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Book Characters That I’d Like as Best Friends

August 13, 2019

Book Characters That I Would Like as Friends

***Book titles are Amazon affiliate links

I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl for Top Ten Tuesday: Book Characters That I’d Like For Best Friends.

Book Characters That I’d Like For Best Friends

Oh my! This is a difficult topic! I admire so many characters!

Many characters I love are from the histfic genre, and I can’t imagine sharing their difficult lives. Also, some of the characters I’d like to be friends with are younger than I am……but maybe that’s OK because we are pretending, and I guess I can become their age if I’m their imaginary friend! So I won’t worry about those pesky details!

Here’s the list I created (tomorrow could be a different list)…..I don’t want to hurt any favorite character’s feelings by leaving them off this list…..just know that there are a hundred more! (listed in no particular order)

Inspector Gamache, Reine Marie, Myrna, Clara

I’d love to be friends with Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his wife, Reine Marie (…..and Myrna the bookstore owner and Clara the artist)….. but prickly Ruth the poet kind of intimidates me!). I’d love to visit the Safe Haven of Three Pines and sit by the roaring fire in the Bistro for pastry and hot chocolate, or visit one of their homes for a comfort-food dinner and enjoy their cozy friendship.

A Better Man (Installment #15 in the Chief Inspector Gamache/Three Pines Series) by Louise Penny (counting the days until the 8/27 release!)
Genre: character-driven mystery
(My Kingdom of the Blind Review, The Series and Glass Houses Review)

Eliza

I’d love to be friends with the industrious, loyal, patriotic Eliza Hamilton (wife of Alexander Hamilton). Although she had eleven children and partnered closely with her husband in writing and drafting documents and probably wouldn’t have time to chit-chat, I still think it would be inspirational to have known her.

My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie
Genre: Historical Fiction, U.S. History and the Founding
(My Review)

Cussy

I would love to have had the opportunity to befriend Cussy Mary Carter who endured racism because of a rare medical condition that caused her skin to appear blue and suffered more than her share of hardships due to poverty and isolation. Cussy is courageous, committed to literacy, always chooses kindness, and cares deeply for others (especially children). It would be a privilege to call her “friend.” (no worries, she doesn’t cuss!)

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
Genre: Historical Fiction, Racism, Prejudice, Book About Books
(Review coming this Friday)

Precious

I would be honored to be best friends with Precious Ramotswe. She’s a gentle spirit, gracious in her hospitality, wise, thoughtful, and kind. I could learn to drink tea!

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series by Alexander McCall Smith
Genre: Fiction, Gentle Mystery (Africa)
(a review of The House of Unexpected Sisters)

Maggie

I can always be friends with a competent, caring, compassionate, creative teacher! I would love to be Maggie‘s teaching partner and her best friend! We would share middle grade lit recommendations and create engaging lesson plans!

The Secret of Clouds by Alyson Richman
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction
(my review here)

Layla

July 16, 2019

Find Your One “Must Read” Book of the Summer!

Are you pondering what book to pack for your vacation?

Are you in limbo trying to decide what ONE great book to read this summer?

Do you ever wish someone would just TELL you what book to read?

Are you looking for a list of trusted book review bloggers?

Do you spend more time thinking about which book to pack for your vacation than packing the clothes? (oh…just me?)

If you only have time to read ONE more book before summer’s end, what would you choose?

This is the time of year when readers look for “beach reads.” This term is puzzling to me because I think any book you read at the beach is a beach read (similar to any body at the beach is a beach body!). Furthermore, “beach read” means different things to different readers: some want easy reading/light/fluffy, some want escapist, some want thrillers/suspense/mystery, while others are looking for heavier or longer reads that they might have more time for in the summer. During the summer, I look for the same types of reads I look for all year long: something substantial, engaging, memorable, unputdownable, and thought-provoking. What is your ideal beach read?

Reviewers Recommend:

Some things bring joy to a blogger’s heart and this post is definitely at the top of the list!

I am thrilled to publish this post today! I contacted twelve experienced reviewers from a variety of geographical locations to ask them what they would recommend as their ONE “not-to-be-missed 5 Star” summer recommendation. Today, I’m exceptionally excited to introduce you to twelve bloggers who chose ONE recommendation for YOU (listed in alphabetical order by blogger’s first name). Please take a look at their recommendation, check out their blog, and give them a follow!

I think you’ll enjoy the following “recent releases” recommendations that include some diversity and represent a variety of genres that will appeal to a variety of tastes (from hisfic to romance to nonfiction to family drama to southern fiction to time travel to young adult to slightly dark).

***Titles are Amazon affiliate links and full review links have been included.

Favorite Quirky Literary Characters

June 9, 2019

My Favorite Quirky Literary Characters

Aren’t we all just a bit quirky?!

Quirky Defined

Definition of quirky: having many quirks : unusual in especially an interesting or appealing way (a quirky sense of humor, quirky ideas/behavior, a quirky and creative artist)

My personal definition also includes the word endearing. My favorite quirky characters have a story behind their quirkiness and often quirky is a survival strategy. Their quirkiness is understandable when a reader sees the entire picture and their quirkiness becomes endearing in light of the challenges they are bravely overcoming.

I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl: Top Ten Tuesday: Character Freebie.

Although I love characters of all types, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the recent abundance of stories with quirky characters. I love to hear their stories and celebrate their determination to live their best lives in spite of the circumstances. Even though my star ratings vary on the following books, I’ve loved all the quirky characters. My favorites are brave Eleanor and grumpy Ove. Do you love quirky? Who are your favorite quirky characters?

***Titles are Amazon affiliate links. Listed in order of Star ratings. And, yes, I realize I have eleven and not ten! I couldn’t leave any of them out!

Quirky Favorites

Eleanor from Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

5 Stars. My Brief Review.

Ove from A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

5 Stars. No Written Review.

Frank from The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce

5 Stars. My Review.

Loveday from The Lost For Words Bookshop by Stephanie Butland

5 Stars. My Review.

Mid Year Reading Check In: Best Reads

June 5, 2019

Mid Year Reading Check In: Best Reads

I’m taking a break from my reading to reflect on my best reads so far in 2019.

According to my Goodreads Challenge, I’ve read 59/100 books so far this year. In this post I’m listing a few favorites. Some of these will make my final Best of 2019 list at year’s end. Ask Again, Yes is my favorite from this list because of the “wow” and “book hangover” factors. It also has a memorable redemption/reconciliation theme.

The remainder of the titles are enjoyable reads but may be bumped if something more exceptional comes along. Plus, it takes sitting with titles for a bit to see if they have staying power. Whether or not these titles make my end of the year list, they are all books I recommend without hesitation. Have you read any of them?

***Titles are Amazon affiliate links and review links are also provided.

Image Source: Canva.com

(in no particular order)

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

Paper Hearts by Meg Wiviott

Lost For Words Bookshop by Stephanie Butland

A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner

The Beantown Girls by Jane Healey

The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister

The Gown by Jennifer Robson

Review here.

Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly

Meet Me at the Museum by Anne Youngson

The River by Peter Heller

Resistance Women by Jennifer Chiaverini

The Secret of Clouds by Alyson Richman

QOTD!

What is your best read so far this year?

Have you read any of these titles?

Happy Reading Book Buddies!

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke

“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes

“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text

Looking Ahead:

Coming soon….twelve bloggers each share their ONE must-read of the summer!

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***Blogs posts may contain affiliate links. This means that at no extra cost to you, I can earn a small percentage of your purchase price.

Unless explicitly stated that they are free, all books that I review have been purchased by me or borrowed from the library.

Book Cover and author photo are credited to Amazon or an author’s (or publisher’s) website.

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Books in My Favorite Genre: Historical Fiction

June 4, 2019

Do you love making lists?

Top Ten Tuesday:
10 Favorite Historical Fiction Reads

I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl for Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Books In My Favorite Genre. Last week, I made a list of my favorite historical fiction books for each of the last ten years. This week’s list is comprised of my absolute favorites in historical fiction! I actually didn’t think I could make this list! My initial list had several more titles and it was difficult to cut, so I’ve cheated a bit. How do I choose my favorites when I’ve read so many titles? The following titles are the stories that I connect with emotionally, the stories I still remember weeks and months and years later, and the stories I recommend over and over again! All are five-star reads and all have great themes. I recommend them without hesitation.

How many of these titles have you read and loved? Are you a histfic fan?

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

(in no particular order)

My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

I love the (less public) story of the determined, smart, influential, and driven woman who was Alexander Hamilton’s wife, partner, and best friend. America’s First Daughter by the same authors is also excellent.
My review here.

From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon
and We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter

(I read these almost back to back and because of the themes I always think of them together….so this is my sneaky trick to include one more!)
Themes make these stories memorable: I love the theme of faith in Sand and Ash; in We Were the Lucky Ones, I love the themes of family and faith….especially the beautiful ending). Sand and Ash review here. We Were the Lucky Ones review here.

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

I love this imagined story of two brave women who were actual pioneers in the abolitionist movement. Review here.

News of the World by Paulette Jiles

I love the theme of found family and the moral dilemma at the story’s end of doing the right thing versus doing things right. I also love the beautiful prose. Brief review in this post.

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

I love the compelling themes of determination and survival. Brief review in this post.

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Historical Fiction Books I Read During Each of the Last 10 Years

May 28, 2019

Do you love making lists?

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Historical Fiction Books I Read During Each of the Last 10 Years

10 Years of Favorite Historical Fiction Reads

My Dear Hamilton, Last Christmas in Paris

I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl for Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Books I Read in Each of the Last Ten Years. Once I started curating my list, I realized that the majority of titles were historical fiction (no surprise!), so I’m tweaking the prompt to list my favorite historical fiction reads in each of the last ten years. This is a difficult task, but it’s fun to reminisce. Some years it was too difficult to choose only one. Many years I have favorites that are not historical fiction and I decided to save those for another list.

For this list, I have simply chosen a memorable book for each year. This list doesn’t represent the best of all the books I’ve read in the last ten years.

Most of these titles were read in the year they were published, but some are back list titles.

How many of these titles have you read and loved?

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

2019 (to date)

The Gown, Paper Hearts

2018

2017

From Sand and Ash, Refugee

2016

News of the World, Homegoing, America’s First Daughter, Salt to the Sea

2015

The Nightingale

Women’s History Month: 10 Inspirational Reads

March 10, 2019

Women’s History Month: 10 Inspirational Reads

Image Source: Canva

Inspired by Women’s History Month, which was established to amplify women’s voices and value their contributions to history, I searched through my reading lists to find stories about inspirational women whom we can celebrate during Women’s History Month. Titles are Amazon links and my available reviews are linked.

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

In no particular order….

My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

This fictionalized biographical narrative of Eliza Hamilton, reveals her vital contributions to U. S. History in her role as Mrs. Alexander Hamilton. Review

10 Reads For Middle Grade March

March 6, 2019

10 Reads For Middle Grade March

Image Source: Canva

To participate in #middlegrademarch, I’ve compiled a list of ten great Middle Grade Reads! There are many wonderful middle grade books from which to choose and even though I haven’t read extensively in middle grade, these titles are stories that I’ve recently read and thought were exceptional because of their themes and/or diversity.

Often, children fall in love with reading in Middle Grade. Was this your experience? At last, children in Middle Grade have “learned to read” and they can fully immerse themselves in the world of words as they “read to learn” and “read for enjoyment.” They have more autonomy to choose their own reading material and can pursue individual interests. Many stories promote great family read aloud experiences. As a bonus, most Middle Grade stories have heartfelt themes without the angst and/or objectionable language of YA. Reading builds understanding and compassion.

For adults, Middle Grade books make the perfect palate cleanser or fit the description of books that can be read in a day. I strongly believe that great Middle Grade literature can be enjoyed by adults!

In addition to all the above reasons to read Middle Grade literature, I appreciate the authors who write diversely for Middle Grade readers and write on difficult themes or topics in an easy to read and understandable manner. If we buy and read more Middle Grade diverse literature, it will encourage publishers and writers to produce more. I think it’s important for children to see themselves in literature. (more…)

Book Gifts For A Galentine (or Valentine)

February 8, 2019

Image Source: Canva

Books are wonderful last minute, thoughtful gifts for Galentines or Valentines!

If you need a bookish gift that includes a romantic theme for a Galentine/Valentine or for yourself for February 14, here are my favorite light women’s fiction reads and a couple of light historical fiction titles that I can confidently and wholeheartedly recommend for an enjoyable, appropriate, and appreciated reading experience for most readers.

Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my reviews are linked.
(in no particular order)

How to Find Love in a Bookstore
by Veronica Henry

Wouldn’t you pick this up just because of the title and cover?!

Full review in this post.

Last Christmas in Paris: A Novel of WW1 by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

This WW1 love story is not a Christmas book despite the title and can be enjoyed at any time of year. (WW1 historical fiction, epistolary format) 5 romantic stars.

My full review

The Late Bloomers’ Club by Louise Miller

For fans of Gilmore Girls (Luke’s Diner and Stars Hollow…. complete with autumn leaves, comfort food, and quirky townsfolk). 3.5 Stars.

The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter by Hazel Gaynor

For fans of stories about strong women, lighthouses, and historical fiction (England and Maine). 4.5 Stars.

The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain

Light science fiction with time travel and mother/daughter themes. 4 Stars.

Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
by Jamie Ford

Sweet story of love and friendship beginning in Seattle, Washington and continuing in a Japanese internment camp. Some first loves last a life time. 4 romantic stars. (not reviewed)

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Burrows

The island of Guernsey after WW11 is an ideal setting for an unexpected romance. Told in epistolary format. A favorite book that is also a movie. A book and movie would be thoughtful and appreciated gifts! 5 romantic stars. (not reviewed)

Guernsey Movie (also available on Netflix)

Our Souls at Night
by Kent Haruf

Seniors can find love too! 4 romantic and bittersweet stars for this old favorite. (not reviewed)

Our Souls at Night is available on Neflix.

Meet Me at the Museum by Anne Youngson

Two individuals dealing with loneliness and grief develop a significant friendship through letters. (epistolary format)

Castle of Water
by Dane Hucklebridge

An engaging and well written castaways love story! 5 romantic stars.

The Music Shop
by Rachel Joyce

The quirky owner of a vinyl records store and a mysterious woman find love.