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I have put off reading the Eleanor Oliphant book  for quite some time, despite seeing it everywhere.  I just wasn’t sure it would be for me or thought it would be too similar to Britt Marie is Here, A Man Called Ove, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, etc.  Eleanor is a nearly 30 year-old woman who is completely fine, really.  She lives independently, she holds a job, she pays her bills, she even has weekly chats with Mummy and weekend vodka binges.  A few small changes and the encroachment into her controlled life by a co-worker and the cracks (of gigantic proportion) in the entire existence begin to surface.  The story takes the reader through an entire gamut of emotions and moods.  From witty barbs and sarcasm (unnoticed or not), to touching and funny moments, to rage inducing commentary and finally to heartbreaking reveals, the book and Eleanor will stay with you.  I will say the situation with Mummy was pretty obvious early on but it didn’t ruin anything for me.  Highly recommended read.

Cat About Town by Cate Conte is a new to me cozy series.  It reminded me greatly of the Sunny and Shadow series, which I really loved and have finished. Maddie James as returned home for a funeral and to spend time with her family.  Her beloved Grandfather is being pressured (by evil developers of course) to sell the family home.  When a murder occurs and accusations begin flying around, Maddie investigates trying to solve the murders before the body count gets too high.  I would say this was okay, however it pales in comparison to the Sunny and Shadow series by Claire Donally.