Book Review: The Diviners

The Diviners by Libba Bray 

It’s 1926 and, after a wild night at a party, Evie O’Neill has been shipped off to New York City to live with her uncle, who owns a creepy museum and has an obsession with the occult. Evie is hoping to hide her strange power of being able to “read” objects (part of got her sent NYC in the first place), but when a girl is found murdered, Evie is able to help in the investigation - an investigation that will uncover something even more evil that has been awakened. 

 First of all, I LOVED this book! Second, it seriously creeped me the heck out! It may be considered YA, but don’t let that fool you. It’s well written, and scary, and takes place in one of my favorite eras- The Roaring 20’s. 

I give it an A-. 

Also by Libba Bray is A Great and Terrible Beauty. 

Book Review: The House at Riverton

 

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

In England in the 1910's, 14 year old Grace goes to work at Riverton, the large country estate belonging to the Hartford family. As she gets older, she becomes the ladies maid, and confidant, to Lord Hartford's daughter. Now, at age 98, Grace must recall secrets she's kept for the family all these years, including events surrounding the night in 1924, when a famous poet committed suicide at Riverton.

If you are a fan of Downton Abbey, this is the book for you. Although some aspects were slightly predictable, I really enjoyed the story, and the relationships between the English upper-class and the people who work for them.

I give this book a B.

If you liked this book, I definitely recommend The Forgotten Garden, also by Kate Morton.

Book Review: Twenties Girl

 

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

In Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella, Lara Lington begins to see the ghost of her Great Aunt Sadie after attending her funeral.  Sadie takes Lara on quite the adventure to find her missing necklace and Lara learns the importance of family along the way.

I love that Sophie Kinsella’s books are light, romantic, fluffy and enjoyable and they don’t take long to read.  This book doesn’t disappoint in all those areas and even throws in a little mystery as well. I found the book perfect for the beach or unwinding after a long day. It's by no means an amazing, life-changing piece of literature, but it's a fun bit of escapism.

I give this book a B.

If you liked this book, I highly recommend Sophie Kinsella’s Confessions of a Shopaholic series, which, in my opinion, is Kinsella's best work.