July 2022 Books Read

 

July, July, July.  She is the month of my birth, the month of fireworks and some super stellar books! Summer months still show a little bit of "slow ma roll" but that doesn't mean I was bored.  Read on, friends!

*Audiobook Challenge 2022 : "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd:  My heart needed this book in July.  It's one of the last books I wrote a full blog post about on this little bloggy blog before I went on siesta.  I had a different book picked out for July, but I'm glad this was my book.  The tale of courage, overcoming racism and the beautiful exploration of "chosen family" was a coooool glass of lavender lemonade in my world.  This book continues to reside on the list of books I will read or listen to when I need to be reminded of the power of standing up to your fears and standing up for the people in your life who are persecuted.  Rated PG-13 for heavy themes centered around racism, domestic violence and addiction. 

A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier: I have read other books by this author and she does a great job with descriptive writing that keeps me turning the pages.  This book is another coming of age book (I like those, can you tell) about a woman who leaves her closed up life as a spinster and forges her own path in the city.  When she arrives in the city she finds a group of women who come together to embroider cushions for the local church.  The friendship that builds between the women is beautiful and I felt like I was part of their group as they talked about their individual struggles with being a woman in a time that didn't accept women in the workplace and general society unless there was a war and they were the only option.  This was a lovely book to listen to while I drove for work and needed something to listen to in my office.  Rated PG for mild life themes, but as I recall it wasn't too sordid.  

The Girl in the Garden by Kamala Nair: This book was a powerhouse.  Last month I talked about enjoying books that take me on a journey of different cultures and time periods of history that are unfamiliar.  This book fit the bill and then some.  Wow.  It also had an element of mystery that I did not see coming and when all was revealed I was speechless and maybe my eyes leaked a bit.  This story is set in India and portrays a family who have their own biases and struggles and the young protagonist doesn't really understand why everyone is so at odds with life.  Then she discovers something in the "secret garden" on the family's property and everything changes quickly.  A topsy turvy tale that I really loved listening to and hardly stopped listening until I knew the resolution.  Rated PG-13 for dark themes centered around racism, keeping secrets, abuse and manipulation.  

Meet Me at the Museum by Anne Youngson: I had high hopes for this book and it was a bit of a snoozer.  Luckily it wasn't too long and I enjoyed it enough to finish, but I'm not sure I will recommend it to anyone.  It has a similar premise to Guernsey in that letters are exchanged after a mysterious address is found in a book (so not safe in this day and age) and ultimately the plan is for the two people to meet at the museum they love so much.  I was underwhelmed and maybe hoped for it be as wonderful as Guernsey and set myself up.  Nonetheless, it's a mild read and I would say a solid PG.  

My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie: July was Q3 recharge vacay which meant I picked a 500+page book off my wish list.  Oh, sister, that Eliza! She was a champion who deserves so many more accolades than a catchy tune in a Broadway musical.  While I was reading it I wrote the following on my personal Facebook page, "hats off to Eliza.  Between the wars, babies (living and deceased), adultery by Hammy while she was pregnant, contracting yellow fever and mobs on her doorstep OFTEN -- I don't know how she did it. American women originate from some hearty stock who put up with a lot of shit before they could vote, earn a living and own property.  A lot of sacrifice that I honor with gratitude." This book was VERY GOOD.  The authors did an exceptional job at researching the facts and intertwining them with the fiction that kept me reading.  This one took me longer than a week to read, but I powered through and it was good to the last word.  Rated heavy PG-13/low grade R for tales of war, adultery, death and sadness. HOWEVER -- this sits in the Top Five of 2022 and is definitely worth your time and rounded out the patriotic month for me.  

As always, thanks for stopping by my cozy book nook to catch up on my random reviews! 

Until next time, my lovelies,

-R

Missed last month's post?? CLICK HERE!!

June 2022 Books Read

 

The summer months are always a little slower for my reading, but this month still had some solid treasures while I travelled for the day job! So, here we go! Read on, my friends!

*Audiobook Challenge 2022 : "The Bookshop on the Corner" by Jenny Colgan: I'm so glad I chose this book as one of my challenge listens.  It is THE CUTEST story and was just as cute and just sunshiney to listen to unfold.  It's incredible to me that a book read almost 5 years ago is still lodged in my subconscious and gives me an opportunity to remember how happy it made me when I read it the first time.  There is science behind that, my bookish friends, and I LOVE IT.  Rated PG all the way and so stinkin cute.  

The Winemaker's Wife by Kristin Harmel: This audiobook was a suggestion from my bestie Jo and about 2 chapters in to listening I was 100% positive I had already listened to it, but I liked it a lot so I didn't stop.  It could also be that the narrator is one who reads a few other books I love, but I don't think that's the case.  Not long after I finished this book Jo sent me a text raving about an audiobook and I said (with a smile on my face) "I'm glad you liked it because I referred it to you." Needless to say, we had a good laugh and we are officially those besties that will have to grow old and senile with each other so we have a new set of adventures to "remember." This book is rated PG-13/maybe R for really strong themes centered around war, marriage without love and the horrific things Nazi soldiers felt they were allowed to do to women.  

The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to host a dinner party with all the people who inhabit the insecurities and hard feelings in your soul?  Well, that is what the author does in this book and it was interesting.  I struggled to follow when it was present day vs. subconscious and I think that would have been easier to follow had I read the physical book vs. listening to it.  It was still a book that gave a lot of food for thought and had me thinking about who I would invite to my dinner party.  My invite list has changed over the years, but I think that is how it is supposed to be.  Sometimes we deal with life and relationships better than other times and then we release the trauma and move on.  This book is rated PG for language, but nothing too crazy.  

The Woman Who Loved Mankind by Lillian Bullshows Hogan: What a beautiful book.  I've added some special research to my reading list in 2022 and this was at the top of the list for me.  Lillian is one of the few Crow elders who was willing to have her life story published.  I was absolutely moved by the stories she recounted and the beauty and simplicity of her life in Crow Country before and after the reservation was established.  This book was not thrifted, but a gift from my parental units after a visit to the Little Bighorn Battlefield in Crow Agency, MT.  The book is not rated.  It is real life.  

Brooklyn by Colm Toibin: I've been trying to read or listen to books that showcase different cultures or time periods in the world.  Reading is a great way to connect real life to the challenges experienced by those who came before us and how I can be a better human.  This book was just such a journey.  This is a lovely coming of age tale about an emigrant who wants to go for bigger and better, but her heart is still attached to the home country.  I really enjoyed this book and it was another reminder of the sacrifices refugees make to come to a new country in search of something better for themselves and family.  This book is rated PG-13 due to life experiences and the challenges that come because of racism and poverty.  

A Certain Age by Beatriz Williams: So, full disclosure, this author seems to gravitate to the stories when aristocrats are inclined to have a mistress/outside lover.  This was a glittery tale of heroines who seek more than they have in the fast lane of New York City.  It's the "behind the scenes" of glitz and glamour and what people did to maintain their place in society in the days following WWI.  I enjoy Beatriz Williams descriptive writing style and it feels like you're in the middle of it all.  This book is rated lower grade R for well....my first sentence. 

There you have it! June was fun and I look forward to sharing what is on the To Be Read list in July! 

Until next time, my lovelies!

-R

Missed last month's blog post? Click HERE!!!

May 2022 Books Read

 

May was filled with great books, HUGE challenges in my life and a much needed vacation where I did whatever the hell I wanted.  With the spring weather I was able to travel all over Montana for my job and that meant some solid windshield time for audiobooks.  May's Audiobook Challenge was an incredible treat as well.  So....let's get to the good stuff, shall we?

*Audiobook 2022 Challenge : "The Atlas of Love" by Laurie Frankel: I originally found this book at a Dollar Store in Utah and was PLEASANTLY surprised by how much I enjoyed the story.  I wasn't sure I'd be able to include it in the audiobook challenge, but was pleasantly proven wrong and found it for purchase on Amazon.  I felt like I had a happy reunion with a group of characters who captured my attention while listening as much as when I read it.  The story line is centered around 3 women who decide they are going to raise the baby birthed by one of them.  The communal parenting goes well and this little boy Atlas is the lucky winner of being loved by 3 mother figures.  It is raw and real mixed with very sweet moments that I just love.  This book is definitely worth your time and a solid PG/maybe PG13 for adult themes and the realities of unexpected pregnancy.  

From the Heart of Crow Country by Joseph Medicine Crow: I'm working on learning about the Native American tribes around me here in Montana and right now I'm studying the Crow people.  This was such a wonderful collection of stories and gave me great insight on their culture and people.  

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton: Next I needed some sassy hilarious regent mystery and this gem did not disappoint.  What happens when a bunch of female pirates decide to solve a murder?  Chaos, but with class....obviously.  This was a light read and I enjoyed it very much.  Rated PG/PG 13 for some mild gore because people get murdered.  

Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown: I rarely read or listen to more than one non-fiction book per month, but Brene Brown's latest book came up on my Libby queue much earlier than expected so I snatched it up while on a trip for work.  She gives definitions of emotions and how they play in to our every day world.  This is a book I may have to buy because it was one that could be underlined and studied over and over.  Brene Brown is genius like that.  I highly recommend this book if you're trying to work through challenging times and struggling to process because you can't label the emotions and how they're connected to events.  

The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner: This was a VERY heavy WWII Jewish refugee story.  A Jewish mother and daughter hide out in a family's barn for almost 2 years until the daughter can be smuggled to safety in a convent.  The story is gripping and very sad.  It also includes accounts of sex for survival (aka rape) which was very hard for me to listen to.  The daughter is a musical prodigy and she creates a song in a story in her head about the yellow bird that sings and this is how she survives the torture of being in hiding.  The themes in this book are difficult to fathom, but they really happened to many people in Europe.  This book is Rated R for violence, sexual assault and heavy themes due to the Holocaust and Nazis.  

Beautiful World, Where are You by Sally Rooney:  I found out about this book on TikTok and the synopsis sounded intriguing so I went for it.  It turned out to be a weird montage of storylines with intertwining singles that ended up in rompy sex often.  I felt like every time I started it up again I'd listen for 5 minutes and they were at it again.  It felt way too Harlequin and I kept hoping there was a point to it all but it was mostly "life is hard, have lots of sex and move on." While that may be the reality for some people, I like a little more plot in my books so I didn't enjoy it at all.  Rated R for all the sex and very little substantive plot.  

A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gaynor: I absolutely LOVED this book and read it in a couple days while I was on my Q2 recharge vacay from work.  Hazel Gaynor is an incredible author and I've yet to read a book of hers that I didn't like.  This story is centered around the flower girls of London and a family who makes it their mission to bring the women off the streets and give them safety, shelter and the skills to have another trade that doesn't involve dangerous conditions on the street.  It was so well-written and reminded me of "My Fair Lady." Hazey Gaynor always does copious amounts of research for her books and you can tell by the details shared throughout the book.  Rated PG13 for some difficult themes related to poverty.  

The Woman at the Light by Joanna Brady: I was on a roll after finishing Hazel Gaynor and jumped head first into this book and finished it within a couple days.  This is a FASCINATING historical fiction about a lighthouse keeper and her family on a secluded island of the Florida Keys in the late 19th century.  This book was spellbinding and I couldn't stop reading it.  There is a big curveball in this one related to race that I'm not going to give away and it gave me a lot to think about.  It was great writing and each of the characters were well developed.  This was another historical fiction piece that was thoroughly researched and it showed in the story line.  Definitely PG13 for the adult themes.  

So, there you go, book friends! I hope you can make time to read and get lost in between the pages of your favorite book!

Until next time, my lovelies!

-R

Check out April's Books Here!!

April 2022 Books Read

Hi friends! I hope April brought you joy, laughter and some good books.  April was a little cray in the Big Sky Country and we experienced some INTENSE Mother Nature on her Menses with two large snow storms and temperatures that did not spell spring.  For a lot of reasons, I had a tough month, but I did manage to listen to some really fantastic books which made up for the mediocre books I read.  So, let's get on with the good stuff, shall we?

*2022 Audiobook Challenge* : News of the World by Paulette Jiles:  I have been counting down the days until it was time to listen to this book.  I recently watched the movie adaptation and LOVED it, but it's been almost 5 years since I read the book and I was excited to hear it instead of reading it.  This book is absolutely incredible and further supported my theory that books that moved me while I read them are an even better gift when I hear them.  Reading the book vs. listening to it were both "edge of my seat" moments and I didn't want it to stop.  The book is about a veteran Civil War officer, Captain Kidd, who agrees to take a young girl named Johanna back to her people after being raised by the Kiowa tribe.  I read the book before I became a child welfare worker and when I listened to it I felt such empathy for this child.  I understood her struggle to find her normal on such a deeper level.  I can't recommend this book enough, especially if you're looking for a book that teaches about bonding and the benefits that come in bonding with people who protect us whether they are biological or not.  This book is Rated R for violence.  

The Family by Naomi Krupitsky: This book was a carry-over from March and I was so hopeful there could be some March Mafia, but alas, that didn't happen.  The Family is a great coming-of-age book that follows the story of two best friends whose Dads are members of the mafia.  They both live very different lives, but have the glaring similarity in the middle and that is the devotion to "the institution." It was an interesting while equally unnerving read.  I could wax eloquent on the negative effects of control, but I'll let you read it and make you're own judgement.  Definitely rated R for violence and adult themes centered around being killed if you sneeze wrong.  

Victoria by Daisy Goodwin:  This was the unexpected surprise of the month.  We all know the story about Queen Victoria and Price Albert, but how much do you REALLY know about everything that happened before they were married?  I've seen the movie "Young Victoria" and done my fair share of royals history homework, but this book brought an entirely new perspective.  Partway through I had to stop and google a few things because I thought, "it can not be this tragic and she loved him that much!" It made me realize how safety can equate love, but that doesn't mean the relationship is plausible.  Rated PG 13 for adult themes and difficult events.  

The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgerton Series Book 2) by Julia Quinn: Remember when the first season of Bridgerton came out and the media started saying it was the regency show you didn't watch with your grandmother?  Well....the audiobook puts a skip in our saunter, let me tell you what.  It was a DARLING story line and I really enjoyed the differences in the book vs. the 2nd season of Bridgerton.  I LOVED the strong-willed sisters who play more mind games than sloppy passion antics with Anthony.  Just delish.  I know my family members are faithful readers of my blog so I'll just say this.....rated "not your cup of tea, Mom. Period." 

Better Luck Next Time by Julia Clairborne Johnson: After reading about Kate & Anthony and all the goodness, I was in the mood for historical fiction, but a different era of rompy.  This book is about a divorcee dude ranch in Reno during the 1920s and 1930s.  I know you're thinking "group orgies for the rebounding debutantes" but it was way more than that.  The book had it's share of tryst story lines, but it also had a lot of really good dialogue about women learning they could survive life without a man who was abusive, but wealthy.  I enjoyed the premise and the other surprise was a male narrator.  It's totally worth a listen or a gander.  Rated PG-13 for adult themes and some rebound sex.  

Bowlaway by Elizabeth McCracken: Weird book about bowling that almost made my eyes bleed and I'm so sorry to be a downer with this one, but it was just not my favorite.  It had such stellar reviews and I didn't see the point of any of them.  I'll let you decide for yourself on this one.  

As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner: Ended April with one of my favorite authors.  This book was so beautifully written and it took a bit for me to enjoy it, then I was HOOKED and then it ended.  The plot includes a solid dose of death due to the Spanish flu and reminded me of a lot of tough battles we experienced when the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing.  If you lost a loved one to COVID, this is not the book for you to read because it will likely be a trigger.  The family does walk away from the struggles of grief a little bit stronger, but there is a lot of dialogue about death and dying and what is left behind.  There is also a sweet love story or 2 weaved in that makes it bearable.  This book is Rated R for descriptive details about death, sickness and loss.  

As is par for the course, April was a random bunch of audiobooks and hard copy books.  Having this blog up and running again has helped keep me on track even more and it's fun to write about them within a short period of time from finishing them.  We shall see what May has in store for all of you nerdy book lovers! 

Until next time, my lovelies!

-R

Check out March's Books HERE!!!

  

 

March 2022 Books Read

 

March rolled in like a lion here in Montana and I'm not sure Mother Nature really knows what season it is.  Good thing I have books to keep me sane until it's actually spring or summer....sprummer.  That's a thing, right? It is in my world so let's get on with the reason you're here.......

*2022 Audiobook Challenge* : The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs: I am so glad I decided to do something different with my reading this year.  This audiobook challenge has been a wonderful way to remind myself of so many reasons why I fell in love with a book when I read the hard copy.  This month's book was like coming back to an old group of friends. It has to be close to 10 years since I read The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs.  I found the book while thrifting with my sainted sister-in-law in Denver, CO.  It was a freak find and I mostly liked it because the cover was gorgeous (remember how I'm a total sucker for good cover art?) While I listened to this book I was reminded of the quirks and endearments of each of the characters that struck me when I read it, but in the same thought process, how much more applicable they are to me 10 years later.  I was especially drawn to the ages of the women and how close they are to my actual age and how fitting their struggles are for my current chapter in life.  This book is Rated PG for difficult adult themes and some mention of sex, but nothing that blows your hair back.  Book 2 is probably a bit more PG-13, but I'll cover that in another month! 

Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland: This was an intriguing coming of age book centered around a family who has a love for swimming.  I wasn't prepared for death and grieving to happen in the first 3 chapters so be prepared.  Once the family gets through the initial shock I really enjoyed the themes of moving forward, making the best with what's in front of us and stepping outside the social norms.  This book presents some really good moments to consider racism and religious inequality plus social class and how all three affect people's lives intimately.  It was really compelling and I felt like the ending did it justice and tied up nicely for me.  This book is rated PG-13 for difficult life events surrounding death and grief and sexual references.  

The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas:  Another feel-good read about a group of women who come together every week to make quilts.  It's set during the depression and is more of a day-to-day telling of the lives of women and their families in a small town in Kansas.  I loved the characters and how they were always there for each other.  I also learned that the term "Persian Pickle" is another way to refer to a paisley print.  This book is not very long so it's a good book for a lazy day at the park or on vacation.  This book is rated PG for mild adult themes, but nothing that remotely pushes it to the PG-13 level.  

The Arctic Fury by Greer Macallister:  I loved this book.  It was heavy on the law and courtroom dialogue mixed with harrowing tales of a group of women who go to Alaska in attempts to find a lost expedition of men.  The plot is centered around some true events and it was a great book to listen to while driving all over the state for my job.  It is a well-written alternating POV book and bounces back and forth between the court proceedings in Boston and the day-to-day adventures of a group of women who are so uniquely different from each other, but all out there trying to overcome the last frontier.  Books like this help me remember I can also be a bad ass woman when I feel like giving up and that is why I keep reading/listening to them.  This book is rated PG 13 for some crazy recounts of women in the wild tundra of Alaska and everything that came along with it including death and near-death experiences.  

My Contrary Mary by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows:  Book number 3 in this fabulous series came at the perfect time! I needed funny and light after the previous book and this fit the bill.  This is a retelling of Mary Queen of Scot and has some vague connections to the first book, "My Lady Jane." It was also my "Green Cover Challenge" for St. Patrick's Day! I enjoyed reading this book a lot and it was still as clever as the other two books.  However, I still firmly hold "My Lady Jane" as the best book and the natural break until the next book comes out in the fall is a good thing.  The authors are so good at making the story funny and engaging, yet suspenseful.  This book is rated PG for mild adult themes.  It is also a young adult fiction book which is suitable for teens.  

Carolina Built by Kianna Alexander:  I LOVED this book! It is a historical fiction based around the real life events of an incredible woman named Josephine Napoleon Leary. Jo was one of the first black women to pave the way in real estate development in North Carolina.  It was very well written and the author did a lot of research in the women's history archives at UNC - Chapel Hill to compile her story.  I'm not afraid to claim my feminist spin on things and I ESPECIALLY love reading stories about women who are also minorities who get shit done and take names.  Jo was just that lady and I'm so glad I took the time to listen to this book.  This book is rated PG-13 for some difficult topics and relationship struggles due to alcoholism, racism and domestic altercations. 

The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich:  Ok friends...this is the book I'm not going to make friends talking about because so many of you raved about it when I shared on Facebook.  I wanted to love this book and I just didn't.  This book was choppy and didn't make a ton of sense to me.  I felt like the title alluded to more singing and how that would bring together a group of immigrants, but it didn't.  This book also made my eyes cross because the print was very small and the margins narrow.  My Aunt Holly and I talked about how we both fall in the snob category of font and margins have to be perfect or we don't read it.  Well, I suffered through this one thinking the plot would outweigh and it didn't.  This book is rated PG-13 for heavy life themes and crappy font and margin formatting.  ;o)

The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict:  My last book of March was also historical fiction about a real life person.  Mileva Maric was the first wife of Albert Einstein and the main character of this book.  Mileva was a genius in her own right and a mathematician when being nerdy and female was frowned upon.  She catches the eye of Albert Einstein when they are at university and eventually get married.  You can Google the real story about the first Mrs. Einstein and read that she offered a lot of critical math equations in papers that all credit went to her husband.  Old Mr. Alby was an ass hat and I'm going to venture to say he was un-diagnosed narcissist and maybe even high functioning autism.  My raging feminist heart broke for her and I celebrated when she finally said, peace out bro, I'm done.  This book is rated PG-13 for asshat Alby and all the horrible things he put Mileva through during their marriage.

March was another good reading month in the cozy book nook.  Spring is starting to peek out and the days are getting longer so I am happier.  Reading keeps me grounded and reminds me of the many people before I was born who had to fight for the basic rights of existing as a woman with a brain who has control of her money and uterus.  

The moral of the story: Girl power hasn't always been a given.  Respect the history of women and what it mean to your life.  I know I do every single day!

Until next time, my lovelies,

-R

Check out February's Books HERE!!!

February 2022 Books Read

Aw, the month of l-o-v-e and allllll the heart eyes was certainly another outstanding book adventure! As luck would have it February ended up being the month for a twisted tale of Jane Eyre in my new books reading annnnnnd the best love story ever for the Audiobook 2022 Challenge (next to the real Jane Eyre) The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.  But then it included some really solid Kristin Hannah about domestic violence and the 2nd installment of angsty minivan-driving ex-wives trying to help their ex-husband NOT get killed.  What is this madness and why didn't I plan it better?  That, my friends, is how my life runs.  Read on to see what swoony and sorta shifty shenanigans I got myself into during February.  Have you read any of these books?  I'd love to hear about it in the comments!

*2022 Audiobook Challenge* : The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows: When I read the book a few years ago, I was in absolute awe of the writing style, the character depth and the DARLING tale about friends who survived the war through a happenstance book club on the island of Guernsey.  The original book review is on this blog and it holds one of the highest ranks in views because this kind of theme deeply resonates with people.  We survive life because of the friends we hold dear.  Listening to the audiobook was a complete dream.  All the actors used for the different characters were exactly as I imagined them in my head.  I really felt the depth of devotion and love this group of people had for each other when I heard it and how much they sacrificed by letting Juliet in their circle.  I'm still super impressed with how well the film adaptation kept with the book plot and all I can say about the book vs. the movie is this: the film was kind to Mark's character.  He is an absolute ass hat in the book and hearing it was even more evident. Juliet and Dawsey?  Still the answer.  I was sad when it ended because I felt like I put my friends back in the library.  Rated PG-13 for difficult themes centered around life, loss and war.  

Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams: This book was juicy and a period piece set in the early 1950s! I'll be honest I didn't realize just how shifty the plot was going to be when I read the description and then it was too late because I was hooked.  When I finished the book I made a note on my list that it was like "Mad Men" meets nantucket mystery. It's also presents solid evidence on why you should never have an affair. Ever. Definitely Rated R for romance themes and all that comes with them.  

My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows: Last month I read the first book, "My Lady Jane" by this trio of authors and ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.  Like it firmly holds the #1 favorite book of 2022.  I was hopeful and very excited to read "My Plain Jane" because it was a twisted version of "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte.  For those who don't know "Jane Eyre" is my # 1 favorite classic book.  I adore it.  So, while I was intrigued and still enjoyed this book, I didn't 5-star love it.  I felt like I was a really picky editor who was having an affair on Charlotte Bronte's original plot line and Mr. Rochester.  Like I said before just say no to affairs.  But seriously, this was still a great book, clever and clean.  Rated PG due to mildly violent themes.  It's technically YA fiction like the first book so it's mild.  

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah: Where do I even begin?  This book has been recommended to me multiple times since it came out a few years ago.  I've been resistant to reading it because the main theme is domestic violence and anything Kristin Hannah writes is VIVID and intense and my empath heart can't take it, especially in the winter.  But then I found it while thrifting and it was on sale for a dollar and my aunt's voice was looming in my brain from Thanksgiving telling me how much I would love this book so I caved.   Boy, am I glad I caved. This book is unbelievably accurate in every sense when it comes to the danger and heartache of domestic violence.  I know first hand (thanks to the day job) what domestic violence looks like and the author NAILED IT.  She also gave a very realistic depiction of what active combat trauma does to a person and their family. But! On the flip side of the gruesome realities of domestic violence and combat-induced PTSD was the grit and utter resilience shown by a village (literally) of people in the "great alone of Alaska" who helps a mother and daughter rise above the abuse and conquer the world.  It took me a few days and a few more Disney movies to process after I finished, but I'm still glad I read the book.  Rated R through and through for domestic violence vividly described.  

The Hurricane Sisters by Dorothea Benton Frank: This was a lovely book on the outside and professed to be a good "beachy read" so I thought, perfect after finishing Kristin Hannah.  Welllllllll, they were only half correct.  About halfway through the book and solid domestic abuse strolls in to the plot line and it wasn't so light anymore.  My biggest beef about this book is they advertised it as a book about 3 women who are connected by the hurricane-ridden island they live on in Eastern America.  That reference is made in the last 50 pages of the book....if that.  Again, tough editor hat on and I wanted to bust out my red pen and write "Really? You titled it this and then didn't explain it until the end! Red check marks here, here and here." It was still a good read and I finished it without sacrificing brain cells so that's a win.  Rated PG-13 for difficult adult themes.  

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'em Dead by Elle Cosimano: This came at a point in the month when I needed solid humor and a book with characters I already knew.  The much anticipated 2nd installment of minivan mom mishaps with Finlay Donovan did not disappoint.  I liked it better than the first book and that's saying a lot.  It was equal edge-of-your-seat mystery, curl-your-toes romance and rolling-on-the-floor humor.  I'm excited for the next book to come out although I don't know when the author plans to release.  This book just came out in 2022 so I'm guessing a couple years.  Rated PG-13 for minivan mom murder attempts and some steamy romance.  

The Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly: This was my vacation week book and a whopping 500 pages of very good Civil War historical fiction.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and finished it in 3 days.  That is far more of a sign that I was rested and had energy to read for hours at a time, but it is also because the book is just so good.  It's actually the 3rd installment of a series of books that started with "The Lilac Girls" which is set in WWII.  I sort of knew this was a prequel and I've never read "The Lilac Girls" so I took a risk on reading the last prequel first.  I don't know if I'll read the other 2 books, to be honest.  I liked this book all on its own and thought it gave a very well-rounded account of the Civil War and the toll it took on families.  After I finished it I sent a message to my friend who I went to college with in Southern Virginia and said "you should read this....it's not Gone With the Wind." A bit of an inside joke, but trust me when I say "The Sunflower Sisters" is much more accurate than Scarlett and Rhett.  Rated R for graphic descriptions of abuse toward slaves.

West End Girls by Jenny Colgan: This book was set in London and twin sisters take a risk and go and live at their grandmother's lavish apartment for free while she's in an assisted living center.  The book details their adventures and mishaps as two very different people trying to co-exist in a new place.  Generally Jenny Colgan does a good job at writing stories that are sweet and predictable.  This book wasn't my favorite.  I couldn't get in to the characters and felt like it was too Hallmark movie for my taste.  I don't think I lost brain cells like last month's ultra sappy Hallmark-esch book, but it was a close call.  Rated PG-13 for adult themes including sex and profanity.  

Every Wild Heart by Meg Donahue: When I found this book at the thrift store it jumped out at me because it talked about mother/daughter relationships and a bit of mystery.  It neglected to mention that it was probably more of a YA fiction and better suited for older teenagers or young adults (a LOT younger than me).  It had some great narrative about the therapy that comes with spending time with horses, but it also had a weird mystery about the mom being stocked by one of her loony radio show fans.  This was another book that made me cringe because the author literally came to the climatic event and "resolved" everything in the last 20 pages.  I felt jipped because the plot line development could have either been realigned to meet the 200 page limit of they could have made it a 350 page book and did it right.  I'm glad it was short otherwise I might not have finished it.  Rated PG for mild themes about wackadoo stalkers.  

All in all I was really pleased with the books I read and listened to in February. My brain feels so much better when it's actively reading and keeping track of a plot, creating voices and envisioning settings.  March includes some solid road trips which means good audiobook time and I can't wait to share with you my selection for the 2022 Audiobook Challenge.  

The moral of the story: Life is messy, but thank goodness for friends who make it bearable.  

Until next time, my lovelies,

-R

Check Out January's Books Here!!

January 2022 Books Read

 

I likely rang in the new year with my "nose stuck in a book" but that pretty much sums up winter in the cozy book nook.  Reading is how I keep my brain moving and not going crazy during the shorter, darker days of winter.  This year 800 days of January was offset with some really fantastic books and the first of my 2022 Audiobook Challenge.  Here are some musings on the plot and my handy dandy rating for those who may not enjoy the swearing, sex or blood and guts.  Have you read any of these books?  What did you think? 

*Audiobook Challenge 2022*: The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant: This book has remained in my Top Five Favorites since I read the hard copy and it has sweet memories attached to it as well.  After I wrote about the book on my previous blog I shared the review on my Twitter feed.  I was really in to learning social media at that time and learned that sometimes a person could get lucky and find and tag the author in the original tweet.  What I didn't expect was to receive a personal message from Ms. Diamant and then her willingness to send me an autographed placard for my used copy out of appreciation for my review.  It meant the world to me during a really dark, sad time of life.  The audiobook was absolutely wonderful.  I listened to it during a trip for work and I hardly noticed the hours go by.  The tragedy and triumph experienced by a pre-WWII Jewish family in Boston was still just as poignant.  There were elements of the story that made my heart hurt more now than before.  I think that has a lot to do with 7 years of life experiences since I read it and having a narrator say it out loud with the emotion the author intended. If you'd like to read the original blog post click on this hyperlink.  This is a solid PG-13 due to thematic issues and sexual content.  

The Elephant of Belfast by S. Kirk Walsh: This was a gripping book about the Nazi invasion in Budapest and how it affected a local zoo.  The main character is a young woman who connects well with a young elephant named Violet.  Throughout the book we read about the sadness, danger and adventure that came with war and how it affected the zoo animals and those caring for them.  This is a solid PG-13 read due to gore related to wartime.  

Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd: I really had high hopes for this book and read it after The Elephant of Belfast to have a side of funny after a lot of sadness.  It was dumb.  It was low budget Hallmark movie dumb.  I finished it and was drawn in enough to finish, but it was nothing to write home about and promptly went in the "Back to the Thrift Store" box in the corner book nook.  This is a PG due to mild adult themes and lack of brain cells used to write it.

The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce: I absolutely ADORED this book.  It really spoke to my musical hippie, Beatles-loving, avante-garde heart. The story centers around a record shop owner in the 1980s and the day-to-day experiences he has with people and their quest to find the right soundtrack for their life.  In the course of his journey as a small business owner he has met many people with their own tales to tell that often include music.  His shop is on a quirky street along with other vibrant shopkeepers doing their best to stay afloat.  Then one day a beautiful and mysterious woman faints in front of the record shop and his life changes forever and ever. The writing style in this book was outstanding and the author did a very good job at building a voice for each character that came alive for me on the page.  Definitely a 5 Star Rating! This is a PG read due to some language, but it's pretty tame.  

The Secret Gift of Lucia Lemon by Celia Anderson: This was a darling book about an older woman who takes a trip in Europe and finds herself through following the footsteps of a dear family friend.  This book was a great escape for the bleak winter outside and the characters all had delightful personalities.  Lucia seeks out answers of where to go next in life after a dead end marriage to someone she likely never loved anyway.  She learns that it's never too late to start over and there is always time for an adventure.  I gave this 4 stars.  This is a mild PG-13 for adult themes and some sexual content.  

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadow: Hear ye, hear ye, you must read this book! My friend from college recommended this book after her book club read it in 2021. She said the reviews were mixed among the members of her book club but she loved it.  When I read the description on Amazon I was instantly hooked.  Just the sarcasm of the book synopsis had me laughing.  And laughing I did not stop.  From page one until the word "the end" I laughed my guts out.  This is a clever and hysterical re-telling of Jane Grey who is married off at 16 to a guy she really detests and then finds out he's actually a horse and that makes their wedding night super awkward and then they magically save the kingdom (and her cousin) and they all live happily ever after.  Read. it. today. Just hilarious and in the #1 spot for best book of 2022. Rated PG which was refreshing and it is mostly because it's technically youth fiction.  

Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy: This book has been on my wish list for years and I'm glad I only listened to it on the audiobook from the public library.  It was a disappointment and there is no way around it.  I am a diehard Anne Shirley fan and when I read about this book I was so pleased that someone had taken the time to tell Marilla's story and why she was such a sour soul until she had Anne.  I think the author wanted that to be her outcome, but for me it felt like regurgitating Anne's story that was already masterfully written by L.M. Montgomery.  The writing wasn't terrible and she did attempt to develop the characters which kept me listening, but the majority of the time I felt like I was being unfaithful to the OG Anne with an E.  Rated G.  Not a bit of scandal.  

So there you have it, my nerdy book friends! I'm so happy to be back on the blog train o' crazy and look forward to sharing my musings about the books I'm reading and listening to in 2022.....oooh that rhymed.  I would love to hear from you about the books you're reading and especially if you've read any of the books I mentioned.  Bombard my comment section, peasants! I welcome ye!

The moral of the story: January is over. Hallelujah.

Until next time, my lovelies,

-R

Mamma Mia, Here We Go Again!

 

Hi, hello dear reading friends! I'm back!! After a indefinite siesta, a global pandemic and a myriad of other crazy things, I've decided it's time to welcome you back in to my cozy & virtual book nook.  2021 was a pretty solid year for reading, but I didn't read as many books as I'd like.  I travel a lot for my day job and I've learned to love the windshield time because it means I can get lost in an audiobook.  As I was closing out the year I thought about ways I could mix up my reading/listening experience in 2022.  And then I had the most brilliant idea (at least I thought it was) -- I needed a reading challenge. I needed to be my own better version of Goodreads and send myself on a journey at the same time.  I decided that every month in 2022 I would listen to the audiobook version of a book I've already read with my eyeballs.  As I started to look at my previous blog and previous posts from this blog I could see many books that I'd love to enjoy through audiobook format.  I'm also just enough of a brain nerd to know that we process differently when we take in words on a page vs. words we hear.  How would a book I read with my eyeballs impact me when I heard it with my ears?  Would my brain remember how it felt when I read it with my eyeballs while I listened with my ears?  To really throw my own hypothesis to the test I chose a book from WAY back in the Utah blogging days called "The Boston Girl." This book changed my life when I read it, but it was seriously 7 years ago.  I won't give away the surprises, but I am so thrilled to be testing myself and attempting to remember what really spoke to me the first time, but also how has my interpretation changed and why has it changed?  

The rules in 2022 have changed ever so slightly but it's because I want to have a plan that is manageable even with a mad hatter professional life.  I've learned in the last year that small and attainable goals are better and so is making time for the things I love.  I love to read and I love to write so here I am.  So, grab a beverage, a snuggly blanket and enjoy the next year of posts about the books I've read and the books I've listened to in the cozy book nook of the The Thrifting Ginger bloggy blog world.  And as always......

Until next time, my lovelies,

-R

Mercy Is Kindness: "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Today I freely wept as I finished the book “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson. The kind of tears I cry at someone’s funeral or when I have to say goodbye to a chapter of my life I didn’t want to let go. This memoir was a beautiful tragedy that I will never forget.

In the last six weeks we have watched the world turn upside down in response to racial injustice and the deaths of many.  It’s been hard for me to process and understand what role I can play to be a voice for those who are being treated unjustly or have lost their lives because of poor choices made by others. As I’ve tried to work through my feelings I started to actively search for ways that I could educate myself as a single, white, female who has always lived a relatively sheltered, safe life in my hometown on the prairie. I worried and wondered what difference I could make both in my education and in my actions. As many of you know and who have been following my blogs over the past few years, I am a big fan of the paralympian Amy Purdy. When I had my last blog “Let it Be and Celebrate” I wrote a book review about her memoir “On My Own Two Feet” and how much it inspired me. In her book she details her struggles as her world completely changed after she contracted meningitis and had to amputate both her legs. Amy later became an Olympic medalist in the Paralympics for snowboarding and I discovered her greatness when she became the first amputee to perform on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. Since then I have followed Amy on social media and continued to be in awe of her faith, hope, advocacy and courage. Recently she made the decision to start a virtual book club to study the book “Just Mercy” by Brian Stevenson as part of her efforts to understand and advocate for justice against systemic racism while including others and bringing us together through her vast social media platform presence.

I quickly jumped at the opportunity to join her virtual book club during the struggles of a pandemic, working from home and not having a lot of other things to do but read and educate myself as I watched the horrific news coverage about numerous brutal deaths of black Americans. I had already read an amazing book by Austin Channing Brown called “I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness” and I knew I needed to keep going until I felt like I was more educated and could use my voice and my trains of thought in my philosophies on life in a more productive way. As soon as Amy announced the virtual book club I quickly ordered the book on Amazon and had it sent as soon as possible. When I announced on social media that I intended to read this book many of my friends chimed in and commented how pivotal the book and the film were for them in their discovery and education on how to change their points of view on systemic racism. While I thought I had an idea of what I was about to read I really did not understand the magnitude of injustice that I would learn about in this memoir.

My thoughts have been ever flowing and have moved me and forced me to think about things in a different light than I ever imagined possible. This book has strengthened my motivation to exercise my right to vote and to exercise my right to speak up. I hope that what  I have to share today will help someone in the world to better understand some of their own struggles and perhaps help them move forward in figuring out how to channel a world where there’s still so much injustice that we need to address.

As I started to read the book I quickly realized that if I didn’t read it with sticky notes and a pen I was going to miss or forget important themes that started to present themselves very early on in the book. In my day job I work very closely with those who struggle deeply with a lot of different things including mental health struggles, criminal involvement with the law, chemical dependency and abuse and neglect. Additionally I work very closely with children who have experienced a lot of adverse childhood experiences that have caused deeply seated effects and subsequent behaviors of the trauma they’ve experienced. One of the things  the author brings up quite early in the book is the effects of childhood trauma on those who find themselves in the prison system in the United States of America. He is particularly drawn to those who have found themselves on death row. As he started to talk about the people he worked with who were getting close to their execution date it became very evident that these human beings had experienced a lot of what I am aware of because of my day job. Their childhood trauma, the neglect, the lack of bonding, love and education and the overall craving to be noticed.  This was an element that made this book very real and applicable to what I work with every day and struck some raw chords. While I don’t work with children who are in the prison system on death row (yes, there were kids on death row once upon a time) like the author talked about; I have worked with children whose behaviors definitely lead me to believe that if their trauma is not appropriately addressed they could very well become a statistic much like the men and women the author worked with during his time as a civil rights attorney. Where I live we don’t see the kinds of statistics centered around black Americans like Mr. Stevenson talked about, but I do see it in other minorities that are quite similar.   I was shocked how corrupt and unjust the legal system really could be for those who were from a minority group. Furthermore I had very little comprehension of how corrupt a community could really be with its leaders making decisions that were completely outside of ethical humane practices. This was a significant reminder to me that I should appreciate the opportunity to work in a place where the letter of the law is upheld as much as possible.

While the stories in this book made my skin crawl at times, I was also deeply moved by the passion and courage the author and his team showed as they defended people who found themselves on death row for unjust reasons. Prior to reading this book I really didn’t know what to think about capital punishment and as I finished the book today with an epilogue that was SO moving and sad, I wept for a system where the law had given power to a select group of humans to make decisions that includes killing. While the majority of the book is centered around one particular individual that the author was able to have released from prison and death row he also talks about so many who weren’t successful. Those are the stories that made my heart hurt. My heart hurt for the families and the communities, the mothers, the fathers and the children who had to suffer when they lost a loved one to wrongful execution. My stomach turned as he described the sights, the sounds and the smell when an execution was conducted.

But, here is the part that really brought me to tears today.  The aftermath.  The aftermath Walter McMillan experienced after the joyous day of his release occurred.  Because he had been wrongly convicted and set for execution he experienced such an intense level of trauma that it ruined his life as a free man.  While he lived a few happy years advocating and speaking to a lot of people sharing his story of hope and courage, eventually his brain trauma caught up with him and he was once again confined to the death row of his mind. The struggle Walter McMillan overcame to focus on livin’ while he was set to be dyin’ ultimately cut his life short anyway.  How does that resonate with you?  What trauma do you have in your story that has caused so much focus on livin’ so you didn’t want to die?

The author shared the analogy about the pain caused by the person who stops the stones being cast at another person.  There is a really powerful story toward the end of the book about a woman the author meets who made it her mission to come to the courthouse and watch for those to comfort when a criminal trial, many times including a capital punishment,  was coming to a close.  She was a nameless angel and her story reminded me of so many days when I’ve been the stone catcher. I’ve been the person to exercise compassion to someone who in the eyes of the law and the eyes of many in society doesn’t deserve a damn chance at making any of it right.  But, from my perspective they do.  I’m in their life because they’re a parent.  I’m in their life because they have babies who need them and I want to give them every imaginable opportunity to dodge the stones being cast so they can be reunited with their babies.  Does everyone see it that way?  Nope.  But we keep doing it because it matters. The very best solution for those broken among us is mercy. Mercy and the benefit of the doubt that somewhere in there is a human being who deserves compassion and a chance.  Doesn’t mean the mercy will erase their mistakes or cause them to change, but it does mean our part will not be in vain while we extend love as God would expect from us.

As we move forward in these turbulent times, I hope we can find more of our common ground. What unites us is what defines us.  I’m so grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to be uncomfortable and angry as I educated myself about the bold, unacceptable, unjust ways toward minorities.  No matter what, we HAVE to use our voice for justice because the voiceless need us.  Please do your part.  Please educate yourself.  Please vote.  Please have mercy.

The Moral of the Story: mercy is kindness and kindness always matters.

Until next time, my lovelies.

-R

Missed my last blog post? CLICK HERE to catch up!!

The Buzz of Equality: "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd

Last year I did a lot of traveling for my day job.  I was consistently on the road for at least 2 hours each week and I chose to spend my time listening to self-help audio books.  One of the books addressed a topic that I have struggled with and have worked really hard to educate myself and become far more aware. That topic is racial equality.  This particular book was a memoir of a Caucasian woman who grew up in the Deep South and her battle to overcome the notion of “white privilege.” It was an intense listen for me because I picked up on my own imperfections in how I think about individuals of other racial and ethnic backgrounds.  The weight of these two words -- racial equality -- continues to be heavy on my heart and it especially weighs heavy as the United States of America quite literally has erupted over the recent murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN.  In the days leading up to his murder, I happened to be reading a fabulous fiction book about racial equality and togetherness and this book was a game changer for my soul and my continued quest to advocate for social justice and racial equality.  Furthermore, it was such a game-changer, that it brought me out of my blog sabbatical because my thoughts are my way of having a voice in such a tough time for America.  So, without further adieu, I present my musings on the book “The Secret Life of Bees' ' by Sue Monk Kidd. 

With the recent social distancing and stay-in-place orders due to COVID-19 (curse you, Rona) I’ve had a plethora of opportunities to get creative in spending my free time.  I am prone to getting some pretty gnarly depression when my brain is still for too long so I have to work really diligently to keep my brain moving in productive ways.  One day I was looking through the podcast library on my iPhone and noticed that the author and sociologist Brene Brown had started her own podcast! Cue the cheering!!  One of her early guests was a lovely lady named Sue Monk Kidd who had apparently written this book called “The Secret Life of Bees” that talked about bees (obviously), a black Mother Mary statue and the coexistence of a young white girl and a group of black female beekeepers.  The conversation between Brene and Sue was POWERFUL. They talked about the importance of understanding hardship and being present when life is really, really hard.  They talked about recognizing the higher power in our lives and how that can change the course forever. They talked about so many things and honestly I can’t remember most of them, but I DO remember how the episode made me FEEL.  I was moved. 

Fast forward a couple weeks and I was out thrifting (Hallelujah, I could be in public) and there was “The Secret Life of Bees” staring right at me from the shelf of paperback books.  I snatched it up and made a promise to myself that I would get back on my comfort bus of reading fiction to curb my crazy.  What an amazing journey I was about to embark. 

The book takes place in South Carolina in the heart of the era of racial segregation in the year 1964.  Times are tough and Lily Owens exists in a realm of poverty, grief and abuse by her father.  One day she makes the decision to follow a prompting to run away and search for the better life.  She, along with her nanny Rosaleen, set off on an adventure to find a place that sells honey with a label with a black Mother Mary on it.  Lily is convinced that if she can find this bee farm who believes in a black Mother Mary she might find some answers about her own mother.  Seems easy enough from a child’s standpoint, but Lily is met with challenge after challenge because she is a white child traveling with a black woman.  Lily doens’t understand why everyone is so worked up about Rosaleen traveling with her because she’s always been there for Lily and loved her when her biological mother couldn’t.  Finally Lily and Rosaleen show up at the bright pink residence of the “calendar sisters” August, May and June Boatwright.  Lily conjures up a big fat lie about who she is and where they’ve come from and where they’re headed and before long she’s being shown to a cot in the bee house with Rosaleen and is allowed to stay. 

Here is where I started marking the book and drawing hearts in the margins.  Lily experiences some powerful inner monologues about these “calendar sisters” who are believing her story, giving her a safe place to stay and aren’t letting on that they might know what’s up.  The first quote is referring to her father T. Ray and what he’s taught her to think about “colored women.”  Lily thinks, “T. Ray did not think colored women were smart.  Since I want to tell the whole truth, which means the worst parts, I thought they could be smart, but not as smart as me, me being white.  Lying on the cot in the honey house, though, all I could think was August is so intelligent, so cultured and I was surprised by this.  That’s what let me know I had some prejudice buried inside me.”  SPOT ON.  Somewhere along the way there has been some kind of notion that the color of a person’s skin translates to their ability to use their brain.  I’m here to tell ya, this is RIDICULOUS.  We all have brains in our head and we all have the right to use them. What the reader soon discovers is August is the epitome of kind, strong and wise and the last thing Lily worries about is her race. 

A few pages later the conversation switches sides and Lily overhears August and her sister June talking about Lily’s obvious skin tone color.  June says, “Why don’t you just ask her point blank what kind of trouble she’s in?” August says, “Everything in time. The last thing I want is to scare her off with a lot of questions. She’ll tell us when she is ready. Let’s be patient.” June says, “But, she’s white, August.” Lily continues in her thoughts by saying, “This was a great revelation -- not that I was white but that it seemed like June might not want me here because of my skin tone.  I hadn’t known this was possible -- to reject people for being white.” I love both of these quotes because it shows the converse struggle that all the characters experienced while they tried to sort out their emotions about their differences.  On one hand there was this expectation of superiority, but then on the other hand there was this dire need for safety. How many times so we wrestle with a similar battle?  Who to trust, how to trust and the ever-looming “what ifs.” I’ll be the first to raise my hand and admit that I struggle with this deeply at times. 

The next group of paragraphs had A LOT of hearts and underlining.  Lily begins to work alongside August as an apprentice beekeeper and this allows for a lot of question and answer conversations. Lily is an inquisitive, blunt child and one day she asks her what is up with the bright pink paint on the front of the main house.  August explains to Lily the decision for “Carribean Pink” was an effort to cheer their sister May’s heart.  Lily replies, “all this time I just figured you liked pink.” She [August] laughed again. “You know, some things don’t matter that much, Lily.  LIke the color of the house. How big is that in the overall scheme of life? But lifting a person’s heart -- now that matters. The whole problem with people is….they know what matters, but they don’t CHOOSE it. You know how hard that is Lily? I love May, but it was still so hard to choose Caribbean Pink. The hardest thing on earth is choosing what matters.” Phew.  I’ll pause for you to read that again.  My figurative flood gates opened with this one.  What matters? What if the thing or person that matters most is a damn difficult choice to make and might not be the most popular opinion with our peers?  Will we decide to do it or will we succumb to the crowd and go the other way risking the sadness of someone important to us?  Depending on the day, that answer isn’t always the right answer in my world and I’m working on it. 

Toward the end of the book, Lily has a powerful awakening in finding herself, recognizing her roots and accepting what she can’t change. Lily’s ability to love has been tarnished with guilt, abuse and sadness and at this point in the book she finally gets it.  August says to Lily, “whatever it is that keeps widening your heart, that’s Mary, too, not only the power inside you but the love. And when you get down to it, Lily, that’s the only purpose grand enough for a human life.  Not just to love -- but to PERSIST in love.”

We HAVE to persist in love. Humanity needs us to be kind. The vulnerable need us to SPEAK UP and defend when they can’t do it.  We are well past the time to argue and far beyond the time to sit down. 

The moral of the story: You have brains in your head, a beating heart in your body and so does everyone else. They deserve your persistence in love just as much as you deserve theirs. 

Happy reading, my amazing, geeky lovelies!

-R

Flowers Who Flourish in Evil: "The Alice Network" by Kate Quinn

Not long ago I had a conversation with some friends about our preferred genres when reading books.  I shared that I really enjoy reading books set during wartime.  I love reading about characters who have overcome immense destruction in their life, both physically and emotionally, with an element and faith and hope.  I especially gravitate towards stories about Jewish families because their faith and courage was so stalwart.  They escaped death, looked death in the face and mourned for those who had died at the hand of Hitler and his regime.  Those who flourished in trials inspire me, thus I am drawn to these kinds of stories.  It's no surprise that "The Alice Network" by Kate Quinn sucked me in from the first page and I couldn't put it down until I knew what happened next. An incredible story inspired by the lives of actual women who flourished in the midst of evil and lived to talk about it. This book is up there with "The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah" in its descriptions and accuracy about the sacrifices made in both world wars.

The book has my favorite writing style and that is alternating point-of-view (POV) that switches between World War I London and post World War II London.  The majority of the details in regards to spy work is during World War I.  We soon discover that in spite of two very different women being showcased, their lives are going to connect at some point and it is pretty incredible when they do.

Character one is Charlie St. Clair, a young American with French ties.  She struggles with the expectations of her family to fit in a neat and tidy box that was so common in the late 40s.  In her quest to blaze her own trails, she ends up pregnant. The beginning of the story talks about the details on this baby or "little problem" as she calls it and a clinic in Switzerland where these "little problems" can be taken care of in a timely manner.  Charlie is very torn about what she should do in life and deeply mourns the loss of her cousin Rose.  Rose was lost in the war and the family has presumed she is dead after all this time, but Charlie is never convinced. She starts to do her own research and figures out there is a woman, living in London, who she can talk to who might have some information regarding Rose.  In steps character two....Eve Gardiner.  Eve is now an old woman with deformed hands and tries to intimidate people away by being grouchy, drunk and a recluse.  But, Eve has a story and a long list of reasons why she is grouchy, drunk all the time and a recluse.  Two words: the war. The first one.

Where do I even begin on Eve Gardiner? Her tale is one that can't be adequately described in a short blog without giving the book away.  Eve is a trailblazer of her own when the first world war breaks out in Europe.  She wants to do her part to serve her country and against her family's wishes she joins the Alice Network, a network of female spies in Europe.  These women are some of the fairest of them all, those who can lure the evilest leaders to their bedrooms and coax them to share war secrets.  The sacrifices each of these women make for each other and their country is beyond humbling.  I can honestly say this book drew me in and hooked me emotionally because these women were fiercely loyal to each other and didn't give up. While we are learning about Charlie and her interactions with old lady Eve, we are also learning about Eve's heroic efforts as a spy. It took awhile for me to realize how they would ultimately connect with the cousin Rose, but they do.  When it's all said and done you will feel like you've been through it with them.  It is straight-up intense.

The stories that are shared in this book are based on factual women and events.  That being said, it's gnarly. There is a lot of sex for secrets, lots of drinking and plenty of violence.  If that's not your cup of tea, this book is not for you.  It's INTENSE. But, it is SO good and very humbling.  As I said before, I enjoy reading books set in wartime because it reminds me that my life is pretty damn good because of my freedom and the ability to make choices about my body.  I struggle with any plot lines that include rape culture and this one came pretty close to me calling it at one point.  However, it was real and I knew this piece of world history was something I needed to continue reading about so I could get to the end.  So, just be forewarned.

My recommended reading group is definitely 18 or over.  It's a solid Rated R for the reasons I listed above. 

The moral of the story: Even the daintiest of flowers can do what is right, face their fears and overcome evil.

Happy reading, my amazing, geeky lovelies!
-R

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