tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75707095600381765662024-02-02T08:22:21.451-08:00Random Rambling by JaclynThis started out as my blog about all things random: condiments, Gilmore Girls, books, and dreams. It's still pretty random. I still love ketchup and still dream of living in Stars Hollow, but now I mostly write about books, my sweetheart, and our son. Can you blame me? I'm an English teacher that fell in love and became a stay-at-home mom. Happy reading and welcome to the chaos!Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.comBlogger993125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-56273153656377915022022-01-07T20:04:00.001-08:002022-02-19T20:05:15.591-08:00The Forest of Vanishing Stars<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55713042-the-forest-of-vanishing-stars" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Forest of Vanishing Stars" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1622990041l/55713042._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55713042-the-forest-of-vanishing-stars">The Forest of Vanishing Stars</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/165006.Kristin_Harmel">Kristin Harmel</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4087628113">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
A unique World War II story that was good, but not great. Some of the characterization is overwrought and the serendipity of some of the plot was a bit much. That said, the book does have a great title. <br /><br />Happy reading-<br />Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-74069573006075516062022-01-05T19:44:00.001-08:002022-02-19T19:46:36.543-08:00What Kind of Woman - Round Three<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55918538-what-kind-of-woman" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="What Kind of Woman: Poems" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1605544561l/55918538._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55918538-what-kind-of-woman">What Kind of Woman: Poems</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19610092.Kate_Baer">Kate Baer</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3724791980">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />Sometimes you just need Kate Baer's words as part of your day. Her poetry really is extraordinary.<br />Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-33315779565219982902022-01-05T19:38:00.002-08:002022-02-19T19:38:56.852-08:00State of Terror<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56981410-state-of-terror" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="State of Terror" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1633876361l/56981410._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56981410-state-of-terror">State of Terror</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2778471.Hillary_Rodham_Clinton">Hillary Rodham Clinton</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4443372144">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
What a strange pairing: Louise Penny and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Because it was Louise Penny though, I had to read this book. The short version is that I was totally hooked by the story and the conflict from the beginning. However, the not-so-veiled references to the previous presidential administration in the book were SO heavy handed. I think he-who-must-not-named is practically the antichrist, but it was borderline ridiculous that some of the commentary didn't get edited out. It honestly distracted from their otherwise clever story. The other strange thing in the book was the random inclusion of Three Pines and Armand Gamache. You know that I love the Gamache books, but he didn't belong in this book. These sections might have read better to someone who didn't know who Gamache was. All that to say, I'd actually recommend the book if you're a high volume reader and/or you enjoy political thrillers. It was smart and fast paced and would make a great movie or mini-series. <br /><br />Happy reading-<br /><br />ps. 3.5 stars...I debated rounding up because I read this book so quickly, but the aforementioned issues really were frustrating.<br />Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-40306286641147799802022-01-01T19:24:00.005-08:002022-02-19T19:25:30.689-08:00Lift - Round Four<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8387267-lift" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Lift" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328331059l/8387267._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8387267-lift">Lift</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/814940.Kelly_Corrigan">Kelly Corrigan</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2658299158">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />Still my favorite book on motherhood. Profoundly applicable in all stages of parenting. I love Kelly Corrigan.<br />Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-38854427297692807292022-01-01T18:25:00.017-08:002022-02-19T19:30:26.190-08:00Missing Books....<p>The last few months of 2021 were a bit of a blur. We navigated Hudson starting autism preschool and ABA therapy, while still trying to understand his overall autism diagnosis. We prepared for and completed another round of IVF, which thankfully was successful. I taught for the first time at BYU as an adjunct professor. And we just did life - parenting two small boys and trying to keep our heads above water as COVID continued and society seemed to crumble a bit more each day. All that to say, that I didn't write reviews for the last chunk of books that I read last year. I still clung to books as a life raft and sanity saver, but I didn't write much about them. Maybe someday I'll go back and list them out here or write those reviews, but suffice it to say, that I read and we lived our lives. Our boys were happy and growing. We were in love. The rest of the details don't really matter. Happy 2022. </p>Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-84542606778701046762021-09-23T13:59:00.003-07:002021-10-29T14:05:52.354-07:00Lighten Up<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1588278.Lighten_Up" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Lighten Up" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408314082l/1588278._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1588278.Lighten_Up">Lighten Up</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6837.Chieko_N_Okazaki">Chieko N. Okazaki</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4312555275">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Chieko Okazaki is one of my very favorite women of faith. I love her optimism and her honesty. Her tenacious spirit and commitment to being herself was remarkable. I loved reading this and appreciated her encouragement during a very chaotic stage of life. Both the audio and the hard copy are equally enjoyable to read.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Happy reading and happy lighter living--</div>Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-28494448946699873872021-09-17T14:14:00.001-07:002021-10-29T14:15:25.459-07:00Anxious People - Round Two<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50898225-anxious-people" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Anxious People" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1596981183l/50898225._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50898225-anxious-people">Anxious People</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6485178.Fredrik_Backman">Fredrik Backman</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3383129231">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />I knew I would revisit this book because I wanted to reread it almost as soon as I finished it last year. Issues in this book hit close to home, and I wanted the chance to see it through clearer, less emotional eyes. The book was still just as enjoyable, though I did miss the big surprises. I love Fredrik Backman, and I can't wait for my annual reading of his Christmas novella. <br /><br />Happy reading, and remember, you are fine just the way you are. Here's to less anxious living in 2022, since 2021 certainly didn't mellow out the way we thought it would.<br />Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-89585531552221907492021-09-16T14:04:00.001-07:002021-10-29T14:05:01.994-07:00The Soul of a Woman<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57399501-the-soul-of-a-woman" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Soul of a Woman" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1615667326l/57399501._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57399501-the-soul-of-a-woman">The Soul of a Woman</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2238.Isabel_Allende">Isabel Allende</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3893839530">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Ummmm - this book was a little odd. I love Isabel Allende's fictional writing. She's very talented. This was a bit rambling for me. I appreciate her candor and her feminism, but if she wasn't a famous author, an editor would have totally reworked this or not published it in the first place. There are some good passages, but overall I wouldn't recommend it. Allende's fiction is much more worth your time. <br /><br />Happy reading--<br /><br />ps. 2.5 stars rounded up.<br />Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-12970635736138139432021-09-02T14:08:00.001-07:002021-10-29T14:09:53.997-07:00The Trials of Morrigan Crow - Round Two<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36755627-the-trials-of-morrigan-crow" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Trials of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor, #1)" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1517623385l/36755627._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36755627-the-trials-of-morrigan-crow">The Trials of Morrigan Crow</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16727429.Jessica_Townsend">Jessica Townsend</a><br />
My rating: 5<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3383560581"> of 5 stars</a><br /><br />When real life is a bit all over the place, I love to reread books. Morrigan Crow and her world were a perfect escape. I love the audiobook reader, and I can't wait to introduce this enchanting story to my boys when they're older. <br /><br />Happy reading--<br /><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div>ps. On a second reading, I'm bumping up my star rating from 4 to 4.5, so 5 rounded up. </div></div>Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-50987342163831956292021-08-04T14:40:00.001-07:002021-08-04T14:40:03.133-07:00Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56077339-restoration" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1606609145l/56077339._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56077339-restoration">Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20919887.Patrick_Q_Mason">Patrick Q Mason</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4154618082">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I don't read a lot of books about faith and religion. I just can't seem to finish most of them, but Patrick Mason's Restoration is exactly the type of book we need right now. Mason pares back anything extra and deep dives into what members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should and can be doing to lift themselves and others. <br /><br />When I was in college, Bonnie Parkin, the then-Relief Society General President said, "If I could have one thing happen for every woman in this Church, it would be that they would feel the love of the Lord in their lives." That became one of my core beliefs - if people could feel our Heavenly Parents' love daily, so many of the world's ills could be cured. Mason's words give me hope that the core of what the church does could one day focus again on things that are that simple and profound, and that the culture of the church that so often takes over our faith could be restored to something better. I look forward with hope until that day. <br /><br />Happy reading--
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Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-83898385526163753472021-08-04T14:21:00.003-07:002021-08-04T14:21:58.250-07:00Incense and Sensibility<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58610997-incense-and-sensibility" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Incense and Sensibility (The Rajes, #3)" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1627002396l/58610997._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58610997-incense-and-sensibility">Incense and Sensibility</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7025918.Sonali_Dev">Sonali Dev</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3748630862">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Sense and Sensibility is my favorite of Jane Austen's books - mainly because of Elinor Dashwood's character and the bond between the Dashwood sisters. This meant that I was extra excited to hear the Sonali Dev's newest Austen adaptation would be a take on Sense and Sensibility. Just like Dev's first two books, Incense and Sensibility is clever in its adaptation. I still love the Bay Area ties and the portrayal of the Indian-American community. It's not a perfect book - certain phrases and commentary gets a little repetitive, but I loved the update to Elinor as India Dashwood and the modernization of the issues facing the characters. As in all of Austen's novels, you know that Dev will always give her characters a happy ending, and we could all use a little more of that in this world. <br /><br />Happy reading--<br /><br />ps. 3.5 rounded down.
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Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-91581463730728542362021-07-28T19:36:00.001-07:002021-07-29T19:36:50.023-07:00Garlic and Sapphires<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/80642.Garlic_and_Sapphires" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1436980266l/80642._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/80642.Garlic_and_Sapphires">Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5662.Ruth_Reichl">Ruth Reichl</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1949086094">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I love books about food, and Ruth Reichl is great at writing about food. What's not to love? The book got a little long in portions, but overall it was a thoroughly delectable read. I only wish I could have walked the streets of New York as I was reading to get a better feel for what she was describing. <br /><br />Happy reading and happy eating--
<br />Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-84477501105133627072021-07-23T19:40:00.001-07:002021-07-29T19:41:15.344-07:00Kingdom of the Blind - Round Two<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42975699-kingdom-of-the-blind" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Kingdom of the Blind (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #14)" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1577985837l/42975699._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42975699-kingdom-of-the-blind">Kingdom of the Blind</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/194243.Louise_Penny">Louise Penny</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3209389710">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />I seriously love disappearing into Three Pines. Add it to the list of fictional places I wish were real.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Happy reading and happy imaginary traveling-</div>Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-66819701244948837792021-07-21T12:23:00.001-07:002021-07-23T12:23:44.577-07:00Sisters of the Resistance<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57428508-sisters-of-the-resistance" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Sisters of the Resistance" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1615861176l/57428508._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57428508-sisters-of-the-resistance">Sisters of the Resistance</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/548917.Christine_Wells">Christine Wells</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4122074522">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Honestly, I was only sorry that this book ended. I really liked this story of sisters fighting in the French Resistance in Paris during the Nazi occupation. It had elements of Jennifer Robson's The Gown because of the presence haute couture fashion as part of the story. Those visual details were fantastic, though I wish there had been an author's note to explain what was fiction and what was fact, since Christian Dior was part of the book. Definitely worth a read, and I really like the audiobook narrator (Saskia Maarleveld) who reads this one and some of my other favorites. <br /><br />Happy reading--<br />Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-11605887393372200572021-07-18T12:27:00.002-07:002021-07-23T12:28:11.623-07:00One True Loves - Round Four<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27276383-one-true-loves" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="One True Loves" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1458676191l/27276383._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27276383-one-true-loves">One True Loves</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6572605.Taylor_Jenkins_Reid">Taylor Jenkins Reid</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1703993108">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />I've read this book four of the last six summers. The only reason I missed those two summers was that I was having my babies. Otherwise, this book is everything I want in a summer read minus the drinks with the tiny umbrellas. Happy reading--<br />Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-87896745058761754362021-07-16T12:36:00.001-07:002021-07-23T12:36:39.938-07:00The Night Portrait<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55613495-the-night-portrait" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Night Portrait: A Novel of World War II and da Vinci's Italy" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1602313807l/55613495._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55613495-the-night-portrait">The Night Portrait: A Novel of World War II and da Vinci's Italy</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/766767.Laura_Morelli">Laura Morelli</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4131164208">2 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Oh man - I should have stopped this book partway through. The premise of The Night Portrait is a good one. I love stories of art and history being woven together, and I like the artwork this book is centered around (Leonardo da Vinci's The Lady with an Ermine), but this book just wasn't for me. The writing was choppy and often cliche. Even harder for me were a couple of the audiobook readers - they just were not good. I had picked up this book because two of my favorite historical fiction writers endorsed it. Apparently, that was not enough. Oh well. On to the next. <br /><br />Happy reading--<br /><br />ps. I think had I read a physical book, rather that the audiobook, that this probably would have been a three star for me. However, I still would only recommend it if you love WWII fiction and are a high volume reader. Otherwise, there are better books out there. <br />Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-42235655429151516212021-07-14T12:40:00.004-07:002021-07-23T12:41:16.789-07:00Glass Houses - Round Two<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35185265-glass-houses" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Glass Houses (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #13)" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1495399589l/35185265._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35185265-glass-houses">Glass Houses</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/194243.Louise_Penny">Louise Penny</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3158550665">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />Just as good the second time. I really like the cobrador imagery and discussion surrounding opioids. Penny is often topical without being overly pedantic. Definitely worth working hard to get through the series. <br /><br />Happy reading--<br />Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-62455649950476496762021-07-09T12:45:00.002-07:002021-07-23T12:46:09.747-07:00The Road Trip<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58140286-the-road-trip" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Road Trip" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1621857988l/58140286._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58140286-the-road-trip">The Road Trip</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13038484.Beth_O_Leary">Beth O'Leary</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3824089992">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I'm sorry to say that Beth O'Leary's The Road Trip is almost a two star review. I did not really like this book. I LOVED The Flatshare and I liked the Switch, and this one just fell flat for me. O'Leary still managed to create interesting lead characters - you're totally rooting for them, but the rest was just so weird and their road trip felt interminable. Normally, I'm so glad to be a long for the ride, but this time, I just wanted it to be over. The reason it gets the bump to three stars is that I did want to know how it played out, but I wouldn't really recommend it. Reread The Flatshare. That will be a better use of your time. <br /><br />Happy reading--
<br />Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-33439032927459901922021-07-05T13:05:00.001-07:002021-07-23T13:06:45.920-07:00A Great Reckoning - Round Two<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30652763-a-great-reckoning" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="A Great Reckoning (Chief Inspector Gamache, #12)" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1466389422l/30652763._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30652763-a-great-reckoning">A Great Reckoning</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/194243.Louise_Penny">Louise Penny</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3158534677">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />I love Louise Penny. The end. <br />(Seriously though - she's just really good at keeping your attention from beginning to end....to the point that I'm sure I'll reread these all again in a few years just because I miss Three Pines and the characters Penny has created.)<br /><div><br /></div><div>Happy reading--</div>Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-77071194841847523092021-07-05T13:02:00.001-07:002021-07-23T13:03:06.690-07:00Notes on Grief<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58409710-notes-on-grief" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Notes on Grief" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1624472016l/58409710._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58409710-notes-on-grief">Notes on Grief</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19992417.Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie">Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4089094979">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has a gift of getting down to the heart of an issue and then articulating her thoughts on it in a way that no one else can. Because of that gift, I expected a little more from her Notes on Grief - more takeaways or broader ruminations. Literally though, this is her experience of losing her dad, and perhaps because it was so recent (June of 2020), there hasn't been time for her draw on lessons learned, etc.<br /><br />I wouldn't really recommend this book unless you are looking for a window into someone else's loss. I am preparing for grief. My grandfather is terminally ill, and our whole family is seemingly holding our respective breaths waiting for our patriarch to die. The world seems to be shifting a bit with the imminence of this loss, and I'm sorry for the reminder of how short this life really is. I appreciate how long Chimamanda's love for her father radiates off every part of her experience. That is part of why the loss is so hard, but that love is what makes life worth living. <br /><br />Happy reading and here's to more intentional living-- <br />Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-31950660133739086552021-06-30T20:17:00.001-07:002021-07-11T20:18:45.209-07:00My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51558324-my-wife-said-you-may-want-to-marry-me" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me: A Memoir" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582375350l/51558324._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51558324-my-wife-said-you-may-want-to-marry-me">My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me: A Memoir</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18306519.Jason_B_Rosenthal">Jason B. Rosenthal</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3306722270">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I read Jason Rosenthal's book because I loved his late wife, Amy Krouse Rosenthal. The last thing Amy wrote before dying of cancer was a New York Times column titled, "You May Want to Marry My Husband". It was exceptional and so classically Amy. <br /><br />Jason is not a writer, nor is he an audiobook narrator. That means while there are some beautiful details about he and Amy's marriage and family and some sentiments that made me want to go out and want to live more intentionally, the overall reading experience was a little clunky. I'm glad to have read the book because as I said, Amy Krouse Rosenthal is one of my favorite writers. I'm slowly accumulating her children's books on my boys' shelves just so I can see her name and appreciate the little joys in each day that much more. But I wouldn't really recommend "My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me" unless you're a high volume reader, you want to read a more light-hearted book on grief and life after loss, and/or you love AKR as much as I do. <br /><br />Happy reading and happy living--<br /><br />ps. If you haven't read Amy's essay mentioned above, see the link included below. It's worth reading and rereading. <br /><br /><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/03/style/modern-love-you-may-want-to-marry-my-husband.html" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/03/st...</a>
<br />Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-85156933264179285962021-06-30T13:17:00.001-07:002021-07-23T13:18:09.628-07:00Malibu Rising<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55847689-malibu-rising" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Malibu Rising" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1622372202l/55847689._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55847689-malibu-rising">Malibu Rising</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6572605.Taylor_Jenkins_Reid">Taylor Jenkins Reid</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4083719313">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Malibu Rising is the book of the summer - the setting is perfect for a beach read and the drama will keep you captivated the whole way through (even though Reid gives away the ending in the opening pages of the book). <br /><br />One of my favorite things about Reid's writing is ability to create vivid characters, and I really liked the Riva siblings. I liked the image of them sitting in the ocean together waiting to catch the perfect wave. I liked that all of their personalities were evident in their approach to surfing, and that though just a background detail, everything you needed to know about each person was captured on that beach. <br /><br />I only wish I had read Malibu Rising on my favorite pier in Malibu or on my favorite spot of sand in Santa Monica. I can almost hear the waves crashing right now and feel that delightful warmth and stretch of skin on my cheeks as they get kissed from the sun. <br /><br />Happy reading and happy summer--<br /><br />ps. 4.5 stars - just shy of five for me, but it may get bumped up in a reread someday. <br />Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-74726844778774436572021-06-20T13:27:00.002-07:002021-07-23T13:28:10.621-07:00The Anthropocene Reviewed<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55145261-the-anthropocene-reviewed" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Anthropocene Reviewed" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1616514130l/55145261._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55145261-the-anthropocene-reviewed">The Anthropocene Reviewed</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1406384.John_Green">John Green</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4055581009">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I love John Green. He is a great writer and an even greater human. The Anthropocene Reviewed is his first work of nonfiction. It's not for everyone because he talks about such random things and his world view may not align with yours, but I loved it. I loved how he tied seemingly obscure facts to life and world events. I appreciate his candor about his mental health. I love that Green is tied to Amy Krouse Rosenthal. I finished the book and immediately went back to the introduction again, so that I could better understand what Green was trying to do with his book. I doubt I'll make it through 2021 without picking this book up again. <br /><br />Happy reading--<br /><br />ps. It really is not everyone who could tie together a chapter about Diet Dr. Pepper into how the dawning knowledge of the pandemic felt. <br /><br />pps. I listened to the audiobook, but I also wanted to revisit portions so I would refer to my physical copy (Green is one of the few authors I preorder without knowing what the book is about) over and over again.<br /><br />ppps. My husband was probably relieved when I finished because of how many dinnertime conversations started with "I was reading that book by John Green, and he said...."
<br />Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-15382710455291511802021-06-16T13:51:00.001-07:002021-07-30T13:52:20.985-07:00The Nature of the Beast - Round Two<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25331978-the-nature-of-the-beast" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Nature of the Beast (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #11)" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1430317657l/25331978._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25331978-the-nature-of-the-beast">The Nature of the Beast</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/194243.Louise_Penny">Louise Penny</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3158524583">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
June 2021<br />Ditto to what I said below. :)<br /><br />December 2019<br />This was interesting tale to add to Penny's Gamache series. The "boy who cried wolf" cliche paired with the "nature of the beast" cliche were powerfully woven into a story where past sins were called into the forefront. So often we think that the past doesn't define us, but Penny plays with how the "sins of the fathers" still haunt us today. Plus I'm always up for historical references...this one includes Vietnam, Saddam Hussein, etc. Well told and gripping as always--<br /><br />Happy reading-<br /><br />(Book 112 - 2019)
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Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7570709560038176566.post-66440610802859249062021-06-12T19:13:00.001-07:002021-07-29T19:14:26.670-07:00Band of Sisters<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56948352-band-of-sisters" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Band of Sisters" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1615067132l/56948352._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56948352-band-of-sisters">Band of Sisters</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14469.Lauren_Willig">Lauren Willig</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3710796467">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Band of Sisters had a slow start for me but a great finish. I love reading about women's roles in history, especially when they work together for good. Melinda Gates really is right - when you elevate women, you elevate society. In short, solidly good historical fiction with a great conclusion...also, Julia Whelan reads this book, and she almost never reads a dud.<br /><br />Happy reading--
<br />Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17701083162588325420noreply@blogger.com0