July’s Reading

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I read 12 books this month. An amazing feat considering I was on vacation for 7 days and a girls weekend for 2 and a half and I NEVER OPENED A BOOK! I’m at 87 books for the year.

4 romances, 3 fantasy, 2 non-fiction health, 2 kids fiction, 1 kids picture

4.5–5 stars

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston. 4.5 stars, Romance, 352 pages, 2023

Clementine is publicist for a New York publishing company. James is a famous young chef. They’ve just met, haven’t they?

What happens when you meet in different times, 7 years apart. I loved this story of heartbreak and waiting, acknowledging that a person is never the same moment to moment. In love and life timing is everything. Romantic and sweet.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas. 4.5 stars, Fantasy, 419 pages, 2015

This book has been everywhere for so long and I was finally double dared to read it this summer. This is book one of a 4 book fantasy series about Feyre, a 19 year old young woman who supports her family by hunting. One day she kills what she thought was a wolf but was actually a fairie and Tamlin, a high lord, comes looking for her to seek reparations. She is taken to the fairie lands and faces danger and love with equal bravery. Loved it and am reading the second book now.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. 4.5 stars, Fantasy, 396 pages, 2020

I finally read the House in the Cerulean Sea. I’m not sure what took me so long? From the descriptions I was reading it just didn’t seem like something I’d like. I was so wrong. But apparently I read it at the perfect time so it fresh in mind for the sequel coming in a few short months.

Linus Baker and his transition from company man who asked no questions to man defending magical children was a delight. I loved all of these characters so much and the story is hopeful and joyful at such a time when we could all use a bit more of that in our daily lives.

4 stars

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory. 4 stars, Romance, 320 pages, 2022

In a tale as old as time, a book editor inspires a behind deadline famous person to write the book of his life. All she has to do is move into his magical mansion in Santa Barbara and be taken care of by cooks and cleaners, and lazy days by the pool. It’s a hard life.

This is supposed to be a modern story based on Beauty and the Beast and while there were nods to it, it wasn’t enough to really feel like Belle and the Beast and crew. BUT, I did like it!

If you take away the B&B expectation, I found it to be a sweet romance. Sure Beau has some issues, but what we came to know about him made those issues seem like they could be overcome. Because this series is sponsored? by Disney the spicy stuff was behind closed doors. 

Summer Reading by Jenn McKinley. 4 stars, Romance, 435 pages, 2023

❤️ The main character had a learning disability- dyslexia- and it was a big part of her story.
❤️ Learning more about how dyslexia affects not only reading but executive function.
❤️ Hot librarian.
❤️ Bad mothers exist and many cannot be magically made into caring matriarchs.
❤️ Love returning home story where you reconnect with family and friends.

😐 Hot librarian guy was a little too perfect.
😐 This led to a lack of tension.

It was a solid beach read, but missing a spark 🔥 I was looking for, even though there were spicy scenes.

My Life as a Potato by Arianne Costner. Middle Grade Fiction, 261 pages, 2020

Ben hates everything to do with potatoes, considering himself cursed. When his family moves from California to Idaho and a potato is the school mascot things look sketchy. But he’s made friends and the most popular girl in school likes him, so things aren’t all bad. Until…

I’ll say no more. Middle schoolers who like to laugh or have a thing for mascots will love it. There are even a few small illustrations thrown in once in awhile for fun. Gage’s favorite book of the summer so far.

Practical Ayurveda. 4 stars, 224 pages, 2018

How familiar are you with Ayurveda?
Practical Ayurveda follows the vision of renowned Indian yoga master and medical doctor who wrote over 200 books.

Covering a wide range of topics in its 224 pages this is a beautifully laid out and edited book that made it easy for a beginner like me. I loved the inspiring quotes included. There was a quiz and a set of questions to answer to help you fine tune what you’re looking for in life.

This covered the health of the body and the mind and there are many things I’ve already started (or restarted) while reading this book and so many things to consider for the future. The yoga poses and what each does for the mind and body is something I will be working on. I’ve also started my morning tai chi again. I’m not sure how I ever let that go. Life gets in the way and I forget, and that’s why I need to be consistently reading books that remind me of what I know works for me.

The Complete Guide to Fasting by Jason Fung. 4 stars, Health, 304 pages, 2016

This is a great book, especially when read after the Ayurveda book which touches on fasting. Fasting has been around forever. Fung focuses on the history, the studies, the ailments it can help control (diabetes being the big one), and how to get started. I have fasted at different times in my life and am going to focus on it for the next few months and see if I can feel the benefits. He suggests a 24 or 36 hour fast 2-3 times a week. I just finished my first one today.

3-3.5 stars

The Parrot and the Merchant by Marjan Vafaian, 3.5 stars, Kids Picture Book, 24 pages, 2019

Based on a Persian tale by Rumi a merchant has a parrot who was captured and very unhappy. She promised to talk to his friends when she travels and the message they send back sets him free. Interesting illustrations and a fun story.

The Rise of Magicks by Nora Roberts. 3.25 stars, Dystopian Fantasy, 464 pages, 2019

I finally finished the Chronicles of One trilogy. The first two were fast, addicting reads, but this third one was a bit of a slog with so. many. people. It was too much and it took me forever to finish it. It was a fine ending, when it finally came, but getting there felt somewhat tedious.

The Doom virus wipes out most of the world’s population (this is before Covid) and the people who are left are divided by people with magical powers and those without. But it’s the fight between light and dark that is the heat of the series. Fallon is The One to lead them all to victory, but she must be born and trained first.

The Turtle of Michigan by Naomi Shihab Nye. 3.25 stars, Kids Fiction, 336 pages, 2022

This is an upper elementary, lower middle school read. Aref is 7 in the book the language feels somewhat young. It was a great in many ways. It was a love letter to Michigan, Oman, and immigrants. Aref is forced to move from Oman and his grandfather to Ann Arbor so his parents could attend UofM and his welcoming is warm.

It’s a gentle story, one that was slow, but also one that is uplifting for kids. They see the best of people in this book and that’s a nice find. If only we could all live up to the love and acceptance shown to Aref and his family.

Captive by Brenda Joyce. 3 stars, Time Travel Romance, 448 pages, 1996

I love Brenda Joyce’s romances. They are romantic and steamy. This one, however, suffered from an insufferable heroine. She was a ‘modern’ 23 year old woman who went to Turkey to find a ghost of a man she considered herself in love with. Somehow she gets thrown back in time and enslaved as a second wife at the palace. She was ridiculous. What saved it was the palace political intrigue, her personal slave and best friend, and the hero who does eventually show up and unfortunately falls for this woman.

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

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The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston. 4.5 stars, Romance, 352 pages, 2023

Sometimes, the worst day of your life happens, and you have to figure out how to live after it.

So Clementine forms a plan to keep her heart safe: work hard, find someone decent to love, and try to remember to chase the moon. The last one is silly and obviously metaphorical, but her aunt always told her that you needed at least one big dream to keep going. And for the last year, that plan has gone off without a hitch. Mostly. The love part is hard because she doesn’t want to get too close to anyone—she isn’t sure her heart can take it.

And then she finds a strange man standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment. A man with kind eyes and a Southern drawl and a taste for lemon pies. The kind of man that, before it all, she would’ve fallen head-over-heels for. And she might again.

Except, he exists in the past. Seven years ago, to be exact. And she, quite literally, lives seven years in his future.

Her aunt always said the apartment was a pinch in time, a place where moments blended together like watercolors. And Clementine knows that if she lets her heart fall, she’ll be doomed.

After all, love is never a matter of time—but a matter of timing.

Clementine is publicist for a New York publishing company. James is a famous young chef. They’ve just met, haven’t they?

This took a few minutes for me to get in to since I thought I could see where it was going. And then it took a nice turn and I was hooked.

What happens when you meet in different times, 7 years apart. I loved this story of heartbreak and waiting, acknowledging that a person is never the same moment to moment. In love and life timing is everything. Romantic and sweet.

I listened to the audio and could have listened to him calling her Lemon all day long. Oh wait, I did that!

I did take off half a point for the somewhat slow start of the book.

Have you read it? Do you like time bending books?

I also loved her first book The Dead Romantics and gave it 5 stars last year.

Favorite Actress – Sandra Bullock

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I first saw Sandra in Speed (1994) and then fell in love with While You Were Sleeping (1995). It’s her girl next door charm and goofiness packed into a body with that megawatt smile. She’s charming in a way that makes her seem approachable and she brings that to most of her 60 movie credits. Of those 60 I’ve watched 29, but it’s those A movies that I’ve seen countless times that have made a lifelong fan. The vest majority of her movies that I’ve seen have been As or Bs.

She’s from Arlington, Virginia, where I was living when I met Jason. She’s adopted two children. She has a BFA in drama. She recently lost the love of her life to ALS. She’s lived the highs (winning and Oscar) with the lows (ugly divorce in the public eye).

So what is your favorite Sandra movie?

*Giving these movies an A*

While You Were Sleeping (1995) I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen this romantic comedy.

The Proposal (2009) A different kind of romantic comedy that was just as fun.

The Lake House (2006) Her domination of my favorite romantic movies continues.

Crash (2004) She had a smaller part that showed her not so happy side.

The Lost City (2022) I was expecting not to like this, so imagine my surprise!

Bullet Train (2022) Her part in this movie was fun (and small)!

Speed (1994) As a vehicle to stardom this bus worked.

*Giving these movies a B*

Gravity (2013) She carried a film few others could have.

Miss Congeniality (2000) Just goofy fun.

28 Days (2000) Dealing with addiction isn’t pretty.

Two Weeks Notice (2002) Another romantic comedy with an equally witty actor.

Hope Floats (1998) A romance, yes, but so much heartfelt family drama.

Murder By the Numbers (2002) I love dark thrillers.

The Blind Side (2009) A well deserved Oscar for Best Actress.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011) A moving film dealing with 9/11.

The Net (1995) It would probably be funny to watch today with the advances we’ve made.

Bird Box (2018) So much stress (in a good way).

The Unforgiveable (2021) Dark.

Minions (2015) Villain voices count!

The Heat (2013) Those two are hysterical!

So, so movies

Two if By Sea (1996), Forces of Nature (1999), Miss Congeniality 2 (2005), Premonition (2007)

Big Fails for me

All About Steve (2009), A Fool and His Money ( 1989), Fire on the Amazon (1993) this was so bad and it had a surprising sex scene with lots of skin.

See my other Top 100 Actors here.

Practical Ayurveda by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center

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Practical Ayurveda: Find Out Who You are and What You Need to Bring Balance to Your Life. 4.5 stars, Health, 224 pages, 2018

My early morning reading is always nonfiction. Most often spiritual or related to health, I find it a great way to start the day focusing on important things. And, if it’s spiritual, health related and it’s something new to me, all the better.

How familiar are you with Ayurveda?
Practical Ayurveda follows the vision of renowned Indian yoga master and medical doctor who wrote over 200 books.

Covering a wide range of topics in its 224 pages this is a beautifully laid out and edited book that made it easy for a beginner like me. I loved the inspiring quotes included. There was a quiz and a set of questions to answer to help you fine tune what you’re looking for in life.

This covered the health of the body and the mind and there are many things I’ve already started (or restarted) while reading this book and so many things to consider for the future. The yoga poses and what each does for the mind and body is something I will be working on. I’ve also started my morning tai chi again. I’m not sure how I ever let that go. Life gets in the way and I forget, and that’s why I need to be consistently reading books that remind me of what I know works for me.

A fabulous resource that I’m sure I’ll be referencing in the future.

A few of the highlighted thoughts to be found…

“Ayurveda is the knowledge of happy and unhappy, a good and bad life, and that which contributes to those four aspects.”

“Have faith in yourself; do the right thing; help others. This is the key to success. health, and happiness.”

“The secret of being healthy and happy at all times is to be a little hungry all the time.”

“Let your diet be anything, but it should pass this test: it should protect health and prevent disease.”

“Thought is a dynamic force; it shapes your destiny. Entertain pure and noble thoughts always.”

“Life is meant for service and not for self-seeking. Hold your life for the service of others. The more energy you expend in elevating others, the more universal energy will flow into you.”

Movies and Shows- May/June

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I watched 7 movies in May and 8 in June. And I streamed 5 shows over the two months.

Loved all of these- Cormoran Strike seasons 2 &3, Brigerton season 3, The Gentlemen season 1, Project Runway All-Stars season 20, and Is It Cake 3?

LOVED these movies

The Holdovers, 2023. Set at a prep school in the early 70’s where several kids get left behind over Christmas break. This quiet drama had all of the things you want in a movie. Paul Giamatti was so good!

King Richard, 2021. I took a little break from Will after the slap heard round the world, but I am interested in the Williams sisters and Jason is an avid tennis player. I thought this was a fascinating look into their childhood and the driven man who helped raise and train them. I wish it hadn’t ended where it did, but that’s just my 2 cents.

Champions, 2023. I love basketball and feel good movies, but, most importantly, representation matters! I’m so glad that we watched this.

REALLY LIKED

American Fiction, 2023. A professor/novelist wants a bestseller amidst much family drama. A smart look at the boxes we put people and things into.

The Fall Guy, 2024. A silly action-packed ‘romance’ that we all really liked on the big screen. Can’t go wrong with Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.

LIKED THESE

The After, 2023. This short film is amazing for what emotion is managed to fit into less than 20 minutes. Beautiful movie-making.

Hit Man, 2023. Forced to portray a killer for hire on the spot, Gary learns he has a flare for it.

The Garfield Movie, 2024. Gage wanted to see it and I was pleasantly surprised. It’s nice to see Garfield winning over new generations.

Love Again, 2023. A story about grief and love.

Unfrosted, 2024. Silly cereal movie filled with nostalgia.

Meh

Mother of the Bride, 2024. It’s always great to see Benjamin Bratt, but this romantic comedy fell a little flat for me.

Two if by Sea, 1996. I love both Sandra Bullock and Denis Leary, but in this they both play thieves working out some relationship issues and it just didn’t work for me.

I Watched These So You Don’t Have To

The Tearsmith, Fire on the Amazon, A Fool and His Money

Have we watched any of the same things?

Wrapping Up My June Reading

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June has been a good reading month, 6 fiction books, 2 nonfiction, and 10 picture books. I’ll do another post about the the 74 books I’ve read so far in a few days, but let’s get to my favorites of the month.

Favorites

I already wrote a post about this being on my favorites list here. This was a reread for me.

I posted about this too. One of my favorites authors and series.

Posted my thoughts on this one here. Inspiring women.

Better Than Chocolate: 50 Proven Ways to Feel Happier by Siimon Reynolds and Jenny Kostecki, 4.25 stars, Self Help, 112 pages, 2005

Don’t worry, be happy! Everyone could use some tips on how to increase the happiness in their lives and this fun book is just the thing. I loved it and have a few new tips and resources to check out. The illustrations and short entries make it perfect for daily reflection time. They cover the obvious (excercise, laugh, be grateful, turn of screens) and the unexpected (develop discipline, understand buddhist theory, get in flow, seek internal goals).

Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code by Laurie Wallmark & Katy Wu. 4.5 stars, nonfiction picture book, 48 pages, 2017.

She was such an inspiration! Joining the Navy at 37 and retiring at 80, there probably won’t be another like her. Answers the question of why we call it a computer ‘bug’

Without Separation: Prejudice, Segregation, and the Case of Roberto Alvarez by Larry Dane Brimner & Maya Gonzalez. 4.25 stars, 40 pages, nonfiction picture book, 40 pages, 2021.

It’s about the 1931 case Roberto Alvarez v. The Board of Trustees of the Lemon Grove School District. I loved the story and the art and the 6 pages of photos and extra information at the end.

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsberg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy and Elizabeth Baddeley. 4.25 stars, nonfiction picture book, 40 pages, 2016.

It starts with Ruth’s mother wanting more for her daughter and ends with her friendship with Antonin Scalia and showed everything she did in between to make this country one that treats women more fairly.

Also Good

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James. 4 stars, Spooky thriller, 327 pages, 2020.

There is a creepy, sinister, and forgotten feeling you get when reading about Fell, NY and The Sun Down Hotel. There are ghosts, killers, and missing and murdered girls. The book is a whole vibe.

One storyline is about Viv in 1982 and the second is about her niece Carly in 2017. Lots of parallels and mystery that will keep you reading. There are even a few boys! It didn’t love this one at first, but it didn’t take me long to be hooked.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. 4 stars, fiction, 360 pages, 2020

I saw it all over my feeds, my husband told me I had to read it, my book club read it (I missed that month), and it’s STILL taken me over a year to read it. A talking octopus wasn’t really calling to me. But, dang, if I didn’t fall for that eight armed smarty, Marcellus!

Alternating, but connected, storylines about several struggling humans and one bored cephalopod make this a sweet, healing debut novel. Did I love Marcellus? Of course! Did I read through the other parts to get to Marcellus? Yes! Did I like the rest of story? After reading all of the parts I did indeed like the book, BUT it didn’t quite live up to the hype for me. The small mysteries kept the plot moving along.

Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano. 3.75 stars, mystery/thriller, 355 pages, 2021

I had a hard time getting into this one, but as it went on and I embraced the ridiculousness of a divorced mom with so little money her electric gets shut off becoming an inadvertent killer for hire. It ended up being fun, although I’m unlikely to continue with the series.

Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome by Calarabelle van Niekerk & Liezl Venter. 4.25 stars, fiction picture book, 48 pages, 2008.

 The colorful illustrations brought this story about Sam to life. This talks about so many aspects of being on the autism spectrum, but all to highlight Sam. I loved this one and it starts before he even gets diagnosed with tips for neurotypical kids in the back.

Peace by Baptiste Paul, Miranda Paul & Esteli Meza. 4 stars, fiction picture book, 40 pages, 2021.

efinitely for the younger child. I loved these gorgeous illustrations so much! So many great things showing what peace is, like pronouncing your friend’s name correctly and giving far more than you take. The last page talked about how war and violence around the world affects wildlife and nature. A wonderful discussion starter.

I am an Aspie Girl: A book for young girls with autism spectrum conditions by Danuta Bulhak-Paterson & Teresa Ferguson. 3.5 stars. nonfiction picture book, 32 pages, 2015.

Good information for a younger girl to help understand her autism diagnosis.

She’s Not Sorry by Mary Kubica. 3.5 stars, Thriller, 330 pages, 2024

I took nurse Meaghan on a few walks this week and followed her story of caring for a coma patient while being concerned about Chicago’s serial attacker. I had a hard time connecting with Meghan and so the book was only okay for me. I liked the few twists in the second half of the book, but the end fell a little flat.

These were okay

Papa’s Mechanical Fish by Candace Fleming & Boris Kulikov. Fictional picture book about the man who made the first submarine.

Yetta the Trickster by Andrew Griffing Zimmerman and Harold Berson. Four trickster stories for younger kids.

Not for me, but maybe just right for you!

Summer Story: Brambly Hedge by Jill Barklem, fiction picture book for young children.

The Big Book of Butts by Eva Manzano and Emilio Urberuaga, silly nonfiction picture book.

This Week- Summer Heat

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Anyone else spending more time in the air conditioning this week? We’ve had record highs here in Cleveland. We actually had a little rain this morning with a possible quick storm later and that makes my plants very happy.

This is the first summer since Gage was 4 that he’s had no summer camps. He is starting a new school in the fall and we’re doing some prep work with tutoring in the mornings. But we’re making time for excursions and time with friends in the afternoons so it’s been a nice mix.

I haven’t done a weekly check in for quite awhile. I’ve been trying to post more about books I’ve really liked and books from my Top 100 lists.

Top 100 author Harlan Coben

Top 100 series Myron Bolitar by Harlan Coben

Top 100 favorite series Prey series by John Sandford

Top 100 book Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Women Who Won: 70 Extraordinary Women Who Reshaped Politics by Ros Ball review

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James review

On the big screen

The Garfield Movie, 2024 was a surprise pick by Gage. He never watched the cartoons or read the comics but when I let him pick the movie we’d take grandma to this week this was the one. It was cute. I laughed out loud quite a few times.

On the smaller screen

We watched the 3rd season of Bridgerton. I’m a Lady Whistledown fan so I was happy for it.

The Gentlemen, 2024, on Netflix was not exactly my genre of choice, but once started I found it quite addictive. I don’t know if there will be a season 2, but if there is, I’ll be there!

Project Runway, 20 All-Stars. I haven’t seen every season, mainly because I forget about them, but I had recorded these last fall and just realized it, lol. It was a fun binge. I didn’t think Tim Gunn could be replaced, but I like Christian and he brings his own flair and success to the show,

So, give me a book, show, or movie recommendation! I’ll pick one to try this week and report back 🙂

A Favorite Series – Prey Series by John Sandford

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The first of the Lucas Davenport series, Rules, of Prey, was published in 1989 and the most recent, Toxic Prey, this year. If you like police procedurals and thrillers, this is the series for you. I’ve read them all and there’s not a dud in the bunch. The last one felt especially timely and scary since it seems like it could actually happen.

He started as a Minneapolis detective, then worked special cases for politicians, and now he’s a US marshal. I love that he’s a tough guy, but he always has me rethinking moral decisions. He talks politics in relation to his job, but takes no side, a rarity. We’ve watched him meet his wife, adopt a child from a case, and have kids of his own. His friend Virgil Flowers and daughter Letty each have their own series, but I don’t read them. They both show up in this one so I don’t have to.

You can jump in anywhere in the series, but this is one that’s fun to read from the beginning.

I didn’t start reviewing them on here until book #24, but here are a few things I’ve said about the series…

Lucas, a detective, handles only those cases that the politicos need to have disappear.  His role is more of a mentor as he works with the police all over Minnesota, but he still manages to get his hands dirty.  He is great at what he does and possesses an authority that others look to in a time of crisis.

In this 25th book of the series, there is a shift of sorts that signals changes are afoot and it’s been this progression of Lucas that has made this a standout, must read series for me.  As he turns 50 and the winds of local politics change direction it’s clear that Lucas has some decisions to make.  This case involves his adopted daughter, Letty, and I love that she has had larger roles in the last few books.

More of my other Top 100 series picks here.

Women Who Won: 70 Extraordinary Women Who Reshaped Politics

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Women Who Won by Ros Ball. 4.25 stars. YA Bios, 272 pages, 2023

Such an inspirational book. These are some amazing women! Geared to YA, but great for adults too.There are amazing women in here and reading their stories is powerful. Each woman had a portrait page and 2 pages of bio with addition room for sources used for each one. Loved it!

Though some disregarded her, she had an inner confidence, saying, ‘I’ve never underestimated myself. There’s nothing wrong with being ambitious.’ —Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany

When asked what qualities have underpinned her leadership, Jacinda singled out being ‘really driven by empathy… when you think about all of the big challenges that we face in the world, that’s probably the quality we need the most’. —Jacinda Arden, prime minister of New Zealand

“I hear it all the time, it changed everything…Women thought, if she can, I can.” —Vigdis Finnbogadottir, president of Iceland

And, since I’m reading these stories, some showing how fragile democracy can be, this has been the most powerful statement so far by a woman whose own husband was killed by the previous president…

Cory served only one term, and, when President Fidel Ramos took over, Cory said it was ‘one of the proudest moments of my life… This was what my husband had died for… This moment is democracy’s glory: the peaceful transfer of power without bloodshed, in strict accordance with law.’ —Corazon Aquino, president of the Philippines

Agathe Uwilingiyimana, in 1993 became 1st woman to serve as prime minister of Rwanda. She was raped and killed along with her husband in their own home by Hutu soldiers.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Belarus. Her story is ongoing. Look her up and push back on anyone still romanticizing dictators.

Constance Markievicz, in 1918 was the 1st woman elected to British Parliament. She was elected from jail! And refused to swear allegiance to the king. What a story she has.

Diane Abbott, in 1987 she was the 1st black woman to be elected to the Uk House of Commons. “The thing that enabled me to go further and higher was entirely my education. Education is a liberating force.”

Berta Pipina, in 1941 she was the 1st woman elected to the Latvian Saeima. There was a coup from an authoritarian regime and she was sent to a Siberian gulag where she died. Between 1930-1953 1.5 million died in those Soviet camps.

Golda Meir, in 1969 she was the 1st woman elected prime minister of Israel. “There is a type of woman who cannot let her husband and children narrow her horizon.”

Dilma Rousseff, in 2011 she was the 1st woman to serve as president of Brazil. “The fact that I was the first woman president was a factor in what happened to me…I think it will be easier for the next woman president.”

Lessons- don’t vote for anyone who has attempted a coup, don’t vote for anyone calling for violence for political opponents, don’t vote for anyone who doesn’t think you have autonomy over your own body. And, if you’re living in one of the 70% of countries that have still have only been run by men, go forth and elect women.

Favorite Book – The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

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The Shadow of the Wind. 5/5 stars, Historical Thriller, 487 pages, 2005

This is a place of mystery, Daniel, a sanctuary.  Every book, every volume you see here, has a soul.  The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and lived and dreamed with it.  Every time a book changes hands, every time someone runs his eyes down its pages, its spirit grows and strengthens….When a library disappears, or a bookshop closes down, when a book is consigned to oblivion, those of us who know this place, its guardians, make sure that it gets here.  In this place, books no longer remembered by anyone, books that are lost in time, live forever, waiting for the day when they will reach a new reader’s hands.  In the shop we buy and sell them, but in truth books have no owner.  Every book you see here has been somebody’s best friend.  Now they have only us, Daniel.  Do you think you’ll be able to keep such a secret?” (p 5)

This is my review from when I first read this in 2010…

This is a book for book lovers just in case you couldn’t tell from the passage above. In 1945, Daniel is just a boy when his father takes him to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books hidden in the back streets of Barcelona and when his obsession with the mysterious author, Julian Carax begins.  Daniel chose The Shadow of Wind to take home and he soon began to search out other Carax titles.  Only there weren’t any.  Someone had been destroying them all one by one.  Daniel was sixteen when he began to search out the books in earnest and he was aided in his quest by the cagey and charming Fermin.

I couldn’t help but fall in love with Daniel and Fermin and I was drawn into the mess they got themselves into when they started asking questions about Carax.  Why were so many people trying to keep the truth hidden?  And who were the good guys?  The characters they meet along the way heightened the suspense and I loved them all (well, I loved their addition to the story!).

I have the attention span of a gnat these days, but this book kept me reading every spare moment I had, even if it was only a few minutes at a time.  I loved the drama, the mystery, the love, the Spanish setting, the wide cast of characters, and the love and respect of books shown in the story.  This book has a little bit of everything and I loved it.  Since I’m rating this a 5 it is obviously one of my favorites this year!

I’ve spent the last week listening to the audio and much of what I loved the first time was still there. The atmosphere, the characters, the stories, the mystery, and the absolute devotion to the written word all combine to make this a great read. I liked experiencing the book a second time and think the reading the words on the page is the way to go with this one. I’m keeping the book on my favorites list for now as I try to work through what belongs there and why, but I’m not sure it will stay.

“Books are mirrors – you only see in them what you already have inside you.”

“In the shop we buy and sell them, but in truth books have no owner. Every book you see here has been somebody’s best friend.”

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