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Book Reviews from the Left Coast

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The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly (Lincoln Lawyer #8)

Littoral Librarian October 27, 2025

Publication Date October 21, 2025 Almost exactly 2 years ago, Michael Connelly released Resurrection Walk,  Book 7 in the “Lincoln Lawyer” series featuring Mickey Haller, and I loved it – FIVE stars. In that story, Mickey and his half brother Harry Bosch (yes, THAT Bosch) work together, Mickey having hired Harry as an investigator to …

The Widow by John Grisham

Littoral Librarian October 27, 2025

Publication Date October 21, 2025 John Grisham is one of those authors whose work is devoured by his fans, who generally find him reliably entertaining. I haven’t read all of his books, and I might be wrong but I think that over the past few years, it’s been a bit of a mixed bag – …

The Tourists by Christopher Reich

Littoral Librarian October 27, 2025

Publication Date October 14, 2025 I’ve realized recently that much of the reading that I find most enjoyable is in the thriller category…with the spy thriller being possibly my favorite genre (when it’s well done). I was super interested in Christopher Reich’s latest, The Tourists, and was pleased to receive a copy from Thomas & …

1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin

Littoral Librarian October 27, 2025

So there I was, minding my own business, watching Bill Maher and hoping to find ways to laugh about the demise of democracy…then Andrew Ross Sorkin came on…and I wondered, where do I know that name from? When I realized he was the author of 2009’s Too Big To Fail, which scared the crap out …

Amity by Nathan Harris

Littoral Librarian October 26, 2025

Publication Date September 2, 2025 I had not read Nathan Harris’s book The Sweetness of Water, but had heard enough rave reviews to know that I wanted to read his latest, Amity. Thanks to Little, Brown and NetGalley, I received a copy in exchange for my honest review. And I’m looking forward to the discussion …

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan

Littoral Librarian October 26, 2025

Publication Date September 2, 2025 I haven’t read anything of Patrick Ryan’s, so I can’t say I was a fan going in…but I was really looking forward to reading Buckeye after I heard and read so many glowing opinions. I tend to really love multigenerational family sagas(when well done), and a story that spans World …

The Hamptons Lawyer by James Patterson and Mike Lupica

Littoral Librarian October 25, 2025

Mike Lupica is an author (and former newspaper columnist), enjoyed by sports fans for many years in the New York Daily News. He is also known for his many appearances on the all-sports-all-the-time ESPN network. Everyone knows who James Patterson is. Their latest endeavor is The Hamptons Lawyer,  a crime novel/thriller collaboration.  The Patterson/Lupica collaboration …

Ten To The 405 by Kevin Andrade

Littoral Librarian August 17, 2025

Published July 30, 2025 I read a LOT– with my go-to genre being what I call the LA/CA  PI mystery/crime stuff: Robert Crais, Michael Connelly, Lee Goldberg, Sue Grafton, T.Jefferson Parker…you get the idea. I’ve been in a bit of a trough lately, challenged to find something that grabbed me, entertained me, and made me …

A Slowly Dying Cause by Elizabeth George

Littoral Librarian August 11, 2025

Publication Date September 23, 2025 Every few years, we get a new novel from Elizabeth George, and I am thrilled when I  am lucky enough to receive an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. In 2022, we got Something to Hide with its (for me, at least) mind-blowing look at FGM (female genital …

I Become Her by Joe Hart

Littoral Librarian August 6, 2025

Publication Date August 26, 2025 In 2021 and 2022 I read two books by Joe Hart that were solid four star reads: Or Else and Where They Lie. Then, in 2023, Never Come Back was a solid five stars, and I was eagerly awaiting more from Hart. Not sure if I missed something, but thanks …

Help! I’m Dying Again! by Dr. Britney Chesworth

Littoral Librarian August 6, 2025

Publication Date August 21, 2025 First thing I need to clarify is that I am currently dealing with two different forms of cancer, so perhaps I have good reason to focus thoughts on my health…but also I am someone whose history is sort of hypochondria UNTIL there is actually “something” to deal with, then I …

Night Watcher by Daphne Woolsoncroft

Littoral Librarian August 4, 2025

Publication Date July 8, 2025 I’m generally not a huge fan of horror, creepy stalkers, or books that prompt me to get up and check to be sure the doors are locked. I am, however, a fan of talk radio, true crime (especially podcasts), and the “plucky heroine” trope. So I was intrigued to get …

Coded Justice by Stacey Abrams

Littoral Librarian August 4, 2025

Publication Date July 15, 2025 In 2021, I read and reviewed Stacy Abrams’ novel While Justice Sleeps, and was introduced to Avery Keene, “…a brilliant young law clerk working for Justice Howard Wynn, a curmudgeon who is in failing health. Avery is doing her best to hold her life together, working long hours in a …

The Happiness Experiment by Carl Barney

Littoral Librarian August 3, 2025

Publication Date July 8, 2025 I have mixed feelings about The Happiness Experiment by entrepreneur and philanthropist Carl Barney. After a near-death experience, he had the idea of gifting “Happiness Grants” (inheritances provided to the grantees while the grantor was still alive) to twenty friends.    I loved the idea, and thought it might have been …

Culpability by Bruce Holsinger

Littoral Librarian August 3, 2025

Publication Date July 8, 2025 I’m among the seemingly large number of people who find the whole topic of AI to be…what? Confusing? Frightening? Nonsensical? All of the above? For most of my life, I’ve turned to books to help me understand the world, so I was happy to have the opportunity to read and …

American Reich by Erich Lichtblau

Littoral Librarian August 2, 2025

Publication Date January 6, 2026 Yes, I am a true crime junkie. As I noted in a recent review of Caitlin Rother’s Down to the Bone, I have been reading true crime for decades. When I worked in public libraries in the 1980s and 90s, my favorite section was always 364.1523…and although at times these …

These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean

Littoral Librarian August 2, 2025

Publication Date July 8, 2025 My first glance at the synopsis of Sarah MacLean’s These Summer Storms had me thinking “Aha! Elin Hildebrand or Nancy Thayer meet HBO’s Succession…There is the whole private island/Nantucket-ish vibe, the uber-wealthy patriarch pulling the strings of his heirs, and the combo of grief, love, and family plus romance. Sounds …

Down To The Bone by Caitlin Rother

Littoral Librarian July 29, 2025

Publication Date June 25, 2025 Joseph and Summer McStay and their two young sons disappeared from their home in Fallbrook, California, in February 2010. Video footage of a family resembling the McStays crossing the border led sheriff’s deputies to initially conclude they had left voluntarily and gone to live in Mexico. I admit, I have …

The First Gentleman by James Patterson and Bill Clinton

Littoral Librarian July 29, 2025

Publication Date June 2, 2025 I was happy to have the opportunity to read The First Gentleman by James Patterson (really? When does he have time?) and Bill Clinton, thanks to Little, Brown and NetGalley. I admit I am a bit of a skeptic about James Patterson…sort of like he is the Thomas Kinkade of …

Nightshade by Michael Connelly

Littoral Librarian June 17, 2025

published May 20, 2025 I’m a big Michael Connelly fan, especially the Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller books, then more recently the stories of police officers Jenkins and Renee Ballard. So II was looking forward to reading Connelly’s newest mystery, and meeting new characters (truly, Connelly has a gift for making his characters REAL to …

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Who Is the Littoral Librarian?

I am a librarian who is fortunate enough to live on the beautiful Central Coast of California. I have worked in public and academic libraries,  I teach Information Competency and Literacy online part-time, and spend huge amounts of time reading and enjoying the amazing place I live.

 

Contact me by email:   LL@littorallibrarian.org

Recent Reviews

  • Judge Stone by James Patterson and Viola Davis April 3, 2026
  • Strangers In The Villa by Robyn Harding April 3, 2026
  • More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen April 3, 2026
  • Black Mafia Queen by Dr. Tonesa Welch March 30, 2026
  • The Method by Matthew Quirk March 14, 2026
  • Food Fix Uncensored by Dr. Mark Hyman, etc March 14, 2026
  • Anatomy of An Alibi by Ashley Elston March 14, 2026
  • TheRightTo Remain by James Grippando January 25, 2026
  • Missing Sam by Thrity Umrigar January 25, 2026
  • The Keeper by Tana French January 2, 2026

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