DRB Reviews...The Light we Carry by Michelle Obama

I cannot stand listening to the radio in the car when I drive. It is a combination of things...I don't have the patience for commercials, I hate the talk shows and the music is sometimes good, and other times, not. Why would I want to waste my time listening to music I don't like? Sure, I can listen to my Spotify playlists, but being a music teacher, there is only so much listening to music I can take. So I listen to audible while I drive.

I could not wait to get in the car to drive to work so I could hear the calm, reassuring voice of Michelle Obama. I loved her book Becoming. She has a presence, and the gift of story-telling. The way she uses words and phrases to express meaning astonishes me. She is soothing to listen too, and evokes peace in me...I just want to exhale when I listen to her, almost like I just received a big, warm hug from my mom.

The Light We Carry did not disappoint me. The content of this book is real, true and deeply connected to humanity. She is a strong, powerful woman who isn't afraid to show her faults, weaknesses, frustrations and sorrows. I value this so much. Obama show us how she picks herself up, and how she attempts to understand her circumstances and then move forward and pick others up. 

She grew up with strong family values and she embodies them, and continues the cycle in the next generation, providing for her family and all her readers and listeners.  Obama is intellectual, inspiring and empowering. Honestly, I could listen to her speak all day long. She offers us wisdom and insight on how to fight-the-good-fight, day in and day out in our lives.

Thank you Michelle, for giving me hope and reminding me to keep going, through all the pain and suffering in this world. Your message is clear: stay strong and keeping shining your light. It is the light within us that make a difference.

www.dawnrodger.ca
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DRB Reviews...The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown

I loved the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. I read it years ago, when it first came out and was floored by his creativity. Yes, I am a Catholic, and a faithful one. But I loved it as pure fiction, an incredible mystery thriller. And the movie did not disappoint me either; I don't think anyone else could have played Tom Hanks in this film. He was incredible and embodied the humble and intelligent persona of Robert Langdon with absolute class and commitment.

When I saw The Secret of Secrets advertised, I just had to go back to Robert. I ordered it almost right away, and then waited, quite impatiently, for it to be released.  Since it arrived, I haven't put it down. I haven't had a lot of time to read it, but grabbed any moments I could in between a busy work schedule and life. I know if I had the time, I would have devoured it in less than twenty-four hours.

I was not disappointed with The Secret of Secrets. Brown succeeded again. I just love the beginning of the "conspiracy" as he begins in the first few pages with FACT: "All artwork, artifacts, symbols, and documents in this novel are real. All experiments, technologies, and scientific results are true to life. All organizations in this novel exist." It just pumps me up and gets me all excited! I love a good historical fiction novel, and this thriller is so full of historical facts Brown definitely does his research. My imagination was on fire reading this novel. The amount of detail Brown includes is staggering, and it kept me turning the pages, dreaming of when the next time I could pick up this book and keep reading.

It was a special added bonus that the pages were of glossy finish. I honestly haven't read any of Brown's books except for The Da Vinci Code and The Secret of Secrets, but perhaps I will have to treat myself to them another day. I have heard Angels and Demons is pretty jaw dropping as well. The ending of this book will BLOW you away!

www.dawnrodger.ca
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DRB Reviews...The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown

I haven't attacked my 2025 Alphabet Challenge in a while, so decided to dive back in. Honestly, I am a little nervous I won't be able to finish it this year. But that's ok, I can simply spread the remaining books on the TBR challenge into next year if I must. 

What a magical book! I really don't even know where to begin. I needed a change from my usual thrillers, and this book seemed to be the right choice! It didn't disappoint. What an incredible read. I loved the entire journey. It made me feel like I was young again reading Harry Potter for the first time. I became lost in the magic within it's pages. The Book of Doors is no where near the same as the Harry Potter series; it was 100% for adults and had a delicious scary dark side that I completely didn't expect. One event is still haunting me, long after the book was finished.

I was so happy to be lost in Brown's imagination. Each time I turned the page, and a new chapter would begin, I was shocked with the new twists and unexpected turns. I found it to be quite thrilling actually! (So I guess I didn't get that far away from my usual thriller novels! lol) Brown had a way of capturing my attention, and at times, I discovered I actually stopped breathing while reading some of the pages. This novel was super creative, and really different from other novels I have read. Thank you Brown for opening a new door for me!

www.dawnrodger.ca
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DRB Reviews...The First Husband by Laura Dave

It has been a while since I posted a review. I went back to teaching and have been swamped at work; but this beautiful book kept me warm at night as I read before bed.

I fell in love with this love story. Dave never disappoints me. I have read every single one of her books, and each one is a special jewel. But this one is a true love story about finding your soul mate. There are relationships where two people become good partners, but then there are relationships where two people become one. This story was the latter.

I enjoyed the light hearted humour through-out the novel, but most importantly following Annie as she tried to discover who she was and where home should be. When her husband left her, she thought that he was the one she was supposed to be with but then she met Griffen, and her world turned upside down. True love is shown in actions not always words. Griffen's arms provided a home she never thought was possible to have. But could she take the leap? Or would she stay where it was safe, doing what she knew best, travelling the world and writing her column for the newspaper.

The end clutched my heart and held it tight. I was sad when this book ended. I wouldn't say I love romance novels, but this romance I did. Well done Dave, thank you for warming my heart and filling my soul with this story.

www.dawnrodger.ca
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#thefirsthusband
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​#dawnrodger

 DRB Reviews...The Unwedding by Ally Condie

Oh my goodness, I finally finished my latest kindle read.  Since I read my kindle mostly at night, I found with going back to work this September, that I would often fall asleep with only a couple pages read.  So it has taken me so much longer to finish this book and post my review!

I have mixed feelings about Condie's The Unwedding.

I really liked the start of this book, so I did become hooked early on in the story, but I almost put it down and didn't finish. I became indifferent when I reached the middle, not really sure if I liked the book or not, and seriously asked myself if I should put it down or keep going.  One of the characters kind of saved me, his name was Ravi, and he made me keep going. I liked the development of his character and enjoyed his personality. I didn't fall in love with the main character Ellery though, and I felt I should have. She had some rough cards handed to her, and because of them I almost felt guilty for not liking her.  

Two things happened, I found the story to be almost boring, but there was something edging me on to finish because in the end I really wanted to understand all the loose ends that unravelled as the story was being told. With that being said, perhaps there were too many "stories" happening at the same time? I didn't really dig my teeth into any of them.

Truth be told, I wanted to know who dunnit and why and I did like the ending. As I was discovering some answers of the thickened plot, sadly I found they fell flat. So even though there was some disappointment with this book, I still finished reading the book and didn't hate it.  I think I am simply indifferent. But, could I see this book set as a movie on screen? Yes, and I think it would rock!

www.dawnrodger.ca
#theunwedding
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#allycondie
​#reesesbookclub

 DRB Reviews...The Storm Sister by Lucinda Riley

My Aunt introduced me to this book from The Seven Sisters Book Series. She lent me the first in the series called The Seven Sisters, and I fell in love with the story. Since then, she bought The Storm Sister for me as a gift and has lent me the rest of the series from her library. I added The Storm Sister to my alphabet challenge as letter S for 2025!

Riley is an incredible historical fiction writer. If you want to get lost in time, full of rich historical depth, this is the series for you. The Storm Sister did not disappoint. It really catered to me personally being that I am a musician. The main character Ally goes on a journey of self discovery, seeking the answers to where she came from. Ally is an extremely talented flutist, and she learns that her roots were once inspired by the very famous Edvard Grieg and his beautiful piece Peer Gynt Suite. 

I was wisked away with this book. The only downside is that it is 485 pages and the size of this book stopped me numerous times to pick up and read it. Finally, I gained the courage to attack it and I was not disappointed. If you love historical fiction, Riley won't disappoint you. Riley has a way of creating a visceral past that you can feel in the present. 

​www.dawnrodger.ca
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#thestormsister
#thesevensistersbookseries

DRB Reviews...The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark

I love a good cold case, and I love solving mysteries...but Clark has something special here. She wrote a gripping story. The Ghostwriter is like a vintage full-bodied wine, that keeps getting better with each year it is allowed to ferment. This story fermented over many years, and when it was time to uncork and reveal, the truth bubbled up to the service ready to breathe.

The Ghostwriter was a captivating story that I was completely lost in. If I were to rate this book out of five stars, I would give it a six. I honestly haven't read a book in a very long time that simply told a good story; The Ghostwriter was an incredible story. 

I chose this book as my Book of the Month selection intrigued by the concept of having a ghostwriter write a book for someone. A ghostwriter really has to understand a person's point of view to write a book on their behalf. They have to understand how they felt, understand the context, the time period and all parties involved, completely immersing themselves. It is a huge undertaking. Clark did not spare any details and made the occupation of a ghostwriter come alive in the pages. It was visceral.

Having read three of my favourite reads of 2025 just in the past month, it is a battle to choose just one favourtie, but I can wholeheartedly say The Ghostwriter has exceeded all my wildest expectations and it is Dawn Rodger's book of the year thus far. Congratulations Julie Clark! 

www.dawnrodger.ca
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#theghostwriter
#dawnrodger
#coldcase
​#bookofthemonth

DRB Reviews...She Didn't See It Coming by Shari Lapena

I have been waiting to receive this pre-ordered new release all summer! When it arrived, I dropped everything to read it. Any book I was currently reading got shoved to the side. Chores? What were those? Thank goodness I was on vacation and could dedicate the time. 

I read this book in just over twenty-four hours. It was such a straight-forward easy read, but was stuffed with juicy details. I was hooked from the prologue. I love how Lapena always has a way of making me fall head-over-heels in love for her characters, and then as she slowly begins releasing new information about them, everything unravels and I find myself hating characters that at first, were so becoming.

This book was gripping, and had me turning the page faster than my poor eyes could read; I caught myself a few times, realizing I was holding my breath. There is nothing better than a good detective story; especially when the detective uncovers a darkness, a stain or poison that lies underneath the 'perfect' image.

I own every single book written by Lapena. I am proud to have her entire collection in my personal library and to support a Canadian author. She is hands down one of my favourite authors of all time, and "She Didn't See It Coming" is at the top of my list for favourites of 2025! What a delicious read!

www.dawnrodger.ca
#dawnrodger
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#canadianauthors
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DRB Reviews...Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

I desperately needed a break from thrillers so I bought Remarkably Bright Creatures as an ebook for my kindle. It sounded like a refreshing change for my night time reading. (I read hard copy books by day and my kindle at night.) I fell in love with this story so much, that my kindle reading became my day time book of choice. I literally carried my kindle with me everywhere I went to squeeze in any spare time I had to read this book.

By far, my FAVOURITE BOOK OF THE YEAR!  I don't say this lightly. I read a lot and there are very few books I dislike. Van Pelt nailed this out of the park. Her characters felt so real, broken and perfectly human. My heart is so warm and fuzzy after reading this story a swear it grew a few sizes bigger. (Which is saying a lot, because any one who knows me already is aware my heart is way too big for my body!)

I am an animal lover as well; all animals are close to my heart. I adored the respect for animal life in this story, and how the story highlighted the importance of human and animal relationships.  We can build such meaningful bonds with the creatures we share the earth with. What captured me the most about this story, was how we can grow and gain from loss and grief; we can heal and find glorious happiness again.

Van Pelt, what a beautiful story. I am so grateful to have escaped into Remarkably Bright Creatures. My only complaint? Now that the book is finished, I don't know what to do with myself. I clasped my kindle against my heart and held it there for a minute when I finished...breathless. And yes, I had a few tears in my eyes and a smile on my face.

www.dawnrodger.ca
#remarkablybrightcreatures
#shelbyvanpelt
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#bookoftheyear
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DRB Reviews...Zodiac by Robert Graysmith

Zodiac is my letter Z for my 2025 Alphabet Reading Challenge. It is an incredible book; full of precise detailed facts and research. It is no wonder it is a National Bestseller. But, I had to stop reading half way through. It is a deeply comprehensive book. My copy is a pocket book version and the print is small. (No excuses, I simply had a hard time getting through it.) I really want to complete my Alphabet Challenge this year, and I thought stopping "half way through" is cheating. So, I decided to "finish" the book by watching the documentary on Netflix. (Note: This post isn't a true fictional movie based on a fictional book, but I do love documentaries and non-fiction books too, and deserves a spotlight on DRB Reviews. The category was close enough;)

I became obsessed with true crime novels as a teenager but somehow Zodiac was never on my reading list. I don't read a lot of true crime now, but I do love Cold Case documentaries. Did you know that we still do not know who the Zodiac killer is? There have been numerous suspects and theories, but there is still a lack of evidence to definitely prove who the killer was. This is unbelievable to me that someone could commit these terrible acts and not get caught. 

Technology astounds me and is improving at rapid rates everyday. I believe we will have definitive proof of the killer one day. I love the re-enactments of the story line, the real-life videos and recordings and the eye-witness accounts and interviews; these all make the story come to life in a way a book simply can't. 

In comparison, both the documentary and the book could stand alone but the documentary VS the non-fiction book in this case are a team, and make the experience more enriching and fulfilling.

www.dawnrodger.ca
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#dawnrodger
#zodiac
#Netlfix
#truecrime
​#robertgraysmith