Liz
Liz's "5 Best of 2020"
An Irish woman sets out on her life's most significant journey, following Artic terns on what she fears is their last migration south from Iceland to Antarctica. I was apprehensive about reading this book - is it a story told in the future, after many, many animals are extinct, but I loved it; it written so well and I related to the conflict that the characters faced. It is a fantastic read for conservationists, ornithologists and especially adventurers (like me)!
Becky Farwell is smart and she really excels at mathematics and problem solving. At a young age she becomes a fanatical, successful art dealer and collector, using her access to her small towns municipal funds to finance her obsession. Is she stealing? Good question!
In this thrilling novel based on a true story, I saw Miss Farwell as invincible, impulsive, generous and gracious. Was I cheering for her? You betcha!
This is such a clever story! Yes it is a murder mystery, but I thought it was so witty! Of course there's loads of suspense, a dead body, someone dealing drugs and a bad guy threating a perfectly innocent woman. But. Wait. The woman has two cell phones, because she has an alias and she's in her eighties and she is a Latin teacher at the high school close to her retirement community. This is a different kind of suspense and it is a great read.
Natalie is successful, smart, pretty and about to get engaged. Big problem - Natalie doesn't fancy her life. Then tragedy forces everything to change and she reluctantly moves to San Francisco to manage the family's bookshop. Turns out, that is complicated. The historic building is literally falling apart, the store is not profitable, her grandfather is struggling with his mobility and dementia and Natalie doubts herself and her past. But this is a romance story, set in a bookstore, so I loved it and everything works out in the end.
Eleven-year-old Kate is celebrating her birthday with her family when the mysterious, controversial uncle shows up to say hello and give the most unusual gift of all - a life sized, steam engine train. When Kate and her brother, Tom board the huge thing, it seems to take off - without tracks, is it flying? Yes! They pick up and drop off so many animals and land at so many different train stations. They don't initially understand what the purpose of the journey is, but they will! I loved this story and see it as a perfect read for tweens with a passion for animals.
