
Current audiobook. I have the actual book as well. A friend placed it in my hands and said “ you MUST READ” 🤷🏼♀️ And here I am.
Current audiobook. I have the actual book as well. A friend placed it in my hands and said “ you MUST READ” 🤷🏼♀️ And here I am.
A pair of 6 inch Christian Louboutin heels takes center stage in this fast paced tale of how just one thing can suddenly change everything. Nisha is the wife of an extremely successful businessman and her life is filled with luxury, until her husband decides to divorce her. She must use her wits to survive. A mix up at a gym causes her to lose her precious bag and shoes. Sam now mistakenly has the bag. Fast paced. Women support women.
Finished this last month for #childrensclassicread2023 challenge. I thoroughly enjoyed young Lucinda‘s vacation from her well to do family while her parents traveled abroad. She was allowed the opportunity to experience life outside of her limited circle while exploring the streets of NYC on her roller skates. New adventures every day! I discovered that skating was all the rage and there was even a specially designed corset for the mature woman.
This was an offer that I couldn‘t resist. As a county resident, I took advantage of the opportunity to join the Big Library Read. Sadly,I was disappointed. I love mother/daughter stories, but the abusive behaviors were disturbing.The history of Korea,the discussion of Korean food and the insights into schizophrenia were interesting.When my daughter was a child,we had Korean neighbors. She fell in love with Kimchi. It did bring back good memories.
I found this book fascinating! Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman Medical Doctor,was brilliant,focused and determined to achieve a medical degree. She encouraged her younger sister to join her,and they opened a medical school for women in New York City. They also started a hospital for women,staffed by women in 1857. The courage and tenacity of Elizabeth Blackwell was exceptional. Neither sister married. Medicine was their passion. Trailblazers!
I have not seen the movie of this book,but the critics say it is actually tender, unlike the book. A memoir of a boy living in Manhasset,NY with a single mother who believes her son‘s success depends on going to Yale. J.R.‘s life revolves around the Dickens Bar and its cast of characters,where everyone drinks and then drink some more. While the mother/son relationship is filled with love, the glorification of alcohol was disturbing. Good writing.
I am so behind in reviews and am determined to post one a day until I am current.This was a book that I read because of the #pemberlittens.A modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice that takes place in Toronto within a Muslim community. Ayesha is a school teacher with a desire to be recognized for her poetry.She is a modern woman who unexpectedly falls for traditional Khalid.Complications ensue when cousin Hafsa is engaged to Khalid.A fun read.
Last Sunday,I visited the palatial Nemours Estate for a tour of the mansion and the gardens. It was the home of Alfred and Jesse DuPont.Jesse was a former schoolteacher and an avid reader with a collection of 4000 books. There were images of her reading a book through out the home. After listening to the docents, I knew that I wanted to know more about her! Alas,the Nemours bookstore was lacking, but I found this copy at Thrift Books.#bookmail
In 1933, William E. Dodd becomes the first American Ambassador to Hitler‘s Germany. He was a mild mannered professor who had studied in Germany. The Germany that he had loved was in the midst of a tremendous change and horror. His daughter,Martha plays a pivotal role,as she becomes popular with the Nazis. A glimpse into the minds of those in power at the time, and what was assumed would just go away. A superb title. #authoramonth2023 #eriklarson
This collection of Louisa May Alcott books was passed down to my daughter from her older cousin who received it from her older cousin. The set was a gift from their grandmother and has the signed bookplates to prove it. Sadly, my daughter never read them. I am glad they are here, so that I can join #childrensclassicread2023!
“Every book is a miracle,” Bill said. “Every book represents a moment when someone sat quietly- and that quiet is part of the miracle, make no mistake-and tried to tell the rest of us a story. … He said it was no accident that a book opened just like a door. Also he said, intuiting one of my neuroses, I could use books to put order to chaos.”
“It‘s silly to believe that you learn everything at school.I know now what it meant in the Bible when it talked about the stars singing together.I‘ve closed my eyes some of the time,and when I do that‘s what it is-the stars singing together.Johanna says the loveliest music in Ireland was caught by some lad going to sleep with his ear to a fairy rath.Do you suppose Beethoven went to sleep with his ear to the stars?”
#ChildrensClassicRead2023
“Lucinda stubbed her toe frequently and would have fallen had not the Night Owl and Tony held firmly to her hands. And this was because she could never cross Madison Square without tilting her head far back to see the magnificent new tower on it, and Diana on tiptoe, bending her bow,to speed its arrow across the city,”I love Diana,”said Lucinda… “She‘s the goddess, defending the city,I hope she‘ll be there forever.” #childrensclassicread2023
“Lucinda avoided the devotion, but she wrote in her diary everything that she could be thankful for, and there was much.”
I have been thinking of a Gratitude Journal as a contemporary idea. #ChildrensClassicRead2023
Just started this book on audio while waiting for physical book reserve from the library. IRL Book Club read.
Lo Blacklock,a British travel writer,boards a small, luxury ship,the Aurora to Norway. The guests are potential investors and journalists.The owners of the vessel,Lord and Lady Bullmer,are the hosts. While in her cabin,Lo hears a splash in the water that sounds like a body being thrown overboard, along with blood on the glass door of the cabin next door.She reports her concern,but her digging causes trouble. #authoramonth2023 #ruthware #mttbr
A good friend was appalled that I had never read this one. So,the Library to the rescue!
A Palace, a Prince and the Search for Home. A memoir that reads like a rom com at times. Allison Gee,from LA with Chinese roots,has dreams. She is a journalist who moved to Hong Kong to work for Time Inc. where she meets Ajay from the India branch. She is a glam queen and he is a Gandhi loving, simple man. Sparks fly. And then the reveal,Ajay is a sort of Prince with a family(albeit dilapidated)palace in India! #booked2023 #titlestartswithw #mttbr
“His whole life was an experiment with truth,” Ajay said. For Gandhi, Ajay told me, it was how you lived your life, not what you hung on your walls. That—and not the Armani Casa mirror— was the best reflection of your soul.”
Image/ Gandhi‘s bedroom at his home in New Delhi.
I needed a new audiobook. Then, I saw the post for the April #janeadjacent read for the #pemberlittens. Well, there it was, available on Libby! So,for once, I have an early start!
At 58,#JohnSteinbeck decides to travel across America in a makeshift custom trailer,named Rocinante,to rediscover the America he has been writing about for many years. His companion is his standard poodle,Charley.I loved the relationship with his dog,but I did not love the parts about hunting and traveling with his guns. The most powerful chapters were at the end when he discusses the racism in the South. The time is 1960‘s,but it could be today.
While looking for a book for #booked2023,this one was tagged for #wronglyincarcerated.I have enjoyed the author‘s books in the past,but this one had too much going on for me.Characters barely developed.While Kay is planning a Library fundraiser at the Carrington Estate,she meets Peter Carrington and they marry. Kay‘s father had been the Landscape Designer there until he supposedly committed suicide.Complicated. Stuck with it for the prompt.
A young girl must leave Syria for the US because of political unrest at home. Although Jude is sad to leave her father, brother and friends behind, she has high hopes for her new life. Told in verse form,Jude discovers that she is an outsider and struggles to fit in. Ultimately life- affirming, Jude discovers herself. #blameitonlitsy #foodandlit #syria
I often heard references to this book,and because of the #authoramonth2023 #johnsteinbeck challenge, I now understand all the buzz. George and Lennie travel to the Salinas Valley in California to work on a ranch during the Great Depression. Lennie is a man of tremendous size,but has the mind of a child. George is small and quick, and does his best to protect his friend. Spare, beautiful writing. Tragic. Unforgettable. #1937 #192025
I loved this uplifting story of a young woman from the Dominican Republic who finds herself through her love of poetry. It‘s YA, but this mature reader felt all the feels for X and her struggles.The themes of questioning religion(Catholicism) and mother/ daughter conflict spoke to me.Thank you Litsy for bringing this to my attention! Thank you #booked2023 for including the prompt #quietyabook.
I listened to the audio which was wonderful!
A fashion account that I follow on Instagram recommended this book written in 1964. It is out of print and luckily I found a copy online. #bookmail #fashion
Well, I finished it,but not in time for Book Club. I did not know that the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre in 1911.The book follows the great grandson of the thief as he travels to Paris to find the journal that will reveal the details of the heist.Two timelines: the present and the early 1900‘s.Insight into the art world and forgery. Fast paced. Interesting aside:the author attended a Litsy Book Club Zoom discussion of his book 2 years ago.
When @TheBookHippie chose Babar for last month‘s #childrensclassicread2023, I couldn‘t resist picking up this one too. Such fun! An unused railroad station in Celesteville is transformed into an art museum to house the King and Queen‘s vast collection of art that features elephants! The paintings and sculptures resemble famous ones from the likes of Rousseau to Seurat and Da Vinci to Cassatt! A celebration of the appreciation of art! #192025 #2003
My new audio read.
Four characters take turns narrating the secrets of their lives. Frank,a retired college professor and his wife, Lil have moved to North Carolina. Shelley is a single Mom raising her younger son,Harvey. Everyone has secrets. Shelly lives in the house where Frank was raised, and the house connects the stories. Beautiful writing. Multi layered. Sad and emotional. I am looking forward to my Book Club‘s discussion.
Anne of Green Gables is a favorite of mine,and love NYC. When this popped up on my Litsy feed, I thought it would be great for #booked2023 #moderntakeonaclassic. Checked off the prompt,but my enjoyment of the book was limited.While the image of Marilla in jeans and Hunter boots watching a sunset was lovely,the sex scenes with Anne and Gil were a bit too graphic for my taste. Quick read. Contemporary issues: sexual harassment,women‘s rights,LGBTQ.
IRL Book Club pick. Meeting this coming Tuesday. Intention: to finish in time!
Yes, the part involving a gun was disturbing, but for the most part the colorful, delightful illustrations told a story of friendship, understanding, and love. I enjoyed this foray into Babar‘s world. In fact, I have a second volume to share! Thank you once again @TheBookHippie for this challenge! #childrensclassicread2023 #192025 #1933
A book about the day to day lives of medieval nuns living in a small convent in Oby,England opening with the arrival of the Black Plague.The prioress has much to consider as death surrounds them.Credentials aren‘t checked and thus the new priest is not actually a priest! I had trouble keeping track of the Dames who were either flying,hearing or seeing dead Saints, escaping, embroidering and even committing murder!
Well written,but tedious.#nunlit
Last chance! Stopped by the Library today and decided to pick up this book since it is the February selection for #childrensclassicread2023
It took me a while to finish this, and I am so glad that I did. Kudos to Isabel Wilkerson for a masterful, deeply researched book about the hidden caste system in America. Linking the caste systems of America, India and Nazi Germany, she identifies eight pillars that underlie caste systems across civilizations. You can see by all the markers in my book, that there was so much that I wanted to remember. A must read! #blackhistorymonth
Carrie Soto is “the Greatest Tennis Player”. Her father/coach refers to her as Achilles. She has retired and her record is now tied. This is the story of her comeback. Luckily, I know enough about the game to follow along. It is fast paced and I was anxious to find out how it all played out. Not a fan of Carrie as a person, but there were other likable characters for me. Audio featured multiple performers. #authoramonth2023 #taylorjenkinsreid
‘There are so many stories of flying,‘ said Dame Beatrix,‘that no doubt some of them are true. But I think one would need to be extremely young or extremely saintly.‘ #nunlit
A bit behind, but persevering.
Unfortunately my audio of Caste was returned before I finished. Not possible to renew. Very popular and that‘s a good thing. So, new audio. #authoramonth2023 #taylorjenkinsreid
“… in proof of how women, despite all their weaknesses,perhaps,indeed,because of them,are best fitted to live under the Rule. The Rule is a kind of dance to them,he exclaimed,a lifelong dance. The Bell chimes, the music strikes up;and with the whole force of their sense of drama,their willfulness, their terrific vanity,they give themselves over to a formal pattern of obedience.” Prior Thomas to his secretary while riding through the forest. Rude!
The more I read Brene Brown‘s books, the more I grow in looking at the world differently. Easy to understand. Real life examples to illustrate teaching. Quick read. Long lasting lessons to ponder.
Finally started #nunlitquarterly! It is moving slowly.
So happy that I was able to finally place my book image on the chart! Loved this book! Thank you @CBee for your assistance! Thank you @chasjjlee for your fabulous design!