Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

Stoicism by Tony Bennis

I originally download the unabridged audio version of Stoicism by Tony Bennis from Chirp Books around 3 to 4 years ago. However, Chirp Books no longer seems to carry this audiobook title for whatever reason!

I meant to initially listen to Stoicism by Tony Bennis when I first purchased it 3 to 4 years ago, but I kept putting it off and reading other books instead. I am into philosophy and also self-help books that will hopefully inspire change within. Since stoicism is an ancient philosophy, I figured learning more about stoicism may help give me a new perspective on how to inspire change within vs. a more current psychologically based self-help based book.

Stoicism by Tony Bennis is a quick read... Or in my case, a quick listen as the audio edition is less than four hours in length. Stoicism by Tony Bennis is a beginner's overview of stoicism for the uninitiated who desires to to gain basic knowledge about stoicism to hel facilitate practical change. I found this book to be a nice introduction to stoicism that I may refer back to repeatedly as needed. There are also exercises to complete at the end of each chapter to solidify the points made within each chapter. I look forward to exploring more in depth books about stoicism in the future.

Below is the summary for Stoicism by Tony Bennis from Bookshop.org:

Are the troubles of modern life getting to you?

The solution to your troubles is contained in the wisdom of the ancients.

Stoicism is a philosophy that was started in Ancient Greece, but this two-thousand-year-old worldview is enjoying a modern rebirth. All across the globe, people are coming to appreciate the timeless wisdom of Stoicism.

You don't have to suffer. You may not be able to control the path your life will take, but Stoicism teaches that you can control the way you see life. By shifting your way of thinking you can eliminate unnecessary suffering, reshape your thought patterns, and achieve that sense of calm you've always wanted.

In this book, you will find all of the information you need to understand Stoic thought and put it into action in your life.

• Start by understanding what Stoicism is and isn't. Once you understand the basic concepts you'll learn the history of this storied Philosophy. From there you will build up your understanding while learning how to put each new concept into practice.

• Gain insight into the emotions that can keep you from living the life that you want to lead. Find out how to master your heart by feeding positive emotions while starving the negative.

• Learn a strategy for success that has helped some of history's greatest heroes to triumph in the face of tragedy. When you learn to see obstacles as opportunities you can rise to the top while others fall behind.

• Find out how to prepare yourself for any challenge life may hand you. Don't wait for tragedy to strike before you learn how to handle it. Start building the skills that will allow you to weather any storm.

• Take steps today to change your life. This isn't a self-help book for you to read and forget, it calls for real action that will create real results.

All throughout the book, you will find a treasure trove of Stoic wisdom in the form of quotes from history's greatest Stoic thinkers. Learn the lessons taught by history's greatest teachers, passed onto you in plain English.

You don't have to live a life ruled by stress and worry. No matter who you are, you can learn how to master your own mind and retake control of your life.

The power to change is inside of you, the ancient secrets of Stoicism will show you how to unlock your full potential.

I am giving giving Stoicism by Tony Bennis a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Hidden Hideaways by Cindy Bell

Last month, I listened to the unabridged audio version of Hidden Hideaways by Cindy Bell, which was well narrated by Sara Morsey. Hidden Hideaways by Cindy Bell is the fourth cozy mystery novel in the 'Dune House Series'.

Hidden Hideaways by Cindy Bell is a short, light listen and was another perfect pick after listening to Therese Raquin by Emile Zola. I adore cozy mystery novels! Hidden Hideaways was a really good cozy mystery novel. Not perfect, but good enough as a palate cleanser after listening to a heavier classic novel earlier in the month.

The storyline for Hidden Hideaways is fun, captivating, and to the point. I liked the main characters quite a bit. Hidden Hideaways has to be my favorite novella in the series. It contains more action, more red herrings, and more characters as suspects to choose from than the previous novellas in the series.

Below is the publisher's summary for Hidden Hideaways by Cindy Bell from Chirp's website:

Suzie and Mary are enjoying running the newly reopened Dune House, a stunning bed and breakfast on the beach. Their friendship has never been stronger. Mary is in her element using the skills she gained taking care of her family to ensure their guests have an unforgettable experience and Suzie’s relationship with Paul is flourishing.

But when Paul threatens a guest and then the guest is found dead, Paul becomes the prime murder suspect. But there is one problem. He has disappeared without a trace. Suzie believes that Paul is innocent and is worried that he is in grave danger so she starts her own investigation to find him and uncover the truth. 

It’s a race against the clock to find Paul before it’s too late! But is Paul really who Suzie thinks he is or has he deceived Suzie and been using her all along?

I am giving Hidden Hideaways by Cindy Bell a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars. 

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Treasured History by Cindy Bell

Last month, I listened to the unabridged audio version of Treasured History by Cindy Bell, which was well narrated by Sara Morsey. Treasured History by Cindy Bell is the third cozy mystery novel in the 'Dune House Series'. 

Treasured History by Cindy Bell is a short, light listen and was a perfect pick after listening to Therese Raquin by Emile Zola last month. I adore cozy mystery novels! Treasured History was a good cozy mystery novel. I enjoyed this cozy novella much better than the first two novellas in the series.

The storyline for Treasured History is fun and engaging. I liked the main characters quite a bit. It was also a bit more tricky to guess the killer this go around as there were more red herrings and characters to choose from than in the previous novellas.

Below is the publisher's summary for Treasured History by Cindy Bell from Chirp's website:

Dune House, a stunning old house right on the beach, is finally ready to be reopened as a bed and breakfast. Best friends, Suzie and Mary, are very excited that their hard work has paid off and the opening weekend has finally arrived. They are even more excited that they have guests booked in on opening day.

But before the B & B is officially opened Mary is distracted by a surprise guest and Suzie is distracted by her blossoming romance with Paul. When their guests do arrive they get more than they bargained for. Not only do they have to accommodate a very pretentious guest and an unusual guest but there is a problem with the plumbing.

Then someone is found murdered. With the reputation of Dune House to protect, Suzie and Mary want the murder solved quickly so they do a little investigating of their own to speed up the investigation.

What secrets does the history of Dune House hold that could lead to murder?

I am giving Treasured History by Cindy Bell a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Top Ten Tuesday - Authors I've Met

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Top Ten Tuesday was originally created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

I've met more than ten authors in person at either book signings at indie bookstores or at book festivals. Below are the first ten authors that came to mind.

1. Thomas Steinbeck

2. Garth Stein

3. Lisa See

4. Roxane Gay

5. Judy Blume

6. Tayari Jones

7. Joyce Carol Oates

8. Sherman Alexie

9. Viet Thanh Nguyen

10. Amy Stewart

Do you have a favorite author experience? For me, meeting Thomas Steinbeck (son of John Steinbeck) was a real treat! My husband and I attended a literary event in Santa Barbara, California. It ends up that we were sitting right next to Thomas Steinbeck and his wife, Gail! We also met Thomas Steinbeck a second time at an indie bookstore in Santa Barbara as well. I have three signed books by Thomas Steinbeck, which I will cherish forever!

Mapping the Interior by Stephen Graham Jones

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Mapping the Interior by Stephen Graham Jones, which was nicely narrated by Shaun Taylor-Corbett.

I have mixed feelings regarding the books written by Stephen Graham Jones. I read and disliked The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones, but I enjoyed Night of the Mannequins despite the fact that it was different than I thought it would be. 

So, Mapping the Interior is my third read by Stephen Graham Jones. I didn't love this novella, but didn't hate it either. Maybe, this just means that Stephen Graham Jones's writing just isn't for me.

As far as Mapping the Interior goes, it falls into the indigenous horror genre. There is a lot of suspense as to what is truly happening  and why. Several key indigenous themes throughout make Mapping the Interior an eerie read with a horrific ending.

I asked Google Gemini to flush out the key themes for Mapping the Interior by Stephen Graham Jones. See below:

Stephen Graham Jones’s 2017 novella Mapping the Interior blends Indigenous horror with psychological trauma. The story follows Junior, a twelve-year-old Blackfeet boy who catches a glimpse of his deceased father walking through their modular home in full fancy-dancer regalia.

Grief and the Mythologizing of Absence

Junior barely knew his father, who died under mysterious circumstances when Junior was very young. Instead of grieving a real person, Junior constructs an idealized myth of a protective figure. His desire for guidance causes him to ignore the entity’s increasingly parasitic nature, highlighting how unresolved grief distorts judgment and turns memory into a dangerous force.

The Horror of Paternal Duty and Cycle of Harm

The father's ghost presents itself as a guardian, but keeping him anchored requires devastating sacrifices from the living—specifically targeting Junior's younger brother, Dino. Jones explores how generational trauma operates under the guise of family loyalty, forcing children to endure harm to preserve a patriarch's memory.

Displacement and Domestic Space

The modular home acts as a physical manifestation of dislocation and poverty. By literalizing the title, Junior attempts to "map" the house's interior, discovering impossible dimensions inside a cheap structure. This mirrors the experience of off-reservation displacement—trying to carve out identity and cultural connection inside space designed to be impermanent and featureless.

Cultural Identity and Perverted Ritual

Traditional Indigenous practices, such as the father's fancy dancing and ritualistic protection, become twisted into something predatory. Rather than providing spiritual grounding, the ritual elements become violent demands, critiquing the impulse to blindly weaponize tradition without accountability.

Below is the publisher's summary for Mapping the Interior by Stephen Graham Jones found Chirp's website:

The New York Times bestselling author of The Only Good Indians and The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, Stephen Graham Jones, brings readers a spine-tingling journey through a young boy’s haunted home. Winner of the 2017 Bram Stoker Award for Long Fiction!

“A triumph. So emotionally raw, disturbing, creepy, and brilliant.”
—Paul Tremblay, New York Times bestselling author of Horror Movie

Walking through his own house at night, a young boy thinks he sees another person stepping through a doorway. The figure reminds him of his long-dead father, who drowned mysteriously before his family left the reservation. When he follows, it he discovers his house is bigger and deeper than he ever knew.

The house is the kind of wrong place where you can lose yourself and find things you’d rather not have. Over the course of a few nights, the boy tries to map out his house in an effort that puts his younger brother in the worst danger, and puts him in the position to save them … at a terrible cost.

I'm giving Mapping the Interior by Stephen Graham Jones a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

Boats and Bad Guys by Cindy Bell

Last month, I listened to the unabridged audio version of Boats and Bad Guys by Cindy Bell, which was well narrated by Sara Morsey. Boats and Bad Guys by Cindy Bell is the second cozy mystery novel in the 'Dune House Series'.

Boats and Bad Guys by Cindy Bell is a short, light listen and was another perfect pick after listening to Therese Raquin by Emile Zola. I adore cozy mystery novels! Boats and Bad Guys was a decent cozy mystery novel. Not great, but good enough as a palate cleanser after listening to a heavier classic novel earlier in the month.

The storyline for Boats and Bad Guys is fun and to the point. I liked the main characters quite a bit. It was easy to guess the killer as there weren't that many characters in this book to begin with. It would have been nicer to have more characters and red herrings to keep a reader guessing as to whodunnit. At least there was more action to this novella than in Seaside Secrets.

Below is the publisher's summary for Boats and Bad Guys by Cindy Bell from Chirp's website:

Best friends, Suzie and Mary, are enjoying living together in Garber. They are settling into their new lives and are finalizing the renovations on the spectacular B & B on the beach. They find the perfect painting to decorate one of the rooms. It is painted by a local, young artist who committed suicide years earlier.

But then they find something hidden in the frame that piques their curiosity and they want to find out its significance. During their investigations they begin to believe that the artist of the painting did not commit suicide and they try to discover the truth. But there are two dangerous men who want the truth buried. With a storm brewing they overcome many obstacles on their journey to uncover the facts before the evidence is lost forever.

Will Suzie and Mary’s quest for adventure land them in danger? Will they discover the truth before the bad guys silence them? Is love between Suzie and the mysterious captain, Paul, on the horizon?

I am giving Boats and Bad Guys by Cindy Bell a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Seaside Secrets by Cindy Bell

 

Last month, I listened to the unabridged audio version of Seaside Secrets by Cindy Bell, which was well narrated by Sara Morsey. Seaside Secrets by Cindy Bell is the first cozy mystery novel in the 'Dune House Series'. 

Seaside Secrets by Cindy Bell is a short, light listen and was a perfect pick after listening to Therese Raquin by Emile Zola. I adore cozy mystery novels! Seaside Secrets was a decent cozy mystery novel. Not great, but good enough as a palate cleanser after listening to a heavier classic novel.

The storyline for Seaside Secrets is fun and to the point. I liked the main characters quite a bit. It was easy to guess the killer as there weren't that many characters in this book to begin with. It would have been nicer to have more characters and red herrings to keep a reader guessing as to whodunnit.

Below is the publisher's summary for Seaside Secrets by Cindy Bell from Chirp's website:

When Suzie inherits a neglected beach house from her estranged uncle, she and her best friend decide to restore the property to its former status as a charming bed-and-breakfast — but as they start renovations, evidence emerges of foul play in Suzie’s uncle’s death. Can they nail a killer before someone has deadly designs on their lives?

I am giving Seaside Secrets by Cindy Bell a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!