Tag Archives: little women

Book Reviews – April 2026

27 Apr

Welcome back to SGL, friends. How this month has flown by! I’m surprised by how much I was able to read, let’s get to it, shall we?

The Powder (Tales of a Revolution: Bermuda) by Lars D.H. Hedbor – Hal is unexpectedly thrust into the middle of the revolution in colonial Bermuda when Molly’s father asks for his help in a daring plot that will aid the mainland rebels. Hal’s caught between his own more immediate concern of where his next meal will come from, and the seriousness of this cause.

~ I found this story engaging and very easy to read – I’d say younger readers could grasp what was occurring without trouble. I loved Molly’s spirit and the adults’ drive to do what was right, as well as give Hal a second chance. I got to meet Lars at a few book events these past months and enjoyed getting to talk to him about his stories and writing process. He’s a pacific northwest author, check his website out if you’re interested in his books!

In the Reeds: A Short Story Anthology by Tim Maddox – Maddox shares eleven short stories (and a few extras!) of his completed short stories for Reedsy.com weekly challenges. These cover fantasy, sci fi, espionage, snapshot of life and more.

~If you’ve been around a while, you’ll know that I don’t read many short stories/novellas because I always want them to be longer. And, while that is still true with these short stories, I still enjoyed them. A few stood out more than others of course, but I liked reading one or two before turning my light out at night, and not have quite so much pull to read ‘one more chapter’ like happens with a full length book. He’s another pacific northwest author, here’s his website, if you’re interested!

The Tales of Teltra by D.H. McCormack- I recently shared a separate blog post on this story, click the title to go check it out!

Little Women by Lousia May Alcott – Follow the March sisters as the family lives through the Civil War. Their home in New England is a haven against the world for all four of them – Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. While Marmee and Hannah help them in their day to day, their father is away at war.

~dramatic reading, Spotify. I hadn’t read this in several years, somehow, so it was a delight to listen to it again. Although, it did take me far too long to finish since I couldn’t find my physical copy… The dramatic reading was great, although I wondered at the southern-sound of Hannah’s voice – is that something I forgot was there in the book, or was it just a choice for the dramatic reading? Anyway, I also liked how Alcott steps away from the story to tell the reader certain things and started wondering how that would go over in a book written nowadays or if it would be more of an irritant to modern readers without that nostalgia to smooth over the ‘preachy’ aspect of some of it. I digress. I was reminded why

Hope When It Hurts: Biblical Reflections to Help You Grasp God’s Purpose in Your Suffering by Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton – Both the authors have lived through difficult times- and still are. They’ve share thirty biblical reflections that, while they don’t shy away from the real pain that often accompanies life, they are full of hope in God.

~This is the second time my sister in law and I have gone through this book and we found it just as encouraging this time. The lessons are a good length with insightful questions at the end of each. Highly recommend this book whether your suffering is physical, emotional or psychological, chronic or not.

Ten Days in a Mad House and Other Stories by Nellie Bly – the first of the stories, ’10 days in a mad house’ was written in 1887 after Bly went undercover at a woman’s insane asylum on Blackwell’s Island. The assignment was given to her by Joseph Pulitzer. Other stories follow, giving more insight into the living conditions of the time.

~I thoroughly enjoy Bly’s writing style. That aside, it was further interesting, knowing that they were newspaper articles when they were first read. And that, if people were so moved, things could have changed for those she wrote about. Definitely recommend.

Currently Reading:

The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive #1) by Brandon Sanderson

Leave It To Psmith by P.G. Wodehouse (audiobook, Librivox) – I’ve just recently started listening to this again

Upon Waking by Jackie Hill Perry

Upcoming Hopefuls:

Little Men by Louisa May Alcott

The Oath by Lars D.H. Hedbor

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Book Reviews – February 2026 – and some fun news

26 Feb

Welcome back to SGL, my friends! Thank you for coming by, it’s always so lovely to know you took some time to join me on my blog. I’ve also got some exciting news to share after the reviews! Let’s get to it!

Cybele’s Secret (Wildwood #2) by Juliet Marillier – Paula’s dream is coming true- she’s accompanying her merchant father on a trip to Istanbul as his assistant. Their trip is for a rare artifact from a lost religion, a gift from an ancient goddess, Cybele, to her followers. But Paula and her father quickly realize that their mission is far more dangerous than they’d dream it would be. A fellow merchant is found dead. The cult is said to have been revived in the city. And Paula starts seeing signs that urge her to unlock Cybele’s secret.

~I know this was a reread but apparently I never reviewed it here on SGL in 2023. Well, no time like the present. After reading Wildwood Dancing like I love to do at the start of a new year, I had to get the sequel from the library. I’d forgotten much of the story, but once again I enjoyed following Paula through learning how to live in Turkey, why she’s seeing things in the most random of places, and what to do with the rascal pirate and the quiet, steady bodyguard. Her adventures are fantastic, but I enjoyed them – loving the things the characters learned and how they grew along the way. The focus on family and faithfulness and courage. I’m not sure I loved it as I do the first book, but it’s quite enjoyable all the same. And I do wish we’d gotten a book about little Stela.

The Library of the Unwritten (Hell’s Library #1) by A.J. Hackwith – This is where all unwritten books reside. And it’s the Librarians’ job to organize and repair all books. And, of course, retrieve any books that go wandering… Claire Hadley, Head Librarian of the Unwritten Wing, must retrieve a Hero that has gone in search of his author. She takes along her assistant, former muse Brevity, and a reluctant courier demon, Leto. But the simple retrieval turns into anything but, when the angel Ramiel attacks them, demanding they give him the Devil’s Bible… a book that has the power to reshape heaven, hell…and the earth. It’s up to the librarian to find this powerful weapon before it can be used in the battle between heaven and hell.

~A friend recommended this to me a few years ago (and by recommended, she dropped it in my lap and told me to read it hehe). This time around was a reread, because I kept thinking about it and had to dive in again, which, since it is quite out of my normal reads, was surprising to me. But it is well written with twists and turns in the plot that were mostly out of left field. There were parts that dragged, but it was fun to know what was coming and what was really vital to what was coming next, so I think those sections were less, than the first time around. I appreciated the character development. Of course, there’s still the… what was the word? pansexual thing that was in there – nothing overt but it was spattered throughout. With that caution, I can recommend this book without reservation for the writing, the fun take on a library and its caretakers.

Currently Reading:

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (dramatic reading, Spotify)

Leave It To Psmith by P.G. Wodehouse (audiobook, Librivox)

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

Upon Waking by Jackie Hill Perry

Gate of Trust – Shaar Habitchon by Rabbeinu Bachya Ibn Pakudah

Hope When It Hurts by Kristen Wetherell

Hopeful Upcomings:

Sherwood

Little Men

And onto the news, my own novel, Amelia, has been out in the world for a year! She was published on February, 21st 2025! She’s also gotten a bit of an upgrade inside and out – as has my website. If you want to see those changes, go to laurastarrwrites.com.

It’s been such a blessing to have my story receive so much love this past year. Thank you friends.

What are you reading lately? Let’s chat!

~Laura

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Book Reviews- Oct/Nov

14 Dec

Two months of book reviews in one today! I guess it’s just not in me these days to be consistent on my blogging. No matter how much I want to be. I’ve not only shared some novels but I’ve also linked a few reviews below that I shared previously as well as research books for my own novels. I hope you’ll find something to add to your TBR. Happy Reading!

Skyward Series by Brandon Sanderson –

Kingdom above the Cloud by Maggie Platt

After reading it, I had to buy my own copy

Rebecca by Daphne Du Marier – Even though working as a lady’s companion is a step up for her, it’s still a small and dismal world to be a part of. So when the heroine of Rebecca meets and subsequently gets an unexpected proposal from Max de Winter, she accepts. She’s quickly swept into a world that she has no experience with. Max takes her home to his estate -overwhelming and set in its ways – Manderley and the staff that comes with it. The memory of Rebecca is kept alive by Mrs. Danvers, Max is haunted by the memory of his late wife and becomes taciturn and our heroine is caught in the middle.

~Over the past few years I have been getting told that I simply must read this book. When I saw that Enchanted Book Club was reading it a few months ago, I decided it was the time to give it a shot and was able to borrow a copy from a friend. And I’m so glad that I did. There were times that I did not enjoy what was happening in the story – why was Max so cold all of a sudden? Why was Frank Crawley so nice and yet seemingly so disliked by Mrs. Danvers? What was Mrs. Danver’s problem anyway? What changed Max so much when they got to Manderely? etc. The Questions were numerous. But they just made me keep reading, needing desperately to know the answers. The unexpected reveals in this story just blew me away. I didn’t see them coming. I did really love seeing the new Mrs. De Winter gain self confidence as the story went on, as she learned more about what was truly going on at Manderley. The writing style was incredible, I’m interested in reading other books by Du Marier now. I wouldn’t recommend it for younger readers, due to the intensity of the storyline.

the copy on the left was a gift from my 9th birthday!

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott – We follow the March sisters as they grow up in New England during the Civil War. Feminine and proper Meg, tomboy Jo, spoiled Amy and tender, sickly Beth each go through their highs and lows. Young neighbor Laurie joins in many of their adventures.

~It had been a few years since I read this classic story and I have to admit that I forgot so much of what happened (that isn’t typically in the movies). I liked seeing how Amy grew and matured; Beth’s faith despite everything; Meg’s learning how to be a good, Godly wife and Jo’s independence and realizing love can come, despite your intentions to avoid it. Can readily recommend this for younger readers, the life lessons throughout are just wonderful, for any age.

Little Men by Louisa May Alcott – Years later, Jo now has boys of her own, as well as a dozen orphaned boys filling her informal school. And she couldn’t be happier, she loves each one of them and strives to help them grow in all the important ways. But boys will still be boys and they get into trouble and many an adventure.

~ This was only the second time I’ve read Little Men! I think I can honestly say that I enjoyed it even more than I did Little Women. The scrapes the the boys get into are just so interesting and you really root for them when they make the right choices. I highly recommend this for anyone, especially younger readers as it’s so fun and the life lessons are just as good as in Little Women.

Dressed for the Photographer: Ordinary Americans & Fashion, 1840-1900 by Joan Severa – Through photographs and writings, we are shown how poorer Americans could wear the current fashions within a year. And how fashion equality really rose in people’s minds as the years progressed. Through ready-made clothing and other inventions, the fashion industry changed the average American’s style.

~I got this book as research for the novels I’m writing and while I only focused on the years that were pertinent to my stories, I highly enjoyed (and took copious notes) it. The detail that Severa goes into is so great for historical information that I would love to own this eventually.

20th Century Fashion 1900-1920 Linen and Lace by Sue Mee – As part of a series that covers how fashion changed – from the tea gown to sportswear- it covers eight ‘looks’ as well as other information about the time period.

~This book was interesting but it wasn’t as in depth as I was wanting. It had some great information though!

Police Procedure and Investigation- a Guide for Writers by Lee Lofland – With this guide, you can get your facts about the inner workings of police departments straight instead of ending up like so many television shows that get so much of it wrong.

~This is yet another book for research, and that I’d love to own eventually. I didn’t need very much information from it but ended up flipping through several chapters just out of pure curiosity. Lofland gives it to you straight and detailed. A very good reference book.

Currently Reading:

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

To Read:

Christmas/Winter books (watch for an upcoming post on that!)

What have you been reading lately?

~Laura

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,