Under Milk Wood: A Play in Voices by Dylan Thomas

Under Milk Wood: A Play in Voices by Dylan Thomas-107 pages

⭐⭐⭐1/2

This is a story of the townspeople of Llaregub, a small town in Wales. There are many colorful characters and narrators ("voices"). The story starts at night with the colorful townspeople's dreams and ends the following night as all are going to bed. It is funny at times and the songs rhyme often. Dylan Thomas was a poet, after all, but this is considered his masterpiece, which he finished right before his death. 

I enjoyed reading about a day in these characters' lives, although I must admit it was a bit hard to follow at times, especially with so many characters. This book intrigued me because I read about it in a previous book I just finished about the many literary influences of Taylor Swift. Taylor name drops him in The Tortured Poets Department alongside Patti Smith. I didn't know who he was, so I was intrigued to learn more about his life and works. I can see why she name dropped him after reading this play/book. 

Censorshipped by Savannah Scott

Censorshipped (Getting Shipped! #4) by Savannah Scott, 402 p.

"Duke’s always been like a big brother to me … a big brother with abs of steel, a heart of gold, and those dimples that make my heart rate double whenever he smiles. As far as Duke's concerned, I’ll always be his best friend Chris’ little sister—the little girl who dunked his Darth Vader action figure in Elmers glue and glitter. Even if Duke noticed me, it wouldn’t matter. I’m so off limits, I may as well be wearing an outfit made entirely of caution tape. We both know Chris would enlist a special ops tactical team to hunt Duke down if he ever pursued anything beyond friendship with me. 

Good thing I’m over Duke. One hundred percent attraction-free, that’s me. Well, mostly … until I accidentally send him one of my usual scrambled texts (thank you, autocorrect) … and he thinks I’m hitting on him. I’m mortified enough to momentarily consider relocating someplace obscure like Greenland. I can never show my face around town again. I’ll buy a parka and an ice pick and learn to love fish. A lot. But then Duke answers my text … Am I dreaming? He’s not mad. He’s not even making fun of me. In fact, it seems like he might be flirting back I guess I might not be completely over this crush after all."--Goodreads blurb

 This book just wasn't for me. I was on board for the first quarter of it, but little things started to annoy me, like the casual toxic masculinity. Once I finished the scene where Shannon met an old fling of Duke's and a bit of drama ensued, yet they kept referring to it as a trial they overcame and their relationship would be all the more strong for overcoming hardship, I was out. Come. On. I can be on board with a fun, mindless romance, but this was a bit much for me, who is a lover of love in general. I've never read this author before, and I did come in to this series in book four, but they are all pretty standalone from what I can tell. I may give her another chance in the future, but this book was a nope for me. 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.

Beyond the Bright Lights by Settle Myer

Beyond the Bright Lights by Settle Myer, 417 p.

"My name is Lana Young and I’m not okay. I’m 40 years old and still grieving the death of my fiancé, 18 years later. Tyler Taylor died of cancer and he spent his final days helping others. He was an inspiration, enough that his sister wrote a book about his life. Now that book is becoming a movie, and the actor portraying Tyler on the big screen just walked into the bar I own. He's begging me for help. "Help me become Tyler Taylor." There’s one problem: Mylan Andrews is battling his demons, and I’m worried he can’t win.

My name is Mylan Andrews and I’m not okay. I’m a 25-year-old alcoholic and addict. I just got out of rehab and this movie is my last chance to save my career. Lana agrees to work with me on becoming Tyler Taylor and every day we're together, my attraction to her grows stronger. Could she be the one to help me win back control of my life? For her to consider me for her future, she must first move on from her past."--Goodreads blurb

This was a fun and steamy romance. A quick read that was a good palette cleanser after some long series.  

 

Flying Solo by Linda Holmes

Flying Solo by Linda Holmes, 320 p.

"Smarting from her recently cancelled wedding and about to turn forty, Laurie Sassalyn returns to her Maine hometown of Calcasset to handle the estate of her great-aunt Dot, a spirited adventurer who lived to be ninety. Along with boxes of Polaroids and pottery, a mysterious wooden duck shows up at the bottom of a cedar chest. Laurie's curiosity is piqued, especially after she finds a love letter to the never-married Dot that ends with the line, "And anyway, if you're ever desperate, there are always ducks, darling."

Laurie is told that the duck has no financial value. But after it disappears under suspicious circumstances, she feels compelled to figure out why anyone would steal a wooden duck--and why Dot kept it hidden away in the first place. Suddenly Laurie finds herself swept up in a righteous caper that has her negotiating with antiques dealers and con artists, going on after-hours dates at the local library, and reconnecting with her oldest friend and first love. Desperate to uncover her great-aunt's secrets, Laurie must reckon with her past, her future, and ultimately embrace her own vision of flying solo." --Goodreads blurb

While this was a very similar storyline to Holmeses first story, it was just as good, maybe even better. This was another fun, easy-to-read romance. The mystery was fun with this one, and I never knew a book with a carved wooden duck could be so interesting!

 

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes, 289 p.

"In a sleepy seaside town in Maine, recently widowed Eveleth “Evvie” Drake rarely leaves her large, painfully empty house nearly a year after her husband’s death in a car crash. Everyone in town, even her best friend, Andy, thinks grief keeps her locked inside, and Evvie doesn’t correct them.

Meanwhile, in New York City, Dean Tenney, former Major League pitcher and Andy’s childhood best friend, is wrestling with what miserable athletes living out their worst nightmares call the “yips”: he can’t throw straight anymore, and, even worse, he can’t figure out why. As the media storm heats up, an invitation from Andy to stay in Maine seems like the perfect chance to hit the reset button on Dean’s future.

When he moves into an apartment at the back of Evvie’s house, the two make a deal: Dean won’t ask about Evvie’s late husband, and Evvie won’t ask about Dean’s baseball career. Rules, though, have a funny way of being broken—and what starts as an unexpected friendship soon turns into something more. To move forward, Evvie and Dean will have to reckon with their pasts—the friendships they’ve damaged, the secrets they’ve kept—but in life, as in baseball, there’s always a chance—up until the last out."--Goodreads blurb

This was my first time reading a Linda Holmes novel, though I've been a fan of her freelance writing and public radio stuff for years. This was a very easy, low-stakes read. It was well-written and went very fast. I'll continue to read Holmes. 

 

Killer in the Carriage House (Victorian Village #2) by Sheila Connolly

 Killer in the Carriage House (Victorian Village #2) by Sheila Connolly-288 pages in print; Audiobook 7 hours on 6 discs

I listened to the audiobook edition of this cozy mystery. Audiobooks are great for road trips. I enjoy a good cozy mystery (especially M.C. Beaton, Carlene O'Connor, and Agatha Christie) and this was a pretty good one. Kate Hamilton is back in her former home town of Asheboro, Maryland to pitch a new idea to save the quaint old town. It is in financial ruin and needs a miracle and fast. Her plan is to turn back the clock on the town. She wants to restore it to a Victorian era village circa 1900 to attract tourists. Whilst looking for more papers and clues as to what the local factory baron Henry Barton was doing around 1900 a startling discovery is made that could change the course of Asheboro, Maryland and its restoration. Kate partners with Joshua Wainwright, a somewhat local professor and expert on the Victorian era, who is the temporary caretaker of the Barton Mansion. She also brings in Carol, who is an archivist and cataloging expert. Whilst searching for more on Henry Barton and his work a murder occurs and Kate and her friends must help solve it. This was a fun, short read (listen). I would recommend it to those who enjoy cozy mysteries. 

The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop: A Novel by Fannie Flagg

 

              The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop: A Novel by Fannie Flagg-282 pages

The story follows a little boy throughout his life.  Raised in a small town, enduring an accident that could have left him bitter.  Instead, the book focuses on the people that made a difference in his life and how he chose to rise above his disability. Heartwarming and inspirational.  Told with Fannie Flagg's humor.

I loved this book.  It was so cool to see how everyone stayed in touch over the years.  And Fannie Flagg makes me laugh out loud.