Oh Captain! My Captain! - Walt Whitman

I don't read a lot of poetry usually. Every so often, I will read or listen to a poetry reading. 

I recently listened to this reading of 'Oh Captain! My Captain! by Walt Whitman.

I hope you enjoy it! 

Bookish Quote of the Day!!!

 

What Ya' Readin'? with Stephen King - Interview

 

Excellent interview with Stephen King! He talks about some of his favorite reads in the short, YouTube video above. 

I even added one of the novels he mentioned (Whipple's Castle by Thomas Williams) to my ever growing reading wishlist.

Happy Thanksgiving

 

I have so many things to be grateful and thankful for!

I am grateful for my health, family, friends, home, my blog followers, and all the things I take for granted on a daily basis.

I hope your Thanksgiving holiday is filled with joy, peace, a delicious meal, and you are surrounded by those you love.

Common Sense by Thomas Paine

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Common Sense by Thomas Paine, which was nicely narrated by Malk Williams.

Common Sense is a quick listen at 2 hours, 15 minutes. Common Sense is a 47 page essay, which was first published as a pamphlet anonymously in 1776. It advocated independence from Britain.

Common Sense combines both moral and political arguments to help persuade the common people living in the US Colonies to fight for social equality. Common Sense was a sensation upon its publication, which was at the beginning of the American Revolution.

This was the first time I've read Common Sense by Thomas Paine. I enjoyed it. Common Sense stands the test of time and still holds relevance today. I enjoyed that Common Sense touches upon so many genres, such as government,  politics, history, and political philosophy.

If you're interested in earlier American history, Common Sense may be the perfect read for you!

Below is the summary for Common Sense by Thomas Paine from Chirp's website:

The explosive essay that sparked a revolution. When Common Sense hit the streets in 1776, it ignited the American colonies like never before. With bold, plain-spoken language, Thomas Paine challenged the authority of the British monarchy and made the urgent case for American independence. More than just a political argument, this short but powerful work gave everyday people the words to demand freedom—and the courage to fight for it. Radical, rebellious, and razor-sharp, Common Sense remains a landmark of political writing. Its message still resonates today: real change begins when ordinary people dare to speak truth to power.

I am giving Common Sense by Thomas Paine a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Alta Live: Ishmael Reed in Conversation with Will Hearst!!

 

Earlier this month, I attended an Alta Live virtual event featuring Ishmael Reed in conversation with Will Hearst. It was an excellent and engaging interview. Ishmael Reed has lead a very colorful life.

The primary focus of this Alta Live event was the discussion of Ishmael Reed's newest book, Blind Persistence. 

Blind Persistence was published on November 1, 2025 and is an anthology.

You can watch the above video to see the full event.

Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin

 

I read Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin thirty years ago for the first time in college for a Russian literature course I'd enrolled. I have a BA in Russian language and taking a elective in the form of a Russian literature was part of earning my degree.

I wasn't a huge fan of this iconic Russian classic at the time. It wasn't that I disliked Eugene Onegin when I first read it. It's just that sometimes when you're required to read something for a college course, it isn't something that one ends up truly enjoying or appreciating at the time.

So, thirty years later I decided to give Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin another look with fresh eyes and a new perspective. Maybe, I thought to myself, I'd enjoy this novel more now than in my twenties.

What did I love about Eugene Onegin? It's entirely written in verse (aka poetry), which I found to be unique. Eugene Onegin covers the topics of love, regret, and the consequences of neglecting what truly matters.

Alexander Pushkin is widely considered to be Russia's greatest writer and also the founder of modern Russian literature. I also learned from Google that Alexander Pushkin is often compared to William Shakespeare. Pushkin mastered multiple genres.

Although, I enjoyed listening to the unabridged audio version of Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin, I wouldn't say I loved this Russian classic novel. I'm not sure if it was due to the translation itself, as translating a novel in verse is difficult to do I would imagine. Or if it's simply due to the fact that a novel in verse isn't my thing.

Below is the summary for Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin from Chirp's website:

In this timeless Russian classic, the charismatic but aloof Eugene Onegin rejects love, friendship, and opportunity in favor of cynicism and self-isolation. When he returns to his rural estate, he crosses paths with the idealistic Tatyana, who falls deeply in love with him. But Onegin’s cold dismissal of her leads to a tragic sequence of events that changes all their lives. With sharp wit and vivid characters, Eugene Onegin is a rich exploration of love, regret, and the consequences of neglecting what truly matters.

I am giving Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading! 

‘Outlander’ Author, Diana Gabaldon, Donates literary Archive to Texas A&M

My maternal grandmother was an avid reader like me. We often talked about books we were reading over the years. She turned me onto reading books written by Diana Gabaldon.

Yesterday, I’ve learned that Diana Gabaldon is donating her entire literary archives to Texas A & M in an article titled, ‘Outlander’ author donates literary archive to Texas A&M by Stephen Perez.

In the article, Stephen Perez wrote the following:

The “Outlander” universe, in which a time-traveling British nurse finds adventure and romance with an 18th-century Scottish warrior, is coming to Aggieland.

The best-selling book series author, Dr. Diana Gabaldon, has selected Texas A&M University’s Cushing Memorial Library and Archives as the permanent home for her literary papers, notes and memorabilia from the historical science fiction, adventure-romance series and its hit streaming adaptation.

The collection will capture the evolution of Gabaldon’s storytelling and offer a glimpse into how her 1991 debut novel “Outlander” grew into a global phenomenon spanning novels, companion works and a long-running television adaptation.

“The acquisition of a collection of this magnitude marks a pivotal moment in the growth of our Libraries’ collections,” said Julie Mosbo Ballestro, university librarian and assistant provost. “We have long admired Diana’s contributions to the field, and we are eager to integrate her work into our Science Fiction and Fantasy Research Collection that ranks among the finest in the world.”

What I didn't know, until reading the above article, is that Texas A & M has a rich science fiction tradition! Click on the link to read the full story.

The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes

 

I listened to the unabridged version of The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes, which is nicely narrated by Anne Hancock.

The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes is a short story and a work of historical fiction set in London, England. 

Marie Belloc Lowndes is a new to me author. I was drawn to The Lodger, because it is about Jack the Ripper. I am fascinated by Jack the Ripper's true identity. Who really was Jack the Ripper? Marie Belloc Lowndes gives us a fictional look at who he might have been.

Below is the publisher's summary for The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes from Chirp's website:

According to legend, in 1910, Marie Belloc Lowndes attended a London dinner party where a guest told her that his mother’s butler and cook claimed they had once rented rooms to Jack the Ripper, the notorious mass murderer. The idea for “The Lodger” was born.

Mr. and Mrs. Bunting have sunk their savings into their house with plans to let rooms. But no lodgers have materialized, and they are on the verge of penury when, one foggy night, a knock on the door brings Mr. Sleuth, an unassuming gentleman whose needs are perfectly suited to the suite of rooms the Buntings have to rent.

Gradually, relief turns into suspicion, then dread, as Mrs. Bunting notices their savior’s strange habits are not mere eccentricities. When his late-night forays seem to coincide with the lurid headlines her husband reads to her about the grisly murders in London, she slowly realizes she may be harboring a monster. And if he’s discovered, it will mean ruin for the Buntings.

This is the original 1911 short story. Jack the Ripper’s identity was never discovered but “The Lodger” offers a tantalizing possibility that has entertained and intrigued readers for more than a century.

I am giving The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

We Had to Remove This Post by Hanna Bervoets

I had We Had to Remove This Post by Hanna Bervoets on my reading wishlist for quite a while. I finally read the hardback edition earlier this month. This novella is a quick read at 138 pages. I wasn't sure what I was expecting with this novella when I first started reading it. However, it most definitely packs a punch and sends a powerful message about the perils employees face while work in stressful environments.

We Had to Remove This Post highlights the impact of social media in general and the working conditions of social media content moderators, which feels like an important topic to examine. 

The fictional employees featured in We Had to Remove This Post watch videos during their shifts at a company named Hexa. During their shifts, employees decide whether the videos they watch are allowed to be posted online or are taken down due to the video's content. 

The employees view some pretty horrific things while watching these videos. Over time, the employees seem to be effected by post-traumatic stress disorder due to watching videos during their shifts. Some of the employees turn to alcohol and drug use/consumption to cope with stress caused by viewing the views, some deal with insomnia or other sleep disturbances/issues due to watching these videos, and some display other disturbing behaviors.

We Had To Remove This Post is told through the point of view of Kayleigh. Kayleigh works at Hexa and so does her girlfriend, Sigrid. The focus is on Kayleigh's time at Hexa, how working at Hexa effects her negatively, how the work effects Sigrid and their relationship, and the effects on other employees too.

I think the author does a fantastic job describing the horrors of being a social media content moderator for such a social media company! I cannot imagine watching horrific video after video after video for hour after hour after hour over weeks and months. It must wreak havoc on one's psyche.

As much as the author does a fabulous job in describing the horrors of being a social media content moderator, it was all too much. Plus, parts of this novella were boring and felt disjointed. Maybe this is because We Had to Remove This Post is a translated work?

Below is the publisher's summary for We Had to Remove This Post by Hanna Bervoets from Amazon's website:

Kayleigh needs money. That’s why she takes a job as a content moderator for a social media platform whose name she isn’t allowed to mention. Her job: reviewing offensive videos and pictures, rants and conspiracy theories, and deciding which need to be removed. It’s grueling work. Kayleigh and her colleagues spend all day watching horrors and hate on their screens, evaluating them with the platform’s ever-changing terms of service while a supervisor sits behind them, timing and scoring their assessments. Yet Kayleigh finds a group of friends, even a new love—and, somehow, the job starts to feel okay.

But when her colleagues begin to break down; when Sigrid, her new girlfriend, grows increasingly distant and fragile; when her friends start espousing the very conspiracy theories they’re meant to be evaluating; Kayleigh begins to wonder if the job may be too much for them. She’s still totally fine, though—or is she?

I am giving We Had to Remove This Post by Hanna Bervoets a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

Book Recommendations For Native American Heritage Month

I'm a bit late with this post in celebrating Native American Heritage Month!! 

I recently discovered an article on Good Housekeeping Magazine's website titled, 32 Best Books by Native American and Indigenous Authors to Add to Your Bookshelf by Sarah Vincent and Lizz Schumer.

I've read and reviewed The Sentence by Louise Erdrich (I truly enjoyed this one), Heart Berries by Therese Marie Mailhot (I didn't enjoy this one), and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (I loved this one!). All three of these were mentioned in the Good Housekeeping article.

I have There, There by Tommy Orange, To The Moon & Back by Eliana Ramage, The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters, Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Talty, Crazy Brave by Joy Harjo, and Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer on my reading wishlist.

Have you read any of the books listed in the Good Housekeeping article? If so, which ones and what did you think of them?

Goodnight Moon Postage Stamps!

 

I recently ordered the 'Goodnight Moon' literary postage stamps. They are really cute in person! I am looking forward to using them. 

I really like it when the United States Postal Service creates literary themed postage stamps and hope they create more stamps with a literary theme in the near future.

Poisonous Books!

 

Wowza! Watch the above, short video I discovered on YouTube! These green covered books contain arsenic. Interesting information for those who collect and love books.

The Queen's Gambit: Novel vs Miniseries Post Using Google Gemini!!

My husband and I watched 'The Queen's Gambit' miniseries on Netflix earlier this month. I'd really wanted to watch this miniseries after reading the novel and my husband wanted to see the miniseries just because I wanted to see it and had enjoyed the novel so much. My husband enjoyed the miniseries as much as I did.

I really enjoyed the miniseries a lot! Sure it's a bit different than the book, but still fabulous in its own way! I loved the beautiful set designs for the various scenes and the amazing costuming used in the miniseries.

I wanted to do a compare and contrast post for the novel vs. the miniseries here on my blog. Since AI has become a huge deal in recent years with the likes of ChatGPT, Google Gemini, etc., I wanted to see how one of these AI platforms would perform writing a post comparing and contrasting the novel vs the miniseries based on how I write blog posts. 

I chose to use Google Gemini to see how it would write this post for me as I was interested to see if Google Gemini could replicate the way I write my posts and also see how it would compare and contrast the novel vs the miniseries. I liked what Google Gemini wrote overall. I did, however, have to omit one paragraph that Google Gemini wrote. Google Gemini had wrongly assumed that I had seen the miniseries first and then decided to read the novel afterward based on the way the actress, Anya Taylor-Joy, had played the character of Beth Harmon. So, I scrapped that paragraph entirely. The rest of what Google Gemini wrote is seen below in black text. I liked what Google Gemini wrote in terms of the compare and contrast part, but I'd say the post isn't necessarily how I would have written the post myself. What do you think?

The Queen's Gambit: Book vs. Miniseries! My Thoughts on What Netflix Changed!

The show did such a phenomenal job of capturing the feel of the book—the intensity of the chess, the mid-century style, and the sheer genius of Beth. But as is always the case, the screen adaptation made some major adjustments to the source material! I thought I’d share my five biggest takeaways on the difference between the Beth on the page and the Beth on the screen.

Novel (Walter Tevis) vs. Miniseries (Netflix): The Game Changers

1. Beth’s Backstory and Her Mother, Alice

The show really delves deep into the idea that genius and madness are two sides of the same coin, and it uses Beth’s mother, Alice, to illustrate this.

• In the Miniseries: Alice is a brilliant academic who suffers a dramatic mental breakdown, culminating in a deliberate suicide attempt where Beth is in the car with her. This experience is the root of Beth’s lifelong trauma and her relationship with the green pills. The show makes her mother an active, defining specter in her life.

• In the Novel: Alice’s death is handled much more quickly. There is little indication of suicide, and most importantly, Beth was not in the car. The book focuses Beth’s trauma more squarely on the cold, lonely experience of the orphanage itself, rather than the horrific car crash. This was a massive change that definitely gave the show higher dramatic stakes!

2. The Paris Loss to Borgov (Sober vs. Smashed)

This is perhaps the most significant change to Beth’s character development and addiction narrative.

• In the Miniseries: Beth is distracted and derailed by her Parisian "friend," Cleo (a character who does not exist in the book!). Beth goes on a bender involving drinking and sex and plays the most important game of her life completely hungover and distracted. The loss is clearly framed as being avoidable—a direct consequence of her addiction.

• In the Novel: Beth is sober and prepared for the match against Borgov. She loses because, quite simply, Borgov is the better player at that point in her career. The loss in spite of her best efforts is what triggers her subsequent downward spiral and isolation—not the other way around. This difference makes the novel's depiction of her eventual success feel even more hard-earned.

3. Jolene’s Return and Role

I absolutely loved the character of Jolene in the miniseries—she truly felt like Beth's guardian angel.

• In the Miniseries: Jolene returns dramatically, randomly showing up at Beth's home just when Beth is at her lowest point and needs her most. She provides the cash for the Moscow trip, acts as her moral support, and kicks her into sobriety.

• In the Novel: Jolene’s return is less coincidental. Beth actually reaches out to her for help when she hits her emotional bottom! Instead of just giving a pep talk, Jolene uses her physical education scholarship knowledge to put Beth through an intense workout regimen to help her detox and get mentally prepared for Moscow. Beth takes control of her recovery by actively seeking help, which I thought was a fantastic nuance.

4. Where Was Townes?

The beautiful reporter Townes plays a significant role in Beth’s life, both as her first crush and as a source of emotional complication.

• In the Miniseries: Townes reappears in Moscow as a U.S. reporter, giving him and Beth a beautiful moment of emotional resolution and support right before her final match.

• In the Novel: Townes is merely an early crush and never reappears after the first few tournaments. The relationship is left unresolved and fleeting, emphasizing Beth's solitary nature on her journey.

My Final Thoughts: Which is Better?

They are both fantastic, but for different reasons!

Tevis' novel is a sharper, more focused character study where Beth's triumphs feel isolated and internal. The miniseries is a broader, warmer adaptation that added emotional depth and provided the beloved found-family support system (like Benny, Beltik, and the return of Townes) that made the story feel cinematic.

The miniseries is a masterpiece of adaptation because it took a great book and added visual flair and emotional layers that served the medium perfectly. It also gave us the magnificent final scene in Moscow with the old men in the park, which in the book was actually an earlier, separate scene!

I am giving the adaptation of The Queen's Gambit a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars!

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Raven Used Books in Northampton, MA

 

Here's another indie bookstore, which sounds like a fabulous one!! Raven Used Books in Northampton, MA is a place I'd like to shop for books. 

Check out the above video I found on YouTube about Raven Used Books in Northampton, MA.

Pablo Neruda - If You Forget Me

 

I don't read a lot of poetry usually. Every so often, I will read or listen to a poetry reading. 

I recently listened to this reading of Pablo Neruda's 'If You Forget Me'.

I hope you enjoy it! 

Bookish Quote of the Day!!!

 

Dilbert Cartoonist, Scott Adams, Makes Pleas to Donald Trump to Save Help Save His Life

I'm late in making this post as I'd read an article about this situation regarding Scott Adams last week. 

I am always on the look out for news pertaining to books, libraries, authors, reading, bookstores, the publishing industry, book festivals and events, etc. This post about Scott Adams falls into the topics I like to blog about it.

I recently read that Scott Adams, the creator of the Dilbert cartoon series, has metastatic prostate cancer and has had difficulty in receiving treatment for metastatic prostate cancer.

I read an article found on Patch's website titled, 'Help Save My Life' — Dilbert Cartoonist Begs Trump To Fix Kaiser Treatment Battle by Angela Woodall.

In the article, Angela Woodall wrote the following:

Adams first posted a public plea on X, saying on Sunday that he planned to ask Trump for his help getting a specific treatment for metastasized prostate cancer from Kaiser Permanente.

"On Monday, I will ask President Trump, via X, to help save my life. He offered to help me if I needed it," Adams wrote Sunday.

"I need it," he added.

Adams wanted Trump to use his influence to persuade Kaiser to schedule treatment of Pluvicto, a radioactive drug approved for men with advanced prostate cancer who had received hormone therapy and chemotherapy, according to reports.

Kaiser had approved the treatment for Adams, but a scheduling snafu was delaying it, he said.

"I am declining fast. I will ask President Trump if he can get Kaiser of Northern California to respond and schedule it for Monday. That will give me a fighting chance to stick around on this planet a little bit longer," Adams wrote.

"Scott. How do I reach you," wrote Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. "The president wants to help,"

“On it,” Trump wrote in response shortly after.

On Tuesday, Adams posted that he would receive the cancer treatment he is seeking the next day.

Wow! First off, I'm sorry to learn that Scott Adams is suffering from metastatic prostate cancer and having difficulty with Kaiser in booking an appointment for the treatment he needs.

Secondly, it must be nice to know people in high places that can help resolve a scheduling snafu with your healthcare provider. The rest of us have to fix/solve the problem without such interventions from someone like the POTUS. Btw, we should all be so fortunate to receive the healthcare we so need without hiccups from the healthcare system or such interventions from people in high places.

I also read in Angela Woodall's article that some readers were angry, accusing Scott Adams of using his influence to obtain his healthcare needs. See the following quote from Woodall's article:

One user reposted a 2023 comment attributed to Adams, "Don't ask a president to make healthcare or moral decisions for you. No one would respect that process."

Interesting quoted comment from Scott Adams, if true! On one hand Scott Adams stated that one shouldn't ask the president to make healthcare or moral decisions for you as no one will respect the process. Yet, Scott Adams does exactly what he says one shouldn't do. 

I also learned from the above article that Scott Adams has made some controversial statements about race.

Adams experienced repercussions from his controversial comments about race when distributor Andrews McMeel Universal announced Feb. 26 it would no longer work with the cartoonist.

In an episode of his YouTube show, Adams described people who are Black as members of “a hate group” from which white people should “get away.

Scott Adams has also been a Trump supporter.

I learned a lot of new to me stuff about Scott Adams from reading Angela Woodall's article.

Goodnight Moon Suite @ Boston Sheraton Hotel!!

This is such a cool, book inspired suite for families with young children!! The Boston Sheraton Hotel has turned one of their suites into the green room from the Children’s classic, Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. 

Unfortunately, room stays may only be booked through February 2026! So, it doesn't sound like this suite will be a permanent one, which is too bad.

Watch the above YouTube video for more details.

The Banned Books Tarot Deck by Galison

 

Earlier this month, I stumbled across The Banned Books Tarot Deck by Galison on Amazon. 

I love reading banned books. I also have a growing interest in tarot decks and learning to read tarot cards.

After a short deliberation, I decided to purchase The Banned Books Tarot Deck for myself based on my personal interests. Additionally, The Banned Books Tarot Deck was 50% off on Amazon with an additional coupon for more money off, which only made buying this deck that much sweeter.

So, what do I think of The Banned Books Tarot Deck by Galison? I am impressed with the fact that this deck comes in a hard box with magnetic closure vs the typical tuck box. This way the deck is more protected over the long haul by being stored inside a sturdy box. 

This deck also comes with a nice booklet that is way more informative than the standard 'Little White Book' (aka pamphlet) that normally comes with a tarot deck in a tuck box.

The Banned Books Tarot Deck is the standard tarot card size. It has a glossy finish and the card stock is decent. The cardstock isn't thick or thin, but has a middle of the road thickness. I love the designs on both the front and the back of each card in this tarot deck. 

My only complaint I have regarding The Banned Books Tarot Deck is that quite a few banned books are duplicated throughout the deck itself. I'm sure there are more than 78 banned books that exist. So, why not have a different banned book for each individual tarot card?

Below is a video I found on YouTube of a silent flip through for The Banned Books Tarot Deck. Check out the video if you're interesting to see what the entire deck looks like.

I am giving The Banned Books Tarot Deck by Galison a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

She Had Glass Eyes by C.S. Schiavone

I received a FREE copy of the ebook edition of She Had Glass Eyes  by C.S. Schiavone from Booksirens in exchange for an honest review.

She Had Glass Eyes by C.S. Schiavone was a recently released novella as of October 20, 2025 and is 73 pages in length. This novella fits into the gothic, historical, fantasy, and horror genres. 

I liked the premise of this novella and the story's summary, which is why I chose to read and review it. I also enjoyed the unreliable leading female character, Deliverance (Dilly) Edvance, in She Had Glass Eyes as well. 

She Had Glass Eyes is set in England in the mid-1800s. It has a bit of a Frankenstein feel to it. Essentially, you have an inventor named Dr. Joseph Faber, who has created a mechanical marvel named, Euphonia, that simulates human speech. While on public display, most of the general public recoils from Euphonia, but not Dilly. Dilly's fascinated by Euphonia... Actually, Dilly's obsessed with Euphonia and dreams about her nightly. Dilly likes the idea of creating an army of mechanical beings. Dilly looks forward to working with Dr. Faber in the future with regards to Euphonia and that is wrought with strife. I won't go into a deep dive into Dilly and Dr. Faber's working relationship towards the end of She Had Glass Eyes, other than to say it does not bode well for all.

As far as the writing goes and the overall plot development in She Had Glass Eyes, I was less than impressed. I felt like She Had Glass Eyes could have been so much better!! I'm kind of surprised with all the glowing online reviews for She Had Glass Eyes.

Below is the publisher's summary for She Had Glass Eyes by C.S. Schiavone from Amazon's website:

When Dr. Joseph Faber unveils his eerie invention in 1846 London—a mechanical marvel that simulates human speech—the public recoils. But one witness listens too closely.

Deliverance Edvane, a solitary undertaker with a mind sharpened by disdain, sees in the invention not horror, but possibility. What begins as fascination soon spirals into obsession, as she plots to take the machine for herself. Darkness stirs in the spaces between invention and insanity in this chilling tale of machines, madness, and the dangerous echo of a voice not quite human.

I am giving She Had Glass Eyes  by C.S. Schiavone a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Happy Veteran's Day!!

Happy Veteran's Day to all those who served our country!! 

Back March of 2020, I listened to the audio version of The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien. The essays within this book are about the Vietnam War and are really well written. 

Since I've not read many books about war, I decided to repost my review of The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien, which you may read below. 

So, if you're looking for a book to read on Veteran's Day, The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien would be my pick as it is a really good read. 

If you have any other book recommendations for Veteran's Day, please share them in the comment section below. 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien and narrated by actor, Bryan Cranston. Listening time for The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien is 7 hours, 47 minutes.

The Things They Carried is a work of fiction written in essays that reads more like a memoir to me. The essays are about serving in the Vietnam war and how it effects the lives of those who served in the military.

The following essays are the ones I enjoyed reading the most:

1. The Things They Carried
2. On The Rainy River
3. Stockings
4. The Man I Killed
5. Ambush
6. Good Form

Tim O'Brien's writing is really well done. I never thought I would enjoy reading a book about the Vietnam war as much as a I did. I usually tend to stay away from books about the harrowing effects of war.

Young men of my parents generation were drafted into the Vietnam war. My parents married in 1968 right out of high school and I was born 11 months later. Marriage and a baby were my father's way out from having to serve during Vietnam. Others were not so lucky. One of my father's close high school friends was drafted into the Vietnam war and as expected, he came back changed from the experience. I can't imagine having to fight in a war, especially one that seemed as unpopular as the Vietnam war was. 

It's also very sad to think that at 18 years of age the US Government drafted young men to fight and possibly die in combat, but these same young men were not old enough to vote until the age of 21. How was it possible that these young men were thought responsible (dispensable?) enough to fight for our country in combat, yet not allowed to vote for government officials and laws that effected the society they lived in? It wasn't until March 23, 1971, that the 26th Amendment was passed lowering the voting age from 21 to 18. 

I thought Bryan Cranston did an excellent job of narrating The Things They Carried. I also enjoyed the added bonus track at the end of The Things They Carried where Tim O'Brien reads his essay 'The Vietnam in Me', which is not part of the written version of The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien. 'The Vietnam in Me' recounts "the author's trip back to Vietnam in 1994, revisiting his experience there as a soldier 25 years before."

Below is the plot summary for The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien from Amazon:

This modern classic and New York Times best seller was a finalist for both the 1990 Pulitzer Prize and National Book Critics Circle Award and has become a staple of American classrooms. Hailed by The New York Times as "a marvel of storytelling", The Things They Carried's portrayal of the boots-on-the-ground experience of soldiers in the Vietnam War is a landmark in war writing. Now, three-time Emmy Award winner Bryan Cranston, star of the hit TV series Breaking Bad, delivers an electrifying performance that walks the book's hallucinatory line between reality and fiction and highlights the emotional power of the spoken word.

The soldiers in this collection of stories carried M-16 rifles, M-60 machine guns, and M-79 grenade launchers. They carried plastic explosives, hand grenades, flak jackets, and landmines. But they also carried letters from home, illustrated Bibles, and pictures of their loved ones. Some of them carried extra food or comic books or drugs. Every man carried what he needed to survive, and those who did carried their shattering stories away from the jungle and back to a nation that would never understand.

This audiobook also includes an exclusive recording "The Vietnam in Me," a recount of the author's trip back to Vietnam in 1994, revisiting his experience there as a soldier 25 years before, read by Tim O'Brien himself.

Below is an author interview with Tim O'Brien talking about his book, The Things They Carried which I found to be good.

I am giving The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Wonder by R. J. Palacio, which was well narrated by a wonderful cast of voice actors. Wonder was my first read during the month of November 2025.

Wonder by R. J. Palacio is a children's novel that had been on my reading wishlist for a number of years before I finally made the time to listen to it this year.

The writing is superb for Wonder! I loved the characters, the storyline, and the plot development for Wonder. Auggie Pullman the main character. He is a young boy with a birth deformity that leaves his face looking very abnormal. Auggie receives a lot, and I mean a lot, of stares because of they way he looks. Due to all of his surgeries, Auggie is home schooled until his parents decide to send him to school where he enters the fifth grade. We read about Auggie's experience with going to school for the first time, making friends, and dealing with what comes when one has a physical deformity.

One of the things I love about children's novels are the important messages/life lessons imparted in them. In Wonder, kindness, compassion, empathy, and self-acceptance are the key life lessons. Wonder also explores looking beyond/past outward appearances. In this case, it's all about looking beyond Auggie's facial deformity and seeing the person within for who he truly is.

Below is publisher's summary for Wonder by R. J. Palacio I discovered on the Goodreads website:

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school?until now. He's about to enter fifth grade at Beecher Prep, and if you?ve ever been the new kid, then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances? R. J. Palacio has crafted an uplifting novel full of wonderfully realistic family interactions, lively school scenes, and writing that shines with spare emotional power. Wonder is a book with such a big, wide heart? it shows how we are all fragile, imperfect, and perfectly beautiful creatures.

I am giving Wonder by R. J. Palacio 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Unique Bookstore Inside A Wisconsin Airport!!

 

Wow, Renaissance Books at the Milwaukee Airport sounds like a fabulous place to purchase books!! This is not your typical airport bookstore as 95% of the books are used. 

I think I would love visiting this bookstore.

Letters by Lanternlight - Cozy Mysteries Via Letters - Subscription

 

Letters by Lanternlight sounds intriguing! I may end up adding this to my holiday wishlist this year.

As many of my followers may already know, I adore cozy mystery novels... When I learned about Letters by Lanternlight roughly two weeks ago, I was intrigued by the concept of a cozy mystery story told through a series of letters you receive in the mail!!

I love reading letters sent to me via the postal service. Written letters sent via the postal service is a dying art form and something I miss dearly. So, the idea of receiving a series of letters in the mail containing an unfolding cozy mystery story sounds like my cup of tea.

The following information comes from the Letters by Lanterlight website:

✨ Why Readers Love Letters by Lanternlight

📚 Fresh & immersive – A mystery you can hold in your hands, one letter at a time.
🎁 A gift that stands out – Thoughtful, unique, and never “just more stuff.”
🔎 Simple & inviting – Large, easy-to-read font and straightforward storytelling—no codes or puzzles required.
🕵️ Screen-free escape – Cozy stories delivered straight to your mailbox.
🐾 Connection & delight – Fun to share with loved ones (or enjoy with tea and a cat).
⏳ Savor the suspense – Stories unfold slowly, with built-in anticipation.

Does Letters by Lanternlight sound like something you'd enjoy? 

The Farmers' Almanac - The End of an Era!!

 

Sadly, it's an end of an era!! The Farmers' Almanac 2026 edition will be the final edition that will be published. 

The Farmers' Almanac was first published in 1818. 

I've never read a Farmers' Almanac before, but I like it for its nostalgia factor. 

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

Savannah Sleuth by Alan Chaput

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Savannah Sleuth by Alan Chaput, which was nicely narrated by Allyson Ryan. In fact, Savannah Sleuth was my last read for the month of October.

I was able to download Savannah Sleuth by Alan Chaput for FREE from Chirp's website. Each week, Chirp Audiobooks offers a few free audiobooks for a limited time. 

Below is my honest, unbiased review for Savannah Sleuth by Alan Chaput.

Savannah Sleuth by Alan Chaput is the first novel in the 'Vigilantes For Justice' series. Based on the publisher's summary, I felt like Savannah Sleuth would be a good fit for me. It's a cozy mystery novel (I love cozy mysteries) set in Savannah, Georgia and the plot sounded intriguing enough for my taste.

However, Savannah Sleuth was a huge disappointment to me. I felt like there were way too many topics/bylines in this novel that received more attention than they should've. These side topics/bylines were too distracting. 

Additionally, the main character, Patricia Falcon, was too wimpy for someone who works with other women to help rescue badly abused women in Savannah, Georgia. Patricia seemed too emotionally fragile for this type of work. 

Speaking of rescuing abused women, Patricia Falcon and her crew only did one rescue of an abused woman at the start of the novel. After that, the rest of the novel was focused on other topics. If part of the novel's focus is to highlight the fact that Patricia and her crew rescue abused women, then I'd have liked to see more of that focused on in Savannah Sleuth rather then focusing on other nonessential bylines.

Savannah Sleuth also seems to fall into the Christian fiction genre as well. I don't have any specific beef with the Christian fiction genre. But Christian fiction isn't something I gravitate towards. There was too much talk about the church for me in this novel.

Below is the publisher's summary for Savannah Sleuth by Alan Chaput from Chirp's website:

Though born to heirloom pearls, designer dresses and lush garden parties, Savannah social icon Patricia Falcon and three of her closest friends spend their days in Savannah’s dark side rescuing abused women. Patricia’s darling mother, a prominent philanthropist, drops dead, and the police are baffled by her untimely death. Patricia recruits her three friends to help her investigate what she believes is murder. “Savannah Sleuth” is a page-turning journey from Savannah’s Southern wealth and grace into the hidden corners of Savannah and across two continents in a deadly pursuit of justice.

I am giving Savannah Sleuth by Alan Chaput a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars. Needless to say, I won't continue reading the remaining novels in the 'Vigilantes For Justice' series.

Listening time for Savannah Sleuth by Alan Chaput is 8 hours, 14 minutes.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

New to Me Little Free Libraries in Bakersfield, California

 

9909 Mesa Oak Dr., Bakersfield, CA

2408 Mountain Oak Rd., Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield, California was our last overnight stay before returning home from our eleven day roadtrip to and from Monument Valley. There wasn't anything special we wanted to see while in Bakersfield, California. It was simply a city for us to stay in overnight on our return journey home. 

However, there were tons of Little Free Libraries in Bakersfield, California. We chose to find two of them near the hotel where we'd stayed the night. Both Little Free Libraries we found were super cute and filled with with many books. I loved how the second LFL shown above in my post was decorated for Halloween!

We also stayed in both Williams, Arizona and Kingman, Arizona on our roadtrip journey. Unfortunately, we didn't find any LFLs in either city on the Little Free Library app we have on our smartphones.

We loved Williams, Arizona immensely and we would like to return to Williams another time for a longer stay to see the attractions we missed seeing during our very short visit there. 

Kingman, Arizona offered a decent overnight stay. We made a quick stop to the Kingman Visitor Center before we headed out of town for Bakersfield. The Kingman Visitor Center has a drive through Route 66 sign and a museum attached to it as well. 

It's also worth noting that the Kingman Visitor Center use to be a powerhouse before it was turned into a visitor center. There's also another museum near the Kingman Visitor Center called the Mohave Museum of History and Art that I would have liked to visit during our trip along with the Kingman Railroad Museum... But alas, we simply didn't have the time to visit either museum during our quick stay in Kingman, Arizona.

We saw several places in Williams, Arizona, but the Poozeum museum was a highlight for us. It's a small museum featuring fossilized dinosaur poop. Poozeum offers free admission.

We visited the Poozeum in Williams, AZ. Free admission to see fossilized dinosaur poop!

Interior photo of the Poozeum! Small, fun museum tovisit!

Below are a few of the many photos we took while visiting the Kingman Visitor Center. I liked the drive through Route 66 sign, and the Route 66 gift shop and Arizona themed gift shop inside the Kingman Visitor Center. Plus, displays on the second floor for visitors to see.

Exterior view of the Kingman Visitor Center.

One of two gift shops within the Kingman Visitor Center. This one focused on Arizona themed items.