Sometimes things happen, and it seems like the worst of timeI love this author.
She has a way of giving us hope.
Second chances.
Believing in people.
Sometimes things happen, and it seems like the worst of times, and nothing is working right, and other people are controlling the outcomes…but…there is always hope that something good is around the corner.
Perhaps what was lost, can be found again at Lost Lake....more
I finished this book in June 2017. I picked it up at a delightful bookstore (Lucy’s Books) in Astoria, Oregon while travelling (our first RV trip).
OneI finished this book in June 2017. I picked it up at a delightful bookstore (Lucy’s Books) in Astoria, Oregon while travelling (our first RV trip).
One of the things I loved about this little, quaint bookstore was the display of books. She had them set up so that when you walked in there were little notes attached to some of the books telling you why she selected them.
When I saw this book, I knew immediately this was one I wanted to read. Who could walk away first when the title reaches out to you and says, "bookshop?"
And the note attached tells you that this is a magical place?
It’s a lovely story about overcoming challenges - connecting with your community - and finding love.
If you are looking for a relaxing, magical reading experience, this is the one....more
Before I discuss this book, I wanted to share why I was attracted to it.
My absolute all-time favorite book is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel PBefore I discuss this book, I wanted to share why I was attracted to it.
My absolute all-time favorite book is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. . /review/show... I loved how the story was told in letters. (They call it an epistolary novel � i.e., written in the form of a series of letters and/or documents.)
When I shared how much I loved that book, others recommended that I read the classic 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. /review/show... This became my second all-time favorite book.
So, when I saw that When You Read This is told via email, blogs, texts and such, I thought, ‘I’m game!�
I am so glad I took the plunge.
This style of writing really draws you in, and at times, can even intensify your emotions by having the opportunity to read the characters in this way.
But how the story is shared via this medium, is really what drew me in the most. (And to be honest, this can be a challenging read - if it isn't done right. Thank goodness, this author did it well!)
The novel gives you insights that you would never expect, as the story has the characters dealing with being honest with themselves, facing the realities they try to hide, no matter how much they might hurt.
It's a book that shows us how the characters struggle to handle grief and regret, and how accepting that others may grieve, too, can actually help them.
And... It's also a book about how characters find the strength to start again, sometimes more than once.
But... It is also funny and poignant with laugh out loud moments and characters you can appreciate....more
What’s more lovely than discovering a list of books in a library book with the heading “Just in case you need it?�
Perhaps, it’s reading those books wWhat’s more lovely than discovering a list of books in a library book with the heading “Just in case you need it?�
Perhaps, it’s reading those books with someone who needs them.
“The Reading List� is a beautiful story about the importance of reading.
As a life-long reader, I was very moved by this story which highlights impactful novels and ordinary people.
Sweet, sad, saccharine at times, but so uplifting it has a way of touching your heart....more
Everyone, at any stage of their reading journey, needs to read this book!
I started marking pages with particular letters that I wanted to remember anEveryone, at any stage of their reading journey, needs to read this book!
I started marking pages with particular letters that I wanted to remember and share with friends, but too quickly I ran out of post-it notes!
This is a book of letters and amazing illustrations about reading from writers, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, and philosophers.
As an example, Naomi Wolf started her letter �
“Dear Person, Why Read? Because you only have one life but reading gives you many lives.�
Or Amanda Peters, -
"Dear Person-Who-Is-Afraid-Of-Books, Don’t forget: You don’t have to finish every book you start!�
How many times did I feel I needed to � well, as a Book Discussion group facilitator � probably, always! How many times would I have preferred not to continue on?! Those who have read along side of me, most likely already have that answer�
This book is a 250-page love letter to the kid we used to be, written and illustrated by people whose character has been shaped by a life of reading. It is worth taking a break from your regular fiction reads....more
Have you read, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce? /review/show...
If not, please do.
And when you are donHave you read, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce? /review/show...
If not, please do.
And when you are done, read Joyce’s book, The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy.
I have never had this reading experience before, where The Unlikely Pilgrimage talked in Harold’s point of view as to why he is walking the length of England to save Queenie who is dying in Hospice Care.
In the Love Song, while Harold is walking to Queenie, we hear Queenie’s story.
While I was reading The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, I often wondered about who Queenie Hennessy really was and why Harold Fry would make a trek walking hundreds of miles to see her before she dies.
In The Love Song�, the novel answers all of the questions I had about Queenie, and now I can appreciate even more the reasons behind Harold’s trek to “save her.�
The Love Song is about living and dying with dignity, friendship, love, about regrets and acceptance, and how people have the capacity to make people who don't know them fall in love with them.
Both books provided a beautiful, touching reading experience.
And yes, these are two books that I didn’t want to skip a page!...more
On our last trip, I had the pleasure of spending the night in Port Townsend, Washington. Quaint and welcoming, I was thoroughly entranced by this littOn our last trip, I had the pleasure of spending the night in Port Townsend, Washington. Quaint and welcoming, I was thoroughly entranced by this little town boasting 4 bookstores! Can you imagine what Heaven I was in?!
One bookstore, called the Writers� Workshoppe Imprint Books honored local authors. They had a display as you entered the shop and I found myself wrapped in warmth and joy.
This book did something more, it wrapped me in spices, smells, textures and flavors.
As I continued to read, I got a warm, cozy feeling from the experience of connecting with the various characters that lingered with me. I almost felt as if I could smell and taste right through the book.
The novel itself is a beautifully written character study of each student who comes to Lillian’s School of Essential Ingredients (cooking class).
Each character is given their own chapter so we can gain more insight into their individual stories.
This is a brilliant first novel, and if you have never read a food-related book, this is where to start. You will want to eat this book!
And yes, I also picked up her sequel to this, "The Lost of Art of Mixing" which I also eventually read and loved....more
Or of this author who has chosen to provide a sense of magical realism into this story.
There was soDo not underestimate the brilliance of octopuses.
Or of this author who has chosen to provide a sense of magical realism into this story.
There was something smart in the unfolding of this tale.
What does a caged octopus in an aquarium, a lonely 70-year-old widow and a young man have in common?
As readers, we will soon find out as we find ourselves completely engaged in this delightful story told from three points of view � one being the octopus. Yes, you heard me.
And you will never guess who is considered the remarkably bright creature!
This book is engaging, joyful, tearful, sweet, healing, and serious, as well.
Family is complicated. So we find family in other ways.
There is a feeling of sadness as we learn so much aboutCharming.
Magical realism at its best.
Family is complicated. So we find family in other ways.
There is a feeling of sadness as we learn so much about some of the characters and how they find their way to and from Mallow Island.
The characters we come to follow, their backgrounds have a sense of mystery that we want to unravel and understand. A ghostliness hangs around the courtyard garden they inhabit and the birds fly and have their own personalities.
There are stories here � we want to know them � care � and find resolution.
And... This keeps us engaged and enchanted until the last page.
And...We, as readers, are not disappointed....more
The Midnight Library is a book about choices, regrets, and embracing life.
It is quietly profound and deeply meaningful � and it is magical realism � The Midnight Library is a book about choices, regrets, and embracing life.
It is quietly profound and deeply meaningful � and it is magical realism � so, you will have to be open minded when you read it.
It is actually perfect for anyone who has ever wondered if their life is enough � because this book will give you a reason to want second chances.
So, let me leave it with Sylvia Plath’s quote, “Between life and death there is a library.�
It is a story of a young woman who inherits a bookstore froThis is a story of secrets.
Of Books.
Of love lost.
Of love found, in very different ways.
It is a story of a young woman who inherits a bookstore from her estranged uncle, and with it, one final scavenger hunt, that helps her not only find the answers she needs � but something more.
We come to learn through the story the importance of scavenger hunts between a young Miranda and her uncle.
Even though I may have guessed what the secret could have been early on, I also wanted to crawl inside this book and go along on this journey with Miranda as she unraveled this mystery and why Uncle Billy chose to leave Prospero Books to her.
And even as I read through the night, (yes, this was one of those books), the novel kept me beautifully engaged.
It was a love letter to bookstores and reading with many references to famous works of literature interwoven through the story.
As readers we couldn’t help but be mesmerized by these references, and want to find ourselves amongst the classics.
We were anxious for Miranda to find her ending � or maybe her beginning?...more
It is about the unknown and unexplained- perhaps best deI can’t explain the hold this book had over me.
It just was different.
This story is magical.
It is about the unknown and unexplained- perhaps best described as Magical Realism.
The message...magic is all around us and the more we look within ourselves, the more we can find our own positive powers to create our best life.
Even as a fictional story, there was something special about the message.
As a reader you wanted to personally know the characters. You wanted to live in this town.
Okay, I admit it...it is a feel good book. But, don’t we need this sometimes?
Interesting tidbit about the author. She is a songwriter of many number one hits, and a lyricist who has written with Michael Buble. She is also the daughter of award winning composer David Foster....more
Since updating and posting A Man Called Ove a couple of days ago, (/review/show...) it is only appropriate that I should postSince updating and posting A Man Called Ove a couple of days ago, (/review/show...) it is only appropriate that I should post this Backman novella. I'm just in that kind of mood. Here is my review.
Have you read A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman?
We had it scheduled to discuss TWICE for our book discussion group. However, because it was on the hot list for almost two years at the library we never got to it! I read it anyway. I saw the movie. Both were delightful. It has been one of the most read books in our Little Free Library Shed.
So, when I heard about ‘And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer and Longer�, a 76 page novella by Fredrik Backman, I had to check it out from the Library.
This is truly a little book with a big heart!
People Magazine said the following in their review:
“Winsome, bittersweet...Wise and heartbreaking, Backman's slim novella celebrates the joy of connecting even in the midst of letting go.�
Mr. Backman opens the book with “Dear Reader…� a note to us:
“This is a story about memories and about letting go. It’s a love letter and a slow farewell between a man and his grandson, and between a dad and his boy.�
Mr. Backman’s amazing stroll through the lives of three generations–father, son and grandson–will make your heart smile through the tears.
He paints a debilitating disease using his magnificent brush of creativity.
There are also delightful, color illustrations throughout.
Alice Menzies deserves accolades for her translation (For those of you who don't know...Fredrik Backman is Swedish.)
While the heart-breaking dementia invades the man’s mind, Mr. Backman helps the reader experience his glorious life–his blessings as well as regrets.
This beautiful little book is a gem of a read that will be devoured in a couple of hours at most.
It took me just a little over one hour�.and even then there were some passages I went back to read again.
Like what he says to his grandson...
"Live your life. It's an awful thing to miss someone who's still here."
Or...to his wife..
"My memories are running away from me...I'm constantly reading a book with a missing page, and it's always the most important one."
Beautiful!
Backman ends his Dear Reader note by saying�
“Most of all it’s about time. While we still have it. Thank you for giving this story yours.�
I have only one question for you�.are you willing to turn the world off for a couple of hours and set yourself up in a nice cozy corner to read this book? You won’t regret your decision....more
Can you imagine reading a book a day for an entire year and reviewing every single one of them? No rereads, and only one book per author.
Well... ThisCan you imagine reading a book a day for an entire year and reviewing every single one of them? No rereads, and only one book per author.
Well... This is exactly what this author did. This was her way of dealing with the grief of losing her eldest sister.
Granted... Not all reviewers were taken in by her book.
But, I was.
Probably...Because I am a voracious reader and I loved her stories. I also loved the way she shared how the stories moved her and how she related them to her own life and the lives of the people she cared about and knew. Definitely a very unique way to deal with her grief.
And... A unique way to analyze one’s own life, so to speak.
I absolutely believe that books can be great healers, necessary medicines when you’re sick at heart and need to escape.
I can’t imagine the pain of losing a sibling.
But...I appreciate the way the author found a way through her grief by coming to the understanding that, while we may have difficulty moving on from loss, we can still find ways to move forward in our lives � and in her simple way...
It was through the love of books. Yes, indeed....more
Sometimes we want to believe in a beautiful love story, because it gives us hope in humanity. After all, when there is a sense of forever love, that gSometimes we want to believe in a beautiful love story, because it gives us hope in humanity. After all, when there is a sense of forever love, that grew out of friendship, childhood friendship, we can know that we might do anything to make the world right again.
But what happens when one mistake long ago derails that forever love? What happens then? Can there be a second chance? Can there be forgiveness?
This story takes us through alternating timelines � between past and present so that we could understand the story of Macy and Elliot � what happened and why.
But most importantly, how will their story end?
Or� will their story have a chance to begin again?...more
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