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The Novel Habits of Happiness
The Novel Habits of Happiness: An Isabel Dalhousie Novel | Alexander McCall Smith
13 posts | 11 read | 5 to read
The tenth book in this beloved author's consistently bestselling series featuring his insatiably curious, ever-delightful Edinburgh philosopher and amateur sleuth who now takes on a case like none she's had before: one with paranormal implications. From a small town outside Edinburgh comes the news that a young boy has been recounting vivid recollections of a past life: a perfect description of an island off the coast of Scotland which he couldn't possibly know, and a house there, where he claims to have spent his former life. When the boy's mother asks Isabel to investigate his claims, she feels she must--of course!--help them learn the truth, and she and Jamie set off for the island. But finding the house the boy described only leads to more complicated questions. And when they learn the tragic story of the family who lived there, Isabel is suddenly faced with a situation of extraordinary delicacy that will require all of her skills both as sleuth and philosopher. (Meantime, back in Edinburgh: Will an elderly lothario take Grace, her stalwart housekeeper, companion and babysitter, away from Isabel? Would Isabel be able to manage without Grace?) From the Hardcover edition.
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emmaturi
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Pickpick

This is another in the Isobel Dalhousie series, I do enjoy this series, it's a quiet series with lots of questions and thoughts about many subjects. Isobel is known to help people and this time a boy believes he had a previous life. She sets out to figure out if it's possible. The series continues with her personal and work relationships.

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Caryl
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Pickpick

I‘m catching up! Isabel was delightful, as always. This was my October #DoubleSpin pick.

#BookSpinBINGO

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
26 likes1 comment
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rwmg
Pickpick

Isabel Dalhousie is asked to look into claims by a little boy that he used to be somebody quite different with a different family. Fantasy or evidence of reincarnation?

Another gentle outing with Isabel as she tries to do the right thing and more difficult, to be sure what the right thing is

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rwmg
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DrexEdit Looks cozy! 😊 3y
18 likes1 comment
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MattieH
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1. Pretty much anywhere.
2. Random piece of paper. I like to write down anything that really sticks out to me from the book. I save those pieces.
3. I like to have a good stopping point.
4. Nope
5. I like to listen to film scores while I read. Absolutely no words or I get distracted
6. Just one
7. Everywhere
8. Silently
9. Yes! Sometimes I just HAVE to know what‘s going to happen so I peek, but then I go back and get the details.
10. Heck no!

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mrsmarch
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I tried to start #Habitica back in the summer, but my work stress was too intense and I didn‘t set myself up for success so I fell off. Then Amy died, and my focus and motivation went to hell in a handbasket. I took another shot at it this week and did a better job setting up my Habits and Dailies. I even set up a To-Do (with 14 part checklist!) for #passportlitsy2018! 😮 < — This is my wow face.

WarpedSweetness I need to set up lists for my reading challenges next year. I'm doing #litsypassport2018 also. I'm sorry about Any dying. :-( Sounds like you've had a rough year. 6y
Larkken Good idea for using Habitica! Sometimes I find it stressful to keep up with things even when they're fun, but maybe combining reading and lists in that app would make it less of challenge. 6y
mrsmarch @Larkken I also have to set up gameified incentives for taking my meds everyday. I‘m in dire need of organization 😂 6y
See All 8 Comments
Larkken @mrsmarch I know what you mean! 6y
Jinjer Hello! I don't know you or who Amy is but I'm very sorry for your loss.😢I'm doing #litsypassport2018 also and am curious about your 14 point checklist! Could you show us or explain it? Thanks! 6y
mrsmarch @Jinjer oh, that‘s the easy part! Habitica let‘s you make checklists on a To Do item, so I made each book on my passport a check item and my Passport To-Do will be done when I complete all 14 books. 6y
Jinjer Ohhhh I get it! I thought you had some really cool to do items for each book. 😂 6y
mrsmarch @Jinjer Nope, totally not that cool sorry 😂 6y
37 likes8 comments
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kspenmoll
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Very late to #bookcolortag as I was busy much of the day- thanks @Jess_Read_This for the #pink tag- not as easy as I thought so shades of pink!!!💕
#pink #pinkbooks
Tagging: @Lacythebookworm @Simona @megt @jess.how @Shemac77
Saw so many Littens tagged already & its 2a.m. 😱color tag is blue💙💙 📚😃
#AugustLibrary17 #bookstack @beachbookworm7

Lacythebookworm Oh fun! I'll post mine when I get home from work today! 7y
Jess_Read_This Oh!!! I love the tropical pink theme!! All those pretty shades too! Gorgeous stack! 7y
kspenmoll @Jess_Read_This thanks! Reusable bag courtesy TJMaxx😃 7y
67 likes3 comments
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kspenmoll
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#bookstorehopping #coffeeandbooks In Northampton with hubby- after an hour it rained but we still walked the town. Eating lunch & both reading.
Our usual coffee stop in Easthampton on the drive up at Shelbourne Falls Coffee- the best French roast ever. ☕️☕️📚📚

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Jeg
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Mehso-so

Finally finished it this morning. It was just okay . I enjoyed catching up with the main characters and their going ons. However it didn't grab me as much as previous ones in the series. I normally love the philosophising but this time it got a bit tedious.

3 likes1 stack add
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Jeg
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This arrived today. It was going cheap. I have enjoyed this series but have not kept up with them all. Looking forward to reading and seeing where all the characters are now. Of all his writings I have enjoyed this series the most.

MrsMalaprop I've only read one of his which was for book club a few years ago. The style didn't work for me so I've not attempted any others. 7y
Jeg SMW loving this so far. 7y
2 likes2 comments
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LeslieO
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This book was a recent purchase from my fav local independent book store: Talking Leaves. #getindie

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HardcoverHearts
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Mehso-so

Book 4 of the @24in48 Readathon was a new one for me. I have never read any of this series before though I thoroughly enjoy the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books. This was an ARC that I had been given so I gave it a whirl. It was ok, but I think I could have enjoyed it more if I had been a part of the series before this book. Nothing wrong, per se, I just didn't connect to the characters. @Litsy #readathon

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KendallMorganHall
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Mehso-so

I received an ARC of this book, but have to admit that it wasn't my favourite. Not enough happened to hold my attention despite the writing being as good as ever. In this book a young boy has visions of a house and a past life and Isabelle Dalhousie tries to crack the case for his frantic mother.

2 likes1 stack add