The Hodin Cabal: Choices is a novel about a secret organization on a mission to deal with a major environmental problem. This complex group deals and acts on decisions made without regard to normal ethics. Debra Ann Wynn, the main character in this story, is an investigative reporter looking into this worldwide network.

One of the many strengths of Avril Maria Serene's writing is her ability to make an organization such as this one seem realistic. She does this by revealing the group's details while Debra Ann is interviewing a dissatisfied member and also in conversations with people she's recruited to help her investigation. These sections are wordy, but intriguing because the concepts are fascinating.

There are several interesting subplots, such as Debra Ann's relationship with Paul, the father of a sick child and the struggles with alcoholism of Debra Ann's friend, police officer Marci Robbins, a person Debra Ann has called on for help. Serene wove these stories into the main plot well.

I recommend this book to readers who enjoy complex mysteries with strong characters.

 

Isaac Q. Miller, the author of The Story Behind Broadway's Biggest Hits, clarifies the title he chose in his introduction when he says: “I made a big claim with the title of this book, claiming it to be about Broadway's biggest hits but the truth is that's incredibly subjective.” He's right there. For me, three of my favorites were not included. Those are Jesus Christ Superstar, Miss Saigon and The Secret Garden, all successful Broadway musicals. Yet Miller's list is solid. He chose: Chicago, Wicked, A Chorus Line, Rent, The Book of Mormon, Fiddler on the Roof, Grease, Hamilton, Jersey Boys, and Hadestown. I've seen all of those except for Hadestown. I wasn't thrilled with The Book of Mormon, but I loved the others. So I have to say he made solid and interesting choices.

Miller talks about the history behind the shows, including a little about the sources that inspired them. Sometimes those were short stories or other plays, and, in the case of Rent, a combination of Jonathan Larson's personal struggles and Puccini's opera La Bohème. He also covers the original casts, costumes, the set and lighting designs and the choreography. This is not a book that was written to stand on its own. Instead, it enhances the appreciation of the shows it covers. I'm a theater buff and I loved it.

 

Elin Hilderbrand is my go to author when I'm in the mood for a light read. Swan Song met that expectation. I enjoyed the characters, especially Coco and the exploration of the lengths someone with an unpublished screenplay will take to get it read. The party scenes were interesting and wild, although I skimmed through some of the food descriptions. Overall, this is a good summer read. 

 

A Christmas Caroline is a modern-day version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The plot is the same but the situations are different. For one thing Ebenezer Scrooge is replaced by Caroline Scroggins, a young woman who lives alone and doesn't go out much. Scrooge was a bitter man who made comments such as “If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.” Caroline Scroggins is more of a loner who likes to save her money by keeping her heat low and not partying with her friends. The lighter main character is good for the book because the novel is hilarious.

What I liked most about this novel is the wit of the writer. This is what earned the book a five star rating. Here is an example: “My sibling had been the type of person who would [blank] her pants but still manage to see the positive in it - at least it proved she didn’t need any more fiber in her diet.” The jokes are often bathroom or bedroom humor, but they had me laughing. If you like writers with edgy styles, this novel is for you.

Once We Were Family by Nancy Saling Graham

 

Once We Were Family is the story of a family living in Berlin as the Hitler regime rose to power. It's told from the viewpoint of Annalise, one daughter of Axel Klaus. Annalise and her father sympathize with the people who are being abused and sometimes help them, but not enough to ease their guilt.

Annalise’s siblings represent a range of responses to their authoritarian government, from resisting quietly, while working with the Nazis to the younger ones who are fully indoctrinated in school. Annalise also has one sister who is only concerned with her appearance and marriage potential.

About halfway through the story, Germany loses and Hitler takes his own life in the bunker. Now the plot becomes the story of a young German woman living in West Berlin. There are still some horrible situations to get through, but there is also hope.

Whitewater by William McGinnis

Whitewater is a fun novel, a thriller that can be a little predictable, but always entertaining. I loved the descriptions of the area around the Kern River and of riding its waves. But there's also an exciting plot involving a drug cartel and what happens when the bad guys find out that the main characters: Adam (a former navy seal) and Tripee (an undercover FBI agent) have learned too much about the cartel’s activities. There were times when I had to suspend disbelief, but that’s true with most thrillers. Overall, the book is interesting and a good summer read.

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

 I loved this book. I bought the audio and listened to it on a long trip I was taking. It made the travel time go by quickly.

When I first was looking into this novel, I thought it would be about the children in the school. It turned out to be more about the parents, about their gossip, their egos, their false assumptions and group think. It also has a message that becomes clear at the end. I recommend this book to anyone who likes character driven novels.