I DNF'D Several Books This Month!

 

I rarely DNF books. However, this month I DNF'd listening to three audiobooks during the first half of November, because they were just NOT for me to say the least. I can't even be bothered to remember the book titles I DNF'd at this point in time or I'd share the titles in this post. By the way, DNFing three books in one month may be a new record for me as I usually finish reading the books I start reading.

I think there's a lot of reasons behind why I either keep reading a book, even if I don't like it, or ditch reading a book if I don't like it. For instance, in school if you're required to read books for a certain course, whether you want to the book or not, you are compelled to read the book in order to pass the course. There's not much you can do in that situation. In other instances, I often feel compelled to finish reading books I spend money on, especially full priced books, even if I am not enjoying the book at all. Or if I'm reading a book for a book club I'm involved with because I want to be able to participate in the discussion of the book with other readers in the book club meet up... And lastly, I will usually finish reading a book that someone else has gifted me that I'd wanted to read. After all, this person was nice enough to buy me a book I had wanted to read. However, if I've received the book for FREE from the public library, a Little Free Library, a free digital download, an ARC, etc., and I end up not liking the book, then by all means, I have no qualms about ditching the book ASAP!!!

Is there a foolproof way to prevent DNFing books? I suppose sticking to authors/genres you already know you enjoy reading would help reduce the amount of books one DNFs greatly... But there's no guarantee this will totally work. Plus, if you want to branch out and read more diversely, then there will always be a risk that you may not enjoy what you're read. I'm always willing to branch out and read widely, even if it means breaking out of my comfort zone. This is how I find new favorite authors, books, genres, and even learn new things or new insights. 

How often do you DNF books you are reading? What are your criteria for ditching books you aren't enjoying at all? 

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

Happy Thanksgiving 2024!!

 

The Word 'DEMURE' Has Been Selected As 2024's Word of the Year!

 

I learned about this a couple of days ago, that 'DEMURE' has been named the word of the year by Dictionary.com! Brat, Brain Rot, Weird & Extreme Weather, and Midwest Nice were other words that shaped 2024 according to the above YouTube Video!

Top Ten Tuesday - Thankful/Thanksgiving Freebie

 

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.

There are truly so many things I am thankful for this season! I am grateful for the simple things that are sometimes taken for granted!

1. I'm so thankful for my loving husband, and wonderful family and friends! My circle of family and friends may be small, but I am grateful for the kind, compassionate, and fun loving people in my life. It's about the quality of the relationships I have with others that matter to me most.

2. Nutritious food/meals! Many people across the nation and around the world live without enough food to eat. I am thankful that I am able to donate to my local foodbank periodically to help provide nutritious meals for others in need. I am also grateful that I able to eat nutritious meals (often organic) and that this year, our Thanksgiving meal will be prepared and delivered to our home. So, no time spent cooking or after meal cleanup this year! Instead, I can enjoy quality time with loved ones.

3. I am thankful, blessed, and grateful to have my other basic needs met like access to health insurance/healthcare, shelter, working vehicle, and so on.

4. I am grateful to have a new vehicle as of a week and a half ago! After 17 years, it was time to retire our 2007 Toyota Prius... Our Toyota Prius was still in really good working order and served us well, but it was time to buy a new vehicle. My husband and I couldn't pass up taking advantage of the zero percent financing for 36 months on a new 2025 vehicle.

5. I'm grateful for the vacations my husband and I have taken this year. We spent a week in Miranda, California in the heart of the Avenue of the Giants/Humboldt Redwoods State Park for my husband's birthday earlier this year. We had an absolute blast spending time in nature, time away from city life and walking the numerous trails. We also spent a long weekend in Kentfield, California for our anniversary and enjoyed our time at Muir Woods National Monument. Both places offered the much needed opportunity to spend time in nature and forest bathing. If you haven't visited either Muir Woods National Monument or Avenue of the Giants/Humboldt Redwoods State Park, then by all means make the visit. It's so worth it!

Me and the Hubster enjoying The Avenue of the Giants. September 2024.

6. I had a skin cancer screening with a dermatologist earlier this year due to a suspicious looking red lesion on my lower leg. A biopsy determined that I had squamous cell carcinoma in situ, which was the very early stages of skin cancer. I went on to have Mohs Microsurgery to remove the lesion at the end of September and all traces of the squamous cell carcinoma in situ were removed during the Mohs Microsurgery. Healing has been super slow due to the location and size of the surgical site. I am finally beginning to feel better and am thankful that the squamous cell carcinoma in situ was caught and removed early.

7. I've exceeded my reading goals for 2024!! I've read so many wonderful books so far this year. I am hoping to read another five to six books before the year is over. It will be difficult narrowing down my top ten favorite books at the end of the year.

8. I am an avid book lover. Who isn't a book lover if they're an avid reader and also a book blogger? I have acquired more books to read in various formats than I could probably ever finish reading before this lifetime is completed. I wouldn't consider this a bad thing... I love being surrounded by books.

9. I love the book blogging community and am ever so grateful for all of you who follow my blog and leave me comments.

10. Lastly, I am grateful for all of the virtual author events I've attended this year, all of the Little Free Libraries I have found this year, all of the amazing authors who've churned out the books we've all loved reading, and lastly, to the indie bookstores that make book buying fun!

What are you grateful for this year?

Fly With The Arrow by Sarah K L Wilson

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Fly With The Arrow by Sarah K L Wilson, which well narrated by Lindsey Dorcus. Fly With The Arrow is the first novel in the 'Bluebeard's Secret' series. 

Listening time for Fly With The Arrow by Sarah K L Wilson is 7 hours, 53 minutes.

I was able to download Fly With The Arrow by Sarah K L Wilson for FREE through the Chirp Audiobooks website. Below is my honest, unbiased review.

Fly With The Arrow by Sarah K L Wilson was an unexpected read for me. I'd never heard of the author or the series before. I decided to take a chance on the novel and was pleasantly surprised. Fly With The Arrow falls into the young adult, romantic fantasy genre. Are you familiar with Bluebeard tale? I'm not versed with the Bluebeard tale itself, so I can't quite say this novel is a Bluebeard retelling or not. I can say that I enjoyed the storyline, the writing, and the characters. If you like the fantasy and young adult genres with a touch of romance, then you might find this novel a fun read. I did like the world building for Fly With The Arrow. 

As much as I liked reading Fly With The Arrow by Sarah K L Wilson, I can't say as I'll continue reading the series.

Below is the publisher's summary for Fly With The Arrow by Sarah K L Wilson found on Chirp's website:

A STOLEN BRIDE. A TERRIFYING BRIDEGROOM. THE GAME THAT WILL DETERMINE THEIR FATES.

I’m a practical girl. I can resign myself to an unwanted marriage – and I had. I just didn’t expect my first potential bridegroom to be murdered by the second and all because I broke the Law of Greeting.

No one warned me the law existed. No one told me breaking it would mean I’d be swept up into the arms of a powerful and beautiful immortal bent on taking me as his sixteenth bride and dragging me off to his strange world. That’s a bit much to ask of a person.

But I’m not the kind of girl to just give up. Not even if it means facing all the strange mystery and magic of this mad fae world with nothing but my common sense.

I will not mope in my room, or go crazy, or let myself be killed by one of his rivals.

And I absolutely WILL NOT fall in love with him.

Not even when he keeps surprising me with depths and kindness I didn’t expect. Not even if it turns out he actually might have a good reason for all of this.

After all, he’s had fifteen wives before me and it’s not a case of “the more the merrier.”

Especially not now, when it turns out he’s playing a game for the fate of my nation. Failure in this world will mean the desolation of everyone I love.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. But I have a crafty husband, a severed head best friend who gives surprisingly good advice, and the common sense my mother gave me, and if that isn’t enough to take on the whole of this fae world … well, they’ll just have to be. That’s all there is to it. Because I’m not dying unless I have a very good reason.

Come along on a wild romantic fantasy adventure with USA Today bestselling author Sarah K. L. Wilson, guaranteed to enthrall, delight, and maybe even surprise you.

I am giving Fly With The Arrow by Sarah K L Wilson a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post happy, reading!!

New to Me Little Free Library Find In San Ramon, California Today!!

 

We're in the midst of having a 'Triple Bomb' Cyclone here in the San Francisco Bay Area with lots of rain and flooding in certain areas according to the news. 

This afternoon the rain had stopped for awhile and the sun came out for a brief appearance. This allowed my husband and I make a quick outing to grab some food to go from a local Mediterranean restaurant and also drop off three novels at a new to us  Little Free Library.

We loved finding this new to us Little Free Library! I hope to find more LFLs in the near future!!

Gold Fury by Kieren Westwood

 

I read the paperback edition of Gold Fury by Kieren Westwood, which is a flash fiction novella and roughly 75 pages in length. Kieren Westwood is a YouTuber and writer and even editor. I've enjoyed watching quite a few videos on Kieren Westwood's YouTube channel regarding writing and they're good. So, I had high hopes for Gold Fury as I like reading novellas. I was also interested in seeing how a flash fiction novella would play out in real life. Plus, Gold Fury had been shortlisted for the Bath novella-in-flash award.

What are my thoughts about Gold Fury after reading it? I liked the short chapters. Each chapter felt like I was looking at one of those old time Polaroid snapshots in that each chapter focused on particular characters and situations that helped propel the story forward. It was like each snapshot was a pice of the puzzle that propelled the storyline forward. Each separate chapter built on the next the chapter, but not in the normal way I am use to a story being told. Gold Fury is a unique reading experience for sure and artistically done.... However, Gold Fury wasn't really my thing. I just didn't like it as much as I hoped I would enjoy reading it.

Below is the plot summary for Gold Fury by Kieren Westwood from the Goodreads website:

Gold Fury is a short novella of flash fiction, tracing twenty moments in the journey of a stolen car as it moves through the criminal landscape of a rural town. It was shortlisted for the Bath novella-in-flash award 2020. "They guy told me to run and not look back, and he had a gun." "Yes, that's all I know. I already told you what he looked like." "Yes, that's my car, a gold Plymouth Fury 1970." "Why would you be looking through my letters? It's my personal property. It had nothing to do with what happened." "I wasn't trying to blackmail anyone." NO ONE RUNS FOREVER.

I am giving Gold Fury by Kieren Westwood a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Bookish Quote of the Day!

 

Author Gary Phillips In Conversation With John Freeman - Alta Journal's California Book Club!

 

I have yet to read anything written by Gary Phillips. In fact, I'd never heard of him until recently. So, in the interest of learning more about Gary Phillips, I decided to watch Alta Journal's California Book Club virtual event with John Freeman and special guest, Naomi Hirahara!

I enjoyed watching this virtual author event earlier this evening and now want to read Violent Spring more than ever. Violent Spring was published 30 years ago in 1994 and is set in Los Angeles, California. It's also the first novel in a series of four novels featuring the leading character, Private Investigator Ivan Monk. Violent Spring takes place a year after the LA Riots, which occurred in 1992. There are plenty of other features that make this novel sound wonderful.

Have you read any books by Gary Phillips? Also, have you attended any author events recently? Let me know in the comment section below!

Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World by Linda R. Hirshman

Yes, to FINALLY listening to the unabridged audio version of Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World by Linda R. Hirshman and nicely narrated by Andrea Gallo. I've wanted to read this nonfiction book for quite sometime now as I'm fascinated by the lives of the first two women judges on the Supreme Court.

I am so happy that I listened to Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World by Linda R. Hirshman. This book is packed to the gills with information about not only the early lives of both Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, their education and early legal careers, and eventual rise to becoming the first, two female judges on the Supreme Court, but it also discusses each woman's decisions pertaining to critical legal cases that helped shape our world as we know it today. In addition to this, we also learn more about the inner workings of the Supreme Court and about the other members of the Supreme Court during each woman's tenure as a Supreme Court Justice. I found all of the information to be fascinating despite becoming a bit overwhelmed at certain times regarding the amount of information provided by Linda R. Hirschman in some sections of her book.

Below is the publisher's summary for Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World by Linda R. Hirshman, which I found on Chirp's website:

The author of the celebrated Victory tells the fascinating story of the intertwined lives of Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the first and second women to serve as Supreme Court justices.

The relationship between Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg—Republican and Democrat, Christian and Jew, western rancher’s daughter and Brooklyn girl—transcends party, religion, region, and culture. Strengthened by each other’s presence, these groundbreaking judges, the first and second to serve on the highest court in the land, have transformed the Constitution and America itself, making it a more equal place for all women.

Linda Hirshman’s dual biography includes revealing stories of how these trailblazers fought for their own recognition in a male-dominated profession—battles that would ultimately benefit every American woman. She also makes clear how these two justices have shaped the legal framework of modern feminism, including employment discrimination, abortion, affirmative action, sexual harassment, and many other issues crucial to women’s lives.

Sisters-in-Law combines legal detail with warm personal anecdotes that bring these very different women into focus as never before. Meticulously researched and compellingly told, it is an authoritative account of our changing law and culture, and a moving story of a remarkable friendship.

I am giving Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World by Linda R. Hirshman a rating of 4 stars our of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

2024 Yuletide Spirit Reading Challenge and Readathon

I do like reading holiday themed books! Seasons of Reading is hosting both a reading challenge and read-a-thon beginning November 25th through December 31st, 2024.

You can participate in both the reading challenge and the read-a-thon or only one or the other. It's your choice!

I am going to participate in both the reading challenge and the read-a-thon. I plan to read only one holiday themed book for the reading  challenge, which falls into the Candy Cane level.

There's even a bingo reading challenge!! Plus, there's even prizes!!

Click on the above link to learn more about Seasons of Reading 2024 Yuletide Spirit Reading Challenge and Readathon.

Happy High Five A Librarian Day!!!

 

Circus of the Dead: Book 1 by Kimberly Loth

 

I recently listened to the unabridged audio version of Circus of the Dead: Book 1 by Kimberly Loth, which was well narrated by Sarah Puckett. 

Circus of the Dead is a young adult novel, which deals with the supernatural, horror, and fantasy genres all mixed together in one novel. I liked the concept for this novel, but it didn't play out very well... Or at least, as good as I hoped it would play out.

Callie, the main character, is a teenager sent by her mother to live with her Uncle Luke for the summer. Luke is Callie's mother's brother. Callie and Luke have never met before. In fact, Luke has no idea that Callie is coming all the way from California to the Louisiana Bayou to work at the circus. Things go wrong from the  very start of this novel and continue to go from bad to worse rather quickly. Callie is almost killed by a tiger when she is locked inside the tiger's cage. Then, Callie visits the fortune teller at the circus for a tarot reading. Callie draws two tarot cards that seal her fate. Callie's fate is that she will be stuck on the island where the circus is held, unable to escape forever, and that she'll fall in love. 

Throughout the remainder of the novel, Callie tries to escape the island numerous times without success. Callie is almost killed a few times... And Samuel, the mysterious ringmaster, has strange powers/control over the permanent residents of the island. Samuel isn't who he seems to be, yet Callie is attracted to him. Stranger still is the fact that Callie's parent's won't rescue her despite several pleas on Callie's part to come home. Nor do Callie's parents and her younger sister believe she is in any sort of danger.

Circus of the Dead: Book 1 by Kimberly Loth starts out pretty well and the ending is decent enough. However, the middle of the novel has a lot of action that doesn't move the storyline along substantially... Sure, we learn a little more about some of the other islanders and the circus itself. But, I felt like the plot didn't explain enough about the mysteries concerning the circus itself, or enough about Callies's Uncle Luke and her parents, or even much regarding the mysterious, Samuel, and his backstory. I will skip the rest of the 'Circus of the Dead' series.

Below is the plot summary for Circus of the Dead: Book 1 by Kimberly Loth found on the Goodreads website:

There are many ways to die at the Circus of the Dead. You’re invited to witness them all.

Mom sent me all the way across the country to the Louisiana bayou to join the circus and help my uncle for the summer. Except, there is something not quite right on this swampy cursed island, and after having my fortune told, I can’t leave. I try to escape, but Benny, an all too charming ghost gangster, tries to kill me by feeding me to a tiger.

Thankfully, I’m rescued by Samuel, the incredibly hot ringmaster who can’t be a day over 20. Can he?

In addition to avoiding the human scorpion, staying away from the big cats, and having trouble figuring out who’s dead and who’s alive, I have to find a way to escape this horror show.

Will I get out of the circus alive, or will I join their army of ghosts and become a murderer myself?

I am giving Circus of the Dead: Book 1 by Kimberly Loth a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

5 Audiobooks Receive 2024 Grammy Nominations

I largely forget about the fact that audiobooks are nominated for a Grammy Award!! I recently came across the following Kirkus Review article titled, 5 Audiobooks Receive 2024 Grammy Nominations by Michael Schaub.

In the article mentioned above, I learned that the following five books have been nominated for a Grammy Award:

1. My Name Is Barbra by Barbra Streisand

2. Last Sundays in Plains: A Centennial Celebration by Jimmy Carter

3. Behind The Seams: My Life In Rhinestones by Dolly Parton

4. ...And Your Ass Will Follow: Words + Music by George Clinton

5. All You Need Is Love: The Beatles in Their Own Words: Unpublished, Unvarnished, and Told by The Beatles and Their Inner Circle by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines

Seems like we have a top heavy celebrity selection of nominees for the Grammy Awards! I think Dolly Parton's book sounds the most intriguing, especially since she narrates her own book. The winners will be selected on February 2, 2025. Good luck!!

The Vampire's Last Dance by Deanna Chase

 
Generally, I like reading paranormal romances as low key, fun reads, which is one of the reasons why I decided to listen to the unabridged audio version of The Vampire's Last Dance by Deanna Chase and well narrated by Traci Odom. I also chose this novel because it's narrated by Traci Odom and I like listening to books she narrates. It's also a very short read and I wanted to give another novel written by Deanna Chase a try.

Traci Odom's narration is probably the best thing I can say about my experience with The Vampire's Last Dance by Deanna Chase. I didn't care for the writing/storyline/plot development for The Vampire's Last Dance... It's was not very interesting or engaging. I didn't like the characters very much either. With that said, I think I will ditch out on reading any other novelss written by Deanna Chase in the future.

Below is the plot summary for The Vampire's Last Dance by Deanna Chase I discovered on the author's website:

She’s a witch who carries a family curse, destined to never get her happily ever after. Felicia Patterson has come to terms with the fact that she’ll never get to be with her one true love… whoever he happens to be. But when the sexiest vampire she’s ever seen walks onto Witch Island, she can’t help her fluttering heart.

He’s a vampire who’s been burned before, destined to never love again. Christoph Parks has sworn off relationships. In the century that he’s walked the earth, he’s only known heartbreak and disappointment. But one smile from the island’s sassy florist has his icy heart melting. And now that the pair have been thrown together to save their loved ones’ wedding from imploding, can they also overcome a brutal curse, find a way to trust, and finally get the love that they deserve?

I am giving The Vampire's Last Dance by Deanna Chase a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Top Ten Tuesday - Destination Titles

 

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.

Below are ten different books with a destination in its title!

1. Louisiana Longshot: A Miss Fortune Mystery by Jana Deleon

2. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

3. Kentucky On The Rocks by Gwendolyn Grace

4. Death At Greenway by Lori Rader-Day

5. The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald

6. The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson

7. The High Mountains of Portugal by Yann Martel

8. Peril In Pensacola by Lucy Quinn

9. Sara in Montana by Morris Fenris

10. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

Have you read any of the books I've listed above?

Controlled Chaos (Love and Lyrics #1) by Nikki Ash

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Controlled Chaos (Love and Lyrics #1) by Nikki Ash, which was well narrated by Walker Williams and Marina Barrett. This was my first read for November 2024!

After listening to nine audiobooks in October, I decided to make my first read for November an easy peasy, quick read! Controlled Chaos (Love and Lyrics #1) by Nikki Ash is a contemporary romance novel and fit perfectly for my need for a quick read and change of pace from what I'd read the previous month.

Although, I enjoyed Controlled Chaos (Love and Lyrics #1) by Nikki Ash with its dual narrators, I found it to be a typical, formulaic, romance read... That doesn't mean it wasn't a good read, it just means that it follows the standard romance formula that's so pervasive. Plus, too fairytale-lish in many respects to make it a perfect read.

I enjoyed the storyline and characters overall for Controlled Chaos (Love and Lyrics #1) by Nikki Ash and the narrators were good. Camden and Layla have been best friends since sophomore year of high school. Camden has always been in love with Layla since day one, but there's always been something that prevented Camden from making his feels for Layla known. Layla got engaged and married to a creep, while Camden and his music band became big. Camden and Layla reunited and eventually started a romance after Layla left her abusive husband... There's tons of drama surrounding that relationship.

Below is the publisher's summary for Controlled Chaos (Love and Lyrics #1) by Nikki Ash from Goodread's website:

A Single Mom, Rock Star Romance

Camden

I’ve been in love with my best friend since high school.
My biggest regret? Walking away without telling her.
I planned to. But then catastrophe struck, making us part ways without a word.
She left for Boston with her fiancé, while I left for L.A. with my band–Raging Chaos.
For the next five years, I lived and breathed music, trying to forget the beautiful girl who shattered my heart without even knowing it.
Until I see her again…
I walked away once, and I've learned my lesson.
Layla is my forever, not another item in my pile of regrets.
And she's about to find that out.

Layla

The moment I saw Camden on stage, something inside me came to life.
His tragic song of unrequited love was a confession that had me questioning everything.
Five years might’ve changed who we are—he’s a rock star and I’m a single mom—but my feelings for him are as strong as ever.
His lyrics make falling in love seem easy. For him—maybe it is.
Only I’ve learned the hard way that real life isn’t as simple as writing a love song.

I am giving Controlled Chaos (Love and Lyrics #1) by Nikki Ash a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R. A. Dick

I have never seen the movie version of 'The Ghost and Mrs. Muir', but I never knew the movie was based on a novel until recently!! With this new bit of information, I decided to listen to the unabridged audio version of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R. A. Dick, which was well narrated by Elizabeth Jasicki.

I enjoyed The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R. A. Dick!! What a fun read!! I enjoyed the storyline and characters for this novel and the writing too. Lucy Muir, is the main character, and she is a strong, confident woman for during the time period in which this novel was set. She's a widow with two young children and she sets out to start life over in a new town where she can afford to live. The house she moves into is apparently haunted and no one has rented it. But Lucy takes the rental and moves into the home with her children. Yes, there's a ghost, but Lucy and the ghost, sea Captain Daniel Gregg, form a special kinship with each other. I adored reading about their relationship! I also enjoyed reading about Lucy's life in general and her relationship's with others during a time period that held different views and conventions on what was expected of women.

Below is the publisher's summary for The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R. A. Dick found on Amazon's website:

The basis for Joseph L. Mankiewicz's cinematic romance starring Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison.

Burdened by debt after her husband's death, Lucy Muir insists on moving into the very cheap Gull Cottage in the quaint seaside village of Whitecliff, despite multiple warnings that the house is haunted. Upon discovering the rumors to be true, the young widow ends up forming a special companionship with the ghost of handsome former sea captain Daniel Gregg. Through the struggles of supporting her children, seeking out romance from the wrong places, and working to publish the captain's story as a book, Blood and Swash, Lucy finds in her secret relationship with Captain Gregg a comfort and blossoming love she never could have predicted.

Originally published in 1945, made into a movie in 1947, and later adapted into a television sitcom in 1968, this romantic tale explores how love can develop without boundaries, both in this life and beyond.

I am giving The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R. A. Dick a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily by Laura Creedle

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily by Laura Creedle, which was very well narrated by Rebecca Gibel. Listening time for this young adult novel was 8 hours, 9 minutes.

The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily by Laura Creedle happens to be my FAVORITE FICTION read for the month of October 2024! I was surprised that this novel became my favorite fiction read for October 2024. I purchased this audiobook on a whim because it was on sale through Chirp Audiobooks and the storyline sounded intriguing, so I decided to give it a try. I wasn't disappointed with this novel!

I'm a sucker for a well written young adult novel. I am drawn to young adult novels that focus on good storytelling. highlight real world problems that young adults deal/struggle with during this of their young lives, and/or provides an important message for young people to hold onto.

The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily focuses on two neurodivergent teenagers, Abelard and Lily. They are both dealing with not only what it means to be a teenager, but also dealing with being neurodivergent... Lily is struggling with ADHD and Abelard is on the Autism spectrum. 

The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily explores what it means to be a neurodivergent teenager and what it's like trying to fit into society and finding one's way in the world. Plus, there is the addition of trying to navigate a budding romance.

I enjoyed the writing very much. I liked the characters and the plot twists. I felt this was a solid novel and that Laura Creedle did a great job with the subject matter.

Below is the publisher's summary for The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily by Laura Creedle from Goodreads's website:

When Lily Michaels-Ryan ditches her ADHD meds and lands in detention with Abelard, she's intrigued-he seems thirty seconds behind while she feels thirty seconds ahead. It doesn't hurt that he's brilliant and beautiful. When Abelard posts a quote from The Letters of Abelard and Heloise online, their mutual affinity for ancient love letters connects them. The two fall for each other. Hard. But is it enough to bridge their differences in person?

I am giving The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily by Laura Creedle a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Quote of the Day!!

 

A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin

A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin had been on my reading wishlist for roughly a couple of years after hearing an author I'd been watching during a virtual event state that A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin was one of their favorite novels. I can't remember now, which author it was that said, A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin, was one of their favorite novels. I am simply thrilled that I made a note of this novel for future reading.

Last month, I ended up listening to the unabridged audio version of A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin, which was well narrated by George Newbern.

I was rather surprised by this novel and how much I enjoyed listening to it. I loved the pace of it. A Kiss Before Dying is definitely a plot driven novel and I enjoyed the plot twists. The characters were nicely developed too.

I also learned that A Kiss Before Dying is an award winning novel. It won the 1954 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. Usually, I find award winning novels to be hit or miss, but this one hits the bullseye. 

If you like modern classic, suspense novels, then you may enjoy reading A Kiss Before Dying.

Below is the publisher's summary for A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin from Amazon's website:

ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE’S 100 BEST MYSTERY AND THRILLER BOOKS OF ALL TIME.

Iconic author Ira Levin’s Edgar Award-winning debut novel set a new standard in the art of psychological suspense. A modern classic published to rave reviews, and twice adapted for the screen, A Kiss before Dying is a darkly thrilling, twisting tale of criminal psychopathy.

Known for his looks and charm, a young man obsessed with wealth and status will stop at nothing to get what he wants. He sets his sights on a beautiful and innocent college student named Dorothy, intent on marrying her for her family’s money. But when Dorothy becomes pregnant, his careful plans start to unravel, and he begins to take cold, calculating, and drastic measures to protect his future.

A Kiss before Dying, told from multiple points of view, has thrilled millions with its perfectly constructed plotting and is an acknowledged masterpiece of crime fiction.

I am giving A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Death In The Bush by Wendy M. Wilson

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Death In The Bush by Wendy M. Wilson, which is well narrated by Sam Devereaux. Death In The Bush is the first novel in the 'Mr. Hardy Investigates' series and is a historical mystery set in New Zealand.

I listened to Death In The Bush in October of 2024. I initially found it difficult to get into this novel and wasn't quite sure I liked the main characters (James and Beatrice Hardy, a husband and wife that's recently moved to New Zealand) at first either. Over time, I grew to enjoy the main characters, supporting characters, and the storyline. The plot twists for this novel were pretty good and made for good reading. There is nothing better than reading a historical mystery novel, as it combines a couple of my favorite genres, mystery and historical fiction!

Below is the publishers summary for Death In The Bush by Wendy M. Wilson from Amazon's website:

Step into a different time and place with James and Beatrice Hardy, Inspector Scully and Patrick Foster in the first book of a small-town cozy historical mystery series from New Zealand in 1882.

Ride back in time to Napier on the east coast of New Zealand, when buggies raced along the beach, it took two days to reach the capital by steamer -- if the steamer didn't sink -- and a telephone exchange was a high tech invention for early adopters.

Retired English coachman James Hardy needs to find a new life in this strange country. Investigating crimes might be just the ticket.

New Zealand 1881: After a reclusive Māori on the run from the police leaps onto the back of his spring buggy, retired coachman JAMES HARDY discovers he has stumbled into a murder scene. While tracking a gang of lumber thieves, police have found the body of a young housemaid lying beside a log. The local hermit is hunched over the corpse clutching a knife with ties to the past, but did he do it? And why does he claim he took the knife for the major?

When the inspector in charge of the case asks Hardy for assistance, in the mistaken belief that he is a retired Scotland Yard detective, he agrees. He's a great listener, he's kept up with crime in the English broadsheets, he's an expert cryptic crossword solver, and he can drive a coach better than anyone he's met; he can catch the person who used the famous knife to kill Rosie. But he'll need help from his intrepid American wife, Beatrice, and a young constable recently arrived from Ireland.

I am giving Death In The Bush by Wendy M. Wilson a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Murder As Fine Art by David Morrell

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Murder As Fine Art by David Morrell and narrated by Matthew Wolf. I had Murder As Fine Art by David Morrell on my reading wishlist for a long time. I finally listened to it last month in October 2024.

Murder As Fine Art by David Morrell is a work of historical fiction and the first novel in the Thomas De Quincy series. Wow, this novel was so much better than I expected it to be!! If you L-O-V-E historical fiction and mystery/thriller novels, then this is definitely for you! The writing is detailed and simply superb. I feel like David Morrell did a ton of research for Murder As Fine Art in terms of what life was like in London during the 1800s, along with researching the historical events in which the author writes about for this novel. I found the characters, the storyline and plot twists were engaging and at times felt like I was witnessing the details firsthand as the writing was so vivid.

Below is the publisher's summary for Murder As Fine Art by David Morrell from Amazon's website:

Gaslit London is brought to its knees in David Morriell's brilliant historical thriller.

Thomas De Quincey, infamous for his memoir Confessions of an English Opium-Eater, is the major suspect in a series of ferocious mass murders identical to ones that terrorized London 43 years earlier.

The blueprint for the killings seems to be De Quincey's essay "On Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts". Desperate to clear his name but crippled by opium addiction, De Quincey is aided by his devoted daughter, Emily, and a pair of determined Scotland Yard detectives.

In Murder as a Fine Art, David Morrell plucks De Quincey, Victorian London, and the Ratcliffe Highway murders from history. Fogbound streets become a battleground between a literary star and a brilliant murderer, whose lives are linked by secrets long buried but never forgotten.

I am giving Murder As Fine Art by David Morrell a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Animals Make Us Human by Temple Grandin

 

I read Animals In Translation by Temple Grandin years ago (well before starting my blogging journey) and loved it! In fact, Animals In Translation is one of my favorite all time books ever. 

I'd been meaning to read another book by Temple Grandin ever since then. I finally took the time to listen to the unabridged audio version of Animals Make Us Human by Temple Grandin, which is well narrated by Andrea Gallo last month in October 2024. I really enjoyed this work of nonfiction about animals... Although, I still like Animals In Translation a bit more.

What I enjoyed most about Animals Make Us Human by Temple Grandin is that almost every chapter in the book was devoted to a specific animal or group of animals in a particular setting. So you have chapters focused on specifically on cats, dogs, horses, pigs, cows, chickens and other fowl, and also chapters on animals in the wild and animals in captivity. Plus, I enjoyed hearing the last chapter, which was narrated by Temple Grandin, on why she still works in the industry.

I learned so much from listening to Animals Make Us Human by Temple Grandin. Some of the content was very difficult to hear when it comes to factory farming, but I greatly admire Temple Grandin's research and how she's helped to transform the farming industry here in the USA to make it better. We need more people like her in this world. Thank you Temple Grandin for making the world a better place for animals.

Below is the publisher's summary for Animals Make Us Human by Temple Grandin I found on Amazon's website:

The best-selling animal advocate Temple Grandin offers the most exciting exploration of how animals feel since The Hidden Life of Dogs.

In her groundbreaking and best-selling book Animals in Translation, Temple Grandin drew on her own experience with autism as well as her distinguished career as an animal scientist to deliver extraordinary insights into how animals think, act, and feel. Now she builds on those insights to show us how to give our animals the best and happiest life—on their terms, not ours.

It’s usually easy to pinpoint the cause of physical pain in animals, but to know what is causing them emotional distress is much harder. Drawing on the latest research and her own work, Grandin identifies the core emotional needs of animals. Then she explains how to fulfill them for dogs and cats, horses, farm animals, and zoo animals. Whether it’s how to make the healthiest environment for the dog you must leave alone most of the day, how to keep pigs from being bored, or how to know if the lion pacing in the zoo is miserable or just exercising, Grandin teaches us to challenge our assumptions about animal contentment and honor our bond with our fellow creatures.

Animals Make Us Human is the culmination of almost thirty years of research, experimentation, and experience.

I am giving Animals Make Us Human by Temple Grandin a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

 

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix was my first read for the month of October 2024, but is the third novel I've read by Grady Hendrix. I selected this novel as a Halloween themed read. I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, which was well narrated by Bahni Turpin.

I think The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires may be the last Grady Hendrix novel I read. I really enjoyed his novel, Horrorstör, so I chose to read more of his novels. However, both The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires and My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix, simply weren't as engaging/captivating for me as Horrorstör was.

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires was definitely suspenseful in parts and definitely had a lot of horror elements to it. The characters and storyline were intriguing, but the plot took a different direction than I anticipated it would based on the book blurb. 

I didn't like how derogatory the male characters were in their views and behavior towards their wives and women in general throughout The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, which was a HUGE turn off for me. 

I know Grady Hendrix seems to be popular among many readers, but his novels don't resonate with me very well for the most part. I think he's a good writer, but the characters and storylines aren't entertaining enough for me to invest time reading anymore of them in the future.

Below is the publisher's summary for The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix I found on Goodreads:

Fried Green Tomatoes and "Steel Magnolias" meet Dracula in this Southern-flavored supernatural thriller set in the '90s about a women's book club that must protect its suburban community from a mysterious and handsome stranger who turns out to be a blood-sucking fiend.

Patricia Campbell had always planned for a big life, but after giving up her career as a nurse to marry an ambitious doctor and become a mother, Patricia's life has never felt smaller. The days are long, her kids are ungrateful, her husband is distant, and her to-do list is never really done. The one thing she has to look forward to is her book club, a group of Charleston mothers united only by their love for true-crime and suspenseful fiction. In these meetings, they're more likely to discuss the FBI's recent siege of Waco as much as the ups and downs of marriage and motherhood.

But when an artistic and sensitive stranger moves into the neighborhood, the book club's meetings turn into speculation about the newcomer. Patricia is initially attracted to him, but when some local children go missing, she starts to suspect the newcomer is involved. She begins her own investigation, assuming that he's a Jeffrey Dahmer or Ted Bundy. What she uncovers is far more terrifying, and soon she--and her book club--are the only people standing between the monster they've invited into their homes and their unsuspecting community.

I am giving The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Houses Without Doors by Peter Straub

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Houses Without Doors by Peter Straub, which well narrated by Patrick Lawlor last month as a spooky/horror themed read for Halloween. This is the first book I've ever read by Peter Straub, although I've heard about him before as an author for a number of years. I am so happy that I have finally read a book by Peter Straub. His writing is exquisite.

Houses Without Doors by Peter Straub is a collection of short stories. I usually find short stories hit or miss. The stories in this collection were interesting, engaging, and different to say the least. Each story was so different. If you like the horror genre and also short stories, then give this collection a try.

I think what I enjoyed most about Houses Without Doors by Peter Straub was the writing itself. I look forward to read a full length novel by Peter Straub in the future.

Below is the publisher's summary for Houses Without Doors by Peter Straub from Amazon's website:

These psychic and horror fictions - seven of them short-shorts - reveals Straub at his spellbinding best. Two tales (first installments of his Blue Rose trilogy), are linked to Koko and Mystery and exactingly probe the consequences of boyhood clashes with evil.

In "Blue Rose," sadistic Harry Beevers, 10, hypnotizes and destroys his younger brother; the tale leaps ahead to the ironic verdict in Harry's court-martial for wreaking atrocities in Vietnam.

In the outstanding "The Juniper Tree," a novelist relives a harrowing, seductive summer when, at age seven, he was sexually molested in a movie house by drifter Stan, a seedy Alan Ladd lookalike.

"The Buffalo Hunter" fastidiously chronicles the fixations of a 35-year-old who numbs his fear of women by sucking his coffee and cognac from baby bottles.

In the ambitious gothic thriller/academic spoof "Mrs. God," a fatuous professor is lured to a creepy English mansion crammed with grisly secrets to research the papers of his poet ancestress; dead babies provide a subtheme.

Wry and riveting, "A Short Guide to the City" fuses and parodies two genres: the self-congratulatory tourist blurb with a news alert on the "viaduct killer."

I am giving Houses Without Doors by Peter Straub a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Win Me Something by Kyle Lucia Wu

 

My last read for the month of October 2024 was Win Me Something by Kyle Lucia Wu. I listened to the unabridged audio version of Win Me Something by Kyle Lucia Wu and well narrated by Natalie Naudus.

I have mixed thoughts about this debut novel. I loved the concept of this novel. The main character, Willa Chen, is 24 years old, biracial woman (Chinese American) and living in New York City. Willa has never felt like she fits in within the white community, nor the Asian American community. To make matters worse, she feels like an outsider within in her own family. Her parents divorced when she was really young. Both of Willa's parents eventually remarried and had children with their new spouses. Willa spent time with both of her parents growing up, but she didn't feel a deep connection with either of her parents or step-parents and her half siblings... Willa has an identity crisis, if you will, on how and where she fits in with not only inside her family, but within society as well. Willa is also not very confident and somewhat shy. All of this comes through pretty well in the novel. 

Additionally, Willa works as a nanny for a wealthy family in the Tribeca neighborhood in NYC, which is a large chunk of the novel. So, this is another part of the storyline and how being a nanny factors into Willa's overall life and world view.

The cons of this novel for me was it didn't quite hit the mark. The premise of the novel is a good one, but the supporting characters were kinda flat. The character interactions felt kinda flat and needed another pop to make things a bit more engaging as well. I also felt like Willa had low self-esteem/low self-confidence and needed to speak up for herself. I was hoping to see this issue resolved by the end of the novel or at least an improvement, but really didn't seem to happen. Also, the ending was lacking... So, what happens with Willa? I guess we'll never know.

Below is the publisher's summary for Win Me Something by Kyle Lucia Wu from Amazon:

A perceptive and powerful debut of identity and belonging - of a young woman determined to be seen.

Willa Chen has never quite fit in. Growing up as a biracial Chinese American girl in New Jersey, Willa felt both hypervisible and unseen, too Asian to fit in at her mostly White school, and too White to speak to the few Asian kids around. After her parents’ early divorce, they both remarried and started new families, and Willa grew up feeling outside of their new lives, too.

For years, Willa does her best to stifle her feelings of loneliness, drifting through high school and then college as she tries to quiet the unease inside her. But when she begins working for the Adriens - a wealthy White family in Tribeca - as a nanny for their daughter, Bijou, Willa is confronted with all of the things she never had. As she draws closer to the family and eventually moves in with them, Willa finds herself questioning who she is, and revisiting a childhood where she never felt fully at home.

Self-examining and fraught with the emotions of a family who fails and loves in equal measure, Win Me Something is a nuanced coming-of-age debut about the irreparable fissures between people, and a young woman who asks what it really means to belong, and how she might begin to define her own life.

I am giving Win Me Something by Kyle Lucia Wu a rating of 3 out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!