Friday Ramble

Another Friday, another ramble... Time is flying by, and things are changing with Spring's arrival. The world is coming back to green life, and the doors are opening here at the Library (more on that next week).

Enjoyable Books
After struggling to find books that kept my attention and/or met my reading needs the past year, I feel like I'm starting to get some of the reading mojo back. {This is a good feeling, readers. A very good feeling.} Sharing some of the books I've been enjoying lately, in case you need a little inspiration:

• The Paris Library (Janet Skeslien Charles) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  My first 5-star read of the year, and it broke my heart a little. I am very particular about WWII fiction (because heartbreak), but this one was based on actual events/the American Library in Paris and I took my chances. There are two timelines to the story: WWII in occupied Paris and Montana in the 1980s. The WWII/Paris storyline was my favorite, even though it was devastating at times. A good read, a thoughtful read. 
• The Guest List (Lucy Foley) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  I picked this one up at the recommendation of a friend - it's a little outside my normal range, but it was given a rave review. Oh my. I figured out the connecting thread fairly early, but didn't guess 'whodunnit' ahead of time. This is another "dual timeline" story, in that it goes back and forth between the event during the wedding and flashing back to the day/night before. Also featuring a lot of flashbacks as characters remember and reflect. This is a very character-driven story, and what a wild cast ... I will be picking up Foley's other books, she tells a good story.
• The Heiress (Molly Greeley) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  Based on the classic Pride and Prejudice, this is the story of Anne de Bourgh (you remember: Lady Catherine's sickly daughter who "should" have married Darcy?). It is ... something. Greeley explores a potential "why" for Anne's ailment, gives her life. Following some rather unexpected twists and turns {what would Jane say?}, it is both an imagining behind the scenes of a familiar story and a gentle examination of what we've done in the past. The way certain medicines were used, the way certain "ailments" were "treated" ... these things happened. Perhaps they still do, with different names. In the framework of a story I didn't expect, I found myself musing deeper. This is the second "Pride and Prejudice Novel" Greeley has written, and I hope she writes more, or even ventures into other Austen novels' forgotten characters.
• A Lady's Formula for Love (Elizabeth Everett) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  This was, quite simply, fun. There's an element of mystery and suspense, even danger! There is celebration of brainy women - even if their experiments and discoveries must be kept secret. {Did I mention it's set in Victorian England?} There is a dashing, broken and flawed male lead who appreciates said braininess (one woman in particular). It is most definitely a romance (with some sizzle), but there's so much more: Friendship and betrayal; the deeper fault lines of a society that is straining to change but doesn't know how, and the multitude of ways one can respond to these struggles; confronting the ghosts of your past and embracing your worthiness of a future. I devoured this book, and cannot wait for the series to continue.

All Creatures Great and Small
Masterpiece/PBS recently aired the first season of a new version of the James Herriot classic. As someone who loved the original show, and has read all the books, I was quite intrigued. Part of me misses the actors from before (especially Siegfried!), but I enjoyed the new series. Ms. Hall and Helen get more airtime and seem to take up more space - and I like that decision. The scenery is gorgeous, some of the vet scenes made me look away, and the illustrated style of the opening credits is glorious. Have you watched - either version? Read the books? What do you think?

Book Bingo & Reading Fun

The month is almost over, which means the first Book Bingo of 2021 is drawing to a close. I hoped to fill my card, but I'm a few shy. I did manage to get 2 "Bingos" though, so that's fun. 

I'm currently brainstorming ideas for a Spring reading challenge (another Bingo won't happen until Summer Reading) ... perhaps a "find it on the cover" checklist-slash-scavenger hunt type thing? Keep your eyes on Instagram, to see what's coming next!

Currently Reading:

Among the Beasts & Briars by Ashley Poston
After flying through the "Once Upon a Con" trilogy {I really hope there's more of that world, they are the perfect blend of fairy tale + geekery}, I'm devouring this new fantasy release.