DRB Reviews...ODD Girl Out by Laura James

Rating: 4/5 Stars "Enlightening" 

ODD Girl Out is a book about a young woman's exploration of her ASD identification and learning to navigate her life with her newly found diagnosis. It is an enlightening read, seeing the world through an autistic lens.

So many girls are missed diagnosed at an early age, and it isn't until much later in adult life that women are properly diagnosed with ASD. Celebrating Autism Awareness Month, I have been listening to James' book on Audible while driving. I enjoy listening to non-fiction books, I find it calming. But, more importantly, I find it educating. 

I found James account to be honest and I value you that. It is important to learn how neurodivergent people view the world, and to learning about coping strategies to live in a neurotypical world. James covers topics such as masking, conforming, emotional de-regulation and melt downs, as well as finally learning self-acceptance. 

I am an educator and a mother of an Autistic daughter, therefore I found this personal account to be uplifting, helping me to understand ASD better. ODD Girl Out helped me to become more compassionate. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a better understanding of the Autistic Spectrum. 

www.dawnrodger.ca
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#autismawareness
#oddgirlout
#laurajames
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DRB Reviews...Where the Wildflowers Grow by Terah Shelton Harris

Rating: 6/5 Stars "Heartbreakingly Beautiful"  Favourite read of 2026 thus far! 

Set in the American South, Leigh survived a terrible bus crash when she was being moved from one prison to the next. She was the only survivor, and chose to walk away and start over.  

This book is about survival, redemption, finding family and true love and the lasting impacts of trauma and healing.  I found myself in the pages of this beautiful story...I cried, gasped and swooned with every page turned.  This book was set in Alabama on a breathtaking flower farm. I can't honestly imagine a better place to heal and find oneself. Nature played a huge role in this story, and the connection we all have to the earth. 

Coming face to face with ones trauma and past is not easy. But "where flowers bloom, so does hope." The author's note touched me so deeply and it was the most beautiful way too start this story. "Where the Wildflowers Grow is dedicated to survivors...The ones who have taken a slap from life and kept on going."  This was so true to my own experiences in life, and I found myself deeply buried amongst the pages. This book is "an examination of grief, the discomfort, the confusion, the sorrow that [doesn't] fit neatly into a box." 

I was so deeply moved by this story. I could experience it through all my senses: touch, sight, smell, taste...and heard the whisper of this message in my soul..."[I] have the ability to shape [my] own [life], to mold [my] own [destiny] from the clay of [my] own experiences."

THIS BOOK IS BREATHTAKING! It is a must read...I promise it will sweep you off your feet, and hit you in all the right places. Perhaps, it just might help you heal.

www.dawnrodger.ca
#wherethewildflowersgrow
#terahsheltonharris
#bookstagrammer
#booktok
​#dawnrodger

DRB Reviews...Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Rating: 4/5 Stars "True-to-Life Story"
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow is a beautiful book about a child-hood friendship that grows and turns into a life-long business partnership, with Sam and Sadie creating video games.

Zevin captures the real ups and downs of life, capturing the truth of living with disability and pain, the raw feelings of grief and the reality of what relationships actually look and feel like. There are no "child-locks" on these characters and their experiences, and I swooped swiftly on the emotional roller coaster ride with them.

I am a member of Book of the Month and chose Zevin's book as my free Birthday book. I have wanted to read it for a few years now, and finally bit the bullet...attacking my TBR. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow was the 2022 Book of the Year, winning the Lolly. I just had to read it and I wasn't disappointed.

I fell in the love with this story...I really felt like I went on a journey with these characters. Since Zevin spans their friendship over a 30 year period, I got lost in the ebb and flow of their lives. Their experiences felt real and raw to me; Zevin did not paint this story with rose coloured glasses on. Sam and Sadie experienced betrayal, estrangement, grief, loss, chronic pain, disability...but amongst these thorns, they knew their profound love for one another...having a deep connection that was imperfectly treasured.

The only reason I give this beautiful story 4 stars, is because of the gaming content. I am not a gamer, so I had a difficult time relating to their passion. However, I loved the uniqueness of this story-line, as it was refreshing to read something truly different. The gaming plot really sets this story apart from others. Totally recommend!

www.dawnrodger.ca
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#tomorrowandtomorrowandtomorrow
#gabriellezevin
#dawnrodger
#bookstagrammer
#booktok

DRB Reviews...The Storm by Rachel Hawkins
Rating: 5 stars

Firstly, who doesn't love a Gothic thriller! This Gothic thriller is mixed with the exhilarating  and terrifying power of hurricanes. Imagine, decades after being accused of murder,  returning to your hometown with a true-crime writer to clear your name. Only to be faced with yet again another raging storm brewing. The past quickly collides with the present as this "tell-all" memoir reveals buried secrets that should remain buried. 

This book was so full of suspense and excitement, I really shouldn't have read a hurricane story while on vacation on a tropical island lol! (But that made it all more exciting!) What a beautifully engaging and unique story line. Hawkins knows how to weave the past into the present in such a natural way; I love her dual-timeline narratives, they always keep me turning the pages! I am sure the scandals she was writing about in The Storm, had nothing to do with the page turning (lol) it was her wonderful writing style. 

I loved the main character. She was someone I could relate too, having lost everything and sticking with her roots to rebuild. Once again, Hawkins wrote a huge winner here...it was worth the wait!

www.dawnrodger.ca
#drbreviews
#rachelhawkins
#thestorm
#bookstagrammer
#BookTok

DRB Reviews...It's Not Her by Mary Kubica

Rating: 5 stars "Perfect Vacation Read"

Imagine the excitement of taking off on a family vacation to a lake resort with your family and your brothers family, for relaxation and bonding time. One day during the vacation, you to wake up and discover both your brother and sister-in-law were murdered and your teenage niece missing. The investigation of this story was so creepy and intense, with family secrets spilling out as pages were turned...I truly couldn't figure out who was the killer.  

This was my second time reading a book by Kubica. I was so enthralled I made it a point to buy more of her books. I love the popcorn style of her books...the excitement of turning the pages is breathtaking. I bought four more of her books while I was on vacation to prepare for summer vacation. I was so happy to learn that her books are also available in large print, which I find so important when poolside. (I can still read with my sunglasses on lol!)

Kubica, you nailed this story out of the park!

www.dawnrodger.ca
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#marykubica
#itsnother
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DRB Reviews...We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

Rating: 4 stars
Firstly, I am so excited to review a Canadian author! And oh my what a story this was!

Imagine, you answer the door to a family of strangers late one evening, and they are asking if they could show their children the inside of your house, as this is where they grew up. You are tired and feeling put out, but decide to be kind nevertheless. Soon after they arrive, your perception of everything starts to change and you question what is real and what isn't. As you are desperate to get them to leave, creepy things begin to happen and you are starting to see terrifying presences. All you want them to do is get out of your house, but they remain and you are starting to question your own sanity. 

I kept questioning, what am I reading? It was an innocent enough story that goes rogue and gets twisted with evil, reminding me of both the TV show Stranger Things and the movie Paranormal Activity.

I picked it up thinking it would be a great thriller, never realizing it was actually a horror novel. What I loved most, is it had me questioning everything. It read simply, and seemed normal in every way, until it wasn't! I read on tender hooks not knowing when the story would turn evil. I promised myself if it gets too scary, I would just stop reading...but of course, I couldn't put it down. What a scrumptious popcorn read! I gave it four stars not because it wasn't well written, but simply because it wasn't my favourite genre of choice.

What a read...I am not disappointed!
www.dawnrodger.ca
#bookstagrammer
#drbreviews
#weusedtolivehere
#marcuskliewer
​#canadianbooktok

DRB Reviews...Snowflakes by Ruth Ware

I often listen to audible while I do chores around the house, garden or drive. Audible is usually where I "read" my non-fiction books. However, Snowflakes popped up on my recommended list. At first I couldn't believe I missed a book from one of my favourite authors...then realized that Snowflakes is a short story.

I had to drive for over an hour so this was a perfect, "devour-able" short story. It was 57 mins in length and I thought a perfect choice.  Many people argue that audio books should not be classed as "books read", but I disagree. Audio books still stimulate the brain in the way reading does, and they provide language nuance, and unique comprehension processing skills as you listen to the modelling of the oral language.

Snowflakes did not disappoint me. I have to admit, I was 75% through the story and was indifferent to the plot; hadn't fallen in love with the story line or the characters. The ending made it all worth it. I find myself still reflecting and contemplating this story, while I still try to understand all the little details that had huge lasting impacts on the characters.  The twists and turns at the end were sharp, jaded and delicious. I definitely turned 365 degrees in aww. 

Ware never disappoints me. Brava Ware for another absorbing story. 

www.dawnrodger.ca
#ruthware
#audible
#drbreviews
#newblogpost
#snowflakes

DRB Reviews...A Good Animal by Sara Maurer

I am in love with this book. My heart grew a couple diameters and I don't think I can contain it, as it kept leaking out of my eyes in tears. In a good way. My heart is full after reading this coming of age story. It was so pure. Maurer took me back in time to my own youth and innocence, and I remember fondly just how deeply I felt things. 

​There is something so special and romantic about being a farmer...having a homestead and taking care of the animals and crops; having a simpler life, close to nature and all God created. I know it's a hard life, but it's rewarding; all that hard work has a wonderful end result, something visceral and meaningful. I love animals and have such deep empathy for them and their beauty.

My husband grew up on a farm raising sheep. I have heard so many stories and Maurer truly captured a sheep farmers life and lambing season perfectly. I have so much respect for farmers. It was really refreshing to read this story; grounded me. I truly believe A Good Animal will be in the top ten books of 2026. I consumed every morsel of it and read it in less than 24 hours. Completely absorbing.

​www.dawnrodger.ca
#dawnrodger
#drbreviews
#agoodanimal
#saramaurer
#bookofthemonth

DRB Reviews...Penance by Eliza Clark

My step-daughter bought this book for me as a Christmas present. She said firstly that she thinks I will really like it, but secondly that she read it over a year ago and still can't stop thinking about it! I can understand why. 

Penance is completely fictional, but written like a true crime novel. It is written from the perspective of a journalist, who is examining the murder of a teenage girl in 2016. She was murdered by three teenage girls she knew from her high school; her peers. When I first started reading this book, I had to look up if it was based on a true story, because the characters, the social-economic classes and the portrayal of society was so real and raw. 

Clark was spot on creating the brokenness of relationships. The story was so deeply disturbing and so believable. Bullying was the underlining theme through-out, which is an all too real systemic problem in schools. Nearly 14% of children who are repeatedly bullied during their school years end up in prison; there is a much higher risk for them to engage in violence as adults. I love how Clark referred to childhood bullies as a hierarchy, with popular kids  being in "tier A" and the group below as "tier B." It still perplexes me as to why bullies exist, but I love this quote from Penance: "Kids, they're very instinctual, they're very primitive, in a lot of ways. They can smell the difference on you." 

Clark creates her story around corrupt home lives and how it flows into systemic social problems. Teachers see hundreds of children every year, and truly understand developmental and social norms for age groups. The story really hit home for me when one of the teachers who repeatedly wrote home about a child's bad behaviour and the parent's response was "Oh that woman - the teacher - she had a vendetta against [my daughter]." It speaks volumes to the ignorance of closed mindedness that sometimes money or lack of education can foster.

Honestly, this book was so deeply disturbing as it highlighted how bullying can erode in itty bitty slights, and if one gets hit often enough, it's like water eroding the earth, over time it wears away a hole...a hole created from a thousand cuts. A hole that destroys. 

Clark...brava! What an intellectually stimulating read. I don't think I have read something so tangible, real and expertly detailed. I was so deeply moved and engaged. It was a tragic story, that was far too believable, and therefore was both sad and terrifying. I am completely blown away! What a gripping read!

www.dawnrodger.ca
#elizaclark
#penance
#newblogpost
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