My blog is about the books I'm reading, the independent bookstores I visit, the author and book events I attend, and any bookish related things I come across in the months and years to come!
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 books I would like to read with occupations in the title!
1. The Editor by Steven Rowley
2. The Gardener of Baghdad by Ahmad Ardalan
3. The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict
4. The Cake Therapist by Judith Fertig
5. Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak
6. A Country Doctor's Notebook by Mikhail Bulgakov
7. The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
8. Butcher by Joyce Carol Oates
9. The Lindbergh Nanny byMariah Fredericks
10. The Journalist and the Murderer by Janet Malcom
I listened to the unabridged audio version of Macbeth by William Shakespeare. This was my last read for August 2025. I really enjoyed the LA Theatre Works production of Macbeth with its full cast dramatization of this play.
The fact is, I wasn't planning to read anything written by William Shakespeare this year. However, after comprising a list of literary villains for an upcoming meme I will be posting, I decided to read Macbeth because of Lady Macbeth.
As with all of Shakespeare's plays, there is a lot to chew in terms of the various themes presented in his plays. Macbeth's central theme "is the destructive nature of unchecked ambition and how it leads to moral and psychological corruption, ultimately causing the downfall of individuals and the destruction of social order."
I also found it interesting to ponder the thought of fate vs free will with regards to the prophecies set forth by the three witches at the start of Macbeth. The witches introduce the idea of destiny. However, it's Macbeth that acts on the ideas set forth by the witches and we see the consequences of his actions.
The following is the publisher's summary for Macbeth by William Shakespeare from Chirp's website:
Infamously known as the cursed Scottish play, Macbeth is perhaps Shakespeare’s darkest tragedy. When General Macbeth is foretold by three witches that he will one day be King of Scotland, Lady Macbeth convinces him to get rid of anyone who could stand in his way – including committing regicide. As Macbeth ascends to the throne through bloody murder, he becomes a tyrant consumed by fear and paranoia.
I am giving Macbeth by William Shakespeare a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.
In my quest to learn more about menopause, I chose to listen to the unabridged audio version of Menopause Confidential by Tara Allmen, MD, which is well narrated by the author.
Dr. Tara Allmen MD gives women a very comprehensive look at perimenopause and menopause as well as other women's health issues/tests one can/should expect in midlife and beyond. Topics like colonoscopies and the latest information on pap smears and pelvic exams, mammograms, ultrasounds, and so on, that added more value and understanding when it comes to aging when women hit midlife and beyond. The primary focus, of course, for this book is perimenopause and menopause.
I loved the wide variety of topics discussed in Menopause Confidential by the author and the chapters that focused on specific topics that I felt were pertinent for a better understanding of women's health as I move forward from middle age into old age.
I also loved that Dr. Tara Allmen MD read her own book! She made listening to her book so much fun. I found myself enjoying the knowledge she shared in her book about women's health to be less scary or intimidating. Menopause is sort of a scary topic if you ask me. The author made her book about menopause extremely accessible to the average reader (nothing overly scientific or complicated) and also a very engaging read.
I was also very pleased that Dr. Tara Allmen MD discussed bioidentical hormones in one of her chapters!!
Although, I enjoyed Menopause Confidential by Tara Allmen, MD even more than Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause by Naomi Watts, I still felt that it wasn't a perfect read. It was originally published back in September 2016. Although, I felt like it contained relevant information, I'm sure there is the possibly that there's newer information out there regarding perimenopause and menopause.
Also, Menopause Confidential does elude to the fact that there isn't a one size fits all solution for treating perimenopause and menopause. The same is also eluded to in Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause by Naomi Watts as well. So, there seems to be a bit of trial and error in finding what best works for you in terms of treating both perimenopause and menopause. However, with that said, I feel like there are more detailed treatment options given in Menopause Confidential for one to explore and discuss with their medical doctor.
Watch the following book trailer for Menopause Confidential... It's short, to the point, and features the author talking about her book!!
Below is the publisher's summary for Menopause Confidential by Tara Allmen, MD from Chirp's website:
An authoritative guide to understanding and navigating the hormonal changes and health issues women experience in midlife and beyond, from one of the leading medical experts in the field.
The physical changes that occur after women turn forty are unavoidable—and can be unnerving. Menopause affects every aspect of life—from sex and sleep to mood and mental clarity to weight and body temperature. While there are a number of resources available, many are confusing and contradictory. Now, Manhattan gynecologist Dr. Tara Allmen, an experienced, nationally board-certified menopause practitioner and the recipient of the 2015 Doctor’s Choice National Award for Obstetrics & Gynecology, shares her knowledge to help women be their happiest and healthiest, and turn this challenging time into an exciting one.
Written in her effervescent yet assured voice, Menopause Confidential provides simple strategies and cutting-edge information on:
hormonal changes and the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause;
the health risks associated with midlife—from cutting through the conflicting opinions and advice about health screenings (Do I really need a colonoscopy? How often should I get a mammogram?) to common medical conditions, such as osteoporosis;
various remedies, both allopathic and natural, to combat symptoms and empower women to make the best choices for their individual needs;
practical tips and resources for mitigating the effects of menopause.
Fifty-one-year-old Dr. Allmen knows firsthand what women are going through, and shares stories of her own personal travails and solutions. Women can’t turn back the clock, but they can take control of their health and flourish in midlife. Menopause Confidential encourages them to be informed, be proactive, and be their greatest selves.
I am giving Menopause Confidential by Tara Allmen, MD a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.
I'm all in on learning more about various women's health issues.
My current health topic to learn more about is perimenopause/menopause
as I'm currently in the thick of things for this health topic.
I've already read and reviewedDare I Say It by Naomi Watts, which was the first book I've read about menopause. Click on the above link to read my review of Naomi Watts's book.
I'm looking to explore other books regarding the topic of menopause.
In the article, Courtney Shapiro wrote the following:
"For decades, it was taboo to talk about menopause, let alone celebrate this phase of life. Now, women are much more candid about their experiences and looking for new ways to educate themselves. For that reason, publishers are coming out with scores of menopause books. Penned by gynecologists, real women, holistic health experts and even celebrities (hello, Naomi Watts!), these titles separate myth from reality and dive deep into what really happens during menopause—and what you can do to make it easier. With so many books to choose from, we’ve rounded up our favorites of the newest books—including several coming out later this year. Keep scrolling for our complete list of menopause nonfiction books."
I've already read one of the books mentioned in Courtney Shapiro's
article. I've added others to my ever growing reading wishlist.
Click on above link to rad the full article from Women's World.
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 have a collection of tarot decks. Some I love, some I don't, and others I feel indifferent about. Below is a list of my ten favorite tarot decks to date.
It is also worth noting that I love the artwork found on tarot cards/decks. However, I've yet to learn how to read tarot cards.
Maybe, just maybe, one of these days, I'll get around to learning how to read tarot cards.
1. Morgan-Greer Tarot Deck by Bill F. Greer
What do I love about this tarot deck? It's based on the structure of the Rider-Waite tarot deck. This makes the Morgan-Greer Tarot Deck a great beginner tarot deck.
This tarot deck has a fabulous 1970s vintage look to it. I love the dark, rich, bold and saturated colors used in this deck!! I also love the matte finish and no borders on these tarot cards. The backside of these tarot cards display white stars, which is a fun look.
What do I dislike about this tarot deck? The tarot cards come inside a tuck box. Additionally, this tarot deck has the usual little white booklet included inside, which doesn't feature anything extraordinary. Otherwise, I love this deck and feel like it's a wonderful starter deck for new tarot readers.
2. Tattoo Tarot: Ink & Intuition by Diana McMahon-Collis
I love this Marseille tarot deck! This tarot deck is enclosed inside a sturdy, two piece box. I love the artwork, bold, rich colors, and the sturdy cardstock with matte finish. There is a small booklet that comes with this tarot deck, which contains a bit more information than you'd find in the typical 'little white booklet' included with other tarot decks.
3. Tarot del Toro: A Tarot Deck and Guidebook Inspired by the World of Guillermo del Toro by Tomas Hijo
This is another fun Marseille tarot deck!! I love the artwork and darker imagery. I love that this tarot deck comes inside a sturdy, two piece box with nice artwork on the exterior od said box. The tarot cards in this deck are standard sized tarot cards with a matte finish and nice border. A nice, but small paperback book comes with this deck that gives tarot spread suggestions.
4. Yarn Tarot: For Crocheters, Knitters, Spinners, and Weavers by Katie Ponder
I am a knitter, so the Yarn Tarot Deck is very fitting for me to have in my tarot collection. If you're a crocheter, knitter, weaver, or spinner and are into tarot, then this deck for you.
The Yarn Tarot deck comes in a two piece, sturdy box and small, hardback book to help one read the tarot cards. The cards for the Yarn Tarot are standard sized with a matte finish and they also have a boarder on them.
5. Squid Cake Marseille Tarot by Jess Rollar
I absolutely adore the Squid Cake Marseille deck!! It's another Marseille deck filled with the color pink in each and every image. These tarot cards even have pink edges on them.
This tarot deck is smaller than your usual tarot deck, which I like. I really like the artwork for this tarot deck. The tarot cards come with a two piece, sturdy box and an instructional booklet. I like the cardstock for this deck as well.
6. The Phantomwise Tarot by Erin Morgenstern
Calling all Erin Morgenstern fans!!! This black and white tarot deck is for you. Again this tarot deck comes in a study box with a nice instructional booklet, The tarot cards are standard sized with matte finish and texture to them. I love the artwork for this deck. You'll find rabbits and other animals incorporated in the imagery used in for this deck.
7. Tarot of the Divine: A Deck and Guidebook Inspired by Deities, Folklore, and Fairy Tales from Around the World: Tarot Cards by Yoshi Yoshitani
This is another lovely tarot deck!! This tarot deck comes with a nice, full color, paperback book for tarot readers to review. The deck and booklet are held inside a sturdy box. The tarot deck itself is standard sized with a matte finish and texture on the deck itself. The artwork is very colorful and fun. I like the unique theme for this tarot deck.
8. Legrande Circus & Sideshow Tarot by John Lee
I love this circus and sideshow themed tarot deck!! It's so much fun. This tarot deck comes in a very colorful, two piece, sturdy box. These tarot cards have a nice weight/thickness to them with a matte finish and white border. I like the artwork. The deck comes with an instructional booklet.
9. Tarot Disassembled by Jennifer Cooper Steidley (Indie Deck - Etsy Seller)
This tarot deck is so unique, fun, and extremely colorful!! It comes inside a sturdy box with a magnetic closure. This tarot deck is a standard tarot deck size, with matte finish. Each card feels super silky smooth to the touch. The edges of these cards are a red color.
I'd say this tarot deck is more for an advanced tarot reader... And because this tarot deck is independently published, it is more expensive than your average tarot deck. But this tarot deck is well worth the price if you like specialty tarot decks and also like to support indie artists.
10. Madam Clara Sees All Fortune Teller Tarot Card Deck by MotelGiftShop (Beginner Indie Deck - Etsy Seller)
This is another specialty tarot deck made for the beginner tarot reader. Because it is independently published, it's more expensive than your typical tarot deck.
I really like this tarot deck due to its artwork and basic phrases on the front of each card to help the newbie tarot reader learn to read tarot cards more quickly.
This tarot deck is the standard tarot size with a black boarder. The tarot deck itself is enclosed with a sturdy box with magnetic closure and also comes with a small, paper booklet to help facilitate tarot readings. The box and deck also come with a padded cloth bag to store the tarot deck when not in use. This tarot deck has gold edges.
My only complaint about this particular tarot deck is that the cardstock is on the thinner side. For the price one pays for this deck, I think the cardstock should be thicker to hold up over the long haul for giving readings.
Any tarot readers out there? Do you have a favorite tarot deck you like working with when you do tarot readings? Do you have any sage advice on how to best learn to read tarot cards? Lastly, do you have any tarot book recommendations? Let me know in the comment section below!!
This is such a heartwarming story of one man's reading journey from 1962-2023, Dan Pelzer read 3,599 books! Most of the books were ones he checked out from the public library.
Currently, I am going through the perimenopause/menopause transition. Ugh, MENOPAUSE is not my favorite word! Some people don't like turning a certain age, but quite frankly, facing menopause is more scary than when I turned 50 years old.
Needless to say, I've stuck my head in the sand when it comes to reading up on menopause, until now that is. I've very recently started doing research online, attending virtual webinars/seminars, and watching YouTube videos about menopause. After I continue doing a bit more research, I'll be setting up an appointment(s), on how to treat symptoms of perimenopause/menopause with a specialist.
I wish women would talk more about perimenopause/menopause with each other and share their experiences going through this life changing event. Honestly, it's like the previous generations were completely mum about the topic of menopause as if it was a dirty word/secret. Thank goodness, more women are opening up and talking about menopause and their own personal experiences with menopause.
Normally, I wouldn't make a nonfiction book written by a celebrity my first choice as a book to read about menopause. I'd rather read books or articles about menopause written by medical experts. That aside, I decided to listen to Naomi Watts's book about menopause as it was on sale for a fraction of the cost via one of Chirp's limited time deals. Another factor for reading Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause is that it was recently published on January 21, 2025, and it also has received good reviews and high ratings on both Amazon and Goodreads.
As far as Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause goes, I was impressed on several levels with this book. It's well written and well organized with very specific topics for each chapter. Each chapter ends with the key take away points discussed earlier in the chapter. I like the diverse range of topics about menopause discussed in this book. Naomi Watts also talks about her personal journey with menopause and how she has handled it. Ms. Watts appears to have done her research and cites medical experts and literature throughout her book. Even though Namoi Watts is a celebrity and not a medical expert, I think as a celebrity, she can attract an audience that might otherwise not read a book about menopause.
As much as I really enjoyed listening to Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause, it wasn't perfect. I wish more was discussed about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) vs. the little that was discussed about it under the umbrella topic of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). I'm personally not a big proponent of HRT as a method of choice for managing hormonal changes during perimenopause/menopause. I'm leaning more towards BHRT instead, which is why I wish there was more discussed specifically on this topic. I'm not a medical expert/doctor/researcher and still need to do more to learn more about HRT vs. BHRT.
Two factoids I learned while reading Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause, the word perimenopause didn't appear in our lexicon until the 1930s and the word menopause was coined in 1821 by French physician Charles-Pierre-Louis de Gardanne.
Above is an NPR interview featuring Naomi Watts discussing her book, Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause. The interview itself is about 9 minutes in length, that's if you're interested in hearing a snippet of what Ms. Watts's menopause book has to offer.
Below is the publisher's summary for Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause by Naomi Watts from Chirp's website:
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A frank, funny and informative guide to menopause and aging by beloved actress Naomi Watts, one of the leading voices in menopause awareness—with a foreword by Mary Claire Haver, MD, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The New Menopause
At thirty-six, Naomi Watts had just completed filming King Kong and was trying to start a family when she was told that she was on the brink of menopause. It is estimated that seventy-five million women in the United States are currently dealing with menopause symptoms (dry itchy skin, raging hormones, night sweats), and yet the very word “menopause” continues to be associated with stigma and confusion. With so little information, many women feel unprepared, ashamed, and deeply alone when the time comes.
This is the book Naomi Watts wishes she had when she first started experiencing symptoms. Like sitting down over coffee and having an intimate chat with your girlfriend, Dare I Say It blends funny and poignant stories from Naomi and her friends with advice from doctors, hormone experts, and nutritionists to take the secrecy and shame out of menopause and aging. Answering questions such as: What’s hormone therapy and should I be on it? Will I ever sleep again? Will I get myself back? What happened to my libido? Do I need eighteen serums for my aging skin? Whose body is this anyway? Who am I now? Naomi Watts shares the most up-to-date research on how to manage menopause symptoms and tackle the physical and emotional challenges we encounter as we age.
Irreverent, bold, and reassuring, Dare I Say It is the companion every woman needs to embrace the best version of herself as she moves into what can be the most powerful and satisfying period of her life.
I am giving Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause by Naomi Watts a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.
P. S. I always find it difficult rating and reviewing nonfiction books about diet, health, and exercise as I'm not a medical doctor or a medical researcher. I only base my book reviews and ratings on how well I feel the information is presented and whether I feel what has been written contains useful information for myself.
Yesterday evening was another fun, virtual author event hosted by Alta Journal!! I love Alta Journal's monthly California Book Club events. They always have great authors featured each month in conversation with host, John Freeman, and a different moderator also in conversation with the author featured each month!
This month's California Book Club featured author, Adrian Tomine, discussing his book, Shortcomings, a graphic novel. I loved hearing how Adrian Tomine created the artwork for his graphic novels and the history of writing and making artwork for his books.
I've never read anything by Adrian Tomine before. In fact, I've never even heard of Adrian Tomine until recently. I love discovering new to me authors.
Next month, Amy Tan will be discussing her book, The Backyard Bird Chronicles, via Alta Journal's California Book Club. I'm excited to attend this upcoming virtual event.
Have you attended any in-person or virtual author events recently? Tell me about it in the comment section below.
Yesterday afternoon, I listened to the Alta Live event featuring author, Peter Orner discussing his new novel, The Gossip Columnist’s Daughter.
Frankly, I'd never even heard of Peter Orner before. After listening to Peter Orner in conversation with author, Tod Goldberg, I didn't hesitate adding Orner's latest novel to my ever growing reading wishlist! It sounds amazing!! It took Orner 15 years to write The Gossip Columnist’s Daughter!
Watch the above YouTube interview with Peter Orner in conversation with Tod Goldberg. It's roughly 41 minutes in length and very engaging to watch if you're interested!
Below is a summary for The Gossip Columnist’s Daughter I discovered on Peter Orner's website:
The Gossip Columnist’s Daughter
The cold case of a young Hollywood starlet’s death sets a contemporary writer on an epic and comic quest to uncover the truth, and its connection to his own family—a new novel by “a major talent” (New York Times) and “one of the most distinctive voices of his generation” (Granta).
Jed Rosenthal hasn’t published a book in fourteen years, the mother of his child left him in a “trial separation” that has stretched on indefinitely, and he struggles to navigate the daily sorrows of their co-parenting arrangement. But the implosion of Jed’s family is simply a footnote in the larger history of the Rosenthal family’s decline.
Just days after the JFK assassination, Karyn “Cookie” Kupcinet was found dead in her Hollywood apartment. The press reported that the 22-year-old was strangled, yet unanswered questions linger to this day. Cookie’s parents—Chicago royalty, Irv and Essee Kupcinet—had been close friends with Jed’s grandparents, but in the aftermath of her death, their friendship abruptly and inexplicably ended. Decades later, Jed pores over family stories, newspaper archives, old photos, and crime scene notes, believing that if he can divine the truth of Cookie’s death—whether it was suicide, murder, or part of a larger conspiracy—it might shed light on a mystery closer to home.
Spanning seventy plus years, and weaving together family drama and a true-life unsolved case, The Gossip Columnist’s Daughter is a singular, wryly comic, and deeply human exploration into friendship and the bonds that sustain us.
In 2023, I listened to and reviewed Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue, which is the first cozy mystery novel in the 'Witches Brew' Mysteries Series. I really enjoyed Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue, which has now prompted me to listen to Death by a Thousand Sips by Gretchen Rue, which is the 2nd novel in the 'Witches Brew' Mysteries Series.
I absolutely loved listening to Death by a Thousand Sips by Gretchen Rue!! It's another winner in the 'Witches Brew' Mysteries Series and it is well narrated by Kristin Price. I now look forward to listening to the 3rd novel in this cozy mystery series sometime in the future.
The storyline, plot, characters, and writing are excellent for this novel. The pacing was great for this novel too... Not a dull moment to be had.
I also enjoyed the recipe section at the end. Maybe I'll make a sourdough starter myself?
Below is the publisher's summary for Death by a Thousand Sips by Gretchen Rue from the Goodreads website:
Phoebe Winchester is back on the case in Raven Creek when a body is discovered at an estate sale in Gretchen Rue’s second book in the Witches’ Brew mystery series, perfect for fans of Laura Childs and Cleo Coyle.
Ever since she moved to Raven Creek, Washington, Phoebe Winchester knew she would have to grow accustomed to having a lot on her plate. She’s beginning to make the Victorian manor she inherited from her dear and adventurous Aunt Eudora feel more like home, successfully running the bookstore and tea shop, The Earl’s Study, and learning to harness her recently discovered magical powers. But when she discovers a dead body at an estate sale—even Phoebe wonders if this is simply too much.
Rumors of Phoebe’s involvement force her to take action; she needs to find the killer and clear her own name, once again. She enlists Rich Lofting, the handsome private detective and her childhood friend, in her investigation, all while she sorts out her unresolved feelings for him. Is there something more sinister lurking in the shadows of this small tight-knit town? And does Phoebe really want to find out?
With a dash of magic, a pinch of sleuthing skills, and a spoonful of friendly assistance, Phoebe needs to uncover the killer to keep Raven Creek safe once again. But if she doesn’t—will she find herself in even more hot water?
I am giving Death by a Thousand Sips by Gretchen Rue a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.
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 use to be an avid reader of books with large page counts. However, in the past decade or two, I've enjoyed reading shorter reads under 5 hundred pages in length.
Below is a list of longer books I'd like to read some day.
1. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
2. War & Peace by Leo Tolstoy
3. Russka by Edward Rutherfurd
4. Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd
5. The Lucuna by Barbara Kingsolver
6. The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters
7. The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo
8. The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton
9. Sacajawea by Anna Waldo
10.Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
I do not recall where I first learned about Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy. All I do recall is that this novel sounded like a good read. I'm glad that I decided to listen to the unabridged version of Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy, which is well narrated by Christine Rendel.
Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy is a work of domestic fiction and explores the topics of aging, loneliness, and grief. Sipsworth is a very heartwarming tale and was well paced. The protagonist is Helen Cartwright. She's a widowed octogenarian who has lost her husband and son. Helen Cartwright is a noted (now retired, of course) cardiologist who lived most of her adult life in Australia. She moves back to her hometown in the UK to spend the last years of her life alone and to die.
However, life has other plans for Helen Cartwright! She discovers a mouse inside a broken aquarium and thus begins the journey into caring for this mouse. Along the way, Helen Cartwright also makes new human friends as well. The grief and loneliness begin to subside as Helen Cartwright finds a reason to live.
Below is the publisher's summary for Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy from theGoodreads website:
Over the course of a single week, a widowed octogenarian (who has spent the last years of her life alone and ready to die) discovers an unexpected reason to live.
Following the deaths of her husband and son, Helen Cartwright returns to the English village of her childhood after living abroad for six decades. Her only wish is to die quickly and without fuss.
But years of monotony and loneliness tick by on Westminster Crescent. Helen retreats into her home, becoming a creature of routine and habit. Then, one cold autumn night, a chance encounter with an abandoned pet mouse on the street outside her house sets Helen on a surprising journey of friendship.
The Cure for Loneliness is a gentle reminder that no matter what we have planned for ourselves, sometimes the world has its own plans for us. Simon Van Booy’s lucid, lyrical storytelling brims with a rare kindness and a reminder that not only is no one is exactly who we expect them to be, we can even surprise ourselves sometimes.
I am giving Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy a rating of 4
The Earthquake Bird is a novel that had been sitting on my reading wishlist for quite a long time and I finally made the time to read it this month. The Earthquake Bird also happens to be the author's debut novel.
The Earthquake Bird is billed as a psychological thriller. I enjoy reading psychological thrillers, which is one of the features that attracted me to this novel.Another factor that drew me to this novel is that the story takes place in Japan and also features an unreliable narrator named, Lucy Fly, as the leading character. If done correctly, unreliable narrators are a fantastic feature in a novel.
So, what did I think of The Earthquake Bird by Susanna Jones? The pacing of this novel is kind of slow.
Yes, I like unreliable narrators, but I've seen better unreliable narrators in other novels I've read over the years.
There was too much switching back and forth between the first person perspective and third person perspective in the The Earthquake Bird, which I found disconcerting. I guess you can say this only added to the main character's unreliability. However, I still don't like the lack of clarity when an author switches perspective on a reader as it is does cause some minor confusion.
The ending for The Earthquake Bird by Susanna Jones was dull. For me, it's clear who the killer is to me. But it felt like the author was trying too hard to be creepy in a psychological way that didn't hit the mark.
The Earthquake Bird by Susanna Jones is a good, debut novel, but I think it could have been so much better.
Below is the publisher's summary for The Earthquake Bird by Susanna Jones from Chirp's website:
Now a major Netflix film starring Alicia Vikander and Riley Keough, a haunting psychological thriller set in Tokyo probing deep into the mind of a murder suspect
The grisly headline leaves nothing to the imagination: “Woman’s torso recovered from Tokyo Bay. Believed to be missing British bartender Lily Bridges.” The only suspect is Lucy Fly. Her friend is dead, her lover has disappeared, and as far as anyone is concerned, she’s as good as guilty.
Trapped in the interrogation room, Lucy begins to unravel two stories. One, for the police, is a spare outline, offering more questions than answers. The other–the real one, if you believe her–is a gripping dive into an obsessive mind, revealing the checkered past that brought her to Japan, her complicated friendship with Lily, and a tempestuous affair with a missing Japanese photographer named Teiji. As she excavates the dangerous secrets–both past and present–that haunt her waking mind, Lucy relates an unsettling life story that spans bustling Tokyo, the British countryside, and remote Japanese islands, each step taking us closer to the chilling truth about Lily’s death. An all-consuming crime story like no other, Susanna Jones’s mesmerizing debut novel is a neo-noir thriller as shocking as it is exquisitely composed.
While listening this novel, I learned that Netflix made a movie, 'Earthquake Bird', based on the novel in 2019. I might watch the movie version.
I am giving The Earthquake Bird by Susanna Jones a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.
Carnegie's Maid is the second novel I've read by Marie Benedict. This novel is a work of historical fiction set in the USA during the late 1800s. What I love about Carnegie's Maid, aside from it being a work of historical fiction, is that it features a strong, female protagonist named, Clara Kelley. Strong, leading ladies in Marie Benedict's novels seems to be a common theme in her novels.
I read and reviewed, The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict earlier this year, which features Mileva Maric as the strong leading lady in this particular novel. I also have plans to read, The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, which also features another strong, female leading character as well. So, I see a trend here that I like in Marie Benedict's novels!
As far as the rest of Carnegie's Maid is concerned, I liked the storyline, characters, and plot development. The story's pacing was delightfully even throughout. The struggles of immigrants has a strong presence within Carnegie's Maid as well, which only added another layer to the storyline.
I look forward to reading more novels by Marie Benedict based on the fact that I've enjoyed reading two of her novels to date.
Listening time for Carnegie's Maid by Marie Benedict is 9 hours, 2 minutes.
Below is the plot summary for Carnegie's Maid by Marie Benedict from the Goodreads website:
From the author of The Other Einstein, the mesmerizing tale of what kind of woman could have inspired an American dynasty.
Clara Kelley is not who they think she is. She's not the experienced Irish maid who was hired to work in one of Pittsburgh's grandest households. She's a poor farmer's daughter with nowhere to go and nothing in her pockets. But the other woman with the same name has vanished, and pretending to be her just might get Clara some money to send back home.
If she can keep up the ruse, that is. Serving as a lady's maid in the household of Andrew Carnegie requires skills he doesn't have, answering to an icy mistress who rules her sons and her domain with an iron fist. What Clara does have is a resolve as strong as the steel Pittsburgh is becoming famous for, coupled with an uncanny understanding of business, and Andrew begins to rely on her. But Clara can't let her guard down, not even when Andrew becomes something more than an employer. Revealing her past might ruin her future -- and her family's.
With captivating insight and heart, Carnegie's Maid tells the story of one brilliant woman who may have spurred Andrew Carnegie's transformation from ruthless industrialist into the world's first true philanthropist..
I am giving Carnegie's Maid by Marie Benedict a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.
P. S. I enjoyed reading the following paragraph from Carnegie's Maid (page 24 of the paperback edition), which is of Clara Kelley's perspective upon arriving to America from Ireland.
"In the short walk from the carriage to Mrs. Seely's establishment, I saw filth the likes of which I'd never imagined. Black clouds billowing in plumes from tall stacks. Buildings turned ashen from sooty air, outlines of posters in white, like ghosts on their walls. Why didn't anyone tell me that industrialization would look like biblical hell?"
