The Most Fun We Ever Had

The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

“There’s four of you?” he asked. “What’s that like?”
“It’s a vast hormonal hellscape. A marathon of instability and hair products.”

This one was a mixed bag for me. Dazzling? Not exactly. Well-written? Yes. Page-turner? Definitely not. This is a slow-burn family saga tells the tale of a long-married couple and their four very different daughters. The characters are rich and interesting. Their rivalries are valid. The relationships are super real. If that’s what you’re looking for, you will love this book. For me, it was just too long. And most of the time, too boring. What I did love about this book was the complicated relationships between the sisters, especially Wendy and Violet. If this book was shorter with a little more plot or drama, it would have been a winner. Three stars

In Cold Blood

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

“The village of Holcomb stands on the high wheat plains of western Kansas, a lonesome area that other Kansans call “out there.”

This nonfiction classic spurred the revolution of what has become the true-crime phenomenon. The pioneering true story follows two ex-cons, their murderous actions, and the investigation that ultimately brought them down. Perhaps having high expectations for this book is what led to my perceptions of mediocrity. Perhaps I have read too much nonfiction lately. Perhaps I have been desensitized by the true-crime stories that have followed it. Or perhaps I just didn’t like the slow southern storytelling which really irritated me. Regardless, I did appreciate the story. It just didn’t blow me away, and I wanted it to. Three stars.

This is How It Always Is

This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“For my child, for all our children, I want more options, more paths through the woods, wider ranges of normal, and unconditional love.”

Exceptional. This unprecedented story tells the heartwarming tale of a transgender child and her poignant journey of self-exploration. It is a beautiful story of parental love and family dynamics that examines what it really means to be who you are meant to be. Sweet and sentimental, this book is a MUST read for teens and adults. Highly recommended. FIVE STARS