Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Next installment in a long running series. If you liked the others you will like this one. #booksky 050
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Historical mystery about a daughter taking over father’s rum running operation during Prohibition. Lots of nice historical detail, very vivid recounting of life as a queer black woman during that period. The narrative may be trying to accomplish too much, but a compelling story well told. #booksky 160
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Always difficult to review Naomi Alderman. Her books are never what you expect and never like anything else. This one starts off as science fiction but becomes a memoir of profound grief- I cannot describe it- just read it. Moving and never dull- high recommend. #booksky 0302
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Another lovely story set in the Lake District from Jessica Redland. Is it a bit formulaic? Do problems get resolved too easily? Yes and Yes. Nonetheless, I did enjoy reading this, an excellent comfort read. #booksky 050
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Lovely food memoir, somewhat similar to Laurie Colwin’s style. (and I LOVE Laurie Colwin). Really enjoyed. Eager to see more from this writer. High Recommend. #booksky 050
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Loved this one. Modern day Gatsby-Explores what happened to Daisy after Gatsby’s death. Setting was perfect and characters were more nuanced this time around. Many twists, none I saw coming. High Recommend. #booksky 050
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Food History plus Family History. Interesting, but I think the two approaches were competing a bit- enjoyed, but not as engaging as it could have been #booksky 050
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Second in a series, works as a standalone. Solid police procedural, central character is neurodivergent, I was pleased to see a nuanced take on neurodivergence in a law enforcement environment. Plot, character development excellent. Recommend. #booksky 040
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Book about the AT Frenchies- how they came to the US and the ways that US culture differs from French culture. They have an engaging manner and the read is enjoyable, if a bit…slight. Recommend #booksky 040
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Solid story about the importance of representation and the way a book can change your life. Set in UK and DC diplomatic community during 1960-70s. Liked the characters, loved the story, setting was great. Recommend #booksky 040
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Nice story about starting over in your hometown after a disaster in your big city life. A bit formulaic, but the characters feel genuine and the stakes real. Problems get resolved a bit too easily and romance is a bit contrived. But-Who does not love stories about bookstores and bakeries? #booksky 040
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 26/09/2026RE-issue. First volume of a beloved multi-volume family saga. Set in England between the Wars. Multiple characters and storylines, much domestic minutiae. Has held up fairly well, enjoyed encountering the Cazalet family again. Recommend if you like this sort of thing. #booksky 040
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Second in a new series by Michael Ridpath. Set in Vienna on the eve of WWII. Well-crafted plot, nice character development, excellent setting- Recommend. #booksky 050
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 26/09/2026New release from Alice Hoffman. Not a Practical Magic prequel. Wanted to like it more than I did. Curiously somber and detached tone, but well-written and an interesting tale. Recommend. #booksky 040
Reposted by Kristine Bolander🌬Breeze @cool-summer-breeze.bsky.social · 24/09/2026This is the Stolen Neighbors Quilt. Each of the 11,000 squares represents a person taken by ICE in Minnesota. 122123505254
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 14/08/2026Long awaited new Bonnie Garmus. This is NOT Lessons in Chemistry- although there is a magical dog-mostly brilliant, lots of narrative diversions, but a very enjoyable read. Highly recommend #booksky 070
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 14/08/2026An excellent introduction to Korean food and H Mart. Highly recommend. #booksky 050
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 14/08/2026Cosy set in a small-ish town where a dog-based reality show is being filmed. More to this than at first look- sharp and insightful social satire. Recommend. #booksky 040
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 14/08/2026Solid mystery/spy novel set at Oxford just after WWII. Engaging characters, solid plot, beautifully written. Hope it is the start of a series! Recommend #booksky 030
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 22/07/2026Second in Frozen People series- do not recommend as a stand alone. Another brilliantly crafted mystery from Elly Griffiths. This time with time travel! Seriously, great plotting, vivid settings, characters amazing- I love them all already. No notes, High Recommend #booksky 050
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 22/07/2026A revelation. An epic tale of a childhood classic that was not what it seemed. Very exciting, propulsive narrative- yet time to touch on the ravages of colonialism, capitalism, and the ultra wealthy. Astonishing. High Recommend. #booksky 050
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 22/07/2026Second in Richard Osman’s new series. Not the Thursday Murder Club, but retains Osman’s trademark wit and warmth. Excellent plotting, a twist I did not see coming. Might work as a stand-alone, but recommend you read first in series. High Recommend. #booksky 040
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 22/07/2026Loved this one. Might be the perfect Dark Academia novel. Hope it becomes a series. No magic, monsters are human. Shadowy families control the world and train their children to protect/inherit. Plotting and pacing perfect-memorable characters-world building compelling. High Recommend. #booksky 040
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 08/07/2026An absurdist satire about the hollowness of suburban life, status seeking, and evils of advertising-with some magical realism elements? It is an entertaining mash up, does not always work, but it was a fun read. Recommend. #booksky 050
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 08/07/2026For fans of romance and thrillers. A fast paced meta/magical story with witty dialogue, excellent characters, and a plot that keeps you guessing. Romance-wise, you will be rooting for the main characters. Premise is a bit bonkers, but in a good way-just go with it. High Recommend. #booksky 030
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 08/07/2026A new Truly Devious installment is always cause for celebration. Well-crafted mystery with Ms. Johnson’s signature style- although the setting has moved to NYC. Loved it. High Recommend- but read the others first. #booksky 000
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 08/07/2026Well crafted mystery set in Paris in the years following liberation. Ambiguous, complicated characters, likable protagonist, plot just complicated enough. Recommend. #booksky 040
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 23/06/2026A somber read, but an important one. It is about preserving stories and honoring victims and resisting efforts to rewrite history. Highly recommend. #booksky 010
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 23/06/2026Continuation of the Smallhope-Pennyroyal story. Probably cannot read as a stand-alone. Rollicking story with Ms. Taylor’s trademark wit and breakneck pace. If you know and like Ms. Taylor’s work you will love this one. If you have not read Ms. Taylor before-buckle-up. Recommend. #booksky 030
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 23/06/2026Adorable rom-com with the cutest of meet-cutes. The main characters have genuine problems to work through, the stakes feel very real, and I was rooting for things to work out. I also enjoyed the love letter to independent book stores. An excellent choice for bookish sorts. #booksky 010
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 23/06/2026Interesting, albeit slightly confusing dystopian fiction. I had a few notes, but the world building was really interesting, and I was never bored- Recommend. #booksky 030
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 23/06/2026Brilliant. Ms. Paretsky moves from mysteries to spy novels, and I am so glad. A brilliant story, meticulously researched- with a main character who is deeply flawed and a total bad ass. The plot is a corker, pacing is perfect, and the whole thing holds together beautifully. High Recommend. #booksky 020
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 23/06/2026Another very nice story from Jessica Redland about starting over in a rural, naturally beautiful part of England. a lovely escape. Recommend #booksky 020
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 23/06/2026Story about trying to live a creative life, and make a living as an artist. Nothing really new, felt throughout as if I had read this before. However, it was extremely well-written. High Recommend. #booksky 020
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 23/06/2026Loads of fun. A road trip love story between two deeply flawed, highly entertaining people. You will be rooting for them. The secondary plot involves an older woman who has more life in her than most people can even aspire to. Highly entertaining. High Recommend. #booksky 120
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 23/06/2026Absolutely charming- a year in the life of an independent bookshop in a small, British, seaside town. Witty (but never unkind) observations of the residents and town as the year passes. Reading this was such a lovely experience. Recommend. #booksky 010
Kristine Bolander @kristinebolander.bsky.social · 23/06/2026Epic story about a prolonged labor strike in a small town in Maine The heros are mostly women. The plot is a corker-racism, government corruption, the Catholic Church, corporate greed, scabs, class wars, domestic violence- it is all here. Highly Recommend. #booksky 070
