On My Nightstand June 11, 2023

It’s been a stressful week here near DC. It started with a mysterious sonic boom, and ended with dangerous levels of air pollution from the Canadian wildfires. The picture above was from my metro trip into DC for work on Thursday. I have no experience with wildfires, and if I had known how much my breathing and sinuses would have been impacted I would have never gone. My thoughts go out to the people of Canada who have had to evacuate. This is just horrible.

We are in the last days of school finally, and are busy prepping for trips and camps. It’s a weird thing to do when it feels like the world is ending outside, but we gotta just keep swimming right?

In good news I have a giant stack of promising summer reading to get to, so I’m looking forward to that!

Have a great week everyone.

Quote of the week

“Fiction is the great lie that tells the truth about how the world lives!”

— The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

What I’m Reading This Week

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson - I’m not loving this one. Has anyone read it and loved it? Maybe it’s just a slow start?

The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough - This is a re-read for me. It’s a chunkster, but I’m flying through. This book is perfect summer reading in my opinion.

Untangled by Lisa Damour - All of my mom friends have been reading this, and I have it cued up next in Libby.

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand June 4, 2023

How is June going for everyone? We’re in the last two weeks of end of school year messiness. Seems like every day it’s a new party or activity to prep for. It’s all fun stuff once we get there, but there’s a lot of logistics involved!

Have a great week everyone.

Quote of the week

“The best things that happen in life rarely make good sense.”

— The Coal Tattoo by Silas House

What I’m Reading This Week

Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid - Loving this short book set in the Caribbean so far. I will probably find someplace to hide on this busy day so that I can finish it in peace.

The Not-Quite States of America by Doug Mack - I’m reading this for my work book club, and it’s pretty good. It’s about the US territories - part history and part travelog.

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese - I love this audiobook so much. It’s really long and I’m glad because I don’t want it to ever end.

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand May 28, 2023

It’s officially summer reading season! Here’s to hours spent reading in the sun! I can’t wait. Here’s my summer reading list if anyone is interested. Yes, I know I have high expectations for myself this summer!

Have a great week everyone.

Quote of the week

“
Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”

— Friedrich Nietzsche as quoted by Stacy Willingham in A Flicker In The Dark

What I’m Reading This Week

A Flicker In The Dark by Stacy Willingham - I’m one chapter in on this thriller and I think I figured out who did it. I can’t wait to keep reading to see if I’m right.

The Coal Tattoo by Silas House - I “discovered” Silas House this year, and I am so happy I have his whole backlist to go through.

Thunderstruck by Eric Larson - Having trouble getting into this one. Has anyone read it?

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My Summer Reading List 2023

Summer reading season is almost here! I simply can’t wait. I’ve been making lists since about March, and I wanted to share what I came up with.

New Releases:

I was never a big new releases in the summer person until last summer when I read six of them for a challenge, and now I pay attention. This year I poured over to what’s coming out, and picked these six books to splurge on.

The House Is On Fire by Rachel Beanland

Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley

Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb

Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See

The Daydreams by Laura Hankin

Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman

Backlist

There are 14 weeks in summer so I pulled 14 books off my shelves that I want to get to. Fingers crossed.

The Word For World Is Forest by Ursula K Le Guin

Feet In The Clouds by Richard Askwith

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

On The Road With Francis of Assisi

The Bronte Project by Jennifer Vandever

Looking Up by Matthew Cappucci

Malorie by Josh Malerman

Where The Forest Meets The Stars by Glendy Vanderah

In The Time of Our History by Suzanne Pari

The Nix by Nathan Hill

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman

Severance by Ling Ma

My Losing Season by Pat Conroy

Mud Rocks Blazes by Heather Anderson

Re-Reads

To me you can’t have summer reading without re-reading some favorites. Here are the three I picked for summer 2023.

End of Watch by Stephen King

The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

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Show Us Your Books May 2023

May 2023, how did that happen? Wasn’t it just Halloween? Anyway, I didn’t think April was a very good reading month, but looking back it was actually okay. No five star reads, but plenty of four stars. I think my memory is just reacting to the busyness of this time of year. It’s like once Spring Break happens buckle up, because each day after that means something to do. Teacher and senior gifts, sports, end of year projects and parties, and keeping up with all of the laundry and cooking associated with all of that is exhausting.

Anyway, here’s the best of the best from my April reads.

Four Stars

Hidden Moon by James Church -- These books make very little sense, but when you read mysteries having to do with North Korean government agencies that‘s part of the charm. This is book two in the Inspector O series and I found it just as confusing and enjoyable as the first.

The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey -- I loved the characters and setting of this mystery. I‘ll definitely read more in this series.

Watergate by Garrett Graff -- Graft’s deep dive into the history of Watergate had me riveted. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

The Ransomware Hunting Team by Renee Dudley and Daniel Golden -- I enjoyed this history of ransomware, and the stories of the (sometimes) misfits who stepped in to help stop it when the government was slow to act.

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This is linked to Quick Lit on Modern Mrs. Darcy.

On My Nightstand May 14, 2023

The weather has been beautiful this week, and I’ve been doing so much reading on my porch. One day I lost my kindle, and it took me about an hour to find it. It was under a cat. Peak cat lady.

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the week

“What was the use of building a legacy if the ones who deserved the fruit never lived long enough for the harvest?”

— Island Queen by Vanessa Riley

What I’m Reading This Week

Moloka'i by Alan Brennert I didn’t get to start this until the end of last week, so I’m still working on it. I really like it so far.

Island Queen by Vanessa Riley This is okay, but I want more. I’m about 3/4 of the way through.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samatha Shannon This might be the week when I finally finish this chunkster.

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand April 23, 2023

April has been a lot of work! I’m trying to recover this weekend. I started last night with a slice of cheesecake and a book on the couch. Today I plan on laying in bed with tea for a while then some puttering in the garden after church.

Have a great week everyone.

Quote of the week

“But you want murderous feelings? Hang around librarians,” confided Gamache. “All that silence. Gives them ideas.””

— A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny

What I’m Reading This Week

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon -- Still working on this one!

Hidden Moon by James Church -- Another holdover from last week. Hopefully I’ll finish soon.

Killed at the Whim of a Hat by Colin Cotterill -- I’m enjoying the audio of this whymsical mystery set in Thailand.

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand April 16, 2023

We’re slowly getting back into the swing of things after our trip to North Carolina. The weather has been gorgeous (much nicer than the beach!) so my focus has been on the yard. That means the laundry isn’t quite done, and we’re still not unpacked.

In my reading life I have been trying to catch up on my ARCs and reviews, and figure out how to reach my goals this year. I’ve been on a multi-year quest to read a book set in each country in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. (I will probably add Europe in next year.) I started my Scribd account up again, but might cancel after my thirty free days. We’ll see.

March was a great reading month for me. I wrote about my favorites here.

Have a great week everyone.

Quote of the week

“Reading is my favorite occupation, when I have leisure for it and books to read.”

— Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte

What I’m Reading This Week

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon -- I’m finally making progress on this one, but I need a few more weeks to finish.

Murdered Midas by Charlotte Gray -- This is my work book club’s pick for April. Scribd had it on audiobook which helped seal the deal on me starting my account again.

Hidden Moon by James Church -- I read the first one in this series a few months ago, and liked it enough to keep going.

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

Show Us Your Books April 2023

I gave up most social media for lent, and I must admit I had much more focus and reading time in March. Will I remember that lesson now that Easter is over? That remains to be seen. I almost never do.

I opened my summer reading spot this week, and am looking forward to much time outside in the months to come! Anyone else already planning for summer reading season?

Here are my favorite reads from last month.

Five Stars

Down City by Leah Carrol -- This was billed as true crime, but it was so much more than that. I am so glad that I finally read this after it sat on my shelf for years. I started this one afternoon and couldn’t stop until I finished.

Lark Ascending by Silas House -- This was a grim dystopian story line, but the underlying message was hope in the face of grief. I loved this book. My first Silas House- won‘t be my last!

Four Stars

What I Found In A Thousand Towns by Dar Williams -- I thought this would be a modern folk singer take on Travels With Charley, but it was actually a thoughtful examination of city planning. It was so interesting to hear about Williams’ thoughts about what she’s seen that works from her travels. Plus she reads the audiobook herself and she sings. Recommend.

The Old Ways by Robert Macfarlane -- This is the type of book you just want to read a little at a time while drinking tea. It was a great travel/nature book and inspired wanderlust.

The Secret History of Home Economics by Danielle Dreilinger -- I read this for a book club, and it was one of those super interesting books that I would have never sought out on my own.

A Corpse in the Koryo by James Church -- I’ve never read a detective novel that took place in North Korea before. I enjoyed the story even if I did have to flip back to the beginning once I finished to figure out what happened.

Rivals by Katherine McGee -- I absolutely love this series as a light read/(not so) guilty pleasure. This one ends on a pretty big cliffhanger so the count is on for the next one.

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This is linked to Quick Lit on Modern Mrs. Darcy.

On My Nightstand April 9 2023

Happy Easter to those who celebrate, and to everyone else have a beautiful Sunday. This is my favorite holiday, and I’m hoping for a peaceful day with my kiddos. Plus a little reading of course.

Have a great week everyone.

Quote of the week

“Easter is never deserved.”

— Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon

What I’m Reading This Week

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon -- I’ve been trying to read this for months, but its such a chunkster I keep falling asleep when reading it in bed and dropping it on my face. I’m going to try on kindle instead.

Killed at the Whim of a Hat by Colin Cotterill -- I was looking for a mystery set in Thailand for the #FoodAndLit challenge, and couldn’t resist this title.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens -- We watched this mini series on PBS and wanted to give the audiobook a try during a long car trip.

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand April 2, 2023

The cherry blossoms are still going strong here, but we’ll see what happens after this weekend’s strong storms. I really hope they’re not as bad as predicted, and that everyone stays safe. Basically I’m hoping for weather gross enough to keep me in and reading, but isn’t bad enough to do any damage. Fingers crossed.

Have a great week everyone. Stay safe!

Quote of the week

“I’ve been through many hardships, just like all of us, but most days grief is balanced out by the pleasures: a delicious meal, the smell of cedar on my hands, the sound of rushing water, good friends. Joy and sorrow are the things of life, the two things always tangled together. Anybody who’s ever lost anyone knows that.”

— Lark Ascending by Silas House

What I’m Reading This Week

Life of Pi by Yann Martel -- I loved this when it was new, so I decided to re-read to see if it holds up.

In The Quick by Kate Hope Day -- I tried this in print, but no quotations marks. Changed to audiobook in self defense. It’s slow so far, but I love the premise so much I’ll keep going.

And Poison Fell From The Sky by Marie Therese Martin -- I got this as an ARC from LibraryThing. So far it packs a punch.

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand March 26, 2023

Much to Daisy’s delight I started reading Down City at around 4 this afternoon, and couldn’t put it down until I finished. It’s been a long time since I’ve done that, and I think I can say my reading slump is officially over.

This week I’m going to try to finish up some reading goals I had set for March, and start packing for my vacation coming up in a few weeks. I also need to work on my garden if it ever stops raining.

Have a good week friends!

Quote of the Week

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?”

— John Steinbeck, Travels With Charley

On My Nightstand This Week

In The Quick by Kate Hope Day - I heard this described at The Martian meets Jane Eyre, which as luck would have it are two of my favorite books. How could I resist?

Death By Dumpling by Vivien Chien - I’m reading this as part of a diverse cozy buddy read. So far, so good!

Lark Ascending by Silas House -- I saw this on some list somewhere of best books of 2022, and my library hold came in Friday. I’ve only just started, and I’m looking forward to some dystopia. (Yes this is the third week I’ve has this on my list. This week I am determined because it really does sound good!)

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand March 19, 2023

My reading slump continues. Hopefully this week will be slower and I’ll have better concentration.

This is supposed to be peak week for Cherry Blossoms here which meant a lot of traffic pre-covid. We’ll see what that means this year. My goal this week is to take a walk and see the blossoms every day. They truly are beautiful.

Have a good week friends!

Quote of the Week

“It is always fatal to have music or poetry interrupted.”

— George Eliot, Middlemarch

On My Nightstand This Week

The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri -- We’re reading about Syria this month for #FoodAndLit. I’d heard a lot about this book, but not loving it. I’m willing to accept this is because of my book slump and not the book.

The Old Ways by Robert MacFarlane -- I signed up for a travel writing postal book club, and this is our first book. I’m looking forward to this group so much!

Lark Ascending by Silas House -- I saw this on some list somewhere of best books of 2022, and my library hold came in Friday. I’ve only just started, and I’m looking forward to some dystopia.

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

Show Us Your Books March 2023

February was a short month, but I fit in a lot of good books. I’m dreaming of outdoor reading season starting soon. I’m starting to get tired of reading under a blanket season. It’s on my to-do list to start fixing up my reading porch this week.
Here’s what I read last month.

Five Stars

What The Moon Saw by Laura Resau -- I loved this book so much. I just finished and have a big case of the warm and fuzzies.

This book is about fourteen year old Clara discovering herself when she leaves her suburban Maryland home to visit her grandparents in rural Mexico. I wish they had it on audiobook so I could listen to it with my kids in the car.

Four Stars

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo -- This was an excellent audiobook read by the author. In just a few hours she covers religion, immigration, first generation Americans, romance, parent child relationships, and so much more.

The Puma Years by Laura Coleman -- I enjoyed these memoirs of a woman working at a nature preserve in Bolivia. I like cats of all sizes and I learned about the issues facing the jungle and animals that live in it. I got this free at some point from Amazon First Reads, and I noticed it‘s still free on Kindle Unlimited.

Murder in the High Himalaya by Jonathan Green -- A heartbreaking but fascinating story contrasting the lives of high priced adventure tourists and Tibetan refugees in the Himalayas around the time of the Beijing Olympics.

Ivona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley -- What a fun book. Strangers on a Train if Maeve Binchy wrote it.

Three Stars

All Roads Lead To Austen by Amy Elizabeth Smith -- This is a memoir by a woman who spent a year holding Jane Austen book clubs in various Central and South American cities. I enjoyed the insights into how different cultures reacted to some of my favorite books more than the details about the author‘s love life, but overall this was a good read.

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This is linked to Quick Lit on Modern Mrs. Darcy.

A Bookish Walk on the National Mall

Last Tuesday instead of taking the metro to work I took it to the Smithsonian station and had myself a field trip.

Late February can be touchy weather wise in Washington, DC, but it turned out to be a perfect day for strolling through museums. There were no lines to get in, and the exhibits weren’t crowded at all.

My initial thought was to see the Nature of the Book exhibit at the Natural History Museum. I had high hopes, but this was really just two cases of books and other artifacts. Pretty, but it took me ten minutes to see.

After looking at the rest of the Natural History Museum I went next door to the National Gallery of Art. I almost had it to myself and spent hours there. I enjoyed all the exhibits, and made sure to snap a pic of Young Girl Reading by Jean Honore Fragonard (pictured above.) The National Gallery has about three or four cafes and I was grateful to sit for a while at one of them. I ordered avocado toast and read my book. My reading choice for a day in DC? It was Rivals by Katherine McGee.

By about 2 pm I was ready to head home, but decided to duck in The American History Museum. They know what they’re doing, and put a huge gift shop right by the entrance. I didn’t buy anything, but I did add Never Panic Early by Fred Haise to my TBR.

Upstairs I hit the highlights. A new addition to the culture section was a costume from The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu.

After that it was time to head home and meet the school bus. It was only a day, but I felt like I had been away for a week. I’m adding it to my to-do list to do this kind of thing more often!

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Show Us Your Books February 2023

I’ve had a good start to my reading year, and even made some progress on clearing some space on my to be read shelf.

Here are the best of the best from last month.

Five Stars

The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue - My first five star read of the year. I absolutely loved this historical fiction set in Dublin‘s Maternity/Fever ward during the worst days of the Spanish flu. It was written in 2019, but so much of it rang true given our recent experiences since then.

Four Stars

The Island of a Thousand Mirrors by Nayomi Munaweera - This little book about Sri Lanka’s civil war packed a mighty punch. I was a little confused by the characters at first, but I went with it and this book swept me away.

Annapurna: A Woman's Place by Arlene Blum - I was stranded without books and started listening to this just because it was on my phone. To my surprise it was really good! I read a lot of mountaineering books, and this one was so interesting. It was written by a woman expedition leader and she focused on logistics and leadership in a way that others usually don’t. Highly recommend (and I‘m pretty sure I got it for free on audible.)

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng - Sad and hopeful at the same time. Celeste Ng is so good.

The Huntress by Kate Quinn - Kate Quinn is so good at these historical novels. I really enjoyed this one about post WWII war criminals. My only complaint was I thought she could have ended it a bit sooner.

Three Stars

Braver Than You Think by Maggie Downs - It’s always weird rating someone’s memoirs because it’s hard to unravel the person’s life decisions from the writing. The writing here is really good- it will make you want to sell all your belongings and travel the world.

A Study In Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro - This was a fun mystery featuring the descendants of Watson and Holmes solving mysteries at a Connecticut boarding school.

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This is linked to Quick Lit on Modern Mrs. Darcy.

What's Saving My Life Right Now

I love this tradition from Modern Mrs. Darcy. Every year she posts a list of things saving her life at the half point of winter. (I was today years old when I learned Groundhogs Day was the half point of winter.)

What’s saving my life right now? Books of course. There’s been a lot in my life I need a break from (grief, learning how to parent teens, wondering if I should be doing more for my parents even though they tell me not to, work issues.) I have read so many good books lately. That’s the big picture.

The details? In 2022 my reading had slowed way down. I chalked it up to typical 2022 inability to concentrate. It took me a while to realize that I wasn’t concentrating because I was having trouble seeing the book. Once I started wearing my reading glasses regularly and bumping up the print just a bit on my kindle I suddenly could concentrate on books again. It’s embarrassing to admit a reluctance to give in a little bit to aging almost took my favorite comfort and hobby away. But there you have it.

On My Nightstand January 29 2023

I’ve been reading a chapter a day of Middlemarch with a group on Litsy, and this chapter title last Monday cracked me up. Yup, a cold rainy pre-dawn Monday in January can feel that way!

Oh well, bad weather makes for good reading!

What I’m Reading This Week:

Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell - I’m still listening to this. 10 hours left. I can do it.

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallard - This is a fun YA that I’ve been reading on the train. I’m enjoying it.

Braver Than You Think by Maggie Downs - It’s been a while since I read a good travel memoir. I’m hoping to sink into this one over the weekend.

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand January 22, 2023

I took last week off from blogging. My new year hadn’t gotten off to a good start, and I decided I needed a reboot. Now I’m back, rested and refreshed, and just a little bit organized. I’m looking forward to catching back up with you all and talking books!

What I’m Reading This Week:

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng - This has a long wait at the library, so I have to return it next week. From what I’ve read so far that won’t be a problem!

Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell - I’ve been listening to this on audio off and on, but it is also due back at the library soon. I need to get back at it!

End of the Lane by Sonia Parin - I needed something short and light for kindle reading on my commute. I hope this is it!

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

Show Us Your Books January 2023

This isn’t my cat. This is my neighbor’s cat. He sits by my back door and gives me dirty looks most days. It’s kind of the way I feel about January in this area. Too warm to snow, too cold to garden. Oh well, at least it’s good for reading.

Here’s the best of the best from December.

Five Star Reads:

A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny - I read this slowly trying to make the time to the next one as short as possible until I couldn’t take it any more and rushed through to the end. What a ride. This installment was more dark and twisted than usual and I‘m here for it.

Four Star Reads:

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley - I loved this book- the characters and the setting. One of those books that they call YA because of the age of the main character, but it’s not really. (I got this from the library, but I see it’s free on Kindle Unlimited right now.)

Flying Solo by Linda Holmes - I used to love reading Linda’s reviews on Television Without Pity, and I’m happy to say I enjoy her books just as much. I really liked the story line here. There was a whole decoy duck subplot I just got a kick out of.

Search by Michelle Huneveno - After spending the last year hiring in various capacities and on assorted committees this book was so relatable.

The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa - On an unnamed island things just disappear, and the Memory Police make sure it stays that way. This book was haunting. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I really liked this book and will read more by this author.

Maggie-Now by Betty Smith - This was the last of Betty Smith‘s books that I had left to read, so finishing it was bittersweet. Like Smith’s other books this one took place in Brooklyn and explored the push and pull between what women want and what society expects.

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