A Test of Wills is a satisfying, traditional English mystery with a nontraditional main character. Ian Rutledge is trying to rebuild his career at Scotland Yard following World War I, but PTSD, lack of clues, and secretive villagers are making it difficult to solve a high-profile murder. Continue reading
Author Archives: mmelland
10 Fascinating Nonfiction Books that Will Leave You Wanting More
In the right author’s hands, true stories can be just as engrossing as fiction. Plus, the best nonfiction books teach you about a number of topics, including history, famous and non famous people, and both well-known and obscure events and locations. Continue reading
Book Review: The Shell Collector by Anthony Doerr
The Shell Collector is a collection of short stories by Pulitzer Prize winner Anthony Doerr. Each story is the same sublime quality of All the Light You Cannot See, but packaged as delicious bite-sized nuggets. These short stories pack a powerful literary punch! Continue reading
Audio Book Review: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, Narrated by Marin Ireland and Michael Urie
Filled with human decency, Remarkably Bright Creatures is Shelby Van Pelt’s “remarkably bright” debut novel. Add in terrific narration by Marin Ireland and Michael Urie, and you have a fantastic audio book. Continue reading
Book Review: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Lessons in Chemistry chronicles the struggles of a woman scientist as she tries to succeed in a male dominated industry in the 1960s. It ranges from heavy to amusing, with a persistent hatred for Christians and the Catholic Church woven throughout (not amusing). Continue reading
Book Review: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Fahrenheit 451 is Ray Bradbury’s classic warning about totalitarianism and the demise of the wisdom we gain from reading books. Is it still relevant today? Unfortunately, yes. Continue reading
Book Review: The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
The Plot is a suspense novel that explores the ethics of the origins of plot ideas. Are there still any original plot ideas, or do fiction writers just keep putting their own spin on the same tried and true story lines? Is a writer obligated to develop a plot regardless of where it came from? You be the judge! Continue reading
Book Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is Sherman Alexie’s semi-autobiographical narrative about a young native American boy torn between the hopelessness of his reservation and the promise of a better future at an all-white high school. The narrator, Junior, deals with serious topics with wit and wisdom that will have you laughing and also sometimes tearing up. Continue reading
The 2023 Thoughtful Reading Challenge
I’m really excited to announce the categories of the 2023 Thoughtful Reading Challenge! I think we have some fun topics that will get us out of our own reading comfort zones. Continue reading
Book Review: I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
I Must Betray You is a gripping, historical young adult novel about a teenage boy’s struggle for freedom in the final days of Romania’s oppressive communist regime. It shines a bright light on a topic that isn’t well-known to young people, and I highly recommend it as an account of what true oppression looks like. Continue reading
Book Thoughts from Bed 