Rachel Reads in 2019

Hello and welcome to my 2019 thread! I wasn’t around much in 2018, but I hope to be more active on my thread and in the group this year.

My name is Rachel, and I work in a library in a small town in Ohio. My favorite part of my job is all the book ordering and collection development I get to do. It’s a great way to keep my reading lists growing!

I also help with the library’s book discussion groups. I’ll post a list of what we’ll be reading below.

My husband and I welcomed our first child in December of 2017, so if I’m not at work, I’m doing all things toddler-related (and loving it!). That means I don’t have anywhere close to the amount of reading time I used to have, but it is what it is. I didn’t set any reading goals in 2018, and probably won’t this year, either. I am always writing titles of books down and hope to get to them at some point. I’m also good at checking out a lot of library books and returning most of them unread. I will be happy with whatever reading I can accomplish this year!

I’m not very good at leaving comments on other threads, but I will try to stop lurking and start communicating more…no promises, though!

Books Read January-April

January
1. The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel
2. The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall
3. Go to My Grave by Catriona McPherson
4. The Lying Woods by Ashley Elston
5. Look Alive Twenty-Five by Janet Evanovich
6. The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

February
7. Astrid the Unstoppable by Maria Parr
8. Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof
9. Notes from My Captivity by Kathy Parks
10. Sourdough by Robin Sloan
11. Lost in the Taiga: One Russian Family's Fifty-Year Struggle for Survival and Religious Freedom in the Siberian Wilderness by Vasily Peskov
12. The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware
13. The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg
14. The Line Between by Tosca Lee

March
15. Looking After Lily by Cindy Bonner
16. Hidden by Rebecca Zanetti
17. Kid Gloves: Nine Months of Careful Chaos by Lucy Knisley
18. Daughter of the Siren Queen by Tricia Levenseller
19. The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton
20. An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena
21. Crowded in the Middle of Nowhere: Tales of Humor and Healing from Rural America by Bo Brock
22. The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange
23. The Fortune Teller by Gwendolyn Womack
24. The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros

April
25. Blind Kiss by Renee Carlino
26. Plainsong by Kent Haruf
27. Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf
28. Girl off the Grid by Kenzie Hart
29. The Wrath & the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
30. Meet Cute by Helena Hunting
31. Meet Me at the Museum by Anne Youngson
32. The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata
33. Daughters of the Lake by Wendy Webb

Books Read May-August

May
34. The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves
35. In the Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende
36. Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller
37. The Au Pair by Emma Rous
38. The Children of Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren
39. Daughters of Northern Shores by Joanne Bischof
40. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
41. Shotguns and Stagecoaches: The Brave Men Who Rode for Wells Fargo in the Wild West by John Boessenecker
42. Stand on the Sky by Erin Bow

2019 Book Discussions

I will not be reading all of these, as I don't facilitate every month. I will probably read most of them, and one of my coworkers and I selected the titles.

Stranger in the Woods, by Michael Finkel
Sourdough, by Robin Sloan
The Astronauts Wives Club, by Lily Koppel
Our Souls at Night, by Kent Haruf
In the Midst of Winter, by Isabel Allende
Something in the Water, by Catherine Steadman
Good Me Bad Me, by Ali Land
Uncommon Type, by Tom Hanks
Hillbilly Elegy, by J.D. Vance
Ninth Hour, by Alice McDermott

We don't meet in August, and in December we have a program called "A Gathering of Readers" where we do a used book gift exchange and just talk about the different books we read while enjoying refreshments. We tried it for the first time in December 2018, and it was a big hit!

Happy to see you back, Rachel!

Happy reading in 2019, Rachel!

Welcome back, Rachel!

Happy New Year, Rachel!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, Rachel. Happy reading in 2019. Lurk away!

Happy 2019
A year full of books
A year full of friends
A year full of all your wishes realised

I look forward to keeping up with you, Rachel, this year.

Happy New Year and happy new thread! Book reviews are always welcome, but so are stories of toddler shenanigans!

Dropping off my star, Rachel!

>9 MickyFine:, >10 FAMeulstee:, >11 Berly:, >12 drneutron:, >13 alcottacre:, >14 The_Hibernator:, >15 BLBera:, >16 PaulCranswick:, >17 foggidawn:, >18 ronincats: Thank you all for stopping by, and Happy New Year! I haven't visited 2019 threads yet, but I hope to stop by all of yours soon.

I didn't get any reading done yesterday, but I did finish listening to my first book of the year a little bit ago. The only reason I completed it this quickly is because I had to have it read for next week's book discussion. I am starting to have a little more reading time at night after the little guy is asleep, which is a good thing because I have a ton of books checked out right now that I am anxious to read. Since my little one is almost, almost ready to start walking, I have a feeling I won't be getting any reading in unless he is asleep. Unless I count the books to him, of course :)

Book # 1: The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel

My first book of the year was read for the library book discussion I will help lead next week. It was easy to listen to while I was working on other things in my office. If you like survival stories or reading about people spending time in nature, you should pick this one up.

Christopher Knight grew up in Maine, and after graduating from high school, he quit his job, took a road trip, and on the way back, decided he would drive his car as far as he could into the Maine woods and find a way to live there. Knight spent nearly three decades living year-round in a tent, and broke into cabins, homes, and campgrounds in the area for food, clothing, equipment, and other necessities. These thefts remained unsolved and frightened the locals, who began setting traps and installing alarms in hopes of catching him.

Eventually, Knight was caught, and spent time in jail awaiting trial. The author began corresponding with him, and visited him several times. In many ways, Knight’s story seems too unbelievable. Finkel does a good job of not only sharing Knight’s fascinating tale, but also looking at why Knight and hermits in general make the decisions they make.

I am looking forward to our discussion next week. We should have plenty to talk about, and I have a feeling most of the ladies who attend will like this one.

>20 aktakukac: I like the idea of hermit-ing in theory except for all that nature stuff. ;)

Rachel, it's good to "see" you! I hope your family is doing well and your new year is off to a good start. I am also good at checking out bunches of library books and only reading some of them! It's good to have choices, right? ;-)

>21 MickyFine: maybe nowadays you could be a hermit with the help of the internet...work from home, order online, avoid nature?? :-)

Happy new year, Rachel! Looking forward to following your reads this year. Any good picture books for the toddler?

>20 aktakukac: Interested to hear how the discussion goes on that one. I can't imagine doing any hermiting myself. ; )

>21 MickyFine: Hey Micky, listening to the sections about how Knight survived in a tent for all those winters was pretty interesting, but how he dealt with mosquitoes was boring. He used bug spray that he had stolen. I can’t imagine needing so much solitude that I’d be willing to give up heat and electricity and my house. Nature is great, in moderate doses!

>22 jennyifer24: Hi Jenny, 2019 is off to a good start so far, although the little dude is teething pretty bad and that has made bedtime fun for the last few days. Thankfully, he is a wonderful sleeper and once he is asleep, he usually stays asleep. I brought back a book this morning to return, because it couldn’t be renewed. It was Kate Morton’s latest, The Clockmaker's Daughter, and I’m sure I will re-request it at some point. Even with coming to the library every day, I have to have reading choices at home :)

>23 bell7: Hi Mary! We are still reading a lot of board books right now, as my son loves turning the pages as well as ripping pages. He’s only tore a couple of pages from a cookbook he grabbed off a shelf, but my husband regularly gives him newspaper or ads to “read” and play with, and those always end up getting shredded. One of my favorites to read to him is I am a Bunny. I have so many picture books that I can’t wait to read to him. I spend a lot more time looking at board books, picture books, and easy readers when I’m ordering them for work, or when I’m checking them over before sending them to our cataloger.

>24 Berly: Kim, one of the ladies who comes to our book discussions is my former boss/library director. I like it when she has something positive or meaningful to say, but that’s not usually the case. There are a lot of other ladies who provide for worthwhile discussion, thankfully. I think I’ll pass on the hermiting, as well!

Hi Rachel! Dropping off a star :) Congrats on the first book of the year!

Hi Rachel, lovely to see you back for 2019, wishing you a lovely year (And a quick as possible teething season).

>26 curioussquared: Welcome! I'm glad I finished my first book so quickly, mostly because it means I won't be rushing to complete it right before the book discussion!

>27 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte! I wish all this teething would be over quickly, but I think it's going to be slow going. He's only just getting his 7th tooth, and it seems like he's been working on one or more ever since late August. We still have a long way to go, poor boy!

>20 aktakukac: - I've got that one on my shelf already, or you would have hit me with a BB!

Happy new year, Rachel - just dropping off a star here :)

Happy 2019, Rachel!

>8 aktakukac: I thought I would like to read that one but the thought of him stealing from everyone bothered me and I ended up not borrowing it. He wasn't really living away from the world or living off the land if he was stealing to survive.

>29 katiekrug: Glad you dodged a BB for that reason, Katie!

>30 ChelleBearss: Hi Chelle, I can see why a lot of people may not read it because of the theft aspect. I would have found it a much more interesting read if he had hunted, fished, grew some food, gathered from nature, etc. Especially because it states in the book how Knight was an able hunter and fisherman. In all those years he never thought to steal a fishing pole?? He ended up justifying stealing because he was hungry and because it was easier than working for the food himself. I didn't care for that reasoning.

Happy New Year and happy reading in 2019, Rachel!

Hi Rachel! I must ask about the LT name. Is it anything to do with a fox?? (If it isn't, you're really going to wonder about me, aren't you?!)
Oooh, a little one who is just about to start walking. Yes, that is a fun phase! Busy, but fun! I look forward to hearing about what you and he read together!

>32 lkernagh: Thanks, Lori!

>33 HanGerg: Hi, Hannah! My LT name is a Hungarian word (that's probably why you were wondering?). I spent five years working at a school in a town east of Budapest. I was there when I discovered LT, and if I remember correctly, I found a word for my LT name that is sort of a variation of the Hungarian for bookworm. At least, that's what my friends and students assured me the word meant. Maybe there's a connection to a fox?? My Hungarian skills are so, so bad, and I've been back in the States for 8.5 years, so I don't get much practice anymore. I've thought about changing my name on here, mostly because it can be a pain to type when I login, but I haven't thought of a new name yet.

Yes, John keeps us busy, but it's so fun! I hope he will love books and reading as much as I do :)

I'm making progress on two books. My current audio is The Penderwicks, and I have about an hour of listening left. I'm only managing about a chapter a night in Go to My Grave, which has been good so far, but we'll see how I like it once I actually get into the story.

I was shelving some new books this morning, and saw Spinning Silver on the shelf. Do I need to read Uprooted first? From what I can tell, they are both standalone novels, but I want to be sure before I check out Spinning Silver.

>35 aktakukac: Uprooted and Spinning Silver are indeed stand-alone novels. Despite the similar cover design, they share no connection that I could discern of plot or characters, other than both being rooted in a fairytale sensibility.

>36 foggidawn: Thanks! That's what I thought, but knew someone on LT could verify :)

Hi Rachel! Oh wow, between your LT habits and mine in 2018 I guess I didn't realize (or didn't remember?) that you had a baby! HOW WONDERFUL - CONGRATULATIONS!!!! So many wonderful baby and children's books out there. The Penderwicks are some of our all-time favorite books, and the only books we ever bought in hard cover. Love them.

As for the Naomi Novik books: yes Spinning Silver and Uprooted are stand-alone books. I just read Uprooted and enjoyed it a lot, while Spinning Silver was a favorite from last year. I'm actually a little obsessed, and bought multiple copies to give as gifts!

Hi Rachel and Happy New Year. I wasn't around a lot in 2018 either. But, I vow to be more present this year. Congratulations on having a baby! Life changes in oh so many ways when a wee one enters. My daughter is now 46, and I still remember the day we brought her home from the hospital. I was young, I was scared. But, it all worked out. She was a snow baby. Born in October on a day that snow was covering the roads. That night, as I held her, I looked out the hospital roof and saw it covered with snow. I'll never forget that incredible experience. To this day, she loves snow.

>38 AMQS: Thanks, Anne! It doesn't seem possible that he's already over a year old! I checked out Spinning Silver and hope to get to it soon - I need to finish one I'm reading now, and have a couple others that have been patiently waiting for me to get to them, but sometimes you just have to move all your books aside and read one right now!

>39 Whisper1: Hi, Linda, and thanks for visiting! I always want to be more involved on here, but I'm terrible at doing so! My reading life certainly changed for the worse after the baby was born, but it's slowing getting better. He was due in January, but decided to arrive over three weeks early. I remember holding him the day after he was born and looking out at the snow falling. We haven't had more than a day or two's worth of snow so far this winter, but we should get some this weekend, and I'd love to take him outside for a bit and see what he thinks of it :)

Book # 2: The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall

I’d been meaning to read this one for years now, and expected to love it given all the glowing praise I have seen here on LT. While I liked it, a lot, I did not love it.

Four sisters, their father, and their dog Hound spend part of their summer vacation at a cottage on an estate in western Massachusetts. They get to know Jeffrey, the son of the estate’s owner, and get into lots of adventures and sometimes mischief. The book has a classic, somewhat old-fashioned feel to it. It’s a charming, comforting read, and certainly one I would have loved as a child. I had very high expectations for it, and it wasn’t quite what I expected. Sometimes I thought the ages of the sisters didn’t seem realistic (Batty, for example, didn’t talk like most four-year-olds I know). I will listen to at least one more in the series, however, and I can see why this series appeals to so many readers.

>41 aktakukac: Sorry you did not love the Penderwicks! I hope you enjoy the next one a bit more. They charmed me last year -- I think my favorite is #4.

>42 curioussquared: At least I did like it a lot! I'm hoping they will grow on me. We shall see :)

Book # 3: Go to My Grave by Catriona McPherson

Donna has worked different hospitality-related jobs, and when she inherited some money, she opened The Breakers, a bed-and-breakfast on the Scottish coast. Her first weekend was booked by a woman who planned a 10th anniversary trip for her husband and invited his cousins along for a little reunion.

Unfortunately, The Breakers used to be a vacation home where the cousins attended a 16th birthday party that went tragically wrong. They had sworn to never tell about the tragedy, but it seems someone is determined to bring the past to light. Can Donna solve the mystery before it’s too late? Will her new business survive the opening booking?

I had a hard time getting into this story. Part of the reason was I was only able to read a chapter or two at a time, and I kept messing up the different characters (there are a lot). The story was also pretty slow-moving, and the chapters from the 1991 storyline didn’t start for a while. At the end, things moved too quickly, and I had to go back and re-read sections to try and figure out what was really happening. At the very end, the outcome was completely unbelievable.

There was also incest in the plot which popped up closer to the end, and not only did it not serve much of a point, it made me not like the story even more. I will say there were some good twists here and there, but overall I do not recommend this one. I had to start my next read as soon as I finished this one to try and forget it as quickly as I could!

>44 aktakukac: And with that review, I think I shall pass on this one! Thanks for saving me.

>44 aktakukac: Yeah, I am giving that one a pass too.

Wishing you a great weekend, Rachel.

>45 Berly:, >46 alcottacre: Wise choice, ladies! I have another thriller/mystery set at a hotel in a stack on my nightstand, An Unwanted Guest, and I hope that one will be better!

>47 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul! I had a cold, snowy weekend and stayed inside with my husband, toddler, and some books. I even finished a good one!

Book # 4: The Lying Woods by Ashley Elston

Two years ago, I read Elston’s This is Our Story, which was one of my favorite books that year. Her latest novel was one I just had to get my hands on, and it was another satisfying read.

Owen’s mother pulls him out of his boarding school and delivers some shocking news: his father has done some terrible things and abandoned them. They have no choice but to stay with Owen’s aunt and try to move forward with their lives, which is not going to be easy since almost everyone in their small Louisiana town was affected by his father’s actions. Owen ends up working for a loaner named Gus, helping with the pecan harvest and doing other jobs around the estate. Owen’s father had worked for Gus in the past, and he is hoping to meet with his father after he receives a mysterious note.

Back in 1999, Noah leaves St. Louis and travels as far as his money will take. He starts working for Gus, and becomes like family to Gus and his wife. Slowly, Noah’s story is explained, and the reader learns how the events in the present day are connected to Noah.

I don’t want to give away too much of the plot. I did figure some things out about halfway through the book, but there were still lots of twists and turns before the end, including some things I did not see coming. This is a YA book, but will appeal to adults as well. The mystery element is fantastic. I was so curious as to why Owen’s dad did what he did, especially while reading the 1999 storyline.

Absolutely recommended, especially if you enjoy mysteries featuring family secrets, small towns, and unexpected answers . *I did prefer This is Our Story more, but The Lying Woods was also excellent.*

>49 aktakukac: ooh, I'll definitely keep an eye out. This is Our Story was excellent (thanks for that recommendation too lol).

We didn't get as much snow as I hoped for this weekend but we have a few inches and I could at least pretend to be snowed in with a book!

>50 jennyifer24: There's a different feel to The Lying Woods. One reason is because the main crime is different, and although Owen and his mother receive threats and even have a couple of dangerous encounters, they aren't ever in real peril. The dual storylines is also different, but something I really liked.

We got several inches of snow (thankfully no ice or freezing rain), but the real issue was the blowing and drifting. And the cold. I was supposed to take the Little Man to a nearby city yesterday afternoon for an appointment, but they called to say the clinician was sick and we rescheduled...hopefully we'll have good weather when we go in a few weeks! I was glad I didn't have to drive in the sub-zero temps with him!

Hi, Rachel. Dropping a star for a fellow Ohioan. How exciting to have a 1-year-old! My older son was also born in December, but of 2001 - he just turned 17 and his days of being at home are definitely numbered. Not sure where he wants to go to college yet - I'm hoping it's close, but I think he'll be able to take his pick of where he wants to go. My younger son will turn 14 in April, so at least we'll still have him around for a few more years. I'm sure you've heard this a million times, but enjoy the time you have with them because it goes soooo fast.

I've always wanted to read the Penderwick series. I think my nieces both loved it, but I've always hesitated - I think I'll keep on hesitating.

>20 aktakukac: That sounds fascinating! I love reading about drop-outs.

>41 aktakukac: I disliked that book a lot. YA has to go the extra mile twice to hook me in.

I'm glad time is expanding for you, first-timer, and wish you more good days than bad for always.

>52 rretzler: Hi, Robin! I always heard how time flies once you have children, but I never imagined it'd go by this quickly! I'm already dreading when he'll go off to college, and it'll be here before I know it! I'd like to have more children, which would probably make time fly even faster, if that's possible! As for the Penderwicks, I feel like one of the odd few who didn't love it. It's in no way a bad book, but it just didn't appeal to me the way I expected.

>53 richardderus: Hi, Richard! Our book discussion on The Stranger in the Woods lasted for AN HOUR AND A HALF, which I did not expect at all. The ladies would not stop talking about it, discussing the questions, etc. I guess that's not a bad problem to have, but I was ready to go home long before it ended. One of my co-workers did a little presentation with pictures of the campsite and things, and that worked really well for the discussion, too. I can see how some juvenile and young adult books can be off-putting, and I'm becoming more selective about what I read in those regards. I'm looking forward to my next J and YA books, which are sitting patiently waiting for me to pick them up :)

>54 aktakukac: WOW!! That's a heckuva discussion for a library book group. I can understand the impulse to get thoroughly into the mechanics of a story that weird, I must say, but that's something entirely else for y'all doing it in a library setting.

I keep slugging at YA as a genre, but am honestly amazed when one really works for me as a read. The Hate U Give was a wonderful read, and that's the last one I recall vividly from my meager YA adventuring.

>55 richardderus: It was definitely the longest book discussion I've helped facilitate, and I was especially surprised because some of the ladies grumble when we have a non-fiction selection. But they typically end up enjoying the non-fiction reads :)

Looking back, most of my 4.5 or 5 star teen reads have been historical fiction. My next YA read will probably be Notes From My Captivity, and I remember enjoying another book by that author, so here's hoping it'll really work for me!

Book # 5: Look Alive Twenty-Five by Janet Evanovich

I continue to read this series even though it isn’t as good as it was in the beginning. Thankfully, this one was much better than its predecessor. Stephanie and Lula have to manage a deli when the manager, some staff members, and other people start disappearing. Naturally, things go crazy and Ranger and Morelli step in to try to keep Stephanie safe. There wasn’t much Grandma Mazur, and Wulf kept showing up (I’m confused by that character). While nothing is resolved in the Stephanie-Morelli-Ranger love triangle, the book ended with a great cliffhanger, which should set up the next book quite well.

Book # 6: The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

This novel was unlike anything I’ve ever read. It’s a mystery and thriller that includes time travel, body swapping, murder, a country estate, and more twists and turns than you can imagine. I can understand the mixed reviews. Personally, I found it to be a confusing, jumbled mess that went on forever. I couldn’t keep the characters, days, murders, or anything straight. I did listen to the audiobook, which may have been part of the reason for not following the story so closely, but I honestly don’t think I could have finished the book if I had read the print version. To those who read it and enjoy it, I’m glad, but it’s not one I will recommend.

>58 aktakukac: I agree and I've heard a lot of similar reactions. I think it was a bit easier to read vs. listen just because I could go back and reread easily. It was also a bit better once I stopped trying to work out the timeline so closely. Interesting concept but could have been much better!

Sorry you didn't love Penderwicks- I think the style was so nostalgic to me and that upped my enjoyment. My biggest issue was the big time jumps between books, but that's a personal preference.

>58 aktakukac: My dad had a similar reaction to that book -- I gave it to him because I thought he would like the parts that were like a typical English murder mystery (the big house, the cast of characters), but he really disliked the wonkiness with the timeline. I liked it, but I can see how some people might not!

>59 jennyifer24: I lost track of the timeline and was surprised at the start of each new chapter when the narrator read the day (or the continuation of a day). I agree, it could have been a fantastic book. Too bad. I am kind of interested in the time jumps in the Penderwicks books. I'll probably listen to the second book later this winter or in the spring to see of it appeals to me...I am hoping the series will grow on me!

>60 foggidawn: I'm glad I'm not the only one who had issues with it. Thankfully there are always more English murder mysteries to choose from, and the next one I pick won't have time travel or crazy timelines to deal with!

I'm taking my son in to the doctor later this morning. He's had pneumonia two or three times since last April (technically it's three times, but the first two kind of ran together and included a relapse due to surgery he had), and I have a feeling the cold he's had since last week is turning back into pneumonia. I want to get him checked out before it turns really serious and before the -40 and -50 wind chills hit us tomorrow. Granted, it currently feels like -4, but at least that is reasonable.

Oh no, I hope your son doesn't have pneumonia! Stay warm out there.

>61 aktakukac: Yes, the staying with the person (or returning to him) for the whole day was one of the most confusing parts.

Thanks...the symptoms are all there, but I am hoping we can get it taken care of quickly this time. I'm hoping he will grow out of this in a year or so...his airways just need to get a little bigger!

>61 aktakukac: The first three Penderwicks books take place over the span of about two years, but then the fourth jumps several years forward, and the fifth several years after that. Just so you know what to expect.

>64 foggidawn: Thanks for the info! I knew there were some bigger time jumps, but wasn't sure where they took place in the series.

The library is closed today due to the frigid weather, so I’m staying home today with the boy. He’s napping now, and I should try to finish my current read, but taking a nap myself sounds like a good idea.

Good! I'm glad you're closed. We just got the call for tomorrow. Stay warm!

I’m surprised but thankful that we closed. I doubt we’ll be closed tomorrow too, but we’ll see. So far we’re staying warm. I’ll be glad when my husband gets home. He had to go to his off-the-farm job, and they were supposed to keep him off the road, but he had to go to Dayton for a delivery. At least they sent one of his coworkers with him.

Do you have any snow days left this year?

Tomorrow is day 7, so we're out. But I think we can apply for a waiver because the Governor declared a weather emergency. I hope your husband travels safely!

I'm crawling around the threads to say I'm not dead but woefully unread, both books and threads. Happy polar vortex.

>69 jennyifer24: Hopefully you won't need any more snow days this year! Maybe you'll just have two or three hour dealys.

>70 richardderus: That's the story of my life...woefully unread in both books and threads!

Books Read in January



I had some really good reads, some average reads, and some terrible reads in January. I almost finished Book # 7, but should finish it up later today.

As for February, I plan to read:
- my book discussion book
- a book that needs to be returned to the library
- a YA book and a juvenile fiction book that are already waiting in a stack at home
- after that we'll see what holds have come in, and what I feel like picking up

Book # 7: Astrid the Unstoppable by Maria Parr

Nine-year-old Astrid is the only child in her little Norwegian village. She has earned her nickname, the “Little Thunderbolt of Glimmerdal” from her spunky personality and risk-taking. Her best friend is her old godfather, Gunnvald, who helps teach Astrid and takes care of her while her mother is away doing scientific research and her father is busy. Things change when a family arrives in the village, and again when Gunnvald is injured. It seems everyone in the village has been keeping in a big secret from Astrid, and life will change for many of the characters before everything is resolved.

I thought this was a charming, fun story that translated well into English. Fans of the classic Heidi will appreciate how that book is incorporated into the plot. It would also be a lovely read-aloud book.

>73 aktakukac: Reading only the title, I thought it was a bio of Astrid Lindgren!

Nice to see you so active this year, Rachel.

>73 aktakukac: Sounds like fun!

>49 aktakukac: Adding that one to the BlackHole!

>58 aktakukac: That book sounds like a mess. I think I will give it a pass.

>73 aktakukac: I will have to give that a go if I can find a copy.

Thanks for the recommendations, Rachel!

>74 richardderus: Haha, Richard! Not quite!

>75 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul! I'm doing my best...at the moment!

>76 charl08: Hi, Charlotte! It's fun and I laughed out loud a few times. It's got a lot to offer, though.

>77 alcottacre: Stasia, I'm always happy when people add Ashley Elston to their reading lists. Glad you got some other recommendations, too!

Book # 8: Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof

After growing up in a workhouse in Ireland and being widowed, Aven arrives in Virginia after an invitation from her late husband’s great aunt offers her a place to stay. She expects to take care of three little boys, but is surprised to discover the “boys” are the men close to her age. Jorgen is sensible, manages the farm, and is engaged to be married. Thor, who is deaf and mute, makes the best ciders, liquors, and brews in the county…and also struggles with his addiction to alcohol. Haakon, the youngest, is sarcastic and always getting into mischief, but those aspects of his personality are partly a mask to forget about a tragedy in his past.

There is so much to this story. Aven and Thor’s relationship. Aven and Haakon’s relationship. The relationship between the brothers. The alcohol they make provides a very good life for them, but is also killing Thor. He has tried to overcome it in the past, but will he be successful if he tries again? The brothers are not liked by many because they hire Negro workers to help with their harvests, and this leads to many dangerous situations and may cause them to lose everything.

While I was certain I knew how the love triangle part of the plot would end, I was surprised by how it arrived at the conclusion it did. It helped set up the next book, which I have already put a hold on at the library. Thankfully, the follow-up comes out in March, so I don’t have to wait too long for it! I don’t read as fast as I used to, but I could not put this one down and read it in two days. I’m still thinking about it a few days after finishing (and after starting my next read). It was not perfect, but it’s the best book of the year for me so far.

Rachel--Hope your son is doing better by now. Pneumonia is not something to mess around with!

>79 aktakukac: That one sounds really good! 1) You're still thinking about it. 2) Best book of the year so far and 3) You can't wait for the follow-up coming out this March!! Sold. : )

Happy Valentine's Day!! ❤️💚💗💙

>80 Berly: Hi, Kim! He's doing a bit better, thanks! He didn't have pneumonia, but he does have a lingering cough/cold that he just can't kick. It doesn't help that his cousin, who is 7 months older and sees him everyday, keeps getting strep and bronchitis, too. Hopefully he'll get over it before I worry myself much more! I hope you'll enjoy Sons of Blackbird Mountain. I almost want to re-read it before the follow-up comes out, and I think I'll even buy a copy.

>81 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle! Happy Valentine's Day to you!

I have a couple of books to post about. I had a bad headache earlier this week, and haven't felt like reading much at night. I need to get back in gear because somehow the holds just keep coming in, and due dates are looming. I should try to read one of my own books a month or so, because I'm always reading library books and never any of my own.

Book # 9: Notes from My Captivity by Kathy Parks

Adrienne wants to be a journalist, and when she is allowed to accompany her anthropologist stepfather on a research trip, she may finally get a chance to write an article that could get her a full ride to any college she wishes. Her stepfather has built his career around a claim that a Russian family is living like hermits, hundreds of miles away from any village or outpost, in Siberia. He’s been close to finding their settlement before; the team he has put together will help discover the truth about the reclusive Osinov’s once and for all.

While canoeing up the river, disaster strikes, and Adrienne is kidnaped by the family. Injured, she must figure out how to not only survive, but escape and find a way back to civilization. As she recovers, she learns why the family is in the situation they are in, and everyone’s eventual outcome may not be what she expects.

I really liked certain parts of this book. The adventure and survival bits were exciting and nerve-wracking. I did not care for Adrienne’s character, at least in the beginning. She wanted to be a serious journalist, but as soon as she got to Russia she started drinking all the time and making bad choices. I think the author’s use of magical realism took away from some areas, and made things toward the end a bit strange. I understand why the author did what she did, but she should have developed the magical realism aspects more or skipped it entirely.

All in all, I thought this was a solid read, and would recommend it.

AND almost as soon as I started this book, I was reminded of an article I read several years ago, about a real family that did disappear into the Siberian wilderness and live isolated for decades. They were accidentally discovered when a helicopter doing some geological research saw their garden. I had to go back and find the article, which is found here. Or just Google the Lykov Family. I re-read the article, and found there is a book about the family and their discovery, so I’m reading that now. Notes from My Captivity was definitely influenced by the story of the Lykovs.

Book # 10: Sourdough by Robin Sloan

This was the February selection for the book discussion at work. Lois works at a tech company in San Francisco, where she spends hours each day doing coding and programming. She frequently orders soup and sandwiches from a restaurant run by two brothers. When they have to move, they leave Lois their sourdough starter, and she learns to bake bread. Before long, the starter changes her life changes in many ways.

I liked this one, but didn’t love it. I liked when I was reading about baking, the correspondence with Beoreg and learning about the Mazg, and so on, but I didn’t care for all the technology and science stuff. The first half of the book was good, and the second half was just…strange.

>83 aktakukac:. Oh my goodness! I followed that link to the story about the Lykov family! What fascinating stuff! I'd like to read the non-fiction book about them.This one, not so much.

>34 aktakukac: You have a Hungarian name! How cool! I totally didn't spot it. (although my Hungarian, like yours, is not the best.) Kukcac definitely is worm, I do know that, I just didn't spot it in the word. I can check with the Hungarian husband if aktakukac is indeed bookworm if you like (or maybe it's better not to know...?) What town was it you taught in? I was a Budapest resident for five years myself, and still go back at least once a year.
The fox I was referring to is here: https://youtu.be/jofNR_WkoCE (warning. This is a link to a very silly but nonetheless very catchy song about a fox. It's VERY annoying! But catchy. So don't blame me when you start singing it). Although, actually, it isn't aktakukac but Fraka-kaka-kow! I was thinking of, I see upon re-watching.

>57 aktakukac: Oh boy! I stopped on those Evanovitch's after about 10 as it was just getting so repetitive! I can't believe the Stephanie /Morelli/Ranger love triangle is still not resolved. Morelli was very hot though. It's got to be Morelli, right? And Grandma Mazur is such a great character. Stephanie's not such a great feminist though - always getting the strong capable men to bail her out when she gets in over her head. Not that all my female protagonists have to be feminist icons, but it does get a bit galling when it's still happening after ten books and she doesn't seem to have got any wiser in that time! Has she got any better at that side of things at least by now, even if she still can't pick which hot man she wants?

>84 aktakukac: He wrote Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore! I confess I like the sound of Sourdough more after I know it's also got tech stuff in it.

Have a wonderful weekend ahead.

>85 HanGerg: The non-fiction book, Lost in the Taiga, is pretty good so far. There was a bit of a dry section towards the beginning, but it's getting much more interesting. I hope to finish it tonight or tomorrow. Sure, you can ask your husband. Some Hungarian friends (a former student, her older sister who I never taught, and their parents and grandparents, who practically adopted me while I was there) all gave me the okay to use it, so it shouldn't be too bad of a word :) I was in a town near Gödöllő and Hatvan, just a bit east of Budapest. It was nice to be close enough to Budapest, but still "in the country." There were a lot of places I never made it to in Hungary, and I haven't been back to Europe since I left in 2010.

As for the Stephanie Plum books, I have been reading one a year for the last few years, and it's more a habit than anything else. I keep hoping that Evanovich will make SOMETHING, ANYTHING happen to move things forward with Morelli (or Ranger, for that matter, but ONE of them). I am definitely Team Morelli. I think Stephanie tries to do her best, and will often take Lulu or other characters with her to pick up the bail jumpers, but most of the time she doesn't have the resources that the men have at her disposal. Before she knows it, she is in deep and the police and security teams are involved anyway...

>86 richardderus: Yes! Sloan also wrote Mr. Penumbra, which I haven't read but have had on my List for a while. At the book discussion last night, we all agreed that Sourdough started off making us hungry and thinking it would be a lovely story about baking bread, and then got too science fictiony/futuristic/odd. After reading some articles and interviews with Sloan, it seems that was his intention with the book.

Have a nice weekend, yourself! We have a meeting at our accounting firm tomorrow, but my birthday is Sunday, and I know my in-laws are bringing an ice cream cake :)

Some of the picture books I read this week at work:



Am I Yours? by Alex Latimer
Harold Loves His Woolly Hat by Vern Kousky
I Need a Hug by Aaron Blabey
How to Give Your Cat a Bath: in Five Easy Steps by by Nicola Winstanley

Ah, see, I think we've read the same number of books overall, it's just that I'm listing the picture books in my count. lol

>88 aktakukac: That hedgehog (porcupine) is adorable. I'm going to have to see if our library has that book.

Happy birthday tomorrow!

>89 The_Hibernator: I should list more of the picture books and board books I read with Spud. I have a hard enough time keeping up with my reading! I like Aaron Blabey's picture books a lot. I Need a Hug is a fun one, and has a sweet ending. And thanks. My husband took me out for lunch, although he kept talking on the drive (it was at a place an hour or so away) so I only read one chapter. But I did get some reading time in on Sunday night.

Book # 11: Lost in the Taiga: One Russian Family's Fifty-Year Struggle for Survival and Religious Freedom in the Siberian Wilderness by Vasily Peskov

I read an article about the Lykov Family years ago, but didn’t realize or remember that there was a book about them as well. When I looked up the article because I was reminded of it while reading one of my previous reads, I came across the book title and immediately put a hold on it at the library.

A quick overview of the true story: In 1936, Karp and Akulina Lykov fled with their two children into the Siberian wilderness to escape religious persecution and to live according to their Old Believer values. They had two more children after they settled in the taiga. In 1978, a team of Soviet geologists discovered their settlement when they were flying in a helicopter. Akulina had died of starvation in 1961, and three of the children (who were no longer kids themselves) died in 1981. Karp passed away from old age in 1988, and his youngest, Agafia, is still living in the wilderness today.

The book was written by a Russian journalist who took many trips to the Lykov settlement and became friends with Karp and Agafia. Some parts of the book were very engaging and told things I wanted to know about. Other sections were dry, not organized, and information was either not explained well or was so disjointed it was difficult to understand.

The story is fascinating and thought-provoking, and if it sounds even remotely interesting, I think you’ll find good information in the book – but be warned, some bits will be a slog.

>91 aktakukac: Wow, what an amazing true story. It reminded me of reading a (fictional) account of an escape from the gulag when I was a kid which left a big impression on me. The escapee almost starves to death in the forest, only saved by a cache of dumped food. I remember the description of the frozen forest, with nothing he could find to eat, as really powerful.
I'm not sure if they would stand up to a reread, even if I could find the book I read.

Kudos for slogging through what sounds like a mixed read - shame the author couldn't quite match the story.

Book # 12: The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware

This was my third Ware (I haven’t read The Lying Game yey, and my favorite by a mile. It had a certain feel to it, a spookiness or ominous quality that I really liked. As I read, I kind of had an idea of where I thought things would go, and I was right in some ways, but there was a plot twist that made perfect sense once I figured out where the author was going with things.

Harriet, known as Hal, is in trouble. She owes some money and is having trouble coming up with enough to live on, let alone pay back. She receives a letter informing her of an inheritance, and although she knows there has been a mistake and she is not the true recipient, she believes she can pull of the lie and receive enough money to pay off her debts. She journeys to Cornwall, where she meets the other beneficiaries, and she quickly realizes that the inheritance and her family history are not what they seem.

This was an engaging, enjoyable read that kept me guessing. I do wish a few things had been cleared up, for example, what happened with the money sharks threatening Hal? And maybe I missed it, but what had happened to Mr. Westaway? (Harding, Abel, and Ezra’s father?) The audiobook was lovely to listen to, narrated by Imogen Church.

Book # 13: The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg

Doris is 96 years old, and most of her friends and family have died. She lives in Sweden, and her niece Jenny lives in San Francisco. They frequently Skype, but Doris decides to write down the story of her life for Jenny. She uses the names in an address book that was given to her by her father to tell how the people, places she lived, and events of the 1930s and 1940s especially shaped her life.

There’s more to the story, but just read it for yourself. It’s not a perfect book, but by the end I was laughing and crying, and overall it was a wonderful, satisfying read.

>92 charl08: Hi, Charlotte, and sorry for the delayed response! The Lykov story is so fascinating. There were obvious issues with the Peskov book - the translation, word choice, and how he omitted a lot of background knowledge and history that would have been beneficial for most readers. It's the only book on the family that I know of, so it's better than nothing, but it seems there are lots of articles and even some documentaries that might do a better job of telling the story.

>94 aktakukac: How charming that idea is. I'll...have...to...NO I CAN'T ADD ONE MORE oh heck who'm I kidding *sigh*

>96 richardderus: *Sigh* indeed :) I was packing up today's outgoing items earlier this afternoon and came across a couple titles I had to jot down to read later. Occupational hazard, I suppose.

Book # 14: The Line Between by Tosca Lee

And now for something a bit different from my normal reading selections…

The story begins with Wynter being banished from the compound in Iowa where she grew up. Wynter, her mother, and older sister Jaclyn joined the New Earth doomsday cult when she is seven years old, and the reasons for her exile are explained throughout the story. We learn why they joined, what life was like as they grew up, and we learn what kind of person Magnus, the founder of New Earth and Jaclyn’s eventual husband is like.

As Wynter adjusts to normal life with a family her mother was friends with, strange things start happening to people across the country. Soon, a terrible disease starts spreading, and there is no cure. Symptoms of a kind of early-onset dementia show up in victims, and they quickly lose their memory and go crazy. Before long, the entire country is in chaos.

Jaclyn shows up unexpectedly and gives Wynter a case containing samples to take to Colorado. The samples may be used to create a vaccine, and Magnus wants them. Getting to Colorado will be dangerous and possibly unlikely, but Wynter is determined to try.

This was a fast read that combined two very different aspects – a cult and a pre-apocalyptic pandemic –very well. There was science, suspense, and even some romance, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this. For the most part, the chapters alternate between the present day and Wynter’s life in the cult. I wish there had been a better designation between the two timelines instead of just chapter numbers, but that’s just me. There were a few times I thought Wynter was a bit too knowledgeable about things, considering her upbringing, but she was overall a real, fearless character. There is a follow-up book coming out later this year that I will definitely be reading to see where things go from here.

If this sounds even remotely interesting to you, I suggest giving it a go.

Books Read in February



I am very pleased with my February reading. They were all average or above average reads.

I don't have a book discussion book to read for March. The next book discussion read I need to prepare for is Our Souls at Night, so I may try to read Plainsong next month since it's on my reading list anyway.

Other March reading:
-Continue with my current audiobook, The Clockmaker's Daughter, which I am LOVING because 1. Joanne Froggatt is the narrator and 2. it's a Kate Morton novel!
-Read a couple of library books I've had checked out for ages
-Read at least one juvenile book, as I didn't read any in February (except for the last few pages of my first read)
-Another YA book, because I've liked my YA reads so far this year and have a good one in mind for my next YA novel

A couple more picture books I've read at work recently:



Maria the Matador by Anne Lambelet
Sheep Dog and Sheep Sheep by Eric Barclay

At home, J has really liked Tremendous Tractors and Can You Growl Like a Bear?

Good job on your February reading!

Looks like a great list! I can't wait to check out some of these too. Your last three especially look like books I'll be on the lookout for.

Great February list!
I need to write down those kids books as we haven't read any of those!

>99 aktakukac: Plainsong is close to my favourite American novel, so I am looking forward to your views on it Rachel.
Have a great weekend.

Hi Rachel! The Red Address Book looks like a good read. Thanks for the recommendation!

>98 aktakukac: How bizarre! This is one of the very few books I've ever known of that has a character named Winter. My mother and sister were named Winter. I'll have to read it just for that!

Love the title Sheep Dog and Sheep Sheep. I also love the cover collection in >99 aktakukac: - all very tempting.

>101 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Rachel! I hope to keep it up in March!

>102 jennyifer24: Hi Jenny, I think you'd like those last three. They are three very different stories, but in a good way!

>103 ChelleBearss: Hi Chelle! The first two are new picture books that I ordered for work. The other two are available as both picture books and board books. My son laughs when I make the animal sounds in Can You Growl Like a Bear :)

>104 PaulCranswick: I've had it on my reading list for a long time, Paul, and figure this is a good reason to finally read it. I'm looking forward to it, too!

>105 AMQS: Hope you like it, Anne. I have a feeling you will.

>106 richardderus: Richard, that is so neat! I'll be curious to see what you think of it.

>107 charl08: Hi Charlotte! The title definitely caught my eye when I ordered the book, but it's a nice book, too. The February covers were quite lovely :)

Book # 15: Looking After Lily by Cindy Bonner

I read Bonner’s debut, Lily, several times in high school and college. It’s a YA historical romance loosely based on true events including a Christmas Day shootout in a Texas town in the 1880s. I loved the story, the historical detail, and the author’s writing style. I didn’t know she had written a few more books until recently.

This book continues Lily’s story. I didn’t love it like I did the first book, although I still enjoyed the historical aspects and writing style. Part of my issue with this one was not getting Lily’s perspective on things. I’m being a little vague, but don’t want to give away anything from either book.

I plan on reading the other books to see if there is more mention of certain characters, and because I do like the author’s writing style.

Wishing you a splendid weekend, Rachel.

Book # 16: Hidden by Rebecca Zanetti

This was a quick read that wasn’t the best written novel I’ve ever read, but kept me interested nonetheless. It’s a romantic suspense/thriller about a young woman, Pippa, who is trying to live as quietly and inconspicuously as possible after escaping from a cult. Malcolm, her new next-door neighbor, is a former undercover cop who is trying to heal from some recent traumatic events. His move was actually planned by a covert branch of Homeland Security that wants to recruit him for the secret team. Malcolm has to find out more about Pippa’s past, why she is trying to stay hidden, and if she knows anything about the terror attacks the cult is planning, all while keeping her safe and not blowing his cover.

The book was very fast-paced, which was both a good thing and bad. There was a little too much insta-lust for me, and I wish some of the secondary characters had been introduced more thoroughly. That being said, I am curious about what will happen next to the “Requisitions Department,” and will probably read the next book in the series when I need another quick read.

Book # 17: Kid Gloves: Nine Months of Careful Chaos by Lucy Knisley

I’ve really enjoyed some of Knisley’s previous graphic novels, and thought others were just okay. It may be due to the stage of life I’m currently in, but I thought this one was excellent. The author combines her personal story of infertility issues, miscarriage, pregnancy, an incredibly traumatic labor and delivery, motherhood, and some post-partum development with historical and cultural information about women’s health, reproduction, pregnancy, medicine, and more.

This graphic novel is witty, informative, honest, and heart-warming. Recommended for readers interested in women’s health issues or personal graphic memoirs.

I don't think I will have as good of a reading month in March as I'd like. I've had a lot of travel for both work and personal reasons in the last few weeks, and haven't been able to get through my current reads very quickly. I've still got over six ours of listening for The Clockmaker's Daughter, am about two-thirds of the way through a non-fiction work, and after that I have no idea what to read. I have plenty of good books checked out and on my personal shelves, but can't decide what sounds good. Hopefully this little funk will pass quickly. Like, by the end of the weekend.

Last month, my mother-in-law watched my toddler on my birthday so my husband and I could go out to lunch. When we came back home, she told us she had introduced him to the whitetail buck we have shoulder-mounted on the wall (my husband hunts and this was on the wall long before he met me, thankfully it is in a corner of the living room and easy to ignore!). Ever since, the boy has been obsessed with it and wants to pet it, tries to say "deer," (he's getting close!) points to it, and of course I had to get him some board books about animals with antlers. Some of the ones we've read are these two:



I also loved these two new picture books I read at work:



The New Neighbors is a good look at not making assumptions before you've met someone, and In a Minute, Mama Bear was a nice reminder that babies and toddlers will only be little for a short time, so slow down and enjoy every moment!

Hoping for a weekend of better-than-expected reading, Rachel.

>113 aktakukac: I have managed to get my reading funk over and done with, Rachel and am having a better reading month this month.

Hope you have the same experience!

>114 richardderus: and >115 PaulCranswick: Hi Richard and Paul! I am pretty sure the reading funk is over, woo hoo! I think a big part of the problem was The Clockmaker's Daughter...but I finally finished it, and have moved on to an audiobook that I'm enjoying much, much more. I'm also making more progress on my non-fiction read, and have started a YA read that has a lot of promise. I have to work tomorrow, so I am hoping for a nice evening of reading/listening tonight. I have a couple of reviews to get to soon, as well.

But first, I have to show you my son's barn bookcase that was a Christmas gift from my in-laws. My husband said it should be for his toys, not his books, and I quickly nixed that idea. If it had been a gift from my parents, it would have been painted red, but my husband and his father are almost entirely John Deere people. I need to move a few things in his room, since it's MUCH bigger than my husband and I expected. I'll take another picture when I get some of his books shelved. It was my mother-in-law's idea, and I LOVE it!

>116 aktakukac: What a cool shelf!

>117 foggidawn: Isn't it so cool?!?! My mother-in-law said the man who built it had a fun time making it, and apparently has had some requests to make more.

What a great bookshelf!! Hooray for a beautiful original piece to showcase his books!

Glad your reading is going well!

That's awesome!

>116 aktakukac: Of course it is meant for books!! What an amazing present. They get points.

Glad your book funk is over.

>116 aktakukac: Very cute!

>119 jennyifer24:, >120 AMQS:, >121 Berly:, >122 MickyFine: Thank you! It's still sitting in the kitchen, I'm afraid, but I'm going to try to get my husband to help move it tonight. I can't wait to see what it looks like filled with books!

Book # 18: Daughter of the Siren Queen by Tricia Levenseller

A couple years ago, I read Levenseller’s first book, Daughter of the Pirate King, and liked it very much. I had forgotten about the follow-up due to maternity leave, caring for an infant, and the general craziness of last year. When I was ordering books for work a while back, I saw she has a new book, so I decided to finish up this duology before reading her newest release. Hope that makes sense.

Anyway, I found Daughter of the Siren Queen to be just as full of adventure, action, fantasy, and romance as its predecessor. I wish I had read it sooner so more details from the first book would have been fresher in my mind. There were some parts where the violence was getting to be a bit much for me, but I really can’t stand knives, swords, etc. and since this is a book about pirates, I expected it.

Recommended for a fun YA fantasy read. I will be picking up the author’s newest novel, set in a Viking-inspired world, soon…and yes, I will be prepared for some violence.

Book # 19: The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton

I’ve read all of Morton’s novels, but this was the first one I listened to. It was wonderfully and expertly narrated by the actress Joanne Froggatt, but unfortunately I didn’t care too much for the story itself. I should have loved it. As is typical with Morton, the story alternated between different storylines, in the past and present. It included a grand country estate, a mystery, connections between different characters in different times, and had the author’s writing style that I’ve come to love.

Personally, I thought the story dragged on for far too long, had too many characters and storylines that were difficult to put into context, and the “big event” that took hundreds of pages to get to was completely unrealistic. There were also several unresolved bits at the end, which drives me crazy.

In my opinion, this was not Morton’s best work. I am not sure if I would have felt differently by reading it myself instead of listening to it, but I was glad to be finished when it finally got to the end.

Book # 20: An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this one, because the author’s The Couple Next Door was just a mediocre read for me. I even started An Unwanted Guest ages ago, read only a few pages, and set it aside because other books were calling my name. Once I picked it up again, with the audio version so I could listen while doing housework and things, I was hooked.

Several couples arrive at a remote hotel as a bad winter storm is setting in. Because of the weather, only the hotel owner and his son are able make it to work, the electricity goes out, and the roads are impassible. There’s also no Internet connection or cell phone service. Early the next morning, one of the guests is found dead at the bottom of a grand staircase. At first, everyone assumes she fell down the stairs in the dark, but they soon realize the guest was murdered. When another guest is found murdered, it becomes a matter of survival for everyone stranded at the hotel.

I enjoyed the way the story was presented, and I wondered how many deaths would occur before the end. The story kept me guessing, although I did get a slight spoiler when I was checking how many pages were left. There was an extra twist at the end, though, which I did not expect.

I’m glad I picked this up again, when I was less tired or able to concentrate on the story more. Recommended for a nicely-crafted mystery that will keep the pages quickly turning.

Book # 21: Crowded in the Middle of Nowhere: Tales of Humor and Healing from Rural America by Bo Brock

Somehow I stumbled across this book on Goodreads, thought it sounded interesting, and saw there was a copy in my library consortium, so I requested it. It is broken up into short segments so I could read a few each night before bed. I laughed A LOT, had to read some of the more humorous snippets to my husband, and then started bawling at the end. I’ve even been retelling some of the stories to my co-workers; I’m pretty sure they are glad I finally finished the book so I will stop bothering them!

Bo Brock was born and raised in West Texas, and after graduating from veterinary school, he returned and set up his practice. He has become a distinguished equine specialist, and has spent decades working at a job he loves. This collection of stories from his experiences taking care of animals, dealing with their owners, working with other doctors and people at the practice, and how his life was shaped by his family, especially his grandparents.

Most of the stories are just a couple pages in length, so it was easy to put down at night and pick up again the next day. The writing was far from quality literature, but it was amusing, entertaining, heartfelt, and full of great insights. I wish it had included more about how he set up his practice, and had been organized a little better, but it was exactly what I thought it would be, and is definitely recommended.

Glad to see a mix of good reads for you recently. :)

>125 aktakukac: I haven't read any by Morton but I keep seeing The Clockmaker's Daughter. Which one do you think is her best that I could start with instead of that one?

>128 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky! I finished March out with some more strong reads - will post my thoughts and end-of-month comments soon!

>129 ChelleBearss: Hi, Chelle, I rated Morton's The House at Riverton at 4.5 stars, which is my highest rating for her novels. I also seem to have liked The Forgotten Garden more than The Distant Hours or The Secret Keeper. I thought The Lake House was good but not as amazing as some of her earlier works, although I still rated it a four...so I'd say start with The House at Riverton. It has been a long time since I read it, and I wonder if I would rate it differently now...

Book # 22: The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange

It’s 1919, and 12-year-old Henry (short for Henrietta) and her family move to a new house in the country. Her older brother’s death and her baby sister’s birth have left her mother with depression and other issues, and her father is called away for work. Hen has her books and fairy tales to read, a house to explore, and the woods, where she meets a woman named Moth. Before long, Hen has a mystery to solve and has to figure out how to save her mother from careless, unhealthy treatments being performed by a vain and malicious doctor and bring her family back together again.

This was the author’s debut novel, and it is wonderful. Strange also narrated the audiobook and I enjoyed listening to her read it. The book has a slightly old-fashioned feel to it, but it remains fresh. It covers a lot of tough topics brilliantly. After reading this one, I’m very much looking forward to the author’s next book.

Book # 23: The Fortune Teller by Gwendolyn Womack

As she is finishing appraising and packing up a collection of art and antiques for an upcoming auction, Semele discovers an ancient manuscript. When she starts translating and reading it, she realizes just how old it is…and learns that she is connected to the manuscript in an unusual way. Chapters alternate between Semele in the present day and different times in the past as the history of the text is revealed. Before long, Semele is caught up in a dangerous international conspiracy. This was a fast-paced story that had me flying through the pages. A few things were predictable, and I wish some of the characters had been more developed, but all in all this was an enjoyable read that makes me want to read more by the author.

Book # 24: The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros

Ella’s brother Ryan is in the military, and he tells her there is another soldier in his unit who could use a pen pal. So Ella and Chaos (the soldier’s call sign for their special ops) write dozens of letters to each other, and a relationship starts to develop. After Ryan is killed in action, his last letter to Chaos (whose real name is Beckett) asks him to help Ella, who is raising her twins and managing a business by herself. Ella thinks Chaos has died too, and although he knows she can’t abide liars, Beckett decides not to tell her who he really is for various reasons. They start to fall in love, but the truth eventually comes out and things happen that may keep them apart. As chapters alternate between the two main characters, we also read some of the letters they wrote to each other and learn more about the relationship they had as Ella and Chaos.

Oh, man. It has been a long time since I have been so conflicted by a book. It was easy to get into the story, and the author’s writing style was pretty decent. Part of me knew what to expect from this type of novel. There’s always more drama and tragedy than there needs to be, and there’s always something that a character does that you know will lead to more drama later in the story. That was fine, because I knew to expect it. But I began to have issues with a couple of things and looking back a few days after finishing the book, they have lowered my initial rating.

Some thoughts that may spoil things: I didn’t read too much about the plot before starting this, and I’m not sure I would have picked it up if I had known one of the children would be fighting cancer. That could be a trigger for a lot of readers, especially parents who have children with medical issues or who have dealt with cancer in some way. And the tragic event at the end of the book was completely unnecessary. It seems like the author just threw that in no reason. I don’t often have issues with authors, and how they choose to write their stories, but this book is not what I expected and I don’t know I would read more by this author.

Final thoughts: this is not the romance novel I expected it to be, and readers should proceed with caution.

Books Read in March



While I had a bit of a rut in March while listening to The Clockmaker's Daughter, it was overall a strong month full of great reads. It was nice not having to read a book for the book discussion at work, too :) I had several impulse check-outs at work...I need to stop doing this! I haven't made much progress with Plainsong, so I may put that aside until later and just focus on April's book discussion book, Our Souls at Night instead. I also want to work through my backlog of library books, and read more YA and middle grade novels starting this month, too. Hopefully April will be another strong reading month!

>134 aktakukac: Great to see the reading funk is over, Rachel.

Have a lovely weekend.

>135 PaulCranswick: I've been reading, Paul, but haven't had time for LT. I think it's finally spring!

Book # 25: Blind Kiss by Renee Carlino

Carlino is a hit-or-miss author for me, and this was more of a miss. This was mostly due to the poor choices made by the main characters, and the entire story felt too predictable. I also thought the ending was rushed, but I was so frustrated by the time the end was in sight, I didn’t care. The best thing I can say about this book is I was able to read it in a night when I was up comforting a teething toddler.

Book # 26: Plainsong by Kent Haruf

While this acclaimed novel has been on my reading list for ages, I didn’t know much about the plot before I began listening to it. I knew it was set in a fictional town in Colorado, and that the lives of several of the residents of Holt would be an important part of the story. It took me a little while to get into the story, but once I did, I was hooked. Haruf’s writing was wonderful. At some point, I will get to Eventide and Benediction.

Book # 27: Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf

One of my coworkers picked this for the April book discussion selection. I thought it was a beautiful, bittersweet story about two elderly people who develop a bond and help each other during long, lonely nights. I laughed out loud on more than one occasion, and also wanted to cry at times. It was short, but very powerful. We had a fantastic book discussion about it, and my coworker definitely picked a winner for April.

I'm glad I read Plainsong before this one, too. It was nice to notice a couple of subtle references!

Stopping by to get caught up.

>116 aktakukac: - What a great gift! Can totally see the John Deere colour theme. ;-)

>125 aktakukac: - Great review of Morton's latest. I think I loved it more than you did but I agree that the story had too many characters and storylines to keep track of.

>138 aktakukac: and >139 aktakukac: - Happy to see another Haruf fan! My favorite Haruf is The Tie That Binds but all of his stories are wonder reads.

>138 aktakukac: & >139 aktakukac: I have read both of them too, Rachel and loved them both also. What a subtle touch Kent Haruf had.

Wishing you a lovely weekend.

>140 lkernagh: and >141 PaulCranswick: Thanks for visiting, Lori and Paul!

Lori, I still need to take a picture of the bookshelf now that it has some of his books on the shelves. It looks great! I'll still read Morton's future novels, but I hope they will be better than her last two...

Paul, hope you're having a nice weekend.

I'm over a month behind on reviews. I'll slowly get updated...the good thing is I'm reading a lot!

Book # 28: Girl off the Grid by Kenzie Hart

Decent YA read full of travel, adventures, and a romance that develops between two people who can’t stand each other. Camille is a blogger and fashionista who gets offered an amazing trip to Costa Rica. She has to write an article for a magazine and make some videos, and agree to stay off of social media during the trip. Adam is a photographer who takes environmental and wildlife photos and agrees to take the assignment of photographing Camille to help establish his portfolio. When they meet, they immediately dislike each other. Will the trip be a disaster? Will they each be able to complete their required tasks?

This was a cute story. It could have been better, and some parts could have been more developed. I especially liked the descriptions of Costa Rica, the activities they took part in on the trip, and how both Camille and Adam grew over the course of the book. Good for a quick, predictable escape to the tropics.

Book # 29: The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

I’d wanted to read this one for quite a while, and although I had other YA books checked out at home, I started this one and enjoyed it immensely. It’s a retelling of Scheherazade and One Thousand and One Nights. It was more than I expected, and I’m looking forward to reading the follow-up book soon.

Book # 30: Meet Cute by Helena Hunting

This romance was predictable and while it was easy to read in one sitting, I thought the writing style was bland and the characters were unmemorable. I can see where others will like it more than I did.

>144 aktakukac: I’ve been wanting to read that one for a while now.

>145 aktakukac: Even the title is off-putting to me. Like the author couldn't be bothered to invent one, so called it by its logline. SMH

>146 foggidawn: Do it! I'm glad I waited so long because the second book has been out for ages too, so I don't have to wait for that one. The entire novel was good, but it got really good at the end.

>147 richardderus: I can see how the title could be off-putting. It's not the most creative title out there, that's for sure.

Finally getting around to my last reviews from April. At least it's only the middle of May!

Book # 31: Meet Me at the Museum by Anne Youngson

I noticed Anne’s review of this one earlier this year, and while I didn’t love it, I appreciated many things about it. I was also amazed that it’s the author’s debut novel! It’s an epistolary novel, and the letters are written by a Danish museum curator and a British farmer’s wife. They are both grieving and a friendship develops over time. There was a plot twist that seemed a bit too convenient, but it set up the appropriate ending.

Book # 32: The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata

This is a long audio book (16 hours of listening time) and I wish I could have read it, but the audio version was available and a physical copy was not. My attention did not waver as I listened, and the narrator was great. It’s a (very) slow burn romance, perfect for anyone who likes storylines where the characters become friends before a romance develops. Vanessa has worked for Aiden for a few years. She’s his assistant, housekeeper, cook, etc. and he plays professional football. When she has enough money saved up, she quits so she can pursue her dream job. Soon, Aiden shows up asking her to work for him again. There’s another reason he asks her to come back, but that gives away too much of the plot.

While there were a few times I thought this moved a little too slowly, I definitely enjoyed the story, and I will look for more novels by this author.

Book # 33: Daughters of the Lake by Wendy Webb

I’ve come to know what to expect from a Wendy Webb novel. They have a gothic feel to them, they are set on the Great Lakes (usually Lake Superior), usually have a bit of the paranormal or supernatural to them, and storylines in both the past and the present.

The body of a woman holding a baby wash up on the shore, and there’s something unusual about the bodies. Kate, a woman who is going through a divorce, starts having strange dreams. The dreams are connected to the bodies, and Kate starts using her journalist skills to learn about her family history and how it ties in to the bodies.

This was a disappointing read for me. I couldn’t get past Kate’s dreams, especially how she started having them. There were lots of loose ends, the writing was flat, and while the premise was good, the novel as a whole was quite boring and insipid. Hopefully Webb’s next novel will be better.

Books Read in April



Better late than never!

May reading goals (for the half of May that is left): keep reading the books I have checked out, get a head start on my June book discussion titles (I have three book discussions to lead in June), and try to read more middle grade books.

Book # 34: The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves

I was looking forward to what I thought would be an original, unique romance, and expected it given all the positive, raving reviews I had seen. Instead, I had issues with the main characters, choices they made, and the twist at the end (which I admit I did not see coming, but should have) added a level of drama that was unrealistic. I’ve liked other books written by the author, but can’t recommend this one.

Book # 35: In the Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende

This was the May book discussion book for work. It started off slowly for me. Just when I thought I knew how the entire story was going to go, BAM! Something was revealed that made me more interested in how things would turn out.

Three characters, Richard, Lucia, and Evelyn, are brought together during a winter storm. They have vastly different backgrounds and experiences, and share their histories with each other while coming to terms with a situation they are all a part of.

I have read a few of Allende’s novels before, but this was the first one with a contemporary storyline. Many timely themes and issues are explored, which helped us have a good book discussion. It also reminded me I have several of Allende’s novels at home that I should read at some point.

Book # 36: Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller

If you are looking for an exciting story set in a Viking-inspired fantasy world, I definitely suggest this one. After Rasmira is sabotaged during a trial for joining the warriors, she is banished from her village. She can return only if she completes a hopeless task – she must kill the god the villages have worshiped for centuries. Rasmira doesn’t expect to survive a full day in the wild. After meeting two other outcasts who also have their own quests to complete, Rasmira has to try to find a way for all three of them to do what seems impossible so they can go home.

I loved the world building, characters, dialogue, and adventure of this YA novel. Rasmira is a fantastic female lead, and once I started reading her story, I couldn’t put it down!

Quite the mix of reads for you lately, Rachel. Glad to hear there were more good reads than duds. :)

>155 aktakukac: I was all on board until the dread initials YA showed up. I could get past the adolescent-female hurdle because Lagertha from the TV show Vikings is amazing, so I downgraded my enthusiastic jump to a Kindle sample.

Bless you! I do not need another big book to glower at me from the tottering tower.

>155 aktakukac: Oooh, that looks good.

>156 MickyFine: I have been reading quite a mix lately, Micky. That's partly due to due dates at the library. I've had average to above average reads, so I can't complain :)

>157 richardderus: Glad I could help, Richard? I did talk that one up to a patron the other day, but she was in a rush to get to work and had already checked out some items, so perhaps it will stick in her mind till later?

>158 bell7: Hi Mary, I think I liked it more than the author's other books. It's one of my recent reads that I enjoyed the most.

Book # 37: The Au Pair by Emma Rous

After her father dies, Seraphine discovers a photo that was taken on the day she and her twin brother were born, which was also the day her mother committed suicide. Seraphine starts asking questions about their births, and the more she discovers, the more danger she puts herself and her loved ones in.

The story alternates between the present day and the months leading up to the birth of the twins. Seraphine’s older brother had a nanny, Laura, and the chapters alternate between Seraphine working on solving the mystery and Laura’s time with the family.

The ending will most likely make or break this story for the reader. I thought things got a bit confusing by the end. I can see where this would be labeled a “thriller”, but the suspense was never that intense and I focused more on the twists and how things would be resolved.

It was a decent read, not the best I'll read this year, but is one you should pick up if you like stories with family secrets, tragedy, and lots of drama.

Book # 38: The Children of Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren

This story covers a year in the life of a family and their neighbors living in the country in Sweden. I definitely liked it, but didn’t care for it as much as I would have as a child. Something just seemed to be missing for me. I will probably read it aloud to my child in the future. Maybe I will get more out of it then.

Book # 39: Daughters of Northern Shores by Joanne Bischof

The follow up to Sons of Blackbird Mountain, which I read (and loved) earlier this year. There was a lot going on in this one, but I don’t want to spoil things from the first book. Not quite as good, but it was wonderful to be back with the characters and I learned a lot about late 19th-Century medicine and treatment of diseases. I need to remember “epidemic jaundice” in case I am ever on Jeopardy! someday!

Book # 40: The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

Thanks to a shellfish allergy, Olive avoids food poisoning at a wedding reception. Ethan, the best man, also chose not to eat from the buffet. The bride and groom are unable to go on their free honeymoon to Hawaii, so Olive and Ethan go in their place. Of course, there’s a catch – they have to pretend to be married, and Olive and Ethan can’t stand each other. Things get extra complicated when they discover Olive’s future boss and Ethan’s ex-girlfriend are both staying at their hotel.

It was a fun, mindless, and at times very funny read. I just wished I liked it more. Lately the romance books I’ve read have been average at best.

Book # 41: Shotguns and Stagecoaches: The Brave Men Who Rode for Wells Fargo in the Wild West by John Boessenecker

The true stories of almost two dozen shotgun messengers and detectives who were employed by Wells Fargo in the mid-to-late 19th and early 20th Centuries are presented in this fascinating book. I listened to the audiobook, and each chapter held my attention as the men’s backgrounds, experiences in the Old West, and life after leaving the Company (if applicable) were explained. After finishing it, I’d love to spend some time in the gold and silver country in California, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, etc. Recommended for those interested in the history of the American West.

I'm ALMOST caught up on reviews. I finished a middle grade novel on my lunch break today, but that review will have to wait for another day. I can't renew a non-fiction book, so that will be a focus this weekend. I also need to get some more listening time for my current audiobook. With all the rain we've had and more expected every day for the next week, I should have some good reading and listening time ahead.

>162 aktakukac: That series sounds very tempting indeed. Medicine, Sweden, a group of characters continuing between the books...yep!

Have a good non-fictiony weekend of reading.

Have a great weekend, Rachel.

Book # 42: Stand on the Sky by Erin Bow

An excellent middle grade novel that I would have loved as a child. Aisulu, a Kazakh nomad who lives with her family in Mongolia, rescues a baby eagle. Although men are the eagle hunters, she ends up taking care of and training the eagle as it grows. Her brother is sick and needs treatment in the city, and if Aisulu can win a big competition, perhaps she can help her brother and be with her family again.

While I was reading this, there were times I laughed and times I wanted to cry. There were also times when I felt a bit disconnected from the story. I wish certain aspects had been explained better/differently, but it was also obvious that the author had researched this book well (and even spent time with Kazakh nomads and in Mongolia).

While I don’t particularly care for birds, I was very much invested in this story, and am sure it will appeal to a variety of readers. Very satisfying.

Books Read in May

I think it's time to start a new thread for the second half of the year. Please join me!