2024 First Half Favorites

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Better late than never, here are my top five reads from January to June 2024. Note these may have been published before 2024, and I’m not including re-reads. They’re in no particular order.

Hey Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka - This autobiographical graphic novel gave me all the feels. Jarret grew up with his grandparents after being largely abandoned by his drug addicted mother and his MIA father. His grandparents weren’t exactly traditional but they got the job done. Bonus points for 1990’s Massachusetts nostalgia.

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver - I can’t say it better than a million reviewers and the Pulitzer Prize have already said. I’ll just say this lived up to the hype for me, and I recommend it on audio.

On Fragile Waves by E. Lily Yu - This is one of the great books of 2020-2021 that I feel got lost amid all of the world events. If I could make it required reading though I would because it puts a very relatable face on a refugee family.

All The Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby - Another book that deserves the hype. Cosby is a auto read author for me. I know that once I start his books I can’t stop.

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe - This was one of my most anticipated summer releases. It was so unique while being relatable all at the same time. How to describe the book about a young single mother making it work via her only fans account with the help of her washed up pro wrestler Dad? I can’t. Just read it.

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On My Nightstand July 21, 2024

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We just got back from my annual extended family vacation in New Hampshire. What a time. I am still processing. It’s an awesome thing to see children turn into adults and adults who should be slowing down decide they should do new things like zip lining. I am profoundly grateful for this time with my family. I am also profoundly grateful to be home with my books and my cats!

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the Week:

“both human nature and a pastry are frail...”
— All Fours by Miranda July

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - Sandwich by Catherine Newman - Very timely to read this book about a woman on vacation with her kids and parents while on vacation with my kids and parents.

Audiobook - The Suspect by Kent Alexander and Kevin Salwen - I never got to this last week, but am looking forward to it now. The Olympics start soon!

Print - I’m not sure! I finished My Own Country while I was away and aren’t sure what I’m in the mood for now! Picking out my next book is fun so I’m looking forward to deciding.

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On My Nightstand July 13, 2024

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It’s a busy morning. My daughter is on her way home from summer camp. Once we pick her up let the laundry begin!

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the Week:

“I hate estimable young men with brown eyes!”
— Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - Feral Creatures of Suburbia by D. Liebhart (ARC) - Still working on this one. No reflection on the book, just hasn’t been a kindle type week.

Audiobook - The Suspect by Kent Alexander and Kevin Salwen - I’ve been wanting to read this book about the Atlanta Olympics bombing for a while, and figured now is the time.

Print - My Own Country by Abraham Verghese - I absolutely love Verghese’s fiction. I’m happy to say his non-fiction is just as immersive. This is a memoir about his early days as a doctor during the beginning of the AIDS epidemic.

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

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Show Us Your Books July 2024

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June was a great reading month. I read some new books for summer reading challenges, and finally got to a book from last summer’s reading guides.

Five Star Reads

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe - This was one of my most anticipated summer reads and it did not disappoint. I loved this completely dysfunctional family so much.

Four Star Reads

The Postcard by Anne Berest - What to say about this book? I was so mad at first that the family stayed in France. The book did such a good job showing how evil the Nazis were in hiding what they had planned. Of course they didn’t believe the worst would happen. Unbelievably sad and sobering. I thought I’d read all of the WWII books by this point but I’m glad I read this one too.

Butter by Asako Yuzuki - I think the publishers did this book a disservice by billing this as a book of food and murder when it really wasn’t that. Really it was about living up to expectations in Japan, and how people are judged for their weight. Once I let go of the food and murder thing I really liked this book.

Challenger by Adam Higginbotham - We listened to this chunkster of an audiobook on trips from Virginia to Tennessee and then from Virginia to West Virginia. We all really enjoyed it, although it almost went too much in depth. I did appreciate that it focused on all the astronauts not just McAuliffe.

Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby - I love the characters and the setting in S.A. Cosby’s books. In this one a former getaway driver gets behind on his bills, and needs to do one last job. Fun summer reading.

Long Island by Colm Toibin - This book was quiet but so complicated. I am still trying to wrap my head around each of the characters. They were all so flawed but in a way that makes you want the best for them.

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On My Nightstand July 6, 2024

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This week went by so fast! The weeks with days off always do. I’ve been trying to take advantage and read, but it’s so hot I’ve just been falling asleep a lot. I have also been distracted by season two of The Mole on Netflix. Nothing beats the original Anderson Cooper version, but these new ones are pretty good.

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the Week:

“From past investigations, Juliet had learned that few combinations were more delightful than investigations and scones.”
— The Perils of Lady Cathering de Bourgh by Claudia Gray

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - Feral Creatures of Suburbia by D. Liebhart (ARC) - If this book is as good as the cover it will get a good review from me.

Audiobook - Claws for Concern by Miranda James - These cozies are nice light listens for my audio walks.

Print - I’m about halfway through The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Gray. This series is so fun.

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

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July 2024 TBR

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June Beginning TBR: 424
June Ending TBR: 416

I made a tiny dent on my TBR last month. I’ll take it!

Books I Want To Read In July:

1-6 Are all book club reads: FoodAndLit, my postal book club, my work book club, Author A Month, and the next Nancy Drew. I’m not sure what all the titles are yet so I won’t list them.

7) Within Arm’s Reach

8) Tales From The Torrid Zone

9) The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh

10) Myst

11) The Oceanography of the Moon

12) Triumphant Sky

13) The Eyre Affair

14) In Extremis

15) The Earth Cries Out

16) All Fours

17) James

18) The Empire of Gold

That’s all I’ve got so far! I’m hoping a shorter list means I’ll get more done? We’ll see!

On My Nightstand June 29, 2024

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It’s almost July, my youngest is away at camp, and the weather report says approximately 3 million degrees with 200% humidity. Summer reading is in full swing!

We’re halfway through the year so I’m going to be working on some best of 2024 so far lists this week, plus starting to think about the reading challenges I’m committed to and how best to finish them before the end of the year. None of that is necessary or required of course, but I really do love planning my reading almost as much as I love reading!

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the Week:

“‘There is nothing in this world so pathetic, so moronic, so meaningless as dieting.’”
— Butter by Asako Yuzuki

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - Long Island by Colm Tóibín I’m loving this one just as much as the first one so far. I’m so glad I was able to get it from the library so quickly.

Audiobook - Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver - I’m not sure if this is working for me on audio so I might switch to print. I’ve read it before so I know I like the story.

Print - Still working on Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes. Hopefully I’ll get some time to finish this weekend.

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

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On My Nightstand June 22, 2024

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We were away last week touring colleges and hiking in the smokies. I did a lot of reading but barely finished anything. Just one of those weeks where I couldn’t decide what to read so I read a bit of everything.

I’m itching to start a new cookbook project so I’ll be researching for that this week.

Have a great week all!

Quote of the week

“Language is a maze, and the mind can get lost.”
— The Postcard by Anne Berest

Reading This Week:

Kindle - Long Island by Colm Toibin - I loved Brooklyn and am really looking forward to the sequel.

Audio - Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby - I love his books and this audio has been perfect summer listening so far.

Paper - Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes - Still working on this! Not sure why it’s been such a struggle for me, but now I’m 100 pages in so I might as well finish.

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

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On My Nightstand June 9, 2024

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This is it on the 2023-2024 school year. Son is done with school, and daughter has one soccer game plus 3 half days of school. We have almost survived. I am looking forward to a little breathing room where every second of every day doesn’t have to be scheduled. I’m behind on visiting blogs. I’m hoping to spend an afternoon this week catching up. After all, my TBR isn’t going to add to itself!

Have a great week all!

Quote of the week

“Nope. Uh-uh. We don’t stick around for that applesauce.”
— The Hudson Collection by Jocelyn Green

Reading This Week:

Kindle - The Postcard by Anne Berest - This book in translation was all over summer reading lists last year, but I’m just getting to it this summer.

Audio - A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder by Dianne Freeman - For a book club. Sounds fin!

Paper - Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes - A lot of people love this one, but I’m still waiting to get into it. I paid cash money for it, so I want to like it, but I won’t give it too much longer.

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

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Walking Wednesday June 5, 2024

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I ran into a lot of wildlife this week! Soccer practice is coming to an end so I will need to find another walking routine yet again. My daughter wants to start going to the gym which may not be a terrible idea once it starts getting really hot.

I’ve been listening to The Exchange by John Grisham. It’s fun to catch back up with Mitch and Abbey from The Firm!

Food and Lit May: Spain

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This month’s #FoodAndLit country on Litsy was Spain. I checked out a few cookbooks from the library, and had dreams of making fabulous tapas, but time and budget demanded I dial it back. I was so happy to find this gazpacho recipe on Gimme Some Oven. It used things I had on hand and was quick to throw together. Score!

I read two books set in Spain. The first, Walking With Sam by Andrew McCarthy, was excellent on audio. Plus the story of father and newly adult son walking across Spain came at the perfect time- my nephew graduated and my son turned sixteen last week. I told my brother about it and he downloaded it right away as well. Book therapy!

The second book I read was Sleeping Arrangements by Madeline Wickham. This really could have been set anywhere, but the easy read set in a Spanish Villa was great for evening porch reading during a busy week.

Next month we read and eat from Iceland!

On My Nightstand June 1, 2024

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I’m back from my nephew’s graduation and a visit to my favorite book store in the world- Book Barn in Niantic, Connecticut. If you ever have a chance to go, do it! I could spend hours there wandering between the various buildings searching for treasures. I ended up with some summer reading for my kids, one for me, and a mini-stack of vintage Nancy Drews.

Now that we’re home I’m putting in the hours cleaning up my garden and getting back to my walking routine. I have an audiobook going at all times of course!

Have a great week all!

Quote of the week

“This is what you must remember: the ending of one story is just the beginning of another.”
— The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

Reading This Week:

Kindle - The Hudson Collection by Jocelyn Green - I have an ARC of this book. It comes out in three days so I need to get it done. I’m enjoying it so far so that shouldn’t be a problem!

Audio - The Silence of the Library by Miranda James - I’ve been listening to this series in between other heavier books.

Paper - Songs In Ordinary Time by Mary McGarry Morris - I got this at a friends of the library sale last year and I keep forgetting to read it. This is the week!

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

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June 2024 TBR

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May beginning TBR: 393
May ending TBR: 424 (hello summer reading guides!)

I’m hoping to get this back down under 300 by the end of the summer. There are so many good books that came out this summer! The TBR creep couldn’t be avoided.

20 Books I Want To Read In June 2024:

1) My Own Country by Abraham Verghese

2) The Exchange by John Grisham

3) Cultures of Growth by Mary Murphy

4) Clear by Carys Davies

5) Butter by Asako Yuzuki

6) Betrayal by Lilja Sigurdardottir

7) Orphans of Bliss (Short Stories)

8) Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes

9) It’s Up To The Women by Eleanor Roosevelt

10) All We Can Save (Various authors)

11) Songs In Ordinary Time by Mary McGarry Morris

12) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

13) The Guncle by Steven Rowley

14) The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordan

15) The Silence of the Library by Miranda James

16) Wolf Trap by Connor Sullivan

17) Litsy Mark Up Postal Book Club

18) Little Women Chapter A Day

19) Nancy’s Mysterious Letter by Carolyn Keene

20) Dead Upon Arrival by Kat Bellemore

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On My Nightstand May 18, 2024

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It’s another busy weekend! Prom tonight, soccer tomorrow, and prep for a week of end of year parties and banquets. Then Friday my son turns 16, and early Saturday morning we leave for a graduation party in Massachusetts. It’s an eight hour drive, but I wouldn’t miss it! (Plus that’s 16 hours of audiobooks.)

Have a great week!

Quote of the week

“Edwin might have clung to England a little longer, but he holds secretly radical views which emerged unexpectedly at a dinner party, thus speeding up his fate.”
— Sea of Tranquility of Emily St. John Mandel

What I’m Reading This Week

On Kindle - The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin - I didn’t get very far with this last week, but this is the week! I’m hoping for a lot of long nights on my porch with this one.

On Paper - Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel - I’ve been loving diving into her books this month with the #AuthorAMonth group on Litsy. I put this one off a few days because I didn’t want to be done with my little project, but now’s the time.

On Audio- I need to start The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger before it disappears from Everand again.

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

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On My Nightstand May 12, 2024

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started station eleven last week along with my usual cookies and tea.

I had planned on sleeping as late as I wanted before an 11 am soccer game today, but a weird thunderstorm upset my cats. One got so scared she kicked a book onto my head and now I have bruise. I’m just glad it wasn’t bleeding because what if I had to go to the ER for stitches? A cat kicking a book onto my head is totally believable for anyone who knows me, but I would not want to tell that story to a doctor.

Anyway now I’m up catching up on my blogging and letter writing. The ever changing weather has now decided to be sunny, and I hope it lasts for soccer.

Have a great week!

Quote of the week

“Chairs are bad for you anyway...”
— Funny Story by Emily Henry

What I’m Reading This Week

On Kindle - The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin - I want to finish this series, but felt like I needed to go back and refresh my memory on the first book. (I bought this when it was on sale a few months back, but now I see it’s free on Kindle Unlimited.)

On Paper - The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel - I’m re-reading some of my favorite books by this author this month for the Author A Month challenge on Litsy. It’s been great sitting on my porch, listening to the foxes, and getting lost in this world (again.)

On Audio- Love is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield - Another re-read for me. I love the nostalgia.

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

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Show Us Your Books May 2024

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Actual picture from the summer of 2019

Why did I almost write the year 2019 in the title instead of 2024? Am I experiencing my own Y2K crisis where my brain flips back in time? Ugh. Anyway, I didn’t post last month so I’m going to recap my favorite reads from both March and April 2024, and maybe a few throwbacks to 2019 since I seem to be in the mood.

Five Star Reads

Save Me A Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan (April 2019) Out of the 3 1/2 audiobooks we listened to on a trip to visit family that year this was our favorite. My son and I both wished it was longer.

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano (March 2024) Finished this one in the wee hours of the morning. I loved it except for a plot point that you could see coming mid-way through the book like a freight train. I wanted to scream at some of the characters but that was part of the charm. Like others I don‘t see this as a Little Women retelling. I loved the setting (Chicago) and the time period (1960-2008.)

If Nuns Ruled The World by Jo Piazza (March 2024) Finished this one on the beach during Spring Break and loved it. It’s about nuns and their various social justice initiatives. I’ve been pretty heavily involved with an environmental ministry this year and I am going to recommend all my tree hugger ladies read this empowering and motivating book.

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (April 2024) At one point I almost bailed on this, but I decided to keep going. I‘m glad I did, because I ended up loving it.

statue of liberty, july 2019

Four Star Reads

Junie B Jones: Turkeys We Have Loved And Eaten (March 2019) Oh my gosh, we used to laugh and laugh when we read these books out loud. I laughed out loud now just now reading the title.

The Survivors by Jane Harper (March 2024) This book was so atmospheric you could feel the salt water drying on your legs while you sit in the sun.

The Women by Kristen Hannah (April 2024) This book. Imagine going to that war and coming home to a country that didn’t even believe you had been there.

I almost gave up at one point because I was frustrated with all of the love stories. I’m glad I didn’t though because the last 1/4 of this book was extremely powerful.

Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane (April 2024) Whew this book. All the trigger warnings, but I tore through it. My grandmother was born in Southie, but my family had moved to the South Shore by the time I was born. Still Mary Pat seemed real to me.

On My Nightstand May 4, 2024

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We’re enjoying a rainy weekend here. We do have a few outdoor events we need to suffer through, but I’m really looking forward to some cozy reading time. I also want to catch up on my planning for summer reading, and do some organizing of my shelves.

Have a great week!

Quote of the week

“I just sit where I’m put, composed
of stone and wishful thinking:
That the deity that kills for pleasure will also
heal,
That in the midst of your nightmare,
the final one, a kind lion will pick your soul
up gently
by the nape of the neck,
And caress you into darkness and paradise.”
— All The Devils Are Here by Louise Penny

What I’m Reading This Week

On Kindle - The Clue In The Diary by Carolyn Keene - Some of us on Litsy have been re-reading these.

On Paper - Funny Story by Emily Henry - It’s not summer until Emily Henry publishes a new book!

On Audio- Happiness Falls by Angie Kim - I’m enjoying this so far, but heaven help us if the ending is unresolved I will go scorched earth!

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

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On My Nightstand April 28, 2024

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I made it through the two weeks of constant activities and work. To celebrate I spent most of yesterday just puttering in my kitchen. I picked a bunch of fresh herbs from my garden, and listened to audiobooks, and daydreamed while I made a bunch of sauces for days when we’re busy again. The audiobook I was listening to was Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger by Lisa Donovan. It was a great choice for matching my book to my activity.

Last night we watched the Netflix version of Rebecca (based on the book by Daphne Du Maurier.) After just finishing the book on Friday I was disappointed. They took out all of the creepiness and added romance instead. Nothing wrong with romance, but it wasn’t the point of Rebecca.

Have a great week!

Quote of the week

“If nuns ran the world, things would get done. No questions asked.”
— If Nuns Ruled The World by Jo Piazza

What I’m Reading This Week

On Kindle - The Second by Carol Anderson - This book club book is giving me a lot to think about.

On Paper - Big Cherry Holler by Adriana Trigiani - This is a re-read for me, and it’s good timing that I’m reading it right after Demon Copperhead. They’re not related at all, but Big Cherry Holler takes place maybe ten years prior to Copperhead in the same area of the country.

On Audio- Fancy Bear Goes Phishing by Scott Shapiro - Another book for work. It does sound interesting.

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

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On My Nightstand April 21, 2024

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I don’t know where this month has gone! How is it April 21st already? It feels like the school year just started.

This has been a busy day. When you are involved in Care For Creation ministries Earth Day is intense! This morning we started by picking up brush, then we went and cleaned a stream, then home to bake desserts for a talk, and then dinner and the talk itself. So good stuff, but no reading. Sunday should be calmer, but we do need to go pick up more brush. Then it’s back to work where I’m supposed to act rested and refreshed.

Have a great week!

Quote of the week

“Actual fact: you could make an entire second world out of what people throw away. The landfill is where I figured out one of my main philosophies, that everybody alive is basically in the process of trading out their old stuff for different stuff, day in day out.”
— Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

What I’m Reading This Week

On Kindle - The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun - My aunt used to drop off grocery bags full of these books when I was a kid. They’re what started me on reading mysteries. I’m re-reading for the nostalgia.

On Paper - The $64 Tomato by William Alexander - I’m almost done with this one. A fun start to the gardening season.

On Audio- Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger by Lisa Donovan - Need to start this for a book club this week. I love the title.

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

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