The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

This is Shaffer's first published book and, while very enjoyable, reads to me a lot like a number of YA books that feature a reclusive artist setting up a game (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Mr. Lemoncello's Library, etc.) except that the main focus is on Lucy Hart, 24 years old. When she was younger, Lucy became enchanted with a series of books set on Clock Island. They were written by Jack Masterson and Lucy, a younger child whose older sister was ill so she was often left by herself, wanted nothing more than to be his sidekick. So she went to the island. But she was sent home. Years later, she is a teacher's aide who wants nothing more than to adopt a boy in her school. But she is in debt, living with a number of roommates, and doesn't have a car. In other words, not a great candidate for adoption. But then, Jack announces a contest and the person who wins will get his latest manuscript. Lucy is one of the four people invited. 

In thinking about the book after I read it, I don't know much about Lucy other than the high points above nor anyone else in the book, including Hugo Reese, the man who ended up illustrating the newer editions of Jack's books and the other person featured in this story. And a couple of times I forgot I wasn't reading a YA book - I think it was partly the set up but also partly the language and perhaps a bit the fact that excerpts from Jack's stories are interspersed in the story. But I really did enjoy this book and hope that Shaffer keeps writing. 

Four stars

This book came out May 30, 2023

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts

Rowan Tripp is a smoke jumper in Missoula, Montana, like her famous father before her. She loves her life and isn't ready to open her heart to anyone. But this is a romance novel so... Gulliver Curry is one of the new recruits and even though Ro doesn't want to be attracted to him, Gulliver worms his way into her heart. 

Of course, the course of true love can't run smooth. Last summer, Rowan's jump partner died in a jump. This year, his lover, Dolly is back with his child. And so is his brother. And most of the rest of the crew. Which is bad, because somebody has it out for the crew this year. And then the bodies start to pile up and Rowan has to be fast on her feet to avoid being dead.

Three stars

This book came out April 12, 2011

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Undoing Project Michael Lewis

We first hear about Michael Lewis. About his ideas that he might be able to game the NBA draft through statistics. To try and take people's gut feelings out of the picks. He tried his best but did not succeed. However, his ideas all stem from the work of Kahneman and Tversky.

Then comes Daniel Kahneman. We hear about his growing up during WWII. About the way that others describe him, as brilliant but maybe a little odd. He eventually ended up in Israel. 

Last comes a brief biography of Amos Tversky who grew up in Israel and was an acknowledged genius. 

Then comes the overlapping work of Danny and Amos. The two come up with a number of interesting ideas about the ways we make decisions. Their relationship is closer than those that they have with their wives. Their work spans more than a decade and their ideas become so overlapping it is hard to tell who came up with which parts of their papers. They come up with the idea that our decisions may not be as clear cut and based on data as we think they are. But then, the cracks began to appear. First, they move to North America, but not to the same place. They don't argue in the same room anymore. Then, Danny starts to feel like his work is overlooked. And it seems like it is. While Amos never adds to that theory, he never publicly disputes it either. Their work never quite comes together again before Amos dies.

This is a really interesting story that falters a bit at the end. Certainly makes me rethink some of my decision-making processes. 

Four stars

This book came out October 13, 2017

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Operation Mincemeatby Ben Macintyre

A wonderfully written narrative about the ruse used by the Allies which ultimately helped win WWII. Wonderfully engaging and researched. Great to listen to as an audiobook.

Four stars

This book came out May 4, 2010

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Mindset by Carol S. Dweck

The bottom line always comes down to having a growth mindset. Yes, there are things in life that are fixed but many things can be improved through more learning. I did like the addition of the groupthink but otherwise this was a bit redundant. 

Three stars

This book came out January 1, 2006

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Connections in Death by J.D. Robb

Eve Dallas has a friendship with former bouncer, now club owner, Crack. So she is astonished to see him at a Nadine Furst's housewarming party with a lovely woman at his side. She's even more surprised to find out that Roarke knows Dr. Rochelle Pickering. It seems she was a top contender to be running the new facility for homeless teens. Now that the first choice had to move, she is the choice. Dr. Pickering is delighted. As is her brother. A former gang member and drug abuser, Lyle knows better than anyone how hard life can treat you and having a home like this will give these children a leg up in the world. Three hours later, Lyle is dead. Supposedly of a drug overdose. But Eve smells a set up. Especially when she finds out that a former associate of Lyle's was seen outside his door just before he OD'd. The story takes her deep into the bowels of gang territory where a bid for power means one gang member trying to start a war.

This was an interesting In Death book because the murder doesn't actually happen until Chapter 4. Instead, we get a nice long introduction to a new character as well as catch up with many of the series favorites.I didn't feel like the gang war story line was well put together but it was overall a nice addition to the series.

Three and a half stars

This book came out February 5, 2019

Follows Leverage in Death

Followed by Vendetta in Death

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Reread August 2023

The Christmas Season by Ally Sinclair

I didn't see anywhere that this was the second book in a series. It may not be but it sure reads like one and some of the stories (Emma and Tom, especially), we are jumping in the middle of. It took me some time to settle into the rhythm of this book but I did eventually enjoy reading about the trio of women who were the main focus of this story.

Hope had a really bad breakup years ago. Her cousins and her best friend, Theo, held her together. She's ready to find love but failed in in the last "Season" that Emma, a matchmaker, had created. Now she's enjoying her time with a young man named Callum but is he really the one? This story is the one where we see the most relationship growth. 

Grace is looking for love and readily takes advantage of one of the free tickets Emma has given Hope. While she's very attracted to a young artist named Morgan, it's an older gentleman with Jonathon who she's been going home with. Lots of sex on the page for this relationship. 

Connie is not really looking for love but when her twin sister and cousin are going to participate in The Season, Connie's not going to be left out. She's also interested in Morgan but past experience has taught her that Grace always wins these kinds of competitions. Her story is the one with the most personal growth.

Three stars    

This book comes out August 10, 2023

ARC kindly provided by Hera Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own