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.

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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!

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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!

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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.

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