This was the right book at the right time. On two islands off the coast of Maine the lobster fisherman are at war. The story unfolds through the eyes of Ruth sarcastic girl, who has grown up rough. The story is not mind blowing, but it‘s the characters that will stay with me. The widowed neighbor with her passel of boys, the tender bachelor set on creating a museum, etc. Reading this while exploring the coast made it all the more memorable.”

“Between two tall gate-posts of rough-hewn stone we beheld the gray front of the old parsonage, terminating the vista off of an avenue of black-ash trees.”

There‘s something magical about seeing a place described so perfectly by an author. We stumbled upon the Old Manse while hiking near the North Bridge. Emerson and Hawthorne both lived here, but it was Hawthorne who memorialized it.

As we drove up the coast of Maine, we saw lupines everywhere. Burst of purple, and sometimes even pink and white along the side of the road and then neighborhood gardens. They were absolutely beautiful, and I couldn‘t help but think of Miss Rumphius every time we saw them. This sweet bookstore, Fine Print, was in Kennebunkport.

A young girl gets lost in the Maine woods. It‘s a claustrophobic tale with a building sense of dread. Anyone who‘s ever been on a hike and heard something moving that you couldn‘t see, will recognize the churning feeling in your stomach. I‘m glad I read it the day AFTER hiking with my kids in Acadia. 😳

“There is a point at which people who are cast upon their own resources stop living and begin merely surviving.“

*Pic at King‘s house in Maine!

Visiting the Orchard House in Corcord, Mass. and seeing where Louisa May Alcott wrote was such a joy. I loved all of the paintings May Alcott had drawn on the walls, like an owl and flowers in Louisa‘s room. It was easy to imagine the girls spending time together there. The staff was so knowledgeable and shared so many details about the family‘s life. Definitely a bucket list thing for me!

I loved returning to the Austen-inspired world that Gray created. We mainly focus on characters from Sense and Sensibility, plus our to young investigators, Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney. Just a heads up, the ending definitely sets up for at least one more book, which I wasn‘t expecting. If you liked the first in the series, you‘ll like this one as well. Though you know what to expect so it doesn‘t have quite the same novelty. Still a fun read!

Any one else love to stop by local libraries when they travel? This beauty is on the coast of Maine. 😍

This week we lost the sweetest reading companion in the world. My pup Ollie was 12 and a half. We lost him quickly and unexpectedly, and our hearts are broken. There was no better dog in the world. He was such a special part of our family. 🐾 💙

Ralph Waldo Emerson‘s home and grave in Concord, Massachusetts. It‘s hard to imagine the literary brilliance that was centered in this tiny town in the 19th century!

I read this in anticipation of visiting Salem. It was hard to get into, but there‘s one scene towards the end of the block that was written in such an original way. It will always stick with me. It‘s a description of all the things one character is supposed to be doing while he‘s sitting in a chair. Without any spoilers, it was such a fascinating way to move the plot forward.

“For what other dungeon is so dark as one‘s own heart?”

Published in 1916, this is a sunnier look at the Alcott family than some more recent work. I love seeing the intelligence of the Alcott girls at such a young age. It was also interesting to learn more about their friendship with the transcendental thinkers, like Emerson and Thoreau, who were their neighbors. Reading their real words was wonderful, but after learning more about Bronson, even this book couldn‘t make me a fan of his.

I recently spent a day exploring the Indiana State library, and it was such a delight! They were rooms, devoted to local authors, like John Green, Booth Tarkington, Lew Wallace, and James Whitcomb Riley, and a huge collection of rare manuscripts, letters, and photos, chronicling the state‘s history. One highlight was a collection of documents about women‘s suffrage in the state.

I felt like this one brought together so many storylines that have been building in the first few books. I loved seeing the different characters finally meeting & all the major shifts in their world. It‘s such a band of misfits, and I love that they all still have a sense of humor despite the war they are fighting. Manon‘s plot might have been my favorite in this book. She‘s learning how to question commands and make her own decisions as a leader.

Since we moved into our new home last summer, I have fallen in love with birdwatching in our backyard. This book should not have made me laugh as hard as it did, but something about the snarky comments woven in with actual facts about birds made me giggle. Heads up, there is a lot of profanity. If that doesn‘t bother you, be prepared to laugh through this quick read.

I couldn‘t love this book anymore if I tried. When we decided to get bees, I started reading as much as I could, but this one has been my favorite so far. Written in the ‘80s, it‘s a nonfiction account of one woman‘s life as a beekeeper in the Ozarks. Her observations about nature and the joy she finds and keeping bees are beautiful. She has 300 hives and shares basic info while also describing the beautiful world around her. Highly recommended!

So incredibly grateful that a new independent bookstore opened in Indianapolis! We don‘t have many. I got to visit Tomorrow Bookstore for my birthday this week, and was absolutely delighted! Wonderful selection, and a perfect location. What a difference, a great independent bookstore makes for the community!

I agree with so many others who have said this is the worst of the series, but I did love seeing the characters‘ stories wrapped up. I also got to read the ant & swan sections so many mentioned from The Sword in the Stone. My version didn‘t have it in that section. Apparently it was originally in this book, but was shoved into the first book in later editions. Heavy-handed on the messaging, but I‘m still glad I read it. #OAFKingAlong @BarbaraJean

Rereading the series has made me appreciate Aaron‘s grow as a person. The 1st time around, I was caught up in the story of the missing hiker, & trying to figure out who might have been involved in the disappearance. This time I focused on his new understanding of his relationship w/his deceased father. I loved his realization that sometimes people show love in ways we don‘t understand. I think the plot set him up perfectly for his end in Exiles.

This is such a wild mixture of intentional pop-culture references. I really loved the 1st half, but it lost its focus as Charlie travels through the fantasy land. It reminded me so much of the movie Return to Oz. It gets very repetitious & I missed certain characters in the 2nd half. I think a different author would have been edited more. Still, the first half was an excellent reminder of King‘s skill.
“Good people shine brighter in dark times.”

The best way I can describe this book is that Henry remains an auto-buy author for me. It‘s not my favorite, but I loved it. It made me think of the places & the people who I call home in the deep friendships that have lasted through years & so many changes. *Photo in one of my happy places.

“I like how it‘s so measurable, like you immediately see that what you‘re doing is making a difference. Whenever I get anxious, I clean, and it relaxes me.”

Raw and heartbreaking, this is a memoir from actor Rob Delaney about the loss of his 2-year-old son to a brain tumor. He is so honest and angry and loving. I think reading this if you'd been through something similar would be cathartic. It's powerful and painful, just as you'd imagine a book about this topic would be. Anyone, myself included, who has watched a loved one die from cancer can't help but feel his grief with him as you read.

Just beautiful! I loved how each book is so different in tone. They work in concert to create a powerful picture of a monarch creating a new form of government. There were scenes that had me on the edge of my seat. When Guenever is scared Mordred is outside the door & when she & Lancelot see the handle start to move, the tension is perfect. I loved the depth of Arthur's sorrow as he realizes what his flaws have led to. Continued... #OAFkingalong

Ill-Made Knight: This section was huge, but I love that we saw a deeper character arc with Lancelot. He travels the spectrum from hero to lover to madman & finally penitent & proud father. There‘s a lot to process, but 1 thing that stood out was Arthur's realization that forcing people into peace through violence sends the wrong message & isn't sustainable. It‘s interesting he continues to ignore his wife's infidelity at all costs.
#OAFkingalong

This reread was as good as I remembered! I loved the slowburn mystery set in Australia. A man's past comes back to haunt him when he returns to his hometown after an old friend's death. Harper‘s a master @ description & making the reader feel completely submerged in the story as she pulls back the curtain. You discover you had the answer all along, but never realized it. She's become an auto-buy author for me & fans of Tana French should love her.

A deeply-researched dive into the Alcott family that left me w/strong feelings about the parents. Bronson was the worst. He never worked & depended on others to support his family so he could maintain his high morals. He left his family to go live elsewhere so they didn‘t distract him. Louisa & her mom were close & alike in temperament. They were both excellent writers & it was Abigail who encouraged her. A must-read IF you are a huge Alcott fan.

I found this in a little free library & I couldn‘t put it down! A movie star takes her closest friends & family on a safari in the Serengeti in the ‘60s. An unexpected kidnapping means nonstop action for the rest of the book. The descriptions & changing POVs added to the suspense. I recently watched 1923, which has similar scenes & those were vividly in my mind.

“He was a deeply honest man, but he knew also that he was a very convincing liar.”

Guys, this section is LONG!!! I am suggesting we postpone our check-in until next Friday and go by the revised schedule below. Lancelot is one cranky dude and I still have a long way to go. 🤣 #OAFkingalong

April 28: The Ill-Made Knight - Favorite (or least fav) character so far.
May 5: The Candle in the Wind - Pick/So-So/Pan/Bail review

I‘ve been reading this one slowly, just an essay or 2 a day, for months. It‘s perfect in small bites. The author‘s poetic musings on small things that delight him make his joy infectious. He doesn‘t shy away from hard topics, like the racism he‘s experienced, but he is equally effusive about gardening or a song.

“There‘s an entomological connection between thinking & thanking.”

“The laughing snort: among the most emphatic evidences of delight.”

It‘s taken me a couple weeks to sort through my thoughts on this one. It was an absolutely stunning book. One thing I loved about it was that though the main character surrounded by men, it‘s truly her story. We see her grow from a young teen into a woman, mother, peach farmer, and so much more. She shows incredible vulnerability when she finally opens her heart and allows her friends to share her secrets. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review continued in comments.

The Queen of Air & Darkness check in, how's it going?

This section felt so different. I didn‘t love the cruel parts w/the cat & unicorn, but it was fascinating to see King Arthur question whether Might Means Right was true. I loved seeing him consider other options & propose his round table. I knew the twist at the end, but felt that plot point was rushed. It feels like the stage is set for the next important pieces of the story.

#OAFkingalong

I have loved each of Harper‘s novels, but I struggled w/this one. It was so slow at the start, but a friend recommended I stick with it & I‘m so glad I did! The repetition & lack of momentum was worth it in the end! Around the halfway point I was hooked & her incredible character development made a missing woman story fascinating. I love the way Falk‘s brain works & how his story unfolded. Now I want to go back and reread the first book: The Dry.

Read this book! Funny, factual, irreverent, intelligent Sheehan breaks down the constitution & amendments by explaining them & the ways they have been used to shape our country. Every time the author shares his POV he is clear that it's an opinion. I felt like I was learning so much & yet he keeps it moving quickly & adds humor. Essential reading for those of us that want a reminder of what the constitution actually says & some context for why.

I finished the 1st section and I‘m loving it so far. I wasn‘t expecting it to be so playful. It‘s full of adventure, wisdom, & characters we all know and love. I can‘t wait to see Wart continue to grow and become a leader. I think its place as a classic comes from its unique take on the famous King Arthur tale. The book humanizes him & shows his coming of age. What do you all think so far? Favorite parts? I‘ll list 1 of mine below. #OAFkingalong

In the second book of the Sarah, Plain and Tall series we get to see Sarah and Jacob settling in as a family after their marriage. Sarah's heart is with her new family, but she doesn't love the land yet. A draught and a trip home to her beloved Maine helps her to find the peace she needs. A beautiful addition to the series.

“The best thing for being sad... is to learn something. That is the only thing that never fails. You may grow old & trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honour trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then, to learn.” #OAFkingalong

I absolutely loved this hardcover edition, but the story collection left me a little cold. I liked the references to Gaiman‘s Stardust and Queen Mary, but I the stories never pulled me in completely. There are selfish fairies, people in small towns that disappear, and a bridge that is built over night, but none of the tales felt like it did more than skim the surface. The illustrations by Charles Vess are lovely!

Sorry guys, but there‘s no way I‘m not picturing this while I‘m reading. Also, did you all realize Robin Hood was going to be in this? And Madam Mim is pretty terrifying. I love White‘s sense of humor throughout the story so far. I had no idea it was going to be so playful and fun! #OAFkingalong

I‘ve always been fascinated by the groundbreaking journalist Nellie Bly and this graphic novel was a fun way to learn more about her life. Her impact on the field of journalism and women‘s role in it is incalculable. She was brave, brilliant, and a role model for aspiring writers.

“I was convinced, and still am, but if, for some travels for pure pleasure, and not too impressed, they are companions, the problem of luggage could be resolved.”

Welcome to the #OAFkingalong. Our loose schedule follows the book's 4 parts. In between those books & questions, please feel free to post & tag us! We are starting on tom!

April 7: The Sword in the Stone- Memes/Quotes/What do you think makes this book a classic?
April 14: The Queen of Air & Darkness- How's it going?
April 21: The Ill-Made Knight- Character Analysis of your fav character
April 28: The Candle in the Wind- Pick/So-So/Pan/Bail review

Gosford Park meets Groundhog‘s Day with twist upon twist. Aiden wakes up in a different body each morning & tries to solve a murder. One thing that made this complex story more enjoyable was reading it on vacation when I had the dedicated time for it. Without that it would have been difficult to pick up the threads of the story. It took some mental gymnastics to peel away each layer & keep the timeline straight, but it was very worth it for me.

A quick YA read that reminded me of Shakespeare in Love. It would be a great introduction to Shakespeare for a middle school kid. Widge is an orphan who has yet to find a kind family. He is tasked with stealing a script of Hamlet and discovers a love of acting instead. There‘s a quick pace with a few twists and it‘s an easy read. I‘d recommend for 5th or 6th grade.

Visiting the Mercer House in Savannah last week. Much of the book take place here, and I loved getting to explore the historic squares described so beautifully in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

I 1st read this in high school. Up until that point I assumed nonfiction was boring. It was a shocking wonderful experience. The descriptions of people were intoxicating. I was completely enamored with the whole city of Savannah. I could picture every street & quirky neighbor. The fact that those people really existed just made it all the more amazing. Midnight opened the door to the world of creative nonfiction for me. Rereading it was a delight.

Quick stop at Flannery O‘Connor‘s childhood home in Savannah! There was the cutest Little Free Library underneath the staircase. I‘d forgotten that O‘Connor was only 39 years old when she died. What a heartbreakingly short life.

A Brooklyn artist meets a Wall St. #s guy. Meg & Reid‘s relationship wasn‘t convincing at first, but it grew on me. I love that Meg runs her own business & doesn‘t drop everything for a new romance. It was about Meg learning to trust her own voice. The plot could have skipped the hidden messages thing. I did love the friendships in the book. They were realistic, showing that fights happen & you chose to work through them, even when that‘s tough.

We are rewatching Ted Lasso on vacation and I stumbled across this book. It‘s the same one. Ted‘s dad reads for him so he won‘t fail his test in school. I love this show so much!

Interesting, but not the thrilling mystery I was expecting. My main take away is that history is written by the victors & without corroboration, everything should be taken with a grain of salt. Richard III certainly got a bad rap.

“Perhaps a series of small satisfaction scattered like sequins over the texture of everyday life was of greater worth than the academic satisfaction of owning a collection of fine objects at the back of a drawer.”

A essential part of any vacation we take is getting lost in a local independent bookstore for awhile. That and getting ice cream of course! 📚🌴🍦

A slim novel compared to most of Pilcher‘s work, this unconventional story is reminiscent of one of the character‘s journeys in The Shell Seekers. Selina is about to get married when she sees a photo on a book dust jacket that she thinks might be of her father, who she‘s never met. She travels to a small island and her life is turned upside down. Not nearly as good as her other works, but quick enough that you don‘t expect the same depth.

I only read memoirs if they are narrated by the author and this one is perfect in that format. I loved learning more about Davis‘ unique upbringing in the Cape Cod area, & her quirky personality, which shifted from extreme politeness to finally have any ability to stand up for herself later in her career. She‘s been in so many classic movies & has done so much for gender representation in the industry. I still hate how Hollywood treats women. 🤮