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The Pearl That Broke Its Shell
by Nadia Hashimi

How to Find Love in a Bookshop
by Veronica Henry

Castle of Water
by Duane Hucklebridge

The Lost for Words Bookshop
by Stephanie Butland

If You Want to Make God Laugh
by Bianca Marais

TTT: Traits That Help Me Fall in Love With Characters

October 7, 2019

Traits that Help Me Fall in Love With Characters

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

***Some book titles are Amazon affiliate links; my reviews are linked for other titles

My Favorite Character Traits

Do you have favorite character traits?

One of the greatest joys of reading is the characters we encounter! I admit that I have a difficult time appreciating stories with unlikeable characters unless there is significant character growth or a major redemption theme. When I look back at my favorite books, they all include memorable and unforgettable characters. I think my very favorite character traits are found in WW11 stories. But traits like courage, determination, sacrifice, and grit can be found in other genres as well. The following is only a sample of a few of my favorite character traits. (listed in no particular order).

Bravery

to Live Your Best Life

Examples: Eleanor (Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine), Lovejoy ( The Lost For Words Bookshop), Harold (The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry)
(find my post about quirky characters living their best lives here)

Actions

That Make a Difference For Others

Examples: Caroline (Lilac Girls), Cussy (The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek), Grimke Sisters (Invention of Wings)

Compassionate

(especially toward children)

Examples: the Captain (News of the World), Cussy (The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek)

Perseverance

in the Face of Dire Circumstances

Examples: Cilka (Cilka’s Journey), Zlatka and Fania Paper Hearts), Dita (The Librarian of Auschwitz), Ma (Room)

Loyalty

to Family

Examples: Kurc family (We Were the Lucky Ones),

Courage, Determination, and Grit

Against the Odds

Fall 2019 TBR

September 24, 2019

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books on My Fall 2019 TBR

I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl: Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books on My Fall 2019 TBR.

With all the books that are on my radar on a given day, it’s nice to pick out a few for an official TBR. Ten still leaves room for library holds that come in, occasional ARCs, or some mood reading.

One question you may ask is “Are these fall reads?” Many readers have differing opinions of what comprises a fall read: some want spooky, scary, creepy, or thrilling. It’s my opinion that any book you read in fall is a fall read. I don’t usually read thrillers or scary, spooky books because they give me nightmares. For my fall reads, I look for the types of books I look for all year: memorable, thought-provoking, and unputdownable.

This will help explain my fall reading:

After careful consideration, the following are the reads that are on my fall 2019 reading radar. I had about twenty on the list when I started, so it took some work to pare this down to ten!

Keep in mind that I’m not yet recommending the books on this list…..check back often though because I will provide updates and links to reviews as I read them. In no particular order, here is my Fall 2019 TBR list.

*Titles are Amazon affiliate links.

TTT: My Favorite Literary Tropes

August 20, 2019

***Book titles are Amazon affiliate links

I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl for Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Literary Tropes.

My Favorite Literary Tropes

Do you have favorite tropes?

Part of successfully choosing your next read is knowing what tropes (themes or plot devices) you enjoy and which you don’t! I will almost always be happy with my reading experience when I choose to read a book with one of the following tropes (listed in no particular order).

The Gruff Older Character Whose Life is Changed by a Precocious, Precious, or Extraordinary Child

Examples: The One-In-A-Million Boy, News of the World, A Man Called Ove

The Importance of Family, Complicated Family Drama

Examples: A Place For Us, We Were the Lucky Ones, Little Fires Everywhere, Ask Again Yes, The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters

The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters

Found Family

Examples: Louisiana’s Way Home, News of the World, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, Hum If You Don’t Know the Words

Reconciliation

Examples: Ask Again Yes, A Place For Us, Invention of Wings

Faith

Examples: From Sand and Ash, Paper Hearts, A Fall of Marigolds, Unbroken

Adoption

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

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.

Summer 2019 TBR

June 25, 2019

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books on My Summer 2019 TBR

I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl: Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books on My Summer 2019 TBR.

With all the books that are on my radar on a given day, it’s nice to pick out a few for an official TBR. Ten still leaves room for library holds that come in, occasional ARCs, or some mood reading.

One question you may ask is “Are these beach reads?” Many readers have differing opinions of what comprises a beach read: some want light and fluffy, some look for thrillers/suspense/mysteries, some seek out escapist reads, while others like to tackle large tomes during the summer when they have more time. It’s my opinion that any book you read at the beach is a beach read (just like any body at the beach is a beach body). For my summer reads, I look for the types of books I look for all year: memorable, thought-provoking, and unputdownable. Although I’m planning a post in a couple of weeks that feature books I’ve read that might be suitable for a vacation or beach read, it will likely look different from other typical beach reads lists.

For now, these are the reads that are on my summer 2019 reading radar.

*Titles are Amazon affiliate links.

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

Spring TBR

March 19, 2019

Top Ten Tuesday: Books on My Spring 2019 TBR

Image Source: Canva

I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl: Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books on My Spring 2019 TBR.

I have two books to finish from my Winter TBR, and they’ve been on my TBR for so long that it’s too embarrassing to add them to yet another TBR. So 84, Charing Cross Road and its sequel will be my priority before any book on this list!
***UPDATE: finished these two reads…both 3 stars.

*Titles are Amazon affiliate links.