When the Stars Go Dark

When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked this book up purely because of Paula McLain's previous work. I still think of her book, The Paris Wife, all the time. If I had known it was about kidnapping and the disappearances of girls, I'm not sure I would have read it. When Polly Klaas and her kidnapping wove into the other storylines, I was caught off-guard. That kidnapping and murder is one of my earliest memories of cruel and criminal behavior that I was aware of and following in the news with my parents. Polly's picture was posted in our church building and all over town. Thus, a book set in the Bay Area (which is normally so appealing to me) and Mendocino County with such a serious subject matter is not for everyone.

That said, McLain is a great writer. She handled a dark story well and managed to seamlessly shift between real and fictional details. I can't say that I recommend this book for all readers because it has so many potential triggers, but it's a powerful story, well told.

Happy reading--

ps. 4.5 stars

A Place for Us - Round Two

A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is still so good. This time through I was struck by how important it is to learn how to talk to each other. The more we share, especially in our closest relationships, the more rich our lives will be. One of my very favorite books.

Happy reading--

The Light of Days

The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler's Ghettos by Judy Batalion
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's not often that I pick up a World War II book that tells me something I haven't at least read a little something about. This book though and its stories of women resistance fighters in Hitler's Polish ghettos have so many details I've never encountered. Batalion did extensive research and her efforts show as she tries to tell of many exemplary young women who gave everything they had to helping their people.

This was not an easy book to read. It is VERY detailed and there are so many people to follow. I would recommend the physical book because I had a hard time keeping the characters straight while I listened to it. I know the physical book has list of how the people relate to each other in the front, and it would have been really helpful. I'm not sure I would recommend this book just because it is so hard to digest, and there are so many others to read. It would be great for someone wanting to do a deep dive into this particular moment in history.

Happy reading and happy kinder living--

The Year of Less

The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store by Cait Flanders
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Reading another book like this one may seem unecessary, but this was exactly what I needed on this particular reading day. I think a lot readers would find it underwhelming, but I really liked it. It is simple, honest advice about getting more out of life by having less.

Happy reading and happy simple living-

ps. 3.5 stars (seriously Goodreads - can we please have half stars?!)

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Round Two

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's been over a decade since I first read this book, and I was so glad for the chance to revisit such a a beautiful story.

ps. This is one of the rare books that I would say to read the physical book instead of the audiobook. I liked that experience better. 

The Rose Code

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was hooked at Bletchley Park - it's one of the most fascinating pieces of history to me. Mix in Quinn's deft handling of historical and fictional details, and this book took over a couple of my days. The Rose Code is well written, and the three women Quinn created are captivating and unique. Their personal details jumped off the page. I loved the whole thing.

I know it's long, but it's totally worth it. Happy reading and happy decoding--

ps. Prince Philip had died just a couple days before I started reading this book, so it was a little uncanny to have him feature as a prominent character.

pps. I think this is my favorite of Quinn's books so far, and I really liked her others!

A Rule Against Murder - Round Two

A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Still not my favorite of Penny's books - partially because Peter Morrow is my least favorite of the Three Pines characters, but still captivating. Fun reread.

Happy reading--

ps. Definitely more fun to do it this time on audio versus kindle.

Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake

Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Like a delicious piece of cake, I devoured Quindlen's book in a day. She's such a wise and articulate woman. I love the way she thinks and expresses herself. Great reflections on life and the passing of time. We really are so lucky to live long lives and shouldn't take a single day for granted - wrinkles and all.

Happy reading and happy cake eating--

ps. If you have not listened to her interview on Kelly Corrigan's podcast (Kelly Corrigan Wonders), you are missing out. It is excellent.

The Switch

The Switch by Beth O'Leary
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Beth O'Leary's books are delightful. The Switch isn't as good as The Flatshare, but you still can't help but root for her characters. In this book, O'Leary captures that feeling we all get of wanting to switch lives and try something different out for a while. Her characters - the Cotton women - get that chance. Both women seem like people you who might live next-door to you. That relatable quality is part of what makes O'Leary's books so good.

Happy reading and hope you can make your life more of what you want it to be--

The Cruelest Month - Round Two

The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wouldn't have thought that I would enjoy rereading these books, but while some of the details remain clear, I am still surprised by subtle layered details. This one has clever clever allusions to whether our younger selves ever really leave us and whether someone can be too nice. I also loved being able do audio this go around instead of reading on my phone. Happy reading!

Eat a Peach

Eat a Peach by David Chang
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Chef memoirs are so fun. I love diving into their details of ingredients and how they create their dishes and restaurants. David Chang's memoir was a little overhyped for me. I'd still recommend it, but it wasn't as captivating as I'd expected. Some of his summations about being a chef and restaurant owner are great and candor is admirable because he's not always been the easiest to be around. Now I wish I lived nearer his restaurants so I could go try his food.

Happy reading and happy eating--

ps. 3.5 stars

Love from A to Z

Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read this book because a friend recommended it, and I think I instinctively am still searching for books for students I no longer teach. I loved the concept of the main characters' marvel and oddity journals, and I appreciated that the main characters were observant Muslim teens. Their choices were not mocked, but respected at every turn. I liked that the book mainly took place in Doha, Qatar. I didn't love a couple of the story lines, but overall I would absolutely have passed this story on to some of my students.

Happy reading and happy searching for more marvels around you--

ps. 3.5 stars rounded down