The Huntress

The Huntress by Kate Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love books that take us places we haven't been before. Though "The Huntress" is historical fiction, it does not cover the same time periods and story lines we've read before. I loved everything from the title on through the characters Quinn created. Her repeated motif of lakes, dreams, and father-child relationships linked four very unlikely characters to each other in a way that culminated brilliantly in the end.

This book is probably a 4.5 stars for me, but some of the love affair details seemed forced and even unnecessary to me. Also, since it's a book that often takes place in a war zone, the language is rough.

All in all, very well told. I hope The Huntress gets picked up for a mini-series on Hulu or Prime. It would be perfect in that medium--

Happy reading and maybe, just maybe, stay away from the lake--

(Book 52 - 2019)

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This genre is far out of my usual, though Neil Gaiman's writing is so good that I almost forgot what strange tales he was spinning at times. Though I still wouldn't choose to read a book like this often, I am glad to have finally gotten this book off my overly full "to be read" shelf. Also, for the record, Gaiman is a fantastic reader. I had both the print and audio versions, and it was the audio version that finally helped me fall into the Ocean.

Happy reading and happy falling--

(Book 51 - 2019)

*I don't think this book is for everyone. It's dark and magical realism is too strange for some people's tastes.

Atomic Habits - Round One and Two

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book has the potential to be life changing. I loved Clear's approach to establishing and maintaining good habits in an effort to be the people we want to be. I liked it so much that I have not stopped talking about it, and I started it again the day after finishing. The library hold list for this is eighteen weeks, and I knew I didn't want to wait that long to revisit the ideas.

The basic premise is that small (aka atomic) changes are the way we actually create lasting habits in our lives. Too often, I am all or nothing or start big and peter out. One percent changes compounding over time are much more important.

I should acknowledge that the timing on this book was particularly serendipitous as I have been adopting getting up earlier, practicing daily yoga, not using social media as often, etc, etc. Clear fueled my motivation literally as I was out for runs and getting things in my house in order and figuratively as I laid out plans for the future.

Happy reading and happy habit building--

(Book 48 & 50 - 2019)

Ghosted

Ghosted by Rosie Walsh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I do not know where I had originally heard about this book, but generally if that is the case, Anne Bogel, also known as Modern Mrs. Darcy, is the inspiration. This book was deliciously unexpected. I didn't really know what it was about (though the title gives you some ideas), and so I fell into it head first and did not come up for air until I was done. This is probably only a three star book, but I was hooked and surprised over and over again. Intriguing, well told, and a perfect example of a book that is better the less you know about it.

Happy reading--

(Book 49 - 2019)

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Round 3

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

None of my library audiobook holds were in, so I looked at the "Available Now" section, and there was my much beloved Guernsey book waiting. I hadn't read the audio version before, and it was delightful. The characters are even more lovable, which I hadn't thought possible.

Happy reading and happy watching! The Netflix movie, though different, is really good--

(Book 47 - 2019)

The Power of Vulnerability...Again

The Power of Vulnerability: Teachings of Authenticity, Connections and Courage by Brené Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

May 31, 2019
Sometimes you just need Brene Brown to help make sense of life. I return to her work often to help reframe how I'm seeing certain situations or myself. So, so good and such powerful motivation to live more wholeheartedly.

Happy listening (this one is only available in audio format)--

(Book 46 - 2019)

What Alice Forgot - Round 5

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Five times in two and a half years. I think it's love. Happy reading--

(Book 45 - 2019)

The Dinner List

The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Clever concept and interesting construct between the dinner and flashbacks to the events that lead the main character, Sabrina, to having those people on her list. Not a perfect story, but engaging.

Of course, it leads you to think about who you would invite your own dream dinner party. I never really imagined people in my immediate circle as chosen guests, perhaps taking for granted that they would be there anyway. Jimmy Fallon and Tina Fey always make my list along with Michelle Obama and Jo Rowling. Now, I would add my newly beloved Kelly Corrigan....and the list could go on and on. Always fun to imagine and plan--

Happy reading and happy dreaming--

(Book 44 - 2019)

Cozy

Cozy: The Art of Arranging Yourself in the World by Isabel Gillies
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I shouldn't have finished this book. It's as simple as that.

The longer version is that I enjoyed books like "The Year of Living Danishly" so much that I thought there had to be something redeemable further along in the text. Not even kind of. Unfortunately this was something that would have been a charming blog post that instead became a full-length book. It was not well researched or founded on anything substantive other than the author's own personal whims.

I hesitate to say "do not read" because I know it takes a great deal of effort to create a book, but that would be my general commentary.

Still, happy reading and happy cozy living--

(Book 43 - 2019)

Off the Clock...Again

Off the Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done by Laura Vanderkam
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I didn't realize it had only been six months since I had read this book the first time, but it's totally worth it. Her reminders about intentionally allocating our hours and getting to the things that matter most are powerful and actually possible. What I especially appreciate about Vanderkam is that her ideas apply to readers in all stages of life. She pushes you to challenge your assumptions about how you are spending your time and your beliefs in what you can and cannot fit in. Just as great of a read my second time through.

Happy reading--

(Book 42 - 2019)

Eligible...Again

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I always think falling back into any world with Pemberley and the Bennett sisters is a good idea. Though Sittenfeld's modern day update makes many of the characters less likable than the original, I still thoroughly enjoy watching Mr. Darcy and Lizzie fall for each other along Mr. Bingley and Jane. Quality reread.

Happy reading and happy almost summer!

(Book 41 - 2019)

Juliet's School of Possibilities

Juliet's School of Possibilities: A Little Story about the Power of Priorities by Laura Vanderkam
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Morality tales are effective ways to apply the life lessons we read about it. Juliet's School is exactly that type of morality tale applying Vanderkam's lessons on seeing possibility in the way we spend our time. I will return to this book often because it's a good reminder that we always have a choice, even when things feels like an obligation.

Read it if you're looking for inspiration on how to find more hours in the day. After all, "I don’t have time’ means ‘It’s not a priority.’ We always have time for what matters to us.”

Happy reading and happy living--

(Book 40 - 2019)

ps. Thanks to Goodreads for the book!