finished reading

I think I've now read everything Jojo Moyes has written after finishing this book.  This is a departure for Moyes, exploring historical fiction--particularly because it is set in Great Depression-era Kentucky.  The themes are familiar territory: female friendship and empowerment, found family, and self-discovery.

What's typical of Moyes is vivid characters.  Even secondary characters are fleshed out. I liked gruff Margery's vulnerability when she is away from the town's scrutiny and stereotyping.  I liked Alice's fish-out-of-water growth from outsider to insider.  I liked Izzy's pampered can't-do attitude morphing into done and done.  And I could go on and on about Sophia's bravery.

I am well aware of the plagiarism controversy surrounding this book, which is partly what delayed me from reading it sooner.  But while it shares the Packhorse Librarians premise with The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson, the focus and storytelling style of Moyes' book is quite distinct.

From the publisher:

Set in Depression-era America, a breathtaking story of five extraordinary women and their remarkable journey through the mountains of Kentucky and beyond

When Alice Wright marries handsome American Bennett Van Cleve, she escapes her stifling life in England, but small-town Kentucky quickly proves equally claustrophobic. So when a call goes out for a team of women to deliver books on horseback as part of Eleanor Roosevelt's new traveling library, Alice signs on enthusiastically. What happens to these women—and to the men they love—becomes an unforgettable drama of loyalty, justice, humanity, and passion.

Based on a true story rooted in America's past, The Giver of Stars is unparalleled in its scope and epic in its storytelling. Funny, heartbreaking, enthralling, it is destined to become a modern classic—a richly rewarding novel of women's friendship, of true love, and of what happens when we reach beyond our grasp for the great beyond.

happy day 4

8/4: Today I tackled all of the little "adulting" tasks that I've been putting off all summer.  Making the phone calls, researching a new cell phone plan, and communicating with my doctor via the portal.  All the nitnoy tasks that have been hanging over me.

finished reading

This isn't a traditional mystery/thriller; it's more of a character study. From the beginning of the novel, you know that Mad Mabel is the youngest murderer convicted in Australia.  The story of that fateful incident is slowly revealed in the dual timeline:  then and now.  We meet the titular character as an 81-year-old curmudgeon, living a relatively reclusive life in the now portion of the narration.  Then we experience life as a misunderstood and relentlessly ridiculed child in the then portion, told as recollections for a YouTuber's exposé.  

I don't want to reveal any of the plot twists, so I'll leave it at that.  This will be one of my favorite reads of the year.

From the publisher:

Meet Mad Mabel.

Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick is eighty-one years old. She's lived on her idyllic street, Kenny Lane, for sixty years--longer than anyone else. Aside from being a curmudgeon who minds everyone else's business, few would suspect that Elsie has a past that she has worked exceedingly hard at concealing. Because when it comes to murder, no one ever suspects little girls or old ladies. And Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick, once a little girl and now an old lady, has a strange history of people in her life coming to a foul end.

When a new little girl (talkative, curious, nosy) moves into the neighborhood and stops at nothing to befriend Elsie, her carefully-constructed life threatens to come crashing down as the secrets in Elsie's past start coming to light. Who was "Mad Mabel" fifty years ago? Who is Elsie Fitzpatrick today? And if the past has a habit of repeating itself, who has the most to lose?

Told with Sally Hepworth's twists, humor, charm, and heart, MAD MABEL is novel that weaves past and present together--through the power of justice and redemption, and all the way to its stunning conclusion.

finished reading

I'd have to say Katherine Center is one of my go-to chick-lit authors.  Although this is lighter fare, there are some heavy themes:  grief and body dysmorphia among them. The premise has our main character, Katie, creating a promotional video for the Coast Guard.  Not knowing anything about videography, I was interested in the process of documentary creation.  And not knowing much about the Coast Guard, I thought the male main character, Hutch, was a perfect hero.

The first-person narration was fun.  Knowing what Katie was thinking and wrestling with regarding body image was slightly repetitive.  But there was lots of witty banter.  And absolutely delightful secondary characters.  Every scene with Aunt Rue was pure fun.  And my favorite character is George Bailey the Great Dane.

From the publisher:

It’s a thin line between love and love-hating.

Katie Vaughn has been burned by love in the past—now she may be lighting her career on fire. She has two choices: wait to get laid off from her job as a video producer or, at her coworker Cole’s request, take a career-making gig profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West.

The catch? Katie’s not exactly qualified. She can’t swim—but fakes it that she can.

Plus: Cole is Hutch’s brother. And they don’t get along. Next stop paradise!

But paradise is messier than it seems. As Katie gets entangled with Hutch (the most scientifically good looking man she has ever seen . . . but also a bit of a love hater), along with his colorful Aunt Rue and his rescue Great Dane, she gets trapped in a lie. Or two.

Swim lessons, helicopter flights, conga lines, drinking contests, hurricanes, and stolen kisses ensue—along with chances to tell the truth, to face old fears, and to be truly brave at last.

currently

I am...

Reading:  The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes (I will start it after I post this)

Listening to: rain

Thinking:  I'm loath to start prepping for school--we return August 17th

Feeling:  like time's running out; vacation has been soooooooo relaxing!

Celebrating: this is my Farewell Tour; by this time next year I will be retired!

Grateful for:  a quiet day to read

Enjoying:  my Pampered Chef ice cream maker--this is my favorite appliance

Weather:  72° and rainy

A quote I want to share: 

happy day 3

8/3: Spending a rainy day reading.  I just finished Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth.

sunday stealing

 

Click the icon to play along

Bold the ones you've done

Have you ever ...

1. Slept under the stars

2. Played in a band

3. Visited Hawaii 

4. Visited Easter Island 

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Seen the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace

7. Been to Disneyland or Disney World 

8. Climbed a mountain 

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Been to the Louvre 

11. Had food poisoning

12. Eaten vegetables you grew yourself

13. Slept overnight on a train 

14. Built a snow fort

15. Held a lamb

16. Gone skinny dipping

17. Been on a cruise (day cruises and dinner cruises count)

18. Seen Niagara Falls 

19. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

20. Sung karaoke

21. Sat for a portrait

22. Walked on a beach by moonlight

23. Been transported in an ambulance

24. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling 

25. Kissed in the rain

26. Played in the mud

27. Gone to a drive-in theater

28. Changed your vehicle's oil yourself

29. Taken a martial arts class 

30. Visited the Vatican

31. Volunteered at a soup kitchen or food pantry

32. Sold Girl Scout cookies

33. Bought a used car

34. Sat on a jury

35. Ridden an elephant

 

happy day 2

8/2: Lemon "skinny dipped" almonds.  Yes, please!

saturday 9

Coconut

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

This month Saturday 9 will be tasty, featuring songs with food in the title.

1) This song is about a woman who complains of a belly ache. How's your tummy this morning? fantastic

2) She responds to this malady by calling the doctor. What if you chose to address the problem yourself? Are there currently any OTC digestive aids in your medicine chest?  there are Tums, but they are probably outdated

3) Coconut was once a popular ice cream flavor, but no more. It's not on the list of top sellers at Baskin Robbins or Cold Stone. When you last had ice cream, what flavor was it? it was homemade coconut ice cream--well, almond joy ice cream

4) Coconut remains popular in baking. It's easy to find recipes for coconut pie, coconut cheesecake, coconut cookies ... you get the idea. Have you recently tried a new recipe? If yes, how did it turn out? the almond joy ice cream was a new to me recipe and it was delicious!

5) This week's featured artist, Harry Nilsson, was a well known free spirit. He liked to party and had a reputation for not adhering to a schedule. Therefore it's a little surprising that one of his first jobs was in the conservative atmosphere of a small bank. Do you prefer a more structured workplace? yes, I enjoy a schedule

6) Harry met Micky Dolenz when The Monkees recorded his song, "Cuddly Toy" and they became fast and life-long friends. Can you think of someone you met and quickly "clicked" with? today I attended a Creative Inspirations retreat and clicked with one of the attendees

7) In 1971, when this song was on the radio, detective shows were popular on TV. Mannix, Ironside and Cannon were all in the Top 20. Do you think you'd make a good private investigator? I would be a good Jessica Fletcher type of investigator--or a Gus & Shawn sidekick 

8) England's Princess Anne turned 21 in 1971 and the occasion was commemorated with an official portrait taken by fashion photographer Norman Parkinson. Who took the most recent photo of you? the facilitator of the Creative Inspirations retreat

9) Random question: You can redecorate any one room in your home, money is no object. But only one room. Which room do you pick? redecorate?  I guess I'll go with the bedroom since there is no decoration

finished reading

This is the 33rd mystery featuring reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter and his intrepid team of investigators.

What I especially enjoyed was Andy's wise-cracking, seemingly glib approach to the law, which masks a thoughtful and thorough examination of the case. I was also relieved that there wasn't a high body count this time around. The usual gang was all there assisting Andy--though the Rugelach Brigade was absent for this one.

As usual, the audio narration was wonderful!

From the publisher:

It’s defense lawyer Andy Carpenter’s dream to retire. That goal is once again thwarted when he gets a call from Lou, an old friend who he simply cannot refuse, asking for a favor. Lou runs a rehab center, and when one of his patients, a homeless vet, is charged with first degree murder, he needs Andy's help. And of course, Andy will also be called on to care for the accused’s dog, but that’s okay, what's one more dog?

The man that Jason Maddox is accused of stabbing to death is none other than billionaire Paul Vincent, an eccentric businessman and inventor. Bickert dedicated a great portion of his life to philanthropy, with a soft spot for dog-related causes. This led him to befriend Jason, a physicist and war hero, whose life fell apart to the point where he ended up on the streets with his dog, just trying to survive.

But why would Jason possibly have wanted to kill him? Well, for one thing, he was to receive a fortune in Vincent's will. That, coupled with the fact that Jason was at the scene, his fingerprints were on the knife, and Vincent's wallet was in his jacket, made it a slam dunk arrest.

Once again, Andy is enmeshed in a puzzling, twisty case. But in order to reunite a man and his dog, Andy will have to untangle it all.

happy day 1

 8/1: Kicking off the 2026 August Happiness Challenge is an incredible day filled with laughter, friends, and creativity.  The retreat was amazing and inspiring.  I hope to carry this seed of creativity with me into the school year.

finished reading

I was disappointed in this book.  I wanted to love it.  But I just couldn't connect with the main character's predicament. I did enjoy Jenny's spunky spirit and the relationships she had: familial, friendships, and romantic.  The secondary characters were interesting clichés.   Unfortunately, I felt that Jenny was waiting to be rescued, and the damsel-in-distress just didn't jibe with me.  But this is the only book by author Katherine Center that I haven't loved.

From the publisher:

Very pregnant and not quite married, Jenny Harris doesn't mind that she and her live-in fiancé, Dean, accidentally started their family a little earlier than planned. But Dean is acting distant, and the night he runs out for cigarettes and doesn't come back, he demotes himself from future husband to sperm donor. And the very next day, Jenny goes into labor.

In the months that follow, Jenny plunges into a life she never anticipated: single motherhood. At least with the sleep deprivation, sore boobs, and fits of crying (both hers and the baby's), there's not much time to dwell on her broken heart. And things are looking up: Jenny learns how to do everything one-handed, makes friends in a mommy group, and even gets to know a handsome, helpful neighbor. But Dean is never far from Jenny's thoughts or, it turns out, her doorstep, and in the end she must choose between the old life she thought she wanted and the new life she's been lucky to find.

three on thursday

 

Thing 1:  this has been a gently paced day--reading, snacking, listening to the rain.

Thing 2:  is there a better feeling than being caught up in a book?

Thing 3:  this weekend is a creativity retreat with the group I've been working with all year.  An in-person workshop.  I am so excited to kick off August with a gathering of creative friends.

currently

 I am...

Reading: The Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center (I am starting it tonight!)

Listening to: the fan

Thinking: mentally organizing my day tomorrow--lots going on

Feeling:  a slight twinge in my back because I flipped my mattress this morning and may have overdone it

Celebrating:  I was able to flip my mattress by myself! 💪

Grateful for:  I got to spend some time today with a friend who really gets me

Enjoying:  cooler temps

Weather:  73° and mostly cloudy

A quote I want to share: 

finished reading

These interconnected stories shed light on an adult day care center and a community of people who are far too often overlooked. Brown gives us moving glimpses into the lives of non-verbal clients who experience complex wants and needs, alongside the program director and staff members who spend their days together. The narrative beautifully highlights the profound impact they all have on one another, and I deeply appreciated the empathy and humanity infused into every character.

From the publisher:

Upward Bound is not a place anyone dreams of spending their days. The dreary adult daycare centre for Los Angeles’s disabled community is, for many of its clients and staff, a place of last resort. This includes Carlos, a young aide who lost his mother as a boy and now works there alongside his beloved sister Mariana; Jorge, the gentle nonspeaking giant whom Carlos seeks to befriend (and prevent from escaping); Tom, a beautiful young man with cerebral palsy, who pines for Ann, the summer lifeguard at the centre’s pool who feels out of her depth; then there’s Dave, Upward Bound’s director who came to LA to pursue an acting career but now channels his passion into staging an overly ambitious holiday show starring the centre’s irrepressible clients.

Framing these intertwined narratives – and connecting them in surprising, shattering ways – is the riveting and sometimes ironic testimony of Walter, a recent community college graduate who, after a family tragedy, must return to the company of his disabled peers.

In Upward Bound, Woody Brown has created an indelible, authentic, and profoundly moving group portrait of autism and other disabilities, all illuminated by his empathy, sly sense of humor, and enormous gifts as a novelist. With remarkable sophistication, insight, and creativity, Brown depicts a community too-often invisible in literature and society. Filled with characters you won’t soon forget, Upward Bound will inspire and touch you, teaching you as much about yourself as the tender, miraculous world behind the centre’s doors.

finished reading

Whooee, this book was NOT how it was described! This is not a light, funny, or touching story-it is an intense exploration of how stacked trauma builds to a breaking point.

The non-linear, choppy timeline provides an interesting framework for backstories and flashbacks, but it took until about two-thirds of the way through for the narrative to really pull me in. Until that point, I was seriously questioning whether I’d even finish it.

Once the story finally unfolded, Grace’s erratic behavior made sense, revealing the heavy family secrets that estranged her from her husband and 16-year-old daughter. With those revelations, the pieces of Grace finally fell into place, explaining her desperate, day-long journey to the brink.

Ultimately, I am still thinking about the characters.  I feel empathy for Grace.  But I hold my stance on the mis-marketing.

From the publisher:

Grace Adams gave birth, blinked, and now suddenly she is forty-five, perimenopausal and stalled—the unhappiest age you can be, according to the Guardian. And today she’s really losing it. Stuck in traffic, she finally has had enough. To the astonishment of everyone, Grace gets out of her car and simply walks away.

Grace sets off across London, armed with a £200 cake, to win back her estranged teenage daughter on her sixteenth birthday. Because today is the day she’ll remind her daughter that no matter how far we fall, we can always get back up again. Because Grace Adams used to be amazing. Her husband thought so. Her daughter thought so. Even Grace thought so. But everyone seems to have forgotten. Grace is about to remind them . . . and, most important, remind herself.