The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

Finished: - 4*

Currently Reading:
Haunted And Hexed - Kindle
The Pillars of the Earth
The Priest's Graveyard

Currently reading The Spider's House by Paul Bowles.

Auntie Mame – Patrick Dennis – 4****
Oh, what an absolute delight! I love Mame … she’s outrageous, convivial, adventurous, kind, a bon vivant, prone to exaggeration, unable to resist, unabashedly lacking in marketable skills, and yet full of confidence. This novel “memoir” is funny and tender, horrifying and enthralling.
My full review HERE

Finished: - 4*

This was a quick, fun read with a nice twist in the end.

Currently Reading:
The Pillars of the Earth
The Priest's Graveyard

Meet Me Halfway: Milwaukee Stories – Jennifer Morales – 4****
An urban neighborhood must find ways to bridge divisions between black and white, gay and straight, old and young. I love short stories and was expecting that format. But this is really a novel told from nine different viewpoints. It’s an engaging and interesting look at an urban struggle that is all too familiar. I look forward to my F2F book club discussion about this very timely novel.
My full review HERE

Started: Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption

Just finishing up Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine, and the Miracle That Set Them Free, and The Darkest Road getting ready to start Servant of the Empire and Beneath the Sugar Sky

The Women In the Castle – Jessica Shattuck – 3***
Three German widows are brought together shortly after World War II ends. I liked the idea of this novel’s story more than I liked the actual book. There are some interesting and thought-provoking themes presented, but I’m probably just overloaded on WWII. On the whole, I found the novel forgettable.
My full review HERE

Finished Lioness Rampant and starting Magic's Pawn

Finished: - 4*

Currently Reading:
The Pillars of the Earth - Library
The Dragon Whisperer - Kindle
Pine Mountain Secrets - Kindle
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption - Library
The Soldier's Wife - Library
As a Driven Leaf - Own

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek – Kim Michelle Richardson – 4****
I love reading historical fiction, particularly when it focuses on an element of history about which I know little. This covers two such elements: the Pack-Horse Librarians and the “blue people” of Kentucky. Cussy Mary Carter is a marvelous lead characters – kind, compassionate, determined and tenacious. The author’s use of vernacular dialect helped transport me to a different time and place.
My full review HERE

Finished reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Reid Jenkins (read my full review here!) and cried way too many times. 4 stars.

Currently reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. I read this several years ago and didn't like it but decided to give it another try (and because I don't remember anything that happens!).

O Pioneers! – Willa Cather – 4****
Cather’s first novel follows one family over decades as they settle the great plains of Nebraska. The heroine is Alexandra Bergson, who takes charge of the family farm after her father dies, and ensures the family’s prosperity despite setbacks. This is a strong woman! Her love of the land is evident, but she is no romantic. The story encompasses tragedy as well as triumph.
My full review HERE

Peach Pies And Alibis – Ellery Adams – 3***
Book two in the Charmed Pie Shoppe series, starring Ella Mae LeFaye, who discovered her magical powers in book one of the series. This installment in the series did serve to better explain the premise and Ella Mae’s family’s magical history. It’s far from literature, and pretty predictable, but I did find it entertaining.
My full review HERE

Finished: - 4*, - 4*

Currently Reading:
The Pillars of the Earth - Library
The Dragon Whisperer - Kindle
The Soldier's Wife - Library
As a Driven Leaf - Own

Finished The Darkest Road , Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine, and the Miracle That Set Them Free and Beneath the Sugar Sky

Reading: The League of Wives: The Untold Story of the Women Who Took on the U.S. Government to Bring Their Husbands Home, Stormfront, Dragonquest andThe Land Beyond the Sea

The Remains of the Day – Kazuo Ishiguro – 4****
A proper English butler, known only by his last name: Stevens, reflects on his life’s work. I love the way that Ishiguro reveals Stevens’ character through his musings. As he recalls the glory days of house parties that welcomed influential people to Darlington Hall, Stevens reveals how he allowed his sense of duty and devotion to being butler in a great house to blind himself to what was really happening – both in the world at large and on a more personal level. This slow realization is what makes this book so poignant and thought-provoking.
My full review HERE

Finished: - 4*, - 3*

Currently Reading:
The Dragon Whisperer - Kindle
The Soldier's Wife - Library
The Bone Garden - Library
And the Sea Will Tell - Library

I need to read these three library books, since my library is now open. I have no more renewals on them available to me...so it is crunch time!

The Day the World Came To Town – Jim DeFede – 4****
This is the story of what happened in Gander, Newfoundland, when, as a result of the 9/11 attacks in America, some 40 jumbo jets landed in the space of a few hours, flooding the town of 10,000 with some 6,600 passengers and crew members. It’s an uplifting story, especially now in these unsettled times. Reminding me that there is kindness in this world, that there are people who rise to the occasion and behave selflessly to help others in distress, without thought to remuneration or reward.
My full review HERE

Virgil Wander – Leif Enger – 4****
I love character-driven novels and this one perfectly fits the bill. I love Enger’s way with words, the way he paints the landscape and draws his characters who so perfectly fit the scenario he gives us. There is a spirituality, or mysticism about Enger’s story-telling that captures my attention as well. Enger’s town is small, but the people in it are larger than life. There are moments of humor and tenderness, and some evil and tragedy as well. However, the overall feeling is one of hope and resilience and of looking forward to the future, whatever it may bring.
My full review HERE

Finished: - 4*

Of the three library books, I renewed one...finished one...and will be overdue for one.

A Rule Against Murder – Louise Penny – 3.5***
Book four in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache mystery series, set in and around Three Pines, Quebec. This time he’s pressed into service when a murder occurs at an isolated resort where he and his wife are celebrating their wedding anniversary. I love Gamache and the deliberate way he goes about investigating cases.
My full review HERE

Finished Magic's Pawn, now reading Peril at End House

I am reading The Hidden Staircase Reckless Burn for Burn
Delirium The Raven Boys
Shiver

The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz, This Is Chance!: The Shaking of an All-American City, a Voice That Held It Together

Finished:
- 4*, - 3*, - 4*

Currently Reading:
The Dragon Whisperer - Kindle
The Soldier's Wife - Library
The Nine Tailors - Library

Finders Keepers – Stephen King – 3***
Book two in the Bill Hodges trilogy, featuring the former detective, now a PI, and his team of misfits and amateurs. King is a master crafter of the suspense genre. He keeps the reader turning pages while offering complex characters and motivations.
My full review HERE

Finished: - 3*

Currently Reading:
The Dragon Whisperer - Kindle
The Soldier's Wife - Library

Has anyone ever read the six of crows by Sarah J Maas? I want to read it but i seen bad reviews on it.

Finished reading Peril at End House and started Living Dead in Dallas

Finished: - 3.5*

Tammie wrote: "Has anyone ever read the six of crows by Sarah J Maas? I want to read it but i seen bad reviews on it."

Six of Crows ? This is by Leigh Bardugo and I loved it

Finished:

Currently Reading:
The Soldier's Wife - Library

Starting:
Antiques Knock-Off - Owned
The Haunting of Suzanna Blackwell - Owned
A Rant of Ravens - Library
Ten Women - Kindle

Get Shorty – Elmore Leonard – 3***
This was just plain fun. I’d never seen the movie (starring John Travolta as Chili, and Gene Hackman as Harry), so had no real idea what to expect, other than a wild ride. And Leonard definitely delivers that.
My full review HERE

Finished: - 3*, - 3*, - 4*

Currently Reading:
The Haunting of Suzanna Blackwell - Owned
Ten Women - Kindle

Starting:
War Horse
The Law of Love

French Pressed – Cleo Coyle – 3***
This is book six in the Coffeehouse Mystery series, and I’m really enjoying them. I do think that Clare’s insistence on investigating on her own is a bit over-the-top, but it wouldn’t be a cozy mystery without an intrusive amateur sleuth. This episode really delves into foodie culture which had me salivating in places. Not a fan of the cliff-hanger ending, but that’s a pet peeve of mine. Still, I found it deliciously entertaining – a perfect “escape” read.
My full review HERE

Finished - 3.5*

Reading Three to Get Deadly

Reading The Virgin's Lover

Currently Reading:
The Law of Love - Owned
Ten Women - Kindle
War Horse
Kicking It

Reading Four to Score

Finished: - 4*, - 4*
Expect to finish soon: - 3.5*

Currently Reading:
Ten Women - Kindle

Starting:
Harvest - Own
Riding Lessons - Library
Liar's Poker: Rising Through the Wreckage on Wall Street - Library

Rise & Shine Benedict Stone – Phaedra Patrick – 3.5***
This is a charming novel of one man’s awakening. Patrick has crafted a sort of modern fairy tale, with a cast of eccentric characters, a romantic quest, the mythology of gems, and a happy ending (of course). It was a delightful, heart-warming read.
My full review HERE

Started: Ahab's Wife: Or, the Star-Gazer

Finished Four to Score

To the Bright Edge Of the World – Eowyn Ivey – 4.5****
This is a marvelous adventure story, and an engaging look at personal growth. Both these lead characters experience heartache and difficulties and yet both persevere in reaching their goals despite obstacles, naysayers and setbacks. I loved the use of diary entries and letters to tell this bifurcated story. The book is full of Native Alaskan people’s culture, traditions, and stories. There are several very strong Native characters. I love magical realism and Ivey seamlessly weaves these elements into her story.
My full review HERE

Finished - 4*, - 3.5*

The Bookish Life Of Nina Hill – Abbi Waxman – 3***
I was predisposed to like this book because it focused on a bookworm. However, while I liked Nina and the other characters, I somehow didn’t really connect to the book. Perhaps I’m just too far past that young-adult / new-adult phase in my life to really immerse myself in the angst of dating, or the romantic missteps we’ve all made in a new relationship. In any case, I still enjoyed it, as I enjoy mind candy (and candy of the edible kind as well), but it just doesn’t stay with me for long, or really satisfy my hunger.
My full review HERE

Ayesha At Last – Uzma Jalaluddin – 3.5***
I had great fun identifying Elizabeth, Darcy, Lydia, Wickham and Mr Collins in this modern-day retelling of Pride and Prejudice, featuring a Muslim couple in Toronto, Canada. Their missteps, misunderstandings, wrong conclusions, and ultimate relationship flow seamlessly from who they are and how they perceive the world. Jalaluddin shows us characters who are faithful and yet living in the modern world, and she doesn’t shy away from exploring work-place (and societal) bias.
My full review HERE

Finished:

Currently Reading:
Ten Women - Kindle
Liar's Poker: Rising Through the Wreckage on Wall Street - Library
Maggie for Hire - Kindle
Ahab's Wife: Or, the Star-Gazer - Library

Next to start:
Harvest - Own