Bookish Quote of the Day!!!

 

Top Ten Tuesday - Cozy/Atmospheric Reads

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 am not even sure what a cozy/atmospheric read is supposed to look like... Are we supposed to pick one genre or the other? Or try to find books that fit both genres? I'm going to stick to atmospheric reads for this week's Top Ten Tuesday post.

1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

2. Tangerine by Christine Mangan

3. The Sister by Poppy Adams

4. The Seas by Samantha Hunt

5. Soon by Lois Murphy

6. The Sacrifice by Rin Chupeco

7. A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin

8. A Stir of Echoes by Richard Matheson

9. Euphoria by Lily King

10. Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven

Click on the above links to read my review for each novel listed.

Have you read of the books from my Top Ten Tuesday post this week? Do you have any atmospheric books to recommend?

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

Quick Status Update - General FYI

During the next 10-12 days, I will most

liking be unable to publish or respond to comments during this timeframe due to other obligations. So, if you do not see your comments being published right away on my blog, you'll know why.

I'll be sure to publish and reply comments as soon as I can. Additionally, you'll see some blog posts pop during my absence.

In the meantime, happy reading!!

Top Ten Tuesday - Non-book Freebie - Favorite Flowers

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 of my favorite flowers... Granted I have many more flowers I love and adore, but these are a few of my personal favorites.

1. Dahlia

Dahlias come in a wide variety of colors. I like many of the colors. It's the shape and look of this flower I enjoy the most.

2. Rhododendrons

I love the color variations for rhododendrons too... Plus, the fact that they grow on trees/shrubs, which grow very large.

3. Ranunculos

The variety of colors and the interesting texture of ranunculos are what make it a winner!!

4. Orchid

I simply adore all orchids, but Oncidium Sharry Baby orchid really stands out as it smells like chocolate!!

5. Peony

Again, I love all the color variations and the texture for peonies.

6. Lotus

I love the symbolism of the lotus - purity, rebirth, strength, and spiritual enlightenment.

7. Camellia

I love the various colors of camellia flowers.

8. Canna & Calla Lillies

I have adored the look of both canna and calla lilies for decades. They are such beautiful flowers. Both types of lilies come in a wide variety of colors.

9 . Magnolia

The magnolia flower is another beautiful flower, which symbolizes dignity, beauty, nobility, and strength.

10. Ylang ylang

I love the smell of ylang ylang essential oil! Little did I know how beautiful the actual flowers are. Ylang ylang is a tropical flowering tree native to the Philippines.

Share your favorite flowers in the comment section below!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

And the Nobel Prize For Literature Goes to... Hungarian Writer, László Krasznahorkai

 

Congratulations to László Krasznahorkai on winning the 2025 Nobel Prize for Literature!!

I read an online article titled, 'Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai wins the Nobel Prize in literature' by Kostya Manenkov, Jill Lawless, and Mike Corder.

In the above mentioned article, I learned the following information:

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai, whose surreal and anarchic novels combine a bleak world view with mordant humor, won the Nobel Prize in literature Thursday for work the judges said upholds the power of art in the midst of “apocalyptic terror.”

The Nobel judges said the 71-year-old author, whose novels sometimes consist of just one long sentence, is “a great epic writer” whose work “is characterized by absurdism and grotesque excess.”

Frankly, I'd never even heard of László Krasznahorkai until this morning. So, I am curious to read one of his novels in the future. Have you read any of his novels before now? If so, what did you think of the novel?

Click on the very top link to read the full story about László Krasznahorkai winning the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Book Riot - What Books Do Readers Find Most Confusing?

 Yesterday, I came across an interesting article published on Book Riot's website titled, What Books Do Readers Find Most Confusing? by Kelly Jenson.

In the article, Kelly Jensen wrote the following:

To start, the team at Aura Print generated a seed list of titles from multiple sources, including the 100 bestselling books, as well as other resources like user-generated lists of “confusing books” and book-to-screen adaptation lists. They also sought titles that appeared among the best selling and highest rated in outlets like The New York Times, Amazon, and Goodreads. The team then searched each of those books on Goodreads and stuck to titles with 50,000 or more reviews. From there, they searched the reviews of each title for the word “confusing.” It’s a pretty straightforward methodology, focusing on reviews that readers write for themselves and for other book lovers on the site, if not all together the most scientific.

So what topped the list of most confusing books?

The most confusing book according to Goodreads users was Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros. Over 8,000 of the reviews include the word “confusing” to describe their experience with the book.

Click on the top link to read the full article and to view which books made the list. I was surprised to find many classics made the list, like Little Women and Fahrenheit 451.

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton made the list as well. I've read this novel and although I found it to be a unique read, it was difficult to keep track of the characters and the storyline.

Have you read any of the novels in the list of books seen in the above article? Did you find any of them confusing? Which other books would you add to the list of confusing books?

The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank

 

Yes, I realize it's a bit early for a Christmas themed read when Halloween hasn't even passed yet.

I was looking for a short and quick read and The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank fit the bill perfectly. I listened to the audio version of this novel, which was delightfully narrated by Celia Weston. You may recall that Celia Weston is the actress who played Jolene Hunnicutt on the television series, 'Alice'.

I enjoyed the storyline, pacing, and plot for this novella. It's a nice, lightweight read for the Christmas holidays. My only major complaint regarding The Christmas Pearl is that it could have had a bit more depth/development to it. But I think that would have required it to be a full length novel vs novella.

Below is the publisher's summary for The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank from Chirp's website:

Theodora is the matriarch of a family that has grown into a bunch of truculent knuckleheads. While she’s finally gotten them all together in South Carolina to celebrate, this Christmas looks nothing like the extravagant, homey holidays of her childhood.

What happened to the days when Christmas meant tables groaning with home-cooked goodies, over-the-top decorations, and long chats in front of the fire with Pearl, her grandmother’s beloved housekeeper and closest confidante?

Luckily for Theodora, a special someone who heard her plea for help arrives, with pockets full of enough Gullah magic and common sense to make Theodora’s Christmas the love-filled miracle it’s meant to be.

I am giving The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite and delightfully narrated by Adepero Oduye.

I had seen the buzz for My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite online and also read a couple of blog reviews for this novel. So, I had an idea what this novel was about, but I wasn't sure if it would live up to the hype. 

Well, My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite exceeded my expectations. I really, really liked it! I loved the shorter chapters, the characters, and the storyline. The writing for My Sister, the Serial Killer packs a punch despite its short length. My only minor complaint is the ending of the novel, which leaves me wondering about its meaning. Otherwise, an enjoyable novel.

Below is the publisher's summary for My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite from the Goodreads website:

A short, darkly funny hand grenade of a novel about a Nigerian woman whose younger sister has a very inconvenient habit of killing her boyfriends.

"Femi makes three, you know. Three and they label you a serial killer."

Korede is bitter. How could she not be? Her sister, Ayoola, is many things: the favorite child, the beautiful one, possibly sociopathic. And now Ayoola's third boyfriend in a row is dead.

Korede's practicality is the sisters' saving grace. She knows the best solutions for cleaning blood, the trunk of her car is big enough for a body, and she keeps Ayoola from posting pictures of her dinner to Instagram when she should be mourning her "missing" boyfriend. Not that she gets any credit.

Korede has long been in love with a kind, handsome doctor at the hospital where she works. She dreams of the day when he will realize she's exactly what he needs. But when he asks Korede for Ayoola's phone number, she must reckon with what her sister has become and how far she's willing to go to protect her.

Sharp as nails and full of deadpan wit, Oyinkan Braithwaite's deliciously deadly debut is as fun as it is frightening.

I am giving My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!!

17th Annual Iowa City Book Festival -October 5 - 12, 2025

 

The University of Iowa is my alma mater and is located in Iowa City, Iowa. The Iowa City Book Festival did not exist during my time spent attending the University of Iowa or I would have gladly attended the festivities. 

One of these days, I'd love to return to Iowa City and not only revisit the campus and all my favorite spots around Iowa City, but I'd also love to attend the Iowa City Book Festival.

Below is more information about the Iowa City Book Festival from their website:

WELCOME TO IOWA CITY! The 17th annual Iowa City Book Festival will be held Oct. 5-12, 2025, at locations throughout downtown and beyond. It will showcase a dynamic mix of original events and collaborative programs with partner organizations, all celebrating the power of the written word and the exchange of ideas.

The Iowa City Book Festival is organized by the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature, a nonprofit 501(c)3 that manages the Iowa City area’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature. The City of Literature works to advance its mission of celebrating and supporting literature on a local, regional, national, and international level, connecting readers and writers through the power of story.

The line up of events for this year's book festival looks great! Authors, John Scalzi, Patricia Lockwood, Jennifer Fawcett, and Tatiana Schlote-Bonne will be speaking at the Iowa City Book Festival this year. I'd love to hear each of them speak about their new books.

Director of Eisenhower Library in Kansas Ousted After Refusing to Give Trump Administration a Sword

I am tired of the Trump Administration's bullying!! It seems like every time you turn around someone is being called out by President Trump for being a bad person and/or fired for no good reason.

Case in point, I recently read an article titled, 'Director of Eisenhower Library in Kansas ousted after refusing to give Trump administration a sword' by Zane Irwin. 

In the article, I learned that Todd Arrington, the "director of the  [Eisenhower] presidential library and museum in Abilene, Kansas, said he was suddenly told to resign or be fired."

I also learned the following information from the above mentioned article:

Todd Arrington’s resignation came shortly after Arrington refused to relinquish one of President Eisenhower’s swords from the museum’s collection. President Trump’s administration wanted to give one of the artifacts as a gift to King Charles III on Trump’s most recent state visit to the United Kingdom.

Arrington said his direct superior informed him on Monday evening that he would be asked to resign. The supervisor, who Arrington declined to name, said he was passing down orders from unknown higher-ups.

All Arrington heard is that he “could no longer be trusted with confidential information” due to conduct related to the sword disagreement.

“I was obviously shocked and saddened and heartbroken,” Arrington said in an interview with the Kansas News Service. “I have almost 30 years of government service. I've never had a bad mark against me.”

The National Archives and Records Administration, which operates presidential libraries like Eisenhower’s, replied to a Kansas News Service inquiry with an automated message that said it was closed due to the U.S. government shutdown that began Wednesday. The White House Press Office sent a similar message.

Click on the first link above to read the full news story. 

I feel like I am living in a fascist/authoritarian regime right now when I read articles like the one cited above. How dare Trump request a sword from a presidential library to give as a gift to King Charles III... And then proceed to fire Todd Arrington for not relinquishing the sword to him!!

Celebrate Banned Books Week - Read For Your Rights!!

 

Bookish Quote of the Day!!!

 

Riven Rock by T. C. Boyle

 

I've had Riven Rock by T. C. Boyle in my 'tbr' pile for 15.5 years now and FINALLY listened to the unabridged audio version this year. 

In all honesty, I'm not sure why it took me so long to finally read this novel as it was a novel I'd wanted to read for several reasons. I love historical fiction. Especially, historical fiction novels that feature famous people from real life in them. 

Additionally, I lived in the Santa Barbara, California area for 16 years. Riven Rock is a real life place and located in the super, affluent area of Santa Barbara known as Montecito. Riven Rock was the former 84-acre estate once owned by the McCormick Family of the International Harvester fame. The estate was eventually sold off and subdivided. 

As a side note, it is my understanding that Prince Harry and his family now live in a home, which is currently located on the grounds of the old Riven Rock Estate. Click on the above highlighted link for Riven Rock to read the full history of the Riven Rock Estate on Wikipedia.

As far as the novel goes, Riven Rock by T. C. Boyle was horrible, in my opinion. Riven Rock by T. C. Boyle was a complete let down and waste of my time. I found it to be extremely boring, very long and drawn out as the listening time for Riven Rock was 20 hours, 23 minutes. 

I thought the two main characters were going to solely be Stanley McCormick and his wife, Katherine Dexter McCormick... And that the rest of the characters would be secondary ones... But I was wrong! Yes, they were the main characters, but they also shared the limelight with Eddie O'Kane, Stanley's alcoholic, womanizing male nurse. There was too much focus on Eddie O'Kane's life as a byline in Riven Rock, which I personally didn't enjoy.

Lastly, the narration for Riven Rock by T. C. Boyle, wasn't my favorite either.

I didn't like the storyline, characters, writing, or pacing for Riven Rock by T. C. Boyle.

The following is the publisher's summary for Riven Rock by T. C. Boyle from Chirp's website:

T. C. Boyle's seventh novel transforms two characters straight out of history into rich mythic figures whose tortured love story is as heartbreaking as it is hilarious. It is the dawn of the twentieth century when the beautiful, budding feminist Katherine Dexter falls in love with Stanley McCormick, son of a millionaire inventor. The two wed, but before the marriage is consummated, Stanley experiences a nervous breakdown and is diagnosed as a schizophrenic sex maniac. Locked up for the rest of his life at Riven Rock, the family's California mansion, Stanley is treated by a series of confident doctors determined to cure him. But his true salvation lies with Katherine who, throughout her career as a scientist and suffragette, continues a patient vigil from beyond the walls of Riven Rock, never losing hope that one day Stanley will be healed.

Blending social history with some of the most deliciously dark humor ever written, Boyle employs his hallmark virtuoso prose to tell the story of America's age of innocence—and of a love affair that is as extraordinary as it is unforgettable.

I am giving Riven Rock by T. C. Boyle a rating of 1 star out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Sacramento Archives Crawl - Free Event!

 

I recently learned about the Sacramento Archives Crawl a couple of days ago. It's a free public event that is happening this upcoming weekend. 

I learned the following information about the Sacramento Archives Crawl from the Center For Sacramento History website:

Every October, in celebration of National Archives Month, archives and special collections libraries from throughout the region open their doors to the public and showcase their rarely seen holdings during the Sacramento Archives Crawl.

The Center has worked with other local archival institutions to organize and co-host the annual Sacramento Archives Crawl each year since 2010. The Crawl is held at four host institution sites in downtown Sacramento: the California State Archives, California State Library, Center for Sacramento History, and Sacramento Room at the Sacramento Public Library. Free bus transportation is provided between all four locations.

At the host sites, the public can view archival collections on display and take behind-the-scenes tours. Representatives from other archives and special collections libraries will be at the host locations, as well, to display their archival collections - historic photographs, documents, and objects - and answer questions about how to connect with local history resources.

Archives Crawl Passports are given to guests as they visit the host institutions. The passport provides a map of the event and information about the participating institutions - get your passport stamped at three of the four host sites and you'll get a set of limited-edition commemorative coasters that feature archival images representing that year's theme. Crawlers can also participate in a history scavenger hunt for a chance to win fun prizes.

I live about an hour and forty-five minutes away from Sacramento and would love to participate in the Sacramento Archives Crawl. However, I already have plans on October 4th, so I am unable to attend this event. I will take note of this annual, literary event for next year's timeframe and hope to attend then.

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

George Takei to be Honorary Chair of Banned Books Week 2025!!

 

Congrats George Takei being an Honorary Chair of Banned Books Week 2025!! He seems like a good candidate for this role.

12 Must-Visit Libraries in Japan!!

My husband and I have plans to visit Japan for our 25th wedding anniversary. During our visit, I'd love to visit a few bookstores and also a few libraries.

I recently came across an article titled, 12 Must-Visit Libraries in Japan, which I discovered on the 1000libraries.com website. 

I want to visit all the libraries listed in the above mentioned article, but I especially want to visit the Library in the Earth in Kisarazu, Chiba.

Click on the above link to see each library listed. All of them are unique and beautiful!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!!

 

Alta Journal - California Book Club - Amy Tan Discusses Her Book, The Backyard Bird Chronicles!!

 

Wow, what a treat it was to listen to author, Amy Tan, discuss her nonfiction book titled, The Backyard Bird Chronicles during

Alta Journal's monthly live California Book Club event!!

Something like 1800+ people from around the globe showed

up for this virtual author event!!

Apparently, The Backyard Bird Chronicles was never originally supposed to be published... Amy Tan's was behind on a novel she was writing, so her editor (or was it her publisher?) wanted to see her birding journals... From there, it was decided her birding journals should be published and the rest is history.

During the live event, the audience sees Amy Tan sitting in her rooftop garden in Sausalito, California which is where she started her birdwatching and journaling in 2016. It was cool to view where Ms. Tan began her birdwatching adventure. See the below photo.

I now want to read The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan and have added it to my ever growing reading wishlist!

Do you enjoy attending author events/signings in-person or virtually?

Have you attended any author events/signings recently?

Throwback Thursday - Books That Didn't Live Up to the Hype!

Below are a few books that missed the mark for me.

1. Starring Sally J. Freedman As Herself by Judy Blume

I've read and reviewed several books by Judy Blume.

Most of them I've really enjoyed. However,

Starring Sally J. Freedman As Herself

wasn't a win for me.

2. Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot

This memoir was praised by many prominent writers

like Roxane Gay and Lidia Yuknavitch. Sherman Alexie even wrote

a glowing introduction for Heart Berries. However, Heart Berries wasn't for me.

3. The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher

I did not enjoy Carrie Fisher's memoir at ALL.

The Princess Diarist is rambling and verbose. Ms. Fisher tried too hard to be clever and funny in her book, but fails miserably at this attempt big time. She comes off as insecure and needy throughout much of The Princess Diarist.

The journal entries Carrie Fisher shares from when she was filming the first Star Wars movie are sad and depressing for the most part. Ms. Fisher came across as having very low self esteem and lacking emotional maturity during her time filming Star Wars.

4. The Son by Philipp Meyer

I'd never heard of Philipp Meyer until the summer of

2014 when a book group had selected his novel, The Son, for

that month's book club selection.

I found it interesting to learn that The Son had been nominated for the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. I personally wasn't enamored enough with this novel to ever fathom that it would be nominated for such a prestigious prize as the Pulitzer Prize.

5. Cari Mora by Thomas Harris

I'd read several of Thomas Harris's previous novels and enjoyed them immensely. When I decided to read Cari Mora, I was expecting the same entertaining writing by Thomas Harris. But Cari Mora was just plain weird and creepy.

6. The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

I was disappointed with The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. I didn't care much for the story, the characters, or the writing. For a classic novel, I expected to really like it.

7. House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

I thought House of Mirth was long, drawn out, B-O-R-I-N-G, and DEPRESSING! Another classic, I thought was a total bust.

8. We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

Generally, I love Russian literature. But We wasn't very good.

I think the eBook edition I read may have largely been the culprit to

my lackluster experience.

Another classic that was a bust for me.

9. Eggs by Jerry Spinelli

I've loved almost every novel I've read by Jerry Spinelli with

the exception of Eggs!!

10. The Other Story by Tatiana de Rosnay

After reading Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay back in 2012,

I was hoping to read another amazing novel by the author.

The Other Story was awful!!  I read another novel by

Tatiana de Rosnay too and it was also bad. Maybe

Sarah's Key was a one hit wonder... I don't know.

Have you been disappointed by a hyped novel or classic novel?

Has a favorite author written a novel/book that was a let down?

Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

My Dream Bookstore - If I Owned a Bookstore Tag

Earlier today, I was watching a video on YouTube from one of my favorite BookTube channels, Criminolly, where Olly made a video about his dream bookstore based on the "If I Owned a Bookstore Tag" going around right now.

I decided to participate in the "If I Owned a Bookstore Tag". Below are my answers to ten different questions.

The Questions Are As Follows:

1) What are the hours of operation?

Monday: 12pm-5pm

Tuesday: 11am-8pm

Wednesday: 11am-8pm

Thursday: 11am-8pm

Friday:11am-8pm

Saturday: 10am-6pm

Sunday: 12pm-5pm 

2) Is there ambient music? What kind? 

Yes, there will be ambient music!! Instrumental music only though, like soft jazz, classical, or perhaps guitar or piano music.

3) Is there a coffee bar? Do you serve alcohol? 

Yes, there will be coffee and tea bar! Maybe a few other beverages like cider, lemonade, hot cocoa, etc. No, on alcohol though.

4) Are patrons encouraged to linger? Are there comfortable chairs? What kind of lighting? Are there tables? Are there areas for group gatherings? 

Yes, patrons will be encouraged to linger in my bookstore! I want to create a cozy, welcoming vibe where the community can come together to read. I'd offer comfortable chairs to sit in during one's visit and a table surrounded by chairs for monthly book club groups to sit and discuss there current book club selection. Bright lighting throughout the store will be available to make it easier for people to read during their visit.

5) Is there live entertainment (poetry readings, author’s reading from their current works, lectures in literature)? 

Yes, to live entertainment in the form of author's speaking events.

Plus, monthly book club groups/meet-ups where readers collect to discuss the books they've read for !!

6) Where is your bookstore located? In the busy heart of large city? In a neighborhood of a large city? In a suburban strip mall? In a small town? In a rural area? 

A medium sized bookstore set in a strip mall near where I live.

7) How does your bookstore look from the outside? Sleek and modern? Dark and brooding? 

I want a vintage vibe for my bookstore. Hardwood floors, area rugs, black and white photos of authors, books, exterior shots of indie bookstores hanging on walls, etc... Plus, potted plants, and a bookstore cat or two!

8) What’s your specialty? Used books? New? New and used? Only fiction? Only non-fiction? Fiction and non-fiction? Does your bookstore specialize in a particular genre? 

I think a used bookstore filled with gently used fiction and nonfiction books would be perfect. 

I'd also like to have a used book buying/trade-in program as well.

9) What’s the name of your bookstore? 

The Bookstore of Second Chances

10) Tag some friends.

I won't tag any other book bloggers for this book tag. Feel free to tag yourself if you'd like to  participate.

The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told: A True Tale of Three Gamblers, The Kentucky Derby, and the Mexican Cartel by Mark Paul

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told: A True Tale of Three Gamblers, The Kentucky Derby, and the Mexican Cartel by Mark Paul, which was well narrated by Will Damron.

I never thought I'd enjoy a nonfiction audiobook about horse racing and gambling so much!! Suffice it to say that The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told: A True Tale of Three Gamblers, The Kentucky Derby, and the Mexican Cartel is really good!! 

The primary focus of The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told: A True Tale of Three Gamblers, The Kentucky Derby, and the Mexican Cartel is on horse racing as it pertains to the 1988 Kentucky Derby and its winning filly, Winning Colors, along with some of the major players pertaining to horse racing like horse trainer, D. Wayne Lukas (trainer for Winning Colors), Gene Klein (owner of Winning Colors), Gary Stevens (jockey for Winning Colors), the three gamblers who bet big on Winning Colors, the Mexican cartel, and various other aspects of horse racing.

The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told: A True Tale of Three Gamblers, The Kentucky Derby, and the Mexican Cartel by Mark Paul is well written, engaging, informative, and well organized. I enjoyed that this book isn't over stuffed with factoids and is just the right length to keep the interest of the readers.

Below is the publisher's summary for The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told: A True Tale of Three Gamblers, The Kentucky Derby, and the Mexican Cartel by Mark Paul found on Chirp's website:

The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told is an inspiring personal narrative about a filly who broke through the male-dominated world of horseracing and inspired crowds of men and women alike, along with a trio of gamblers who embark on an unforgettable adventure that’s as epic as the historic victory of Winning Colors. It’s Seabiscuit meets Narcos, and the best true-life gambling story ever told.

In the late 1980s, a spectacular 3-year-old female racehorse named Winning Colors was being groomed for success under her famous “Hollywood” trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, and the billionaire owner of the San Diego Chargers pro-football team, Eugene Klein. Meanwhile, three fun-loving gamblers, Miami Paul, Dino Mateo, and Big Bernie believed that Winning Colors could be the unlikely female winner of the 1988 Kentucky Derby.

When the gamblers unknowingly place their longshot bet with members of a suspected drug cartel at a racetrack in Tijuana, Mexico, they must figure out how to claim their prize - without getting killed in the process. In a heart-pounding race of their own across the U.S.-Mexico border, the trio come face-to-face with suspected killers, are arrested by the Border Patrol, and fumble their way through the riskiest bet of their lives.

I am giving The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told: A True Tale of Three Gamblers, The Kentucky Derby, and the Mexican Cartel by Mark Paul a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars. This is my fifth read for the month of September.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

A 14-year-old boy from Sacramento, CA is leading a movement to end “book deserts”!!

 

I love it when a youngster creates ways to bring books to other youngsters to promote literacy!! I learned the following from the above short video:

Sacramento teen Ethan Minton, 14, is tackling “book deserts” through his nonprofit E-Train Talks Inc., which has donated more than 7,000 books to children’s hospitals, libraries, and underserved communities. Inspired during COVID-19 by the comfort books provided him, Minton launched the nonprofit in 2022 to spread what he calls “book joy.” His work earned recognition as a Nonprofit of Distinction from Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty. Alongside book drives, Minton also runs a podcast interviewing authors and reviewing books, while balancing school and his dream of becoming a sports journalist. His goal is to reach 10,000 donated books by 2025.

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

The Master of the World by Jules Verne

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Master of the World by Jules Verne and it is well narrated by Matthew Lloyd Davies.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was the first novel by Jules Verne I'd ever read. I loved it so much that I've read it at least twice! I've also read The Mysterious Island and Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne. 

I recently learned about The Master of the World by Jules Verne, which was first published in 1904 and one of Jules Verne's last works. I decided to give it a try as it sounded intriguing and it is set in the USA. 

Honestly, I was truly hoping to love The Master of the World as much as I had enjoyed reading the three previous novels I'd read by Jules Verne. However, The Master of the World was a bit formulaic in that it was too much like Verne's other novels. The only difference to me were the specific details to fit the storyline and move the plot along. 

The Master of the World also fell flat in terms of capturing and holding my interest. It wasn't that the writing or storyline were awful or anything like that for The Master of the World... It just didn't live up to Verne's other works I'd previously read.

The following is the publisher's summary for The Master of the World by Jules Verne from Chirp's website:

One of Jules Verne’s final books, The Master of the World, which was released in 1904, is a science fiction classic. The novel was written as Verne’s health was deteriorating. The Master of the World is a “dark novel,” full of dread and anxiety about the emergence of totalitarianism and tyrants, embodied by the novel’s antagonist, Robur.

I am giving The Master of the World by Jules Verne 3 stars out of 5 stars. This is my fourth read of September 2025.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Pet by Akwaeke Emezi, which was richly narrated by Christopher Myers. 

Pet has been on my reading wishlist for ages!! I am so happy to have finally read this young adult novel as it is spectacularly well written!! Pet is also a work of speculative fiction and deals with lgtbtqia+ elements.

One of the many reasons, I finally decided to read Pet by Akwaeke Emezi is that it is Banned Books Week. Pet by Akwaeke Emezi has been banned/challenged "in some Texas locations and pulled from some libraries due to its LGBTQ+ themes, particularly its transgender girl protagonist, Jam."

I don't know about you, but banned/challenged books usually make the BEST reads, in my opinion, and Pet does not disappoint!

I loved the writing, characters, and storyline for Pet. Pet is set in a utopian city called, Lucille. In the city of Lucille, crime has 'supposedly' been obliterated by angels. However, crime hasn't been obliterated as a most evil scenario has gone unchecked for a long time that an intervention occurs. 

I think the following sentence from the publisher's summary sums it the best. "What really makes a monster, and how do you save the world from something if no one will admit it exists?"

Pet is an engaging read that captivates your attention from start to finish. I don't want to spoil any more of the plot at this point. So... just go read Pet already!!

As a side note, I often feel like both the young adult and children's genres are kind of undervalued at times. As an adult, I find reading novels like Pet to be excellent in containing thoughtful, teachable messages that are very relevant despite the darker topics sometimes discussed in these types of books. Despite the fact that Pet may be a young adult novel, it's still a good read for adults too.

Pet marks my third read for the month of September.

Below is the publisher's summary for Pet by Akwaeke Emezi from Chirp's website:

National Book Award Finalist

Stonewall Book Award Winner

“[A] beautiful, genre-expanding debut…Pet is a nesting doll of creative possibilities.” (The New York Times)

The award-winning, genre-defying novel by the New York Times best-selling author of The Death of Vivek Oji that explores themes of identity and justice and asks: How do you share the truth when the world around you is in denial?

Pet is here to hunt a monster. Are you brave enough to look?

There are no monsters anymore, or so the children in the city of Lucille are taught. Jam and her best friend, Redemption, have grown up with the lesson that the city is safe for everyone. But when Jam meets Pet, a creature who some might call monstrous but, in reality, is anything but, she must reconsider what she’s been told. Pet has emerged from one of her mother’s paintings to hunt a true monster - and the shadow of something grim lurks in Redemption’s house. No one has encountered monsters in years, though, and Jam’s quest to protect her best friend and uncover the truth is met with doubt and disbelief.

This award-winning novel from a rising-star author asks: What really makes a monster, and how do you save the world from something if no one will admit it exists?

I am giving Pet by Akwaeke Emezi a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Blubber by Judy Blume

 

I enjoyed listening to Blubber by Judy Blume, which is well read by Halley Feiffer!! This is the sixth novel I've read by Judy Blume. I don't ever recall reading any of her novels as a youngster, so I guess you could say I am making up for lost time by reading them now.

The major theme of Blubber is bullying in elementary school. Great topic to write about and shed light on as who hasn't either been a victim of bullying, been a bully themselves, or witnessed bullying while attending the K-12 system? I think Blubber looks at the situation of bullying from different angles and can help facilitate discussion on the subject.

Although, I like Blubber and feel that it offers a lot to ponder, it isn't my favorite novel written by Judy Blume.

I also learned after a Google search that Blubber by Judy Blume was a banned/challenged due to racial slurs and also the "focus on unpunished or seemingly unpunished bullying behavior."

Below is the publisher's summary for Blubber by Judy Blume from Chirp's website:

Blubber is a good name for her, the note from Wendy says about Linda. Jill crumples it up and leaves it on the corner of her desk. She doesn’t want to think about Linda or her dumb report on the whale just now. Jill wants to think about Halloween.

But Robby grabs the note, and before Linda stops talking it has gone halfway around the room.

That’s where it all starts. There’s something about Linda that makes a lot of kids in her fifth-grade class want to see how far they can go – but nobody, least of all Jill, expects the fun to end where it does.

I am giving Blubber by Judy Blume a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until next time, happy reading!!