Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

I read Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout.

I read The Man Who Died Twice

I read:



Chai Time At Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandran a novel which shifts between the conflict in Sri Lanka and a quirky nursing home in Australia trying to bring love and spicy dishes to its feisty residents. This is my review

I read Over and Over Again by Cole McCade, which is an age gap romance where there's a lot of focus on aging and different stages of life. A fairly long read, especially for a romance novel!, but a gorgeously lush one! 5/5

An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine is a quiet, but beautifully written story about an elderly woman living in Beirut, ensconced with her beloved books. ⭐⭐⭐ here is my review

How Y'all Doing?: Misadventures and Mischief from a Life Well Lived by Leslie Jordan

The Highland Hens by Judy Leigh is a contemporary romance set in Glen Carrick House in Scotland, the home of 88-year-old Mimi Solitaire a retired showgirl who continues to sparkle, her three handsome sons, and new arrival Jess Oliver. ⭐⭐⭐ here is my review

The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village by Joanna Nell is a quirky tale of aging disgracefully, set in an Australian retirement village. The only bright spot in 79 year old Peggy’s beige life is watching eligible widower Brian walk past in the mornings until her glamorous mad-cap childhood friend Angie makes an appearance and turns more than just Peggy’s wardrobe upside-down. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review.

Kylie wrote: "How Y'all Doing?: Misadventures and Mischief from a Life Well Lived by Leslie Jordan

[bookcover:How Y'all Doing?: Misadventures and Mischief from a Life Well Lived|..."

RIP Leslie Jordan

For this prompt I read The Old Place by Bobby Finger. The main character is a school teacher recently forced into retirement. It is set in small town Texas and has some great characters, although I had some problems with Mary Alice, the main character. At the start of the book, after her forced retirement, she shows up in her old classroom to intimidate the teacher hired to replace her.

It was published in September, so it would work for a book published in 2022. It would also work for a small town or rural setting. And for the 2023 ATY challenge it would work for debut novel.

I put down Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty for this prompt, but I'm not sure if I'll have enough time to get to it.

What I read for another prompt that could fit this one is The Switch by Beth O'Leary. I loved the 80 year old Eileen. It's a feel-good book. Another one of my favorites is Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, though it's non-fiction, it's an easy and wonderful read.

I'm just starting A Man Called Ove

I read a Miss Marple mystery: They Do It With Mirrors by Agatha Christie