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Book Reviews

Reading Soothes My Soul (February 2019)

Here we are in February and I’m still reading. Over the holidays, I saved a few books from my sister’s house. She was going to donate the books; instead, they came home with me and will visit my friends – and then probably be donated.

Full disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click on a link and buy something (even if it’s not the particular book,) I receive a little compensation. I think I’ve made $5-10 over the years of blogging, probably because I’ve clicked on my links – lol.

The Collector by Nora Roberts. You know, Nora Roberts who writes both mushy romances and thriller mysteries as J.D. Robb? The Collector combines those into one romantic thriller mystery thing that actually works. Fun vacation read with Fabrege eggs, too.

Where’d You Go Bernadette? by Maria Semple. Quirky Seattle family has a mother with a past. Mom melts down and runs away. Everybody loves everybody all the same, and Antartica sounds like a nice place for a family vacation.

Secrets of the Tsil Cafe by Thomas Fox Averill. One of my favorite foodie books, this is a coming-of-age story about a young boy. His father is the chef/owner of the only Southwestern/Native American restaurant in Kansas City; upstairs from the restaurant, his mother runs an eclectic catering business. Don’t think Upstairs Downstairs, think habanero, chipotle, jalapeno, and life. This is one of the first books I remember reading that included recipes; of course, I wouldn’t even dare try because – well – habanero, chipotle, and jalapeno.

The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O’Connor McNeeds. A friend gave this to me because she couldn’t finish it. I did finish it, but don’t think it was worth reading. The ending was particularly unsatisfying and impossible to believe. On the plus side it’s well researched and authentic to the time period, I just think it wavers too far into fantasy for me (and I like a good fantasy.)

Burning Glass by Kathryn Purdie. A superbly empathetic young girl is brought into the castle to serve as the emperor’s “Auraseer.” Unfortunately, her empathetic talents are untrained, and the dangers in the castle are about to skyrocket. P.S. There’s love in here, too, and it’s a series because something definitely happens after the revolution.

The Color of our Sky by Amita Trasi. This was also gifted to me from a friend, and it is magnificent, if a little unbelievable. Sometimes I’m OK with going along with the ‘unbelievability’ of a story so long as the story is worth it; this one is. Two friends are separated by years and distance; eleven years later they are reunited, and hoo boy, getting there is worth the read.

Feed by M.T. Anderson. This National Book Award Finalist from 2002 so exactly predicts our current reality it’s scary. There’s a trip to the moon, a whirlwind of advertisement, and a romance… and there’s this paragraph that sounds nothing at all like our current world, right?

“Everything we’ve grown up with — the stories on the feed, the games, all of that — it’s all streamlining our personalities so we’re easier to sell to. I mean, they do these demographic studies that divide everyone up into a few personality types, and then you get ads based on what you’re supposedly like. They try to figure out who you are, and to make you conform to one of their types for easy marketing. It’s like a spiral: They keep making everything more basic so it will appeal to everyone. And gradually, everyone gets used to everything being basic, so we get less and less varied as people, more simple. So the corps make everything even simpler. And it goes on and on.”

page 97, Feed by M.T. Anderson

Life Without Water by Nancy Peacock. This is a short, heart-wrenching novel about growing up in the craziness of the late 1960s and early 70s. Mom is a beautiful young thing who hooks up with a drug dealer and artist, daughter is a free spirit, and they live on a funky commune in rural North Carolina. Until they don’t, and then do again.

Kindred Spirits by Sarah Strohmeyer. Heartwarming and heartbreaking chick flick novel. Read this with your girlfriends, decide which one of the main characters you are. Celebrate with good food, margarita’s, and a spontaneous road trip.

I am trying to work my way through They F*** You Up by Oliver James, but it’s slow going. James argues that it is as much nurture (or lack of nurturing) that forms who you become as it is nature. And there are statistics, so. many. statistics. I’m thoroughly enjoying the book but boy, it’s a slog.

Books for Christmas 2018

Essentially, this is a round up of all of the books I’ve read this year in one place. Think of it as a yearly review and as a way to figure out what books to give for Christmas. For even more book ideas for Christmas, check out the roundup of all of the books from my old blog, too.

Full disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click on a link and buy something (even if it’s not the particular book,) I receive a little compensation. I think I’ve made $5-10 over the years of blogging, probably because I’ve clicked on my links – lol.

Mindfulness and Spirituality Books

       

Mystery School: An Insider’s Perspective by Gayle Clayton. Reading and re-reading books written by your meditation teacher is a very, very good thing. It helps tickle my memories and certainly reminds me of an amazing time in my life. And, if you’ve ever wondered what exactly a mystery school is like, this will help. Your brain will be overloaded with information: exactly what’s needed in this Western world to break through our overthinking over-obsessed-with-details-and-facts-and-figures world. A remarkable accounting.

Mindfulness by Joseph Goldstein. This is a series of lectures by Goldstein, one of the people who brought vipassana (aka mindfulness) meditation to America. Along with Sharon Salzburg and Jack Kornfield, Goldstein founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts. When there is a retreat being held at the center, there is always a dharma talk, or lecture, in the evening; this book is a collection of those lectures by Goldstein specifically covering the Satipatthana Sutta, the foundational discourse of Buddha on mindfulness. I find I can only read one lecture a day because each brings so much to ponder. It’s worth it, though, as there are plenty of jewels like this:

An ironic and useless patter that I’ve noticed in my own retreats is that my mind comments on someone not being mindful — or at least not appearing to be in my eyes — all the while being oblivious to the fact that in that very moment I’m doing exactly what it is I have a judgement about: namely, not being mindful! It usually doesn’t take me long to see the absurdity of this patter and then just to smile at these habits of mind. It’s always helpful to have a sense of humor about one’s own mental foibles.

I’ve definitely never been guilty of this, have you?

Mindful Aging by Andrea Brandt. I really tried to like this book, but alas, I can’t do it. The subtitle of the book is “embracing your life after 50 to find fulfillment, purpose, and joy.” It comes off a little too simplistic for me, and probably for you, too.

The Wise Heart by Jack Kornfield. As part of the mindfulness certification, I had to read a book or several about mindfulness. Jack Kornfield is a good introduction, and I really liked how he broke down the functions of mindfulness into things I could easily understand and relate. Gentle wisdom and good storytelling combine with modern psychology.

Clear Home, Clear Heart by Jean Haner. Not long ago I watched a video of Jean Haner in one of those free summits I post about on Facebook. I was captivated by her talking about clearing space, so picked up this book, and within a day or so had cleared myself and my cats – thanks to a pendulum and copper dowsing rods. I cleared the house, too, which may explain the whole basement thing; and yes, the house felt different after I cleared it. Hmmm, maybe I should get certified in space and personal clearing, too?

Chumpi Illumination by Eleanora Amendolara. After my experience at the Sacred Waterfall with twelve crystal Chumpi stones, I finally broke down and bought a set of seven. These are mystical stones from the Peruvian Andes mountains; mine are made of meteorite and are (without a doubt) alive. This deck of cards is helping me understand the basic principles behind the stones I have.

Five Lives Remembered and Between Death and Life by Delores Cannon. If you’re unfamiliar with past life regressions and/or the work of Delores Cannon, these two books are good introductions. “Five Lives” is the retelling of how she and her husband started regressing people and found one person who was particularly good under hypnosis. “Between Death and Life” explores what happens to a soul after it leaves the body.

Writing about American Buddhist Rebel and Unplugging the Patriarchy is a little like writing about the chicken and the egg. They’re so closely related, it’s a bit hard to tell where one begins and the other ends. For example,  American Buddhist Rebel is the teacher’s while Unplugging the Patriarchy is the student’s story; the teacher appears in Unplugging but the student doesn’t appear (at least by name) in American. 

Regardless, I did enjoy both. I can’t get enough spiritual biographies, and both books are that. American Buddhist Rebel: The Story of Rama – Dr. Frederick Lenz by Liz Lewinson is a more conventional biography albeit written by a student of Rama. That is to say, it’s a flattering biography of an even-to-this-day controversial figure. As someone who’s fairly well versed in spirituality (I spent two years working at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies and writing the catalog/course offerings,) I’d never heard of Rama. 

I really loved Unplugging the Patriarchy: A Mystical Journey Into the Heart of a New Age by Lucia Rene. This novel reads more like a fictionalized first-person narrative, and it kept me on the edge of my seat. Who is the mysterious man in the Pacific? Can he stop the three main characters from dismantling the esoteric rings that bind patriarchy into this world?  

While the teacher, Rama, passed away in 1998, and his work is carried on by the nonprofit Rama Meditation Society.  Lucia Rene is still very much alive and living in South America. Her website offers classes and other teachings online.

Mysteries

   

The Little Old Lady Who Broke All The Rules by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg. This was a fun little read that I picked up on a late summer adventure to Grand Rapids. I went over for the day and hit Nordstrom Rack, thrift stores on 29th street, Trader Joes, and (how could I not) Schuler Books. I ate lunch and gathered a few books including this one purely for the title. The back-of-book blurb attracted my attention too: “Martha Andersson may be seventy-nine years old and live in a retirement home, but that doesn’t mean she’s ready to stop enjoying life. So when the new management starts cutting corners to save money, Martha and her four closest friends won’t stand for it.” This league of septuagenarians gets up to all sorts of hilarious hijinks and you’ll love it. Thank goodness there’s at least one more in the series: The Little Old Lady Who Struck Lucky Again!

Raspberry Danish Murder by Joanna Fluke. New Hannah!!! I read this super-cozy mystery in one night and am delighted by the end. I wrote about the recipes on my other blog. Though I’ve been annoyed by plot developments in previous books, this one is sweet and complete, just like the perfect chocolate chip cookie.

Christmas Cake Murder by Joanna Fluke. This quick and easy read is yet another in the Hannah Swenson series, and I read it in one night.  There are tasty recipes and a lighthearted look back at the beginning of Hannah’s cookie and mystery empire in the small town of Lake Eden, Minnesota. Charming, as always. Recipes included are: cocoa-crunch cookies, honey apple crisp, anytime peach pie, melt-in-your-mouth pork roast, ultimate lemon bundt cake, Cool Whip lemon frosting, bacon & sausage breakfast burritos, cashew butter blossom cookies, chocolate hazelnut bonbons, ultimate butterscotch bundt cake, Cool Whip butterscotch frosting, ultimate Christmas bundt cake, Cool Whip white chocolate frosting, and minty dream cookies. If you love old recipes, you’ll thoroughly enjoy my other blog – My Great Recipes Collection.

Curiosity Killed The Cat Sitter by Blaize Clement. Retired sheriff’s deputy turned pet sitter Dixie Hemingway is no pushover – unless there’s dog or cat involved. And there are the dead bodies that (ahem, mysteriously) keep appearing. But Dixie has a complicated history, and solving murders doesn’t help her keep her cool. I’d read more of these. And besides that, reading about hot Florida days is a fantasy in the middle of a Michigan winter.

About A Dog by Jenn McKinlay. Romance, dogs, and small-town gosh-golly-gee are in this delightful story. Throw in three girlfriends and you’ve got a charming tale – or should that be tail? I’m sure the others in the Bluff Point Romance series are just as heart-warming: Barking Up The Wrong Tree and Every Dog Has His Own Day.

To Die But Once by Jacqueline Winspear. Move over all you other books, private investigator Maisie Dobbs is in the house. I read this in maybe two or three nights of intense reading. I would do it again – probably when the next book is released. My hopes are up that that will be next year.

The Maisie Dobbs series of mysteries stand out because the characters are true-to-life. They’re believable, likable, and tenacious.  At this point in the series we’ve seen Maisie and her cohorts through the first World War, personal struggles, and now the second World War is starting. Sigh. If only Winspear could write as fast as I can read.

Brimstone by Cherie Priest is set in the early 1920s where talented clairvoyant Alice Dartle has just arrived at the spiritualist camp in Cassadega, Florida. Tomas Cordero, a tailor who lives in Ybor City, Florida, is struggling with shell shock from his experiences in the first World War and the loss of his beloved wife. The paths of Dartle and Cordero cross in Cassadega and combine to defeat a powerful enemy who loves fires.

The Edge of Dreams by Rhys Bowen. Bowen writes the Molly Murphy mysteries series, set in the early part of the 1900s in the New York City area.  Molly’s biggest challenge seems to be balancing what a proper woman should do (stay at home and take care of her young child) versus her natural instincts to solve mysteries as well as any man – including her police captain husband.  Charming, if a little predictable.

The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen. Bowen is a prolific author, and this book is definitely not a Molly Murphy mystery. It does seamlessly blend the stories of a World War II British bomber pilot and his daughter in with a quaint rural Italian town. Bonus points for delicious food, but like The Edge of Dreams, this is a charming (and a little predictable) read.

If you enjoy mystery and intrigue set in a not-too-dissimilar setting (albeit that setting is industrial revolution England) you just might like this haunting novel by Ian R. MacLeod. There’s a sick child, a manipulating mother, and gritty fantasy. What’s the book? The House of Storms by Ian R. MacLeod

Urban Mystery & Other Fantasy Books

Darker and grittier than your typical cozy mystery, but oh so interesting!

    

The Greywalker series by Kat Richardson: Poltergeist, Labryinth, Vanished, and Seawitch, and others. This urban fantasy series features private investigator Harper Blaine who just happens to be able to see between the worlds. Start with #1 in the series, Greywalker, which explains how Blaine got these talents, among other things.

On that same trip, I bought Bibliomysteries edited by Otto Penzler. This is a collection of short stories about bookshops, libraries, book collectors, and booksellers. Authors include Mickey Spillane, Nelson DeMille, Anne Perry, and Laura Lippman. The subtitle of the book says it all: stories of crime in the world of books and bookstores.

Seanan McGuire is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors. I learned about her from a friend who reads more than me and we both have devoured most of her books – which is saying a lot. The InCryptid series follows professional ballroom dancer turned friend-of-monsters Verity Price as she shimmies at the bar, tumbles across rooftops, and fights the good fight. All that and burgeoning true love. First in the series is Discount Armageddon. I just finished Midnight Blue-Light Special, too.

Stealing Shadows by Kay Hooper. I picked up a series of three Kay Hooper books at the autumn book sale at my local library because they looked interesting: a psychic helps police catch killers. Unfortunately, this got just a little too dark for my tastes, perhaps even a little too unbelievable. I’ll donate this series back to the book sale for next year.

    

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin.  So many good series, so little money to go and buy all of the books. If you’re a fan of dystopian fantasy, you owe it to yourself to seek this series out. I’ve only read this first book, but it’s worth finding.  And as it’s the 2016 Hugo Award Winner, your local library may stock a copy or two. As I said, this is a trilogy, so if you’re able, you can definitely grab all three books here.

The Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemison (The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, The Broken Kingdom, The Kingdom of Gods, and the bonus material “The Awakened Kingdom.” I’d looked for other books in the Fifth Season at local bookstores, but have had no luck. Finally, I came across The Inheritance Trilogy at a Barnes and Noble; it’s not the same series, but it’s a doozie of a series all on its own. As this is a 1400-page compilation, it’s hard to sum up the plot in a few short sentences. Suffice it to say that the ruling class is deposed, and a new class begins to rise. Oh! And there are gods and goddesses involved, too. Fantasy and storytelling at its very, very best: go read some of this stuff.

The Wall Of Night Series by Helen Lowe: The Heir of Night, The Gathering of the Lost, and Daughter of Blood. If you thought I was enthusiastic about The Fifth Season, you haven’t seen anything. This fantasy series by Helen Lowe blew me away. I gobbled these three up as quickly as I possibly could. That’s saying something because Daughter of Blood is more than 700 pages long. The series is epic – a battle between good and evil led by two awkward teenagers with impressive abilities – and the world-building is magnificent.

The Brightest Fell is the ninth book in The October Daye Series by Seanan McGuire. I really tried to dislike this series, I really tried. At dinner one night I said I thought the first book was well written but just too violent for me. And then I read another two or three and didn’t stop until I finished the whole series. It easily took me less than two weeks to glide through all eight books; and now I long for the magical world of the faerie with all of the political intrigue, infighting, and imaginative world-building. October “Toby” Daye is a half human half fae (as in fairy or fairy-ish) hard-boiled detective type who also happens to have considerable talent with the decidedly not human skill of ‘riding blood.’ When she tastes blood, she sees and experiences the story of whomever the blood has come from; and given that she’s a detective, that blood is often coming from a freshly dead body. If you love fantasy, this is a great series to consider.

Beach Read Books

      

 

Sourdough by Robin Sloan. Yes, sourdough bread and San Francisco, but also high-tech, grazing goats, farmer’s markets, and cricket cookies. There’s a visit to a Chez Panisse look-a-like restaurant, and an appearance of the owner who resembles Alice Waters, the legendary founder of Panisse. There’s a robot that makes bread, too. Sourdough is a quick read with a good story. It didn’t take me much longer than making a loaf of bread from scratch to read.

The Last Girls by Lee Smith. If you got together with college roommates, you’d have a lot of fun, right? I would! But these roommates and friends seem more bent on destroying each other, or at least hurling insults and mean glances. There is fun, to be sure, as the women recreate their trip down the Mississippi, but I wouldn’t want to be along for the trip.

Summers at Blue Lake is the first novel from Jill Althouse-Wood. Take one miserable divorce, two grandmother lesbians, and fond memories of summers spent at the lake…then combine with the pieces of a puzzle coming together in one bittersweet picture. It’s a darned fine summer read.

Looking for a heart-warming novel about girlfriends? Add a little knitting into the mix, and that’s exactly what you get in The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. There’s friendship, love, secrets, and miracles – everything you’d really want or need in a chick-flick book.

The Forgotten Room by Karen White, Beatriz Williams, and Lauren Willig. This is a pleasant, predictable read based in the gilded age of New York City. You know this story: servant girl falls in love with a wealthy boy and there are complications. Yawn. How three successful authors can write such an average story, I’m not sure, but they definitely pulled it off here.

The Lost Carousel of Provence by Juliet Blackwell. Cady Drake is a social misfit and down on her luck: her adoptive mother has passed away, and now Cady is alone in the world. She moves forward in her life through her old cameras and photographic skills. When a friend urges Cady to accept an assignment photographing the old carousel’s of Paris, the adventure truly begins. If you’ve ever loved riding on a carousel and fallen in love with the gorgeous sculptured creatures, be sure to add this to your reading list. History, mystery, and a little bit of love are included, too.

Still Life With Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen. This is more of ‘love’ story that I like. A famous female photographer based in New York City, newly divorced and financially unstable, rents her fancy loft-like apartment and escapes to a small country town. Naturally, she falls in love with a local boy, because doesn’t that happen to everyone? Fortunately, Quindlen adds just enough twists and turns to make this book charming.

History and Other Non Fiction Books

    

The Memory Code by Dr. Lynne Kelly. As I write this, I’m about halfway through this book, subtitled “The Secrets of Stonehenge, Easter Island, and Other Ancient Monuments.” It’s incredible. She’s explored how Australian Aborigines encode memory (events, people, seasons) into places, and then extrapolated and applied to her own life. In one chapter she takes the reader on a walk around her neighborhood. She uses the objects and places to help her remember geological and archaeological history.

 As Epsi [her dog] and I walk down the drive from home, the first life – the first photosynthesis- is happening… We walk through geological eras and eons, one per house: Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic, Paleozoic, and into the Mesozoic. The last house on the block has a very messy garden, which makes remembering that this is the Mesozoic very easy.  For a reason I have never been able to discern, Epsi doesn’t like the Mesozoic and tries to head back home when we get there. I pick her up and nod to the dinosaurs as I carry her through the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous. From the Pliocene on, she is perfectly happy to walk, even though the big noisy dogs are at the house with Lucy, the famous australopithecine from the Pliocene who has no idea the stir her skeletal remains will one day cause when they are found over three million years later. I turn the first corner in the Jurassic, 200 million years ago. By the time we reach the next corner, now well into the Cenozoic, we have encountered many long-extinct hominid species. Homo erectus stands upright just as I get to the last house on this block. The corner is one million years ago, which I decided was the best place to change from geologic time to archaeological time and enter the Paleolithic.

But what really kept me reading is the fact that she has applied this knowledge of encoding memory into many other ancient monuments around the world – including Stonehenge and New Grange. Fascinating!

Weird Scenes Inside the Canyon by David McGowan. If you don’t know it already, I love me a good so-called conspiracy theory. I even wrote a little bit about the whole QAnon stuff going on this past year. QAnon and David Wilcock both posit that something much bigger is going on covertly and that we’ll all know about it soon enough. So it’s the perfect time to read this little collection of stories from McGowan who wrote about a lot of very interesting things. This book explores the Laurel Canyon scene in the 60s and 70s that spawned a whole hoot of musicians: the Byrds, the doors, Buffalo Springfield, the Monkees, the Beach Boys, the Turtles, the Eagles, and more.  And it especially delves into the underbelly of that scene (think Charles Manson connections) and a lot of military connections.

A World Without Whom by Emily J. Favilla The subtitle for this book is “The Essential Guide to Language in the BuzzFeed Age,” and it should come with an English teacher alert: you won’t like this one bit. I did, but perhaps that’s because I am online so very, very much. This truly is a guide for the new way of writing that has developed online. It’s not about proper sentence structure or well-developed thesis; instead, it’s about accessible, friendly writing. And she likes the Oxford Comma – hallelujah!

Inspired and Unstoppable: Wildly Succeeding in Your Life’s Work by Tama Kieves. On the journey from employee to entrepreneur…. (Wait, did I just call myself a business owner? I guess I did, didn’t I? I’m still getting used to that…) Anyway, while on the journey from employee to creating a dream job/life as a life coach and writer, Tama Kieves has been consistently inspirational. This book is full of sound, heart-centered advice. I have her new book, Thriving Through Uncertainty, loaded onto my Kindle to read, too.

The Conquer Kit: A Creative Business Planner for Women Entrepreneurs by Natalie MacNeil. I bought this on a whim more than a year ago, really before I realized I was truly starting a business. I couldn’t work with this book at all. But then, gradually, as I became more aware of the business that was emerging from my consciousness, this book became an inspiration. It is a business plan, but it’s not stodgy or boring. It causes you to brainstorm and apply solid business tactics in creative ways. There are still parts I haven’t been able to work through. I think that’s the point, though – as I develop as a business owner, I can see returning to this book over and over again to discover fresh perspectives.

The Apprentice by Jacques Pepin. I love a good autobiography and, for sure, this is one. It’s filled with anecdote after anecdote about celebrated chef Pepin’s life, and a handful of recipes. There is a grueling old-fashioned apprenticeship in France, and then Pepin arrives in America. The rest, they say, its nothing but history, and the story-telling is charming. 

Even More Fiction Books

  

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden. It’s deep winter and a small village in the medieval Russian wilderness is beset upon by pagan demons. Or is it beset upon by a monk from far away Muscovy attempting to impose new religious beliefs? Tensions are high in this imaginative retelling of a classic Russian fairy tale. Thank goodness Vasya, the land owner’s wild-child daughter is around to save the day…or does she? I suspect the sequel, The Girl In The Tower, will have just as many twists and turns.

A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams. If it wasn’t for the hurricane, this would be a wonderful summer beach read.  And that hurricane is ever-present because the reader knows it’s sneaking up on the characters, yet they remain blissfully unaware of what’s on the way. The story twists and turns to unravel Lily Dane’s family mystery and slowly winds up to that hurricane. The final chapter is thrilling, and the epilogue shows how love stands the test of time.  Sigh.

The “Honor Harrington” novels by David Weber. Also recommended by a friend, this is another sci-fi epic space odyssey of novels. I chunked my way through ten of them and had to stop – not because they’re not good, mind you. Instead, I got tired of the militaristic (warmongering?) focus. But if you love sci-fi, don’t let that stop you from trying these out; I suspect I’ll be back into the series at some point. Start with the first in the series – On Basilisk Station – to get a real feel for the brilliance of Honor Harrington.

Featuring two sisters who are (seemingly) totally opposites, The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman is tasty.  And the novel is not so much about the sisters as it is how they find their way in the world, and how one of them discovers her true passion in some old cookbooks. 

The Book of Air and Shadows by Michael Gruber A thriller with books, bookstores, book writers, and book restoration? Yes, please. There’s a secretive twist on Shakespeare, too. This book spans centuries and continents and is a truly fun read. I’d read more by Michael Gruber.

I keep wondering why so many post-current society stories are filled with tragedy and struggles. I always imagine the opposite of that: a bright and beautiful future for all. Nevertheless, Station Eleven by Emily St. John  Mandel is a different kind of dystopian story filled with a traveling band of actors and musicians, and an entertaining one at that. A flu pandemic ravages the world, and -twenty years later- we travel with the troupe through what used to be known as Michigan. There’s a violent prophet, and a city growing where there once was an airport. And if you’re a Shakespeare fan, there’s King Lear on stage in Toronto all those many, many years ago – and that is the special twist.

Artemis by Andy Weir. Yes, the guy who wrote The Martian in his spare time while working a computer programmer is back with another book set off-planet. This time we’re on the moon and all sorts of adventure is afoot in the domed city. The main character is just as sharp as The Martian’s Mark Watney, and in about as much trouble, too. I hope Andy Weir has a few more books like these to write!

Peace Like A River by Leif Enger is Midwestern to its core, and dripping in the possibility of miracles that float through this novel like snowflakes. The novel is gripping, haunting, and all of those things you and I love about a well-written piece of fiction. It covers one short year in the life of eleven-year-old Reuben Land and his small, broken family as they race across the cold north searching for his renegade older brother. Fresh like winter snow, treacherous like an ice storm, and tragic and beautiful all at the same time.

In the aftermath of Germany’s World War Two defeat, a lonesome woman and her two boys return to the castle of her husband’s ancestors. There, a disjointed group of women gathers and rebuild their lives. The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck was inspired by tales told by the author’s relatives and took more than seven years to write. Grim and gripping, shimmering and bright, this novel tells stories and reveals secrets for everyone.

For even more book ideas for Christmas, check out the roundup of all of the books from my old blog, too.

What books are you giving for Christmas this year?

Reading Soothes My Soul (December 2018)

It amazes me to no end that 2018 is almost over, and that I’ve barely posted on this blog. My recipe blog is going great guns, but here – where I share spiritual insights and books and other intriguing stuff – nothing. Sigh.

I’ll keep writing here, that’s for sure as spirituality and books and other stuff are important to me. As usual, I’ve been reading up a storm over the last few months. How about you?

There will be one more book post this year that rounds up all of the books in one big gift giving extravaganza. That should be live next week.

Full disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click on a link and buy something (even if it’s not the particular book,) I receive a little compensation. I think I’ve made $5-10 over the years of blogging, probably because I’ve clicked on my links – lol.

Peace Like A River by Leif Enger is Midwestern to its core, and dripping in the possibility of miracles that float through this novel like snowflakes. The novel is gripping, haunting, and all of those things you and I love about a well-written piece of fiction. It covers one short year in the life of eleven-year-old Reuben Land and his small, broken family as they race across the cold north searching for his renegade older brother. Fresh like winter snow, treacherous like an ice storm, and tragic and beautiful all at the same time.


The Apprentice by Jacques Pepin. I love a good autobiography and, for sure, this is one. It’s filled with anecdote after anecdote about celebrated chef Pepin’s life, and a handful of recipes. There is a grueling old-fashioned apprenticeships in France, and then Pepin arrives in America. The rest, they say, it nothing but history, and the story-telling is charming. 

The Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemison (The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, The Broken Kingdom, The Kingdom of Gods, and the bonus material “The Awakened Kingdom.” Back in April, I told you about The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemison; since then I’ve looked for other books in that series at local bookstores, but have had no luck. Finally, I came across The Inheritance Trilogy at a Barnes and Noble; it’s not the same series as The Fifth Season, but it’s a doozie of a series all on its own. As this is a 1400-page compilation, it’s hard to sum up the plot in a few short sentences. Suffice it to say that the ruling class are deposed, and a new class begins to rise. Oh! And there are gods and goddesses involved, too. Fantasy and storytelling at its very, very best: go read some of this stuff.

I keep wondering why so many post-current society stories are filled with tragedy and struggles. I always imagine the opposite of that: a bright and beautiful future for all. Nevertheless, Station Eleven by Emily St. John  Mandel is a different kind of dystopian story filled with a traveling band of actors and musicians, and an entertaining one at that. A flu pandemic ravages the world, and -twenty years later- we travel with the troupe through what used to be known as Michigan. There’s a violent prophet, and a city growing where there once was an airport. And if you’re a Shakespeare fan, there’s King Lear on stage in Toronto all those many, many years ago – and that is the special twist.

In the aftermath of Germany’s World War Two defeat, a lonesome woman and her two boys return to the castle of her husband’s ancestors. There, a disjointed group of women gather and rebuild their lives. The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck was inspired by tales told by the author’s relatives and took more than seven years to write. Grim and gripping, shimmering and bright, this novel tells stories and reveals secrets for everyone.

Looking for a heart-warming novel about girlfriends? Add a little knitting into the mix, and that’s exactly what you get in The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. There’s friendship, love, secrets, and miracles – everything you’d really want or need in a chick-flick book.

Writing about American Buddhist Rebel and Unplugging the Patriarchy is a little like writing about the chicken and the egg. They’re so closely related, it’s a bit hard to tell where one begins and the other ends. For example,  American Buddhist Rebel is the teacher’s while Unplugging the Patriarchy is the student’s story; the teacher appears in Unplugging but the student doesn’t appear (at least by name) in American. 

Regardless, I did enjoy both. I can’t get enough spiritual biographies, and both books are that. American Buddhist Rebel: The Story of Rama – Dr. Frederick Lenz by Liz Lewinson is a more conventional biography albeit written by a student of Rama. That is to say, it’s a flattering biography of an even-to-this-day controversial figure. As someone who’s fairly well versed in spirituality (I spent two years working at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies and writing the catalog/course offerings,) I’d never heard of Rama. 

I really loved Unplugging the Patriarchy: A Mystical Journey Into the Heart of a New Age by Lucia Rene. This novel reads more like a fictionalized first-person narrative, and it kept me on the edge of my seat. Who is the mysterious man in the Pacific? Can he stop the three main characters from dismantling the esoteric rings that bind patriarchy into this world?  

While the teacher, Rama, passed away in 1998, and his work is carried on by the nonprofit Rama Meditation Society.  Lucia Rene is still very much alive and living in South America. Her website offers classes and other teachings online.

If you enjoy mystery and intrigue set in a not-too-dissimilar setting (albeit that setting is industrial revolution England) you just might like this haunting novel by Ian R. MacLeod. There’s a sick child, a manipulating mother, and gritty fantasy. What’s the book? The House of Storms by Ian R. MacLeod

Featuring two sisters who are (seemingly) totally opposites, The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman is tasty.  And the novel is not so much about the sisters as it is how they find their way in the world, and how one of them discovers her true passion in some old cookbooks. 


Brimstone by Cherie Priest is set in the early 1920s where talented clairvoyant Alice Dartle has just arrived at the spiritualist camp in Cassadega, Florida. Tomas Cordero, a tailor who lives in Ybor City, Florida, is struggling with shell shock from his experiences in the first World War and the loss of his beloved wife. The paths of Dartle and Cordero cross in Cassadega and combine to defeat a powerful enemy who loves fires.


A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams. If it wasn’t for the hurricane, this would be a wonderful summer beach read.  And that hurricane is ever-present because the reader knows it’s sneaking up on the characters, yet they remain blissfully unaware of what’s on the way. The story twists and turns to unravel Lily Dane’s family mystery and slowly winds up to that hurricane. The final chapter is thrilling, and the epilogue shows how love stands the test of time.  Sigh.

The Lost Carousel of Provence by Juliet Blackwell. Cady Drake is a social misfit and down on her luck: her adoptive mother has passed away, and now Cady is alone in the world. She moves forward in her life through her old cameras and photographic skills. When a friend urges Cady to accept an assignment photographing the old carousel’s of Paris, the adventure truly begins. If you’ve ever loved riding on a carousel and fallen in love with the gorgeous sculptured creatures, be sure to add this to your reading list. History, mystery, and a little bit of love are included, too.


Christmas Cake Murder by Joanna Fluke. This quick and easy read is yet another in the Hannah Swenson series, and I read it in one night.  There are tasty recipes and a lighthearted look back at the beginning of Hannah’s cookie and mystery empire in the small town of Lake Eden, Minnesota. Charming, as always. Recipes included are: cocoa-crunch cookies, honey apple crisp, anytime peach pie, melt-in-your-mouth pork roast, ultimate lemon bundt cake, Cool Whip lemon frosting, bacon & sausage breakfast burritos, cashew butter blossom cookies, chocolate hazelnut bon-bons, ultimate butterscotch bundt cake, Cool Whip butterscotch frosting, ultimate Christmas bundt cake, Cool Whip white chocolate frosting, and minty dream cookies. If you love old recipes, you’ll thoroughly enjoy my other blog – My Great Recipes Collection.

What have you been reading?

Reading Soothes My Soul (September 2018)

I swear my last reading update was years ago, yet it was really only in July. How is it that it was only two months ago?

And I thought I hadn’t read much until I started to pile up the books…they’re more than fourteen inches tall!

And yes, that is an old-fashioned ruler, the kind that construction workers used back in the day.

Mindfulness by Joseph Goldstein. This is a series of lectures by Goldstein, one of the people who brought vipassana (aka mindfulness) meditation to America. Along with Sharon Salzburg and Jack Kornfield, Goldstein founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts. When there is a retreat being held at the center, there is always a dharma talk, or lecture, in the evening; this book is a collection of those lectures by Goldstein specifically covering the Satipatthana Sutta, the foundational discourse of Buddha on mindfulness. I find I can only read a one lecture a day because each brings so much to ponder. It’s worth it, though, as there are plenty of jewels like this:

An ironic and useless patter that I’ve noticed in my own retreats is that my mind comments on someone not being mindful — or at least not appearing to be in my eyes — all the while being oblivious to the fact that in that very moment I’m doing exactly what it is I have a judgement about: namely, not being mindful! It usually doesn’t take me long to see the absurdity of this patter and then just to smile at these habits of mind. It’s always helpful to have a sense of humor about one’s own mental foibles.

I’ve definitely never been guilty of this, have you?

The Little Old Lady Who Broke All The Rules by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg. This was a fun little read that I picked up on a late summer adventure to Grand Rapids. I went over for the day and hit Nordstrom Rack, thrift stores on 29th street, Trader Joes, and (how could I not) Schuler Books. I ate lunch and gathered a few books including this one purely for the title.

The back-of-book blurb attracted my attention too: “Martha Andersson may be seventy-nine years old and live in a retirement home, but that doesn’t mean she’s ready to stop enjoying life. So when the new management starts cutting corners to save money, Martha and her four closest friends won’t stand for it.” This league of pensioners gets up to all sorts of hilarious hijinks and you’ll love it. Thank goodness there’s at least one more in the series: The Little Old Lady Who Struck Lucky Again!

On that same trip, I bought Bibliomysteries edited by Otto Penzler. This is a collection of short stories about bookshops, libraries, book collectors, and booksellers. Authors include Mickey Spiillane, Nelson DeMille, Anne Perry, and Laura Lippman. The subtitle of the book says it all: stories of crime in the world of books and bookstores.

Mindful Aging by Andrea Brandt. I really tried to like this book, but alas, I can’t do it. The subtitle of the book is “embracing your life after 50 to find fulfillment, purpose, and joy.” It comes off a little too simplistic for me, and probably for you, too.

The Greywalker series by Kat Richardson: Poltergeist , Labryinth, Vanished, and Seawitch, and others. This urban fantasty series features private investigator Harper Blaine who just happens to be able to see between the worlds. Start with #1 in the series, Greywalker, which explains how Blaine got these talents, among other things.

The Edge of Dreams by Rhys Bowen. Bowen writes the Molly Murphy mysteries series, set in the early part of the 1900s in the New York City area.  Molly’s biggest challenge seems to be balancing what a proper woman should do (stay at home and take care of her young child) versus her natural instincts to solve mysteries as well as any man – including her police captain husband.  Charming, if a little predictable.

The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen. Bowen is a prolific author, and this book is definitely not a Molly Murphy mystery. It does seamlessly blend the stories of a World War II British bomber pilot and his daughter in with a quaint rural Italian town. Bonus points for delicious food, but like The Edge of Dreams, this is a charming if a little predictable read.

Raspberry Danish Murder by Joanna Fluke. New Hannah!!! I read this super-cozy mystery in one night, and am delighted by the end. I wrote about the recipes on my other blog. Though I’ve been annoyed by plot developments in previous books, this one is sweet and complete, just like the perfect chocolate chip cookie.

The Last Girls by Lee Smith. If you got together with college roommates, you’d have a lot of fun, right? I would! But these roommates and friends seem more bent on destroying each other, or at least hurling insults and mean glances. There is fun, to be sure, as the women recreate their trip down the Mississippi, but I wouldn’t want to be along for the trip.

Weird Scenes Inside the Canyon by David McGowan. If you don’t know it already, I love me a good so-called conspiracy theory. I even wrote a little bit about the whole QAnon stuff going on this past year. QAnon and David Wilcock both posit that something much bigger is going on covertly, and that we’ll all know about it soon enough. So it’s the perfect time to read this little collection of stories from McGowan who wrote about a lot of very interesting things. This book explores the Laurel Canyon scene in the 60s and 70s that spawned a whole hoot of musicians: the Byrds, the doors, Buffalo Springfield, the Monkees, the Beach Boys, the Turtles, the Eagles, and more.  And it especially delves into the underbelly of that scene (think Charles Manson connections) and a lot of military connections.

Don’t forget, I’m bringing PGS Intuition to the Mount Pleasant Celebration Cinema on October 1st. Hope to see you there!

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Reading Soothes My Soul (July 2018)

Since my last reading roundup, my book time has slowed down. Maybe it’s the increase in the sunshine that makes me want to get up and do things (hello Vitamin D!) or maybe it’s because I actually HAVE been doing more things:

  • I  learned Reiki.
  • I learned Quantum Healing Hypnosis Therapy.
  • I started working on a certification in teaching Mindfulness so I can bring the power of this practice to the greater Mount Pleasant community.
  • I went to Mackinaw Island with my mom and sister. It was our first “girls getaway” in (I think) forever, and it was fabulous.
  • I’ve been cleaning out my basement.

Basement Life Lessons

There is a real life lesson in that “cleaning out my basement” point. The basement of your house is a true foundation, both literally (it holds up your house) and figuratively (representing the foundation upon which you stand.)

If your basement is cluttered and dirty like mine was, it lurks in the back of your mind. I was thinking, “Oh, I’ll get to it some day.”

On the other hand, I had dreams of moving my office space to the basement. In turn, I’d gain a guest room. Or maybe, I’d gain  a place to practice both reiki and Quantum Healing Hypnosis Therapy.

Like any big project, I broke cleaning the basement into small segments. For five straight days, I spent 1-2 hours cleaning and straightening.

Like I said, it was a MESS.

Several times during the cleaning process, I’ve stopped and visualized what I want in the basement. And by visualize, I mean I’ve literally walked around, and pretended to show someone around my beautiful basement. I get very detailed, too.

Well first I had to clean, right, and that took a few days. Then I had a friend help me paint the walls. The floor I had done professionally – and it makes such a difference to make it light and bright down here. The office moved down next, and I love using this old desk from the 60s that came with the house. Just walking down to the space feels like going to “work” versus going into a different room. There’s a space here for storage; I’m so happy I can finally store my winter clothes downstairs. The boiler was replaced, and the house finally has air conditioning.

Funny thing is, describing these changes only increases my desire to get the space cleaned. All this cleaning left me little time for reading!

(Total non sequitur) Of course, my reading was also hampered by binge watching the epic sci-fi pseudo opera TV show Babylon 5 as it streamed for free on Amazon Prime in June. It was my first time watching the show and I loved it. Back to the books.

Full disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click on a link and buy something (even if it’s not the particular book,) I receive a little compensation.

Summer Reading

  

Seanan McGuire is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors. I learned about her from a friend who reads more than me and we both have devoured most of her books – which is saying a lot. The InCryptid series follows professional ballroom dancer turned friend-of-monsters Verity Price as she shimmies at the bar, tumbles across rooftops, and fights the good fight. All that and burgeoning true love. First in the series is Discount Armageddon. I just finished Midnight Blue-Light Special, too.


The Wise Heart by Jack Kornfield. As part of the mindfulness certification, I had to read a book or several about mindfulness. Jack Kornfield is a good introduction, and I really liked how he broke down the functions of mindfulness into things I could easily understand and relate. Gentle wisdom and good storytelling combine with modern psychology.

Summers at Blue Lake is the first novel from Jill Althouse-Wood. Take one miserable divorce, two grandmother lesbians, and fond memories of summers spent at the lake…then combine with the pieces of a puzzle coming together in one bittersweet picture. It’s a darned fine summer read.


Clear Home, Clear Heart by Jean Haner. Not long ago I watched a video of Jean Haner in one of those free summits I post about on Facebook. I was captivated by her talking about clearing space, so picked up this book, and within a day or so had cleared myself and my cats – thanks to a pendulum and copper dowsing rods. I cleared the house, too, which may explain the whole basement thing; and yes, the house felt different after I cleared it. Hmmm, maybe I should get certified in space and personal clearing, too?


The “Honor Harrington” novels by David Weber. Also recommended by a friend, this is another sci-fi epic space odessy  of novels. I chunked my way through ten of them, then just had to put the books down – not because they’re not good, mind you. Instead, I got tired of the militaristic (war mongering?) focus. But if you love sci fi, don’t let that stop you from trying these out; I suspect I’ll be back into the series at some point. Start with the first in the series – On Basilisk Station – to get a real feel for the brilliance of Honor Harrington.

The Memory Code by Dr. Lynne Kelly. As I write this, I’m about half way through this book, subtitled “The Secrets of Stonehenge, Easter Island, and Other Ancient Monuments.” It’s incredible. She’s explored how Australian Aborigines encode memory (events, people, seasons) into places, and then extrapolated and applied to her own life. In one chapter she takes the reader on a walk around her neighborhood. She uses the objects and places to help her remember geological and archaeological history.

 As Epsi [her dog] and I walk down the drive from home, the first life – the first photosynthesis- is happening… We walk through geological eras and eons, one per house: Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic, Paleozoic, and into the Mesozoic. The last house on the block has a very messy garden, which makes remembering that this is the Mesozoic very easy.  For a reason I have never been able to discern, Epsi doesn’t like the Mesozoic and tries to head back home when we get there. I pick her up and nod to the dinosaurs as I carry her through the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous. From the Pliocene on, she is perfectly happy to walk, even though the big noisy dogs are at the house with Lucy, the famous australopithecine from the Pliocene who has no idea the stir her skelatal remains will one day cause when they are found over three million years later. I turn the first corner in the Jurassic, 200 million years ago. By the time we reach the next corner, now well into the Cenozoic, we have encountered many long-extinct hominid species. Homo erectus stands upright just as I get to the last house on this block. The corner is one million years ago, which I decided was the best place to change from geologic time to archaeological time and enter the Paleolithic.

But what really kerpd me reading is the fact that she has applied this knowledge of encoding memory into many other ancient monuments around the world – including Stonehenge and New Grange. Fascinating!


The Book of Air and Shadows by Michael Gruber A thriller with books, bookstores, book writers, and book restoration? Yes please. There’s a secretive twist on Shakespeare, too. This book spans centuries and continents and is a true fun read. I’d read more by Michael Gruber.

Have you read anything good recently? Tell me about it in the comments.

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Reading Soothes My Soul (April 2018)

Every so often, I take time to reflect on the books I’ve read. I read like the house is on fire, like I’m running a sprint, like there will never be enough time to read all of the books I have stacked in my house.

200 of those books are cooking related, and I created another website just to be able to share those – and especially the more quirky of those.

And easily another 200 or more are purely for pleasure. There’s fiction from a friend, metaphysics of all kinds, mysteries, science-fiction, poetry, biographies. You name it, I’m probably interested in reading it.

Reading Through Winter

January and February I read voraciously, perhaps to keep my insides warm from the cold winter weather outside. By early March I had stopped reading. That happens every so often, too. I read so much in a short time span that I have to stop and do other things. Like clean the house or cook dinner.

This time on my ‘break’ from reading I decided to learn Delores Cannon’s hypnosis/past life regression technique called “Quantum Healing Hypnonsis Therapy.” I have to do some practice before offering that up to everyone.

And then the new Maisie Dobbs mystery came out, and I’m back to reading like a crazy lady again.

Full disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click on a link and buy something (even if it’s not the particular book,) I receive a little compensation.

Chumpi Illumination by Eleanora Amendolara. After my experience at the Sacred Waterfall with twelve crystal Chumpi stones, I finally broke down and bought a set of seven. These are mystical stones from the Peruvian Andes mountains; mine are made of meteorite and are (without a doubt) alive. This deck of cards is helping me understand the basic principles behind the stones I have.

Mystery School: An Insider’s Perspective by Gayle Clayton. Reading and re-reading books written by your meditation teacher is a very, very good thing. It helps tickle my memories, and certainly reminds me of an amazing time in my life. And, if you’ve ever wondered what exactly a mystery school is like, this will help. Your brain will be overloaded with information: exactly what’s needed in this Western world to break through our overthinking over-obsessed-with-details-and-facts-and-figures world. A remarkable accounting.

  

Five Lives Remembered and Between Death and Life by Delores Cannon. If you’re unfamiliar with past life regressions and/or the work of Delores Cannon, these two books are good introductions. “Five Lives” is the retelling of how she and her husband started regressing people and found one person who was particularly good under hypnosis. “Between Death and Life” explores what happens to a soul after it leaves the body.

To Die But Once by Jacqueline Winspear. Move over all you other books, private investigator Maisie Dobbs is in the house. I read this in maybe two or three nights of intense reading. I would do it again – probably when the next book is released. My hopes are up that that will be next year.

The Maisie Dobbs series of mysteries stands out because the characters are true-to-life. They’re believable, likable, and tenacious.  At this point in the series we’ve seen Maisie and her cohorts through the first World War, personal struggles, and now the second World War is starting. Sigh. If only Winspear could write as fast as I can read.


Stealing Shadows by Kay Hooper. I picked up a series of three Kay Hooper books at the autumn book sale at my local library because they looked interesting: a psychic helps police catch killers. Unfortunately, this got just a little too dark for my tastes, perhaps even a little too unbelievable. I’ll donate this series back to the book sale for next year.


A World Without Whom by Emily J. Favilla The subtitle for this book is “The Essential Guide to Language in the BuzzFeed Age,” and it should come with an English teacher alert: you won’t like this one bit. I did, but perhaps that’s because I am online so very, very much.

This truly is a guide for the new way of writing that has developed online. It’s not about proper sentence structure or well-developed thesis; instead, it’s about accessible, friendly writing. And she likes the Oxford Comma – hallelujah!


The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin.  So many good series, so little money to go and buy all of the books. If you’re a fan of dystopian fantasy, you owe it to yourself to seek this series out. I’ve only read this first book, but it’s worth finding.

And as it’s the 2016 Hugo Award Winner, your local library may stock a copy or two. As I said, this is a trilogy, so if you’re able, you can definitely grab all three books here.


The Forgotten Room by Karen White, Beatriz Williams, and Lauren Willig. This is a pleasant, predictable read based in the gilded age of New York City. You know this story: servant girl falls in love with wealthy boy and there are complications. Yawn. How three successful authors can write such an average story, I’m not sure, but they definitely pulled it off here.

The Wall Of Night Series by Helen Lowe: The Heir of Night, The Gathering of the Lost, and Daughter of Blood. If you thought I was enthusiastic about The Fifth Season, you haven’t seen anything. This fantasy series by Helen Lowe blew me away. I gobbled these three up as quickly as I possibly could. That’s saying something because Daughter of Blood is more than 700 pages long. The series is epic – a battle between good and evil led by two awkward teenagers with impressive abilities – and the world-building is magnificent.

Still Life With Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen. This is more of ‘love’ story that I like. A famous female photographer based in New York City, newly divorced and financially unstable, rents her fancy loft-like apartment and escapes to a small country town. Naturally, she falls in love with a local boy, because doesn’t that happen to everyone? Fortunately, Quindlen adds just enough twists and turns to make this book charming.

The Brightest Fell is the ninth book in The October Daye Series by Seanan McGuire. I really tried to dislike this series, I really tried. At dinner one night I said I thought the first book was well written, but just too violent for me. And then I read another two or three, and didn’t stop until I finished the whole series. It easily took me less than two weeks to glide through all eight books; and now I long for the magical world of the faerie with all of the political intrigue, infighting, and imaginative world-building.

October “Toby” Daye is a half human half fae (as in fairy or fairy-ish) hard-boiled detective type who also happens to have considerable talent with the decidedly not human skill of ‘riding blood.’ When she tastes blood, she sees and experiences the story of whomever the blood has come from; and given that she’s a detective, that blood is often coming from a freshly dead body. If you love fantasy, this is a great series to consider.

Reading Soothes My Soul – January 2018

Reading soothes my soul

Every so often, I take time to reflect on the books I’ve read. Reading is an escape, a pleasure, and quite often a journey into another world. When I read fiction, I find myself being an omnipotent ‘goddess’ tagging along beside the protagonist, second guessing their every move and thought. I clearly envision the surrounding terrain and visualize each of the characters. A good book stays with me for days, months, years.

December and the first part of January have been slow for reading. I’ve moved forward by leaps and bounds with getting this coaching business established, which has left little time for reading. Still, there have been a few good books, and one large grey cat on my lap most nights.

Full disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click on a link and buy something (even if it’s not the particular book,) I receive a little compensation.

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden. It’s deep winter and a small village in the medieval Russian wilderness is beset upon by pagan demons. Or is it beset upon by a monk from far away Muscovy attempting to impose new, religious beliefs? Tensions are high in this imaginative retelling of a classic Russian fairy tale. Thank goodness Vasya, the land owner’s wild-child daughter is around to save the day…or does she? I suspect the sequel, The Girl In The Tower, will have just as many twists and turns.

 

Sourdough by Robin Sloan. Yes, sourdough bread and San Francisco, but also high-tech, grazing goats, farmer’s markets, and cricket cookies. There’s a visit to a Chez Panisse look-a-like restaurant, and an appearance of the owner who resembles Alice Waters, the legendary founder of Panisse. There’s a robot that makes bread, too. Sourdough is quick read with a good story. It didn’t take me much longer than making a loaf of bread from scratch to read.

 

Inspired and Unstoppable: Wildly Succeeding in Your Life’s Work by Tama Kieves. On the journey from employee to entrepreneur…. (Wait, did I just call myself a business owner? I guess I did, didn’t I? I’m still getting used to that…) Anyway, while on the journey from employee to creating a dream job/life as a life coach and writer, Tama Kieves has been consistently inspirational. This book is full of sound, heart-centered advice. I have her new book, Thriving Through Uncertainty, loaded onto my Kindle to read, too.

 


Curiosity Killed The Cat Sitter by Blaize Clement. Retired sheriff’s deputy turned pet sitter Dixie Hemingway is no pushover – unless there’s dog or cat involved. And there are the dead bodies that (ahem, mysteriously) keep appearing. But Dixie has a complicated history, and solving murders doesn’t help her keep her cool. I’d read more of these. And besides that, reading about hot Florida days is a fantasy in the middle of a Michigan winter.

 

About A Dog by Jenn McKinlay. Romance, dogs, and small town gosh-golly-gee are in this delightful story. Throw in three girlfriends and you’ve got a charming tale – or should that be tail? I’m sure the others in the Bluff Point Romance series are just as heart-warming: Barking Up The Wrong Tree and Every Dog Has His Own Day.

 

The Conquer Kit: A Creative Business Planner for Women Entrepreneurs by Natalie MacNeil. I bought this on a whim more than a year ago, really before I realized I was truly starting a business. I couldn’t work with this book at all. But then, gradually, as I became more aware of the business that was emerging from my consciousness, this book became an inspiration. It is a business plan, but it’s not stodgy or boring. It causes you to brainstorm and apply solid business tactics in creative ways. There are still parts I haven’t been able to work through. I think that’s the point, though – as I develop as a business owner, I can see returning to this book over and over again to discover fresh perspectives.

Currently Reading

Artemis by Andy Weir. Yes, the guy who wrote The Martian in his spare time while working a computer programmer is back with another book set off-planet. This time we’re on the moon, and all sorts of adventure is afoot in the domed city. The main character is just as sharp as The Martian’s Mark Watney, and in about as much trouble, too. I hope Andy Weir has a few more books like these to write!

A Little Something To Read

This post is all of the reviews from my old blog.

I wasn’t planning to bring  these over to this website, but then I had a quick talk with a work colleague. She said it was always interesting to see what I was reading, and that it inspired her to try new genres. We talked a little about what we like to read, and then went on with the work day.

That small interaction gave me the boost I needed right at that moment. I appreciated it it so much.

So here are all of those books, in alphabetical order. Looking for newer reviews? Click on the tag “book reviews.”

Full disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click on a link and buy something (even if it’s not the particular book,) I receive a little compensation.

Books A-C

                  

I really enjoyed After the Golden Age by Carrie Vaughn. Daughter of two superheros, main character Celia West is normal. Despite her best efforts to not be associated with superheros, she always seems to be the one who is abducted, leading to her nickname of “Bait Girl.”  There’s also some forensic accounting in here for genealogy and history buffs; Celia digs through old records to solve mysteries. If you can go with (or get over) the idea of superheros, this book is a fun ride filled with romance, family, and politics.

Ancillary Sword, Ancillary Justice, and Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie. More sci-fi fantasy to feed my inner Star Trek geek. Ship “parts” come to life and take revenge. Kind of, but a whole lot more sophisticated.

The Andean Codex by J.E. Williams. Part memoir, part explanation,  I read this just before leaving for Peru, and it provided me with basic background to understand the world of the Q’ero.

Archangel by Sharon Shinn. There was something about the cover of this book that made me pick it up at the recent library book sale. It’s a red-headed woman holding a glowing blue orb in one hand, and a single white feather in the other. I can’t tell if she’s in ecstasy or communing with the gods/goddess. Regardless, it intrigued me, so I threw it into the box and brought it home. It’s a captivating story about a pure mortal (well, maybe) who marries an angel (seriously, an angel.) They spend most of the book disliking each other. And the end? Pure magic, of course. Now I’ve found another sci-fi/fantasy author to read – hurrah!

Avenue of Mysteries by John Irving.  It’s a well written, intricate story, but drags on and on.  Definitely not Cider House Rules or World According To Garp. Spoiler Alert:  there is no resolution regarding the two mysterious women, or why Juan Diego allows them to drag him around so much. Or maybe I’m missing something.

The Atlantis Gene: A Thriller (The Origin Mystery, Book 1) by A.G. Riddle. Oooooo, now this I liked. I downloaded this in preparation for vacation travel. It’s perfect for that:  metaphysics, motivation, ancient history, mystery – and a whole lot of excitement. It’s the kind of book I can read but – when it inevitably comes to the big screen- couldn’t possibly watch because of the twists, turns, and awesome scenery. P.S. It’s an epic battle between “good” and “evil.”

The Aztec Heresy by Paul Christopher. On one hand, this was a predictable treasure-hunters-do-good-deeds thriller. On the other hand, it was an exciting romp in the Central American jungle hunting for the mysterious lost treasure of Cortez. Throw in deep sea diving, sailing in the Caribean, Vatican and billionaire tycoon vengeance, plus a former Russian submarine captain, Cuban involvement, and a crazy rebel dictator, and it’s a fun read and even has a misplaced nuclear bomb. What more could you want? Bonus points for the Star Trek reference on page 257 comparing mutated jungle ants to The Borg.

My Backyard Jungle by James Barilla. I purchased this for $1 at a local deep discount store and, for that dollar, I’m happy I read it. Had I paid more? Eh, not so much. The title is titillating, but the author traveled around the world too much for me. I was hoping to hear more about his personal experience (not just about the squirrels in his yard.) On the other hand, if you’re an outdoor enthusiast concerned about suburbia encroaching on wildlife, this may be a great book for you to locate.

Banana Creme Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke. Yep, it’s yet another in the Hannah Swensen Mystery series with tasty recipes included. This is the Hannah Swensen I enjoy. It’s fluffy, it’s friendly, and I really want to make some of the Orange Marmalade Bar Cookies, or the Peach Muffins, or maybe the Peanut Butter Cheesecake with Chocolate Peanut Butter Sauce. No matter, it’s a delicious series, with fun characters, and the writing is back on form. Yum!

The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King. This is terrific mystery series in the Sherlock Holmes tradition. In fact, it even features Holmes and a young, female assistant. Given the post World War I setting, there’s a twist of Maisie Dobbs but definitely more than enough to hold it’s own. I’d be happy to read many more of these.

Beyond Willpower: From Stress to Success in 40 Days (The secret principle to achieving success in life, love, and happiness) by Alexander Lloyd PhD, ND. While I got this for free from Blogging For Books and (as a result of getting it for free) need to write a review, I struggled with an never finished. For sure I’m intrigued by the energy medicine exercises. But for a self-help book the writing is awfully academic, and there’s a nearly 100 page introduction. Yawn.

            
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon. Not quite just another dystopian young adult novel, this is about a particularly talented psychic. It helps that the main character is a powerful twenty-something. It doesn’t help that there’s another book that picks up where this ends. Just leave well enough alone already, please. Some stories don’t need sequels.

Book of Kells by R.A. MacAvoy was a wonderful distraction during January. It was Outlander before Outlander was a twinkle in Diana Gabalon’s eye. And I mean that literally because Outlander, published in 1995, is set 1700s Scotland, while Book of Kells was published in 1985 and is set in 900’s in Ireland. Fantasy, fighting, travel by horseback, bardic poetry, the goddess Brigid and, of course, love included.

Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen. Yes, that that classic song – and now, the autobiography. I’ve always been fascinated by what makes superstars become superstars, and this book definitely gives me deeper insight into the inner workings of Springsteen. A must for any fan, an intriguing glimpse inside for anyone else.

Born Under An Assumed Name: The Memoir of a Cold War Spy’s Daughter by Sara Mansfield Taber. I picked this up for $1, and it was most definitely worth that and a lot more. This memoir is both a contemplation on the notion of being “American” if you’re rarely in the country, and a deep exploration of the nature of secrets – specifically those imposed upon Tabor’s father (the CIA spy.) Intelligent, literary, historical, and -as a result- probably not for everyone, the book was definitely my kind of tasty tea.

A Bowl of Olives: On Food and Memory by Sara Midda. Try as I might to read and enjoy this small jewel of a book, I can’t get into it. The darned thing is handwritten, and that makes it really hard to read for my over-50 eyes with good glasses. But if you have younger eyes, or perhaps a magnifying glass, check it out. Enchanting illustrations, lovely quotes, warm remembrances. Too bad I couldn’t see most of them clearly.

Brick Lane by Monica Ali. A best-seller in England, this book made me want to celebrate the indomitable human spirit and explore the immigrant experience. It’s another book triumphs the strength of powerful women and how they get that way.  It’s depressing, it’s beautiful, and you should not miss it. It’s as colorful as a sari, as bitter as a cup of tea with the teabag left in too long.

Budget Bytes: Over 100 Easy, Delicious Recipes to Slash Your Grocery Bill in Half by Beth Moncel. This book definitely lives up to the title. And, because I’ve cooked both from this book and from the Budget Bytes blog, I can recommend this with no hesitation. The Carrot-Sweet Potato Soup is delicious and freezes well.

Books C-D

                  

Cats On The Job: 50 Fabulous Felines Who Purr, Mouse, and Even Sing For Their Supper by Lisa Rogak. At first I thought this was a humorous collection of cats in cute costumes. It’s not. This is a book about fifty cats that actually work. There’s a cat that works as a dog trainer, circus cats, a firehouse cat, musician cats, a model cat, a diabetic alert cat, a crossing guard cat, and even a security guard cat. Great Christmas gift idea for anyone who loves cats.

Caught Dead: A Rick Van Lam Mystery by Andrew Lanh. It’s not that this mystery is poorly written, it’s not. It’s that I got bored and wanted it to be over.  Or maybe because I read a mystery before I started this mystery and should have read something else first. And that I wasn’t sure if it was hard-boiled, thriller, cozy, or all three.

Chanel by Edmonde Charles-Roux. The subtitle of this biography is “her life, her world – and the woman behind the legend she herself created.” This is a deep and detailed exploration of the early life of famed fashion designer Coco Chanel. It tells the story of how a peasant girl stubbornly climbed to the top of the fashion industry and (pretty much) stayed there. At times I was bored with the musings of the author, other times fascinated by the bravado of Chanel. A must read for any fashionista.

Christmas Caramel Murder by Joanne Fluke is another in the Hannah Swensen cozy mystery series. I’ve read every book in the series, and this has to be the weakest. There’s a contrived plot twist based on A Christmas Carol, the new husband is barely mentioned, and the two former potential husbands play major roles. Talk about a bad cookie…don’t bite into this one.

Cordelia’s Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold. Who doesn’t love a good sci-fi romance on a distant planet? This is a cobbling together of two books that follow the life of Cordelia Vorkosigan and damn, it’s good. I mean, the second book – Barrayar – won the Hugo Award for best science fiction novel in 1992. If you like good writing and sci-fi, go read it.

Corpse Suzette by G.A. McKevett. The setting here is southern California, and the ‘voluptuous and proud of it’ private investigator (and former cop) is Georgia transplant Savannah Reid. There’s an overbearing cousin from the East Coast, a lovable but annoying cop, and a computer-savvy assistant. Throw in a couple of potential murders, and yep, it’s a fun read.

The Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy by Nora Roberts – three books: Dark Witch, Shadow Spell, and Blood Magick. I’m a sucker for an easy-to-ready, easy-to-follow, paranormal romance set in Ireland, and Nora does it right every time. Yes,her romances are like cotton candy at a summer fair: fluffy and predictable. They’re are also lighthearted reads full of good food, good people, and a whole lot of magick. Love them!

Creeps Suzette by Mary Daheim is not related to aforementioned Corpse Suzette. The main characters here are middle age women who go on vacation to a fancy mansion and find all sorts of things wrong. There’s a former policy chief in this book, too, but he’s not in the action this time around.

Death At Wentworth Court by Carola Dunn. Yawn. Another socialite turned 1920’s detective in merry-ol’ England. B-O-R-I-N-G.  I’d rather re-read a Maisie Dobbs novel by Jacqueline Winspear any day: at least those have meat, bones, and an awesome story.

Decaffeinated Corpse by Cleo Coyle. The setting is a historic coffee shop in Manhattan, the ‘brave, quirky heroine’ is Clare Cosi, and there’s plenty of cozy mystery foolishness afoot with an ex-husband, old friends, and international intrigue. A handful of recipes included.

              

A Dictionary Of Made-Up Languages: From Adunaic to Elvish, Zaum to Klingon – The Anwa (Real) Origins of Invented Lexicons by Stephen D. Rogers. I found this on the remaindered table at a local store and grabbed two copies: one for me and one for a friend. Vocabulary, grammatical features, background information on the languages and their behaviors. Plus, the book also tells you how to build your own language. Fun!

Dirt by Denise Gosliner Orenstein. This novel for ages 8-12 celebrates the love between a forlorn girl and a stubborn Shetland pony named Dirt.  The young girl, Yonder, doesn’t speak, the pony is grumpy, and together they face the heavy subjects of alcoholism, school bullies, and animal welfare with a never-give-up attitude that is heartwarming.

The Discovery of Chocolate by James Runcie. What could be more romantic than a love that lasts for a few centuries? Nothing. And all the more interesting when it involves a man who can whip up the best chocolate in the world. Heart and tummy warming.

The Distant Marvels by Chantel Acevedo. A hurricane roars towards Cuba. The elderly are gathered and placed in a locked room on an upper floor in a historical hacienda. They tell stories of their lives, listening intensely as the storm rages outside. Highly recommended.

“I’ve seen it before, what mothers and daughters can do to one another during those terrible adolescent years. Grief must be at the bottom of it, for what is sadder for a parent than seeing her daughter shedding girlhood drop by precious drop? And what is more terrifying for a child than to doubt her mother, to begin to see her has a human with faults instead of as a goddess?” – page. 164

Dragon Springs Road by Janie Chang. I really enjoyed the mix of mystical fox energy and day-to-day life in China beginning in 1908. There is food, fashion, and gorgeous descriptions of life as a fox.  There’s murder, mystery, intrigue, and a heartwarming story of mother, daughter, and family.

Dreams of the Golden Age by Carrie Vaughn. Not that long ago I reviewed “After The Golden Age” by the same author and found the quirky story delightful. I feel the same way about this novel. Nice to know those superhero genes carry on saving the day.

The first two books in “The Dushane Sisters” trilogy by Courtney Pierce are epitome of all that I love about cozy mysteries. The first in the series, The Executrix, introduces you to the three Dushane sisters: Olivia, Lauren, and Danielle. They are smart, sassy, and uproariously funny. Mix in a standard poodle named Pogo, an ex mob member, some handsome men, and you’ve got everything you want in great summer reading. The fun thing is that, while at least two mysteries are solved in this book, another is just waiting to be unraveled!

Starting where The Executrix ended, Indigo Lake is the second in the series about the Dushane sisters. Here they’re traveling to an old family haunt to confront a vindictive relative, pacify a mobster or two, fall in love, and eat favorite childhood candy. It’s more of the same, and I really enjoyed the ride. Can’t wait for the final book in the series.

Books E-L

                

Early Warning by Jane Smiley. First, it’s Jane Smiley, who is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and you can tell. The story-telling is magnificent, just the way she writes about how lives wrap around one another through the years, and how each of us has our own demons, battles, and victories. It’s Midwestern to the core, even with the East coast relatives. Read this one, and anything else by Smiley you can get your hands on. A Thousand Acres is the Pulitzer winner. And Early Warning is the middle book in The Last Hundred Years Trilogy; others in the trilogy are Some Luck and Golden Age.

The Empath’s Survival Guide by Judith Orloff, MD. There’s a twenty-question self-assessment on page 14, and I said yes to eighteen which Orloff designates that as a full-blown empath. I like Orloff’s casual writing style, and down-to-earth advice. Are you an empath? Some of the questions:

    • “Do crowds drain me, and do I need alone time to revive myself?” Check.
    • “Do I prefer one-to-one interactions and small groups to large gatherings?” Check.
    • “Do arguments and yelling make me ill?” Check.
    • “Do I react strongly to caffeine or medications?” Yes, why do you think I like caffeine so much and stay away from medications?
    • “Do I prefer taking my own care to places to that I can leave early if I need to?” Oh, definitely, always have a book and/or an escape plan.
    • “Do I absorb other people’s stress, emotions, or symptoms?” Yep.


Fast Tract Digestion (Heartburn) by Norman Robillard. Not that long ago, I was experiencing so much heartburn at night that I’d frequently sleep in a sitting position. This book tells you why what you eat contributes to repetitive heartburn, and what you can do about it. By just implementing a few simple suggestions, my nights are spent snoozing in a reclining position. Hallelujah!

Feisty After 45: The Best Blogs From Midlife Women edited by Elaine Ambrose. This collection of personal essays proves there’s a lot of good writing going (mostly) unnoticed in the blogosphere. From lap dances that go wrong to discussions of the bathrooms at Target, you’ll laugh along with these women. There’s a list of 12 good things about being a grandparent, and contemplation of the smell of young men. A corporate wife confesses and a tale of two daughters is revealed. Good stuff!

Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor. Looking for a long, lusty, historical? This is the book for you. Sixteen year-old country wench Amber St. Clare comes to 1660’s London determined to do anything and everything she’s ever wanted. Filled with frivolous clothing, political intrigue, court assignations, and more parties than you can shake a stick at, this 900+ page book is a rollicking ride through the upstairs and downstairs worlds of the great plague, the London fire, and a whole hell of a lot more.

Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen by Lois McMaster Bujold. The latest in the lengthy and beloved Vorkosigan series, reading this was like catching up with an old friend. It was terrific to see where Miles, Cordelia, and friends three years after Aral’s death. No clue what I’m talking about? Let me Google that for you.

The Girl On The Train: A Novel by Paula Hawkins. An intriguing and fast read of a thriller. I gobbled it up in less than 24 hours. There’s a reason it’s a best seller, people.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. I’m way late to the GG party, that’s for sure. The writing is as good as you think it should be, the story better. I haven’t seen the movie, won’t bother to see the movie, but might read the book again. It’s that good.

A friend brought me all of the “Haunted Home Renovation” cozy mysteries by author Juliet Blackwell. I gobbled them up immediately. Each one took about a day to read, so you can imagine there was a week or so there where I was reading nothing but these stories of Melanie Turner, high-end renovation specialist and ghost whisperer. She also tends to stumble upon not only ghosts, but also dead bodies throughout the San Francisco Bay area

Hidden Lives: A Family Memoir by Margaret Forster.  I really wanted to like this book, even anticipated the thrill of following along as the author unraveled a family mystery. Alas, there were threads, but no unraveling. Like Miriam’s Kitchen, these book felt split into at least two parts and they didn’t work together to create a literary symphony.

               

And then there’s In This Grave Hour by Jacqueline Winspear. This installment from master mystery-solver Maisie Dobbs, is set at the very beginning of World War II in London. Maisie and staff are searching for clues to a series of connected murders. This book is as captivating as the rest, and if you haven’t read any, it’s high time to get started.

The Incarnations by Susan Barker. After I had a root canal, I took my well Novacained & puffy-cheeked self to the bookstore. This was recommended by a staff member, and does not disappoint. Fascinating weaving of Chinese history and contemporary Beijing wrapped in a cloud of soul mate mystery.

King by T.M. Frazier. This arrived in the late May/early June 2016 Bookworm Box and it’s horrid. Not that the writing is bad – it’s not – but the subject? Stereotypical bad boy overpowering a good girl twisted into a romance. I didn’t like the prologue, and the first few chapters failed to improve. Eventually I skipped to the end. The sad thing is that this is a series. No, just no.

Kittens Can Kill: A Pru Marlowe Pet Noir by Clea Simon. This mystery had me at kitten, and kept me reading through squirrels, dogs, and more. I’d read another in this series.

The Lake Of Dreams by Kim Edwards. It’s a good summer read book, set in a picturesque town on a picturesque lake. There’s romance, travel, genealogy, and history. Throw in women’s suffrage and one intriguing family mystery, and you’ve got it. Except you don’t, because Edwards ever-so-softly creeps into your heart: “The raft moved gently, soothingly on the waves. The moon, almost full, cast the sprawling old house in mild light. I was cold, but I didn’t want to leave. I lay there for a long time, watching the sky clear and the stars emerge, taking their places in the night.” This book deserves a place on your summer reading list.

The Last Librarian by Brandt Legg. Set sometime in the future after a planet-wide disaster, and dystopian without being drab,  this is the first in the Justor Journal series. Smart and sexy characters who love and quote books struggle in a world that’s not quite right. Fahrenheit 451, a secret corporate government, and an impending revolution make for an action-packed book about books.Thank goodness there are two more books in the series.

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George. I bought this at the bookstore during an autumn getaway to Mackinac Island. The story took awhile to really grab me, but once it did, I was sailing along with the crew. Book and boat references? Yes, plus lost love and redemption.

The Lost Landscape: A Writer’s Coming of Age by Joyce Carol Oates. Try as I might to ‘get’ Joyce Carole Oates, I fail miserably at every turn. In this case, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the writing: it is flawless, ineffable, detailed – all of those things that writing should be.  There are keen insights, memorable scenes, soul-baring revelations and confessions. But the memoir reads more like a series of journal entries in need of a strong story line. Maybe it’s me, the reader? Or maybe it’s the writing.

The Lost Treerunner by Brandt Legg. My friend Amber and I have been exchanging boxes of books by mail for about twenty years. About this book she wrote, “Remember the Last Librarian? Now I think this author is too smart.” I have to agree. The Last Librarian was a fabulous thriller, and this carries on with thrills and chills right to the very last page. The blurb on the back says it all, “In a world of lies, how do you know if you’ve found the truth?” In The Lost Treerunner, you know the truth, then you don’t, then you think you do. A must read.

Books M-P

            

The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Ablom. I always enjoy Ablom’s books; never love, never hate, enjoy. This falls right in line, although the premise of an early rock music pioneer’s magical life make it even more right up my alley, as it were. Or on my jukebox. A lovely story, and if you haven’t read anything by Ablom, shame on you.

The Mapmaker’s Wife: A True Tale of Love, Murder, and Survival in the Amazon by Robert Whitaker. Painstakingly researched, this is the very true story of an upper-class Peruvian woman who travels along the Amazon river to meet her husband in 1769. Sounds simple, except it isn’t, and she has 3000 miles and an untamed Amazonian wilderness to traverse. We learn what leads to her decision to travel, along with the tragedy and triumph of the journey.

The Martian by Andy Weir. How would you survive if left stranded on Mars? This formidable first novel answers that question with geeky science details (that I mostly skipped over,) cheesy 70’s music and TV references (LOL and OMG,) and a daring rescue (hurray!) There’s a whole lot more in there, but you’ll have to read it. I loved it. (And no, I won’t see the movie.)

Mary Coin by Marisa Silver. Surely you’ve seen the cover photo before, right? It’s “Migrant Mother” by Dorthea Lange, and it’s one of the most iconic photos of the last hundred years. This novel is a “fictionalized imagining” of the life of the woman in the photo (who’s actual name is Florence Owens Thompson, but the author uses Mary Coin,) the photographer (called Vera Dara in the novel,) and the son of a migrant farm owner. The book is vibrant, poetic, alive, and a heartbreaking look at a heartbreaking reality.

Masters of the Living Energy: The Mystical World of the Q’ero of Peru by Joan Parisi Wilcox. An in-depth exploration and explanation of the Q’ero world straight practicing Q’ero shamans. Though they’re not really shamans; read the book to understand more. If you’re curious about Q’ero spirituality, get this and read.

Miriam’s Kitchen: a Memoir by Elizabeth Erlich. On one hand I enjoyed this book – I always love reading about people’s relationship with food. On the other hand, Miriam’s Kitchen felt disjointed, like it was trying to tackle too much for a memoir. I did save some of the recipes to try later, but still, it was work to finish the memoir.

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. Yawn – yet another trilogy of books set in a dystopian regime. Yet another feisty female heroine. But with the addition of the ability to fly (among other things) this is one book I read quickly and did enjoy. Mind you, not enough to read the other two novels or play the adventure game. Your reading mileage may vary.

            

Mr. Fox by Helen Oyeyemi. Frustrating. I don’t care if it’s a New York Times Book Review Notable Book, I couldn’t reach page 100. The prose is wonderful, but -on the whole- the book needs better guideposts for the reader. It’s just too much work to follow the story…which I’m sure is in there somewhere.

The Murder of Cleopatra: History’s Greatest Cold Case by Pat Brown. This was fascinating and -in lieu of a brief review- I’m gonna quote part of a paragraph from the back cover. If you’re into history and mystery, you’ve got to read it.

Nathaniel’s Nutmeg by Giles Milton  I enjoyed the book, but feel it should come with a warning. The lengthy subtitle says the book is the true and incredible adventures of the spice trader who changed the course of history. And while it is about that, it’s also about ransacking, looting, bludgeoning, fighting, nasty politics, downright torture, and overall detestable behavior of the human race towards one another and nature. In both subject and writing style, it’s a tough read and not for everyone.

New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way: Alternate Approaches for Women 30-90 by Susun S. Weed. I’ve kept this book by my side throughout these menopausal years. Based on thirteen years of talking with more than 50,000 women, this is a treasure chest of information. For each so-called symptom of menopause (Hot/Cold Flashes, Hairy Problems, Emotional Uproar, etc.) Weed offers a variety of solutions from simple (collect information) to complex (break and enter.) A must.

The October Daye Series by Seanan McGuire. I really tried to dislike this series, I really tried. At dinner one night I said I thought the first book was well written, but just too violent for me. And then I read another two or three, and didn’t stop until I finished the whole series. It easily took me less than two weeks to glide through all eight books; and now I long for the magical world of the faerie with all of the political intrigue, infighting, and imaginative world-building. October “Toby” Daye is a half human half fae (as in fairy or fairy-ish) hard-boiled detective type who also happens to have considerable talent with the decidedly not human skill of ‘riding blood.’ When she tastes blood, she sees and experiences the story of whomever the blood has come from; and given that she’s a detective, that blood is often coming from a freshly dead body. If you love fantasy, this is a great series to consider sinking into over winter.

Paris At The End Of The World: The City Of Light During The Great War 1914-1918 by John Baxter. This historical non-fiction was on the bargain table during that Novocaine-induced spending spree. What sets this apart, however, is the weaving of the story of the author’s great-grandfather with that of others who lived in Paris at this time: Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, Jean Cocteau, and more.

Peaches and Screams by G.A. McKevett is another in the Savannah Reid cozy mystery series. She goes home to Georgia in late summer to participate in a wedding – and get her younger brother out of jail. Her cats and friends from Los Angeles tag along for the fun.

The Permaculture Garden by Graham Bell. Trying to learn basic permaculture is like trying to unravel a multi-colored, multi-textured ball of yarn; there’s often so much theory that there’s little practical application. While there are a few practical suggestions in The Permaculture Garden, I got bogged down by the technical details and explanations. And, unfortunately, the “do it in one weekend’ projects would be summer-long projects for me.

Books Q-R-S

                

I loved Radio Girls by Sarah-Jane Straford. This is historical fiction based on real people and real events, focused on a woman finding her voice and place in the world. At first I thought it was a rip off of the Maise Dobbs series because the main character is named Maisie. It’s not. This is well written, fast paced, dynamite. Highly recommended!

Retail Arbitrage by Chris Green. Apparently, there are a whole lot of people buying stuff at garage sales and reselling on Ebay. While I was aware of that, I’ve recently become far more aware of just how big the whole thing actually is.  This book has excellent advice but it’s from 2011 so a little out of date. The author also touts the products he’s developed to sell to people who are reselling. Annoying.

RightSizing: A SMART Living 365 Guide to Reinventing Retirement. Like me, your first question is probably, “What is Rightsizing?” Author Kathy Gottberg explains:

…Rightsizing is a conscious choice for a better lifestyle that more closely fits you and your family in the best way possible…it’s about being honest with yourself enough to figure out what you are spending money on and whether that money is worth the time, effort, and spirit you invest earning it. Best of all, rightsizing is about finding what brings your life meaning, makes you smile, and allows you to sleep well and deeply every single night. If you don’t have that now, maybe it’s time to rightsize your life.

Each chapter brings you further into the rightsizing approach to retirement: getting started, curing your addiction to ‘more,’ rightsizing health and well-being, eliminating the unnecessary, and so on. There’s even a chapter that gives you seven signs of real abundance. So if you’re thinking about retirement, this is definitely a book well worth keeping near you as a guide. Highly recommended: this book should be a best seller!

Second Sight by Judith Orloff, MD. The subtitle is a mouthful:  an intuitive psychiatrist tells her extraordinary story and shows you how to tap your own inner wisdom. Useful in helping me understand the many ways I sense the world.

The Secret Life of Violent Grant by Beatriz Williams. I do enjoy historical fiction. And while this isn’t exactly historical fiction, it is an intriguing story line that kept me captivated over a day or two. Williams masterfully entwines the lives of 1960s Vivian and 1914s Violet with dashing suitors, passionate pursuit of physics, and a mysterious suitcase. Worth reading.

I love giving books as Christmas gifts because, ahem, I get to read the books before I give them. So is the case with The Secret Rooms: A True Story of A Haunted Castle, A Plotting Duchess, and A Family Secret by Catherine Bailey. If you’re a genealogist or historian, or just plain like digging through stacks of books in the library, you will enjoy this read.

I loved the personality of heroine Benni Harper in Seven Sisters by Earlene Fowler, and especially enjoyed the counter-play between Benni and her current husband (who just happens to be a retired police chief.) Then there’s the richest family in the county who just happen to have a dead body in the front room. I was disappointed in the ending, so am hoping that another book in the series finally sets this mystery to rest.

She Who Remembers by Linda Lay Shuler. I read this 1988 historical fiction just before I left for Peru. Fitting, really, as it imagines the lives of the Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon peoples. The portrait of female power was inspiring. This is the first of a triology; the other two books (that I have not read) are Voice of the Eagle and Let The Drum Speak. I may have to grab these in Kindle format.

A Ship of Pearl by Adela Crandell Durkee. Admittedly, I’m biased as the author is a friend. I love that this is a Michigan book: it’s always fun to read about the state in which I was born and currently live. And the story? Top notch. Appropriate for young adults, this novel explores coming of age when your whole world crashes.

Simple SMART and Happy: A SMART Living 365 Guide to a Sustainable and Meaningful Life is also from author Kathy Gottberg whom I met at the last day of the Bloggers at Midlife Conference. We hit it off immediately, and talked for a long time over cocktails. And as I was leaving, she offered me two of her books. And if you’re looking to simplify your life or heading into retirement, these are an absolute must. Both books are deeply rooted in Kathy’s unique SMART philosophy of life: sustainability, meaningfulness, awareness, responsibility, and thankfulness. She explores these concepts on her SMART Living 365 blog and beyond. This book is an intelligent meditation on and exploration of the concept of minimalism and simple living. And if you don’t know the difference? There’s a checklist for that. Highly recommended: this book should be a best seller!

            

Singer From The Sea by Sheri S. Tepper. Raised to be proper and polite, and assuming she will eventually become the wife of a powerful man, Genevieve is thrust into treacherous court life at a moment’s notice. She survives, thrives, and brings great change to her world, but not without some serious bumps, bruises, singing, and swimming. It’s not quite what you think, and is definitely delightful.

The Sixteen Pleasures by Robert Hellenga. So this is a book about a really old erotic book. One reviewer even called it “an erotic book about an erotic book.” I wouldn’t go that far as there’s nothing “erotic” in the titular sense here. The eroticism comes from the Florence, Italy setting, and from the passion the characters show for their work, each other, and life. If you enjoy art history, and bookmaking that just so happen to include the discovery and restoration of an ancient erotic book (as well as the restoration of a noted fresco,) add this book to your reading list.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. This is a delicate book of female friendship in two rural Chinese villages. They are bound together both as “laotong” or emotional friends, and endure many things together, including foot binding. Their lives diverge is dramatic directions, but their friendship is forever.

This book also by Kim Holden arrived in the late May/early June 2016 Bookworm box.  So Much More had modern and complex characters, but I had a hard time believing the male lead didn’t see his ex-wife’s evil streak; he’s too compassionate for that kind of blindness.  Enjoyable, but (given the end) I’m wondering why I bothered.

My Son and the Afterlife by Elisa Medhus, MD. An easy introduction to the afterlife, as if we -the living- have any clues. Medical doctor Medhus lost her teenage son to suicide then and went looking for answers.

The “Southern Sisters” mysteries by Anne George. I took four of these novels to Peru and they were perfect travel companions: light, entertaining, and utterly Southern. They’re starting to show their age, though, as the characters were just buying their first computers. Recommended: Murder Makes Waves, Murder Shoots The Bull, Murder Carries A Torch, and Murder Boogies With Elvis.

The Spice Box by Lou Jane Temple. If you enjoy historical mysteries set in the upstairs/downstairs intrigue of fancy houses, think about adding this to your reading list.  It’s set in Manhatten when horses still ruled the streets, and a young immigrant Irish cook just might be able to help a wealthy merchant solve a mystery or two. This is an easy read that also includes a handful of recipes. And the spice box itself? Not nearly as big of a deal as I thought it might be.

Spirit Wind by Jon L. Gibson. My first thoughts after finishing this book were, “That was delightful. I want to know if Spirit Wind and Blackbird marry. I want more!” There isn’t another book, but this one is certainly a satisfying coming-of-age story based on Chitimacha tribal mythology. Both archaeologically accurate and easy to follow, this is one book that should have hit the mainstream.

Books T-V

        

The Terranauts by T. Coraghessan Boyle. Set in the 1990s, the novel captures the “before internet” feel of the world. The idea of creating a bio-dome is intriguing, but is missing the abundance available from forest gardening. I’m pretty sure the terranauts would have had better diets and relied less on raising and butchering livestock if they’d followed permaculture principles.

A Thousand Years of Good Prayers by Yiyun Li. This collection of short stories is haunting, delicate, disturbing, remarkable. We get brief glimpses at a life, and then move into another life. There’s Granny Lin honorably retired from a garment factory moving on to a boarding school, followed quickly by BeiBei screaming, a boy who resembles a dictator, and then the complex relationship between Sasha, Boshen, and Yang.

The Time-Traveling Fashionista On Board The Titanic by Bianca Turetsky. This charming book came from the local library sale; I liked the sparkly pink front cover and the blue gown on the back cover was intriguing, too. I didn’t know it was geared towards the middle school age group until I started to read about the awkward seventh grade Louise Lambert who has recently discovered a passion for vintage fashion. She goes to an unusual vintage store and ends up on the Titanic. As in the *real* Titanic. How she gets there, survives, and gets home are all part of the story – as are gorgeous illustrations of clothing featured in the book.

A Toxic Trousseau by Juliet Blackwell. This cozy mystery features witch and vintage boutique owner Lily Ivory trying to figure out how a rival shop owner died. The title gives you a hint, and the story weaves the details in with aplomb. Recommended.

Turn Right At Machu Picchu by Mark Adams. In the tradition of Bill Bryson, author Mark Adams is the guy who works behind the desk at Adventure Magazine, but never goes on adventures. For this book he steps out from behind the desk and conquers the Andes mountains while re-creating Machu Picchu ‘discovery’ by Hiram Bingham III in 1911. If you’re going to Machu Picchu or trekking through Peru, be sure to read this before you go.

          

Transformational Life Coaching by Cherie Carter-Scott and Lynn U. Stewart.  I wrote a 3 1/2 page book report on this for my life coaching training, and recommend it for any up-and-coming life coach. Good stuff. That said, if you’re not a life coach, you probably aren’t interested.

Twenties Girl: A Novel by Sophia Kinsella. Just imagine that you’re pretending that you know how to do your job, and your recently dead (and feisty) great aunt shows up to give you fashion advice. Sounds normal, right? The whole concept is preposterous, and the story made me laugh out loud. Fun, fashion, London, and love – I loved it!

The Unkillable Kitty O’Kane by Colin Falconer. I bought a 4th Generation Amazon Kindle at an estate sale sans power cord for $35.  It took me another week to acquire a power cord, charge the device, and download my very first free Kindle book. I’ve read plenty of books on the Kindle app on my iPad, but never on an actual Kindle.  And most free/cheap books I’ve read in the past needed both more content and an outside editor. This is not the case with The Unkillable Kitty O’Kane. It’s a fun romp from Dublin to New York on the Titanic and back to England on the Lusitanita (literally – the main character is on both and survives.) She is a feisty and independent, struggling to find herself in a world where such independence is frowned upon for women – but can she find love? You’ll have to read the book to find that out. And as for the ‘raging’ battle between electronic and actual books? I prefer an actual book, and also love the convenience of electronic for travel.

The Virgin of the Small Plains by Nancy Pickard. I’ve read this murder mystery a couple of times and have gone looking for other books by Nancy Pickard as a result. There’s something haunting about this book that keeps me coming back.

Virtual Vintage: The Insider’s Guide to Buying and Selling Fashion Online by Lindroth and Deborah Newell Tornello. This book has not been updated since 2002; so much has changed online since then that the book’s almost not worth having. Almost. Because there are terrific tibits in here. For example, I didn’t know that Biz powder was the best way to whiten fabrics; I tried the recommended soaking method on a yellowed white jacket and boy – did it ever do the job! There’s a good run down of what to look for, but – unfortunately – focused on designer duds. Yeah, that’s not happening at my local thrift store – or on my budget. There’s also a woefully outdated dreary explanation of how to sell and buy online and an equally old directory of websites. This book needs an update.

In “stating the obvious” category, there is Voracious: A Hungry Reader Cooks Her Way Through Great Books by blogger, baker, and real-life butcher Cara Nicoletti. You like reading books and talking about books and cooking or eating yummy food? Definitely worth a look.

The Vorkisigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold. A friend turned me on to this sci-fi adventure series and oh mama what a read! While the series starts out slow, it picks up speed, gains momentum, and just gets better. I read them in  Just anticipating the release of book #17 in this series has me excited. Actually, anything and everything by Lois McMaster Bujold; her writing is both award-winning and truly masterful. Plotting, character development – gaaaa, it’s fabulous. Since August I’ve read practically everything she’s written. I quickly worked my way through the Chalion series, and am almost done with the Sharing Knife series.

Books W-Z

      

The “Weather Warden” series by Rachel Caine – Books 1-4  The first book was a fun ride: a kick ass heroine with super power ability to manipulate weather. Cool beans! But then I proceeded to read books 2, 3, and 4 in order. That was my mistake. Permanent note to self: read books in a series one at a time, not one right after the other.

In the guilty pleasure arena, the Hannah Swenson mystery series by Joanne Fluke is on top of my list. I love cookies! I love mysteries! If you do, too, this is for you. Especially if you want easy to read and easy to follow books. I gobbled the latest –Wedding Cake Mystery– in less than 24 hours. And then, with the resolution of the mystery and the wedding, I wondered why I bothered. I don’t care, and am mystified as to why she married the guy she did – which means I’ll read the next one, and the next one, and the next one. Kind of how I devour Oreo cookies (the lemon ones, please.)

When The Moon Is Low: A Novel by Nadia Hashimi. This book has all of the things I love in a great story: love, mystery, travel, adventure, and overcoming immense hardship. Unfortunately, after all of the excitement, it ends like that. Really? Pfffft.

When: Would You Want To Know? by Victoria Laurie. Teenage Maddie sees death dates on everyone’s foreheads. Then she’s accused of murder, her life goes off the rails, and a thrill ride of a novel ensues.

Where She Went by Gayle Forman. The sequel to the best seller If I Stay, we catch up with Adam and Mia – and mostly Adam. If you read the first one, you’ve got to read the second one. Because love, and everything.

              

The Whistler by John Grisham. Love a complicated, twisty-turny plot with complete closure? This is for you, as are many of Grisham’s other novels; this one’s set in steamy Florida and involves organized crime and casinos. Well-written, fast-paced, The Whistler is a great summer read.

The Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson. Yet another modern witch story. This one echoes thin TV drama, which makes perfect sense as the author was a member of the cast of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Nice, fast read, but I won’t be reaching for more.

The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. You all know I read all sorts of books, and this was at the annual book sale at my local library. I couldn’t remember reading it as a child, so brought the 1956 paperback published by the Henry Regenery Company in Chicago home. This is not the Hollywood movie and, like most books that are made into movies, I liked the book a whole lot better.

When Bunnies Go Bad by Clea Simon. Another in the Pru Marlowe mystery series. Pru can hear what animals think, which means that her job as a dog walker leads her into interesting situations. This time there are bunnies, dogs, and her ever intriguing cat Wallis. Good stuff.

Who Killed Mr. Moonlight: Bauhaus, Black Magick, and Benediction by David J. Haskins. This book goes a long way towards proving the point that music celebrities are just like you and me, with a lot more alcohol. Pity, really, because Haskins has a way with words. Interesting tidbits for die hard Bauhaus or Love and Rockets fans, but otherwise not worth reading.

After a rough start with the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett, I was expertly guided to read Wyrd Sisters and Witches Abroad. Both are about the Magrat Garlick, Granny Weatherwax, and Nanny Ogg – three witches who fly around on broomsticks and have monthly meetings around black cauldrons. Just my kind of thing. And just enjoyable enough to make me give Discworld another try or two or three.

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