Such a great book about navigating friendship, family and grief as a young teen. My 13 year old theater kid loved the setting of a summer theater camp. The musical the camp is putting on? Wicked! (Kudos to the publisher for excellent timing. 😁) Swinarski captures tween/teen voices so well. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Happy New Year to all who celebrate! 😁 We rang in 2025 with a Harry Potter marathon & homemade chicken soup, as both of my people are sick. 🥴 Hoping to start the tagged book later today. Here‘s to a fabulous new year!

The end of an era 🥹 My daughter and I have loved all of the time we spent with the Vanderbeekers this year. We‘re sad to say goodbye. Highly recommend this series.

1. I love both, but would probably go with spots if forced to choose.

2. My daughter & I are doing a read-aloud of the tagged book, which we borrowed from the library. ❤️ the Vanderbeekers ~ we‘re sad it‘s the final book in this series.
#two4tuesday

While I enjoyed sleuthing with Flavia and Dogger again, something was missing in this installment. I‘m curious to see how long Bradley continues this series, now that Flavia is growing up. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

A dysfunctional family story which is apparently a retelling of James‘ The Ambassadors, which I haven‘t read. I mostly enjoyed reading about the interplay between these characters who, although they are family, are essentially strangers, but end up wreaking all kinds of havoc in each other‘s lives.

1. Intelligent, chatty, doppelgänger (I am constantly approached by strangers who think I‘m someone they know)
2. Helpful, kind, fun
3. Ramona Quimby and Hermione Granger
If you‘d like to play, consider yourself tagged! ?
#WondrousWednesday

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I loved this fresh take on six mystics in the Christian tradition. In gorgeous prose, Shannon gets the reader thinking more deeply about issues such as autonomy, service, environmental justice, creativity, and the divine feminine. You definitely do not need to be Christian, though, or belong to any faith tradition to get something out of this book. Highly recommend.

A thought-provoking, challenging examination of the variety of reasons refugees become refugees, as well as the attitudes and expectations of the host countries. At times, the writing jumped around a bit, but I found the reading to be worthwhile.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Beatriz Williams is one of my favorite HF authors, and I always read at least one of her books every summer. This one did not disappoint- Cold War espionage, duty and burdens of family, & young love. Cracking good page-turner.

I loved this story of characters who personify each of the seven deadly vices, set in a Cornwall resort in 1947. Of course, highly unlikeable characters abound. 😆 You learn at the beginning that a landslide has occurred, & then go back in time for the week leading up to this event. Excellent exploration of human nature. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book about the final flight of the Hindenburg. Even though we know how the story ends, Lawhon manages to ramp up the tension while setting up a possible theory for how and why it happened.

I love Harlem Renaissance fiction, especially that written by female authors. This story takes place on Martha‘s Vineyard in August 1953 and explores the complex dynamics of Black upper class families during that time period. The writing was sharp and, at times, raw, and the characters very well drawn. If you enjoy Nella Larsen and Zora Neale Hurston, you‘ll likely enjoy Dorothy West.

Book fair time! Here‘s my haul. The selection was pretty decent this year, although it‘s definitely getting way more crowded (a lot of resellers, apparently).

My first purchase from Blackwell‘s! Isn‘t this cover gorgeous??
There‘s a blurb from Anita Brookner included in the inside flap: “Not only a romantic but an anarchist.” Alright, Ms. Brookner, you‘ve intrigued me. 👀

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Loved this on audio! The harrowing story of the rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a cave in Thailand. Also learned quite a bit about Thai culture and cave diving and exploration. Highly recommend.

Thanks for the tag!
1. Ashley Weaver, Beatriz Williams, Susan Meissner, Laura Hillenbrand, Tayari Jones
2. Probably historical fiction, but I can‘t choose one favorite. I‘ll go with Tiny Little Thing by Beatriz Williams for a favorite
3. I‘m pretty bad at completing series. I have managed to finish Ashley Weaver‘s first series, though, and I‘m caught up on her current one.
#wondrousWednesday

I haven‘t posted a #BookOutlet haul in a while. 😁 The top few are (mainly) for my 12 year-old, although I may read some of them before she gets around to it.

Eight years! Where does the time go?? Thanks to all for the many years of bookish goodness.

Ostensibly, the story of a short-lived punk duo told oral history style, mostly through interviews with the duo & many influential people in their lives. At its heart, though, this is Opal‘s story, especially how it intersects with the interviewer‘s story. I really enjoyed this one.

I love all things Nancy Mitford, so naturally had to pick up this historical fiction retelling of key parts of her adult life. This is a dual timeline book, with a bit of a mystery in the modern portions. A lovely, enjoyable read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I love Tayari Jones. Her exquisite writing and character development are in full force in this sad story of secrets and guilt, and how holding onto both has ripple effects throughout time.

Charming read that was perfect for Christmastide. 🎄Silva imagines Dickens‘ inspiration for writing A Christmas Carol. I listened to a small portion of the book and found the narration delightful.

This was an easy, end-of-the-year read centered around the titular family. At times, the plot and tone veer into almost farcical territory, but there‘s some sadness and deeper things, too. It may not be everyone‘s cup of tea, but I enjoyed it.

I realized I forgot to post a pic here of our new faux built-ins! My husband installed these over the course of a few months. Hopefully you can see the Christmas decorations we‘ve added for the season. ☺️

Even though I haven‘t yet read The Appeal yet, I thoroughly enjoyed this murder mystery epistolary novella. Hilarious plot twists & small town characters.

I am loving this cozy mystery series set in England during WWII. The characters are fun, and the plot and pacing are well done. The writing itself is also so good (not always common in cozies, in my experience 😬). Highly recommend.

This series is a sheer delight! These installments cover Betsy‘s freshman and sophomore years at Deep Valley High School, and all of the angst and excitement involved in coming of age. (Surprisingly, I don‘t find Betsy‘s angst annoying, unlike that of more modern protagonists. 😆) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I know I‘m a bit late to the party re: this title, but count me among those eagerly awaiting the next book. I loved the characters and Ross‘ writing style.

1. My daughter has beautiful weather this week for camp
2. Gorgeous blue skies
3. Getting together with family this Thanksgiving

Tagging anyone who would like to play! ❤️ #WondrousWednesday

That was a crazy ride that got bogged down at the end. A journalist fixated on an avante garde film director goes in search for evidence to support his belief that said director is evil. Is the occult involved? Is our perception of reality actually real? At the end, I‘m not sure I had any concrete answers, but maybe that was the point? #50in50

I love going apple picking and sitting around the fire pit.
Meh. 😐
The Fortune Hunter (Goodwin) and I Am, I Am, I Am (O‘Farrell)
@Eggs #wondrousWednesday

Fantastic HF exploring the life of Anne Morrow Lindbergh. She was a fascinating person in her own right, although she was usually overshadowed by her husband.
This was my first Melanie Benjamin novel. I found her writing to be quite excellent. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I had a delightful time getting to know sisters Belinda and Harriet as well as all the characters in their English village. Pym understands human nature so well. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Perkins encourages adult readers to explore several children‘s classics for inspiration in living a better life. She also tackles the problematic aspects of many of these novels, & includes suggestions on how to address these issues with young readers. #50in50

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Bittersweet story of two middle-aged women suddenly finding themselves agreeing to pilot an elderly lady‘s narrowboat for the summer. They are all at a crossroads in their lives, & take this time to figure out their next steps. #50in50

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Such a unique & thought-provoking read. Fantastical elements of Other Worlds and magic, but also an exploration of philosophy, faith, and reason. I honestly wasn‘t sure what was happening during a lot of the book, but I think maybe that was the point? Regardless, I enjoyed every minute of it. #50in50

I purchased this ebook years ago, based solely on the setting of the Biltmore Mansion. I wasn‘t sure what I expected, but MG gothic horror was not on my radar. The writing and story-lines were okay, but definitely not my taste. #50in50

Brookner‘s at times poignant but usually scathing prose brilliantly tells this tale of a spinster just trying to be a person, whilst she endures the judgment of those around her. My 3rd Brookner to date, and I‘ve loved them all. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #50in50

My final 😔 Book Depository order arrived a few days ago. I believe the tagged was a previous #Furrowedmiddlebrow group pick. The other I chose mainly for the cover, although I do love E.M. Delafield. #buybuyBookDepository
And the bookmarks are adorable!

Charming and delightful! Loved spending time with Julia and Paul during their adventures in France. Perfect springtime read. #50in50

(Catching up on my #50in50 reviews!) Gritty, occasionally bleak, well-told story of a man‘s rise from rural poverty to becoming financially successful in “rising Asia.” Hamid uses the conceit of a self-help book to weave his tale.
I like how Hamid tries different styles & techniques in his books. So far, they‘ve all worked for me. 😁

I loved this sweeping, well-written, complex multi-character study of a Yorkshire town and its inhabitants. Love, loss, vice, virtue - Holtby covers it all and then some. I enjoyed my time with these characters. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #50in50

Thoughtful, bittersweet stories of people traveling through time for one last conversation with a loved one. I love Kawaguchi‘s style and the way he makes me think. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #50in50

A charming story of two young girls, Harriet & Lalla, navigating the ups & downs of competitive skating and friendship. Streatfeild‘s writing is lovely, and her humor is dry and witty. My daughter & I read this one together, and she currently places this one on her top-5. ☺️ #50in50

A dual timeline historical fiction following two women struggling with grief after losing loved ones in the Triangle Shirtwaist fire and 9/11, respectively. The earlier heroine‘s story features more prominently, and we learn a lot about the hospital on Ellis Island. Meissner‘s character development is very well done, and I love her writing style. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (50-in-50)

Enjoyable and easy to read story of a Southern family with magical abilities. Difficult issues, including domestic violence, are addressed, so definitely not a fluffy book, but still hopeful.
This is another of my “50 for 50” challenge books.

I made a reading challenge for myself as I turned 50 this year - to read 50 books from my shelves I‘ve been meaning to read. I‘m also hoping to review each of them and get back into that habit.
The first book I finished from my list is tagged. It actually contains two novellas, the titular one & “Moonlight Shadow.” Both concern how we work through grief, particularly young people. Lovely writing & insights into human nature. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

1. No traveling for us.
2. It‘s not expected to snow on Christmas Day, but we‘re supposed to get snow on Thursday, followed by frigid temperatures, so the snow will stick around until Christmas. ❄️🎄
#TwoforTuesday

1. Peppermint mocha
2. I‘m not sure I can pick just one. I love Christmas music! Some favorites are Winter Wonderland (Andrews Sisters version), O Come O Come Emmanuel, & Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
#Two4Tuesday
@TheSpineView