30. Girl, Lost by Vikki Patis

listened on Chirp

narrated by Esther Wayne

Unabridged audio (7:19)
2020
268 pgs.
Adult Mystery
Finished 4/2/2021
Goodreads rating: 
My rating: 3
Setting: contemporary somewhere-in-England

First line/s: "We all get what we deserve.  A favourite phrase of my mother's, whenever something bad would happen."

My comments: Two families living in a duplex in England, side-by-side.  Twin girls Imogen and Freya with their loving parents.  Next door, Emily and her brother Jamie with their mother and physically abusive father.  Until one night  when Freya and Emily disappear.  The story takes place five years later, from three points-of-view: Emily, Imogen, and a little bit of Freya.  And there's now four-year old Ella, who appears with Imogen, added to the mix.  And although we, the reader, pretty much can tell exactly what happened, we find out all the tiny bits and pieces that complete the story along with Imogen.  I do wish there had been a little more mystery, any kind of astute reader could pretty much figure out from the beginning what was going on.

Goodreads synopsis:  'Girl, Lost is a read that will stay with you... Patis is proving herself to be the queen of page turning reads.' - Tiffany McDaniel, author of The Summer That Melted Everything
          I was never missing. I just didn't want to be found.
          On a bright summer's day in 2013, Freya Rivers disappears, leaving twin sister Imogen behind. Did Freya leave to travel alone without telling anyone?
          When friend Emily also disappears three days later, Imogen knows there's something dark lurking beneath the surface.
          Five years later, Imogen is living in Australia, having searched the world for her sister. So, when her mother calls, she knows it's time to return home.
          Because Emily is back. And she has a child with her.
          Where has Emily been and why did she disappear?
          Does she know Freya’s whereabouts?
          Imogen is desperate to uncover the truth about her twin and the truth is closer to home than she ever imagined…
          A gripping and suspenseful psychological thriller by bestselling author Vikki Patis. Girl, Lost will appeal to fans of domestic noir, as well as to readers of authors like C.L. Taylor, Claire McGowan and B A Paris. Longlisted for the Not the Booker Prize 2020.

42 Eventown by Corey Ann Haydu

read the book!
2019 Katherine Tegen Books
328 pgs.
Finished May 6, 2019
Goodreads rating:  4.03 - 456 ratings
My rating:  3
Setting: contemporary/dystopian Eventown, USA

First line/s:  "Jenny Horowitz likes horses and the color pink and asking questions about things I don't want to talk about."

My comments:  It's hard to separate my thinking about this book as an adult versus my thinking about it as a kid would.  I pretty much knew what was going on and what was going to happen, but most probably it would be hazier for a nine, ten, or eleven year old.  Like The Giver, this book gives the reader a chance to ponder upon the questions: What would it be like to live in a perfect world?  It was an OK so-so book for me as an adult, but would probably be quite a bit more than that for me as my 10-year-old self.

Goodreads synopsis:  The world tilted for Elodee this year, and now it’s impossible for her to be the same as she was before. Not when her feelings have such a strong grip on her heart. Not when she and her twin sister, Naomi, seem to be drifting apart. So when Elodee’s mom gets a new job in Eventown, moving seems like it might just fix everything.
Indeed, life in Eventown is comforting and exciting all at once. Their kitchen comes with a box of recipes for Elodee to try. Everyone takes the scenic way to school or work—past rows of rosebushes and unexpected waterfalls. On blueberry-picking field trips, every berry is perfectly ripe.
          Sure, there are a few odd rules, and the houses all look exactly alike, but it’s easy enough to explain—until Elodee realizes that there are only three ice cream flavors in Eventown. Ever. And they play only one song in music class.
          Everything may be “even” in Eventown, but is there a price to pay for perfection—and pretending?

36. Field Notes on Love by Jennifer E. Smith

Listened on Audible - in my library
read by Anthony Mark Barrow and Karissa Vacker
Unabridged audio (8:23)
2019 Delacorte Press
271 pgs.
YA CRF
Finished 4/4/2019
Goodreads rating: 4.06 - 882 ratings
My rating:  4
Setting: England & NY State, then cross country from NYC thru Chicago, Denver, to SF.

First line/s:  "Mae wakes, as she does each morning, to the sound of a train."

My comments:  When I read the synopsis for this book I was quite excited because traveling cross-country is my all-time favorite thing to do, or read about, or even think about.  The book was a lot more than that.  It was full of emotion and thoughtfulness, family and love.  Two very different families from two different parts of the world - a girl raised by two dads and her loving Nana in New York; and a boy from Surrey, England, who is the youngest in a group of famous sextuplets who has never - ever - been on his own.  Once I let go of the idea that this would be an adventurous summary of the sights and sounds across the United States, I let myself become absorbed in the thoughtful reverie of these two wonderful young people..  It was a good read, although not at all what I had anticipated.

Goodreads synopsis:  Having just been dumped by his girlfriend, British-born Hugo is still determined to take his last-hurrah-before-college train trip across the United States. One snag: the companion ticket is already booked under the name of his ex, Margaret Campbell. Nontransferable, no exceptions.
            Enter the new Margaret C. (Mae for short), an aspiring filmmaker with big dreams. After finding Hugo's spare ticket offer online, she's convinced it's the perfect opportunity to expand her horizons.
            When the two meet, the attraction is undeniable, and both find more than they bargained for. As Mae pushes Hugo to explore his dreams for his future, he'll encourage her to channel a new, vulnerable side of her art. But when life off the train threatens the bubble they've created for themselves, will they manage to keep their love on track?