Review: Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect

Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect by Matthew D. Lieberman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fascinating look at why we have a deep human need for connection. Your emotions impact your physical state, and your brain needs people. Even if you are an introvert (like me).

Lieberman shares his research and builds on the research of others. Using fMRI and other methods, they have been able to show how our brains relate to social situations - rejection, happiness, love, acceptance. He argues that the reason we have been able to survive, evolve, and grow as a species is due to our social communities. Social pain can be just as powerful as physical pain, and the brain shows this to be true.

There is an absolute need to build deeper connections with people and grow a sense of community. This book has valuable insights for leaders, parents, and anyone who wants to connect and live with purpose, because we are wired for this. I really enjoyed the book and highly recommend. 4 stars.

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Review: One Dance with a Duke

One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

I started out lukewarm on Spencer, but he won me over in the end. But even if he didn't, I would read the next one because I adore Tessa Dare.

While I'm reading, I'm always assigning a star rating in my head. Is this enjoyable enough for 3 stars? Is it creeping into 4? Is it dropping into 2 star territory? I must admit, for most of the book I was giving this one a solid 3 stars. But, you see, I'm a sucker for a flawed hero. I like them to have rough edges and things to work on. Perfection is boring. The same for my heroines. I want them to be smart and unconventional. I like it when they are coming into the relationship after being "put on the shelf" so to speak, and walk into things with their eyes wide open. Amelia is like that. A little stronger and less ridiculous than some, but Spencer was a little more ridiculous than others so they balanced out.

We have a spinster who has been overlooked, and a Duke who has no interest in marrying. Accidentally in love? You betcha. The best kind. They spar, they kiss, they tackle misunderstandings and obstacles and come out the other side with a love match. Honestly, it's the only kind of book I want, folks. Gotta have that HEA.

I'm still a marshmallow and loved the ending and little plot twist that got us there. 4 stars.

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Review: Tears of the Giraffe

Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Back to Botswana I go, to hang out with my favorite lady detective, Precious Ramotswe. I was not disappointed.

This time our cases cover infidelity, a missing young man, and a shady maid (Mr. JLB Matekoni's maid, no less!). Precious solves them all with common sense and solid deductive reasoning skills plus a keen understanding of human nature. My friend Grace Makutsi gets a chance to be a junior detective, and she does pretty well for her first time out. You go, girl. Plus we get more insight into Mr. JLB's life and he makes a shocking decision to adopt two orphans before consulting his fiancée, Precious. It's cool, JLB. She's got enough love in her heart for everyone, as you might expect.

Really enjoying this series. 3.5 stars.


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Review: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can't believe I have never reviewed this book. I've seriously read it like 10 times, and I've seen the movie probably 50 times. Let's just say I'm a fan of Katniss and Peeta.

Yes, Peeta. I never got on the Gale train, although he is quite handsome in the movies. But my heart belongs to Katniss and Peeta, the star-crossed lovers from District 12. Since everyone has seen this or read this, I will spare you the synopsis. But here is why I return to the book and movie over and over. Katniss is prickly on the outside, but she is a huge marshmallow inside. She sacrificed herself for her sister, for Peeta, for her district, for Rue, basically anyone but herself. And even though she's pretty selfless, she's still flawed, and I appreciate that. And Peeta. It's apparent that he's always seen her for HER, and has loved her at a distance. And he is willing to give it all up for her, and that makes me love him all the more. Acts of service is my love language, yo. Peeta is my jam.

Favorite part? The cave. What? I'm a prickly marshmallow, too. Sue me. 4 stars.

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Review: Accidentally Compromising the Duke

Accidentally Compromising the Duke by Stacy Reid
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

New author for me. I wasn't disappointed. I'll happily dive into the next one.

A common trope employed here - a mistaken identity, discovered in the wrong room in a compromising situation. Adeline is left with few options, and the Duke (who she accidentally compromised, haha) offers to do the right thing and marry her. Man, it is SUCH a good thing I live 200 years in the future, because I would not be a good society girl. Anyway, I digress. Edmund is a widower and he has built a fortress around his heart. But he seems to be a good dad (I liked this little twist - my heroes rarely come with a ready-made family) and Adel is a wonderful person and does her best with her weird insta-marriage.

A couple of things kept me from taking this from 3.5 to 4. It felt rushed, and we had a million mentions of other characters but really didn't get to know anyone. I wanted another hundred pages of story to really feel that connection to the 2 MCs. But in the end it all wrapped up in a pretty bow to give me the HEA I crave, so I still enjoyed it. 3.5 stars.

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Review: Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord

Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord by Sarah MacLean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Marshmallow warning! I kinda loved this book. Not sure I loved it quite enough to bump it to 4 stars, but it's a very solid 3.5.

Building on the awesome first book in the series, this time we follow Gabriel's brother, Nicholas. Nick is pretty swoon-worthy, to be sure. Just the right balance of strong and caring. And we get Isabel, who is unconventional and smart, and oh so independent (I love this kind of heroine best). Nick is tracking a heiress who has disappeared. He and his fantastic sidekick, Rock, come across Isabel and her friends on their search and we are off to the races! Sparks fly, banter is exchanged, and they slip into love rather quickly, but hey, that's how it goes in historical romance. You throw in the misunderstanding / obstacle that has to be there, and then we gallop right to the HEA. You knew it was coming, because I live for the HEA.

Now I've talked myself right into a 4 star rating, because I am feeling particularly marshmallowy today and my review, my rules. Read it, but read the first one first, naturally.

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Review: Still Life

Still Life by Louise Penny
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

New series for me, and I wasn't disappointed. I will continue to solve crimes with Chief Inspector Gamache.

The story is set in a very small village in Canada, where everyone knows everyone and their secrets...mostly. Some secrets can be kept, of course. And Jane, who has lived there her whole life, taught school, and is a pillar of the community, has entered her questionable artwork into the village art fair. Side note, is this place a commune? How are so many renowned artist hiding in Three Pines? But I digress. No one can agree on Jane's painting, but the panel accepts it because good art causes an emotional response. But then tragedy strikes Three Pines, and Gamache and the gang are called in to investigate. Accident? Murder? It's not apparent at first but Gamache will get his man, to be sure.

This really sets the stage for future books. You get to understand why Gamache is seen as a good investigator. Why he is given new recruits to bring up. And a glimpse into some of the personalities I can only hope make their appearance in future books. While I'm not sure we will be in Three Pines in the next book, it's really about Gamache and his cases, so I'm good with wherever the crimes take us next. 3 stars.

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