Dear #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub readers,
Here are the choices for July 2022. I went with a summery/holiday theme. 🕶☀️The English Air is one of the latest FM recent releases, I adore Stevenson and her writing, so I‘m sure this won‘t disappoint. And, Seaview House sounds perfect with a family hotel, a peaceful setting and a dash of romance. It‘s also been on my FM TBR for ages! I‘ve linked the synopsis for SH below in the comments.

Happy Easter to all those who celebrate! 🐣 I woke to a eggshell blue sky, and birds singing merrily outside my bedroom window. It‘s been a deliciously slow day, hot cross buns from a local bakery, a pot of tea, poached eggs on toast and a good book.

A busy Saturday, including picking up hot cross buns from a local bakery for Easter tomorrow. 🐣 It‘s been moody & rainy all day, & now that I‘m home, I‘m sitting down with a cup of tea, two cheeky dk. chocolate Milano cookies & my current read. A fascinating memoir about growing up in Australia during the 1930‘s & 40‘s. I had this recommended to me, by a friend - lingering on my shelves for far too long. It‘s brilliant!

Those who touch our lives stay in our hearts forever.

#rememberSharon @sharread #LitsyLove

Quite a long day for me, so it‘s a late dinner this evening. Well worth the wait though, homemade minestrone soup.🥣 I‘m pairing it w/ one of my current reads. I‘ve been back & forth between the physical book & the audio - it‘s crunch time, since my book group is Thursday!! I‘m loving the world of academia, & Oates always has the best descriptions especially for the absurd/grotesque. There was one part, in particular, that made me laugh out loud!

My ideal Friday evening. A stack of current reads, and homemade pizza (caramelised onions, bacon, goat cheese, arugula tossed with olive oil, fresh squeeze of lemon and a crack of pepper and salt, topped with a drizzle of balsamic glaze) baking in the oven. Once I make a full round in each of these books, I‘ll be watching a movie with Mr. S and stitching on my current WIP, I showcased yesterday. Happy Friday! 📚🍕🎥🍿

Doing a bit of audio-stitching this evening.🪡🧵
I‘m listening to the tagged book, and working on a year long stitching project (each month, part of the pattern is released). It‘s a pleasure to stitch up, and I love that it‘s based on an original 19th century sampler from the Netherlands. 🇳🇱 If you‘re intrigued, I‘ve included a link to the maker and project below:

https://www.modernfolkembroidery.com/product/2022-mystery-sal/

#MFESal2022

It‘s been a crazy month!! End of the semester - papers, projects and finals all last week. This weekend was the first chance I‘ve had all month to do something for myself. So it‘s a slow day today, with some of my favourites. A beautiful snowy mountain view at a cozy café, a new BLCC Christmas mystery and a piping hot latte, with festive latte art (can you see the Christmas tree and star ? on top?)

It‘s been moody & overcast all day, & just started raining. Perfect weather to work on a few to do‘s on my list, & of course sneaking in a chapter or two of my current read, during lunch. I chose this for my IRL bookclub, which meets next week. I can‘t wait to discuss its many themes: art, what constitutes art, humanity, simple pleasures, living in the moment, & a fabulous cast of memorable characters. Is this book on your radar?

Happy Halloween!! 🎃💫

Mr. S and I have a few spooky traditions each year for All Hallows‘ Eve. A bubbling and boiling pot of something delicious to eat - this year, a creamy tortellini, spinach and chicken sausage soup. Pumpkin carving, board games and watching Hocus Pocus. ✨

I hope each of you are enjoying your Halloween treats with very few tricks!! 👻🦇🕸

Book mail!! 📚📮 @LeahBergen highlighted this newly published short story collection from the British Library Crime Classics, a few weeks ago, and upon seeing her post, I immediately ordered a copy from Blackwell‘s. It showed up today!

I already have a toppling pile of current reads on my nightstand, but I think I‘m going to have to dip into this immediately (it‘s not listed in the Litsy database quite yet).

#leahbergenmademebuyit

A little audiobook baking on this Sunday afternoon. Ripe bananas🍌called for a quick and simple old fashioned banana bread - (the smell as it baked was heavenly)! ✨ I‘m listening to a wonderful production of the tagged book on BBC Radio 4. I always love reading seasonal books, and a book set in September, neatly ticks this box. If you‘d like a listen, I‘ve included a link to the programme below:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/m000zcb8

Encouraging autumn to make an appearance with a pot of homemade chicken soup. It‘s been bubbling away in the crockpot all afternoon, so I hope my efforts pay off and autumn shows up! 🍂 I‘m pairing it with sunflower seed toast and a new read. I always try to add a Furrowed Middlebrow title to my monthly TBR. This one has been sitting on my nightstand for two months - high time to pick it up!

Stopped at a favourite café to study - I‘m sneaking in a chapter or two of my current read. A soon to be published historical fiction novel, which follows the story of Lady Evelyn Herbert (daughter of the Earl of Carnarvon), the woman who took the very first step into the tomb of Tutankhamen, who lived in the real Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle & supposedly experienced long after effects of the curse of the pharaohs. It‘s a thrilling read so far!

My September #BookSpinBingo card. 🍂

#bookspin: The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters
#doublespin: The Ghost and the Dead Deb by Cleo Coyle

One of my favourite aspects of a new month, is putting together my reading list. Pictured is my TBR for the month of September. 🍂 I have quite a few book club, buddy read and read-along titles on my list. And, a few carry overs from last month, I wasn‘t able to get to, but really want to read. I‘m always amazed how quickly my TBR list fills up each month!!

#BookSpinBingo #bookspin #doublespin

On Friday‘s, Mr. S and I have a movie/pizza night 🎥🍿🍕 But, before we get started this evening, I‘ve been cosied up with my current read (tagged above), and a pot of (late) afternoon tea. Today‘s steep features, ‘Bears Like Marmalade‘ by the lovely tea company, Bird and Blend Tea Co. It is the most fragrant tea 🍊, and I was delighted when it poured out in a beautiful pinkish tint. Happy Friday!

My goal for the #AwesomeAugust Readathon, hosted by @Andrew65 is to read the following books: ‘Ceremony‘ and ‘The Copenhagen Trilogy‘ are for IRL book groups this month. And, ‘The Swiss Summer‘ is an end of summer treat for me. I love to read seasonally and this one has been on my TBR wish list all summer long. All three books are also on my #BookSpinBingo card for the month of August.

#readathon

My filled out #bookspinbingo card for August! 🍉 I‘m already off to a great start and looking forward to seeing what I can read and check off by the end of the month.

#bookspin : Death Before Dessert by A. E. Radley
#doublespin : The Copenhagen Trilogy by Tove Ditlevson

It‘s been MONTHS since I last participated in #BookSpinBingo - (lot‘s going on in life, so my reading took a steep nose dive). But, I‘ve missed it, and the nudge/challenge it gives me to read more each month. Usually I do a fancy graphic, but @EvieBee posted her handwritten list (she has the most beautiful handwriting), and I decided to break out a new journal and follow suite. I hope you don‘t mind, dear Eve!! 🥰

#bookspin #doublespin

It‘s dark and moody this evening - summer thunderstorms are my favourite. ⛈ As the wind rattles the windows and thunder rolls outside, I‘m indulging in a decadent hot chocolate with whipped cream (already mixed in) and this fantastic vintage school story recently republished by one of my favourite publishers, Girls Gone By.

My tea choice this evening. 🫖🍃 I love how soothing and fresh this is - comfort in a cup. That slow ritual of tea making always relaxes and calms me, so it‘s perfect for a evening/bedtime ritual. Not pictured...a sneaky Girl Scout Lemon Ups cookie. ☺️

It‘s been a luxuriously slow day. This morning, I broke out a new puzzle - perfect for Spring 🌸, whilst listening to Daphne du Maurier‘s ‘The King‘s General‘. Later in the afternoon I had the cutest FaceTime convo with my niece who turned three today. She‘s currently obsessed w/ Paw Patrol, & had to show me all her new toys & sing a song about each of the characters. Now, I‘m tucked up w/ a pot of tea & a stack of current reads. Happy Saturday!

Starting the weekend off a little early today. It‘s been one of those weeks, so an especially laid back and relaxing weekend is needed. I just made a pot of tea, a Darjeeling with tropical notes, a rainy 1870‘s London ASMR in the background, and this adorable #MiddleGrade book, featuring a train trip across the UK, and a mystery involving stolen jewels.

#NYRBBookClub A Month in the Country Discussion

Question 6/6:

What are the similarities of the original painter and Birkin? How are they connected to each other?

#NYRBBookClub A Month in the Country Discussion

Question 5/6:

A transformation of the main character takes place over the span of the novel. What was Tom Birkin like when he arrived in Oxgodby? How does he change and what causes these changes?

#NYRBBookClub A Month in the Country Discussion

Question 4/6:

Carr titles the novel, A Month in the Country. What is the importance of the country in the story? Why do you think Carr sets the story where he does?

#NYRBBookClub A Month in the Country Discussion

Question 3/6:

Many critics have described A Month in the Country as a quiet novel. What do you think of when you hear that term? Is it accurate for Carr's book?

#NYRBBookClub A Month in the Country Discussion

Question 2/6:

Class is briefly explored when Birkin accompanies the Ellerbecks & Mr. Dowthwaite to shop for a new pipe-organ. Should Carr have explored class more?

#NYRBBookClub A Month in the Country Discussion

Question 1/6:

Do you think that Carr was effective at comparing & contrasting the religious hell depicted on the wall painting & the hell that Birkin endured in WWI?

Catching up on the #CatherBuddyRead this afternoon. I‘ve fallen a bit behind, so I‘m getting a jump start on this week‘s section and then playing catch up with previous sections. Every time I read Cather, I‘m quickly reminded why I adore her. She‘s brilliant with describing the beauty of nature in particular the American frontier and developing sketches of human lives and why we think, do and pursue.

Happy Valentine‘s Day dear readers! 💘 Today, I‘ve been reading, talking to loved ones and watching the Valentine‘s Day movie. Just a short while ago, while on the phone talking to my brother, the loveliest blooms and charcuterie board showed up. A gift from my sweet Valentine. May your day be filled with lots of love!! 💝

A quiet evening - laundry tumbling in the dryer, a current read for #SundayBuddyRead (I‘m enjoying immensely), shortbread cookies and a cup of mint verbena tea. I find I usually sleep better, when my day ends like this. ☕️📖 🛌 Although, this book does have a bit of the spook factor. Reader be warned! 😳

Happy New Year fellow #NYRBBookClub members! 🎊Please see my nominations for February 2021. I have so many NYRB editions on my shelves I want to read, so it was hard to narrow down to these three. If any have been read in the past, I do apologize. Since I‘m new, I‘m not familiar with all the previous titles read. Please vote below.

Last night, right before bed, I finished this short, bittersweet prequel/retelling of ‘A Christmas Carol‘. The nature of Dickens‘ original story, (including the sad fate of Marley) and the author‘s death before completing the novel, made ‘Miss Marley‘ even more poignant. It‘s left me to contemplate redemption, second chances, and most importantly our influence on others and consequence of our actions. #OverbookedClub

Final Rating: 4 Stars

Two children‘s books I‘ve been loving. The Little Dancer‘ is based on Degas artwork & tells the story of a young girl who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer (the illustrations are truly stunning). Readers will also learn more about Dega‘s intriguing artwork. And, ‘Claris: Holiday Heist is a lovely Christmassy tale featuring an adorable mouse who moves to Paris to follow her fashion dreams. If you‘re a fan of Eloise & Olivia, you‘ll love this book!

An early Christmas present from Mr. S. 🎁 When they say big book, they‘re not kidding, this one is a wrist breaker! I‘m excited to dip in and out of this festive book this year (and several future ones with its heft). I love a good mystery, especially classic mysteries - this edition stars detectives like, Poirot, Marple, Morse, Rumpole and Cadfael. First up, The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie.

Synopsis in comments.

A fun, light mystery/adventure featuring a quirky family of 4 (a father & his 3 children), who stumble across a mystery whilst on holiday. The characters are fun, the story hooks, & the setting (the salt flats of Norfolk) is a true delight. This book was particularly relevant for right now - the beginning opens with an end of a quarantine, due to measles. Thus the holiday & adventure, after being cooped up for several weeks. (cont. in comments)

I pick up this festive novel every few years for a re-read, and usually watch an adaptation of it each year, (there are so many great one‘s to choose from)! This year, I‘ve been listening to the audio version of, ‘A Christmas Carol‘ whilst I put up decorations, bake festive treats, clean and cook. The narrator, Simon Prebble is fabulous and truly brings the spirit of this book alive via his narration.

Some might say there‘s not much to a Miss Read novel, but I disagree. They are warm, cosy, & a feel good read - perfect for the holiday season. This year, I‘ll be buddy reading, ‘No Holly for Miss Quinn‘. I was so pleased when I found both of these lovely vintage copies. I don‘t know why, but vintage copies always make my heart sing & make the reading process even more enjoyable. Plus the covers and illustrations throughout are lovely.

My December BINGO CARD, filled out and ready for #BookSpinBingo. 🎄

#BookSpin: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
#DoubleSpin: Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kemptom

My festive and cheery December TBR for #BookSpinBingo. I learned a few years back not to read all Christmassy books, I seem to burn out a bit when I overindulge on seasonal reads. 🙊 I‘ve had a really great year of reading (a highlight in such a dreary and difficult year) so I wanted this month‘s TBR to be especially fun and bright. #bookspin #doublespin

Another amazing reading month, although I can‘t seem to close that Bingo Blackout!! 😂 I started a new reading setup two months ago, and it amazes me how I have been reading over 20 books a month, without a burn out. Both my #bookspin (The Return of the Soldier) and #doublespin (Dark Tides) were favourites this month too, so I count November a solid win. 🌟

I have a thick list of books I‘d like to get through this month, pictured are some of the Christmassy books I‘ll be reading. I learned a few years ago, not to pack my entire December TBR with festive books (I seem to get burned out a bit), but these fill me with joy when I look at them, and since I can dip in and out, they‘ll be perfect to keep the Christmas spirit alive and well for the entire month!

This book isn‘t like anything you‘ve probably read before, unless you‘re familiar with Clarke‘s writing. In some ways it‘s reminiscent of Erin Morgenstern‘s world building and writing style in, ‘The Night Circus‘ (another novel I adored). I also loved the reference to ancient myths and legends of the labyrinth. It wasn‘t quite as good as Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell but it‘s a solid pick for me.

I‘ve always adored Collins‘ atmospheric storytelling - he doesn‘t fail in this tale of two sisters, disinherited & made illegitimate by an outdated Will. The main story unfolds as each deals w/ the blow to their status & lives. News alert, one of them takes a flying leap into the underworld of disguises, false names, & an intense & gripping scam worthy of a play out on the big screen. I could not stop reading when this part of the plot played out.

I received this beautiful book last year, & put it away, so I could read from start to finish this year. It begins with November, & each passage is filled with beautiful musings on the transition of the seasons, winter, the holidays, & the foods and comforts that Slater beautifully cooks & describes. I‘m loving it! Tonight for dinner, I made his leeks, beans and Italian sausage dish. And for dessert, marmalade baked pears with vanilla ice cream.

October marked the 100th anniversary of Agatha Christie‘s debut novel, ‘The Mysterious Affair at Styles‘, featuring a certain remarkable Belgian sleuth. I‘m planning a re-read of TMAAS before the end of the year to celebrate. I also hoped to get to this new Poirot mystery last month, but I didn‘t quite fit it in. Although no one can equal Christie, Hannah does a great job continuing on with Poirot - and this fourth novel sounds quite exciting!

My November BINGO card, filled out and ready for #BookSpinBingo.

#BookSpin: The Return of the Soldier by Rebecca West
#DoubleSpin: Dark Tides by Philippa Gregory

My November TBR for #BookSpinBingo. I am so excited about the books I picked for this month. A good mix of book club, buddy reads, audiobooks, review copies and pulled from my own shelves. Should be a fun mix! #bookspin #doublespin