Author Archives: bseat

My Grandson’s Favorite Books

Posted on September 15, 2023 by bseat

One of my joys this year is reading to my grandson, Vander. I started reading to him almost as soon as he was born and now that he is 14 months old he is beginning to indicate his favorite books. … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Books | 2 Comments

The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty

Posted on September 8, 2023 by bseat

I have always enjoyed reading books based on legends. I loved reading everything I could get on the Arthurian legend and I really enjoyed books by Laura Joh Rowland which mined Japanese history and legends in books like Shinju.  Téa … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Fantasy, Fiction, Series, Thriller | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Posted on September 1, 2023 by bseat

Sometimes a romance novel is just what the doctor ordered! Especially when you are dealing with Covid and a rebound reinfection! Knowing that you face five to ten more days of isolation and all the cold and flu like symptoms … Continue reading →

Posted in Beach Read, Fiction, Romance | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Zero Days by Ruth Ware

Posted on August 25, 2023 by bseat

Ruth Ware is a force to be reckoned with. From In a Dark, Dark Wood  to The Woman in Cabin 10 and One by One, she has shown us that she is the master of the twisty, psychological thriller. Zero … Continue reading →

Posted in Beach Read, Detective novel, Fiction, Mystery, Psychological Mystery, Suspense, Thriller | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Posted on August 11, 2023 by bseat

Some books are so evocative that they create feelings that remain long after you read them. As I sit here now in midsummer to write about The Mercies, I feel chilled, cold and shivery. Hargrave is just that good in … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb

Posted on August 4, 2023 by bseat

Books can transport us to other worlds and this book by Brendan Slocumb, a classical musician himself, takes us inside the cutthroat world of classical music competitions. Here, it is not only how you play, but how good your instrument … Continue reading →

Posted in An Antiracist Education, Detective novel, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Accomplice by Joseph Kanon

Posted on July 28, 2023 by bseat

Joseph Kanon is one of those authors I go back to over and over again. His research is impeccable, his plots are unique and interesting and his characters aren’t necessarily heroic, but they do rise to the occasion when they … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Fiction, Spy/Covert Operatives, Suspense, Thriller, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz

Posted on July 21, 2023 by bseat

There are times when I long for a classic mystery by Agatha Christie or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The trouble is I used to read those books over and over growing up in Japan, since my access to English books … Continue reading →

Posted in Detective novel, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Series, Suspense, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Two Nights In Lisbon by Chris Pavone

Posted on July 7, 2023 by bseat

There is a delicate balance that authors who write in a particular genre must tread. They must not disappoint their current readers and fans, but do want to attract new readers. An author may also have a certain perspective or … Continue reading →

Posted in Beach Read, Books to take on vacation, Fiction, Mystery, Spy/Covert Operatives, Suspense, Thriller | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Posted on June 30, 2023 by bseat

Feel good books are a rare find! Especially ones that are well written and explore the darker side of life while not losing that spark of hope in humanity. Garmus, however does that and more in this lovely and lively … Continue reading →

Posted in Beach Read, Fiction, Romance | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments