Rachel (aktakukac) Reads in 2016

Thread topper: My favorite fountain in Cincinnati.




Welcome to my 2016 thread! My name is Rachel, and this will be my sixth year participating in this group. I tend to lurk a lot and am not always as active on threads as I would like to be, but I’m hoping that won’t be the case this year.

I am in my early 30s, grew up on a farm in Michigan, and now work as a Youth Services librarian in a small town in Ohio. Later this spring, I will be getting married, and am very much looking forward to that…and to moving one last time, and finally having all my books under one roof!

Over the last few years, I have been reading more children’s and YA fiction, and newer releases. While I enjoy those books, there are a lot of older novels, classics, non-fiction, and mysteries that I’d love to have more time to read. Reading a variety of genres does help keep things interesting. I am particularly fond of historical fiction.

In 2015, I read 145 books, but with a wedding to plan, organizing and implementing Summer Reading at work, some traveling, and other events in 2016, I know that I will be lucky to make it to 75.

Books Read January-March

January
1. Servants' Hall by Margaret Powell
2. The Tale of Rescue by Michael J. Rosen
3. Passenger by Alexandra Bracken
4. In Bitter Chill by Sarah Ward
5. Carrie's War by Nina Bawden
6. Blue Voyage by Diana Renn
7. Heart-Shaped Hack by Tracey Garvis Graves
8. The Adventures of Miss Petitfour by Anne Michaels

February
9. Love by the Morning Star by Laura L. Sullivan
10. The Secret Sister by Brenda Novak
11. The Runaway's Gold by Emilie Christie Burack
12. The Heir and the Spare by Emily Albright

March
13. The Last Midwife by Sandra Dallas
14. Out of the Woods: A True Story of an Unforgettable Event by Rebecca Bond
15. He Will Be My Ruin by K.A. Tucker
16. The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins
17. Secrets of Selkie Bay by Shelley Moore Thomas

Books Read April-June

April
18. In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom by Yeonmi Park
19. The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector's Story by Hyeonseo Lee
20. Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
21. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

May
22. Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
23. Racing the Sun by Karina Halle
24. Paper Hearts by Meg Wiviott
25. Fiona by Meredith Moore
26. Book: My Autobiography by John Agard
27. Finding Fraser by KC Dyer
28. Love Will Always Find You by Claire Matthews
29. Come Back to Me by Mila Gray

June
30. Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War by Various Authors
31. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
32. After You by Jojo Moyes
33. Veil of Time by Claire R. McDougall
34. A Walk in the Sun by Michelle Zink
35. A Bride's Story, Volume 4 by Kaoru Mori
36. Paper Wishes by Lois Sepahban
37. Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase
38. The Lifeboat Clique by Kathy Parks
39. The Last Execution by Jesper Wung-Sung
40. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
41. Paperweight by Meg Haston
42. The Oxford Inheritance by Ann A. McDonald
43. Waiting on You by Kristan Higgins

Books Read July-September

July
44. Tom's Midnight Garden by Phillipa Pearce
45. The Edge of Nowhere by Lucy Johnston Sypher
46. Romancing the Dark in the City of Light by Ann Jacobus
47. A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen
48. Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
49. My Last Continent by Midge Raymond
50. Must Be Love by Cathy Woodman
51. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
52. Longbow Girl by Linda Davies
53. The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi
54. One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

August
55. The Cat Who Came in Off the Roof by Annie M.G. Schmidt
56. A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro
57. The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson
58. Lost Among the Living by Simone St. James
59. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
60. Jackaby by William Ritter
61. The Madwoman Upstairs by Catherine Lowell
62. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
63. The Wolf Princess by Cathryn Constable
64. The Farmette Cookbook: Recipes and Adventures from My Life on an Irish Farm by Imen McDonnell
65. Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman
66. That Part Was True by Deborah McKinlay
67. This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith
68. Happy Again by Jennifer E. Smith
69. Second Chance Pass by Robyn Carr

September
70. Trials of the Earth: The True Story of a Pioneer Woman by Mary Mann Hamilton
71. The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
72. Lizzie and the Lost Baby by Cheryl Blackford
73. The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle by Janet Fox
74. Swear on This Life by Renee Carlino
75. The Eye of Midnight by Andrew Brumbach
76. The Enchanted Files: Diary of a Mad Brownie by Bruce Coville
77. Ross Poldark by Winston Graham
78. Something New: Tales from a Makeshift Bride by Lucy Knisley
79. Kissing in America by Margo Rabb

Books Read October-December

October
80. One Silver Summer by Rachel Hickman
81. Who Do You Love by Jennifer Weiner
82. The Door by the Staircase by Katherine Marsh
83. Now and Then Friends by Kate Hewitt
84. Sweet Home Alaska by Carole Estby Dagg
85. The Cellar by Natasha Preston
86. Curious Minds by Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton

For anyone interested in my 2015 thread, it's here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/185519

Good luck with the wedding planning!

And I love your thread topper.

>7 _Zoe_: Thanks! I have a feeling I won't be reading much until mid-July! I'm starting to get a little overwhelmed and stressed with wedding stuff!

I took that picture in Cincinnati a few months ago. It's my favorite fountain in the city!

My immediate thought was, "I should go to Cincinnati!" But I probably don't really need to plan my travels around the location of book fountains.

Hi, Rachel! Love that fountain. I need to seek it out the next time we're visiting Tomm's brother, who lives just outside of the city.

>9 _Zoe_: I went to Cincinnati for a conference, and hadn't researched any of the sights in the city. I was walking down the street, and suddenly it was right in front of me. Book fountains are lovely, but not the sole reason for traveling to a place.

>10 scaifea: Hi, Amber! The fountain is downtown, right outside the main branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.

Hi Rachel! Dropping off a star & admiring the fountain!

Hello! I'm also an Ohio children's librarian, so I thought I should stop by and say hi!

Welcome back!

>1 aktakukac: I miss that fountain and the wonderful library behind it. I moved from Cincinnati in 1999. I've been back a few times and even researched some in the library there on a couple of trips. I do love my Skyline Chili though!

>14 drneutron: Thanks! It's good to be here!

>15 thornton37814: Cincinnati is far enough from me that I never have a reason to go there, but close enough that it could be a long day trip if need be. I haven't had Skyline Chili before, but I've heard it's delicious!

Nice to see you back, Rachel. xx

>16 aktakukac: You will either love it or hate it the first time, but it will grow on you, even if you don't like it that much. I absolutely love it.

>17 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul! I love this group, even if I'm not always dedicated to posting, reviewing, or even de-lurking!

>18 thornton37814: I'm hoping to finally go to a Reds game this year. We've been saying we'd go to one for almost four years now, but it hasn't happened...but maybe this year will be the year!

Here we are, eight days into the year, and I have managed to read a whopping 74 pages of Servants' Hall. I'd love to finish it this weekend and move on to something that will hold my interest a bit more.

>19 aktakukac: I'm glad I went back in the days when Pete Rose and Johnny Bench were still playing.

Book # 1: Servants’ Hall by Margaret Powell

While I haven’t been reading as many memoirs or non-fiction books as I’d like lately, I have been trying to read a few upstairs/downstairs and servant-related books a year. I read and enjoyed, but did not love Powell’s Below Stairs: The Classic Kitchen Maid’s Memoir that Inspired Upstairs Downstairs and Downton Abbey. Servants’ Hall seemed to be a disorganized collection of the leftover stories that did not fit into her first book. The title was also misleading, as the love story about “Rose” and “Gerald” was not even close to being the focus of this memoir. If you are looking for recollections of working as a kitchen maid/cook/servant in the early 20th Century, skip this one and try, for example, Minding the Manor by Mollie Moran instead.

Book # 2: The Tale of Rescue by Michael J. Rosen

While on vacation, a mother, father, and their son become lost in a rural part of southern Ohio during a blizzard. A cattle dog uses an unusual method to attempt to save them.

This was a lovely book. Both the illustrations and prose were breathtaking, and I would recommend it for a class read aloud, for readers who love animal (especially dog) stories, or anyone who wants a solid, well-written read.

Very late to say that I love the book fountain. What serendipity to just walk past it.

>23 charl08: It was lovely to stumble upon it, and I immediately reached for my phone so I could take a picture. My next thought was, "Oh! I can use that for a thread topper on LT!" :)

I've been thinking I am going to TRY to balance my reading this year by reading one third YA, one third children's books, and one third adult books. Remember, I said TRY...

A friend posted this to my Facebook page and said she thought of me when she saw it.

>25 aktakukac: Ooooh lovely! Gotta love pics of libraries and reading nooks. I really want a library with ladders someday... :)

>26 bell7: YES! I want a library someday, but I'd settle for getting some of my books out of boxes and tubs and onto real bookcases first! Eventually...

Book # 3: Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

A YA time travel adventure that covers several different settings and times. Etta, a promising violinist, hears an awful noise while playing a piece at the Met, and is basically pushed through a special passage in time to the 19th Century. She awakens on a ship, where she learns some information about her situation and what is expected of her. With the help of Nicholas, a young man who also shares her ability to travel, Etta must locate and retrieve an object, decide who should control the object, and attempt to get back home.

I was really looking forward to this novel, but I definitely struggled with it. The novel is not set up well, and important background information was not given at appropriate times. It was much too long, and there were many instances of long, drawn-out descriptions that did not need to be so lengthy. I did not feel a proper connection between Etta and Nicholas. I was also annoyed by the whole violin aspect.
The first chapters really focused on Etta being a highly-trained and skilled violinist, but for the last three quarters of the book, it didn’t really matter. Maybe that will be explored in the follow-up novel?

The ending had a huge cliffhanger, but honestly I am not interested in continuing with the story. It was not a poorly-written book, but it was very tedious to get through.

Book # 4: In Bitter Chill by Sarah Ward

It has been a long time since I read a debut novel so engaging and compelling as this one! Set in Derbyshire, the story involves a case of child abduction that took place during the late 1970s and how it is connected to a suicide and a murder over thirty years later. In 1978, two young girls, Rachel and Sophie, were offered a ride to school by a strange lady. Rachel was later discovered walking by a nearby road, but Sophie was never seen again.

In the present day, Sophie’s mother commits suicide. Two days later, a body is discovered near where Rachel was found in 1978. Rachel is now a family historian/genealogist, and she uses her knowledge to uncover some family secrets and try to move on from the events in her past. The police also work to connect the crimes, and I wonder if the characters of Sadler and Connie (among others) will be featured in future books.

The characters were great, the pacing was spot-on, the plot was complex with some twists and turns that kept it fresh, and the setting (and weather) described perfectly. I will definitely be looking for more from this author, and recommend this for readers who enjoy British crime thrillers or books with a focus on family secrets. Excellent read.

>29 aktakukac: Did someone say "genealogy"? Automatic book bullet since it was a favorable review.

>30 thornton37814: I know you love mysteries, Lori, so I hope you will like this one! The genealogist in the story focuses a lot on the females in her family, which is important to the plot. I will say, there is a "shocker" at the end of the book that is...different...I didn't totally care for it, but it was necessary for the story.

I love that hanging library!

>28 aktakukac: I'm sorry this one was so disappointing. You had me interested with that summary :-/

>32 _Zoe_: I think a spiral staircase would make it even more appealing :)

>33 jennyifer24: I know, it was a major disappointment! I wish I could say it's a case of "it's me, not the book," but I can't. The majority of the reviews on GoodReads are positive, and I know each reader will have his or her own thoughts, but for me it was hard work to finish it.

Hmm...I'm also intrigued that Passenger didn't work for you, as I've only heard good things about it. I'll be reading it soon (I hope) so it will be interesting to compare notes.

>35 dk_phoenix: I liked the adventure and different time periods involved. If things had been explained more clearly and sooner in the story, I would probably have different thoughts about it.

Hello Rachel, and congratulations! What kind of wedding will you be having? So exciting -- what a wonderful time.

>37 AMQS: Thank you, Anne! I'll try to keep my answer short, because I could probably ramble on about wedding stuff for a long time...I'm pretty excited :) We will be getting married in Michigan, in the small country church my family has gone to for at least four generations. The church is rather small, unfortunately, but the reception will be in a bigger town and should be lovely. We are having a rustic-but-not-redneck and old fashioned/vintage theme, which suits us perfectly. I will also be incorporating old books into some of the centerpieces :)

Book # 5: Carrie’s War by Nina Bawden

During WWII, siblings Carrie and Nick are sent to a small mining village in Wales with other children being evacuated from London. They stay in the home of mean Mr. Evans and his sister, the mild and meek Auntie Lou. Carrie and Nick attend school, help out in the general store, visit their friend Albert Sandwich, and grow up while away from their parents. The beginning and end of the story have Carrie going back to Wales with her own young children, where she tells them about what her life was like there during the war. There is more to the plot than I’ve described, and some twists and turns that move the story along.

I would have liked a bit more WWII-related bits, but otherwise it was a solid coming-of-age story that will make readers who have siblings appreciate them and be thankful for what they have. It also made me think about how events during someone’s childhood can impact the rest of their life.

>39 aktakukac: I like stories set in that period. I'm not sure that I'll add it to my huge TBR pile, but it does sound interesting.

ETA: my public library has it so I decided to go ahead and add it to the list.

>40 thornton37814: Lori, I think I heard about Carrie's War last year after I read The War That Saved My Life, which also involves a brother and sister who are evacuated to the countryside during WWII. It seems there are a few films and television series based on Carrie's War, so I might request them to see how they compare.

Book # 6: Blue Voyage by Diana Renn

There are two reasons 16-year-old Zan (short for Alexandra) and her mother take a vacation to Turkey: to take a break from a political scandal and family issues at home in Boston, and to help Zan’s aunt grieve the recent death of her husband. They take a cruise along the Mediterranean, where Zan meets an assortment of people, learns about problems Turkey is having with artifacts and ancient art being looted from museums and historic sights, and participates in a memorial for her uncle. On the hike down from the memorial, the urn which held some dried flowers for the service is accidentally dropped over the side of a cliff by one of the cruise members. It was just a replica of an ancient urn, and it was an accident – right?

At the airport on the way back to Istanbul after the cruise, security discovers some priceless artifacts in Zan’s backpack. She has no idea how they got there. The discovery sets the rest of the plot in motion, and it quickly becomes a dangerous tangle of secrets, lies, and requires Zan to do a lot of investigating and figure out who to trust. From the Grand Bazaar to Turkish baths to caves and hot air balloons in Cappadocia, she has to stay one step ahead of those who wish to harm her.

The first part of the story was definitely slower than the second half, but it was still interesting and things happened that continually moved the story along. The ending flew by, and before I knew it, the story was over! At times, Zan was annoying and I didn’t care for her attitude. However, she was very real and the secondary characters were well-developed as well. I read this because I thought it would be a fun travel adventure, and I was right. It also covers some important topics that are relevant today, regarding the smuggling and stealing of art and historic objects.

Recommended for anyone who is interested in Turkey, adventure and travel stories, or stolen art.

ETA: I really like the coat on the cover. I need a red coat.

>42 aktakukac: My heavy coat is red. I don't really like coats that much and only wear one when I absolutely must.

Book # 7: Heart-Shaped Hack by Tracey Garvis Graves

I have read some other novels the author has written, so I decided to read this one as well. I thought the plot was a little different because it involves computer hacking and cybercrime, which are not things I usually read about and would not expect in a romance.

After quitting her job as a lawyer, Kate began working at a food pantry in Minneapolis. One day, she appealed for donations on a news show, and was later given a substantial donation from a mysterious benefactor. Eventually, Kate was able to find out a man named Ian donated the money. As they get to know each other, Kate finds out about how Ian got the money he donated, and what he does for a living. Aside from being a cyber “Robin Hood,” Ian works with the FBI.

Kate has to decide if she can accept the kind of life Ian leads, and what it would mean for their relationship. Just when they are ready to move forwards, Ian’s enemies appear, and a horrible event takes place. I don’t want to give away any more than that, but I will say there are twists and turns I never saw coming…although I did figure out some things and wasn’t surprised with the ending.

There were some editing issues, especially a major problem during a hilarious moment. I had to reread a few pages to see if I had missed something, but no, it was definitely an editing problem. This novel seemed a little a different from the others I had read (as in, the romance aspect was a bit heavier), and while I adore Ian, I wish Kate wasn’t quite so perfect. There is at least one more book featuring the couple in the works, and I will definitely read it to see what happens next.

>43 thornton37814: I don't mind wearing coats, which is a good thing with the winters we have in Michigan and Ohio. I'll have to keep my eyes open for a red one...or maybe purple...

I have one more book that I hope to finish by the end of the month, and it's a children's book, so I should be able to. If I finish it, I will have read one more book this January than last, and will have done more reading than I expected. I'm not going to complain about that!

I have to go to Michigan tomorrow to show my future in-laws the church, reception venue, city, etc. as they have never been there. I doubt I will be able to read on that trip, but I will be going back to MI the first two weekends in February, so I should be able to listen to some audiobooks on those trips.

>45 aktakukac: When I lived in Ohio, I had a really heavy coat which was used mainly when the temps plunged below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if I happened to be shopping, the coat would get in the way so I learned to leave the coat in the car when going to a mall and just deal with the cold temps. After living there for so long, I discovered that the temps were such much more moderate in Tennessee that I was just burning up when I wore coats here. I finally purchased a lighter weight coat this year, but until this year, I rarely wore anything heavier than a sweater.

Hi Rachel! I'm still making the rounds of this year's threads. I thought the fountain in your thread topper looked familiar. I've been to the library in Cincinnati to use their genealogical collection and I would have seen it then.

>25 aktakukac: I love that picture, and I'm glad you shared it. I'm currently reading The Library at Night and it mentions a library suspended from the ceiling like that!

>29 aktakukac: >39 aktakukac: >42 aktakukac: In Bitter Chill, Carrie's War, and Blue Voyage are all on my wishlist. The public library has at least one copy of all of them. :-) The genealogy angle is the hook for In Bitter Chill. I can't resist a book with my name in the title, especially one set in wartime Wales. And I've always loved mystery/suspense books set in exotic locations.

P.S. I love the sound of your book-themed centerpieces! I saw something like that at a women's retreat a few years ago.

What interesting books you've read lately. I hadn't heard of either, nor of the authors, but those are great covers as well!

Book # 8: The Adventures of Miss Petitfour by Anne Michaels

Whimsical, imaginative, and slightly silly collection of some adventures of Miss Petitfour and her sixteen cats. Yes, sixteen. And each time one is mentioned, they are all mentioned…which got old after the first two times. Miss Petitfour share some characteristics with Mary Poppins, but uses tablecloths to fly instead of an umbrella. At times, there were challenging vocabulary words and phrases, which I enjoyed, especially as they were explained/defined. I thought the everyday adventures were the perfect length to tell the story but not drag on and on, but the number of lists that occurred every other paragraph were not necessary. For the right child, this could be a delightful read, but it is not a book for everyone.

>46 thornton37814: Lori, I always take a heavy coat with me from about November-March, because I'm convinced if I don't, something will happen and I will desperately need it. Then again, I get teased because I have two blankets in the backseat of my car, just in case!

>47 cbl_tn: Hi, Carrie! Thanks for stopping by! That fountain makes me wonder what other book fountains there are out there :) I love pictures of unique ways to shelve/display books. The genealogy angle of In Bitter Chill is an important aspect of the story. I couldn't quite make the connection that is brought to light at the end, although I had some theories :) I always make a note when I find a book with my name in the title, too. I enjoy reading about different locations, especially when I haven't been able to travel for a while. I think the different centerpieces will work out very nicely, and it was a nice way to fit books into the decorations :) I am also excited about a decoration that involves corn, candles, and chicken wire, haha!

>48 dk_phoenix: Hi, Faith! I was very happy with the variety of books I read in January. I'm trying an adult book-children's book-YA book approach, and will continue with that in February.

The Blind Date With a Book display is up at work. They did it a bit differently this year, as the person who was in charge of it last year took a job at a library in a neighboring county.

>49 aktakukac: I've been eyeing that one for a while. I'll probably get around to reading it eventually.

>51 aktakukac: We decided to give the blind date display a rest this year. It went over better 2 years ago than last year. I think part of it has to do with the fact that the new updates to the library left us without a good space to put that sort of display.

>51 aktakukac: What information is given on the fronts? I've never seen this before- looks cool!

Ooh, I hope my local library does the Blind Date with a Book again this year - always a hoot.

Miss Petitfour looks interesting...

>52 foggidawn: It's nice that it is broken up into five adventures, so they can be read all at once or in sections. I thought it was creative, but the number of commas drove me crazy!

>53 thornton37814: So far it has been going over well, and shows no signs of slowing down. Maybe by the middle of the month...

>54 jennyifer24: The top tells the genre, and then there are some short descriptions or adjectives that tell a few basic ideas about the item. Last year reviews were printed out and glued on the covers, but they decided to try a different way of advertising this year. The paper is pretty bright :)

>55 scaifea: I know a little old lady who comes to the library every week for a crafting program was asking about it. I wonder which book she got :) Interesting is a good way to describe Miss Petitfour. It could have been better, but it could have been worse!

>51 aktakukac: ooooh, I like the look of it! I tried this at my library once and I think only one book was checked out :( But I've been meaning to put some legwork into it and try again someday - maybe next year!

Your wedding plans sound absolutely lovely. What a fun and busy time! I will also be incorporating old books into some of the centerpieces How wonderful! I hope there will be lots of pictures!

>42 aktakukac: I need a red coat. I used to have a red coat I wore when I was pregnant. It was passed down to me by a friend, and though it was not a maternity coat, it was big enough to button around my belly the whole time. I passed it along to my stepsister when she was pregnant, and have been missing it ever since!

>51 aktakukac: Love the blind date books! My daughter had something similar in her school library for books that hadn't been checked out in awhile. They were covered in different colored paper by genre -- pink for romance, brown for western, etc. I tried doing something similar in my library a few years ago -- I think we wrapped them in gold for St. Patrick's Day but elementary students are pretty picky about their books and won't check out a surprise.

>57 bell7: Hi Mary! The books were flying off the shelf last week, but have slowed down a bit this week. I like the idea of writing the first sentence of the book on the cover - maybe next year?!

>58 AMQS: Hello, Anne! Yes, a fun and busy time indeed! I'm glad most of the big things are taken care of, but the little things are about ready to make me pull my hair out! I am not happy with the majority of our engagement pictures, but I will hopefully have some nice ones of the decorations! I can see how the elementary students wouldn't like not being able to see the book covers.

Book # 9: Love by the Morning Star by Laura L. Sullivan

A YA tale involving mistaken identities and upstairs/downstairs lives in 1938 England.
Hannah, the half-German, half-British daughter of Jewish cabaret owners, must flee to the English estate of distant relatives after it becomes too dangerous for her to stay in Berlin. Anna, another young woman, must disguise herself as a kitchen maid to learn political secrets and spy on the family. Through a series of events, Hannah ends up as the kitchen maid, and Anna finds herself living a life of nobility.

Both girls fall in love with Teddy the handsome heir. But are they really in love with who they think they are? What will happen if and when the truth is finally revealed?

I liked the premise, but I was disappointed in a lack of humor throughout the story. Things just didn’t come together like they could have, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. It wasn’t a bad book, but it’s not something I would recommend to just anyone.

Book # 10: The Secret Sister by Brenda Novak

This was the first book I have read by Novak, and after reading it, I don’t have plans to pick up any more. The story involves a dysfunctional family that lives on an island off the coast of South Carolina. It took quite a while for the “secret sister” part of the plot to even begin to develop, and by that time I was not interested in where any of the other storylines were heading. I don’t want to say that the book was dreadful, as it could be a quick, enjoyable read for some readers, and there were some aspects that were a bit intriguing…it just did not grab me or hold my interest, and I’m glad to move on to another book.

I feel like I will never finish another book! In the last eight or nine days, I have read a whopping 90 pages in my current read, and I am enjoying it very much, but there is just no time to sit down and actually focus on it. I have a feeling this will only get worse between now and the end of April.

BUT, I got a couple of major things accomplished for the wedding earlier this week, and got to taste a lot of delicious cake. I also had lunch with a friend/bridesmaid for my birthday, and got some important things taken care of that couldn't wait any longer to be dealt with. Although it will be another busy weekend, a few of the remaining pressing items should be completed by Sunday night.

Maybe after this weekend I will have a little more time to read. I returned several unread books to the library, and made a list of the titles so I can put holds on them later this year. There are bunch of new titles that I am forcing myself to leave on the shelves, so I will just have to look forward to reading them when things calm down.

My current read, a children's historical fiction set in the Shetland Islands, is quite good, and I hope to slowly make progress with it so I don't forget what has happened so far!

>62 aktakukac: Looking forward to your review of the Shetland Islands book. We all have things that take away time from our reading, and a wedding is definitely one of those. Savor what you can . . . and the others will wait until your life slows down a bit.

>63 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori...in some ways, I feel like I can devote a bit more time to reading, but I'm probably being optimistic when I think that. Not having much time to read really makes me appreciate the time I do have for it even more :)

Book # 11: The Runaway’s Gold by Emilie Christie Burack

In the 1840s, Christopher and his family live on the Shetland Islands and have a difficult life full of poverty and starvation. When his older brother steals something and Christopher is accused of the crime, he must prove his innocence and get back what was stolen. Before the end of the story, the reader will follow Christopher through a series of adventures, misadventures, prison, aboard ships active in smuggling, and even to New York City. There is a wonderful sense of place – I felt like I was right there in the windy Shetlands with Christopher – and the author’s use of the local dialect added to the story.

There are times when the book jumps between New York City and the Shetland Islands, and it was a bit confusing at times, but part of that could have been me. I really enjoyed this novel, but I wish I had read it when I had more time to focus on the story and characters, instead of slowly reading a bit here and there over a couple of weeks.

Book # 12: The Heir and the Spare by Emily Albright

When Evie is accepted as a student at Oxford, she is able to learn more about the life her mother, who passed away many years earlier, lived in England. She discovers the truth about her family history and heritage, which could potentially impact the rest of her life in several ways.

While in England, Evie also makes friends and instantly falls in love with Edmund, the spare heir to the British throne. If there were no conflicts or problems in their relationship, the book would only be about 25 pages long, so of course there is a lot of drama, and it honestly got old pretty quickly.

I wanted this to be at least an average read, but I’m having a difficult time trying to remember anything good about it. There was no sense of place – it is set at Oxford, but none of the descriptions made me feel like the story was taking place there. Evie is quite immature, the other characters are flat, and the writing was horrible and in serious need of editing.

Now that I think about it, there were some parts with Evie’s grandmother that had some slightly redeeming qualities, but I won’t say anything more to avoid spoilers.

If you are looking for a royal-and-commoner type romance, skip this one. Spend your time reading something worthwhile.

February was not my best reading month, but it was not my worst ever reading month, either. I hope to finish the book I am currently reading later today. I am not going to set any special goals for March, so I guess what I'd like to do reading-wise in March is just that: read. If and when I can, and read whatever I feel like reading. That's the plan for now, at least!

Book # 13: The Last Midwife by Sandra Dallas

Sandra Dallas is one of my favorite authors, and each time she has a new book out, I immediately want to stop everything I’m doing to read it. Once I finish it, I’m sad because I have to wait for the next one. I’ve had The Last Midwife sitting in a pile of books since last September, and finally decided it was time to read it. I really enjoyed it, and it was everything I have come to expect from Dallas.

Gracy is the only midwife in a remote Colorado mining town. She has had a talent for midwifery ever since she was young, and although she has pondered retiring, has continued to deliver babies and provide some basic medical services to women (and men) in the region.

One day, Gracy is accused of murdering the baby of a powerful mine owner. While she is innocent, she does know secrets that will make proving her innocence difficult and dangerous.

I had some suspicions about a couple of plot twists, and the very last sentence of the book confirmed them. I recommend this solid, well-written novel to anyone who enjoys novels with a real sense of place, fantastic characters, and wonderful storytelling.

Book # 14: Out of the Woods: A True Story of an Unforgettable Event by Rebecca Bond

When the author’s grandfather was a small boy in 1914, he lived in a hotel run by his mother on a lake in Ontario. One day, something happened that he never forgot, and this is that story. I thought the pictures were beautiful, and appreciated the details about the hotel and area.

Book # 15: He Will Be My Ruin by K.A. Tucker

I’ve enjoyed Tucker’s romantic suspense novels that I’ve read in the past, and knew I had to read her newest release, which is more of a standard mystery. The first half of the book was great, but at about the halfway point, things began to muddle together and too many things became unbelievable. Still, it was well written, and kept me wondering up to the end.

A quick summary of the plot: Maggie arrives in New York to take care of her best friend Celine’s belongings after Celine apparently committed suicide. Maggie doesn’t believe that her friend took her own life, and decides to use her resources to uncover the truth.

Verdict: While I enjoyed the first half of the book much more than the second, I’m still glad I read it, and will continue to read Tucker’s novels in the future.

Have a wonderful Easter.

>71 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul, and I hope you have a nice weekend!

----------
All in all, I think I have had a pretty good handle on planning a wedding that is taking place over two hours from where I currently live, with a fairly short engagement period, while working full time and planning Summer Reading at work. I managed to get a lot of the big things taken care of without having to go to Michigan every single weekend. My parents have been a HUGE help, and I know I couldn’t have done it without them.

I’ve even stayed calm when a few things that I had no control over happened. Mainly, one of our groomsmen’s cousins (who is also a “friend” of ours), who has been dating a woman since last August, proposed to her on Valentine’s Day and they decided to get married on the day of my fiancé’s bachelor party, which had already been planned.

I've also bitten my tongue in regards to my future mother-in-law and sister-in-law. They are very nice ladies, but we have different ideas in regards to how a lot of things for MY wedding should be handled. I've had to not invited people I wanted there so they could invite people that have no business being invited, especially when there is limited seating at the church. Oh, and my future MIL bought a dress for the wedding that has a train on it. Is it just me, or is that a little over-the-top?

Last Friday, I had a slight meltdown. I called the shop where my bridesmaid’s dresses were ordered from, to check if they were in; as Friday was the date they were scheduled to arrive. I was told they MIGHT ship this coming Wednesday, and then it would take 7-10 days for them to arrive once shipped. I also had a small issue with the florist, and learned that the person we had worked with about catering no longer works at the place the reception is being held, and my parents would have to go meet with the new cook and her boss, to see “what could be done”. The invitations I had planned to send out two weeks ago still had not arrived from the printer,either. All this happened over the course of a few hours in one day, while I was dealing with a coworker who has been trying to make my life miserable since I got this job over a year and a half ago. Needless to say, I did not have a good weekend.

On Monday, the guestbook I had ordered online arrived, as did my cake knife and server. I got a call from the dress shop saying the dresses were in (what?!) and could be picked up, and the invitations also arrived in the mail. I got the dresses so I could take them to the city that’s halfway between here and my parents the next day, as we were meeting there for my dress fitting. We got about 97% of the invitations ready to be sent on Tuesday, as well. Friday to Tuesday was really a perfect example of how when it rains, it pours!

In the meantime, I have not had many chances for reading. I’ve been reading a 200 page children’s book all month, and am also halfway through a Kristan Higgins romance novel that I could normally devour in one evening…and I have been reading it for over a week now. I’ve had to bring back a couple bags of books to the library unread, but I made a list so I will remember the titles and can check them out again in the future. At this point, I am ready to be done planning everything and have some of my reading time back! I have this afternoon off, as I have to work 9-2 tomorrow. I’d love to finish one of the books I’m reading, but I have a list of errands to try to accomplish, and I’m not sure how long they will take.

I watched The Martian last night, because my hold on it finally came in and it seemed like a relaxing way to spend the evening. I liked the film, though not quite as much as I had thought I would, and found myself appreciating the novel more and more. That was a pleasant surprise!

Quick thoughts about my final two March reads:



Book # 16: The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins

I enjoy the novels Kristan Higgins writes because they are fun, heartwarming, and laugh-out-loud funny romances that make me swoon occasionally, but don’t make me blush. In this second book in the Blue Heron series, Honor decides she will go forward with an arranged marriage to help Tom keep his green card. This was an easy read that was exactly what I needed, and I will look forward to the next books in the series in the future.



Book # 17: Secrets of Selkie Bay by Shelley Moore Thomas

Children’s story about three sisters whose mother may or may not be human. My expectations were not met, and I was expecting some magical realism that was not there. Overall, not a bad story, but it did not quite work for me.

Over the weekend, I finished a memoir about a young girl's escape from North Korea. In a strange turn of events, the hold I had on a different memoir about a person's escape from NK FINALLY came in, months after I placed it, so I am reading that one now. Not what I had planned, but they have definitely held my attention, and it feels good to read a little more non-fiction for a change.

Book # 18: In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom by Yeonmi Park



Book # 19: The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Storyby Hyeonseo Lee

I did not plan to read two memoirs back to back about escaping from North Korea, but it happened when a hold came in much sooner than expected. There were some similarities between the two, but as the two authors had different backgrounds and reasons for leaving North Korea, each memoir was unique.

In Order to Live focused more on the human trafficking aspect that so many North Korean women find themselves forced into once they have escaped to China. The Girl with Seven Names included more about the author’s years spent in China and the journey through China and SE Asia that many refugees take to eventually get to South Korea.

It has been a couple of years since I read anything about life in North Korea, and these two books have sparked my interest. However, I think I’ll wait a while before picking up another book about the country. I do think, though, that the next topic I read about that deals with NK will be about the prison and work camps in the country. Escape from Camp 14, perhaps?

Tomorrow is supposed to be COLD and SNOWY, and I'd love to stay in and read all day. However, my friends and future sister-in-law felt that I MUST have a bachelorette party, so that's what's happening instead. I'm looking forward to it, and seeing some of my Michigan friends who will also be attending.

We should hopefully be able to get a few of the smaller things that are left started or finalized, which will be a relief. I'm stuck on a few things, and one of them is music at the reception.

So, my question is, does anyone have awesome suggestions for songs for the wedding party entrance at the reception? I have a lot of ideas, but nothing is really standing out, unfortunately.

Hope your bachelorette party was fun despite the cold and snow! I tried to ignore spring break pictures from Florida and use the weather as an excuse to have a lazy break :-)

>78 jennyifer24: Thanks! It was fun, and it only snowed a bit in the afternoon. A lazy break is nice because it gives you a chance to get rested up :)

I picked up my dress last night, after one final fitting to make sure everything looked good and now I am even more excited! Trying to keep organized and get the last minute things taken care of. These next two weeks are going to fly by! I've set my current YA read aside until after the wedding, but I have been working my way through Little House in the Big Woods, which is an ideal comfort read for me. It's also the first time I've read it as an adult, so I'm looking at it from a different angle than when I was a kid.

>79 aktakukac: Comfort reads are always good!

>72 aktakukac: I so admire you handling all of your wedding mishaps with such grace. So not what you want to deal with when planning YOUR special day. Yes, the train is very over the top. Who is this about, really? I am always astonished at all of the drama people create over a day that does not belong to them.

You must be getting close! When is the actual day?

>80 thornton37814: Yes, they are, Lori! I had been wanting to read the entire Little House series again for ages, and one of my coworkers suggested it earlier this month when I said I was struggling with a new YA book (because of my lack of reading time, not because it's a bad read). It has been a good decision, and is probably something I should do more often!

>72 aktakukac: Thank you for your kind words, Anne. It's a good thing people can't hear what I'm really thinking sometimes, because there have been times when I have had some really unpleasant thoughts about some of the people and their plans for the wedding! But in the end, all that matters is that he and I will be married, and I just have to remember that :) The big day is April 30! My last day of work will be April 27, and then I'll be off for a week. We are going to go Up North for a few days after the wedding, but since it's planting season and there's a lot of farm work to do, we will wait until this summer to take a longer honeymoon/vacation. The end of April wasn't our first choice for a wedding, but it's when things were available, so we are making it work :)

Good luck with all the final wedding planning! You're almost free!

April 30?? Really?? That's our wedding anniversary! This year will be 23 years. A great day to get married!

Where is Up North?

>83 _Zoe_: Thanks! I am ready to be finished with all the planning!! My to-do list is now down to one page, which is making me feel pretty good :)

>84 AMQS: Yes, April 30! That day is also when my godparents were married, so it must be a popular day for a wedding :) Happy Early Anniversary!

For most Michiganders, Up North is basically the upper half of the Lower Peninsula, and the entire Upper Peninsula. It's where all the nice lakes, beautiful scenery, forests, waterfalls, etc. are. I'm originally from the VERY southern part of Michigan, so anything counted as "Up North" to me!

Had a busy, but productive weekend. My mom and I got a lot of the remaining wedding-related errands taken care of, my parents, sister and I went to a small town in Indiana to eat at one of our favorite restaurants, and I finished reading Little House on the Prairie. Hopefully in the next day or two I can comment about my two most recent reads.

But the best part of the weekend was when my dad I stopped at my cousin's house (where my grandparents lived and my dad grew up) and looked through a bunch of old photos. I wanted to find a picture of my grandparents when they were young, or at least youngish, as they did not have a wedding photo taken. I found something suitable, as well as pictures of my great, great-great, AND great-great-great grandparents! We had absolutely no idea these existed, so it was a fabulous discovery! They will definitely add to the table of family wedding photos we will have on display at the reception - I even got sort of crafty and made nice name cards for all of the pictures!

> 66 Too bad it didn't make the mark. It is a beautiful cover design.

>87 brodiew2: Yes, that cover is lovely. The book had a lot of potential, but the author did nothing with it and I am happy to have found better reading material since finishing that one!

Book # 20: Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

I can distinctly remember sitting at my desk in Miss Smith’s 2nd grade classroom, and listening to her read this book aloud. I am not sure if it was the first book she read aloud to her students that year (I remember she read The Trumpet of the Swan towards the end of the school year), but I do remember being drawn into the story from the very first page. From then I became slightly obsessed with the entire series, and was given the box set for my birthday soon after. I read and reread those books so often my mother had to tell me to be sure to include some other books and authors in my reading schedule – which I did, but I always went back to Laura for at least a brief visit.

However, I had not read any of the books in the series since becoming an adult, and it was interesting to read them with a different perspective on a lot of the topics and themes. I don’t want to say that the books lost some of their magic, because they were still wonderful, but I did not have the same special, happy feeling I had when I read them as a child. Maybe now because I was thinking of Ma having to do all of the housework and chores without modern conveniences or Pa protecting his family from wild animals that were literally at their doorstep. I also appreciated the song lyrics more than when I was young.

This was excellent comfort reading for me, and I am happily going to revisit more books in the series in the weeks and months ahead.

Happy wedding week!! Hope everything goes smoothly!

I've read Little House in the Big Woods to my second graders for the past few years now. I hope they remember it that way too! I like how it makes them think beyond their own way of living. Making your own entertainment, depending on land and nature, not seeing a town or two houses standing together for the first several years of your life!

>90 jennyifer24: Thanks! Things are going as well as they can, I suppose...but I am ready to be off of work for a week!! The real fun will begin tomorrow, when I have to double and triple-check my lists to make sure I have everything packed to take up to Michigan :)

Do your students enjoy the Little House read aloud? Do you only read about the Big Woods, or do you continue with Little House on the Prairie and Farmer Boy? In my LHITBW reread, I noticed a lot more instances of Laura and Mary knowing they needed to obey their parents, do as they were told, be polite, not speak unless spoken to, mind their manners, etc. I know most kids today would not behave like that on a regular basis...if at all!

Haha I hope that part rubs off on them!! I emphasize the behavior parts ;-)
I just do Big Woods because I like to read a variety of books during the year. I usually have a few kiddos each year who continue reading the series from the library. I like this one because they do all (for the most part) like it. There are lots of outdoors stories with good adventure- the panther, the two bears, the bee tree, hunting, etc. and then the chores are interesting to them because it's so different. Part of our social studies curriculum is learning about the past in our community and really, Wisconsin and Michigan are pretty similar- a local nature center even has a pioneer cabin from the same time period. The kids really get to make some good connections with the book there.

>85 aktakukac: My favorite thing about telling someone from Michigan that I've been there is that when they ask me "Where?" they hold up their hand for the visual instead of me naming the town (and, for the record and since you can't see my hand, it was Kalamazoo!).

Thinking of you today with love and best wishes! Hope it's just a lovely, perfect day. Can't wait to hear all about it!

We spent our anniversary cooking mostly. Tomorrow is Greek Easter, and we have a crowd coming over!

>94 AMQS: Christos Anesti!

Rachel, best wishes for you and your beloved!

>92 jennyifer24: I'd also want to read a variety of books to my class during the school year. We had a field trip in 4th grade to an old stone school and dressed up in clothes from the time period. By that point I was definitely obsessed with the Little House books and thoroughly enjoyed the day.

>93 bell7: Haha! I have done the hand pointing thing so many times I have lost count :) I've been to Kalamazoo many times and whenever I hear the name now, I think of the Glenn Miller song with Kalamazoo in the title. Then it's stuck in my head for the rest of the day!

>94 AMQS: and >95 foggidawn: Thank you both! It was a rainy day, but it was wonderful and other than my flowers not being what they were supposed to be, everything was practically perfect! The cake and reception hall decorations were both beyond amazing :) I'll try to post some pictures once people send them to me or I get some from the photographers. After the wedding, we went to the Upper Peninsula and Mackinac Island for a few days. Yesterday our families came over so we could have lunch and open gifts. I have been busy organizing my/our things, writing thank you notes, and we are hoping the weather will cooperate so we can get some crops planted this week. Hopefully I will have a bit more time for reading, too :)

Book # 21: Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

When I read the Little House Books as a child, this was one of my favorites. I loved how the Ingalls Family were really being pioneers – they did not have a town close by, and they had to start totally from scratch once they picked a place to settle down and build their homestead. As an adult, I was struck by how extremely isolated they really were, and I was impressed with Ma’s strength and ability to cope with a variety of situations that must have been tremendously frightening and stressful. A solid re-read for me.

Book # 22: Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder

This was another of my favorites in the series when I was young. There were several parts I had forgotten about, but reading them again was wonderful. Reading about all the farm work, housework, and things that had to be done made me feel exhausted. And the food that Mother, Eliza Jane, and Alice prepared for EVERY meal! My goodness, that was a lot!

I plan on rereading the rest of the series, hopefully later this year, but I am going to take a break for now and concentrate on some of the other books I have had sitting in piles (and continuously renewing at work!) so I can return them…and possibly lower the number of library checkouts I have…

Book # 23: Racing the Sun by Karina Halle

Amber has been backpacking across several continents when she runs out of money in Italy. Since she doesn’t want to go back home to California, she gets a job teaching English to two Italian children on the island of Capri. The job turns into more of a nanny position, which is complicated by the fact that Amber is falling for the children’s older brother and guardian, who happens to be Amber’s boss. Derio, a former motorcycle racer who has suffered through multiple tragedies in his life, and Amber try to have a relationship and take care of his siblings. Things may or may not work out between them – Amber might not be able or want to stay in Italy with him, and he might not be able to overcome his past and look to a future with her.

I loved the setting and author’s descriptions. I read somewhere that Halle is a former travel writer, and that certainly showed throughout the novel. I definitely enjoyed that more than the plot or romance of the story. Some of the dialogue and vocabulary could have been improved, and I did not care much for Derio’s character. Still, I’d be willing to read more by Halle if I need something easy, fast-paced, and that takes place in a wonderful setting.

Book # 24: Paper Hearts by Meg Wiviott

I hardly ever read a novel written in verse, but I had had this book sitting in my office for too long and decided it was time to try it out. While it did not have the same impact on me that other Holocaust-related novels have had, I was still very impressed with it, and some parts resonated extremely well.

*SLIGHT SPOILERS*

Based on the true story of two girls who were at Auschwitz together, this novel tells their stories of survival, courage, and friendship. The girls, Zlatka and Fania, along with some other girls, lost their families and everything when they were sent (separately) to Auschwitz. The girls had to work in a munitions factory, and somehow managed to stay alive until they were saved at Ravensbrück, when that camp was liberated. During their time at Auschwitz, the girls defied the Nazis and made a special present – the actual paper hearts – which still exist in a museum in Montreal. At the end of the book, the author wrote about what was true, what changes she made for the novel, and other historical information.

Recommended not only as a novel in verse, but for a worthwhile fiction book about the Holocaust.

>100 aktakukac: I must go and find that one, Rachel.

Have a great weekend.

>101 PaulCranswick: I hope it will be a worthwhile read for you, Paul!

Making the rounds of various threads and happy to see you have been reading/re-reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. They were a childhood favorite of mine. My parents bought the complete set - same covers as your posts - for my sister and I to read. You are making me think it is high time I did a re-read of my own.

>103 lkernagh: Hi, Lori! You should do a re-read for sure! I'm definitely enjoying reading through them! I received the set of books for my birthday when I was nine or so, and I read through them so many times that I'm surprised the covers are still attached :) The next one I'll read is On the Banks of Plum Creek, which was never a particular favorite when I was younger, but I'm looking forward to reading it as an adult and seeing what I take away from this reread.

Well, life since the wedding has been pretty much what I was expecting. As soon as we got back from a few days in the Upper Peninsula and northern Michigan, I was bombarded at work with school visits, classes coming to the library for a story time/library tour/summer reading presentation, and finishing up planning Summer Reading. That's been going on since last week, and I'm ready for July when it will be over! It doesn't help that I am getting several extra hours on the desk each week because of all the vacation time the staff has...I'm lucky if I get a chance to sit down and check my e-mail at some point during the day! I just keep reminding myself that Summer Reading won't last forever (even if it feels like it will!) and that I'll get my vacation time later :)

The weather finally started cooperating, so we were able to get all the corn and soybeans planted before June 1, and have moved on to doing some equipment repairs and other tasks like that. The wheat (my favorite crop!) has slowly started to turn and looks quite good, so that should be ready to combine (my favorite type of harvest!) in another three or four weeks or so, depending on the weather, of course.

Over Memorial Day weekend, my siblings and I, who live in four different states, all managed to surprise our parents for their 40th wedding anniversary. I also took care of a neighbor/coworker's horse that weekend. We had a big storm come through that uprooted mature trees, damaged a barn roof, and caused other havoc, but thankfully nobody was injured.

I have been able to get some reading done, and I hope to get some reviews and comments up soon. I hope to visit threads on a more regular basis, as well. I haven't been doing any deep reading or anything, but I'm just happy to be reading on a more regular basis, and will try to get back into a children's book-YA book-adult book routine at some point...or maybe I'll just give myself the summer to read what I feel like...hmm, will have to ponder that...

Book# 25: Fiona by Meredith Moore

Fiona, or Fee, as she prefers, is offered a job in her late mother’s hometown in Scotland. She takes the opportunity to leave her life in Texas and hopes to learn more about her mother’s family. Fee works as a nanny to a young girl whose parents were killed in a car accident. Her mother suffered from a mental illness, and there are times when Fee wonders if she is showing signs of developing it, too. As her relationships with Poppy, the child she is responsible for and Poppy’s older brother develop, so do a series of events and incidents that make Fee question her real reason for being in Scotland as well as her sanity.

There are twists and turns which keep the story interesting, but the plot does drag at times. Overall, I enjoyed reading the novel, will read more by the author, and think teens or adults who appreciate a “dark” mystery should give this book a try.

Book # 26: Book: My Autobiography by John Agard

A history of the written word, told from the point of view of Book. There were some interesting tidbits and I was able to learn some things from this short juvenile non-fiction work, but it seemed like it was trying to be too cute or appealing at times. Quotes and illustrations were scattered throughout the book, which generally added to the information presented.

Book # 27: Finding Fraser by KC Dyer

I haven’t read any of the Outlander books in years, and really should just go back and start reading the series from the beginning. I also haven’t even finished season one of the TV show (I know, I know, but I've been busy). But I decided to read this book, as I needed something easy and it sounded like it would fit the bill.

Emma, a big Outlander fan, sells everything she owns and goes to Scotland to find a real-life Jamie Fraser. She blogs about her experiences along the way. There’s more to the story, as well as an assortment of characters who help move the story along.

I don’t know if it was my mood, or what, but I quickly lost patience with the book. It wasn’t terrible, and it was nice to read about lots of places in Scotland, but I didn’t care for the character of Emma. It also seemed to drag on at times.

Not horrible, but could have been better.

Book # 28: Love Will Always Find You by Claire Matthews

Romance with a mystery about a dog walker/aspiring writer and a cop. When Evie goes to her boyfriend’s apartment to turn down his marriage proposal, she does not expect to find him murdered. Evidence soon points toward her. She and Luke, a police officer who she met before the murder, have to clear her name and avoid being a target for someone who would like to see Evie dead as well.

Don’t read this book if you aren’t willing to suspend reality on more than occasion. Sometimes the plot was too far-fetched and I had to shake my head, roll my eyes, and then remember that this is a work of fiction and anything could happen. I wish more editing had been done before it was published, and it would have been nice for the author to have consulted a thesaurus while she was writing the novel.

Book # 29: Come Back to Me by Mila Gray

Surprisingly emotional, thoughtful, and well-written mature YA/New Adult romance that deals with forbidden love, the military, PTSD, grief, siblings, and more. I honestly didn’t expect much from this book, but I’m glad I read it. I will look for the author’s next book that apparently will focus on one of the secondary characters from this one.

Book # 30: Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War by Various Authors

A collection of short stories that have one thing in common: the stories revolve in some way around November 11, 1918, or Armistice Day. I had read novels by some of the authors before, but the majority of the authors were new to me. A few of the stories resonated with me much more than others. There were a couple of times when I skimmed through the pages because I wasn’t connecting with the story. Overall, a good, but not great collection, but it should provide nice reading for those who enjoy short stories or historical fiction with a connection to WWI.

Book# 31: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (Reread)

I haven’t been doing much re-reading in recent years, but I did want to read this one again before seeing the movie, and before reading the follow-up novel. This time around, I didn’t cry as much, and I noticed the dialogue, minor characters, and humor more. Will still made me angry, and I think I was able to appreciate Louisa in different ways.



Book # 32: After You by Jojo Moyes

It was didn’t have the same charm as Me Before You, but it was interesting to see where Moyes went with her storylines. I had predicted some parts of the story, but was surprised by others. I’m not trying to be vague, but I don’t want to give any spoilers from the first book or the second.

I have enjoyed all of the novels Moyes has written that I have already read, and would like to read more by her...but I think I will take a break from her books for a bit.

Book # 33: Veil of Time by Claire R. McDougall

A long “time travel” novel set in Scotland…but it does not come even remotely close to being comparable to Outlander.

Maggie has suffered from epilepsy her entire life, and is scheduled to have surgery, which will hopefully be a cure from the seizures she has been enduring. She and her husband have separated, mainly because they have grown apart after the death of their epileptic daughter, which was caused by a seizure. Maggie decides to stay in a remote cabin in northern Scotland and work on her research and thesis on witchcraft.

During her seizures, Maggie has dreams that transport her to the 8th Century, where she meets Fergus, brother of the king. While the details of life in the 700’s are interesting and fairly well-written, I lost interest because the story dragged on and on and on. The seizures/dreams were not explained well enough to describe how Maggie was able to travel back in time (and she conveniently was able to be right where she needed or wanted to be whenever she arrived back in time).

There was no chemistry between Maggie and Fergus. McDougall’s writing was not paced well, and the second half of the too-long novel was painfully slow. If you are an 8th Century Celtic fanatic, this may be worth reading, but otherwise, skip it. There are enough books involving time travel and/or Scotland out there to find something MUCH better and worth your time.

Book # 34: A Walk in the Sun by Michelle Zink

Rose, who is about to graduate from high school, grew up on a farm and orchard in New York State with her parents. Her mother recently passed away, and her father has not been able to come to terms with the loss. Rose has had to take over managing the farm and doing all the work required to keep it functioning. Even though she dreams of traveling and figuring out what she wants to do with her life, she is tied to the farm and cannot leave it.

Rose’s aunt has hired Bohdi to be a farmhand and help get things back in order during the summer. He has been on his own since he left his abusive father when he was 14. Bohdi and Rose have an instant connection, but since he won’t be around after the summer, is it worth developing their relationship? Will Rose’s father ever be able to deal with his depression and grief? Will Bohdi’s presence on the farm be helpful or a hindrance?

I enjoyed this book, although I had a couple of minor issues with a couple of parts. They didn’t take away from the story; it was just me being picky. I was not thrilled with the cover, either.

Book # 35: A Bride’s Story, Volume 4 by Kaoru Mori

I’m slowly making my way through this manga series, which is set along the Silk Road in the 19th Century. This installment was the most humorous so far! In this volume, two high-spirited, identical twins who live along the Aral Sea try many schemes, tricks, plans, and proposals to find husbands. Very delightful, entertaining, and as usual, breathtaking illustrations.

Book # 36: Paper Wishes by Lois Sepahban

Children’s historical fiction about a Japanese-American family from Bainbridge Island, Washington, who are sent to Manzanar Internment Camp during WWII. It also involves a dog, so it’s extra moving (but don’t let that deter you if you normally aren’t a fan of animal stories). It was a bit different from some of the other children’s fiction that deal with Japanese-American internment, and is worth picking up.

I've never read Outlander but it sounds like I should!

>117 jennyifer24: YES, YES YOU SHOULD!! Since school's out for the summer, you really should start the first one now :) I've been wanting to start reading the series again for years...I think I read the first three and started the fourth, but it's been so long since I read them, and they are so good, I should just start from the beginning again.

I think I need a week to just do nothing but read. That would be so nice right now!!

Book # 37: Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase
Isn’t this cover absolutely stunning?! It has to be one of my favorite covers of 2016 (so far)…and it was a very good read, too!

Some chapters of this novel are set in the 1960s, when Amber and her family are spending the summer at Black Rabbit Hall, a large estate in rural Wales. A happy, loving family, they are forever changed by a tragic event (or events) that take place one stormy evening. The other sections take place in the present day, where Lorna and her fiancé are searching for a venue to hold their wedding. They stumble across Black Rabbit Hall (or Pencraw Hall, as it is actually known) and Lorna feels a connection to the place that she can’t stop wondering about.

As is typically the case with these types of stories, there are connections between the two time periods. The way they were written, some of those links were not obvious (at least to me) and were skillfully woven into the plot. I don’t want to give away too much, so I will recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a well-written gothic story, novels about remote houses, or family secrets.

Eve Chase is a wonderful storyteller, and if this novel is any indication, her future books will automatically land on my reading list.

>118 aktakukac: I was thinking the same thing today, about wanting a week to just read -- but I'd probably spend too much time online, and not enough time reading, just like I do on my day off!

>119 aktakukac: Oooh, sold! Adding it to my wishlist - thanks for the review!

>120 foggidawn: I was talking to a mom and her sons earlier this week as they were checking out some books. She mentioned how the boys like to read for an hour every day, and she uses that time to read as well. Then I decided I needed a day to get a lot of reading done, but would need more like a week because I have too many books checked out right now! Maybe that would make small a dent in the pile :)

>121 scaifea: Yay! It's an engaging and atmospheric read. Hope you'll enjoy it!

Book # 38: The Lifeboat Clique by Kathy Parks

After a tsunami crashes into the California coast, Denver and a small group of teenagers find themselves stranded in a small boat somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. They have extremely limited resources and have to face the elements, dehydration, and starvation. Denver isn’t sure which is worse – the situation she is dealing with in the boat, or the people she is stuck with. They are all popular high schoolers (while Denver most definitely is not), and one of the girls is Denver’s ex-best friend, Abigail. As the story progresses, the history of Denver and Abigail’s friendship and the reasons for the end of that friendship are brought to light.

Who will be able to survive the catastrophe? Will they ever be rescued? And will the girls ever be able to forgive each other for past mistakes?

I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to. It’s “Mean Girls” meets “Life of Pi,” and well worth reading.

Looks like you've had some great reads recently! 37 and 38 are going on the wish list!

>124 jennyifer24: Thanks...I'm trying to get caught up on my reviews and hope they'll be good reads for you, too!

So, I just put three holds on books I'd like to read before our vacation/actual honeymoon later this summer. That's not counting the oh, nine or ten books I already have checked out or on hold for the trip. I'm counting travel guides, tour books, and things like that, but it still adds up! I would like to read a few (fiction) books set in or around the places we'll be heading to just to help build excitement for the trip and to get in the right frame of mind.

I tried doing this last year before I took a nice vacation, and I sent back most of the books unread. Hopefully I'll get some of them read in the upcoming weeks! Maybe it will help motivate me to do some actual planning and organizing for the trip, because I haven't done much of that yet!

>117 jennyifer24: & >118 aktakukac: I just finished the first Outlander book :-)

>126 FAMeulstee: Hi, Anita! What did you think of Outlander? Are you going to read more books in the series? I really need to reread it and continue with the series...but I have so many other books to read right now!!

I've spent three and a half exhausting days at work this week with several programs and backup desk hours. After work the last two nights, I've gone to help a friend who is getting ready to move into her husband's family farmhouse. We've moved furniture, put handles and hinges on drawers and cabinets, washed walls, painted, and more. My arms, neck, and shoulders are definitely feeling it today...I wasn't sure I was going to make it out of bed this morning! I haven't read more than a couple of chapters this week, but I have a few more books to comment on that I've finished in June. I'd like to get that done later this afternoon.

>127 aktakukac: I liked the first Outlander book, Rachel.
I have heard mixed opinions on book 2, so I won't buy it at first, but wait for one from the library. That will take a while as I am 5th on the waiting list...

>128 FAMeulstee: Good luck with the second book, Anita! I hope you move up the waiting list quickly!

We had our final party for the children's Summer Reading program, and right when it was to begin, the library lost power for over an hour due to some branches falling on some power lines and lightning striking a transformer on the other side of the parking lot. Thanks to a combination of natural light, backup spotlights in the meeting room, and cell phone flashlights, we were able to have a (shortened) party.

And this morning on my way to work, a cat ran out in front of me and I had no way to avoid hitting it. I then cried for the rest of the drive into town.

I think I should just stay in bed tomorrow, or avoid everyone and everything, since things like this always happen in groups of three...

Book # 39: The Last Execution by Jesper Wung-Sung

Short novel based on true events involving the last execution in a town in Denmark, of a teenage boy in the 1850s. Niels and his father are poor migrant farmhands, and when Niels accidentally burns down a barn while trying to keep warm, he is arrested and put to work breaking rocks. While doing that, the sheriff’s son taunts and provokes him, and Niels accidentally throws a rock at the boy, which strikes him in the head and kills him. Niels is then sentenced to death by beheading.

The chapters in the book take place in the hours leading up to the execution, and partly tell the backstory while also telling the points of view of many other characters.

I struggled with some parts of the book. Many things did not flow well, and I think it was a case of the wrong book at the wrong time for me. That being said, it did give me plenty to think about, and it is a short but powerful book.

Book # 40: Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Woo hoo, I finally listened to an audiobook this year!! It was narrated by the author, and Bray’s narration was spot on. I definitely recommend taking the time to listen to this one!

An airplane full of teenage beauty pageant contestants crashes on a deserted island, and it is up to the survivors to find a way to stay alive, get along with each other, and find a way to be rescued. We get to know several of the contestants, have vastly different personalities, backgrounds, and issues to deal with. They experience all kinds of adventures, and there’s much more to the story than just a simple plane crash.

It took me a bit to understand what all was going on, but once I got into the story, I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. When I finished it, I didn’t want it to be over. There’s plenty of satire and black humor involved, and it was a good thing I listened to this as I was taking long walks down country roads, because I laughed out loud so often that I’m glad nobody was around to hear me!

Now I need to read more by Libba Bray. At some point.

Book # 41: Paperweight by Meg Haston

Teenage Stevie (short for Stephanie) blames herself for her brother’s death in a car accident. She also has issues with her mother’s abandonment, and as a result, has been placed in a treatment facility for the eating disorders she has developed. However, Stevie has a plan to commit suicide on the anniversary of her brother’s death. Will she bond with some of the people at the treatment facility? Will she continue with her plan?

There were many issues covered by this book, including grief, self-worth, mental health, eating disorders, healing, and more. Some of the characters are pretty difficult to like, while others really shine and help the story move forward.

While the plot was slow at times and I didn’t identify with the main character, the story was well written and packs a punch. Expect serious issues and thought-provoking subject matter if you plan on reading this book.

Book # 42: The Oxford Inheritance by Ann A. McDonald

A gothic thriller set in one of the most famous universities in the world
Libraries!
Secret societies, conspiracies, and a mystery going back generations

All of the above apply to this novel, and yet it was absolutely TERRIBLE!

Very, very basic plot summary: Cassie enrolls at Raleigh College at Oxford in order to uncover more about her past – and specifically, about her mother.

The book was ok, meaning things were slowly happening in the plot, the characters were not awful but did not have many redeeming qualities, and the writing was decent enough to make me not want to throw the book at the wall. Some parts of the novel did have appeal, though just barely.

And then, two-thirds of the way through, something is revealed that completely changed everything from the tone to the genre to the plausibility of the story, and it was completely downhill from there. I won’t spoil it in case anyone feels like reading it, but basically the entire book became a huge waste of time.

I am not a writer, but even I could have written this story and it would not have been this dreadful!

Book # 43: Waiting on You by Kristan Higgins

The third book in the Blue Heron series, this was better than the second book. It was another audiobook I listened to while walking and doing chores around the house, and contained more of the humor, storytelling, and characters I have come to associate with the author. I’m ready to listen to the remaining two books in the series, but I will try to wait a bit so I have something to look forward to.

Book # 44: Tom’s Midnight Garden by Phillipa Pearce

A wonderful story I learned about through LT, this was published in 1958. Tom has to stay with his aunt and uncle while his brother is recovering from an illness, and while he is there, he is able to slip back in time. He builds a friendship with a girl named Hatty. The story kept me wondering just how things were going to wrap up at the end, and it is definitely one I’d like to read again in the future. I liked it, but I didn’t love it, and I wonder if that was just my mood at the time I was reading it. Regardless, I highly recommend it for those who enjoy well-written, classic British children’s fiction or time slip stories.

Book # 45: The Edge of Nowhere by Lucy Johnston Sypher

In 1916, young Lucy made a wish that the year would be exciting in Wales, North Dakota, a tiny town close to the Canadian border. She was the only girl there, and wanted a girl to be friends with. Many exciting and notable things happen to Lucy during the first half of the year, including a big fire, blizzards, a new pet, and helping tutor a farm boy who still lived in a sod house.

The author based this, the first of four stories she eventually wrote for her grandchildren, on her life in Wales, although the events were highly fictionalized. She wrote the books in the 1970s.

I enjoyed reading The Edge of Nowhere, and might try to track down some of the other books at some point.

>135 aktakukac: I really, really loved Tom's Midnight Garden. I'm sorry your mood didn't match up to the read - happens to me a lot, too, I think.

Hi Rachel, love hearing about your wedding, your farming, and your busy life! Have things slowed down? My daughter Marina is volunteering in the summer reading program at the library- she's enjoyed it.

Mixed bag of reading, too. Love that you are revisiting the Little House books! Paper Hearts and Black Rabbit Hall look good too (you had me at "Wales").

>137 scaifea: Hi, Amber! I am sure it was a case of reading Tom's Midnight Garden at not quite the right time. I had to get it back to the library because I had renewed it the maximum number of times. It really was a lovely read, and one I will revisit again someday - hopefully then it will be the right book at the right time!

>138 AMQS: Hi, Anne! Things have sort of slowed down, as we don't have to plant or harvest anything for a few months now. We could really use some rain, though. Some of the crops in the area are showing stress, but so far ours are doing okay. We have already finished summer reading here at work, because we have a big art show that takes place in the building starting in a couple of weeks, and we always need time to get the carpets cleaned, set up the frames, judge the entries prior to the opening of the festival, etc. I'm working on a big weeding project now.

My reading so far this year has definitely been a mixed bag! I need to read the next Little House book soon. I'd like to work in a bit more non-fiction at some point, too!

Does Marina have a specific volunteering job at the library, or does she just help with whatever needs to be done?

Book # 46: Romancing the Dark in the City of Light by Ann Jacobus

I read a synopsis of this book, and thought it would be something I’d enjoy. It was most definitely not what I expected, and was much darker than the summary let on. I struggled with it at times, and found it hard to connect with the main character, Summer. The beginning was fairly slow, too, and it seemed like I was never getting the full story or enough information to help me relate to the issues Summer was dealing with.

All Summer has to do is graduate high school and a four-year university, and she will receive the inheritance left to her by her grandfather. She attends a school in Paris, where she and her mother are living. However, she struggles with alcoholism, depression, and suicide. The two male characters were interesting, and may not be what they appear to be.

I think my next YA read needs to be something historical and/or adventurous, because this is the second YA novel I’ve read in a short time that deals with heavy issues, and I need a break from that.

>139 aktakukac: The teen volunteers sit near the entrance of the library and help/encourage kids to sign up for the summer reading program. I think they moved it online this year, though you can still do paper tracking. Then after the big crush of sign-ups they helped patrons log their minutes, receive their prizes, and choose their free books when completed. They also assembled the water bottles and other incentives. She hasn't signed up at the library since a couple of days before the tour, but even by then they had slowed down. The entrance is right by the audiobooks, so she was asked a few times to check the audio CDs -- to make sure they are all there, in order, gunk-free, etc.

>141 AMQS: Sounds great! We aren't allowed to have volunteers at my library, unfortunately.

Book # 47: A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Juvenile historical fiction set in East Berlin after the Berlin Wall is put up. Gerta, her mother, and brother Fritz are separated from her father and other brother when the wall divides them. Life is not easy for the family members who are stuck in East Berlin, partially due to Gerta’s father’s past.

Four years later, the Wall is still up, and Gerta sees her father on the other side. He sends her a message: he wants her to dig a tunnel and escape to the West! Gerta and Fritz begin to do that, but there is no way to know if they can finish before Fritz is required to join the military, they are discovered by the police, or they are turned in by either friends or enemies. There is also no way to know if the tunnel will be safe enough for them to escape, as other East Germans have tried the same plan and died in the process.

The audio version of this story was especially fantastic. There was just the right amount of excitement, humor, and tension to help move the plot along. There were some bits at the end that did seem a bit overdone and not quite realistic.

While this is a great middle grade read, and I could see it working well as a read aloud in upper elementary classes, I wish the author had included more knowledge about Communism, why the Wall was built, the Cold War, and the like, as I think many young readers are not very familiar with that time period.

>140 aktakukac:
Have you ever read Bloody Jack? I thought it was a fun adventure story, and there are a lot in the series.

>144 jennyifer24: I have the Bloody Jack series on my reading list, but I haven't started reading them yet. I'll listen to them, because they were narrated by my favorite narrator.

I read a couple pages in a YA book, Longbow Girl, last night. It's supposedly "a gorgeously written tale that weaves together history, legend, adventure, and romance to explore the themes of who we are and who we can become when fighting for what we love." So that sounds promising and not as intense as my previous YA reads!

Book # 48: Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Engaging juvenile non-fiction that was much more than a biography of Mary Mallon. I was not very familiar with Mary Mallon, so I learned quite a bit from this book. The author presented a wide range of views from the time period (early 20th Century), and used information, statistics, and data that would be easy for (middle grade) children to relate to. Other topics that came up include ethics, patient confidentiality, social views and attitudes, civil rights, and journalism practices of the time. It was a quick read/listen, too.

>145 aktakukac: Ah, another Kellgren fan! The Bloody Jack series is Kellgren at her best, in my opinion.

>147 foggidawn: Yes! I'd listen to Katherine Kellgren read just about anything! Not long after I moved back to the USA several years ago, I was searching for an audiobook in my tiny hometown library. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, and decided to try A Rather Lovely Inheritance. Before I'd even made it across town (and by town, I mean a village with one four-way blinking stoplight), I was hooked on her voice and narration style.

I've listened to a variety of novels she's done, so it's good to know you think the Bloody Jack ones are so excellent. I might have to move them up a bit on my audio list, now that I'm listening to them more often!

I'm particularly fond of The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series as far as Kellgren goes, but I know they aren't for everyone...

>148 aktakukac: Oh, I like those, too. And right now I'm listening to The Queen of the Tearling and enjoying it. I also loved her narration of Dearest. There have been a few books she's done where the writing was so mediocre even she couldn't save them for me, but most of the time I like the books she does.

>143 aktakukac: Looks an interesting read Rachel but your observation about communism is acute. I find the school leaving generation have no idea today of the holocaust, the purges, Stalin and communism and if they do a little they treat as much as ancient history as Hannibal or the Trojan war. Failure of schooling and parenting.

>149 foggidawn: I've considered The Queen of the Tearling but have seen some varying reviews. I'll have to check your review soon! I usually like the books she narrates, too...when I discover she's done one I already wanted to read, it's the icing on top of the cake!

>150 PaulCranswick: Thanks for visiting my thread, Paul! I thought A Night Divided was a worthwhile read, but as I listened to the story, I had a nagging feeling that a little more explanation would really help young readers understand the story and get much more out of it.

Book # 49: My Last Continent by Midge Raymond

I stumbled upon this book thanks to an email at work, and I immediately placed a hold on it. When it arrived, I set aside everything else I was reading and started it as soon as I could.

From the beginning, the reader knows there is a shipwreck in Antarctica. There is no doubt that it will be a major catastrophe, and the possibility of survivors being rescued is uncertain if not unlikely.

Deb is a scientist who does research in Antarctica during part of the year. She also works on a ship, where she gives presentations, tours, and helps the tourists who want to see the continent. She is in a relationship with Keller, another scientist, and the story of how they met, as well as how and why they love Antarctica so much, are told throughout the novel. The structure of the book takes a while to get used to, as it is told at different points in time prior to the shipwreck.

Keller is on the ship that is sinking.

I loved the wonderfully descriptive writing, the facts and depiction of Antarctica, and was caught up in the present-day story with the shipwreck. Deb and Keller’s backstory was important, but at times it was slow and I had to push through to get ahead in the story.

I was quite impressed with this novel. It’s unlike anything I have read in a long time, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to get close to Antarctica without leaving home.

Book # 50: Must Be Love by Cathy Woodman

Almost two years ago, I read the first book in this series. I tracked down a copy of this, the second book, and while it wasn’t quite as good, it was still nice to get a taste of a British vet’s life in a small village. The series counts as chick lit, which was especially apparent in this installment, but it’s not mindless fluff…usually.

Maz and her best friend Emma are partners and owners of a (small animal) veterinary clinic in Talyton St. George. Maz is involved with Alex, who runs a vet practice with his father and specializes in farm animals. Maz and Emma need to find a new employee because Emma will be taking maternity leave soon. They hire an Australian man who doesn’t take things as seriously as Maz would like.

I don’t want to say more because that would involve spoilers. I wasn’t a fan of some of the things that happened in the story, but that has to be expected in chick lit sometimes. I get squeamish pretty easily, but I could handle all the animal-related incidents, and it was nice to take another look at small-town life from a vet’s point of view.

At some point I’ll read the next in the series, but not for some time, as I know there are other books to read first.

Book # 51: The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

Even though I’ve had this book on my to-read list ever since it was published, I have managed to avoid spoilers for it. It seems like every time I went to check it out, it would already be checked out or being used for a book club somewhere. When I saw the trailer for the film recently, I knew I had to read it now.

Tom has returned to Australia after fighting in Europe in WWI. He becomes the lighthouse keeper at a remote lighthouse off the western edge of Australia, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. He marries Isabel, and they make a decision that will impact their marriage and the lives of several people.

I was drawn into Tom and Isabel’s story from the beginning, and I am glad I was able to read it knowing almost nothing about the plot. A solid, compelling novel that is worth reading.

Eee, is there a film coming out? I need to dig it out and read it, then. I don't precisely know why I urgently feel I need to read books before their movies come out since I rarely see movies, but there it is:) Glad you enjoyed The Light Between the Oceans.

>155 AMQS: I vaguely remember hearing they were making a film, but must have forgotten about it, because when the trailer came up I was surprised. After reading The Light Between Oceans, I want to see the movie, but I will probably wait until it comes out on DVD. I should try to pay more attention to books that are being made into movies, but I usually forget to check. It just seems like there are too many other things to do!

Book # 52: Longbow Girl by Linda Davies

Oh, did I enjoy this one! Fantastic story! Merry is a teenage girl who lives in Wales. She is best friends with James, and their families have a long and strained relationship that goes back centuries. Merry’s family received land with the stipulation that someone in each generation would be an archer and protect royalty with a longbow. Due to an accident with the bow in the past, Merry is blind in one eye.

Merry’s family has some financial problems, partially due to James’s family. One day, Merry discovers something from Welsh folklore that could help solve the money issues…or it could lead to murder.

There is a wonderful time travel aspect in this novel, as well. It took a while to get there (I was beginning to wonder if it would ever happen, in fact) but the build up to that part of the story was well worth it.

I highly recommend this, and could even see it being in my top ten of the year. A well written, interesting story that keeps the reader engaged and wondering, well-crafted historical fiction/time travel features, a brilliant friendship, strong characters I want to know personally, and more make this novel worth reading.

Book # 53: The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi

I don’t typically read or listen to much fantasy. It’s something I would like to work on, however, and I have read some YA fantasy in the past that I really liked.

When I started this novel, I thought the beginning had promise. But not too far in, I lost interest. The writing was gorgeous, but it started to get old very quickly. The world-building was also lacking for me, which is one of the main reasons I struggled with it. The plot dragged out and made me want to skim the rest of the story. Most of the characters were fairly dull – but there is a talking horse!

I have a feeling people who read more fantasy than I do might have other opinions about this one. It was just not the right book for me.

>157 aktakukac: Oooh, that one sounds wonderful! For some reason, I'm a sucker for stories set in Wales. Or at least all of the ones I've read happen to have been amazing. At any rate, I'm adding this one to the list - thanks!

>159 scaifea: Amber, Longbow Girl was wonderful! It's exactly the type of story I would have loved as a teen. I think it's the third novel I've read this year that was set in Wales, and I have one or two more in a pile I'd like to read later this year.

Book # 54: One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Emma and Jesse, high school sweethearts, get married and plan to live happily ever after. They don’t plan on Jesse’s helicopter crashing in the Pacific Ocean, with no survivors found. When that happens, Emma moves back to Massachusetts and goes back to work at the bookstore her family owns. After a while, she is able to put her life back together and move on…she gets engaged to an old friend, Sam, who worked with her at the bookstore when they were in high school.

Then, a few years later, Jesse is found. Alive. Will Emma and Jesse be able to put their lives back together and strive for that fairy tale ending after all? Will she decide to stay with Sam? Or will something else happen that will influence Emma’s decision?

I was impressed with parts of this story, and how it kept me wondering until the end. I had not read anything by this author before, although I had another title on my reading list. After reading this (and it was a quick read!) I will look for more by her in the future.

Book # 55: The Cat Who Came In Off the Roof by Annie M.G. Schmidt

I listened to Katherine Kellgren narrate this translation of a Dutch children’s classic. I can see how it appeals to children. There are lots of cats, dogs, and a cat that has become human. Tibble, a newspaper reporter with a problem getting stories, is able to get help with stories (and town gossip) from the cats. But not everyone is happy with some of the things they discover.

The story does feel a bit dated, but in a good way. It’s also predictable, but that doesn’t take away from its charm.

Book # 56: A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

First, let me say that I have only read one or two Sherlock Holmes stories, so I did not know what to expect going into this.

The descendants of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson attend the same boarding school in the US, and before we know it, they are sleuthing around, trying to solve a case. They have no choice, as Jamie Watson is being framed for murder, and Charlotte Holmes becomes a suspect as well.

It was not quite what I expected, but it was a good mystery. Although I am no expert on Holmes or Conan Doyle, it was obvious the author knew how to include bits of the original stories and characters to make this a read that Sherlock Holmes fans will enjoy.

Book # 57: The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson

I picked up this book because of the setting: Prince Edward Island. The plot also sounded like it would appeal to me. Marie, who is running away/hiding from an incident in her past, agrees to help an older widow decorate and renovate a bed-and-breakfast on the island in time for tourist season. The man, Jack, has a nephew, Seth, who is also helping fix up the B&B. Naturally, Marie and Seth don’t get along. A series of problems take place that will make it difficult to open in time for the tourists. Will Marie be able to come to terms with her past? Will she and Seth be able to work together? Will Jack end up in debt?

The setting was lovely, but the story itself was lacking. I didn’t like how Marie’s past was dealt with. Seth could have been a much more developed character. The story itself was too slow. I haven’t read any Christian fiction in a while, and this didn’t sit well with me for various reasons. I don’t plan to continue with the series. I do, however, feel like visiting PEI again!

>161 aktakukac: Hmm, One True Loves sounds kind of interesting...

>165 foggidawn: The premise was interesting, and it was an emotional read at times, too. It made me think about how people change during different stages of their lives. It's definitely not a bad read, and it's the kind of story you want to read all in one sitting :)

Book # 58: Lost Among the Living by Simone St. James

Simone St. James writes gothic-paranormal-historical-suspense novels that are one of my go-to comfort reads. There is something about the way she writes that pulls me in from the very first line and leaves me thinking about the stories and characters long after I’ve finished reading them.

After Jo’s husband, Alex, disappeared when his plane was shot down over Germany in WWI, she became a paid companion and secretary to his Aunt Dottie. They traveled across Europe, purchasing art, before returning to the family estate, Wych Elm House, on the Sussex coast. When they arrive at the estate, Jo meets Alex’s Uncle Robert, cousin Martin, and learns about the suicide of Frances, Dottie and Robert’s youngest child.

While at Wych Elm House, Jo begins to realize she didn’t know a lot of things about her husband. She also sees the ghost of Frances and believes Frances was murdered. The more she uncovers, the more dangerous things become for Jo.

There were some plot developments that I could see coming a mile away, but they were well-crafted and necessary. I enjoyed this novel quite a bit more than the one the author published last year, but that had to do with the plot. I know not everyone enjoys the type of book that St. James writes, but if you do, you’ll love this one.

Book # 59: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

A robot ends up on an island inhabited by a variety of wildlife. Roz and the animals must work together and get along, especially after she becomes the mother of an orphaned gosling and when outsiders come to get Roz. While it’s not going to be a favorite children’s book of mine, I do appreciate the use of science fiction and nature. I enjoyed the audio version, although the print book has great illustrations that will appeal to children, and I could see it being a fun read aloud as well.

Book # 60: Jackaby by William Ritter

This had been on my radar for quite a while, and I listened to the audio while I walked. There were times I had to keep walking because I didn’t want to stop listening!

Abigail Rook arrives in New Fiddleham and becomes an assistant to an eccentric detective, R.F. Jackaby. Jackaby deals with the supernatural and paranormal, and Abigail takes this pretty much in stride. They soon have a serial killer to find, before he/she/it finds them.

I wasn’t expecting so much humor in this story, but I loved it. Ritter’s writing style and the world he has created are marvelous, and I am eager to continue reading this series.

Book # 61: The Madwoman Upstairs by Catherine Lowell

I had high hopes for this novel. Samantha, the last surviving member of the Brontë family, is given clues and goes on a search for the family’s long-lost estate.

I did not like the main character, the pacing was too slow, and the relationship between Samantha and her professor, Orville. It was clear that Lowell knows a lot about the Brontë family and I liked how their novels were tied into the book.

Other readers will probably like this one more than I did. It’s just not the right book for me.

Book # 62: It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

I’ve had success with some of Hoover’s books (the Slammed books, for instance), and been frustrated and discouraged by others (Never Never). It took a while for me to get into the flow of this one, but once I was drawn in, I couldn’t out it down.

Lily Bloom grew up with a father who abused her mother. She also met a homeless student, Atlas, when she was in high school. Although they fell in love, they haven’t seen each other in years. Lily meets a neurosurgeon named Ryle, and eventually they start dating. She starts her own business, a flower shop, and things seem to be going wonderfully.

Then some things happen (I don’t want to give any spoilers) and Lily must decide what kind of person she wants to be and what she must do to be that person.

This book packs a punch, and it also made me so angry at times because I didn’t want certain characters and situations to be what they were. The author’s comments at the end of the book are worth reading and showed how her own life influenced parts of this novel.

Book # 63: The Wolf Princess by Cathryn Constable

A children’s book I have had on my reading list for a while. Sophie, and orphaned girl who attends a boarding school in London, goes on a school trip to Russia with her two friends. Sophie has always dreamed about Russia and snow. When they arrive in Russia, a series of events takes them to a remote palace full of history, legends, and people who may not be who they say they are.

I liked the story well enough, although it did drag on a bit. The girls were extremely gullible and naïve, which was annoying at time. Overall, it’s still a nice read for children interested in Russia and fairy tale type stories.

Book # 64: The Farmette Cookbook: Recipes and Adventures from My Life on an Irish Farm by Imen McDonnell

I saw this cookbook on LT and it sounded interesting. The author, an America, married an Irish dairy farmer and gave up her job and moved to Ireland. The cookbook contains a variety of recipes, including traditional Irish favorites, a large selection of breads, cakes, and desserts, and American foods with some twists and modifications. Since they live on a dairy farm, many recipes include dairy products, and there is a section on traditional dairy skills like making butter, cheeses, and the like. I enjoyed browsing through the recipes, and even copied down a few to try. The author’s love story and appreciation for her new home also added to the collection.

Book # 65: Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

If you are looking for a YA western with a headstrong, spunky female protagonist, look no further. I haven’t read many true classic westerns, and this one definitely fits the bill. For a while at the beginning, I even wondered what I had gotten myself into by picking this one up…but it was so worth it!

Kate is 18 years old, and the novel starts out with her father being tortured and murdered and their house (in Arizona) being burned to the ground. She knows who killed him, and is immediately after revenge. Kate’s father owned a journal with maps to a legendary gold mine in southern Arizona. As she tracks and hunts down the members of the Rose Riders, the gang of outlaws responsible for his murder, she gets unexpected help from a pair of brothers and an Apache girl who is around her age. Kate only wants to kill the outlaws, while the brothers are interested in the gold.

Along the way to the Superstition Mountains, where the mine is supposedly located, there are shoot-outs, poker games, dust storms, more shoot-outs, and some unexpected twists that keep things, especially the ending, incredibly exciting. There’s also a bit of romance, but the main focus is on Kate’s plan for revenge.

The novel was written in a type of cowboy/western dialect, and I was not put off by it at all. I could see where it might bother some readers, but I thought it added an extra dimension to the story. Although this is a standalone novel, there is a companion novel due out sometime next year, and I will definitely be reading that. I am very glad I finally read this western!

Happy weekend to my favorite newlywed!

Ooh, you got me with >157 aktakukac: Longbow Girl. Like >159 scaifea: Amber, I love a story set in Wales. My mom's side of the family comes from Wales.

>175 AMQS: Ohh, yay! I think you will really like Longbow Girl, Anne! I've enjoyed all of the books I've read this year that were set in Wales. Hopefully that streak will continue in the future. Have you ever been there?

Book # 66: That Part Was True by Deborah McKinlay

Eve and Jack begin corresponding when she writes him a quick letter saying how much she enjoyed his latest book. Eve is a divorced British woman whose daughter is getting married. Jack is a famous American author whose wife has recently left him. Eve and Jack write to each other about food, books, and their lives. They provide advice and try to help each other with the various issues they have in their lives. After many months, when Jack suggests meeting in Paris, will Eve join him? What will happen in their lives if they do meet?

I listened to the audio version, which was narrated by Katherine Kellgren and L.J. Ganser. It wasn’t quite what I was expecting at first, but I grew to enjoy and appreciate the story. I finished listening to it as I was driving home from visiting my family, and I got mad at a certain part toward the end. I thought it was the actual end of the book, but it wasn’t, and I had to go back and re-read the last couple of pages after I got home. I won’t say any more than that to avoid spoilers…

Book # 67: This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

A mistyped e-mail address leads to two teenagers, Graham and Ellie, starting to correspond by e-mail. They don’t tell each other many specific details about themselves, so Ellie has no idea that Graham is the most famous teen actor in the world. When he figures out where she lives, he manages to get his next movie filmed in her hometown so he can meet her. Ellie, however, has been keeping some things about her life secret from not only Graham, but her best friend and the entire town. Because of the secret, Ellie feels she can’t be in Graham’s life, or can she?

I really liked the first part of the book. It was cute, funny, and sweet. The second half dragged on a bit, but I still liked reading it and liked the characters. I wish there had been more e-mails or texts thrown in.

Book # 68: Happy Again by Jennifer E. Smith

This novella picks up a while after This Is What Happy Looks Like ends. It was too short, and had a slightly different feel from the first. Still a nice quick read that had me smiling.

Book # 69: Second Chance Pass by Robyn Carr

Another Virgin River novel. I liked Vanessa and Paul’s story, but felt there were too many other storylines crammed in that took away from it. Good for light reading when I had a busy week.

I was beginning to wonder if I would ever finish a book in September! I took one on vacation a couple of weeks ago, but only read 20-30 pages, if that. I was able to finish it during my break at work last Saturday. I finished two more quick reads since then, so I'm slowly inching closer to 75!

My calendar for the next two and a half months is suddenly overwhelming, and then it will be December, which will also be hectic. I've got a lot of travel, both work-related and personal, coming up between now and Thanksgiving. My boss told me yesterday that she'd like me to go to another workshop the week before Thanksgiving, so who knows what else will come up between now and then?!

I did manage to get some Christmas gifts bought AND made recently, so I am feeling pretty proud of myself in that regard. I also want to paint three rooms in our house (and find a way to paint over the super ugly color my mother-in-law used for both a kitchen wall and the master bathroom...I mean seriously, who picks a color that looks like split-pea soup mixed with vomit???) soon. I have some ideas of what colors I'd like, but I need to get some samples ASAP.

In about three weeks, the first of our fall crops will be ready to harvest, which means the busy days and late, late nights will be back and I will never see my husband unless I'm taking food to him, hauling wagons from the field, or chauffeuring him to wherever he needs to be. I'm hoping I can ride with him in the combine at some point, as it has two seats and I can bring a book with me as well :)

Book # 70: Trials of the Earth: The True Story of a Pioneer Woman by Mary Mann Hamilton

I love reading about pioneers, especially pioneer women. Typically, I read about pioneers in the American West and Midwest. A few months ago, I came across this title in a list of upcoming releases, and immediately placed a hold on it. It immediately caught my interest, and one reason was because of the setting. I had never read about anyone settling the Mississippi Delta area, let alone given much thought to pioneers in that area.

I took this with me on vacation, and only read 30 pages – but that was because I was doing all of the map reading and navigating, and we had a busy schedule that left little time for reading. After getting back home, however, I would read every chance I could get.

Mary’s parents brought their children to rural Arkansas in the 1880s, where her father promptly died a week later. This set the rest of Mary’s life, and especially her marriage, in motion. She married Frank, whom she knew very little about, and they lived in Arkansas, Missouri, and Mississippi. (Frank’s past is also a prominent part of the entire book.)

Over the next four decades (and more), Mary faced all kinds of danger, extreme weather, tragedy, and hard work, as well as joyous times and plenty of adventure.

Some sections of Mary’s story were so engrossing I don’t think anything could have made me stop reading, while there were other times I had trouble understanding events and the writing style dragged on. Even so, I am very glad I read this, and highly recommend it to readers who are interested in the Mississippi Delta region, or well-written first-person accounts of pioneer life. The story of how it came to be published is quite interesting, too.

Book # 71: The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

Last year, I read Ware’s Debut, In a Dark, Dark Wood, and when I read the synopsis of her second book, I knew I had to read it. Laura/Lo is a journalist who has an assignment to write about a small luxury ship’s first voyage. The boat, which has a small number of cabins and passengers, sets off from England towards Norway. One night, Lo hears something that sounds like a body being thrown overboard, and catches a quick glance of a hand and arm. She then sets out to uncover the truth about what happened, but with all of the passengers and crew accounted for, did she even see what she thought she saw?

The start of the novel was a little slow for me, but it had to be that way to set up the rest of the book. The pacing picked up, and I was definitely caught up in the story. However, the last quarter was a bit off for me. I also didn’t care for Lo’s character very much, and wish some events and dialogue had fit in the overall story a bit better. I ended up not enjoying this one as much as the author’s debut. It’s still an atmospheric mystery with a nice setting and is a quick page-turning thriller for readers who like those types of novels.

Book # 72: Lizzie and the Lost Baby by Cheryl Blackford

During WWII, Lizzie and her brother Peter are evacuated from the city to a small village in Yorkshire. They stay with a policeman and his wife, who isn’t very welcoming, and the wife’s sister, who had recently lost her husband and baby and is not well. There is a group of Gypsies in the village as well, and they are not welcome by most of the villagers.

Elijah, a Gypsy boy who is Lizzie’s age, sets his baby sister under a tree for a moment (not because he wants to), and before he returns, Lizzie finds the baby. She takes it home with her, hoping to be able to find where it belongs.

Will the baby be reunited with its family? Both Lizzie and Elijah will have to be courageous and willing to stand up for what is right.

The characters, especially Lizzie, were wonderful and well-crafted. Though it is less than 200 pages, the story covers a lot of themes and will keep readers wondering about the outcome of the baby and more. I loved the author’s writing style, and this would be an excellent read aloud as well.

Oooh - Trials of the Earth is on the TBR list for sure!

>185 DFED: I think you will enjoy it :) The good and bad times that woman went through were amazing to read about!

Book # 73: The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle by Janet Fox

Part children’s historical fiction about siblings who were evacuated to Scotland during the Blitz, and part supernatural ghost story with magical elements.

When logical, practical Katherine and her brother and sister are sent to a relative’s castle, which has been turned into an academy for children in the remote parts of Scotland, she believes her biggest problem will be if her sweaters and clothes are warm enough for the cold weather. When they arrive, they quickly realize that the strange rules and mysterious things they see are part of an evil plot. As the other children at the school begin to disappear, the siblings, and their friends must combine all their resources to put a stop to the evil before it’s too late.

This was a very atmospheric and slightly creepy read, and it was perfect for a rainy fall day! I’d recommend it to readers who like those types of books, but it is not a book for all children. The use of occasional flashbacks kind of threw me at first, but then I looked forward to them and they strengthened the story. I also recommend the audio version, as the narrator was superb.

>187 aktakukac: Sadly, our library only has it in ebook and print formats. It would be perfect for my trip next week if available in audio.

>188 thornton37814: Aww, that's a bummer :( Hope you can find some other audiobooks for your trip that you will enjoy!

I should start thinking about which titles to get in audio for my trip to Wisconsin next month...although I will be driving with my sister, and we might end up talking the whole way, or listening to soundtracks and singing along.

>187 aktakukac: Adding that one to my list - it sounds really good!

>190 scaifea: I think you'll enjoy it, Amber! Either in print or on audio, it's a great autumn read!

Book # 74: Swear on This Life by Renee Carlino

Emiline is a writer who has not published a book yet. Her roommate gives her a copy of the book of the moment, a bestselling, award-winning debut by a mysterious author named J. Colby. From the moment Emiline starts reading it, she knows who the author is, and who the story is about. The author is her best friend growing up and first love, and the story is their story…about their abused and neglected childhoods and teenage years. Why did Jase write the novel? What will Emiline think of it, and will she ever finish reading it?

I enjoyed the story-within-the-story a bit more. It was more emotional and really pulled me in. Some aspects of the rest of the story were a bit predictable, but still helped the plot develop. I liked Jase’s character a lot more than Emi’s. He’s definitely swoon worthy. This was a very fast read and I’ll be reading more by the author for sure.

Book # 75: The Eye of Midnight by Andrew Brumbach

Two cousins, Maxine and Will, are sent to their grandfather’s house for the summer. They don’t know each other, and they don’t know their grandfather, either. The house is filled with unusual and historic artifacts, and their grandfather has led and adventurous and interesting life. Soon after the children arrive, Grandfather gets a mysterious telegram, which has them quickly making their way to New York City. Once they arrive, however, Grandfather is kidnapped, and Maxine and Will must step in to solve the mystery and rescue him.

There is a lot of action and danger throughout the book, including assassins, gangsters, and shootouts. The 1920s slang added to the dialogue, and there are lots of family secrets, history, and science that make appearances too.

I liked the book, but didn’t love it. The violence could be too much for some middle grade readers. The ending set up well for a follow-up novel.

Book # 76: The Enchanted Files: Diary of a Mad Brownie by Bruce Coville

Angus is a brownie, a tiny magical creature that does chores for the person he is “attached” to. For generations, his family has been attached to the McGonagall family because of events that happened in the past. When the human he has been serving passes away, he must go to America and serve Alex, a very disorganized girl. Alex’s family members also have their quirks. Angus and Alex don’t see eye-to-eye at first, but their relationship develops and they are able to help each other.

The story is told through Angus and Alex’s diaries and supporting documents, which were a lovely and oftentimes hilarious feature. I enjoyed the audio narration. Kids will enjoy the story, but there is occasionally some language that is not appropriate for early middle grade readers. Fun, quick read but not amazingly spectacular.

Book # 77: Ross Poldark by Winston Graham

I wish someone would have sat me down in a chair, put this book in my hands, and not let me do anything else until I had read it. I wish they would have done this years ago!

I have not watched any episodes of season one or two of the current tv program, but I will be watching them soon! I am also planning on reading the next book (and other books) in the series.

Historical fiction, family saga, Cornwall, characters I really like (and some I don’t like at all!) and all combined into a well-written, page-turning novel?! Yes, I wish I had read this earlier. Very enjoyable!

Congrats on zipping right by 75 books!

>196 foggidawn: Thanks! I'm behind on reviews, as usual, so it just seems like I zipped past 75. I'm going to keep reading as much I as I can before the end of the year, but I have absolutely no idea what number I will end up with!

Book # 78: Something New: Tales from a Makeshift Bride by Lucy Knisley

I’ve enjoyed reading the other graphic novels that Knisley has written, so when I saw her latest is about planning her wedding, I knew I had to read it. I could relate to a lot of the things she went through during her engagement, especially planning a wedding from a distance.

Book # 79: Kissing in America by Margo Rabb

Eva learns about life, love, and loss in this YA novel. Her father was killed in a plane crash, so she is dealing with grief and her changing relationship with her mother. She falls for Will, and when he moves to LA, she finds an interesting way to go there to see him.

While it was a well-written story, some parts dragged for me. The book touches on a lot of different topics, and it has more substance than a lot of YA novels.

>198 aktakukac: Oh, I want to get my hands on this one. Have enjoyed all of the Knisley books I've read. I think my favourite was her book about holidaying with her grandparents though.

>200 charl08: I liked Knisley's books about food, and the one about taking her grandparents on vacation was also quite good. Something New seemed a lot longer than the others, and she revealed a lot more details about herself than I remembered in the other books.

Congrats on reaching 75!

Congrats!

>202 FAMeulstee: and >203 drneutron: Thank you both! For a while, I wondered if I would get to 75 this year! It feels great to be past that number :)

I made a new thread for the remainder of the year, so please join me over there!