Britt-Marie Was Here

Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My feelings about this book could not be put down in ink, something that Britt-Marie would very much understand. They are too mixed to lean towards being in love with this book. There were whole chunks where I wondered what was happening and others where I was just hoping they'd move on and stop telling us about her bicarbonate of soda. That said, Backman's characters end up being so loveable. There are some amazing plot twists as the story progresses (something I would have doubted based on the slow beginning) and a fully satisfying, yet still surprising ending. If you do read it, you'll appreciate how much I adore Sven and Sammy. Backman has a way of tugging on your heart with the unlikeliest of characters, and so despite the pacing issues, I'll be back for more of his writing very soon.

Happy reading--

*For at least the tenth time this year, this one would be a solid 3.5. Goodreads - you are fully capable of letting us do half star reviews. I promise that your algorithms and averages will not be that hard to adjust.

The War that Saved My Life

The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was just wonderful. I love the characters, the message, and the way that it introduced characters that were not just another version of a character I've read about before. I'd love to introduce the tenacious Ada to a daughter someday. She has something in her of a Laura Ingalls Wilder or Jo March, and we know how I feel about those two.

Honestly, telling you more of the plot won't help hook you. The writing  and title alone will do that. The only thing you might care to know is that this is on the younger end of young adult fiction, sometimes referred to as middle grade. For some, I know that's a deal breaker, but I thoroughly enjoyed it regardless of the younger characters.

Anywho - happy reading and happy fall. We are on the edge of perfect reading weather. Cannot wait--

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was perfectly delightful - the details were clever and the writing also whimsical without ever losing hold of the story that was being told. I've enjoyed Zevin's young adult fiction, but this may actually be my favorite of her works so far. Her twists were unexpected and yet not jarring. I loved getting lost in Island Books and imagining A.J. and Maya's simple life. Subtle similarities to "Me Before You" without the same devastation - just similar quirky, honest, and loveable characters. Hope you love it too-

Happy reading--

ps. Probably a 4.5 stars but not quite the wonderment of a 5.

The Year of Living Danishly

The Year of Living Danishly: My Twelve Months Unearthing the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country by Helen Russell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My bags are packed, and now I just need to convince my husband it's time to move to Denmark. Okay, maybe that's a tad dramatic, but I can't tell you how many times I considered an out-of-country move during this book. I love the idea of pausing the chaos and just focusing on a few essentials. Russell's snark and topical research are well blended throughout her narrative. The fertility details also hit close to home. Without question, a great read especially if you've fantasized about moving to Europe at any point in your life.

Happy reading and happy Danish living--

ps. The Audible version of this is delightful. Any way you read it, you can't lose.

Rewind and Redo

The idea that we've been living in fear since 9/11 felt acutely true today when the news of the Las Vegas shooting appeared in my daily news summation email from the New York Times. I'm just sick about it. I don't know anyone who was there, though a past Dougherty student was shot and is in serious condition. My friend's friend broke her ankle trying to get away. None of those experiences are directly mine, but I am still so sad.

We also got district press release today that there have been threats made on two of the neighboring high schools. Besides the death of my loved ones, a school shooting is my greatest fear. Columbine and ten years in the classroom were a sure way to cement that. Though the threats are most likely the poor choices of bored teenagers, they will haunt my dreams and make me anxious all day tomorrow.

Seth and I are working tirelessly to bring children into this world, and I want so desperately to give them a hopeful existence. It's hard to imagine that today. Praying extra for light and love to win the day.

Reviewless Week

Since starting this school year, I have managed to finish at least one book a week. This week, I didn't. Lots of reasons why, but I surprised by how disappointed I was in myself for not finishing anything. Obviously, this is not a real problem, but it was a good example to me of putting unnecessary expectations on myself. Yes, I have the goal to read more. Yes, I am happier when I make reading a priority, but finishing the book cannot be the only satisfaction I get out of the process. And measuring myself against other people's reading pace cannot be a marker for success, either in support of what I'm doing or against.

I read recently in one of my Brene Brown books that expectations are resentments in the making. That's a tricky thing to say since expectations (which often lead to the goals I set for myself) can sometimes give us something to strive for, but I have been on a quest in recent years to not be defined by external markers. In living authentically, I don't want to use comparison to find my standard of living.

I'm not sure this is making any sense, but I wanted to write and had no book review to write. So, here it is.

Happy October. I'm so glad the fall is really is here.