This week, our First Impressions readers discuss Nan Fischer's Some of It Was Real, a feel-good novel about a self-declared psychic and the journalist determined to expose her as a fraud developing a relationship neither could have predicted.
Our Editor's Choice review this week is for Matt Goldman's Carolina Moonset, a novel about a man who returns to South Carolina to care for his ailing father only to become enmeshed in multiple murder mysteries.
We also have an updated lineup for our current and upcoming book club discussions, and we're highlighting the author pronunciation function. If you're not sure how to pronounce the name of an author and they're featured on BookBrowse, we've got you covered!
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Davina Morgan-Witts
BookBrowse Publisher
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Each month we give away books to BookBrowse members who live in the U.S. to read and review. Members who choose to participate receive a free book about every 3-4 months. Here are their opinions on one recently released title. |
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Some of It Was Real
by Nan Fischer
"This isn't your typical rom-com book. Sylvie is a psychic medium with a huge following, yet she has some secrets. Thomas is an L.A. journalist writing about 'grief vampires' - what he calls people like Sylvie, who he firmly believes are charlatans. But while they are complete opposites, they have more things in common than they realize. The story keeps you turning the pages; the characters are realistic, and there are very funny moments, especially with their pets. Highly recommend this one for book clubs, or for anyone who needs a 'light read' but with substance." - Lupita G. (Plantation, FL)
"I was first intrigued by the premise of the book. A psychic medium who doubts herself and a journalist out to prove she's a con artist. I then quickly devoured the book and it did not disappoint. It takes some interesting and unexpected twists and turns. Not often do I read a mystery where I haven't figured out the ending midway through. Here, the ending is unexpected and believable, a hard line to walk. I enjoyed how Sylvie's and Thomas's relationships with their parents, past and present, weave in and out of the story. It was a satisfying read and I would highly recommend it." - Dee dee K. (Incline Village, NV)
"I devoured this book. It is so rare to find a novel with a completely fresh plot. The author is so skillful at leading us through events. The suspense is real, but never overtakes the human connections being made. She makes the story believable and makes you care deeply for the characters, even the four-legged ones. This is a book I can recommend to all my reading friends. I am excited to read it with my book club; there are so many themes to talk about. My favorite book of the year!" - Catherine O. (Altavista, VA)
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Carolina Moonset
by Matt Goldman
Review and article by Kim Kovacs
As Matt Goldman's Carolina Moonset opens, Chicago native Joey Green has arrived in Beaufort, South Carolina to visit his parents. It quickly becomes clear that the trip is one of obligation, designed to give his mother a much-needed break; she's become the full-time caregiver for his father, Marshall, who's developed Lewy Body Dementia, a condition similar to Alzheimer's disease. Although Marshall's short-term memory is completely shot, his recollections of the past have become increasingly sharp, and as he reminisces, Joey learns of a pair of unsolved murders that occurred during his father's senior year of high school. His curiosity is piqued, and when one of Beaufort's most prominent citizens is killed, Joey comes to believe the crime is related to the incidents from his father's memories. If that's the case, Marshall may hold the key to solving all of the murders, past and present.
Although the mystery at the heart of the novel drives the plot forward, the author explores a number of complex themes as well, such as post-divorce romance, caring for one's aged parents and life in a small town where everyone knows everyone else. Goldman balances the various threads skillfully; all of them are equally enthralling and beautifully interwoven, so much so that I found the mystery itself a less interesting aspect of the narrative, almost an afterthought in this superbly wrought family drama. ... continued
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Beyond the Book: Lewy Body Dementia
In Matt Godman's novel, Carolina Moonset, one of the main characters has Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), a degenerative condition similar to Alzheimer's disease.
According to the National Institute of Health, "Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a disease associated with abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. These deposits, called Lewy bodies, affect chemicals in the brain [and these] changes, in turn, can lead to problems with thinking, movement, behavior, and mood." It is one of the most common forms of dementia, affecting over one million people in the United States. It's a progressive, fatal disease that can't be cured at this time.
It is unclear what causes LBD; age is considered the only real risk factor, and scientists have been unable to find a genetic or lifestyle link that increases the likelihood of contracting it. It's speculated that those with Parkinson's disease may be more likely to develop LBD, but there is no definitive correlation.
Cognitive decline is usually the first indication a person has LBD, and at this stage people are often misdiagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, since the initial symptoms are so similar. Someone afflicted with LBD may have difficulty concentrating on tasks to the extent that it interferes with day-to-day activities. ... continued
Visit BookBrowse for full review, excerpt, Beyond the Book article and more.
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In addition to author bios and interviews, BookBrowse also has a section that shows you how to pronounce 700 authors' names.
Head over to the author pronunciation section on BookBrowse and use the letters at the top to navigate; or try your hand at our quiz.
For example, these are a handful of the names you might be getting wrong: J ohn Lescroart, Gillian Flynn, Debbie Maycomber, Annie Proulx, Louis de Bernieres and Kate DiCamillo.
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Book Club: Upcoming Discussions |
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BookBrowse's forums-based discussions are open to all, so please join us!
Our fall discussions will be opening soon, beginning with Mike Gayle's All the Lonely People on August 20 and The Last Nomad by Shugri Said Salh on August 27. Visit the main discussion page to see a full list of the current and upcoming book club discussions.
You can also sign up to be notified when a discussion begins, browse through previous discussions and much more.
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