I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit. Check out what everyone else is reading. My reading has been on the slim side.
Match Making for Beginners by Maddie Dawson was a quick light read. If you like a bit of quirk I think this is great read. A match maker leaves her apartment to her nephews fiance who she barely know in hopes that she will become the next match maker.
***currently free on Kindle Unlimited
The Cut Out Girl
Is the true story of a survivor of a Jewish survivor of WWII. Lien de Jung. She was child taken in by the Holland Resistance Movement. The author's grandparents hid Lien but later they had a following out after the war. Bart learns of her story and explores what happened to Lien. This story brought me to tears.
The year is winding down but my reading hasn't. Once again the Hot Reads table at the library caught me . I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit link up. Check out what everyone is reading.
This is the true story about Gladys Kalibblat who is a journalist in Uganda who has column called "Lost and Abandoned". She investigates children left abandoned on the street and tries to reunite them with their families. But Gladys involvement goes way beyond that. Gladys is amazing and how she really rally's all her money and connections to take care of some street kids.
A raw read of a woman who walked away from Orthodox Judaism. If you like to read about other religions check this out. I find other religions fascinating and Orthodox Judaism is seeped in tradition and rules. Tova Mirvis decided she couldn't live within the confines of Orthodox Judaism and this is the story of her separation.
****At the time of this blog post this book was free on Kindle Unlimited
"The Only Woman In The Room" did not disappoint. If you like reading about famous people and underestimated woman this book is for you. I did not know Hedy Lamarr's back story and it is incredible. She was a film actress but also a scientist/inventor. Marie Benedict also has a new book to be released Jan 7 called Lady Clementine on Winston Churchills wife.
Celine by Peter Heller - I am going to name this one of my best reads of 2019. I really enjoyed this mystery/missing person story. I agree with some other reviewers that Celine is perhaps more interesting as the private investigator than the actual missing person story. Celine is a well thought out character with most excellent back story. I would love to read some more stories with Celine as the main character. I could see this being made into a movie.
The Reckless Oath We Made by Bryn Greenwood - This was a book recommend by Ali Edwards. This book was interesting. Gentry is Zee's champion. Zee is a woman with issues a tall redhead and definitely not a princess in most people's eyes. Gentry both shy and autistic is really into knights and codes of honors. He has chosen Zee to champion. This story was one I found myself thinking quite a lot about. Isn' t that what a good book is suppose to do? I like how the character with autism character was developed. It was more about his moral compass and less about his autism. I think this would be a good book club discussion book.
Oh I am way late to linking up to this party. I am linking up to Modern Mrs Darcy. Check out what everyone else has been reading.
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb This was in the Modern Mrs Darcy's Summer Reading Guide and was a favorite. This is about a therapist and her clients and also mostly about her own therapy. I really really liked this one.
Lori Gottlieb - Maybe You Should Talk to Someone graphic Project Life App
There is so much to unpack here. It is the kind of book you find yourself thinking about.
Magnet in Lori Gottlieb's office Graphic made with Project Life App
Mistress at the Ritzis set in Paris right before WWII. It about the Ritz hotel manager , Claude Azuello and his American wife, Blanche. This is also about those in the French resistance. I thought it was interesting though maybe a bit drawn out. The title makes it seem like it is a steamy romance novel. It is not
American Duchess by Karen Harper.This book is about Consuelo Vanderbilt. A long time ago I read her biography The Glitter and Gold. I actually preferred this. Consuelo Vanderbilt was married to the Duke of Marlborough in basically an arranged marriage by her overbearing mother. She got a title and the Duke got her money.
Check out my reads for August. I am linking up at Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit. I am way late to this party but I just got to share my reads.
The Time in Between was on Modern Mrs Darcy's 20 Terrific Tomes to Read. Oh this didn't disappoint. I will admit it is a lot of pages BUT SO WORTH IT. This is a great story about a Spanish Seamstress, Sira, and how she became a spy during WW 2 for the allies and the twists and turns her life takes. Of course there is romance, danger, and intrigue.
Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey is another Modern Mrs Darcy Recommends. Maud is an elderly woman that is slowly losing her memory. She keeps lists stuck here and there to help her remember. She is convinced that her best friend Elizabeth is in trouble and missing. This has a twist I guess I really didn't seem coming.
The Address by Fiona Davis - I found this book through Emily A Clark recommendation. I enjoyed this book about the female manager, Sara, of the upscale Dakota apartment building in 1884 and the designer Bailey Camden in 1984 fresh from rehab remodeling her cousin's apartment at the Dakota. There is a mystery. I have been doing a lot of genealogical research and there is a tie in there too.
This book, The Confusion of Languages by Siobhan Fallon, I devoured. It is about 2 very different women living in Jordan stationed there with their husbands who are attached to the US Embassy. Cassie,"Cassandra", who tries to do everything by the book and Margaret recently arrived with her child, Mather, who seems to be stumbling.
I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy. Check out what everyone is reading. My reading has slowed down a bit. I like this summer pace.
The Cactus by Sarah Haywood was Reese Witherspoons book club selection for the month of June. Sarah the main character is very black and white. When her Mom dies and she finds out she wasn't left the house things go a little sideways. This is also a book about finding love.I thought it was a quirky interesting read. This had a bit of a twist/surprise that was refreshing. I powered through this one in a few days.
Victoria and Abdul by Shrabani Basu I picked up off the Hot Reads table at library. I haven't seen the movie. I am a big fan of the series on Victoria though. I thought this was interesting read maybe a little heavy in the historical information. It certainly was well researched. I have borrowed the movie from the library and can't wait to see how the two compare.
Oh I have been reading and reading. I have been on a serious reading roll. I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy. Check out what everyone is reading.
The Yellow Envelope by Kim Dinan- Oh, you know I love a real life travel adventure book especially about a couple from Seattle. They sell all their possessions. They are given a envelope of money by their friends to give away as they see fit with basically only 3 rules. It was interesting to see how that went and what motivated them to pass the money along. I found the rickshaw race that Kim participated in India fascinating.
Before We Were Yours by Lisa WingateThis book is fiction but about real life adoption scandals. This book was a quick read and I noticed this book is also available to purchase at Costco.
Inheritance by Dani Shapiro - Getting your DNA taken to assist in finding your ancestors is something that is trending. Dani Shapiro did this and got the surprise of her life. Her father wasn't her father. I thought this was very thought provoking and some of the unintended consequences of DNA testing.
In the winter of 1885, decorated war hero Colonel Allen Forrester leads a small band of men on an expedition that has been deemed impossible: to venture up the Wolverine River and pierce the vast, untamed Alaska Territory. Leaving behind Sophie, his newly pregnant wife, Colonel Forrester records his extraordinary experiences in hopes that his journal will reach her if he doesn’t return–once he passes beyond the edge of the known world, there’s no telling what awaits him. (Whatcom Reads)
My favorite quote
It doesn't matter what draws explorers - wealth or fame of military power, or even genuine curiosity - they just alter a place by traveling through it.
I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit. Please check out what everyone else is reading.
Raise your hand if you are waiting for the SUMMER READING GUIDE by Modern Mrs Darcy that releases later this week.
finally got my hands on Reading People by Anne Bogel. Unfortunately or fortunately I get 99% of my reads from the library. IT TOOK THEM AN ETERNITY TO GET THIS BOOK! I was so happy to get a chance to read this book. I am a big admirer of Anne. This book is all about personality and how it shapes us. The book does a great job of illuminating personality type and our interactions with others I can say this a book that I need to keep coming back to. There is a lot to process in it. I came away with so much. I have some highly sensitive people in my family and that section was illuminating to me. I also identify with Anne that I always thought I was a planner but really I just more of a researcher.
Daisy Jones and The Six was one of Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine book club picks. I don't think this is a book I would normally pick up. It is the story of a fictional band in the 70's. I thought it was told in a interesting way. It has received enormous hype. I waited several months on the hold list at my local library. I thought the book got deeper closer to the end. There was some real meat there. I love the quote below. This story sticks with you.
Passion is ...it's fire. And fire is great, man. But we're made of water. Water is how we keep living. Water is what we need to survive. My family was my water. I picked water. I'll pick water every time.
Oh by the way, Spotify has a Daisy Jones and The Six playlist.
This is part of the All Souls Trilogy. This was recommended by my sister to me. This reminds me of a cross between Harry Potter and Twilight but in a way grown up version. I admit I am not usually drawn to this genre but A Discovery of Witches was pretty hard to put down. I read it over a few days and am the wait list for the next book in the series.
This book had quite a bit of buzz so I requested it from the library. This is the story of Stephanie's life as a single mother working in the housecleaning business. I think this would be a great book flight with the book Eviction. Stephanie was never evicted but discusses many of the same issues of poverty and making a living as a single parent. I guess what is disheartening is the choices that people that live on the poverty line have to make - living conditions that aren't greatest and daycare options that no one should have to experience. Sometimes getting public assistance is a full time job. This book stuck with me. It hit even closer as basically Stephanie lived in the same area that I currently reside - The Great Pacific Northwest/
This fictional account of making of Princess Elizabeth's now Queen Elizabeth wedding gown told from the prospective of the embroiders from Hartnell's and a granddaughter of one of the embroiders. The book is set in 1947 just after the war. If you are a royal fan, this book is exceptional. I thought it was a great story based on a historical event. I actually could not put this book down.
Matthew follows people evicted and the landlords that evict them. The city he explores this in is Milwaukee but says this is common to all cities. He explores how evictions don't only effect those that are evicted but the communities. Matthew also discusses who is profiting on evictions and why often times landlords make more money in the slums. This is a really thought provoking book.
"America is supposed to be a place where you can better your your family, and your community. But this only possible if you have a stable home."
"Eviction is a cause, not just a condition of poverty."
At the end of the book he advocates for reform to the housing courts and a need for a universal voucher system. For the past year, I have attended many housing meetings for my son.. I know first hand just how hard it is to find low income housing and housing situations for disabled people. I am not usually an advocate for more government involvement but I think housing is an area that really could use more government intervention. It is too easy for the private sector to abuse low income renters either by charging more, evicting more frequently, discrimination etc... I have written on my blog that providing housing can improve the outcomes for people suffering from mental illness. This book just reinforces my feelings about providing stable housing.
This book is about the Los Angeles Central Library fire and the history of the library as well. I just found it fascinating how the hunt for the arsonist and the history of the library was intertwined. I am a self proclaimed library geek. Going to the library is part of my DNA. I borrow 98 percent of my reads from the library. I really enjoyed this book.
My reading life is picking up. I don't know if it is the colder weather. My book selections are interesting this month. I don't think they will be everyone's cup of tea.
Both of these books are true stories with the subjects having trauma in their lives and causing trauma. I don't know what is attracting me to these type of books.
Sandra has lots and lots of trauma in her life. She began her life as a boy. This true story follows her life and her stories of cleaning up other people real life messes - hoarders,deaths, etc. This was a slow read for me. I don't know what compelled me to pick it up. I thought parts of this were extremely graphic.
I'm Just Happy to Be Here by Jannelle Hanchett
I saw this book recommended by another instagrammer. This true story is about a mom that deals with addiction to drugs and alcohol mainly to alcohol. Most of the book deals with her descent into addiction. The last part of the book deals with her recovery. I am just so so on this . I did appreciate her sponsor's, Good News Jack, advice - " If you're are sitting in the living room but want to be in the kitchen, the first thing you have to do is realize you're in the the F....living room. Which lead to Janelle's realization "We can't get someplace new until we're honest about where we are."
Bliss(ters) by Gail M Francis
You know I can't resist a trail about the Pacific Crest Trail. This is a shorter one. I enjoyed the descriptions that Gail provided and how she hiked the trail. Her trail name was Nightingail. She liked to sing while she hiked. If you are in need of more adventure reads check out my post Arm Chair Adventures.
Well my reading life seems to ground to a temporary halt but I did finish Walking to the End of the World at the end of December. Walking the Camino De Santiago has been a bucket list item for me. This couple, Beth and Eric Jusino, was from Seattle so almost local to me. I enjoyed their descriptions. They started walking The Way of Saint James in France. They didn't walk for religious reason but rather to escape their busy life. Beth isn't a super athlete and had never walked a long distance trail. It was a good read.
I have a great round up of all the ARM CHAIR ADVENTURES READS - check it out. I need to do an update
