Share Your Shelf-February

Hello readers. It's the first Thursday of the month which means it's time to talk books. Here's what I read in February-

1. All The Colors of the Dark by Chris Whittaker

I liked this book, but thought it could have used a bit of editing. A little on the long side, unnecessarily in my opinion. Still a really good read and I enjoy Chris Whitaker's writing. I read one of his earlier books which I also really liked-We Begin at the End.

Back to today's book...Patch is a boy (when the story begins) from a small Missouri town. He witnesses a girl being kidnapped and intervenes, which results in his own kidnapping and subsequent obsession with a girl called Grace he believes is held captive with him. A childhood friend (Saint) makes it her mission to find Patch and uncover the mysteries surrounding his disappearance. There's much more to the 'case' but I don't want to spoil the plot for anyone who might want to read. Four stars for me. 

2. City of Night Birds by Juhea Kim

I love ballet, and in this novel ballet is the star. City of Night Birds is the (fictional) story of Natalia Leonova, a one time prima ballerina whose career was halted by injury. She returns to St. Petersburg two years later to face her past, and consider whether a return to the Russian ballet world is possible. The book portrays so well the cutthroat world of professional ballet at the highest level, the emotion, athleticism, ambition, and company politics that are part of it all

I loved this book, and the author's vivid portrayal of the world of professional ballet. And now I want to book tickets to a performance somewhere soon. I gave it four stars. 

3. The Southern Killer by Peter O'Mahoney (Book #3)

Hubs and I listened on Audible and we both enjoyed it. The narration in this series is good. This is book three in a six- part series, and in this one we're given much more information about the lawyer Joe Hennessey's son's murder two decades ago. 

In The Southern Killer Joe agrees to defend 18-year old Alicia Fenton, a young woman accused of murdering her step father. Alicia's biological father (Cleveland) is serving life in prison and has information Joe wants relating to the murder of Joe's young son 20 years ago. Cleveland says if Joe will take on his daughter's case then he'll tell him what he knows about Joe's son's murder, a case that has never been solved. In these books there are usually two cases Joe is working simultaneously, and they sometimes intersect in unexpected ways. That's true in this one as well. 

I really like the Charleston and Upstate South Carolina settings in these novels, the characters are well drawn, and the plots engaging. Another 4 star book for me. Read these novels in order if you decide to pick one up. 

4. The Wedding People by Alison Espach 

There was a lot of hype around this book and I have to say I enjoyed it a lot. Not a brain strain by any means, but engaging and populated with a variety of interesting and mostly enjoyable characters. 

Phoebe Stone is a recently divorced, extremely depressed, young woman who checks in to a luxurious hotel on the Rhode Island Coast. The hotel has been completely rented out by an over the top and very wealthy bride-to be for the week of her wedding. Somehow one room slipped through the reservation cracks and Phoebe is given that room. 

She checks in to the hotel with the intention of having one final big hurrah before ending her life. Shortly after checking in she encounters the bride, and then goes on to connect with 'the wedding people' in ways she didn't anticipate. The story advances from there.  While there are some heavy topics covered, the author has done so with a light hand, humor, and emotion. 

A fun read...three stars for me. 

5. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

So this is a love story? Hmmm....

I decided I wanted to read (or re-read) a classic piece of literature every month this year. I hadn't read Wuthering Heights since high school and it was fun to re-visit. 

First things first, the vocabulary Emily Bronte uses in telling this Gothic tale is just amazing. I love it. 

Secondly, in this novel the setting (the North Yorkshire Moors) is very much a character. 

The story is darker than I remembered, but so well written. The plot centers mainly around the relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, an orphan taken in as a child by her family. When Catherine chooses to marry Edgar Linton, Heathcliff is determined to get revenge and starts down a long path of bringing misery and destruction to everyone in his life. He is a master manipulator, cruel and vindictive. 

Again, this is a love story? 

If you've never read Wuthering Heights, or it's been a good long while, go read it or read it again. Books hit you differently at different points in your life and classics are classic for a reason. Five stars for me. 

So what have you read lately that you'd recommend.? You can add your own reviews to the Share Your Shelf link up hosted by Jenn (My Joyful Life),  Joanne (Slices of Life), Marilyn (Memphis Bridges), and Tanya (The Other Side of the Road) the first Thursday of every month. Happy reading!