November wrap up. Only 5 books completed this month. Blame it on the chunksters!
2 Women Authors
2 Translations
3 Chunksters

Last night, I watched the Random House virtual book launch of Brene Brown‘s new book. The book is gorgeous, and I am going to savor it! Took notes last night. Thankful for my local bookstore Main Point Books in Wayne, PA for offering this opportunity to the community.

Written around 1400,this is definitely the oldest book that I have read this year. It is a poem that describes a quest that Sir Gawain of King Arthur‘s Round table accepts at a Christmas celebration. An emerald skinned giant dressed in green enters the castle and makes a strange request. Violent hunting scenes did disturb me. A mystery. An adventure.Part romance.Part morality tale of the time with some added magic.
#childrensclassicread2021⬇️

Starting Book Club #2 reading selection.
Starting with Hoopla audio and just received notification that the actual book is ready for me at the Library! 🎧 📚👏🏻

Happy for two reasons:
1. I finished this book in time for Book Club.
2. I read another book from my TBR shelves.

Winning the Pulitzer Prize in 2003, it is a family saga of an immigrant Greek family. My expectations were high. The buzz for this book was about the narrator,Calliope who is a hermaphrodite.
The majority of the book follows the story of Calliope‘s grandparents, and parents. I found that part the most interesting. ⬇️

I visited the Jasper Johns exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It was inspiring.

I spotted a staff member sitting by an open display of a large book. On closer inspection, it was an opportunity to put on gloves, and actually turn the pages in this valuable book. Well, I have seen this done in the movies, but had not had the experience myself. I stood in line, and now I can check it off my list!

This book was chosen for a One Book Community Read. My Book Club always reads the annual choice. This year, the author is a resident of the town. There were so many reserves for this book, that I did not receive it until weeks after our meeting. Decided to read it anyway. #bookclubpick

@Cinfhen You will recognize the Library! 😉

I did not finish this 600+ page book in time for Book Club discussion, but I persevered and am glad that I did. Another WW2 Codebreakers saga was not of interest to me, but this turned out to be so much more than that. It was a story of female friendship, and the question will the friendship still be honored,even if a friend‘s conduct has hurt you deeply. I also loved the detailed descriptions of the fabulous wardrobes these women wore.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Club read. Using a combination of audio and printed book to expedite my read. This strategy is more enjoyable(when it is possible) than reading a book on audio and a different printed book. I am always using both formats. Also thrilled because this has been on my shelves for way too long! #mttbr

Thanks to @Soubhiville and the #authoramonth challenge, I have finished my first Carlos Ruiz Zafón book, just in time! He is a fantastic storyteller! This story is for book lovers everywhere! Dan Steven‘s narration was perfect, but I know that I missed information not having it in print. I was moved by certain passages about books, and would have shared. Barcelona came alive for me! Struggling writer,bookshop haven,love triangle,demon,cinematic.

I am fascinated by this woman- Marchesa Casati. #bookmail

This is my first completed book for November, a carryover from witchy October. I was introduced to this on Litsy, and the title was intriguing. At first, this story of a 74 year old woman, a mother of three, was not capturing my attention. Thought it might be the time(1618) or the place(Germany). Slowly as I continued, it struck me how easy it is for people to spread rumors, and how difficult it is to explain the truth. Based on a true story.

I read this historical crime novel in October,and it was ideal for the season. Critics have called it Dickensian, and it brilliantly evokes the sights and sounds of neo-Victorian London. Two orphaned heroines, one who lives with a group of thieves(fingersmiths) and one who lives with her rich uncle and helps him with his rare books,are brought together by a plan to steal the fortune. A thriller with an unexpected turn around every corner! 4.5 ⭐️‘s

My completed October Bingo Card, and my first Bingo since I joined the challenge!
@TheAromaofBooks #bookspinbingo

My list for November #bookspinbingo
IRL Book Club reads. Litsy challenges. Nonfiction November. Some carryover from previous months. And books that friends have given me.
@TheAromaofBooks

Started a new audiobook for #authoramonth @Soubhiville

Enjoying the narration by Dan Stevens #blameitonlitsy

Thank you @Eggs for the tag!

1. Screamathon
2. None for November. Working on reading those divine piles of #TBR books! But the new ones from Amor Towles and Anthony Doerr keep tempting me!

@TheSpineView

Just wrapped up my final read for the month as I await the Trick or Treaters. A perfect Halloween read. Libby was seven years old when she escaped “The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas”. Her mother and two sisters were violently murdered in their farm house. Her brother Ben was found guilty. Decades have passed, and Libby visits her brother in prison. Uncertain of his guilt, she begins an investigation. Well written, suspenseful. disturbing.

New audio book + physical book. Goal to finish another Halloweenish book for October.

Jamie has seen dead people since he was a child. He has told his mother and it is their secret, until it isn‘t. That‘s when the trouble starts. The audio is well done! Quick pace. Holds your interest.
I know the Litsy community loves Stephen King, so when someone posted about this shorter than usual book, I decided to give it a try. Not fond of the ending, but the story was a thrill ride, and perfect for the season! #blameitonlitsy

My latest audiobook. #blameitonlitsy

This was a page turner, and perfect for the season! My first Ruth Ware, and there are two more waiting on my shelves. All the action takes place at a “hen” (which seems to be the same as a bachelorette party for the bride-to-be) in a large, modern home in the woods of England, surrounded by glass. What happens is sinister. The ending was not strong for me.

Trying to fit in another scary read for this festive season! 😱 #mttbr

First in a series of paranormal mysteries that was free on Kindle a few weeks ago. I scooped it up in preparation for October themed reading. Reads like a cozy. A bit of a mashup of Jane Austen and Buffy the Vampire slayer. Entertaining.

New Book Club pick. Not in the mood for a chunkster nor yet another book about women codebreakers. We‘ll see. Not my choice. 🤷🏼‍♀️

I enjoyed reading this classic children‘s book which remained in print for more than forty years! The illustrator, Helen Stone, studied in New York and Paris and received two Caldecott Honor Book citations. This fantasy is one of my favorites: a group of elves helping with the preparation of meals.
This book satisfied my desire to read seasonally, but without the violence and gore. #childrensclassicread2021 @TheBookHippie

This is a picture of UC Berkeley. It is the setting for much of the book. Two women are trying to disappear because they are frightened by their current situations. They do not know each other, but are willing to take a chance and switch their itineraries. Fast paced page turner. Finally finished my last Summer Read for IRL Book Club. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Starting a fun Halloween read that was a freebie on Amazon! I do love the title!

This book has been on my #TBR stacks for way too long! Using the double up method (audio + book) to wrap it up!

Started this for September‘s #authoramonth, but finished it in October. 🤷🏼‍♀️ It has scary vibes, so it actually felt like a seasonal read. Sometimes referred to as a modern “Wuthering Heights”, the intense attraction that March Murray and Hollis experience is horrible to watch. @Soubhiville

I was looking for a book to read with my adult ESL student, so I asked a librarian for some help. She showed me the Newberry Award section, and this looked like it would work. Based on a true story, an eight year old girl goes with her father to cook for him while he builds a house in the the wilds of Connecticut. Written in 1954, the writing is spare and portrays the relationship between white settlers and the Native Americans.
Controversial⬇️

Reading before sleep. IRL Summer Book Club pick that I didn‘t finish in time for the meeting, but continued to renew!

Thanks to @Eggs for bringing this book to my attention! I listened to it on Hoopla. It was quick because it is an introduction to V. E. Schwab‘s book “Viscious”. It is eerie, and I look forward to reading what comes next! Wanted to make sure that I fit at least one in for #authorsmonth! @Soubhiville

It has finally happened! I am ordering books in my sleep! This just arrived from a bookstore in Arizona, and I swear that I did NOT order it! Never even heard of this author, but the good thing is the cover says she is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author! However, there is an enclosed receipt with my name on it, and charged to my PayPal account. 🤔🤪📚 #bookshoppinginmysleep

I absolutely loved this book! About a month ago or so, I was privileged to attend a Zoom interview with the author. At the time, I knew I was going to read this very popular book about William Shakespeare and his family. What I did not know is that I would fall in love with Shakespeare‘s wife, Agnes.
Gorgeous writing that transports you to another time and place. Audio was excellent. I combined the audio with the printed book.

September‘s completed #bookspinbingo board! Still no Bingo! 🤷🏼‍♀️
But I did finish my #bookspin, and a total of nine books!
@TheAromaofBooks

Better late than never, right? Here is my October #bookspinbingo list. Some carry overs from September. Lots of spooky selections too. Now to make the bingo card! @TheAromaofBooks

Just picked up the book for #childrensclassicread2021! Perfect choice @TheBookHippie

This was my final read for September. I am a fan of Oscar Wilde, and was so surprised that he had written a children‘s book. Even more surprising was the ending of this book! #childrensclassicread2021 September
@TheBookHippie

This is a photograph of Rittenhouse Square, often mentioned in this book. When I first moved to Philadelphia, I lived “on the Square”. Cornelia ,a young woman who is not sure where she is going loves Classic Movies,particularly Cary Grant,Literature, Vintage,and her family. She meets Martin. I thought this was going to be a sweet Hallmark movie like read. Instead,it took a serious turn and addressed mental health issues impact on the family.

This small book was recommended to me by a dear friend. It brings me peace when I read it. In the back of the book are directions for very simple meditations to use for a daily practice. Although I have completed the book, I plan to keep this on my nightstand, and to choose a page before sleeping for reflection.

I did not enjoy reading this book,but I appreciate the author‘s skill in portraying the feelings of a young man born in Vietnam to a Vietnamese mother and a French Catholic priest,as he navigates life in Paris. It is the follow up to the Pulitzer Prize winning,The Sympathizer,which I did not read. On the surface, it is about gangsters, drug deals, prostitutes, communists, and gross behavior, but underneath,it is a book of philosophy.Not for me.

Finally, starting my Alice Hoffman read for #authoramonth! @Soubhiville

This was my first read for @TheBookHippie readalong of #childrensclassicsread. This was so much fun! I was not familiar with this book, although I have read one of the author‘s adult books. The story was all fantasy, and I loved it. It made me feel like a small child reading at night under the covers. Loved the detailed clothing descriptions, the fanciful character names,the vintage writing and Maria‘s bravery and people skills!

Very well, young Mistress,said Marmaduke. Mulled claret goes well with afternoon tea. And then laying down the apple at which he was daintily nibbling, and with the fire of inspiration suddenly lighting up his whole face, he murmured under his breath, Plum cake. Saffron cake. Cherry cake. Iced fairy cakes. Eclairs. Gingerbread. Meringues. Syllabus. Almond fingers. Rock cakes. Chocolate drops. Parkin.Cream horns. Devonshire splits. Cornish pastry⬇️

“The American Way of Life! Eat too much, work too much, READ TOO LITTLE, think even less, and die in poverty and insecurity.”

Of course, this does not apply to Littens!

Times running out for this Book Club pick! Can not renew because someone is waiting! Do you know that feeling? Luckily, I found a real book copy at the Library!

An American woman is found at a London park dressed in a French VAD(Voluntary Aid Detachment)uniform. She is extremely weak and has lost her memory. Stella discovers that her life is complicated. Themes: the rights of women, mental health, marriage. With the back drop of World War I, the setting moves from Europe to America and back. Ultimately, a story of memory and love.
Scored low in believability, but high in fierce woman category. #bookclub

I bought this book at a Library sale because of the setting, Philadelphia (my home town). It has been sitting on my shelves for a very long time. When I was choosing books for this month‘s #bookspinbingo, that autumnal cover called! Happy to find the audio on Hoopla. Now I can listen or read depending on my plans.

My daughter recommended this book, and I‘m glad that she did. The author is a relationship therapist, and an Instagram influencer. This book exposed me to new ways of thinking and gave me insight into my daughter‘s reading. Not certain if I agree 100% with everything, but I do know that it is important to stand up for what you need to feel at peace.