Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow

Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica  Townsend
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So clever! I thought I liked the first one and didn't realize I would be so excited when this one was available from my library. I think Townsend really found her footing in this book, and I think this one was even better than the first book in the series...which is rare. There's so many fantastical details that my mind can't settle on which I'd most like to experience, but I would gladly book a room at the Hotel Deucalion. Can't wait for the third one in the series to come out in August!

Happy reading--

Code Name Helene

Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A friend gifted me this audiobook to keep me company as I unpacked from our move. It certainly made the hours pass by more quickly as I fell into Nancy Wake's world of espionage and battle. When I started, I did not know that Nancy Wake was a real person. While Lawhon has taken her own creative license in telling Wake's story, she has done a great job maintaining the essence of what Wake accomplished in her years as a spy. I love how Lawhon structured her story - moving through time and the various aliases that Wake used to accomplish her various missions. Powerful and captivating to be sure--

Happy reading-

ps. Make sure you read Lawhon's commentary that she includes at the end of the book. She details where she fabricated characters and/or events and what she kept factual...but don't read it until after you've read the book because there are some pretty major spoilers.

The Nightingale - Round Two

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I came back to this book because I heard that the audiobook was fantastic, and the book is being made into a movie with Dakota and Elle Fanning. I liked it even more the second time. I also wanted to read more about Isabelle's attempts to move soldiers through the Pyrenees after reading other stories and accounts of others who made that fateful trek. Such a good book!

Since it called me back, I am bumping it up to a five star read....still more of 4.5, but alas - still no half stars.

The German Heiress

The German Heiress by Anika Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am constantly checking my library's new audiobook selections. Between the title, the cover and the genre, I decided this book should probably go on to my "holds list". It wasn't amazing, but it was solidly good. I was engaged and moved through it really quickly. It doesn't hurt that I was unpacking endless stacks of boxes.

Just as the last couple years have seemed to have lots of books related to World War female spies, a number of new books have seemed to center around the German experience during World War II. The German Heiress has good balance of fascinating story telling while also weaving in the well known time period details.

I don't think it's quite a 4 star book, but I finished it in two days, so it deserves the bump.

Happy reading--

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica  Townsend
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I don't often pick up middle grade books, and despite my love for Harry Potter, I rarely pick up fantasy books. Still I totally fell in love with Morrigan Crow and the eclectic characters that populate her world. Townsend has done a really good job creating an interesting world that is accessible both to young and adult readers. This book especially seems like a good read-aloud for a parent and child. Looking forward to the next one for sure.

Happy reading and happy enchanted living--

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I hadn't picked this book up since I was a kid, so it was really fun to revisit this title. It wasn't quite as brilliant as I remember, but I still think it will be a great read-aloud when my kids are older. The idea of running away to a museum was wildly appealing to me when I was younger. Now I think I'd want to figure out how to go straight to Mrs. Frankweiler's house. It's a bit more luxurious. :)

ps. The note from E.L. Konigsburg at the end was fascinating. I didn't realize how old this book was.

In Five Years

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Rebecca Serle wins at coming up with fantastic book premises. Her book concepts are so intriguing that I pick them up without thinking twice. It's the execution that is less than ideal. I liked this book, and I will read another Serle book when she comes out with one. However, her characters are underdeveloped and the conflicts sometimes too simplistic. So while the book lingers with me because of how interesting the book premise is, I'm left wanting - like eating whipped cream or marshmallows. It's just incomplete.

Happy reading though. I'd love to hear what you think of this one.

And Then There Were None

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think I underestimate how much an effect Christie has had on mystery writing. Falling into her stories is to see her fingerprints on so many other writers' novels and plays. I think I saw this performed ten years ago when my grad school school professor was a part of the cast - thankfully I didn't actually remember all the plot twists (I wasn't getting much sleep then). Sometimes I wish Christie wrote more sympathetic characters or let us follow a smaller set of characters, but who I am to question the great Ms. Christie? Totally worth a read and now I'm hoping for an updated movie version....

Happy reading--

Cilka's Journey

Cilka's Journey by Heather   Morris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'll be honest and say that I did not love the writing in the original "The Tattooist of Auschwitz", though the true experiences of those survivors is remarkable - but when I heard about "Cilka's Journey", I didn't initially realize the two stories were connected. That said, this book is better written and works well as a follow-up read or a stand alone read.

Full disclosure that Cilka's story is based on her life and is gut-wrenching over and over again. Morris does not hide away from grim realities and occasionally, I couldn't believe I was subjecting myself to such a heavy story. The untold stories of real life survivors like Cilka - fictionalized or not - really do need to be told. We can be better to each other. There's just no excuse for what happened to the men and women in Cilka's camps.

I'd say happy reading, but it's not quite that type of book....

ps. I think I will always associate this book with taking Hudson on walks through Alpine neighborhoods. 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone...Again, Again

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

April 6, 2020
As the chaos of quarantined life descended, it's no surprise that I retreated into Rowling's world once again. Harry's motherless life hit me more this time through and also the concept that Harry's greatest desire was to be surrounded by family who loved him. It's the most fundamental of needs. Rowling's ability to capture that along with all the magic is just one of the many reasons I love these books.

Happy reading--

Letter to My Daughter

Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having Maya Angelou in your ears is a gift. She was so wise and gifted with words. I love hearing her thoughts and insights on life and becoming the best version of yourself.

In this hard time, I think of often her words to "Still I rise" - while our pandemic experiences do not reflect the actual content of her poem, I think the idea that we need to rise despite getting bombarded with repeated obstacles is applicable.

Happy reading and happy living-- We can, as Maya reminds us, be better.

Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life - Round Three

Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lately I've just felt like the world needed more Amy Krouse Rosenthal. She was honest and real and believed little acts of kindness and connection were everything. Finding her again was exactly what my quarantined heart needed. If you've never read her, now is the time.

If you need an additional reason to become a fan of Amy, know that she and John Green were great friends. He quoted her at a reading I heard him do, and I still think of his comments regularly. It still hurts my heart that she died so young. We missed out on more great years of her thoughts.

Happy reading-