Hello All,
We met at Geri Christensen's home on June 1st and shared some great books as well as some fun conversation. Here is the list:
Karla Cox
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
I have read many if not all of her books; they are all calls to change, be aware, improve.
Ms Rubin spends a year making resolutions - not goals to hit, but ongoing efforts - to make her life happier, and others with her. And she provides the tools for anyone to do the same.
Her books are all fun to read, and great prompts to make worthwhile changes!
The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin
Ms Rubin’s answer to all the personality profiles out there. As usual, she is remarkably spot on. A fascinating book if you’re into the study of human traits and patterns. (More in notes if there is time)
These is My Words by Nancy Turner
The story is styled as journal entries of a young girl on the frontier. Her family leaves AZ for TX, only to go back after too many losses and disasters. They build their lives there; she grows, marries, becomes a widow, marries the live of her life, and raises children in the desert area of Tucson AZ. Funny - she talks more of the winter cold than the AZ heat… She never steps foot in a school yet earns her HS degree with a state test. She saves lives and mourns those she can’t. It’s a beautiful story of a strong, smart, capable woman, and is filled with struggle, coping, and redemption.
The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray
Ms Gray has taken characters from most of Jane Austen’s books and built a clever whodunnit! She’s clearly well-versed on Jane Austin finer points; but she hasn’t stopped with what Jane wrote - she added years, a new generation, and all kinds of fun twists. If you’re an Austen fan and enjoy a rollicking mystery, you’ll enjoy this story.
Lowcountry Boil by Susan M Boyer
The first in a series of at least 11 books; also known as the Liz Talbot series. Slightly dark humor mysteries, VERY southern, fun view of places and human nature. (I have noticed a remarkable number of brilliant heroines and writers named Elizabeth…! )
(Just finished Lowcountry Bombshell, second in the series, and I’m now reading Lowcountry Boneyard, third. )
The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
Another WWII/Jewish persecution story. A young woman helps forge documents to get people out of Hitler’s terrifying reach. Heartbreak and heroism abound.
Your recommendations:
Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death by MC Beaton
Geri was right - this story is total fun!
I too often imagine the books I read as being made into movies; this would be a good movie! (As would These is My Words)
By Her Own Design by Piper Huguley
Wonderful story! More triumphant because it’s mostly true. We all love a heroine who beats the odds; this little lady beat more challenges than most. She was triumphant! Most remarkable to me was her constant and abiding wish-prayer pervasiveness.
Alexander Doniphan: By Susan Easton Black
I’ve heard enough from her to know Alexander Doniphan is on SEB’s hero list. Now I better understand why.
Maryann Stevens
Being Mortal by Atul Gwande 5️ highly recommend. Insightful. Articulate. Dr. Gwande, a Surgeon ponders how the American Medical establishment deals with aging and dying by ignoring this universal, ultimate condition. We need a better way to help families boldly confront the process of aging in a world where we live long lives.
I loved the description of a makeover given to an assisted living center where they brought in living plants, animals, dogs, cats, birds, and then finally a daycare center and the patients interacted with the children. Each addition seemed to make the residents happier, more energetic, more resilient, less prone to disease. Healthcare staff saw a reduction of medications. I was impressed, but not particularly surprised that trying to create a more living atmosphere gave positive benefits to the residents.
JoAnn Abegglen
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
When We Had Wings by Ariel Lawton
Beth Hedengren
B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton
Tough-talking, soft-hearted Kinsey solves another mystery. Written before cell phones and computers, this mystery seems almost quaint. Can’t help but love Kinsey! This time she investigates the disappearance of a rich middle-aged woman who lives in a condo and plays bridge. Along the way we meet some charming folks, including a 90+ year old lady who is thrilled to help with the investigation.
C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton
More fun and mystery with Kinsey.
P is for Peril by Sue Grafton
And yet more.
The Cat Who Played Brahms by Lillian Jackson Braun
Another fun “old-fashioned” mystery (c. 1987), where land lines are the only means of phone communication. Jim Quilleran is a newpaperman with a nose for news, fine dining, and mystery. In all his sleuthing he is assisted by his uncannily insightful Siamese cat, Koko. His other cat, Yum Yum, is not as clever, but very charming. In this story (#5 in The Cat Who series) Quill is taking a break from the city, living in a summer home on the lake, ostensibly to write a novel. Of course, solving a mystery takes all his time!
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Listening to “Big Magic: Creative living Beyond Fear” by Elizabeth Gilbert. I didn’t particularly like “Eat, Pray, Love” by the same author. But I’m glad I read this one.
This one says, get up and do that thing you’ve been thinking of. There will never be a better time. And if you don’t do it now, someone else will and you will miss your chance. It takes courage to do stuff. Writing is her particular point—but her advice applies to doing anything.
She says: “Do you have the courage to bring forth the treasures that are hidden within you?”
Tessa Russell
The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
Marlene Matheson
She Persisted, short chapter books by Chelsea Clinton and various authors
Ella Fitzgerald by Alexandra Boiger
13 Women Who Changed the World
Malala Yousafzai by Aisha Saeed
Dorothy Height by Kelly Starling Lyons
My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor, read by Reta Moreno
A Higher Call by Adam Makos (2nd time I've read this book and I enjoyed it every bit as much as the first time)
America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie
Historical Novel about Thomas Jefferson's daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph
Maryann Stevens
Being Mortal by Atul Gwande 5
️ highly recommend. Insightful. Articulate. Dr. Gwande, a Surgeon ponders how the American Medical establishment deals with aging and dying by ignoring this universal, ultimate condition. We need a better way to help families boldly confront the process of aging in a world where we live long lives.
Geri Christensen
A Sunlit Weapon by Jacqueline Winspear.
This is the latest Maisie Dobbs offering by the author. In this book she tries to find the person or persons responsible for bringing down airplanes that were being used in World War II in England. Maisie always puts herself in danger and yet manages to get to the bottom of things as only she can. I enjoy these books and think the writer is excellent. I would give it 4 staers.
The Grave Is A Fine and Private Place by Alan Bradley. Flavia De Luce is on the hunt again, but this time she is being helped by her father's old friend and companion, Dogger. Together they make a formidable team with Flavia's knowledge of chemistry and poisons and her determination and fearlessness and Dogger's keen observation and wisdom. This time they are away from Buckshaw, the family mansion and Flavia's chemistry lab, but it doesn't stop the two of them from solving the crime and figuring out the mystery. I would give this one 3 1/2 stars. A fun read, though.
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