finished reading

I'm a fan of a heist.  I'm a fan of Downton Abbey.  This book attempts a mashup.  It's almost successful, too.  There are some great characters — they each have different motivations for participating. Mrs. King collects a variety of skilled women who each fulfill a specific, detailed task.  The concept of housekeepers tackling such an endeavor is fun; however, the execution doesn't have that fun feel.  Perhaps there is too much detail that slows the pace, but the book's timing is rather slow until the night of the costume ball.

From the publisher:

The night of London's grandest ball, a bold group of women downstairs launch a daring revenge heist against Mayfair society in this dazzling historical novel about power, gender, and class.

Mrs. King is no ordinary housekeeper. Born into a world of con artists and thieves, she’s made herself respectable, running the grandest home in Mayfair. The place is packed with treasures, a glittering symbol of wealth and power, but dark secrets lurk in the shadows.

When Mrs. King is suddenly dismissed from her position, she recruits an eclectic group of women to join her in revenge: A black market queen out to settle her scores. An actress desperate for a magnificent part. A seamstress dreaming of a better life. And Mrs. King’s predecessor, with her own desire for vengeance.

Their plan? On the night of the house’s highly anticipated costume ball—set to be the most illustrious of the year—they will rob it of its every possession, right under the noses of the distinguished guests and their elusive heiress host. But there’s one thing Mrs. King wants even more than money: the truth. And she’ll run any risk to get it…

After all, one should never underestimate the women downstairs.

three on thursday

Three things:

Thing 1)  my Tennessee niece and I just had a virtual book club!  We read The Unmaking of Jane Farrow and discussed it.  Then we got talking about other things.

Thing 2)  there are more items on our bucket list.  Such as: making the same recipe, taking a virtual tour of a location we both want to visit, and curating an epic Summer Playlist!

Thing 3)  I made a yummy mac-n-cheese pasta salad and can't wait for it to chill for supper.  (Boil the pasta from a mac and cheese, but instead of adding butter & milk, mix the cheese powder with mayo.  I add cucumbers and cherry tomatoes, with a handful of thawed peas, and a half cup of bacon bits.)

wordless wednesday

 

finished reading

Although I live in Maine, I am NOT outdoorsy.  This book made me appreciate people who tackle the Appalachian Trail, Maine Game Wardens, and the power of online communities.  I have several students who are Game Wardens, so I know how rigorous it is.

This is a literary thriller.  Much more literary than I expected.  Wonderfully descriptive passages from each of the three narrative threads kept me invested in how the stories would play out.  Although it's a story of wilderness survival, it's about the bonds of mothers and daughters.  Each narrative thread portrays a different maternal experience.

Lt. Beverly Miller is a complex character, dedicated to her job as one of the first female Game Wardens in Maine.  Her drive to find Valerie Gillis, the lost hiker, put me on the edge of my seat.  Valerie's experience was harrowing as the physical toll played out.  And Lena Kucharski was an interesting character who brought the story full circle, although I disliked her.

From the publisher:

In the heart of the Maine woods, an experienced Appalachian Trail hiker goes missing. She is forty-two-year-old Valerie Gillis, who has vanished 200 miles from her final destination. Alone in the wilderness, Valerie pours her thoughts into fractured, poetic letters to her mother as she battles the elements and struggles to keep hoping.

At the heart of the investigation is Beverly, the determined Maine State Game Warden tasked with finding Valerie, who leads the search on the ground. Meanwhile, Lena, a seventy-six-year-old birdwatcher in a Connecticut retirement community, becomes an unexpected armchair detective. Roving between these compelling narratives, a puzzle emerges, intensifying the frantic search, as Valerie’s disappearance may not be accidental.

finished reading

This collection of a novella and eight short stories is a satisfying summer read.  It's like a bowl of fresh strawberries with cream.  The women in the stories are relatable and slightly quirky, yet real.  And the storytelling is a treat, turning everyday circumstances like motherhood, financial stress, job dissatisfaction, and a ripped coat lining into compelling and complex moments.

From the publisher:

Nell is 26 and has never been to Paris. She's never even been on a romantic weekend away - to anywhere - before. Traveling abroad isn't really her thing. But when Nell's boyfriend fails to show up for their mini-vacation, she has the opportunity to prove everyone - including herself - wrong. Alone in Paris, Nell finds a version of herself she never knew existed: independent and intrepid. Could this turn out to be the most adventurous weekend of her life?

The other stories are:

Between the Tweets

Love in the Afternoon

A Bird in the Hand

Crocodile Shoes

Holdups

Last Year’s Coat

Thirteen Days with John C.

The Christmas List

finished reading

I loved The Parent Trap.  This book is billed as The Parent Trap for adults.  It is not.  The two main characters are immature and whiny.  They meet for the first time at their father's cabin in Maine, after his sudden death.  I did, however, enjoy the secondary, stereotypically Maine characters.

From the publisher:

Every summer, Vivian Levy and Lucy Webster spend a month with their father at his lake house — separately. Raised in New York City, Vivian is an ambitious sommelier with a secret that could derail her future. Lucy grew up in a tiny Maine town, where she now teaches high school English while watching her marriage unravel. They’ve never met. While Lucy envied her half-sister from afar, their father kept Vivian in the dark.

When Vivian arrives at the lake to spread his ashes and sell his cabin, she's shocked to find Lucy there, awaiting his return. In an ideal world, they’d help each other through their grief. Instead, forced to spend the summer together, they fight through a storm of suspicion and hostility to untangle the messy truth about their parents’ pasts. While Lucy is desperate to hold onto the house, Vivian is scrambling after a betrayal. After thirty years apart, is it too late for them to be a family?

currently

I am...

Reading:  I get to start a book today--I have several library books.

Listening to:  the Harry Styles Spotify Playlist

Thinking: my driver's side car door locks all the time, and I need to figure out how to get it to stop

Feeling:  still feeling the relaxed glow from my trip to Virginia

Celebrating:  I don't have anything particular I have to do for the rest of the summer 😏

Grateful for:  I'll be spending time with my parents and sister again today.  I love how we laugh and laugh.

Enjoying:  my sister encouraged me to pick up a simple knitting pattern and I am so happy to be knitting again!  

Weather:  68° and cloudy

A quote I want to share:

sunday stealing

 

Click the icon to play along

Spill It! Meme

1. If money wasn't an issue, would you move to a new home? probably not

2. Do you listen to different music when you're happy than when you're sad? no

3. What's your favorite way to unwind after a tough day? read or noodle around online

4. What's the first book you remember from childhood? I don't recall the name, but it was a pop-up book of fairy tales

5. What made you smile today? I didn't have to wake up at any particular time

finished reading

This is the book my niece chose for our Summer Bucket List read-along.  I'm excited to discuss it with her.  

Fantasy isn't my favorite genre, and time travel has to be well-developed for me to buy into it.  It wasn't so much developed, it was just there as part of the story; I struggled with that.  My favorite part of the mystery was the relationship between Eamon and June, and watching it develop was charming.  Although Eamon knew the whole backstory, he created a safe place for June while putting his sweet daughter first.  When he and June found their way back to each other, I was invested.  

I figured out the mystery's big reveal--it was ho-hum.

From the publisher:

In the small mountain town of Jasper, North Carolina, June Farrow is waiting for fate to find her. The Farrow women are known for their thriving flower farm—and the mysterious curse that has plagued their family line for as long as anyone can remember. But June is determined to be the last of her name, and in turn, be first Farrow to never find love. The whole town knows of the madness that led to Susanna Farrow’s disappearance, leaving her daughter, June, to be raised by her grandmother and haunted by rumors. Everyone in Jasper is certain that it's only a matter of time before she finds the same end, but June hasn't told a single soul that it's already begun.

After her grandmother’s death, a series of clues linking her mother's disappearance to the town's grim past emerge, leading June to a mysterious door. Behind it may lay the answer to the mysteries that have always lingered like a dark shadow over Jasper and the Farrows, but the further into the unknown she goes, the more her mind seems to unravel. Upon crossing the threshold, June embarks on a journey that will not only change both the past and the future, but entangle her fate and her heart in a star-crossed love.

saturday 9

Since U Been Gone

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here. 

 

1) In this song, Kelly Clarkson is dissatisfied with her relationship and she's moving on. What's something you've moved on from lately? It could be anything from a romance to the laundry detergent you've been using for years.  I moved on from my deodorant--I've used it for over a decade and it "stopped working" so I moved on

 

2) She sings that she can now breathe. Studies have shown that July can be a good month for allergy sufferers because trees and grasses are no longer pollinating. How are your eyes, ears, nose and throat this morning? all systems are go!

 

3) Kelly complains that their romance reminds her of a "stupid love song." Let's be more positive: what love song do you associate with positive memories? "Tell Her This" by Del Amitri

4) While Kelly's first love is music, she's established herself as a TV personality. In addition to her daytime talk show, she's been a judge on The Voice and hosted an awards show. Have you ever been on TV? there have been several interviews with the local news, if that counts

5) She has confessed a weakness for Doritos. Would we find salty snacks in your kitchen right now? you would

 

6) Kelly has found her weight the source of public debate. Are you like Kelly, whose weight fluctuates? Or does it stay stable? it's stable

 

7) In 2005, when this song was popular, a motorist made news in Texas when he was ticketed for driving over 200 mph in a 75 mph zone. Have you ever been pulled over by the police? no, I have not

 
8) Also in 2005, Tom Cruise had a pop culture moment when he famously jumped on a sofa. Do you remember where he did this? he was professing his undying love for Katie Holmes

 

9) Random question: Tell us about a photo you wish you'd taken, but didn't. I wish I had taken more selfies with my sister and niece while on my Virginia trip

finished reading

A new-to-me chick-lit author!  This delightful book offered a fresh take on a rom-com, as the main character wasn't all frills and high heels.  I enjoyed Anna's ability to renovate her cottage without needing to be rescued by a man.  And I loved the adoption of Caroline, her greyhound.  

This is a perfect summer read.

From the publisher:

Anna, a newly qualified interior designer, has decided it's time to put her money and her expertise where her mouth is and risk everything to buy a tiny but adorable cottage in desperate need of renovation.

Outside, the chocolate-box cottage is perfect, but inside, all is chaos. With a ladder for a staircase, no downstairs flooring, candles the only form of lighting, and a sleeping bag and camping mat for a bed, Anna soon wonders if she's bitten off more than she can chew.

Her neighbor Chloe comes to the rescue, providing tea, wine, and sympathy---and a recently rescued greyhound, Caroline. But just as Anna's starting to settle in, make new friends, and see the house transforming before her eyes, the good-looking yet impossible Rob Hunter arrives on the scene and puts even more obstacles in her way. Will Anna be able to get over all of life's hurdles in the end, or will she stumble and fall?