Heather Caliendo

Preview: I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon

By Heather Caliendo ·

I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon is a historical fiction novel centered on the mystery of Anastasia Romanov. So I’ve been highly interested in the Anastasia story for quite some time thanks to an unlikely source: the 1997 musical cartoon. There is something fascinating about the potential that the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna might have survived.

Book Recommendations for June 2018

By Heather Caliendo ·

What I love about these summer months is how people take books on their vacations and make time during lazy weekends to read. Another great thing about summer? There’s so many new book releases. And I’ve read some great stories recently. Here are my book recommendations for June 2018.

Book Club Questions for The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll

By Heather Caliendo ·

There’s some bad behavior, questionable life choices and lots of lies in The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll. This is an intense and entertaining read that makes you think. The following book club questions will contain spoilers so if you haven’t read the novel yet, check out my preview and review first.

Book Club Questions for You Me Everything by Catherine Isaac

By Heather Caliendo ·

You Me Everything by Catherine Isaac is one of those stories that will leave a lasting impact on me. I compare it to how I felt after Me Before You by Jojo Moyes, both feature emotional journeys that take you to unexpected places. The following book club questions will contain spoilers so if you haven’t read the […]

Review: The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll

By Heather Caliendo ·

The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll is a crazy, wild ride from start to finish. It’s part suspense, murder mystery, commentary on reality TV culture, with complicated women dynamics all rolled into a unique read. This one lives up to the hype and more.

Preview: The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll

By Heather Caliendo ·

The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll is one of the most anticipated reads of the summer. Knoll’s debut novel, Luckiest Girl Alive, was an instant New York Times bestseller and the bestselling debut novel of 2015. Intrigued to see what’s in store for The Favorite Sister.

Review: You Me Everything by Catherine Isaac

By Heather Caliendo ·

Do you ever get that feeling you’re going to love a book before even reading it? I had that going into You Me Everything by Catherine Isaac as you can tell by my preview. And now that I finished it, I can safely say I do love it. But the emotion I felt as I read […]

What makes a book a beach read?

By Heather Caliendo ·

The other day my friend and I talked about book recommendations. She says her book club only selects “beach reads” in the summer, which she thinks to read by the season is a silly concept. But it’s one that many people follow year after year, especially in summertime months.

Book Club Questions for Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

By Heather Caliendo ·

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton is not just a fiction book but also a history lesson. It takes place over different time periods and the Havana setting is its own character. The following book club questions will have spoilers, so if you haven’t read the novel yet, check out my preview and review first.

Review: Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

By Heather Caliendo ·

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton is a beautiful and passionate book about the strength of sacrifice. As I mentioned in my preview, Cuba is somewhat of a mystery. There’s the Cuban Missile Crisis, Castro’s long rule and famous tales of Hemingway in Old Havana. But obviously Cuba is much more than that. Next Year […]

Review: The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer

By Heather Caliendo ·

The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer is an interesting concept about the politics of women mentorships with a critical eye to the dynamics among women. There are areas of the book I enjoy but ultimately, this read fell flat for me.

Book Club Questions for Love and Ruin by Paula McLain

By Heather Caliendo ·

I’m still thinking about Love and Ruin by Paula McLain. The story takes you on Martha Gellhorn’s journey to forging a path as her own woman and writer. It’s heartfelt, sad at times and Gellhorn is very inspiring. You know the conversation starter question, if you could have dinner with anyone: dead or alive? Martha Gellhorn […]

Review: Love and Ruin by Paula McLain

By Heather Caliendo ·

I adore Love and Ruin by Paula McLain. She wrote Martha Gellhorn so well, I truly felt like I was along for the ride with Gellhorn. It’s an exceptional book that features love and loss but is really about Gellhorn’s dreams and her fearless passion for writing.