The Wedding People is a current best-selling contemporary fiction novel about Phoebe who, with the help of the members of a wedding party, pulls herself from the brink of suicide and even falls unexpectedly in love. The fantastic narration makes this a story best listened to rather than read. Continue reading
Author Archives: mmelland
Strikeout ALS!
Hello everyone! This is my annual request for donations to the ALS Association.
For new blog readers, I was diagnosed with ALS 13 years ago. It’s a disease that kills the motor neurons, which means the brain can’t communicate with the muscles that perform voluntary movement, including speaking, swallowing, and breathing. Ten and a half years ago, when my diaphragm muscles gave out, I went on a ventilator. Continue reading
Audiobook Review: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, Narrated by Jenna Lamia
The Secret Life of Bees is a charming coming of age story set in South Carolina in 1964. The story follows young Lily and her black nanny, Rosaleen, as they escape an oppressive household and seek information about Lily’s dead mother. Continue reading
Audiobook Review: All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker, Narrated by Edoardo Ballerini
All the Colors of the Dark is a novel that’s part suspense, part contemporary literature, and wholly immersive. A unique plot and memorable characters make it a satisfying – but long – read. Continue reading
Audiobook review: First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston, Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld
First Lie Wins is a twisty and satisfying suspense novel with elements of a spy thriller. It’s a fast-moving cat and mouse game with a cleverly surprising setup revealed at the end. Continue reading
Book Review: The Boys of Winter by Wayne Coffey
The Boys of Winter is about the 1980 US Olympic hockey team who won the gold in Lake Placid and inspired a nation. With details of the coaches’ and players’ lives (before and after the Olympics) and play-by-play of some of the more memorable moments of the US vs USSR game, you’ll be amazed by the team’s accomplishments, and may even want to watch the 44-year-old game. Continue reading
Book Review: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
The Thursday Murder Club is a charming and poignant mystery novel full of great characters, amusing scenes and dialog, and multiple, hard-to-solve murders. With a strong theme of the worries that accompany the aging process, The Thursday Murder Club is also touching and enlightening. Continue reading
Audiobook Review: Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera, Narrated by January LaVoy and Will Damron
Listen for the Lie is a highly entertaining novel of suspense about a cold case murder, the people who were involved, and the true crime podcast that tries to solve it. It’s surprisingly funny and engaging, making Listen for the Lie a novel I would easily recommend. Continue reading
Book Review: Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
Interpreter of Maladies is an insightful collection of short stories that examines the experience of Indian immigrants from multiple angles. This is author Jhumpa Lahiri’s first published collection of stories, and it won a Pulitzer Prize. To quote the musical “Hamilton” – “Immigrants…we get the job done.” Continue reading
Audiobook Review: The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer, Narrated by Rachel L. Jacobs
The Wishing Game is a charming story about the impact good books can have on young lives and the importance of never giving up on your dreams. If you need a break from dark, heavy novels, The Wishing Game can help cleanse your reading palette while also providing whimsical entertainment. Continue reading
Book Thoughts from Bed 