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Book Reviews from the Left Coast

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Look In The Mirror by Catherine Steadman

Littoral Librarian April 10, 2024

Publication Date July 30, 2024 I loved “Something In The Water” by Catherine Steadman, but found her next two that I read, “Mr. Nobody” and “The Disappearing Act,” to be less than I had hoped. Nonetheless, I was happy to receive a copy of her latest, “Look In The Mirror” from Random Mouse/Ballantine and NetGalley …

The President’s Lawyer by Lawrence Robbins

Littoral Librarian April 10, 2024

Publication Date October 8, 2024 Wow, this one was a surprise! I was looking for some escapist fiction…you know, aka “news avoidance.” Described as “perfect for fans of John Grisham and Scott Turow,” instant thought was “sign me up!” – even though I had no idea who Lawrence Robbins was, I was ready to take …

The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson

Littoral Librarian April 10, 2024

Publication Date April 30, 2024  I am a huge fan of Erik Larson, particularly “The Splendid and the Vile,” “The Devil In the White City, ” “Dead Wake, “and “In The Garden of Beasts.” I always learn a LOT while enjoying the way his nonfiction reads like fiction. He’s one of my favorite authors, so …

Swamp Kings by Jason Ryan

Littoral Librarian April 10, 2024

Published April, 2024 Might as well start out with a confession: I received the audiobook (thank you, Spotify Audiobooks — who knew this was a thing? Not I) and I liked the narrator very much but I just could not stay awake! So I bought the book, and my review is based on reading that. …

Middle Of The Night by Riley Sager

Littoral Librarian March 31, 2024

Publication Date June 18, 2024 Riley Sager, I’ve done it again! About four years ago I reviewed Home Before Dark, and noted that I had requested it because I misread the author’s name and thought it was a different author whose work I had enjoyed. Oops. Oh well, I enjoyed it…enough. Now, thanks to Penguin Group …

All The Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

Littoral Librarian March 30, 2024

Publication Date June 25, 2024 A few years ago, I read Chris Whitaker’s book We Begin At The End, and I liked it a LOT, so I was happy to receive a copy of his new book All The Colors of the Dark, which I received  from NetGalley and Crown Publishing in exchange for my …

Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand

Littoral Librarian March 30, 2024

Publication Date June 11, 2024 Elin Hilderbrand is well-known for being the “queen of beach reads.” About three years back, I read and reviewed her novel Golden Girl, and…was NOT impressed, in fact it was one of my very rare DNFs. But her string of books with titles like Summer of ‘69, 28 Summers, Trouble in …

10-Minute Strength Training Exercises for Seniors by Ed Deboo, P.T.

Littoral Librarian March 24, 2024

Published March 12, 2024 This book sounded PERFECT! Subtitled “Exercises and Routines to Build Muscle, Balance, and Stamina,” and written by a Physical Therapist, the premise of the book is that it is possible even for seniors to build/regain strength and balance by spending ten minutes a day. Sign me up! The organization is fine. …

One By One by Freida McFadden

Littoral Librarian March 24, 2024

Published 2020, 2024 Earlier this year, I read and reviewed Freida McFadden’s book The Teacher, and noted that “I enjoy psychological thrillers, but had not previously read anything by Freida McFadden… I loved this book, and stayed up for HOURS to finish it. It is just good entertainment. Five stars.” So I was excited when, thanks …

A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci

Littoral Librarian March 17, 2024

Publication Date April 16, 2024 I’ve never been a huge David Baldacci fan, although I have enjoyed all of his books I’ve read, particularly the King and Maxwell series. Legal thrillers are among my favorite genres, so I was particularly interested in Baldacci’s Calamity of Souls, provided to me by Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley …

What Happened to Nina? By Dervla McTiernan

Littoral Librarian March 17, 2024

Published March, 2024 I don’t recall reading anything by Dervla McTiernan, but I will probably check out some of her other books after spending much of the past couple of days engrossed in her novel What Happened to Nina? – which grabbed me from the start. Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley, I received a …

Kill For Me Kill For You by Steve Cavanagh

Littoral Librarian March 11, 2024

Publication Date March 19, 2024 Although I recognize some of the titles attributed to Steve Cavanagh (Thirteen, The Defense), I can’t recall reading any…but when I read that Kill For Me, Kill For You would be great for fans of Silent Patient or Gone Girl, I thought I’d give it a try (loved Gone Girl, …

THE PRINCESS OF LAS VEGAS by Chris Bohjalian

Littoral Librarian March 5, 2024

Publication Date March 24, 2024 Last year, I read and reviewed Chris Bohjalian’s  The Lioness, and gave it four stars. In 2021, reviewing Hour of The Witch, I wrote “I admit it: I have been a big fan of Chris Bohjalian, ever since I read Midwives several years ago. I consider Mr. Bohjalian one of …

Listen For the Lie by Amy Tintera

Littoral Librarian March 5, 2024

Publication Date March 5, 2024 Reviewing Listen For the Lie by Amy Tintera will be a challenge to do without spoilers sneaking in…but I try to NEVER spoil the surprise in any book, so here goes. The female protagonist is a young woman named Lucy, who is living in LA after growing up in a …

Long Haul by Frank Figliuzzi

Littoral Librarian February 26, 2024

Frank Figliuzzi was a special agent for the FBI for twenty-five years, so he knows his stuff and is in a great position to tell the story of the “Highway Serial Killings Initiative.” This special unit was formed to work on solving the Murders taking place across the country for many years. How many victims? …

The #1 Lawyer by James Patterson

Littoral Librarian February 26, 2024

If asked whether I was a fan of James Patterson’s books, my first response would be “no.” I,  was happy to give his #1 Lawyer a try, especially since it was offered to me in exchange for my honest review. (Thank you Little Brown and NetGalley!) No Alex Cross this time…instead it is Stafford Lee …

The Summer We Started Over by Nancy Thayer

Littoral Librarian February 23, 2024

Publication Date April 23, 2024 Years ago, when I was fumbling my way through a divorce, a new marriage, family (siblings) issues, and moving to a new place, I stumbled onto a book by Nancy Thayer and found it somehow soothing. It had a happy ending, and it just felt like everyone in the story …

Come And Get It by Kiley Reid

Littoral Librarian February 20, 2024

Publication Date January 30, 2024 In 2019, I read and reviewed Kiley Reid’s debut novel, Such A Fun Age, so I was pleased to receive a copy of her second novel, Come And Get It (thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review. I found Such a Fun Age to …

Southern Man by Greg Iles

Littoral Librarian February 19, 2024

Publication Date May 28, 2024 I’m a retired librarian, and I read a LOT of books. Over the years,  two of my favorite genres seem to have been “Southern Gothic “and “Mystery/thriller” and finding authors who combine the two is AWESOME. Greg Iles has been a favorite, and while I haven’t totally loved every single …

CollegeGirl, Missing by Shawn Cohen

Littoral Librarian February 3, 2024

Publication Date May 28, 2024 I’m a big fan of well-done true crime. I also read WAY too much not-so-well-done true crime, and I occasionally get very curious about stories where someone just VANISHES off the face of the earth. (Bryce Laspisa or Patti Adkins come to mind). I had heard of the disappearance of …

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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

  • 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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  • Weightless by Rocio Salas-Whalen, M.D. December 18, 2025
  • The Hadacol Boogie by James Lee Burke (A Dave Robicheaux book) November 6, 2025
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  • Wild Instinct by T. Jefferson Parker November 1, 2025

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