sunday stealing

Click the icon to play along

In The Past Month Meme

During April, did you ...

1. Drink alcohol? no

2. Eat sushi? no

3. Go shopping with friends? no

4. Eat an entire box of cookies by yourself? yes--but not in one setting

5. Dye your hair? no

finished reading

This story follows the life of Emmeline Darling, and the dual timelines weave together to tell a tale of resilience.  As an elderly woman, Emmeline enrolls in a memoir-writing class at her local library.  The act of writing and sharing their stories creates a bond among the class and friendships form.  There is something incredibly heartening about a group of strangers finding common ground through storytelling.

Emmeline is a quirky character.  Her eccentricities charmed me, even when I thought she was over the top. Her dog, Vera, made me want a dog of my own--a loving companion to share quiet moments and adventures alike.

Although certain sections were slow, I enjoyed this thoughtful look at family, friendship, and a life well-lived.

From the publisher:

Born into a basket of clean sheets—ruining a perfectly good load of laundry—Emmeline never quite fit in on her family's rural Nova Scotian farm. After suffering multiple losses in the First World War, her family became so heavy with grief, toxicity, and mental illness that Emmeline felt their weight smothering her. And so, she fled across the Atlantic and built her life in England. Now she is retired and living in a small coastal town with her best friend, Vera, an excellent conversationalist. Vera is also a small white dog, and so Emmeline is making an effort to talk to more humans. When she joins a memoir-writing course at the library, her classmates don't know what to make of her. Funny, loud, and with a riveting memoir, she charms the lot. As her past unfolds for her audience, friendships form, a bonus in a rather lonely life. She even shares with them her third-biggest secret: she has liberated hundreds of spoons over her lifetime—from the local library, Cary Grant, Winston Churchill. She is a compulsive spoon stealer.

When Emmeline unexpectedly inherits the farm she grew up on, she knows she needs to leave her new friends and go see the farm and what remains of her family one last time. She arrives like a tornado in their lives, an off-kilter Mary Poppins bossing everyone around and getting quite a lot wrong. But with her generosity and hard-earned wisdom, she gets an awful lot right too. A pinball ricocheting between people, offending and inspiring in equal measure, Emmeline, in her final years, believes that a spoonful—perhaps several spoonfuls—of kindness can set to rights the family so broken by loss and secrecy.

The Spoon Stealer is a classic Crewe book: full of humour, family secrets, women's friendship, lovable animals, and immense heart.

postsecret

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

saturday 9

I'll Get By

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

1) "I'll Get By" was very popular song in the 1940s, and we're taking a look at the recording by Dick Haymes and Harry James because it got the most airplay. Can you think of another song that has been recorded by more than one artist? one of my favorite cover songs was done by Johnny Cash, when he remade the Nine Inch Nails song "Hurt"

2) In this week's song, vocalist Dick Haymes sings that he won't complain about the rain. Do you have any complaints about the weather this morning?  it is a beautiful, sunny morning!

3) Dick was briefly married to movie queen Rita Hayworth. Known as The Love Goddess and The Strawberry Blonde, Rita was famous for her magnificent mane. She dyed her dark brown hair red to get attention and it worked. Have you ever experimented with a different color? If yes, were you happy with the results? nothing dramatic or drastic--I liked the results but didn't keep up with it because I didn't want to over process my hair

4) Dick was the lead vocalist of the Harry James orchestra. Like Dick, Harry had a movie star wife. Betty Grable was famous for her legs. Her bathing suit poster inspired hosiery manufacturers to single out her perfectly proportioned thighs, calves and ankles. Betty herself joked, "I'm a star for two reasons, and I'm standing on them."  What do you think is your best (physical) trait? my lips

5) Betty's weren't the only legs that fascinated Harry. He was known for his stable of thoroughbred racehorses. Have you ever been to the races? I used to go to the local harness races at the annual Fair

6) Teenaged Harry played trumpet with The Beaumont High School Royal Purple Band. Did you belong to groups or clubs while you were in high school? so many, I can't remember them all but my biggest impact was from the Yearbook staff and the Drama Club

7) In addition to "I'll Get By," Judy Garland's "Trolley Song" topped the charts in 1944. When did you most recently take public transportation? I cannot recall

8) Also in 1944, Diana Ross was born. First with the Supremes, then as a solo artist, she has sold more than 100 millions records, making her one of America's most successful female singers. Who is your all-time favorite "girl singer?" kd lang, Annie Lennox, Stevie Nicks, Linda Ronstadt--I can't narrow it down to one!

9) Random question – Last week we asked about the garage. Let's turn our attention to the glove compartment (aka glove box). What have you got in there? a box of masks (just in case), proof of insurance, an expired temporary handicapped sign, a very small ice scraper

finished reading

This novel's exploration of marriage is mostly told in short first-person chapters from the points of view of Roy, Celestial, and later, Andre.  Roy and Celestial are newlyweds who are torn apart by Roy's arrest and subsequent incarceration for a crime he did not commit.  During the five years they are apart, their separate lives and experiences change how they both view marriage.  In contrast, their parents' marriages are also explored.  

The narrative structure is divided into distinct sections, and while it begins and ends with first-person chapters, the middle portion, covering the five years Roy is incarcerated, is told through letters between Roy and Celestial.  Eventually, Andre (Celestial's lifelong friend and the best man at their wedding) becomes a narrator, as the love triangle develops.

This book interested me more in the aspect of social injustice and class identity (Roy and Celestial are up-and-coming movers and shakers in  Atlanta) than in the relationships.  

From the publisher:

Newlyweds Celestial and Roy are the embodiment of both the American Dream and the New South. He is a young executive, and she is an artist on the brink of an exciting career. But as they settle into the routine of their life together, they are ripped apart by circumstances neither could have imagined. Roy is arrested and sentenced to twelve years for a crime Celestial knows he didn't commit. Though fiercely independent, Celestial finds herself bereft and unmoored, taking comfort in Andre, her childhood friend, and best man at their wedding. As Roy's time in prison passes, she is unable to hold on to the love that has been her center. After five years, Roy's conviction is suddenly overturned, and he returns to Atlanta ready to resume their life together. This stirring love story is a profoundly insightful look into the hearts and minds of three people who are at once bound and separated by forces beyond their control. An American Marriage is a masterpiece of storytelling, an intimate look deep into the souls of people who must reckon with the past while moving forward--with hope and pain--into the future.

attitude of gratitude

 

Tuesday, April 28: The End

We’ve reached the end of our little "Non-Challenge" Gratitude experiment. When I started this, I promised there would be no points, no streaks, and no pressure. I just wanted to see if I could tilt my head a different way and notice the good stuff that’s already here.

Looking back at my posts over the last few weeks, from my reliable microwave to the series I'm enjoying, I’ve realized that gratitude isn't a destination. It’s more like a muscle. The more I practiced looking for those "background heroes" and "second-hand smiles," the easier they were to find.

Final Reflections:

• What I learned: I learned that even on the days where everything feels heavy, there is almost always a "nothing" problem to be thankful for (like the Wi-Fi staying connected or a good iced coffee).

• What I’ll keep: I’m going to keep looking for that small moment in the busyness of my day.  I'll keep adding to my gratitude journal (where I write three things daily).

The Final Prompt: What is one thing you’ve started noticing more because of this challenge?

Whether you joined in for every prompt or just read along silently, I’m so glad you were here. This blog has always been a place for me to figure out if "this is as good as it gets," and these last few weeks have convinced me that "this" is actually pretty wonderful.

finished reading

Is there such a genre as cozy romantasy?  If so, this fits.  It's a sweet romantic fantasy set in a witchy world.  I loved the quirky characters I don't often see in books, like neurodivergent or clubfooted.  And these characters weren't defined by their differences; the differences were one aspect of who they are. Anyhow, the diverse cast of characters created a delightful found family.  The Inn is a cozy, ramshackle refuge that magically invites worthy guests.  My favorite guest is Sir Nicholas of Mayfair, the young knight from the local medieval fair who champions the Inn.  The country setting, the quirky garden, and the zombie rooster Roo Roo were cozy--I wanted to stay.  

Once the quest to figure out the components of the power-restoring spell began, the action picked up.  I liked that the madcap plan sort of worked.  

From the publisher:

Sera Swan was once one of the most powerful witches in Britain. Then she resurrected her great-aunt Jasmine from the (very recently) dead, lost most of her magic, befriended a semi-villainous talking fox, and was exiled from her magical Guild. Now she (slightly reluctantly and just a bit grumpily) helps Aunt Jasmine run an inn in Lancashire, where she deals with her quirky guests' shenanigans, tries to keep the talking fox in check, and longs for the magical future she lost.

When she learns about an old spellbook that holds the secret to restoring her power, she turns to Luke Larsen, a gorgeous historian who might just be able to help her unlock the book’s mysteries. Luke, who has his own reasons for staying at the inn, never planned on getting involved in the madcap goings-on around him and definitely had no intention of letting certain grumpy innkeepers past his icy walls, so no one is more surprised than he is when he not only agrees to help, but also finds himself thawing.

Running an inn, reclaiming lost magic, and staying one step ahead of the watchful Guild is a lot for anyone, but Sera is about to discover that she doesn’t have to do it alone... and that the weird, wonderful family she’s made might be the best magic of all.

sunday stealing

 

Click the icon to play along

Five Things You Didn't Want To Know But I'm Telling You Anyway

1) Has anyone ever told you they would love you forever?  yes--we are no longer a couple

 

2) Who is the last person you were in the car with? Valerie, Lois, and Gail--it was a bookish adventure

 

3) Do you have big plans for tomorrow (Monday)? it's back to school after a lovely week of vacation

4) How long do you typically spend in the shower? probably ten minutes

 

5) What were you doing at 7 AM yesterday (Saturday)? getting ready for my bookish adventure

postsecret

 

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

finished reading

I've read four or five books by Sally Hepworth, but this one feels a little different from her usual fare.  Maybe it's because this focuses on children and the foster care system.  I liked that each of the three main characters develops a distinct personality, and the sister dynamics are very real.  Miss Fairchild's character arc was, to me, predictable.  How her backstory unfolded was not a plot twist--I don't know if it was supposed to be, that's how obvious it was.

Adult Jessica, Norah, and Alicia were scarred from their foster experiences with the very volatile Miss Fairchild.  Their familial bond never left them, though.  

While the plot twists didn't quite catch me off guard, the heart of the story--the unbreakable link between three women who survived brutal forms of abuse--will stay with me.  It's a darker Sally Hepworth, but still chilling; the usual domestic suspense genre takes on a grittier, emotional core by exploring the foster system.

Interestingly, there are two competing views of the foster system:  Alicia's professional experiences as a dedicated, thoughtful, caring advocate, in contrast to how the system worked when she was a child.  Hepworth made the system more than a backdrop to the story.

From the publisher:

For as long as they can remember, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia have been told how lucky they are. As young girls they were rescued from family tragedies and raised by a loving foster mother, Miss Fairchild, on an idyllic farming estate and given an elusive second chance at a happy family life.

But their childhood wasn’t the fairy tale everyone thinks it was. Miss Fairchild had rules. Miss Fairchild could be unpredictable. And Miss Fairchild was never, ever to be crossed. In a moment of desperation, the three broke away from Miss Fairchild and thought they were free. Even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When a body is discovered under the home they grew up in, the foster sisters find themselves thrust into the spotlight as key witnesses. Or are they prime suspects?

A thrilling page-turner of sisterhood, secrets, love, and murder by New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth.

saturday 9

Good

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

1) This song begins with a guy realizing he's home alone. Do you enjoy being all by yourself? yes!

2) He watches the sun throwing shadows on the floor. Which room in your home lets in the most sun? a toss-up between the spare bedroom and my bedroom--both have southern exposure (one east one west) 

3) He sings that he may write a letter to his ex. If you were inspired to send someone a handwritten message, do you have stationery or notecards on hand? What about first-class postage stamps? I have blank notecards and stamps

4) This week's band, Better Than Ezra, got their start in Baton Rouge. All the members attended LSU and played their first gig at Murphy's, a bar near campus. When you were in your early 20's, where did you and your friends go to socialize? we called it the Barmuda Triangle--the Mai Tai lounge, Champs (a sports bar), and Coppers (a wanna-be upscale lounge)

5) While the band refuses to disclose the origin of their name, many assume the "Ezra" they refer to is poet Ezra Pound. Do you often read poetry? fairly often--a few times per week

6) In 1995, when this song was popular, Michael Jordan "unretired" and returned to the Chicago Bulls. Tell us about a decision you wish you could undo. nothing comes to mind

7) Also in 1995, Phoebe Buffay first performed "Smelly Cat." Do you recall what show she sang on? Friends (one of my comfort shows)

8) Legendary New York Yankee Mickey Mantle died in 1995. How is your team doing so far this young baseball season? they played their first game of the season today and I haven't heard how they did--they won't return to school for a few more hours

9) Random question: What's in your garage, besides your car (lawn tools, holiday decorations, old paint cans, etc.)? sadly, I do not have a garage

finished reading

I haven't enjoyed a series in a while--where I finish a book and immediately move on to the next installment.  I am so caught up in Emma M. Lion's world that I just can't get enough.  Emma's quest to find employment is madcap and funny! I enjoyed the celebration of Emma's birthday as she finally came of age and is now the mistress of Lapis Lazuli House and of her destiny!  The Golden Age of Friendship with Islington, Pierce, and Hawkes is ramped up in this volume.  

From the publisher:

There is bedlam, and there is delightful bedlam.

This afternoon touched on the second, much to my pleasure.

The Year is 1884 and Emma M. Lion has, at long last, gained her majority. Entering a golden age of friendship with Pierce, Islington, and Hawkes, Emma is confident she will manage whatever comes her way. It is The Season she must help Arabella secure a husband, while navigating the threat of Aunt Eugenia, the unflagging adoration of Charles Goddard, and the amusing unpredictability of St. Crispian’s. But the secrets of her trusted friends are what might very well bring about disaster.

Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

three on thursday

 

Thing one:  the weather has not cooperated very well for this vacation.  Otherwise, it's been a good week.

Thing two:  every day I had something going on--I haven't had a hurkle durkle day.

Thing three:  it was a stellar week for audiobooks:  I listened while I puttered!

finished re-reading

This book group re-read was as good the second time around.  What really stood out to me were parallels to The Wizard of Oz--the four main characters' found family feels reminiscent of Dorothy's adventure, although there is no wicked witch, there is an enigmatic "great and powerful Oz".  The book begins with a tornado interrupting travel plans.  When Ava, Ray, and Sasha set out with the little dog PJ, Sky eventually rounds out the band of travelers.  I especially enjoyed that this group of mismatched strangers shared their heartbreak and innermost thoughts, creating strong bonds.  The poppy fields themselves are what came to mind for the Oz-like sequence of sleeping.  The yellow-brick road takes the form of an ugly rental car.  There's even a hot-air balloon ride!

It will be fun discussing this with my book group.  Maybe I'm seeing things that aren't there, but we'll have a good time dissecting my theory.

From my original post:  

This book is an absolute must-read for a book club, offering themes and elements ripe for discussion. At its core, the novel introduces an intriguing speculative premise: a carefully vetted process designed to offer grief relief by allowing those who have suffered tremendous loss to essentially sleep through their pain.

While the concept touches on heavy topics--including medical ethics, the complexities of grief and loss, and the role of social media in modern life--the book never feels weighed down. The novel centers on the journey of four main characters who are drawn together on their quest toward the Poppy Fields. It's in creating this found family that the book truly shines. Each character brings a poignant and unique experience of loss, estrangement, and hope, which humanizes the abstract themes. This focus on personal, character-driven storytelling is a major strength, setting it apart from other, often more clinical and distant, works of speculative fiction in the same vein (I'm thinking Never Let Me Go or The Memory Police).   

The audio is particularly well done.

finished reading

For this fourth outing of the Marlow Murder Club, Judith, Suzie, and Becks are solving a mystery set on a Thames River cruise.  The suspects include members of the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society and, well, there is drama along with mystery!  Judith, Suzie, and Becks have been specifically told by Tanika to not get involved in the investigation, so the trio finds ways to bend that edict.  This time, Suzie seems to cause the most chaos while Judith puts the pieces together.

This locked-room style mystery is clever--every suspect has a grudge against the victim plus a solid alibi.  And the MADS members are somewhat over-the-top, but, in all honesty, they are representative of people I've seen in my own town's community theater group: the grueling rehearsal schedule, the underappreciation for the technical director, and the diva behavior.

The chemistry between the three leads remains the best part of the series.  And I was kept guessing until the end!  The audio version is fantastic.

From the publisher:  

Verity Beresford is worried about her husband. Oliver didn’t come home last night so of course Verity goes straight to Judith Potts, Marlow’s resident amateur sleuth, for help. Oliver, founder of the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society, had hired The Marlow Belle, a private pleasure cruiser, for an exclusive party with the MADS committee but no one remembers seeing him disembark. And then Oliver’s body washes up on the Thames with two bullet holes in him – it’s time for the Marlow Murder Club to leap into action.

Oliver was, by all accounts, a rather complicated chap with a reputation for bullying children during nativity play rehearsals, and he wasn’t short of enemies. Judith, Suzie, and Becks are convinced they’ll find his killer in no time. But things are not as they seem in the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society, and this case is not so clear-cut after all. The gang will need to keep their wits about them to solve this case, otherwise a killer will walk free …

the reading nook

 

Tuesday, April 21: The Reading Nook

We are moving right along with our gratitude challenge. We’ve looked at our surroundings, our household "heroes," and the kindness of strangers. Today, we’re retreating into one of my favorite places: the world of words.

As a reader, I find that so much of my gratitude comes from the stories I get to disappear into. Sometimes it’s a specific book that felt like it was written just for me, and other times it’s a single sentence that perfectly captures a feeling I couldn't quite name.

The Prompt: Share a book that you are currently grateful for.

For me:

The Recommendation: I’ve been spending time with The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion recently, and I’m so grateful for the series. The way the author handles Emma's coming of age is just funny. It’s exactly the kind of story I needed this year, and especially this week.  

Whether it's a thriller that kept you up too late (in the best way) or a piece of literary fiction that made you stop and think, there’s so much to be thankful for on our bookshelves.

What are you reading right now that feels like a "win"? I’d love for you to share a recommendation or a favorite line in the comments.