booktalkwithkarla's reviews
1322 reviews

Choosing to Run: A Memoir by Des Linden

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informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

Recently I began listening to a podcast hosted by Des Linden and Kara Goucher. I believe I heard about this book on that show. From the podcast my love for Linden’s voice has grown and reading this book on paper felt like sitting across from her. I loved hearing her story, her running journey, her motivations, and how her grit came to be. Linden is tenacious, funny, and spirited. This book inspires me - in running and in life. I almost wish I could read it for the first time again. Read it if you run and even if you don’t. Maybe, like Linden and me, you will choose to run. 
The Wedding People by Alison Espach

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emotional funny hopeful reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Phoebe shows up at the Cornwall, a place she’s dreamed of being. There she is the only guest who is not part of the wedding of Lila and Gary. Shortly, after arriving while in the elevator, Phoebe confesses to Lila that she’s there to and her life. Lila says no, you can’t ruin my wedding week.

I read this quickly because I desperately needed to know what happened next and how it ended. This book has mire depth than the cover or description leads you to believe. I loved how Alison Espach gently and directly addressed deep loneliness. Espach gave each character humanity. Her treatment caused me to feel seen and known. I adored this book and highly recommend it!!! 

A few of the many quotes I loved:
“Love was an invisible wire, connecting them always.”

“Phoebe has become good over the years at detecting who has a loving mother and who does not, because Phoebe believes a loving mother gives a person the kind of confidence to exist that Phoebe never quite had.“

“That is how it happens, she realizes. One moment of pretending to be great leads to the next moment of pretending to be great, and 10 years later, she realizes she spent her entire life, just pretending to be great.”

“This is the gift random strangers can give you, Phoebe is realizing – the freedom to say or be anything around them. Because who cares? He doesn’t know her, will never know her.”

“A small step back into the world, a nice gesture, a fight against the entropy, something he could do to be human to another human.”

“She is so good at predicting what will happen in books, so bad at predicting what will happen in life. That is why she has always preferred books – because to be alive is much harder.”
Hansons Marathon Method: Run Your Fastest Marathon the Hansons Way by Luke Humphrey

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informative inspiring medium-paced

3.25

This book has been on my shelf for years. After reading Des Linden’s Choosing to Run, I was intrigued to pick this one up next. The plans, charts, and figures in the book are great. Reading the strategies and plans motivates me to run and build mileage and also not be afraid to run on tired legs. 

For the past decade I have felt sidelined by injury. Now I am back to running and feeling strong. I plan to use some of the ideas and plans from this book as I go forward. Since I don’t have a marathon on the immediate horizon, I will primarily use inspiration and a key concepts from this great resource book. But do recommend it for anyone looking to run a marathon. 
Middle of the Night by Riley Sager

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dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

In Middle of the Night is about Billy coming to terms with the disappearance of Ethan when they were both children. The novel weaves together two time periods to give us a great mystery. I was along for the ride and didn’t know who the villain would be until it was revealed. 

Riley Sager writes a page turning mystery. I enjoyed how the story came together. The pacing and characters were on point. 

At our book club we enjoy a great discussion about some of the themes (life, death, friendship, loyalty, secrets) of the book. Mostly what we discussed is if we would’ve taken the same action at that pivotal moment. You’ll have to read the book to know what I’m talking about. I recommend this book especially if you’re mystery lover or Riley Sager fan.


“He takes him into what’s known as the library, although it holds much more than books. It’s the heart of the institute, where others gather to discuss, debate, debunk.”

“But she wasn’t prepared for how lonely it all felt in between one obligation and the next. That’s something she wished her mother had warned her about. The long, quiet hours when she wasn’t needed.”

“There were no villains in this story. Nor were there heroes. Just a neighborhood of flawed people, some more than others.”
The Hangman by Louise Penny

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mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

“The ways of the creator, he knew, are hard to fathom, but not nearly as hard as the ways of the created.”

This short book written by Louise Penny falls between book 6 and 7 in her Three Pines series. Armand Gamache arrives at the scene to find a man hanging from a tree. Is it death by suicide or murder? Gamache first interviews Tom Scott, who while on vacation and out for a jog found the deceased man and called the police. He continues investigating the case, allowing us to visit with several members of the Three Pines community. 

Penny is brilliant and I enjoy her writing. This one is no exception. In its short scope, she still shows up brilliantly. 

The audio is just over an hour and since I want to be a “Penny completionist”, I borrowed it from my library. The narrator is different than I’m used to but once I settled in this narrator worked for this story. I loved the ending and enjoyed being with Gamache even if only for a short time. 
Loving God: The Cost of Being a Christian by Charles W. Colson

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hopeful informative inspiring sad medium-paced

4.25

The stories in this book of people putting faith in action are powerful. I loved reading about real people trusting and showing their faith by acting. The insights into Chuck Colson’s life before he became a believer and after were also compelling. There were so many convicting moments for me as I read. The scriptures used were appropriate and meaningful. I enjoyed this book immensely when I was reading it and recommend it to others. Be ready to be changed by these important and influential stories. In acting we demonstrate our love for God. 
Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins

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emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

5.0

“We can’t control all the variables in our lives. It’s about what we do with opportunities revoked or presented to us that determine how a story ends.”

This memoir from David Goggins surprised me. I didn’t expect the writing to be so good, nor did I expect to love the book so much. My running friend recommended it multiple times (probably after hearing my excuses, complaints, pains, etc) so I bought it and then let it languish on the shelf. Finally after another gentle reminder I started it - and couldn’t put it down. 

Goggins’s story boils over with honesty, vulnerability, and insights into the roles of drive and mindset. His points are made with words but more often it’s his example (failures and successes) that speak the loudest. He is careful to remind the reader that no matter what your history or goals, you too can callous your mind and do hard things.

Goggins offers challenges at the end of each chapter that promote thought and action. Can’t Hurt Me is a powerful story by an uncommon man written for common people as an invitation to suffer more, using and seeing more of our potential. He is clear that mindsets only change when we embark in suffering by doing the hard work. 

As I read, I reflected on my own life and areas I am quick to quit. What if I didn’t quit? I won’t soon forget Goggins’s hard-earned wisdom and approach. My focus word this year is “renewal” and much of what this book says fits with the gains that happen when we persevere. I did read this with caution, noticing the absence of faith in Jesus. I personally don’t ever want to make my efforts and striving the most important thing. Also, persevering shows growing trust in Jesus and myself.

Goggins has journeyed hard roads, often alone. I pray he finds peace, even as he encourages people to stop quitting. His story, my story, and yours are not over. We can change the ending when we stop settling for less than our best. Read this (and take the challenges) to grow in compassion, in perseverance, and in your personal goals. 


Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

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funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

Be Ready When the Luck Happens is a delicious memoir about the life and loves of Ina Garten. In telling her story Garten shares the challenges, her approach, the outcomes, and lessons she learned as she faced challenges and new opportunities. She shows us through example how to notice and respond to our own challenges. I absolutely love the photos and recipes (connected to the chapter content) included throughout the book. Garten’s story is inspiring and fun to read. I didn’t know anything about her (except I knew she authored cookbooks) and enjoyed hearing her career trajectory and also about her childhood and her relationship with Jeffrey. Whether an Ina Garten fan or not, memoir readers will enjoy this positive and aspirational read. 
Sociopath: a Memoir by Patric Gagne

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hopeful informative medium-paced

4.75

Sociopath or not, read this memoir about Patric Gagne’s experiences “learning” emotions with a sociopath diagnosis. Gagne channels her frustrations and deep desire to understand and be understood in her story. She states her goal as giving hope and I say she accomplished that for people who are sociopaths and those who are trauma broken - wanting to learn more about self acceptance, emotional growth, clearer communication, and better relationships. This memoir is not skippable if you are interested in psychology and in people. 
A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny

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emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Wow! This is my favorite of the series so far. I listened to the audio mostly and occasionally noted something in my paperback copy. 


The title, the mystery, the character development, the interactions, the art, the references to light - all of it was perfect. Louise Penny writes about a topic - alcoholism - with compassion and care. Penny weaves important relational elements into her mysteries which elevates them greatly. 

I love these people. I was thoroughly entertained by this novel as I moved about my home and town these past few days. Ready for the next one in the series and super happy that there are so many more to discover.