Show Us Your Books March 2024

I can’t believe it’s March already! (Maybe I say that every month. I don’t know.) Either way I’m grateful that I got in the habit of tracking my books on LibraryThing and Litsy so I can go back and see what I read in these months that seem to move at light speed.

February was a great month. I’m still keeping up with my challenges as you can see here- I’m reading about the environment, reading from the Tournament of Books Long List, and reading from across Oceania. All of this has led me to some great reads I wouldn’t have read otherwise, and to some stinkers which we won’t discuss here.

Five Star Reads

On Fragile Waves by E. Lily Yu - Wow, this book was a punch in the gut. I can’t believe more people aren’t talking about this book about refugees in Australia and Nauru.

Four Stars

The Girl In The Tower by Katherine Arden - I enjoyed this one- it was a lot more action packed than the first in the series. I also liked the changing relationships between the siblings and loved the horse. I’ll read the 3rd but I’m going to wait until November at least because these are definitely cold weather books.

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger - The first 30 pages of this took me two days to read because it was so slow, and then I finished the last 400 or so in 24 hours. I’m glad I didn’t give up! The story of 4 orphans trying to make their way to St Louis by canoe was a good one.

Koala by Danille Clode - A natural history of the koala. I really enjoyed this. Who knew reading about the different types of eucalyptus trees could be so interesting?

The Death of Expertise by Tom Nichols - This book was as depressing as it was interesting. Notably it was written before the pandemic so today’s reader is left feeling like there’s a lot missing from the discussion. However the points made still feel spot on as someone who works for a firm where thought leadership used to be a big part of our business.

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This post will be shared with Quick Lit on ModernMrsDarcy.com

On My Nightstand March 2, 2024

Quick post for a busy weekend. We’ve got pre-season lacrosse, a soccer tournament, volunteer work, and a ton of paperwork for various things going on here. And of course I feel like I’m coming down with something (please be allergies, please be allergies…)

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week

“‘When they start to mature and hit puberty’ one wildlife officer said about wombats, ‘they just hate everybody and everything.’”

— Koala by Danielle Clode

What I’m Reading This Week

On Kindle: I had bailed on Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano last month, but picked it back up this weekend and am enjoying it now.

Audiobook: Making my way through Julia, a 1984 re-telling. It would be better if I had paid more attention in high school, and remembered the original. Sorry Mr. Baker.

Physical Book: I’m about two pages in on The Survivors by Jane Harper. I think this will be my nightime tea break book for the next week or so.

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

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On My Nightstand February 15, 2024

The weekend’s here are we’re soaking up any bit of sun we can find. Why is this time of year so gloomy? I need the sun, stat.

My latest evening snack obsession has been cinnamon toast made from Dave’s Killer Bread. Not actually healthy, but the grainy bread lets me pretend. I’ve been back in reading mode after a mini slump and am hoping to finish the month strong!

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week

“Koalas have perfected sitting in trees. They do not merely sit, as we do, in unnatural posture on the edge of a chair, never sure where to put our legs, how to curve our back, where to hold our shoulders. Koalas sit with ease and aplomb, and sleep with absolute confidence on their precarious spot.”

— Koala by Danielle Clode

What I’m Reading This Week

On Kindle: Still reading a chapter a day from The Brothers Karamazov. What a trip.

Audiobook: Started The Pants of Perspective by Anna McNuff because it’s set in New Zealand. Anna’s fun, but this book could have been set anywhere.

Physical Book: Koala by Danielle Clode - I adore this book, and am quickly becoming obsessed with koalas.

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

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Show Us Your Books July 2023

I read 19 books in June. Four of them were re-reads, which is always fun. A lot of people don’t like to re-read, but to me it’s like visiting old friends. Besides that reading is just better when I’m sitting on the porch with a glass of wine and baseball on the radio.

Five Stars

Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu - In 1938 Meilin and Renshu had to flee their home in China. For years they searched for some place to grow roots and finally found it in Taiwan. Eventually they each found stability- Meilin in Taiwan and Renshu in the states. Neither really ever felt safe though until they learned to confront the past. This book was heartbreaking, but in the very best way. You all should read it.

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese - This audiobook was 31 hours long, and I wish it could have gone for another 31 hours. I loved it so much. It all came together beautifully and I loved the characters. Five stars.

Four Stars

Foster by Claire Keegan - This was a great short story, but I wish I knew more about the families (family?) involved.

The Not-Quite States of America - I read this for a book club, and I wasn’t sure what to expect due to mixed reviews. I ended up enjoying it though I thought some parts were needlessly padded with background information. It seems that this one is better to read than listen from the reviews.

Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid - Yet another book I would have never heard about if not for Litsy challenges! This short book has a lot to say about growing up, the expectations we put on kids, and mother/daughter relationships.

Untangled by Lisa Damour, Ph.D. - This book was excellent. Highly recommend for anyone with a daughter 12 or older.

Our Stories Carried Us Here (Anthology) - A powerful and moving graphic novel anthology about the refugee experience. I‘m going to pass this on to the library at our school’s international academy.

Exiles by Jane Harper - I thought I had figured out the mystery halfway through and I was annoyed that Falk was taking so long to catch up. Then it turned out it was someone I hadn’t suspected at all and I loved the ending.

Three Stars

The Last Word by Taylor Adams - I loved the premise of this book- deranged author goes after lone woman who gave him a one star review on Goodreads. However it seemed to take forever for anything to happen. It was entertaining enough to listen over a busy weekend full of chores though so I’m giving it 3 stars.

Feet in the Clouds by Richard Askwith - Part memoir part history of Fell-Running- aka running up and down mountains in Britain usually in terrible weather. I enjoyed the parts about the author’s pursuits, but wasn‘t as engaged in the historical parts.

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

On My Nightstand June 18, 2023

Last week we had a dance recital, two parties at our house, a ton of packing for camp, and a evening talk and reception for a group I belong to. This week there’s nothing. You know what that means! Time to read!

Have a great week everyone.

Quote of the week

“A dog lives for you. A cat just lives with you.”

— The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

What I’m Reading This Week

The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough - Still working on this - the epitome of summer reading.

Exiles by Jane Harper - I started this during the week, but quickly realized I would need to put it off until the weekend so I could read it all in one sitting.

End of Watch by Stephen King - Re-reading all of the Holly books before the new one comes out in the fall. She’s on of my favorite fictional characters.

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

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.

Show Us Your Books January 2021

Goofball cats

December feels like a million years ago, but here are my favorite books from the month of December 2020.

Best of the Month

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle — I loved this book. I stayed up half the night and read it just to see what happened. I thought it would be a fluffy December romance, but it turned out to be about friendship and the cost of perfection.

Five Star Christmas Reads

Christmas Days by Jeanette Winterson -- I absolutely loved this book of short stories, recipes, and essays. It’s really hard to explain, but it’s worth reading.

How The Light Gets In by Louise Penny -- My favorite book from my favorite series. It takes place around Christmas time, which adds to my annual December re-read.

Four More Worth Reading

Two Old Women by Velma Wallis -- I read about this thanks to the Show Us Your Books link up! This is the Alaskan legend of how two elder women survived after they were abandoned by their people. Old ladies for the win- you should read this one!

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo -- I feel like I’m the last person on Earth to have read this, but I’ll add to the chorus that it was really good.

Glitter and Glue by Kelly Corrigan -- A wonderful memoir about motherhood and life in the 90’s. I read this before, but it’s totally different now that my kids are a little older.

Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon -- Based on the true story of Nancy Wake aka WWII‘s Socialite Spy. I really enjoyed this book, and was inspired by Nancy. I‘ll have to add more by Ariel Lawhon to my TBR.

Linked to: Show Us Your Books and Quick Lit

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REVIEW: Hope Farm by Peggy Frew

Silver is 13 when her mother disappoints her for the last time. The plan had been for the two of them to go abroad and see the world. Instead her mother is taken in by Miller, and the three of them relocate to Hope Farm, a failing commune. At Hope Farm Silver sees things no 13 year old should, but also finds a friend, and finally starts to feel for the first time she has a home.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat, hoping that Silver would be okay. Although this book has very little actual violence the threat and fear is always there, and this story spoke to the mother and daughter in me. This is a powerful coming of age story, and I recommend it.

This book was provided in exchange for an honest review by Library Thing Early Readers. It comes out in the U.S. on August 20th.

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September 2017 Audio Books

Fall flowers

Summer is officially over, and after running here, there, and everywhere for weeks I'm looking forward to some weekends at home puttering and listening to audiobooks! I haven't listened to much lately, but here's a few I did manage (mostly in the car.)

In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson -- I read this book a long time ago, and decided to give the audio a try this summer. I like this one - it's more like A Walk in the Woods than some of his others that I find to be too judgey.

Al Franken, Giant of the Senate by Al Franken -- Interesting to see how the sausage gets made. He wants to run for president right? That's why he wrote this book?

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald -- Still one of my favorites, and I love it on audio. For such a short book, there's so much there. Beware of careless people.

That's all for this month! Hopefully next month I'll be back in the swing of things.

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