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Book Reviews from the Left Coast

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An Insignificant Case by Philip Margolin

Littoral Librarian May 27, 2024

Publication Date November 5, 2024 A new standalone thriller from Philip Margolin? Yes, Please! Since 1993, when my sister recommended  a book by Philip Margolin, I became a fan and since then have enjoyed nearly all of his 20+ books. Legal thrillers are among my favorite genres, and he is often referred to as “the …

Storm Child by Michael Robotham

Littoral Librarian May 27, 2024

Publication Date July 2, 2024 Thanks to Scribner and NetGalley, I recently received a copy of Michael Robotham’s latest psychological thriller, Storm Child (in exchange for this honest review). It includes familiar characters Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac, both of whom were in the earlier novels Good Girl, Bad Girl,  When She Was Good, and …

Things Don’t Break On Their Own by Sarah Easter Collins

Littoral Librarian May 10, 2024

Publication Date July 16, 2024 “Things Don’t Break On Their Own” by Sarah Easter Collins is one twisty, well-written, character-driven thriller! There are many characters and various timeframes, so it seemed like actual work for me to keep everyone straight at first. But trust me, this one is worth the effort! The three main characters …

What Have You Done? by Shari Lapena

Littoral Librarian May 10, 2024

Publication Date July 30, 2024 Shari Lapena has been called “the queen of the one-sit read,” and that was EXACTLY the kind of book I was needing to take my mind off the news! Thanks to Penguin Group Viking and NetGalley, I received a copy of her latest, “What Have You Done?” in exchange for …

Worth Fighting For by John Pavlovitz

Littoral Librarian May 2, 2024

Publication Date April 2, 2024 I’m not sure when I first came across John Pavlovitz…and although I’m not proud to admit this, I suspect it may have been online, specifically on Facebook. He is described as an author, pastor, activist, and storyteller, and his book “Worth Fighting For” is described as “Christian Nonfiction.” Since I …

This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud

Littoral Librarian April 21, 2024

Publication Date May 14, 2024 Many years ago, I read Claire Messud’s book “The Woman Upstairs.” I don’t remember much about it except that it was wonderful. I was happy to receive a copy of Ms Messud’s new novel “This Strange Eventful History” from W.W. Norton and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Spoiler …

Women and Children First by Alina Grabowski

Littoral Librarian April 21, 2024

Publication Date May 7, 2024 Some days, I wonder if maybe being retired and slowing things down in my life has affected my taste in reading. I used to like digging in to “literary novels,” but these days I find what my friend calls “one night stands” (mysteries and thrillers you can binge in a …

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 …

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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

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  • TheRightTo Remain by James Grippando January 25, 2026
  • Missing Sam by Thrity Umrigar January 25, 2026
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