have I Ever
Author: Joshilyn Jackson
Published: July 2019
Pithy Review: Mommies Book Club gone wrong! Or better yet, when blackmailers blackmail each other right back. This book reminds me of the old TV series Revenge (which is getting a reboot in 2020) meets the daring Never Have I Ever game of secrets. Roux takes Amy on a complicated round of a clever game. Remember the past always comes back!
Quote Grab: "No one walks around holding their ugliest sin in the palm of their hand, staring at it. Our hurts are heavy, and we let them sink." ~ pg. 74
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️
Title: I'm Telling the Truth But I'm Lying
Author: Bassey Ikpi
Published: August 2019
Pithy Review: I honestly only have one word to describe this deeply personal collection of essays: RAW. Bassey bit no tongue in navigating Bipolar II, anxiety and depression. And what made it so compelling is knowing Bassey was honest but also possibly telling readers lies. Just! Read! It! And might I suggest the physical copy because the book cover is so fitting and eye-catching.
Quote Grab: "I turn the purple bruises of memory into lipstick-stained kisses, the crushing weight of life into neck-nuzzling embraces." ~ pg. 45
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title: Better Than This
Author: Beth Flynn
Published: July 2019
Pithy Review: Let me explain my moment of panic. I am usually very good at keeping up with new releases, especially in series/trilogy/spin-off novels. So imagine my surprise when Better Than This (a Nine Minutes spin-off novel) appeared in my feed. And it released back in July! Seriously how did this slip under my radar for like four months?! Anyhoot, I downloaded the eBook immediately and read it nonstop. It features Barbie Jean Anderson and a storyline that debates whether men and women can't be friends, along with proof that time doesn't heal all wounds so they just scab over.
Quote Grab: "Like two lovers tightly woven into each other's arms, my anger and grief melded together and formed an animalistic fury like I'd never experienced." ~ pg. 192
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
♠️🖤
Bookhearts, I hope you enjoyed these ten (10) pithy reviews. This is what happens at year-end when I catch up books I have not shared my opinion on. No matter the genre—suspense, non-fiction, family drama, memoirs or dark romance, there are recommendations here for everyone. As always, continue sharing your good reads (or stay aways) with me. Happy Reading!
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