Show Us Your Books February 2024

I had a great start to my reading year in January including books set in the Himalayas, Ghana, Kiribati, and Azerbaijan. I love traveling even when it is between the pages of a book.

Five Stars

All The Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby - This book was so gripping that I found myself sneaking any bit of time I could to read it. The way Cosby writes about small towns in the South reminds me of how Stephen King writes about Derry. Great story. It all came together impeccably.

Four Stars

Mobility by Lydia Kiesling - This book is being billed as coming of age, but to me it was more of a warning about what will happen if we don’t all make changes. That said it was probably a warning that was too drawn out and kind of up and down. The interesting setting in Azerbaijan bumped it up a bit in my opinion though.

High By Erika Fatland - This chunkster took me all month to read, but it was worth it. Fatland visited such interesting places, and her description of Everest base camp is one of the best I’ve ever read. I just wish she had tied her journey together or made some conclusions at the end because after a while it kind of seemed like Himalayan resident speed dating.

His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie - This book was good, but also sad. I felt for all of the women (except maybe Aunty.) I loved the peek into life in Ghana.

Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary - Despite being a huge fan of Ramona Quimby as a kid, and reading all of the Ramona Quimby books to my own kids, last month was the first time I read a Henry Huggins book. I loved it! I listened to the audiobook narrated by Neil Patrick Harris and was delighted that it had an intro read by Cleary herself.

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On My Nightstand February 3, 2024

This week seemed really long, and I couldn’t figure out why. Finally I realized both of my kids had gone to school for five days straight for the first time since November. I’m not used to having so much time to get things done (and I did kind of miss them.)

I had meetings and kid’s sports this week at night, but I’m still trying to get in my mint tea and reading time each day. It really helps me get through some longer books that I probably wouldn’t finish otherwise. Of course the best thing I can do to get through books is to leave my phone in the other room, but we won’t talk about that.

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“It seems so, Nasima said, nodding sagely. But you and me, we know what’s going on. We do, Firuzeh said, not having the faintest idea.”

— On Fragile Waves by E. Lily Yu

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle: I have four more days to finish On Fragile Waves by E. Lily Yu before the library takes it back. Luckily it’s a good and fast read!

Audio: I’ve been listening to Glowing Still by Sara Wheeler. It’s a look back at her travel writing career. I’m enjoying the parts about motherhood while traveling the world.

Paper Book: I’m about to start Lead Through Anything. Seems like a good choice for this year!

Make it a good one everyone!

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

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On My Nightstand January 28, 2024

How is your first reading month of 2024 going? Other than taking all month to read Erika Fatland’s High I’m making good progress on my goals so far. We still have a few days to go, but I think I’ll be happy with my month end wrap up.

That said I have already dropped out of a few challenges. In general I read more when I allow myself to stop reading what I don’t like. Sometimes I make myself feel like reading is my second job, but the truth is I’m not making money doing this, so I shouldn’t feel like I’m letting anyone down.

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“Besides, nowadays, almost all capable people are terribly afraid of being ridiculous, and are miserable because of it.”

— The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle: Reading His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie for #FoodAndLit on Litsy. I’m enjoying this one. It’s just taking me longer than usual because I haven’t had a lot of kindle time this week.

Audio: I started The Sex Lives of Cannibals by J. Maarten Troost yesterday. The intro made me laugh out loud, so that’s a good sign.

Paper Book: Almost done with High by Erika Fatland! I made good progress this week thanks to my nightly quiet time at the kitchen table. I’m glad I stuck with this one.

Make it a good one everyone!

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

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On My Nightstand January 21, 2024

I don’t know if it’s the weather or what, but my cats have been absolutely bonkers this week. They’re climbing on everything, and no hair tie or stuffed animal is safe. I’m looking forward to a more normal week this week when hopefully everyone goes to work and school every day.

I dropped all of my normal reading plans this week because All The Sinners Bleed came in from the library and I was OBSESSED. I’ll admit I skipped my walks a couple of nights so I could read, and I haven’t kept up with my non-fiction reading at all. So worth it though.

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“We all choose to be skeptics when the truth is inconvenient.”

— All The Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle: Reading His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie for #FoodAndLit on Litsy. Never started this last week because of my above mentioned obsession. I’ll start today and hopefully finish before the library needs it back.

Audio: I started Main Street by Sinclair Lewis, but am not sure I’ll finish. Change my mind?

Paper Book: Time to get back to High by Erika Fatland! Still hoping to finish this month, but time is going fast.

Make it a good one everyone!

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

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On My Nightstand January 14, 2024

This week has been wild weather wise. We lost power at one point. Luckily I had all my candles out from Christmas still. Now they’re calling for two snow storms next week. Plus lacrosse games start for my son and drama rehearsals for my daughter. I’d say a trip to the grocery store is in order today.

I started the year reading two big chunky books- The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese and High by Erika Fatland. They’re both worth the time, but it feels weird to not have read more books by now.

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“Roses would be annoying weeds if the blooms never withered and died. Beauty resides in the knowledge that it doesn’t last.”

— The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle: Reading His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie for #FoodAndLit on Litsy. I’ve had this on my TBR forever!

Audio: Next up is Mobility by Lydia Kiesling. I’ve heard mixed reviews, but the premise sounds so good.

Paper Book: Still working on High by Erika Fatland! I try to read for an hour each night before bed, but these days have been a little nuts and I confess to falling asleep at the table some night. Making progress though, and I am determined to finish this chunkster by the end of the month.

Make it a good one everyone!

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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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.

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.

Top 21 of 2021

A few things I learned in my reading life in 2021:

1) I almost never regret taking the time to read a chunkster. I put them off, but they consistently end up on my favorites lists. (Big exception: Les Miserables. I read that for 230+ days straight through the Serial Reader app, and just didn’t like it that much. I should have stopped wasting my time.)

2) Audiobooks aren’t the same as curling up with a book, but they’re where I am right now. My audiobook reading has risen sharply since March 2020. It’s not ideal, but it’s better than nothing.

3) After refusing to buy a kindle for years and years I finally did, and I like it.

4) Cookbooks can make for good reading.

Overall I had a great reading year. Better than I thought actually once I took the time to make this list. Note: these are books I read in 2021, not necessarily published in 2021. Actually very few were published in 2021. I’m a backlist reader mostly. Also I re-read about 26 titles this year, but I left them off this list.

My favorite read of 2021:

Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese - I read this book in March and it’s still with me. It’s sweeping, and beautiful, and so worth the read. It’s the story of orphaned twins growing up in a hospital in Ethiopia, and where their lives take them. If you haven’t read this I highly, highly recommend that you do.

And My Top Twenty Runners Up

I read a lot of great novels, some armchair adventure, a few excellent Jame Austen retellings not set in Britain or the US (it really works), traveled without leaving home by reading and cooking from exotic cookbooks, and realized I don’t dislike poetry after all. Honestly, after I created this image I wanted to hug it. That’s how much I loved these books. They were such a comfort in a year of turmoil.

My kids and I listened to Gone Crazy In Alabama on a long and unexpected drive home from a funeral. I read Brown Girl Dreaming while waiting for my post vaccination fever to go away. The Windsor Knot made me smile during a not entirely welcome holiday season. And so many more just kept me company while drama big and small played out in the background.

Here’s to great books and less drama in 2023. Don’t know if there will be less drama, but 800+ books on my TBR list says there will at least be great books!

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Summer Reading Plans

It’s summer reading season!

I am so excited for summer reading. There’s nothing I love more than reading a book outside on a hot summer afternoon. Of course, me being me, I already have stacks and stacks of books picked out to read. I don’t really gravitate to the the new best sellers. Instead I like to re-read, concentrate on the back list titles I have at home, and dip my toes in a little bit of romance- something i don’t usually read the rest of the year.

A Few Titles From My (Very Long) Summer Reading List:

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