On My Nightstand April 2, 2023

The cherry blossoms are still going strong here, but we’ll see what happens after this weekend’s strong storms. I really hope they’re not as bad as predicted, and that everyone stays safe. Basically I’m hoping for weather gross enough to keep me in and reading, but isn’t bad enough to do any damage. Fingers crossed.

Have a great week everyone. Stay safe!

Quote of the week

“I’ve been through many hardships, just like all of us, but most days grief is balanced out by the pleasures: a delicious meal, the smell of cedar on my hands, the sound of rushing water, good friends. Joy and sorrow are the things of life, the two things always tangled together. Anybody who’s ever lost anyone knows that.”

— Lark Ascending by Silas House

What I’m Reading This Week

Life of Pi by Yann Martel -- I loved this when it was new, so I decided to re-read to see if it holds up.

In The Quick by Kate Hope Day -- I tried this in print, but no quotations marks. Changed to audiobook in self defense. It’s slow so far, but I love the premise so much I’ll keep going.

And Poison Fell From The Sky by Marie Therese Martin -- I got this as an ARC from LibraryThing. So far it packs a punch.

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand March 26, 2023

Much to Daisy’s delight I started reading Down City at around 4 this afternoon, and couldn’t put it down until I finished. It’s been a long time since I’ve done that, and I think I can say my reading slump is officially over.

This week I’m going to try to finish up some reading goals I had set for March, and start packing for my vacation coming up in a few weeks. I also need to work on my garden if it ever stops raining.

Have a good week friends!

Quote of the Week

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?”

— John Steinbeck, Travels With Charley

On My Nightstand This Week

In The Quick by Kate Hope Day - I heard this described at The Martian meets Jane Eyre, which as luck would have it are two of my favorite books. How could I resist?

Death By Dumpling by Vivien Chien - I’m reading this as part of a diverse cozy buddy read. So far, so good!

Lark Ascending by Silas House -- I saw this on some list somewhere of best books of 2022, and my library hold came in Friday. I’ve only just started, and I’m looking forward to some dystopia. (Yes this is the third week I’ve has this on my list. This week I am determined because it really does sound good!)

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

Show Us Your Books August 2022

It used to be that I would read a lot more when I was traveling, but now I read a lot less. My kids are older, and we’re out a lot later. I’m loving spending time with them as tweens and teens, but my reading definitely takes a hit on travel heavy months.Still, what I did read last month was really, really good. So, I traveled a lot, my kids are still talking to me, and I spent some time with good quality books. So what if my counts aren’t as high this year?

5 Stars

American Made by Farah Stockman - This was an incredible book. The author followed three people from a closed factory in Indiana made famous when President Trump tweeted about it. The book which covered the former president‘s administration really looked at the issues faced by factory workers in a way you won‘t see on the news no matter what channel you watch. Highly recommend.

Four Stars

Black Water Lilies by Michel Bussi - I could not stop reading this mystery set in France until I found out what happened and then my mind exploded.

Empire Falls by Richard Russo - This was a good, slow read to get lost in. The ending was devastating.

The House at Sugar Beach by Helene Cooper - This was an excellent book about growing up in Liberia, and later leaving as a refugee in the 1980‘s. I highly recommend the audiobook read by the author.

When A Crocodile Eats The Sun by Peter Godwin - This was a very emotional memoir written by a journalist in the US who was also trying to care for his aging parents in Zimbabwe. It was a story that was both un-relatable and completely relatable all at the same time.

The Burning Blue by Kevin Cook - A comprehensive but sad book about the Challenger disaster. You just want to yell into the book and tell them not to get on that shuttle.

The Great Stewardess Rebellion by Nell McShane Wulfhart - A well researched book about the fight for flight attendants to be seen as professionals and not just a pretty face. With everything going on in the US right now it was a good reminder of how women used to be treated and how hard they had to fight.

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Show Us Your Books June 2022

The Book Barn in Niantic, CT

May was a cold month here so I decided to start my summer reading early. I have a whole list of books I want to read, but for me summer reading really means just reading what makes me feel good - usually mysteries, thrillers, and sweeping family dramas set in hot climates. Summer reading is all about ignoring my reading goals and having fun.

Here are my favorites from the month of May!

Five Stars:

The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya - When she was six Clemantine fled her parent‘s house with her sister and just a few belongings. Until she was twelve they lived as refugees. Then they were awarded a visa to live in the US. This book shows that what looks like the happily ever after ending that you might see on the outside isn‘t always reality.

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel - I‘m not even sure what to say about this other than it was amazing and the less you know about it going in the better off you‘ll probably be.

Four Stars:

(Just realized these are all non-fiction- not normal for me!)

Broken (In The Best Possible Way) by Jenny Lawson - This book made me laugh and cry and gave me a lot to think about.

Walking The Nile by Lev Wood - I enjoyed this travelogue about walking through Africa along the Nile. I truly knew very little about the path of the Nile, and since I had two small children in 2013-2014 when he walked I also appreciated the refresher on what was happening in Africa during those years.

No Good Men Among The Living by Anand Gopal - A non-fiction account of the everyday lives of three people living in Afghanistan after 9/11. This book changed what I thought I knew. It was a hard read, but a really good one.

This post is linked to Show Us Your Books and Quick Lit.

Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!