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Young Jane Young
Young Jane Young
Gabrielle Zevin | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
6
7.3 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
3.5 Stars

Aviva Grossman has made a mistake, but so has Aaron Levin. One of them will continue to lead a normal life and one of them will go into hiding and move hundreds of miles away from their home until the secret comes out in the open. Similar to the story between Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky, Aviva Grossman has had an affair with a Congressman she was working for in South Florida. When the scandal breaks, Aviva can no longer get a job or leave her house without being recognized. So she changes her name to Jane Young, leaves the state, and cuts ties with her old life. But now she wants to run for Mayor of her small town and her secret will no longer be safe.

I decided to read this book for a couple of reasons. I have seen the book at the library for a while and I wondered about the woman on the cover. A few people I know have read the book and enjoyed it. This book was better than OK, but not great for me. The book is told from four different perspectives, spanning a time from when the affair begins, to 13 years later when Aviva, now Jane runs for Mayor.

1. Rachel Grossman, Aviva's mother, is a good Jewish mother. She tries to do her best for all of those around her, but it doesn't always pay off. (This part of the book was the hardest for me to get through)
2. Jane Young, the event planner in Allison Springs, Maine. She is a single mother whose main focus is raising her young daughter to be nothing like her old self.
3. Ruby Young, Jane's daughter. Ruby tells her part of the story through emails with her pen pal in Indonesia as part of a school assignment. (this was my favorite part of the book)
4. Embeth Levin, the Congressman's wife. Her part of the story was quite interesting. You wonder what goes through the mind of a wife who has been cheated on especially one in such a public light
and finally from the woman herself
5. Aviva Grossman. We find out about the affair and how it all happened and the aftermath of the scandal. Aviva writes in a Choose Your Own Adventure style, but she has already chosen the path the story will take. Aviva ran from her problems to in Florida to become Jane in Maine and make a new life for herself. But once her secrets are revealed, will she be able to maintain her new life?

The reason I gave this book 3.5 stars is because I felt as if there was something missing. I'm not sure exactly what it was. I didn't enjoy the mother's part of the story and I wasn't too keen on the ending. Overall, I would recommend this book to those who enjoy general fiction.
  
Zora and Me: The Cursed Ground
Zora and Me: The Cursed Ground
M. R. Simon | 2018 | Children
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Zora and Me: The Cursed Ground By: T.R. Simon
Children's Fiction Middle Grade 272 Pages Release Date September 11, 2018 Publisher: Candlewick Press
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#ZoraAndMe#NetGalley
Okay now that I got all the information that Net Galley wants me to put onto each of my reviews I can now review this book.
I enjoyed this book a lot. I gave it 4.5 stars.
This book is about two girls named Zora and Me(Carrie Brown). They learn a lot about their little towns history in this story. The town is called Eatonville, Florida. This town is a color town meaning only color people live here. The town was established in around 1887.
This story takes place in the summer of 1903
Carrie is staying with Zora and her family while her mom is off working with a sick baby. One night it is raining and the neighbors horses get loose. This is unusual so the girls go to check on the neighbor, Mr. Polk who is a mute. They find him beaten up and go to find the healer who people claim to be a witch. They soon discover that Mr. Polk is able to talk but in a foreign language and not very often. The healer is Old Lady Bronson.
Here is the reason why I only gave the book 4.5 stars it went into a flash back and I it took me almost half way through the book to figure out why.
The story turns to the year 1855 and talks about a little girl called Lucia. This little girl is friends with a white girl named Prisca. Prisca Dad brings them both to Florida to marry a lady Miss Caroline. Lucia is made into a slave and having to learn about a new of way life. The book keeps flashing back every now and then to keep you informed about what happened.
I could tell you about the book but then you want to read it and I highly recommend that you do. Ms. Simon does a wonderful job telling the way the country was back in that time that needs to be told.
You will enjoy the twist and turns this story tells. You will not want to put the book down.
Zora loves adventures and can get into a lot of scrapes. They see a ghost or two and that is unnerving to them. One quote that I liked is when Zora says "I know you go anyway, even though you're scared and you're right it doesn't make you a scaredy-cat. It makes you brave."
You must read this book to your children and help them learn about our history because the schools are slowly fading out this part of history.
  
40x40

Brendan Benson recommended track Girl U Want by Devo in Greatest Hits by Devo in Music (curated)

 
Greatest Hits by Devo
Greatest Hits by Devo
1990 | Rock
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

Girl U Want by Devo

(0 Ratings)

Track

"There’s a story behind this song. My parents were divorced and when I was little and I’d go to visit my Dad, out of state in Florida. We lived in Michigan, I was really young and I remember flying all by myself with the captain's hat, the wings and all that. My Dad turned me onto this song. He was super hip, super cool and way into music, and I think that’s where I get it from. He showed me Devo, and I was ten because that record was out in 1980. I thought ‘What? These guys are goofy...’ but by the end of my next trip to his I was loving it. I don’t know why I liked ""Girl U Want"", but it had this bizarre and cool edge to it. I think sonically it was a big deal to me too, it sounded weird and processed, it wasn't like Rock and Roll, it was that New Wave thing and I liked the sound of it. It’s hard to talk about these songs. I’m trying to make sense of the feelings I have about them, but they’re elusive feelings. People might not think of these songs as huge, monumental songs but I like the fact they’re fun and they disguise themselves as silly, almost comedic songs. But dude, that shit is for real and Devo’s songs are for real. ""Girl U Want"" blew my mind and continues to blow my mind thirty-five years later"

Source
  
Revelations (The Nephilim Series #1)
Revelations (The Nephilim Series #1)
A.P. Foote | 2020 | Horror, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
190 of 200
Kindle
Revelations ( The Nephilim series book 1)
By A.P. Foote

Imagine a world where everyone lives in peace. Supernaturals aren’t real and the only thing you have to fear are humans. Got that? Okay. Now, forget all of it, because that’s not my world.
Moving from Plant City, Florida to Seattle, Washington was supposed to be my do-over. No reminders of the pain and no supernaturals. But I was very, very wrong. The angels disappeared long ago--so we thought--but vampires, demons, warlocks, shifters…you name it, they’re all over the place. They control this town and everything in it. Four of them even claim I am their destined mate. The worst part? The demon, Azazel, wants me. And not in the best way.
I’ve just discovered I’m Lucifer’s daughter as well as the most powerful Nephilim on the planet. But that doesn’t stop Azazel. He wants my soul and will do anything to have it.
With the help of my mates and a few unexpected friends I’ve picked up along the way, we will eliminate the threat while making a statement to anyone else who tries to disrupt order on this plane or any other. Easy, right?




This was exactly what I wanted I love anything written around the angels and demons scene also throw the geek or Roman gods in too! This was fast paced and kept you engrossed! A new author for me and I really enjoyed this book!
  
Pieces of Eight (Lost Souls&#039; Treasure #1)
Pieces of Eight (Lost Souls' Treasure #1)
Tricia Leedom | 2021 | Contemporary, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
wonderfully easy read
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Griffin returns to Florida to help his old mentor to strike gold, literally. He just never realised he’d find his own pot of gold: in the form of a former circus performer called Bug. Bug never told Griff how she felt about him, and she won’t now, not if he’s leaving again. But a trip to Martinique changes everything, and could end it all before it really begins.

This is a delightfully easy read, with just enough of everything to keep you engaged.

There enough of the past, of Bug and Griff but mostly Griff. Enough of now of them both (they both get a say) Enough drama, both with these two and with the team. Some wonderful characters in the team, and when Hannah (Griff’s ex) turns up, I’m sure she’s ruffled a few feathers! Enough steam to make it smexy, but not overly explicit. Enough emotions from both of them, and you understand why Bug is so angry with Griff in the beginning, once those emotions are fully explained.

It’s well written, and well delivered. I saw no spelling or editing errors to spoil my reading.

It’s a really GOOD book, it just doesn’t blow me away. And I’m sorry about that! Will I read future books in the series? Possibly.

3 good solid stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**