I was hoping for more winter, but it looks like spring is here. I’ve been doing long soccer walks and some woods cleanups. People keep inviting me to cleanups despite my habit of walking away looking for a good walking trail.
I’m about to start Julia 1984 on my next walk. I tried to listen to the original 1984 and bailed, so we’ll see how I do with this modern version.
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Is everyone used to writing 2024 yet? It still takes me a minute. It sounds so in the future.
My December reading was heavy on the re-reads. It’s not Christmas to me without my favorite books. I did have a few new winners though:
Idlewild by James Frankie Thomas - Wow, what a ride. I usually avoid books about teenagers and/or 9/11, but my library had this one and it‘s on the #LitsyTOB24 list. I really enjoyed it after all. My last read of 2023- love ending on a high note!
Lights by Brenna Thummler - The third book in a trilogy of graphic novels. I didn’t like it as much as the other two, but I was glad to get closure on Wendell’s story.
Nora Webster by Colm Toibin - Nora is a new widow and mother of four when we meet her. Not only is she dealing with grief she must make changes to support her family. This book was a quiet look at life in Ireland around the 60’s. The audiobook was beautifully read.
March by Geraldine Brooks - Little Women told mostly through the eyes of Mr. March. A friend recommended this knowing Little Women is a favorite, not knowing that I really can’t stand Mr March. BUT this book did such a great job of explaining why he was such a pompous know it all without making him sympathetic. I loved it. Warning this book largely takes place in the south during the Civil War so it’s not a gentle book.
Happy reading everyone!
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September was a good reading month for me. I enjoyed some end of summer reads, some middle grade, and, of course, Holly. It’s kind of funny now to think how hot it was when I read some of these books. So glad sweater weather is here. (You can tell it’s getting cooler because my two cats will actually spend a few hours sitting next to each other not fighting.)
Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling -- I‘m probably not the intended audience for these books, but I really like them. I love the characters and love cheering them on as they navigate teenage life.
Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal -- I loved this book. It was so sad, but also so insightful. 5 stars. Perfect end of summer reading.
Holly by Stephen King -- Holly is such a great character, and I will read anything King writes about her. Great creepy story.
I do understand why some people complained about the politics. It didn‘t seem natural to me that people would bring it into conversation as soon as Holly met them.
Salt Houses by Hala Alyan -- Multi-generational books are my sweet spot. This book about a family over time and what home means was no exception.
Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk -- Listened to this MG coming of age story with my daughter and we loved it.
The Butterfly Effect by Rachel Mans McKenny -- I enjoyed this book about cranky mc Greta and her dumpster fire of a year. Grumpy ladies have feelings too. Thanks for the representation.
The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray -- This book was delightful. Gray brought so many characters together from Jane Austen‘s books for a murder mystery in a way that seemed authentic and humorous at the same time.
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This is linked to Quick Lit on Modern Mrs. Darcy.
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!
“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?”
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.
Everything is in bloom here this week, and I am loving it. The whole world looks like an Easter basket. It’s been cold this weekend, but so far the blossoms seem to be holding on.
How are you all doing with the time change? Our schools are closed for a teacher work day tomorrow which I think is really smart! Let the kids ease into it I say.
Last week was really busy so I didn’t read much. I’m hoping this week will be better. I have a lot of good books going on!
Have a good week friends!
“You’re bound to get idears if you go thinkin’ about stuff.”
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck -- This is my third time reading this chunkster classic. It’s one of my favorites.
Caroline: Little House, Revisited by Sarah Miller -- I’ve been doing a chapter a day re-read of the Little House books on Litsy, and it inspired me to re-read this one. It’s Little House on the Prairie told from Ma’s perspective.
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.
November was the best reading month I had all year. I had so much going on and found so much comfort in what I read. It was one of those months that reminded me why I love to read. I talked about my non-fiction reads here. Fiction highlights are below.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin -- I really loved this book. We don‘t talk enough about how meaningful friendships and creative partnerships can be. Don’t let the subject scare you away from this one- you don’t have to like video games.
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai -- This book broke my heart in all the best ways. It’s a dual timeline book set in Chicago during the AIDS crisis and 2015 Paris. So glad I ran across this one.
America for Beginners by Leah Franqui -- The wistfulness of these characters made it a perfect Thanksgiving week read.
A Ghost of Caribou by Alice Henderson -- I had to stay up late to finish this new book by Alice Henderson. I just love this series about wildlife biologist Alex. In this book she’s in Washington studying a caribou that has wandered down from Canada. Chaos ensues.
Once Upon A Wardrobe by Patti Callahan -- A cozy read about a brother and a sister trying to find the story behind CS Lewis’s The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Untamed Shore by Silvia Moreno-Garcia -- This was pretty good. It reminded me of a Patricia Highsmith book.
The Other Man by Farhad J. Dadyburjor -- I found this on my kindle when my original #FoodandLit India book wasn’t holding my attention. It was billed as a romantic comedy but I found the issues associated with being gay in India a bit deeper than the billing implied.
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Thank you all for your well wishes last week. It was a long week of funerals and ceremonies, but I’m glad my friend had such a fitting send off.
This weekend is Confirmation for my son, and then early Thanksgiving since everyone will be together. We’re looking forward to that!
In between I plan on sneaking off to read. I need to re-charge somehow! Here’s what’s on my nightstand this week.
No Exit by Taylor Adams - I’m about halfway through this one, and I love the creepiness factor,
Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan - I’ve enjoyed other books by Corrigan, and am looking forward to this one.
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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.
This week didn’t turn out like I had planned. Very sadly, one of my best friends passed away last week. I am still reading, but soon I will need to stop and regroup. For now, here’s what’s on my nightstand this week.
What Storm, What Thunder by Myriam J A Chancy - The #FoodandLit club on Litsy is reading and eating from Haiti this month. I’ll admit I picked this one based on the title and cover alone.
On the Slab Pie by P.D. Workman -- Another cozy mystery for my work book club. I hope after this we’re done with these for a while.
Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny -- Slowly re-reading this series before the new one comes out in November!
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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.
I way underestimated the available hours in my schedule last week, so I’m playing catch up this morning (and maybe working a little ahead?)
I was in the office four days, my son has homecoming plus two cross country races, and my daughter had soccer and extra dance classes. I guess we’re all trying to fit what we can in while there’s still some sunshine and daylight to be had!
Here’s what I have on my nightstand this week. A lot of it is leftovers from last week, which I never posted about because I lost track of time then too. That’s October!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder Joanne Fluke - I’m about a chapter in on this one. So far it’s a typical cozy mystery involving baking and death. (This one is free for Amazon Prime members.)
What Storm, What Thunder by Myriam J A Chancy - The #FoodandLit club on Litsy is reading and eating from Haiti this month. I’ll admit I picked this one based on the title and cover alone.
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins - I finished Jane Eyre last week, so this was the natural next read. I have a hardcover version of this, but I noticed it’s also available on Kindle Unlimited.
Horseman by Christina Henry - Reading this for a book club, and it’s a little more yuck than I prefer, but it’s not terrible.
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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.
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