Show Us Your Books November 2020

The sun coming through stormy skies

November 2020, it really seemed like we would never get here! We made it!

I read a ton in October, mostly thanks to a Halloween reading challenge on Litsy. In retrospect it probably wasn’t the best for my mental health to read five Stephen King books in the weeks before the election!

Best of the Month

Self care - a good book and ice cream

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi - This was a great book, and so, so clever. It starts in Ghana in the 1700s where two half sisters end up on very different paths- one is kidnapped and sold into slavery and one lives the pampered life of a slave catcher’s wife. From there each chapter skips a generation and we see how the two halves of the family live- one in America and one in Ghana. This will probably be on my best of 2020 list.

It Is A Truth Universally Acknowledged

Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding - After reading P&P last month it was time to read a few adaptations. I was obsessed with Bridget Jones in my 20’s and really enjoyed re-visiting with her. This was my first time reading it on audio, and I enjoyed it in that format. If you need something to make you laugh this month Bridget is a good choice!

Pride and Prejudice Graphic Novel by Ian Edington - I’ve become a big fan of graphic novels based on the classics in the last few years and this was no exception. Mr. Darcy just looked so…proud.

Most Mysterious

I spent a lot of October with The West Wing running in the background.

The Best American Mystery Stories 2017 - I grabbed this when I was wandering around the library one day, and liked it more than I thought I would. I’m not usually a short story person, but lately they’ve been perfect for when I can’t concentrate. This was a good collection, and I'm going to pick up another volume next time I go to the library.

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger - I’m averaging about a book a month by Krueger since I started early this summer. Ordinary Grace was a stand alone, but I enjoyed it just as much as his Cork O’Connor mysteries. The book takes place in the early 1960’s but is told 40 years later from the point of view of a pre-teen boy. Great book!

The Likeness by Tana French - The second book in the Dublin Murder Squad series by Tana French. It went on a bit long for my tastes, but the mental gymnastics the undercover cop main character underwent kept me mostly entertained. I’m not in a huge rush to get to the next book, but probably will at some point this year.

And Five From The King

A bit too close to current events

The Dead Zone by Stephen King - What would you do if you knew the new popular politician who sold himself as “just a regular guy” was actually a psychopath who would kill us all? I read this as a teenager, and re-read it in October because I started thinking it was eerily close to current events. Thank goodness we live in America and not a Stephen King book so we can take care of these issues with elections.

Doctor Sleep by Stephen King - King’s sequel to The Shining, and another re-read for me. Both times I’ve read this I’ve been bored by the beginning and then get about a third of the way in and can’t stop. Read The Shining first.

The Institute by Stephen King - A decent modern King book. Kids with psychic abilities are kidnapped and kept in a secret facility supposedly for the good of the world.

11/22/63 by Stephen King - Another re-read and probably my favorite Stephen King book. In this one a man goes back in time to stop the assassination of JFK. It’s a great story and what King has to say in the afterward about his motivation for this book is almost just as great. It’s a chunkster, but worth the time.

If It Bleeds by Stephen King - A book of four short stories, the best best one featuring Holly Gibney from the Mr. Mercedes trilogy. Worth reading, but I’m glad I got it from the library instead of buying it.

One More

Speaking Truth To Power by Anita Hill - This was completely different from everything else I read in October, but I wanted to give it a mention. This is such an important book, and I really think everyone should read it. It really shows how sexual harassment can change the course of a woman’s life through no fault of her own, and how men need to do a better job of listening (looking at you Joe Biden. I think you’ve learned your lesson but giving you the hairy eyeball just in case.)

Linked to: Show Us Your Books and Quick Lit

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Friday Top Five

I decided to start doing a weekly Friday Top Five to have a place to talk about all of the random bookish nonsense I get up to during the week.

Well, this has been a week. I’m so grateful for reading which continues to take me away when I can’t take any more.

1) Let’s Go To Bath!

This month we’re reading a chapter a day of Northanger Abbey. I just love Catherine and am looking forward to revisiting her antics. Austen is so funny in this one.

2) October’s In The Books!

All of my 4 and 5 star reads from October. It was a good month for reading, and I look forward to talking about them next week for Show Us Your Books.

3) You Had Me At Books And Snacks!

My two main goals this year (that so far I have failed miserably at #2020) were to read books from 20 countries and to cook from 20 cookbooks. It wasn’t in the cards this year, but I’ll get a second chance next year with the #FoodAndLit challenge on Litsy.

4) More Challenges

I also signed up for the Reading Asia challenge on Litsy. These two challenges should go well together!

5) Cat Pics!

I hope everyone gets some rest this weekend!

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Linked to The Sunday Post at the Caffeinated Reviewer and It’s Monday What Are You Reading

Walking Wednesday

I’m writing this the day before the election, and scheduling it to publish because who knows if I’ll want to go online tomorrow. I just pray we have some kind of answer and we don’t go on like this until January. Anyway I got a lot of steps in this week, but that was balanced by all the candy I ate. Oh well!

Here’s what I’ve been listening to and seeing this week.

I listened to:

And I saw:

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[REVIEW] Bunco: A Comedy About The Drama of Friendship by Robin Delnoce

I know we’re all a little bit on pins and needles today so why don’t you shut off the news and read something that will take your mind off things?

Bunco by Robin Delnoce is a good candidate for something that will make you laugh and not think about poll numbers. Told in four chapters it’s written like a screen play, and is filled with fast and funny dialogue. If you’ve ever had the kind of friends who always tell you the truth even when you don’t want to hear it you’ll relate to this comedy.

Want to know more? Here’s the blurb from the back cover:

We all have “those” friends. Maybe you’ve known them since childhood, or met in college, or while waiting for a child’s practice to end. Maybe you found yourself living on the same street. There’s no single path to friendship. Relationships don’t follow a script and neither do the lives of smart, funny, complicated suburban women. Jill, Anne, Mary, and Rachel met years ago through a neighborhood group that regularly got together to play a dice game called bunco. Although players have come and gone, they continue to use bunco as an excuse to abandon their day-to-day responsibilities and enjoy food, drinks, and the company of their best friends. When new neighbors move in under the cover of night, the foursome sees an opportunity to expand their bunco circle. But within hours, suspicions run rampant as the odd behaviors of the newest residents are interpreted differently. Are they quirky, or kinky? Diabolical, or misunderstood? Time after time, as the truth sheds light on some secrets, more emerge. Each woman finds herself shocked by the friends she thought she knew.Through the friendly banter, intimate confessions, and tongue-twisting insults, you may see yourself or your friends in these characters. Wipe away tears of laughter and loss as you join the four metaphorical rounds of bunco, and feel part of the conversation. Whether engaging in playful exploits, providing unconditional support, making uncomfortable sacrifices, or winding up in handcuffs again, these ladies are those rarest of friends who become true family. Of course, families don’t follow a script either, unless it is a plot-twisting, slightly off-color comedy about the drama of friendship. And bunco, sort of.

This book is only $.99 on Kindle today so you should snap it up!

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support! I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Friday Top Five

I decided to start doing a weekly Friday Top Five to have a place to talk about all of the random bookish nonsense I get up to during the week.

October went by in a blink, and it’s been a while since I wrote one of these. Seems like I was just getting ready for October spooky book reading season and now it’s over.

I’m in the middle of all of these books, and am hoping to finish them up before midnight Saturday for various challenges. No big deal if not!

Nonfiction November starts on Sunday! I have half a dozen non-fiction audiobooks that I’ve downloaded and am hoping to finish this month.

With Nonfiction November in mind I decided on my list for Bookspin BINGO this month. I’m also looking forward to starting a chapter a day read of Northanger Abbey and my next installment of the postal book club I belong to. This time my group is focusing on Agatha Christie.

Linking to The Sunday Post - a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer.

Of course all of these lists could go out the window depending on election results. In 2016 all I could do is watch re-runs of West Wing over and over again.

This made me laugh right out loud.

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Linked to The Sunday Post at the Caffeinated Reviewer and It’s Monday What Are You Reading

Walking Wednesday

It’s the last week before the election, and I’ve been doing a lot of nervous walking. My neighbors’ Halloween decorations continue to amuse me. I got downtown to see the new Eisenhower memorial (parking and social distancing not a problem when it’s 40 and raining!) Still listening to 11/22/63! It’s a long one!

Here’s what I’ve been listening to and seeing this week.

I listened to:

And I saw:

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[REVIEW] The Pioneer Woman Cooks - A Year of Holidays

I’m slowly trying to catch up with my 2020 goal to cook from 20 new-to-me cookbooks. Last week’s choice was The Pioneer Woman Cooks A Year of Holidays. I love the idea of this book, but in the end the step by step instructions with a picture of each step drove me nuts. For some reason when recipes are laid out like that I just can’t follow.

I was inspired to break out my smoothie maker, and I’m looking forward to frying eggs in a tortilla. I just won’t be baking the delicious looking carrot cake because there’s no way I’d be able to follow the recipe.

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Walking Wednesday

I’ve gotten a lot of walking in this week including a pilgrimage to a local cemetery, nervous pacing around my son’s baseball game, and some random wandering to see my neighborhood’s Halloween decorations. I’ve been flying through audiobooks this month so I started in on a re-read of 11/22/63. At 30 hours that should take me a while!

Here’s what I’ve been listening to and seeing this week.

I listened to:

And I saw:

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

Show Us Your Books October 2020

Reading along the shores of Lake Michigan

It’s my favorite day of the month, Show Us Your Books day! September was a good reading month for me. I read a lot of mysteries which appeal to 2020 me. There’s a problem, everything seems so messed up, then in about 300 pages the mystery is solved. If only.

It’s impossible to read these books without some sort of baked good.

Best of September

All The Devils Are Here by Louise Penny - No surprise that the new Louise Penny book was my favorite this month. After so many books you’d think Penny would start to dial it in and depend on a formula to churn out these books, but in this one she takes it to another level. The Gamaches are in Paris when a close family friend gets struck by a car. Gamache must solve the mystery and save the good name of his family. Usual disclaimer: If you haven’t read anything from this series you’ll get a lot more out of it if you start at the beginning!

More Great Reads

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward - Heartbreaking and beautifully written. This book took my breath away.

The Mockingbird Next Door by Marja Mills - I’m always there for a book about Harper Lee. This wasn’t really the biography I was expecting, but more like snapshots of the lives of Harper and her sister Alice as they grew old in their small Alabama town. I liked it a lot.

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert - I almost bailed on this about 60% of the way through, but ended up sticking with it and loving it. It starts as a look at the show girl life in a struggling theater in 1940’s New York, which is interesting, but in my opinion the best part is when Vivian gets older and learns to make her own way.

Lake Superior near the Porcupine Mountains

And Some More Mysteries

A Killer in King’s Cove by Iona Whishaw - This post WWII Canadian mystery really worked. The characters were fun without being over the top, and the mystery was compelling. I’ll read more from this series.

Boundary Waters by William Kent Krueger - In this one Cork gets himself tangled up in a missing persons case that leads him on a freezing cold trip through the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota. I read this when I was in Michigan and the similarities of the scenes was a great experience for me, but I think I would have liked it at home too. This is a solid series so far.

Back To Pemberly

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Reading Jane Austen’s books a chapter a day has been the saving grace of my reading year. Even though I’ve read P&P many times I still got a lot out of it reading it this way.

The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow - This starts off as P&P as told by Mary Bennet, but then moves forward to the future and imagines what might have become of her. I really liked this - it felt true to the original but was a satisfying imagining of Mary’s point of view.

With The Kids

From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg - Why didn’t I read this as a kid, and why isn’t there a sequel? This was a read-out-loud with my daughter and we both enjoyed it very much.

I Survived The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 by Lauren Tarshis - I read all of these with my son when he was in 2nd grade. He’s a big 7th grader now so way too old for these, but recently we were stuck in the car for three hours with this as our only audiobook option and we actually didn’t mind it.

Also linking to Book Blogger Link Up at Lovely Audiobooks and Quick Lit at Modern Mrs Darcy

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Walking Wednesday

We usually get a second summer heatwave this time of year, but in 2020 apparently we’re getting an actual Fall. I don’t know if we’re all just bored, or if it’s the weather but the neighborhood Halloween decorations are on point.

Here’s what I’ve been listening to and seeing this week.

I listened to:

And I saw:

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

Five Books That Are Perfect For Tent Reading

I learned at a scout meeting last night that camp grounds everywhere are filling up at unprecedented rates. I love that so many people are sleeping under the stars! And with sleeping under the stars comes reading under the stars. Tent reading is one of my favorite types of reading. If you’re new to sleeping on the ground here are five books that are perfect for reading while camping:

In A Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware- A sinister tale of a bachelorette party gone wrong. A closed door spooky thriller perfect for reading in isolation.

Bird Box by Josh Malerman is a really good book if you’re willing to go with it. If you think too much about it you’ll think it’s dumb. Put yourself in a tent in the woods, and you’ll have one of the best, creepiest reading experiences you’ve ever had.

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin is the start of a masterful trilogy. It’s the type of book you’ll want to read all at once in solitude, and when you finally figure out what’s going on, hang on!

Devotions by Mary Oliver is a gorgeous book of poetry that celebrates the little things that happen outside. Read it by the fire or in the hammock.

The River by Peter Heller is a charged and atmospheric wilderness survival story perfect for reading outside. Just don’t start too late at night because you’ll burn out the batteries in your head lamp reading all night.

Happy camping!

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Walking Wednesday

It’s been a wonderful week for walking here in the neighborhood. I even took a new route and met some new cats!

Here’s what I’ve been listening to and seeing this week.

I listened to:

And I saw:

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

In 2020 We All Need To Listen To This Quote From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

“I think you should learn, of course, and some days you must learn a great deal. But you should also have days when you allow what is already in you to swell up inside of you until it touches everything. And you can feel it inside of you. If you never take time out to let that happen, then you must accumulate facts, and they begin to rattle around inside of you. You can make noise with them, but never really feel anything with them. It’s hollow.”

— From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Friday Top Five

I decided to start doing a weekly Friday Top Five to have a place to talk about all of the random bookish nonsense I get up to during the week.

We’re settling in to our new normal that will probably change again in November.

1) There Should Be A Sequel

I bought my daughter a e.l. konigsburg box set for Christmas last year, and we happily read this book all summer thinking that there would be two more after. We finished this week and were devastated to find out there is no sequel. We want to know what happens next!

2) Readathons For The Win! (Part Two)

I’m doing another readathon this weekend- this time I’m focusing on my stack of ARCs. They all look great, so it should be a good weekend!

3) Audio Gardening

I’ve been flying through audiobooks while doing my garden chores these last few weeks. Where did the summer go?

4) Book Club

I started my latest book club pick. I’m loving this one!

5) Getting Ready For October

I love spooky book season!

Linking to The Sunday Post - a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer.

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

Walking Wednesday

They’ve been re-paving my road (again) this week, so it’s slowed my walking down. It’s okay though because we’ve been having a lot of back yard fun, including school in tents. I’ve been audiogardening and am thinking about totally re-landscaping the back.

Here’s what I’ve been listening to and seeing this week.

I listened to:

And I saw:

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

My Back To School Reading Routine

When the school board announced that we would be full time remote this fall at least I knew a little bit what I was in for. I have learned so much about my kids and their work habits in the last seven months, and I wasn’t about to kid myself about what kind of time on my part supporting their learning would take. However, unlike the spring I was not about to let myself go this time.

I really wanted to find a way to get back into my reading projects, primarily my non-fiction interests. In before times I used to read non-fiction on the metro while commuting into work.

I NEVER KNEW HOW MUCH I WOULD MISS A COMMUTE I COMPLAINED CONSTANTLY ABOUT.

So I made the decision that I would get up even earlier and do what I could to recreate commuting conditions in a more sanitary way. It wasn’t easy to trade sleep for me time, but after a few weeks I’ve settled in. When I first wake up I replace my walk to the bus with stretching, strength training, and basic yoga. Then for 45 glorious and silent minutes I read non-fiction. It has made a huge difference to my mental health to spend that time in the morning when my thinking is clear learning about things that have absolutely nothing to do with my kids or my job.

This is what’s working for me right now. Someday I’m sure life will change again, and I’ll need to find some other way!

Friday Top Five

I decided to start doing a weekly Friday Top Five to have a place to talk about all of the random bookish nonsense I get up to during the week.

This week has been a giant cluster. I just don’t have the mind for juggling all day. School, home, and work all at once is driving me crazy. (And yes I know I’m lucky to have a job still. It’s just a lot.) Somehow though through it all it’s been one of my better reading weeks this year.

1) Giveaway

Closing in a week! Check it out here!

2) Readathons For The Win!

The #SuperSeptember Readathon is the first one I’ve done in a while, and it’s really keeping me going!

3) Looking Forward

There are so many reading events next month. I can’t wait for October!

The Scarathlon on Litsy is my favorite, but I’ll probably sign up for others as well. Do you have any to recommend?

4) Audio Gardening

This garden got just a bit out of control! Cleaning it took up one trash can and five lawn and leaf bags. The whole time I worked I listened to Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury.

5) Gamache in Paris

This book is so good so far! I can’t wait to spend some quality time with it this weekend!

Linking to The Sunday Post - a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer.

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

Walking Wednesday

I’ve been loving all the purple flowers this week. Yay September!

Here’s what I’ve been listening to and seeing this week.

I listened to:

And I saw:

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

Louise Penny and Hillary Clinton Book Event

“The Gates of Hell Have Opened
And All the Devils Are Here”

— The Tempest by William Shakespeare

One night I was scrolling through my phone thinking about how the world was sure going to end (as we do these days) when I came across an ad from the DC bookstore Politics and Prose featuring an even where Louise Penny was going to be interviewed by Hillary Clinton. It was so out of the blue and random I figured I must have dozed off and dreamed it. But the next day I decided to look at the Politics and Prose website and sure enough it was a real event. I immediately bought a ticket, and my faith in humanity was restored.

This event (via Zoom) was wonderful. When it started Clinton didn’t have her video on and Penny was on mute, which is such a 2020 issue. But once they got going, wow. Hearing tales of a young Hillary Clinton devouring Nancy Drew novels, and a 22 year old Clinton in Paris was heartbreaking at first (what could have been!) but soon I was drawn in by the pure loveliness of these two women. It turns out that Clinton is a huge mystery reader, and they met in 2016 after Penny’s husband died and Clinton wrote her a letter.

In the discussion the two women got into poetry, how to write a book, and why they love mysteries (Clinton said, “The bad guy gets it in the end which hasn’t always been my experience in life.”) My favorite exchange was Clinton’s one sentence review of Penny’s books:

Clinton: They always delight me and make me hungry.

Penny: My hips are a tribute

Clinton even kicked off the Q&A by asking about the odd print of emus on Penny’s wall which I’m sure all of us were wondering about.

One of the most amazing parts of the whole thing was the chat. Thousands upon thousands of fans were just gushing about the event, how healing it was, and how none of us had felt that happy in a while. It was zoom magic. And a little comic relief- about 3/4 of the way through one genuinely confused person said “Wait, that’s Hillary Clinton interviewing Louise?”

Towards the end the moderator commented on the chat, and asked the two women what their advice is to overcome the despair so many of us are feeling right now. Clinton’s advice?

Read and Vote

(I got to see Louise Penny in person last year. My notes are here if you’re interested.)

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Friday Top Five

I decided to start doing a weekly Friday Top Five to have a place to talk about all of the random bookish nonsense I get up to during the week.

I have another book to give away! Check it out here!

1) Reading In the Car

When I’m in the zone I can get a tremendous amount of reading done while others drive. I had planned on a long spree on Monday, but the weather didn’t cooperate. By the way, Google weather called this partly cloudy.

2) A Better Reading Spot

I love having family along the Great Lakes! Hooray for socially distant get aways. The mental break was much needed, and I read so much!

3) Seen on a Ceiling

I’d do this at home if it didn’t mean sacrificing books!

4) Gas Station Gourmet

I was so happy to find some of my favorite reading snacks at a gas station in Ohio!

5) Seen in Petosky

Linking to The Sunday Post - a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer.

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!