The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A Novel of War and Survival by Louise Murphy

 

I've had The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A Novel of War and Survival by Louise Murphy in my 'to be read' pile for quite a long time. 

I fintally listened to the unabridged audio version of The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A Novel of War and Survival by Louise Murphy and narrated by Michael Page. 

Listening time for The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A Novel of War and Survival by Louise Murphy is 9 hours, 51 minutes.

I truly enjoyed this novel! It's a retelling of Hansel and Gretel set in Poland  during World War II. I love historical fiction. When done right, fairytale retellings are excellent and The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A Novel of War and Survival by Louise Murphy is done very well!

I liked the pace of this novel. The writing is excellent. I enjoyed the characters in this novel too as they are well developed. The entire book is good, but the chapter titled, The Oven, is a difficult one to read in this novel and truly pulled on my emotional heartstrings. I also enjoyed the last chapter's message as well. I highly recommend The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A Novel of War and Survival by Louise Murphy.

Below is the publisher's summary for the The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A Novel of War and Survival by Louise Murphy from Chirp's website:

In the last months of the Nazi occupation of Poland, two children are left by their father and stepmother to find safety in a dense forest. Because their real names will reveal their Jewishness, they are renamed “Hansel” and “Gretel”. They wander in the woods until they are taken in by Magda, an eccentric and stubborn old woman called “witch” by the nearby villagers. Magda is determined to save them, even as a German officer arrives in the village with his own plans for the children.Combining classic themes of fairy tales and war literature, Louise Murphy's haunting novel of journey and survival, of redemption and memory, powerfully depicts how war is experienced by families and especially by children. The True Story of Hansel and Gretel tells a resonant, riveting story.

I am giving The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A Novel of War and Survival by Louise Murphy a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!!

 

World of Books USA Is Quickly Becoming One Of My Favorite Online Retailers For Used Books!!

Earlier this year, I placed my very first order through World of Books USA's website! I had a super positive experience with my first online purchase of used books from the World of Books USA website that I've continued shopping with them since then.

I've recently received my third purchase of used books in the mail this week from the World of Books USA website. I purchased four used knitting books to add to my ever growing collection of books pertaining to my favorite hobby. The used books are in good condition and as described on their website. Below is a photo of the knitting books I ordered.

What do I love about buying used books from World of Books? 

* Free shipping on orders over $10. 

* They have plenty of used books that are inexpensive and in good condition.

* They have plenty of books that fall into their 'Buy 3 Books, Get One Free Book' category. 

* Their website is easy to navigate.

* Books are given category descriptions, like whether they are new or used. If the books are used, then they let you know in the description section what condition the used book is in; well read, good, very good, etc. 

* I've always received books that are in the condition stated in the description /listing.

* Books that pertain to hobbies (like knitting in my case) are expensive to buy brand new. I don't mind buying used books in good condition or better to add to my personal collection. The World of Books USA website definitely helps me add knitting books to my collection without breaking the bank.

Have you purchased books from World of Books USA? What was your experience like?

Enduring Legacy of Stephen King!

It all began 50 years ago when Stephen King's novel, Carrie, was published that his legendary, literary career began. 

Check out the above interview with Stephen King on PBS News as he discusses his writing career.

Are you a Stephen King fan? If so, do you have a favorite novel written by Stephen King? Share in the comment section below!

An Independent Bookstore in San Francisco, California Takes a Stand on Banned Books!

 

I love these types of news stories where

independent bookstores help promote reading in

all 50 states when it comes to marginalized communities!!

Banned books should not be happening here in the USA.

Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar and narrated by Jot Davies. 

Listening time for Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar is 11 hours, 26 minutes.

Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar is a work of absurdist fiction and is a novel that had been on my reading wishlist for quite some time. I was glad to have finally read this novel!

I think Spaceman of Bohemia is well narrated by Jot Davies. The writing, characters, and plot details were engaging enough throughout the novel to keep one interested and wondering what would happen next in the novel. I also liked the pace of this novel as well.

The main character is Jakub Procházka and the novel is told through his point of view. Jakub is a cosmonaut and we read about his journey into space alone, the aftermath of his time in space, as well as his memories of his youth in the Czech Republic.

Overall, I think the Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar was a good read. I thought there was too much philosophizing interspersed in different parts of the novel for my liking. 

Additionally, the giant arachnid like alien named, Hanuš, whom Jakub encounters and interacts with during his solo flight in space was sort of creepy, odd, and weird (???), in my opinion. Was Jakub simply hallucinating Hanuš or was Hanuš really there? It was difficult to determine at times.

Below is the publisher's summary for Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar from Amazon's website:

An intergalactic odyssey of love, ambition, and self-discovery.

Orphaned as a boy, raised in the Czech countryside by his doting grandparents, Jakub Procházka has risen from small-time scientist to become the country's first astronaut. When a dangerous solo mission to Venus offers him both the chance at heroism he's dreamt of, and a way to atone for his father's sins as a Communist informer, he ventures boldly into the vast unknown. But in so doing, he leaves behind his devoted wife, Lenka, whose love, he realizes too late, he has sacrificed on the altar of his ambitions.

Alone in Deep Space, Jakub discovers a possibly imaginary giant alien spider, who becomes his unlikely companion. Over philosophical conversations about the nature of love, life and death, and the deliciousness of bacon, the pair form an intense and emotional bond. Will it be enough to see Jakub through a clash with secret Russian rivals and return him safely to Earth for a second chance with Lenka?

Rich with warmth and suspense and surprise, Spaceman of Bohemia is an exuberant delight from start to finish. Very seldom has a novel this profound taken readers on a journey of such boundless entertainment and sheer fun.

As a side note, Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar has been made into a movie starring, Adam Sandler, as the leading character. I'm not sure if I want to see the movie version after reading the novel.

I am giving Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

New to Me Little Free Library in Walnut Creek, California!

 

Yes, to finding another new to me Little Free Library in Walnut Creek, California! This one was located not to far from a freeway entrance/exit and in plain sight!! I loved finding this LFL!!

I Think I've Found My Reading Mojo Again!

I've been on a reading hiatus for a couple of weeks now. But I seem to be back on track as of today! With the reading momentum I experienced last month, I thought I'd just keep on cruising through the month of August. Especially considering the fact that I'd set aside the four books I wanted to read this month.

I'm currently reading two different books, both of which I am almost finished reading. So at least I should have them both read before the end of the month and (hopefully) reviewed as well.

What's everyone reading? 

What do you do during a reading hiatus or reading slump? I actually started crocheting earlier this month!! I've never crocheted before and am currently making a pair of single crochet, fingerless gloves using worsted weight, acrylic yarn. 

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

Bookish Quote of the Day!!!

 

A Literary Tour of San Francisco from AbeBooks

 

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, so I look forward to visiting a few of the literary destinations mentioned in the above, short AbeBooks video!

Happy National Book Lovers Day!!

 

Do you have a favorite book?

Or is there a book you've read multiple times throughout your life?

Bookish Quote of the Day!!!

 

The Story of English in 100 Words by David Crystal

 

The Story of English in 100 Words by David Crystal is my first read during the month of August! I listened to the unabridged audio version of this nonfiction book, which is nicely narrated by the author.

If you are a lover of words, linguistics, and etymology, then I think you'll love this book. The introduction is wonderful as it sets the tone of this nonfiction book. I love the short chapters that focus on a single word in the English language and how it influenced other words and cultural associations. There were plenty of surprising words that made up the list of words in this book. This is a fun read!!

Below is the publisher's summary for The Story of English in 100 Words by David Crystal found on Amazon's website:

The world's foremost expert on the English language takes us on an entertaining and eye-opening tour of the history of our vernacular through the ages.

In The Story of English in 100 Words, an entertaining history of the world's most ubiquitous language, David Crystal draws on one hundred words that best illustrate the huge variety of sources, influences and events that have helped to shape our vernacular since the first definitively English word―‘roe'―was written down on the femur of a roe deer in the fifth century. Featuring ancient words (‘loaf'), cutting edge terms that relfect our world (‘twittersphere'), indispensible words that shape our tongue (‘and', ‘what'), fanciful words (‘fopdoodle') and even obscene expressions (the "c word"...), David Crystal takes readers on a tour of the winding byways of our language via the rude, the obscure and the downright surprising.

I am giving The Story of English in 100 Words by David Crystal a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

New to Me Little Free Library in Danville, California!!

 

Yesterday afternoon, my husband I visited Yerba Buena and Treasure Islands located within the San Francisco Bay. While we were there, we visited a beautiful new park called, Panorama Park, which featured 360 degree panoramic views of the entire Bay Area from the Bay Bridge, Alacatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown San Francisco, and many parts of the East Bay. It was a lovely place to visit.

After our park visit, we enjoyed eating at an outdoor venue, which featured live music and so on. We were told there was a Little Free Library at this particular venue, but alas it had disappeared.

So, instead, we found a new to us Little Free Library in Danville, California on our return drive home. This one was a cute one and well stocked with a wide variety of books.

Your Paper Quest ~ A Book Subscription Box That Supports Indie Authors!

This past Sunday night, I learned about a new to me book subscription box called, Your Paper Quest from a BookTuber (CriminOlly) I frequently watch on YouTube.

Your Paper Quest sounds like the perfect book subscription box to support indie authors!! Your Paper Quest has the following perks:

* Your Paper Quest subscription book box is presently available in both the USA and the UK.

* You can select between a monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly book subscription.

* You receive two self published novels per delivery.

* According to Your Paper Quest you also receive the following perks with your order:

- Changing themes and genres every month, emphasizing accessibility for all readers and the discovery of new favourites.
- Personalized notes from the authors themselves.
- Uniquely designed bookmarks for each story.
- An invitation to join our virtual book club.
- An opportunity to ask our featured authors questions for our monthly interviews.

* There's no minimum subscription period. Cancel anytime.

* CriminOlly provided a discount code on his YouTube channel for 20% off your first order with Your Paper Quest. Use the following Discount Code at checkout: CriminOlly20

I do not receive affiliate funding (or any other monetary gain) for the use of the above discount code. I'm simply passing along the savings code to readers, should they decide to try Your Paper Quest out for themselves and would like to save money on their first order with Your Paper Quest.

Please click on the above links to learn more about both Your Paper Quest and also CriminOlly's YouTube Channel. 

I am a huge fan of CriminOlly's YouTube Channel. He provides great content on a regular basis. 

I am also looking forward to placing an order with Your Paper Quest in the future.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!!

 

Happy Romance Awareness Month!!!

 

Do you enjoy reading romance novels? Do you have a favorite romance writer?

I enjoy reading romance novels occasionally.

I do not have a favorite romance writer.