My November TBR

/

Walking Wednesday March 20, 2024

/

It’s peak cherry blossom week! It’s really cold and windy too though so I’m kind of being a wimp about walking. I’m still walking, but it’s under duress.

I’ve been listening to Give and Take by Adam Grant. It’s a re-read for me, but some situations have made me want to return to it.

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

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.

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

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

Walking Wednesday March 13, 2024

/

So a week and a half ago when I said I felt like I was coming down with something and I hoped it was just allergies…it wasn’t allergies. I am so sick of being sick! I’m better now though and I’m recommitted to my walks. Pollen aside this is just a wonderful time to walk in this area. Each day there’s something new blooming.

I’ve been listening to Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall. It’s a bit dated but still interesting.

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

November 2023 Reading Goals

/

October beginning TBR: 332

October ending TBR: 349

I thought that number would have gone down since I read so much last month, but I guess I’m still adding faster than I read.

My goals for November are to read two ARCs, take part in #NonfictionNovember, make progress on my #ReadingUSA challenge, and to keep up with a Don Quixote and A Glass Of Blessings buddy reads.

Here’s my reading plan for the month:

One Man's Wilderness by Sam Keith

From Beer To Eternity by Sherry Harris

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

They Called Us Enemy by George Takei

High by Erika Fatland

President Garfield by CW Goodyear

Blood From A Stone by Adam McHugh

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

Collaboration is the New Competition by Priscilla McKinney

The Mystery of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene

The Bill of Obligations by Richard Haass

The Ice at the End of the World by Jon Gertner

The Suspect by Kent Alexander and Kevin Salwen

My Life In France by Julia Child

Moontiger by Penelope Lively

Don Quixote (Part 1) by Miguel de Cervantes

A Glass of Blessings by Barbara Pym

Llama Drama by Anna McNuff

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

The Big Burn by Timothy Egan

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

REVIEW: Under The Naga Tail by Mae Bunseng Taing with James Taing

/
The book Under The Naga Tail sitting on a wooden table.

I have always heard about the Cambodian Genocide, but this book really brought it to life. The first hand account of a Chinese-Cambodian family fleeing from the Khmer Rouge showed what terrible things we do to each other as well as a person's ability to keep hope when there seemingly is no reason to.

This is a true story written from the perspective of Mae with help from his son James. Mae faces many harrowing situations at the hands of the Khmer Rouge all while being nearly starved to death. This is not an easy story to read, but it is an important one. I highly recommend this book.

This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review through The Library Thing Early Reviewers Program.

Non-Fiction November Wrap Up

/

What is Nonfiction November? It’s a challenge to read as much nonfiction as possible in the month of November. I track my challenge results on Litsy, but I’m sure it’s done elsewhere as well.

Non-fiction November was really successful for me this year. After not really liking anything I read in October (I didn’t even bother with a reading wrap up), November showed up in a big way.

Here are my top 5 2022 Nonfiction November reads:
(In no particular order…)

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot - Wow, why did I wait so long to read this book? I have so many feelings after reading this. I‘m sure there has been a lot written about this amazing book so I won‘t even try, but I am so glad this book is now in my life.

Dear Bob and Sue by Matt and Karen Smith - In this travel memoir couple Matt and Karen write about the time they quit their jobs to visit all of the National Parks. At first they upset me because they didn‘t properly appreciate Cuyahoga National Park (a favorite) but they eventually grew on me. Their travel was interesting but approachable, and I liked that they seemed to keep a budget in mind most of the time.

Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan - I loved what she had to say about grief and parenthood. This book was well worth reading.

Agatha Christie An Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley - I absolutely loved this book. Lucy Worsley did an excellent job of making Agatha Christie come to life. I‘ve only read a few Christie books, and liked not loved them so don‘t let that hold you back from reading this biography!

We Had A Little Real Estate Problem by Kliph Nesteroff - This history of Native American comedians was so interesting. I meant to read this last year, and am so glad I finally got to it this year. This was heavier than you might expect a book about comedy to be, but so informative.

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

On My Nightstand November 27, 2022

/
A stack of books - The Beet Queen by Louise Erdrich, Maggie-Now by Betty Smith, Broad Band by Claire L. Evans, The Power of Showing Up by Daniel J Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson, The Lake of Dead Languages by Carol Goodman, The Measure by Nikki Erlick

Physical Books i pulled out to read in december

Good morning! Did we all survive Thanksgiving? We had a good day. I was feeling really overwhelmed by everything that had to get done, but it all came together. Since then I’ve had some time off, and I’ve been organizing, catching up on letters, and getting ready for December. This has been a much needed rest. Back to work tomorrow!

Here’s what I’m reading this week:

Long Life by Mary Oliver - I meant to read this last week, but was in more of a fiction mood. I do hope to finish this by the end of the month though.

The Next Everest by Jim Davidson - This just came in from the library. I started it, but am not sure I’ll finish it. Would love to know if anyone has read and enjoyed it.

Africa Is Not A Country by Dipo Faloyin - This might be the last book set in Africa I read this year, and what a way to go. This is such a great overview of the continent.

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell - I started this years ago, and it’s really time I finish it. It’s a good story. I’m not sure why I keep putting it down before finishing it.

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

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

On My Nightstand November 20, 2022

/

Good morning readers! Somehow it’s November 20th. Where do these months go?

I had a good week last week, but I never got around to posting here. Maybe this week I will get my act together.

No big Thanksgiving plans here. We’re hosting a small get together, but I don’t have to cook that much for it. I’m hoping to get a bunch of reading done, and of course the kids want to go shopping on Friday.

Here’s what I’m reading this week:

Long Life by Mary Oliver - Another book I had on my Kindle that I forgot about. I love Mary Oliver and am looking forward to this.

America for Beginners by Leah Franqui - This is for a book club. It looks like a quick and easy read, perfect for a long lazy weekend.

Green Mountain Academy by Frances Greenslade - This middle grade book is from the Library Thing Early Reviewers program. I’m hoping to finish and review it this week.

We Had A Little Real Estate Problem by Kliph Nesteroff - This was on my list to read last year. I’m finally getting to it now!

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

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

On My Nightstand November 13, 2022

/

Good morning and happy weekend! How are you all today? It’s cold enough here to turn on the heat and I’m loving it.

I almost don’t want to say it, but if all goes well this will be the first “normal” week we’ve had since September. At least one of my kids has had a day off at least one day each week for some reason, and the lack of consistency in our schedules is kind of killing us. I’ve been having trouble concentrating recently, and I think this week of calm and routine will help a lot.

This week I wrote about what I think you should read in November.

Here’s what I’m reading this week:

Agatha Christie An Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley - Never got to this last week. Hoping to dive in later this week!

The Other Man by Farhad J. Dadyburjor - This was billed as a romantic comedy, but I’m finding it deeper than the billing implied.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin - I have to return this to the library by the end of the week. That shouldn’t be a problem since I’m loving it!

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

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

Books To Read In November (Updated 2022)

/
Driftwood on the shore of Lake Superior

I wrote a list of books to read in November way back in 2019. It’s not a bad list, but I’m a whole new person now if you know what I mean.

Here’s my updated (post-pandemic) list of books to read in November.

Fiction

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen - This Jane Austen classic is really underrated. It’s funny and Catherine is a heroine you can relate to and root for. If you’re doing a classics challenge you can’t go wrong with Northanger!

November Road by Lou Berney - Great historical fiction set around the time of the Kennedy Assassination. I loved the characters in this one

Start Without Me by Joshua Max Feldman - One of the few books about Thanksgiving that I know of. This family drama is a good November read.

American Royals by Katherine McGee - A fun contrast to what we go through every two years or so for our elections now. I have enjoyed listening to this series on mammoth cooking sessions in November.

Non-Fiction

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway - Before this my only exposure to Hemingway was reading The Old Man and the Sea in High School and The Paris Wife which angered me so much I swore I would never read his books again. But then I saw the PBS special on his life and decided to give him a chance to redeem himself. I really liked this book, but I re-read The Paris Wife right after.

A Woman in the Polar Night by Christiane Ritter - This is a memoir from a very brave woman who spent a winter in the Arctic in the 1930‘s. I was really impressed by her attitude and resourcefulness.

The Art of Gathering by Pria Parker - The perfect book to read as we think about what we want our post pandemic gatherings to look like. This was great for personal gatherings, and it was surprisingly insightful for work.

Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck - A quick read about the famous author‘s drive around America with his dog in 1960. It‘s surprising how many issues he noticed then are still around today.

Happy Reading!

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

On My Nightstand November 6, 2022

/
The moon rising in a pink sky

November sunsets make this dark month bearable.

I decided to participate in #NonFictionNovember this month, and I’m loving what I’ve been reading so far. My October reading was kind of blah, so I’m happy to really be enjoying my books again.

I’ve also been having fun signing up for and choosing books for all sorts of challenges next year. This week I should have some time to write about them here. I miss writing more about books!

Here’s what I’m reading this week:

Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan - I’ve always really enjoyed Corrigan’s books, and am looking forward to starting this one. This was on my list last week too, so I’m really hoping this is the week and I don’t have to return this to the library before I get to it.

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai - I heard about this on the What Should I Read Next podcast and immediately downloaded it. I’m really enjoying it so far, and it doesn’t hurt that it fits a prompt for one of my 2022 reading challenges.

Agatha Christie An Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley - I think Agatha’s books are just so so, but I am completely fascinated by her life. I can’t wait to dive into this biography.

The Other Man by Farhad J. Dadyburjor - The Food and Lit group is reading and eating from India this year. The book I originally picked was really dense and I read the first two pages three times. I decided to bail, and found this romantic comedy on my kindle instead. Sometimes life is too short, you know?

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

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

On My Nightstand September 25

/
Tabby cat with a stack of books

Friday is the last day in September, so Daisy and I pulled out the rest of the books on my September stack. I don’t think I can really read three books in six days, but you never know. Maybe I’ll miss my train some day and have an hour to kill at the station. It can happen!

I am so excited for October reading. I am basically signed up to join every readathon, event, and challenge I have seen over the last few weeks. From now until January is basically reading Olympics to me. I have an October reading bucket list that I’ll post later this week.

Deacon King Kong by James McBride - I’ve had this on my shelf forever, and everyone loves it. Why has it taken me so long?

Wanderers by Kerri Andrews - Another one I’ve left on my shelf for way too long, although if I run out of time this week I might punt this one to Non-Fiction November. Yes, I have issues

The Good Left Undone by Adriana Trigiani - It’s been a while since I’ve read one of her books. I usually find these hot or cold, so we’ll see.

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

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

Show Us Your Books August 2022

/
Yellow sunflowers growing against a blue sky.

This is my normal timing for writing up the previous month’s reads, but for some reason August seems like a million years ago. Lazy days spent reading and napping by the water have quickly been replaced by commuting, car pools, soccer games, and packed lunches. I always forget how rough September is until September happens.

Anyway, back to August. I had a good month, but my only five star reads were re-reads. I don’t know if that’s me not concentrating as well or the books themselves. It’s hard to tell these days!

Five Star (Re) Reads

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - This remains one of my very favorite books. Fitzgerald says so much in this short novel.

The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough - I re-read this on a whim after McCullough died. He does such a great job telling about this tragedy I almost felt like the skin on my feet was wrinkled from the flood water.

Four Star (New To Me) Reads

A Fish Caught In Time by Samantha Weinberg - I thoroughly enjoyed this short non-fiction account of the study of the coelacanth.

All The Presidents Men by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward - I wanted to learn more about Watergate so of course I went to the source. I expected Nixon gossip but this was more a super interesting retelling of all the steps the two men went through to report their story. This version also had a new intro from 2022 which compared Watergate to current events.

The Wife's Tale by Aida Edemariam - This was a fascinating woman who lived almost to 100 in Ethiopia. It was written by her granddaughter and at times was confused, but overall an excellent read.

Three Star Reads

Under The Dome by Stephen King - I think reading about a town suddenly stuck under a mysterious dome was just a little too claustrophobic and 2020 for me because I did not enjoy this one very much. I do appreciate how much research King puts into the details of his books though.

Broken Harbor by Tana French - Another captivating book from the Dublin Murder Squad series. This one was incredibly dark, but good.

Either/Or by Elif Batuman - For the first half of this book I was waiting for something to happen, but by the end the main character had grown on me.

Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield - I‘m not even sure what this book was about, but I enjoyed it. I have a thing for books and movies that take place in submarines.

This post is linked to Quick Lit.

Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

On My Nightstand August 21

/
A firepit on a brick patio with sunflowers and a small pond in the background. This is the August view from my outdoor reading chair.

The view from my reading chair last weekend.

Now that the kids are going back to school I’m looking forward to getting back into a routine. I also want to get back to posting here. I love having this record of my reading life! (This isn’t a complaint about my kids. They’re great. It’s just we travel a lot when they’re out of school, and when we’re not traveling any sort of routine I would develop is blown out of the water by needing to drive them places. So any hour not spent with logistics is spent working.)

Last weekend was wonderful- I spent a good part of it in my reading chair on the back patio catching up with my books. I’m hoping to carry on that momentum this weekend!

Here’s what’s on my nightstand:

Lightfoot by Nicholas Jennings - I picked this up when I was in New Hampshire and have been reading it slowly because I need to keep stopping to listen to the music referenced. I’m really enjoying this one.

A Fish Caught in Time: The Search for the Coelacanth by Samantha Weinberg - I picked this up as part of the #ReadingAfrica challenge. It looks super nerdy and I’m looking forward to it.

Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield - This is part of a buddy read on Litsy. It’s a bit odd and I’m still waiting for something to happen.

All The President's Men by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward - This is my current audiobook. I started this to get all the dirt on Nixon, but I’m staying for the fascinating working relationship between Woodward and Bernstein.

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

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

Show Us Your Books July 2022

/

Even though Steph and Jana have decided not to continue with the Show Us Your Books tradition (understandably, it’s a big job and they’ve been doing it a while,) I have decided to keep going. Don’t judge me. That’s a long sentence, and I have just sprinkled punctuation throughout. There’s a reason I’m a reader and not a writer!

June was a fairly good reading month despite the general chaotic nature of June when you have kids in school. I didn’t read anything completely mind blowing, but read several books I enjoyed a lot while sitting in my yard. That, to me, is what summer reading should be.

Five Stars

The Lioness by Chris Bohjalian - I really enjoyed this fast paced thriller. It‘s been a while since I‘ve started a book and had trouble putting it down. This one is perfect for summer.

Wandering In Strange Lands by Morgan Jerkins - This book was fascinating. It‘s part history and part genealogy, written by a woman from New Jersey with a family that moved there during the Great Migration. I thought I was pretty well educated about that chapter of American history but I learned so much. I read this for a book club and it was a great discussion.

Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner - This was my third of fourth time reading this one. I just love it so much, and I get something new from it each time. I think it’s one of the best descriptions of long term adult friendship that I’ve ever read.

Four Stars

Last Summer At The Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland - A fun and nostalgic summer read.

The Purpose of Power by Alicia Garza - This was another book club read for a different book club. I came for the history of the #BlackLivesMatter movement and stayed for the organization and management tips. These was so much in this book.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry - A great book for sitting outside and reading on a beautiful summer day. I thought this was her best yet.

The Great Gatsby Graphic Novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Fred Fordham - I appreciated this graphic adaptation of one of my favorite novels. Reading this on the longest day of the year might become a tradition for me. Next year I‘ll have to get some champagne.

Three Stars

Mrs. March by Virginia Feito - Once I realized this was not the modern retelling of Little Women I thought it was I settled in and enjoyed the messed up tale told by the unreliable narrator, Mrs March. The weirdest thing was how she referred to herself as Mrs March even in childhood flashbacks.

True Biz by Sara Novic - This was yet another book club read. (Covid is terrible, but I’ve joined some really good online book clubs!) I enjoyed this novel about life at a boarding school for deaf kids right up until the off putting ending.

Bleaker House by Nell Stevens - This was a pleasant enough memoir about a writing student on a fellowship to write a novel in the Falklands. I could have done without the chapters of her failed novel, but I liked learning about what it was like to write when you‘re truly alone.

This post is linked to Quick Lit.

Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

Show Us Your Books June 2022

/
Open air book store with new arrivals and paperbacks

The Book Barn in Niantic, CT

May was a cold month here so I decided to start my summer reading early. I have a whole list of books I want to read, but for me summer reading really means just reading what makes me feel good - usually mysteries, thrillers, and sweeping family dramas set in hot climates. Summer reading is all about ignoring my reading goals and having fun.

Here are my favorites from the month of May!

Five Stars:

The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya - When she was six Clemantine fled her parent‘s house with her sister and just a few belongings. Until she was twelve they lived as refugees. Then they were awarded a visa to live in the US. This book shows that what looks like the happily ever after ending that you might see on the outside isn‘t always reality.

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel - I‘m not even sure what to say about this other than it was amazing and the less you know about it going in the better off you‘ll probably be.

Four Stars:

(Just realized these are all non-fiction- not normal for me!)

Broken (In The Best Possible Way) by Jenny Lawson - This book made me laugh and cry and gave me a lot to think about.

Walking The Nile by Lev Wood - I enjoyed this travelogue about walking through Africa along the Nile. I truly knew very little about the path of the Nile, and since I had two small children in 2013-2014 when he walked I also appreciated the refresher on what was happening in Africa during those years.

No Good Men Among The Living by Anand Gopal - A non-fiction account of the everyday lives of three people living in Afghanistan after 9/11. This book changed what I thought I knew. It was a hard read, but a really good one.

Life According to Steph

This post is linked to Show Us Your Books and Quick Lit.

Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

Show Us Your Books March 2021

/

Happy March. I went back to my post from last year to see if I had any profound just before quarantine thoughts to share, but it turns out I was just complaining about how many library books I had out at once. Guess what? After a year of so much change and strife I still have too many library books out. Some things will always remain constant.

My Favorite February Read

I put off reading Pachinko by Min Jin Lee forever, and I can’t figure out why. I absolutely loved this chunky story about a Korean family in Japan. It was everything I want in a book: sweeping, multi-generational, wistful, and touching.

Almost Favorites

On The Come Up by Angie Thomas - Angie Thomas is so good. I really don’t think she would even be capable of writing a bad book.

Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout - More tales about Olive Kitteridge in Maine. Strout treats getting older with dignity, and I appreciate that.

A Solitude of Wolverines by Alice Henderson - This thriller was fast paced from the beginning, and then 3/4 of the way through something totally bonkers happens. I really loved it.

Some Good Non-Fiction

Without You There Is No Us by Suki Kim - The memoir of a reporter who went undercover to teach in North Korea. I was extremely nervous for her the whole time.

Dolly Parton, Songteller by Dolly Parton - I listened to the audiobook for this one, and loved hearing Dolly talk about what was going on when she wrote her songs.

The Woman Who Smashed Codes by Jason Fagone - Books about women doing awesome things during WWII that men get the credit for are becoming more and more common, but that doesn’t mean we should stop reading them. This book about code breaking was fascinaing.

Life According to Steph

This post is linked to Show Us Your Books and Quick Lit.

Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

The 2021 Audie Award Finalists

/

I was introduced to The Audie Awards as a new book blogger and it’s become an obsession ever since. Starting in January I check the website over and over until the finalists are announced. Last Tuesday was the day I finally saw the list, and I am really excited to start listening my way through.

I was happy to see favorites Louise Penny and N.K. Jemisin get nods for two books I loved last year: All The Devils Are Here and The City We Became. I’m looking forward to checking out some of the short story collections, and I’m patiently waiting for my turn to listen to Barack Obama’s memoir on Libby. (Six months and counting.) But my very favorite category is History/Biography and I will listen to all of them by the end of the year.

The nominees are:

The Dead Are Arising by Les Payne and Tamara Payne, narrated by Dion Graham, published by Recorded Books

Deep Delta Justice by Matthew Van Meter, narrated by Brad Sanders, published by Hachette Audio

His Truth Is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope by Jon Meacham, with an afterword by John Lewis, narrated by JD Jackson, published by Penguin Random House Audio

J.R.R. Tolkien: The Making of a Legend by Colin Duriez, narrated by Simon Vance, published by Oasis Audio

Just Us: An American Conversation by Claudia Rankine, narrated by Janina Edwards, published by Audible Studios

The Lincoln Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch, narrated by Scott Brick, published by Macmillan Audio

I can’t wait!

Show Us Your Books Feb. 2020

/
Lou.jpeg

My cat passed away last month, and that has seriously damped my ability to enjoy books. Is reading on the couch even reading if you don’t have a cat practicing yoga moves on your knee? I’ll miss him forever, but hopefully I’ll get back to my love of reading soon. Until then know I am probably being unnecessarily grumpy about some of these books.

My Best Read of the Month

The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso - Someone described this as woke Golden Girls, which I thought was pretty funny and also accurate. Two sworn enemies live next door to each other have to put their differences aside when they realize they need each other. For those like me who have been seeking out books with characters over 40 who actually do things more interesting that drinking tea and giving advice give this one a read.

Great For Winter Reading On The Couch

The Gown by Jennifer Robson - A good story matched with good information about England after WWII.
Plainsong by Kent Haruf - I almost put this down because of a lack of quotation marks, but I’m glad I ended up sticking with it. It’s a sweet story about families - the ones you’re born with and the ones you create.
My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman - Another sweet story about families. If you like Backman you’ll like this book. If you don’t skip it.

Operation Re-Read

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell - I really, really loved this book when I first read it, and I still love it today. It was where I first learned about the danger of mitigating language and that I should trust my years of practice.
A Better Man by Louise Penny - I read this really quickly when it first came out, and wanted to read it again but slower. My initial assessment stands- not the best Gamache but still a decent read.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - I am in awe of Fitzgerald’s ability to say so much with just a few words. This is a yearly read for me, but to be honest I might pull it out again in a few months. That’s how much I love this book.

Life According to Steph

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