I wish I were a fast reader, but I’m not. There’s a few reasons, some unchangeable and some others, manageable. Being a book blogger and bookstagrammer I feel sometimes pressured to pick up my pace. The 6-8 books I usually read a month seems too few. The more this weighs on my mind, the less I find myself grabbing for a book and the less interested I am in keeping up. Continue reading Keeping up with the Jones’
Month: September 2017
The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir by Jennifer Ryan
2017 Broadway Books
Summary
“As England becomes enmeshed in the early days of World War II and the men are away fighting, the women of Chilbury Village forge an uncommon bond. They defy the Vicar’s stuffy edict to close the choir and instead “carry on singing,” resurrecting themselves as the Chilbury Ladies’ Choir. An enchanting ensemble story that shuttles from village intrigue to romance to the heartbreaking matters of life and death, Jennifer Ryan’s debut novel thrillingly illuminates the true strength of the women in a village of indomitable spirit.” Continue reading The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir by Jennifer Ryan
Bully, Bully
In Junior high, 7th & 8th grade when I attended, my Gigi (grandmother) purchased an ad for the back of the school yearbook. She owned a beauty salon and always supported local schools, as well as their athletics. My 8th grade year, the ad she purchased also included a full 8×10 photo of yours truly. I loved it, for the simple reason of feeling loved and adored by her. Continue reading Bully, Bully
Becoming a Reader
I can vividly remember when I fell in love with reading. Oddly, I barely remember the actual book, yet that’s really not my point. My elementary school library (still running) was quite well stocked. Mrs. C, as I called her, was a memorable librarian who was kind and always helpful. In elementary school we had a dedicated class to library where we were encouraged and required to pick our own books and yes- read them. While I don’t remember the book- I remember how it made me feel. And, with that book I realized the life’s and world’s that were opened to me via a bound bunch of pages. Continue reading Becoming a Reader
You by Caroline Kepnes
2015 Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Summary
“When a beautiful aspiring writer strides into the East Village bookstore where Joe Goldberg works, he does what anyone would do: he Googles the name on her credit card.
There is only one Guinevere Beck in New York City. She has a public Facebook account and Tweets incessantly, telling Joe everything he needs to know: she is simply Beck yo friends, she went to Brown University, she lives on Bank Street, and she’ll be at a bar in Brooklyn tonight-the perfect place for a “chance meeting. Continue reading You by Caroline Kepnes
The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter
2017 Harper Collins
Summary
“ Twenty-eight years ago, Charlotte and Samantha Quinn’s happy small town family life was torn apart by a terrifying attack on their family home. It left their mother dead. It left their father- Pikeville’s notorious defense attorney- devastated. And it left the family fractured beyond repair, consumed by secrets from that terrible night. Continue reading The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter
C.S. Lewis & food for thought
If your neighbor was drowning, would you extend your hand? I would bet with certainty- you would. You wouldn’t first ask, “What is your political view?” or fill in the blank question to make sure they are worthy of saving. I would bet with certainty you would extend your hand, throw a life vest if you couldn’t swim-because when our fellow human beings are in need we are there to help and lift one another. This has been proven, once again, through tragedy. We’ve seen strangers helping strangers, neighbors helping neighbors through the horrific storms of Harvey and Irma. We are reminded of this yet again, on this solemn day-9/11. We have so much more in common than we do differences; when we drop the facade of politics and partisan bickering. Continue reading C.S. Lewis & food for thought
More Than Bread by Marya Layth
Marya Layth 2017
Summary
“More Than Bread, Layth’s first address to the very world she commentaries on, boldly and whimsically explores the duality of human nature through an illustrated tale of poetry and prose.”
Review
Phi•los•o•pher, thinker. That is how I would describe Marya Layth in her beautiful book of poetry and prose. She was kind enough to send me a copy (with no obligation for anything other than reading, and all opinions are my own) which I only received today. I read and re-read, and now I’m typing my thoughts, all within the last few hours. If I seem overly excited- I am. Continue reading More Than Bread by Marya Layth
Wicked Like A Wildfire by Lana Popović
Harper Collins August 2017
Summary
“All the women in Iris and Malina’s family are born with a gleam- a unique way of manipulating beauty through magic. Seventeen-year-old Iris sees flowers as fractals and turns her kaleidoscope visions into glasswork; her twin sister, Malina, interprets moods as music; and their cold, distant mother Jasmina, bakes scenery into decadent treats at her confectionary in Old Town Cattaro, Montenegro. But Jasmina forbids Iris and Malina to share their gleams with anyone, and, above all, she forbids them to fall in love. Continue reading Wicked Like A Wildfire by Lana Popović