#BOTM delivery! I‘m most excited for tagged. Hope it‘s good!

Weidensaul has participated in migratory bird research all over the world. Filled with detailed field experience and revelatory observations, this was a fascinating read. A bit dense/academic at times, but I‘d definitely recommend to fellow bird nerds.

#NaturaLitsyBingo2023 #Birds

Just had a little cry upon finishing this magnificent family saga. I was moved. Loved it—all 715 pages!

Verghese visualized this story on a giant whiteboard over years of writing. See link in comments below for an article that includes photos. Kind of cool to see his process.

A couple of fun little library finds on my walk this morning! Tagged looks like a lovely middle grade read. And I loved A Judgement in Stone so much that I had to grab the Rendell.

Heartwarming middle grade graphic novel inspired by the true story of a 1976 high school girls‘ basketball team.

Good mystery! Really glad this was a pick for #GoldenAgeCrimeClub as Bowers was not on my radar. Loved our amateur sleuth, Miss Emma Betony, and the nursing home/boarding school setting. I also appreciated the humor and liked her “fair play” style, presenting all of the clues for the reader to work out.

#libraryhaul I know what we‘re watching tonight! I‘ve been eagerly anticipating the US dvd/streaming release of this movie. And Snyder‘s No Visible Bruises was so good. Look forward to trying her memoir.

“This is my life. I want for no other.”

I have to agree with Helen Macdonald, this book really is bloody marvelous. Beautifully written. Rebanks has such love for shepherding and the Lake District that has been home to his family for generations. Look forward to reading his follow-up, Pastoral Song.

This would work for several #NaturaLitsyBingo2023 prompts (memoir, mammals, landscapes), but given the structure, I‘ll use it for Seasons.

Rich and compelling historical fiction. Cadwallader is a scholar of women in the Middle Ages and it shows. The term anchoress is derived from a Greek verb meaning to withdraw. One might picture a quiet and solitary life. In actuality, these enclosed holy women played active roles within their communities. Dependent upon the villagers for their well-being, but inspiring and serving them in turn (women especially) through prayer and counsel. #NunLit

“At the age of sixty-one Emma Betony in a kindly light looked ten years younger.”

Excited to be starting our latest #GoldenAgeCrimeClub selection!

#FirstLineFridays

“I walked the length of my cell from the wall with two windows to my altar, counting my steps—nine paces; then across the narrower side, from my fireplace to my squint—seven paces. This would be my world.”

Ready for a good dose of #NunLit today. I‘ve been wanting to read this for years. Can‘t imagine (at age 17!) committing yourself to a cell that size for the rest of your days. And with the buried remains of the previous anchoress to boot!

Finished our May #NaturaLitsy read last night. Very good. Accessible, engaging writing and I learned a ton about these fascinating insects.

I didn‘t like this musical mystery quite as much as The Violin Conspiracy, but still enjoyed. An entertaining listen while cleaning and baking. Slocumb is so good at making me angry about the injustices his characters face.

That was a fun puzzle. More about working out the how than the who. My third Higashino (after Malice and Devotion of Suspect X) and I‘ll definitely be reading more. Really enjoy his style.

Watched this film the other night and it was wonderful. Understated and very moving. And Bill Nighy - wow! Incredible performance.

Screenplay by one of my favorite authors, Kazuo Ishiguro. Adapted from the 1952 Kurosawa film, Ikiru (which was inspired by tagged).

Tried a new recipe from tagged cookbook this morning - rhubarb graham muffins (link in comments). Really good!

Until now, the measure of years at Parambil has been Easter and Christmas, births and deaths, floods and drought. But 1933 is the year of Moby-Dick. Halfway through the book, Big Ammachi wants Philipose to ask Koshy Saar if this Moby-Dick isn‘t all made up. “It‘s entertaining. But isn‘t it one big lie? Ask him.”
Koshy Saar‘s response is indignant. “It‘s fiction! Fiction is the great lie that tells the truth about how the world lives!”

A nice, gentle read. The lives of three residents of the historic Blue Lion Hotel intersect in the months leading up to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. There‘s a light mystery and a bit of action, but mostly just an uplifting story about friendship and new beginnings. If you liked The Gown, I think you‘ll enjoy this.

Very moving and personal essay collection. The stand-out for me was his reflection on his horrific childhood experience of sexual abuse and the legacy of trauma. He was a wonderful writer. I look forward to reading more of his work. I listened to the audiobook and would recommend that format - excellent narration by James Naughton.

Quite enjoyed this. Loved getting the dynamics of this Scottish Border community and really enjoyed the humor throughout. Some great madcap scenes—Kate locking Andrew in the cupboard, Cousin Charlotte being mistaken for a “bundle of old clothes” while carried out of the window, stealing leeks, the missing dentures 😂. Sharp-tongued Mrs. Anstruther was a delight. I took issue with how Lucy was portrayed though and the whole “poor Andrew” bit.

Listening to this yesterday greatly improved my day of chores. Thank goodness for audiobooks!

I really enjoy Stradal‘s books. I find them warm and comforting as well as funny and touching. This might be my least favorite of the three, but still good. I‘ll definitely be reading whatever he writes next!

Our first six reads for #EuropaCollective! Thanks to everyone who helped with the selection process this week. It was so fun and I can‘t wait to read all of these with you!

SEPT23 Our Fathers - R. Wait
DEC23 A Novel Bookstore - L. Cossé
MAR24 The Postcard - A. Berest
JUN24 The Road to Dalton - S. Bowring
SEPT24 A Long Way From Verona - J. Gardam
DEC24 Belle Greene - A. Lapierre

I‘ll post reminders during the lead-up. All are welcome.

Okay #EuropaCollective, let the voting begin! I hope you haven‘t read either of these yet. I‘ve got back-up choices if you have.

Which of these would you most like to read in September? I‘ll add links to the Europa catalog in the comments.

If anyone plans to join us that I didn‘t tag, do let me know. All are welcome to read along with us!

#bookmail My IRL book club chose both of these for our June meeting. Should be a great discussion!

Grann is just so good! He really brings history alive. This is one tense and thrilling tale. I guess Scorsese and DiCaprio are teaming up yet again for the adaptation. If you have a few minutes, I highly recommend watching Grann‘s recent 60 Minutes profile (link in comments).

Another wonderful graphic memoir from Krosoczka. Have some tissues handy!

#bookmail A little crime haul. The Angel Makers is my most anticipated true crime release this year so far. Small Mercies is supposed to be one of Lehane‘s best so can‘t wait. Tagged is a debut that sounds right up my street. One of the blurbs on the back says “Like Tana French meets Ann Patchett.” Yes, please!

#BOTM delivery! I wasn‘t sure if I wanted to read the new Sittenfeld, but #CampLitsy decided for me. I haven‘t read Adams before, but sounds like it could be fun. I‘ve been hearing good things about Flora Lea and very excited for tagged since I really enjoyed Firekeeper‘s Daughter.

Loved this book! I was completely captivated from beginning to end. The story of rewilding the Knepp Estate is amazing, surprising and inspiring. Just signed-up for their newsletter so I can follow their projects going forward. #NaturaLitsy

I am just loving my year of Marple so far! This was my fourth. Impersonations abound and some of my favorite Miss Marple moments yet (the broom cupboard 😂). Looking forward to number five!

Excellent nonfiction about a forgotten chapter in American history. D.C. Stephenson was truly a vile human being. Unsettling to draw parallels to modern day. Audiobook was well done, narrated by the author.

✨COMING SOON✨ #EuropaCollective ✨SEPT✨

@Aimeesue and I were chatting about our love for Europa Editions and a new book club was born. Pictured are some that I‘ve already read and loved. We‘ve all got a lot on our readerly plates so planning on one low-key Europa group read every few months. Care to join us?

I‘ll post two options for September voting once we know who is interested. Aimee will do the same for December. All are welcome!

“She is twelve years old, and she will be married in the morning.”

#FirstLineFridays

Walked to the bookstore on my break this afternoon to get the Verghese. It is a beast! Can‘t wait though. Loved Cutting for Stone and I‘ve been hearing such good things about Covenant. My expectations are sky-high!

And, of course, couldn‘t manage to leave with just one. I thought Cooney‘s One Night Two Souls Went Walking was wonderful so excited for her newest (tagged). #bookhaul

Shubeik Lubeik means “your wish is my command.” In this graphic novel Mohamed imagines a world where wishes can be bought and are part of everyday life. Fun and thought-provoking.

This mystery sans murder is such an odd and fascinating story (inspired by a real life case from the 18th century). Definitely a pick for me! I was gripped and really enjoyed my time with this crime classic. I previously read and loved Daughter of Time so I see more Tey in my future. I own Miss Pym Disposes so will probably try that next.

#GoldenAgeCrimeClub

Saturday afternoon with tea and Tey. Looking forward to our #GoldenAgeCrimeClub discussion tomorrow!

Indie Bookstore Day #bookhaul Part 2

Forbidden Notebook sounds fantastic. It was originally published in an Italian magazine as a serial novel between December 1950 and June 1951. Death of a Bookseller sounds dark and funny and twisty. And I had to get tagged because it features a group of funny, fearless nuns. J. Courtney Sullivan says it is a total delight. I hope so!

Indie Bookstore Day #bookhaul Part 1

I was so surprised to see these in the shop today. Didn‘t think they‘d been released quite yet. I have high hopes for The Postcard, a beloved and acclaimed French novel. And so excited for tagged. I loved Bronsky‘s Baba Dunja‘s Last Love.

Oh, Demon. What a tale! I was in love with the first half of this chunkster, but wasn‘t quite as enamored from around the point where Demon starts high school. Still very good and incredibly powerful. Happy to see it on the #WomensPrize shortlist.

Glad I finally got around to this thoughtful essay collection. Turned out to be a good companion to my Demon Copperhead reading (though I think I‘m ready for a Kingsolver break). Some of these essays aged better than others (published in 2001), but overall a worthwhile read.

She touches on a myriad of topics so I‘m just going to use this as a free space for #NaturaLitsyBingo2023.

Lee looks back on their difficult high school years in this emotional graphic memoir. They share their mental health struggles and feelings of being an outsider as a Korean American teen in New Jersey. Beautiful black-and-white illustrations.

An interesting and rather academic look at the meaning of time. Why do we feel like time is scarce? Should time be a commodity? A clock is a tool, but not necessarily the only or best way to think about time. Our obsession with productivity (in the economy/industry at large, but also in our personal lives) is unfortunate and flawed. Slowness can be far more rewarding than speed. Adding her other book, How to Do Nothing, to my TBR.

2023 Edgar Award winners have been announced! Very happy that Tell Me Everything by Erika Krouse won the Best Fact Crime category. That was one of my favorite reads last year. Also enjoyed Notes on an Execution which won for Best Novel. Very interested in tagged which won Best Critical/Biographical. See link in comments for the full list.

I just learned we‘re getting this Christmas novella from Hallett in October! I thought The Appeal was really fun so I know what I‘ll be reading come December.

#WomensPrize shortlist! Very pleased to see four of my favorites there (Marriage Portrait, Black Butterflies, Trespasses and Demon Copperhead). Disappointed Wandering Souls didn‘t make it.

I guess the universe is telling me I should push on with tagged and get my hands on a copy of Fire Rush!

My favorites from the #WomensPrize longlist. So hard to land on just six! Bandit Queens, Homesick (US memoir mixed-media version) and Children of Paradise were also great reads.

Tagged is actually still in progress for me (almost done, loving it). Started Pod and considering bailing. Haven‘t tried Fire Rush yet as it was just released here in the US a few days ago. Will probably read if it advances.

Shortlist announcement Wednesday. Can‘t wait!

This was just what I needed. So nice to laugh! A crazy ride filled with offbeat, endearing characters. Really enjoyed.

#WomensPrize

I want to read pretty much everything my fellow campers have nominated so far (voting for #CampLitsy2023 is going to be impossible!), but I‘ll throw my six in the mix for fun. The four pictured because I already own them and am eager to get to them. I think all are repeat noms.

My fifth is a title out from Europa next month, The Postcard by Anne Berest. And my sixth is a new nonfiction title (tagged) that sounds excellent. I‘ll tag all six below.

Man, that was messed up. Poor kid. Glad she‘s working through her stuff.