So far the book is as riveting as Jackson‘s work.

Super excited to start this

Started reading this yesterday in an unexpected errand because it was the only thing available… and so far I‘m not sad I did. It has been quite a pleasant serendipity.

Cannot believed I have lived this long without ever having encountered Lorde.

This should be interesting.

Starting this today; hope it lives up to the possibilities.

Haven‘t read this since high school

Looking forward to a great afternoon.

Spending my (second COVID shot) recovery day with what I hope is a good book.

This book is beautifully written, but at the half way mark I am struggling to make time to read it... I hope it picks up soon.

Looking forward to starting this.

A little light reading.

Came across this in Powell‘s just shortly before the world shut down, I couldn‘t resist. So far it is inventive, clever, and unique...quite frankly I am loving it. Hope that continues to hold true.

In the end I enjoyed this book, but was also disappointed by it. It was well written, impeccably researched and interesting to read....but unfortunately it was mostly about the people who Austen knew. In fact by my guess Jane only appeared on about 25% of the pages, if that. And while I know that this was because far more is known about those who surrounded Austen rather than about herself, I bought the book to read and learn about Jane Austen.

After having enjoyed Jane‘s work for years and recently having exposed my daughter to the BBC‘s Pride and Prejudice miniseries, and so doing created an addict, I thought perhaps it was time to learn more about the author herself. So far this biography is fabulous!!

So far this is pretty meh. I knew I should have run the other way when I heard it compared to Harry Potter.... because it is so far off that mark it isn‘t even funny.

Oops. I meant to post this one. Not Life Among the Savages. I am on day 12 at home with 4 kids in 1500 square feet. My mind is not what it once was. Lol.

And now for something completely different...

I really, I mean REALLY, wanted to like, no, LOVE this book. But in the end I found the constant cutting back and forth between stories, storylines, and perspectives to detract from the experience. I was never able to immerse myself in this wonderful world. There were also long stretches of time where nothing really happened and the plot was set adrift upon the starless sea. 😞

Finished this yesterday I liked it, I didn‘t love it. I felt it became overly detailed in some of the studio issues with Buffy, and glossed over other events. However, over all it was fair and largely enjoyable. (The Nancy Drew bookmark is a reference to a humorous story about a fight Joss and his wife had surrounding a bag of found ND books they were reading together, and she finished while he was sleeping.) It is a fun read if you are a fan.

I cannot find a record of this on Litsy, which for some reason, makes me even more excited to read it.

Excellent collection of ancient fables and modern folk tales. Stores are included from both before and after the Spanish arrived.

This was a nice collection of ancient fables and modern folk tales. It is also an excellent example of how dramatically the culture of Mexico changed after the arrival of the Spaniards.

I like to take the dust jackets off when I read because I‘d find them distracting; they always slip and slide around when I am trying to read laying down. Usually the unwrapping removes nothing other than a plane cover, but every once in a while there is a surprise laying in wait.

Stories spanning 1500 years from traditional stories of natives before Columbus, Spanish colonists, and later....

Something that has been on my tbr pile for over 12 years...

My parents brought this back from their trip. The illustrations are absolutely breathtaking. I was amazed by how similar some of the old folk tales to those collected in Germany by the Grimm brothers.

Entertaining and easy to read, yet still well written and even insightful at times. Definitely worth reading if you enjoy, as I do, spending hours in a second hand bookshop. It was refreshing to read a bookstore memoir that didn‘t read like the before portion of Kitchen Nightmares, I.e Shaun actually knows what he is doing most of the time.

Really enjoyed this. Very thought provoking; going to be thinking about it for quite a while.

Been looking forward to reading this for a while. I think it may be just what I need right now.

I actually liked this book, but I think I could have loved it if it were just a little more... More what, I really cannot say, just more will have to suffice. It was cute and quick and light hearted....but.... it really had the potential to be so much....more.

So far, it reads like a B level French film. It is cute, but not altogether satisfying.

I have been having a run of bad luck with the titles I have been reading later. Nothing terrible, but nothin that really grabs me either. I need something I know I will like. And I have been saving this little beauty for just such an occasion.

A little down time is in order, finally, as this first week of school draws to a close.

And now for something completely different.

Because all good things come in threes...

The view from my window this morning. #countryliving #pnw

Might as well read the rest of the series...

Need something lighter and less real life. Rereading an old favorite.

In the end I am glad I read this book. It was compelling in its telling, informative, and believable. I love how Díaz creates a whole family history. But what surprised me was the way the narrative is woven and told from a reserved distance; the reader is protected from some of the sadness of the story. We are hearing about tragedy, but somehow are able to take it in stride not because it isn‘t sad but rather because it is just the way it is.

ay the half way point this book is best described as Intriguing. I love how Díaz has created an entire family for us, and has taken the time to footnote individuals and events important to Dominican history, of which I sadly know very little.

Still wondering who the narrator is but love all of the Lord of the Rings and fantasy references.

So far, I like it, But see neither why people LOVE or HATE it. It is interesting to be sure, and compelling... and for me that is enough.

Continuing on to book two.

Revisiting an old friend, and taking notes for a blog entry later.

Enjoying the book as much the second time, if not more.

But each page is a reminder of what can go wrong when you loan books. (This book was in pristine condition when I loaned it. It came home like this, with dog eared pages, torn cover, and actual chunks missing from the edges. Water damage and burn marks are the only thing missing. )

How is possible that I have only JUST discovered Shirley Jackson?!

#IHateMovieCoversOnBooks

This book was not bad, it just wasn‘t for me.

To be honest I found it painful.

Like a train wreck, one is compelled to look, despite the carnage and pain, and despite not wanting to look at all finds it impossible to look away....Wanting to know how it ends, hoping everything works out, but knowing it cannot.

Well written, and psychologically accurate. But not for me. It hurt too much to enjoy it.

This may be the single best collection of short stories I have ever read. Berlin is raw in her honestly, stark in her truth, and tender in her treatment of brutal situations. She never turns away, or sugar coats things, even if the result of this decision is that it may not always paint a flattering picture of her protagonist/self. And yet she does all of this without ever being bitter. Truly amazing. I am in awe of her talent and humbleness.

Starting this on the recommendation of my cousin, the same one who introduced me to the awe inspiring, brilliant, Lucia Berlin....so expectations are pretty high. 😋

In the end this book was pretty ok. I found my mind drifting off a lot of the time, not because it was not holding my attention, but rather because it reminded me of people and places and conversations long since past. Unfortunately because I thought this was a collection of essays she didn‘t have time to write, but did anyway and was Instead of an author‘s idea notebook of partially fleshed out ideas, I was a little disappointed.