Holiday Hours

Don't get caught without a book to read over the holidays! 📚

For your convenience, here's a quick rundown of how the upcoming holidays will impact our hours.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy festive season! ✨

Book Bites Recommends

Another month, another intriguing list of titles for your reading inspiration! The Book Bites crew always has such an interesting variety of reading material -- what catches your eye?

Book Bites Recommends

Another fascinating selection of recommended reads from yesterday's meeting of the Book Bites crew, and holiday books are started making their way into the pile! See anything interesting?

Q&A with Ms. Liz!

When Ms. Haley left the Library for another adventure, we began searching for our next Children's Programming Guru - and are quite excited to welcome Ms. Liz to our Library family! 

Our furry ambassadors have once more volunteered to ask the tough questions and get the answers we're all curious about ... but first: 

Storytime is resuming SOON. We're waiting for a few final details to make our official announcement, so stay tuned and get ready for fun.

The Furry Ambassadors: Who is your favorite storybook character?

Ms. Liz: Winnie the Pooh

Who is your favorite author?

Mary Pope Osborne

Which is better: the book or the movie?

The book

Who is your favorite Disney Princess?

Mulan

What is your favorite pizza topping?

Buffalo chicken with banana peppers

What is your favorite salty and/or sweet snack?

Cheddar cheese Pringles (salty) and ice cream (sweet)

If you could travel back in time, where/when would you go?

The 70's/80's, for the music

You can have one superpower - what do you pick?

Teleportation

What's your favorite color?

Burnt orange

If you could have any animal in the world as a pet, what would you pick?

A cat

What is your favorite way to spend a weekend (or day off work)?

Getting coffee with friends and reading

I think we can all rest better, knowing these answers -- and many thanks to our furry ambassadors for asking the tough questions.

Welcome to the Archdale Library family, Ms Liz!

Bookish Delights

Brace yourself: today's post may take full advantage of the "catch-all" nature of this header... I've got a little sample of many things I want to share.

Other Birds (Sarah Addison Allen)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book was ... enchanting. It's not always the happiest of stories, but it is hopeful - and that is everything. So many threads come together in this one, weaving together individual stories until they've lost (and found) themselves in the broader story being told. It's a story of connections, of love, of survival, of hope. It's beautiful. 

Daisy Darker (Alice Feeney)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very much an homage to And Then There Were None, with a sneaky twist that makes things so much wilder. I love the trend of weaving flashbacks into the narrative to bring you up to real time, and it works so very well with Daisy's story. There's no way to say a lot about this one without spoiling some of the experience, and even though I figured out a few of the quirks/twists earlier than revealed, it was still a fun reading experience. (Is it socially acceptable to call a family being picked off-one-by-one story as a fun reading experience?)

Cover Love!

This one is too beautiful to keep under wraps until January. 
I've only read one other book by Hawkins (Reckless Girls), but it was an enjoyably twisty read, so I'll definitely be picking this one up for reasons beyond the pretty cover. 

Here's a link to the book page on Goodreads, in case you want to read the blurb / add it to your TBR list.

Sidenote: You'd never guess from the cover that's a thriller, would you? I definitely get the Italian vibes, but not the thriller.

Earlier this month I got an email about Marie Benedict's new novel, and after a moment of excited fangirling (and immediately adding to my TBR on Goodreads), I had to sit back and look at this cover. It's definitely eye-catching, and there's a sense of drama and movement.

I confess to knowing next to nothing about the Mitford sisters (oops?), so I'm doubly-intrigued by the premise and promise of this novel. 

How long again until January? (I tease, but there really are some fabulous books scheduled to publish that month).

 

Finally here's one that is slated to publish the end of November, and I am a fan of the dreamy romantic vibes. Knowing how Kiera Cass writes, it will probably be more "complicated" and less "fairytale," but how's this for the teaser they're blurbing (perhaps a first line?):

Love has a sound. It sounds like a thousand heartbeats happening at the same time.

Now that's something that'll catch your attention! Here's the Goodreads link if you want to read the full description.

Book Bites Recommends

From scientific research (and Humboldt squids!) to the current opioid crisis to classic children's literature to magical retellings ... the October Books Bites recommendations have something for everyone!

Fall reading is the new summer reading 🍁📚🍂 

Friday Ramble

Oh what a whirlwind things have been lately! Summer was such a fun and busy time, and then we entered a new season of change here in the Library when Ms. Haley left for a new adventure (we miss her, but wish her all the best) - which meant Storytime was paused and we got to find a new children's programmer. Stay tuned for more updates on our new hire and when programs will resume. In the interval, we had staff from the Children's Room in Asheboro come for a few special programs, which was awesome! And now, somehow, it's the end of September and there's just 3 months left in 2022. How did that happen?! 

The Gilded Age

For a couple years now, I've been dabbling in Gilded Age fiction - primarily biographical novels of Alva Vanderbilt and Jennie Jerome. Their personal stories, even when portrayed fictionally, are deliciously entertaining, and I love imagining what it would have been like to be in that world - in that circle. Recently, my Gilded Age journey has expanded a little. We watched season 1 of the HBO Max show, and it was glorious. Predictable at times, but that's what I wanted. And the costuming, set-building, and music were ^chef's kiss^ perfection. It got me wanting to read more, maybe even pick up some of the nonfiction I've had on my shelves, to get a broader sense of the era. 

Then I listened to the audiobook of The Lost Summers of Newport; one of the three interwoven storylines featured "a dollar princess" of the Gilded Age - from a less glamorous family than the Astors or Vanderbilts. It was fascinating, and further stoked the fire. 

Now, of course, I must start finding Gilded stories ... stay tuned, I'm sure I'll share my findings.

Weird Reading Experience(s)

What do you do when you get a book that is so ... odd ... reading it feels like watching a trainwreck? 

I recently found myself in that situation - and while I'm not afraid to DNF a book (I have marked 2 titles "Did Not Finish" so far this year), this particular book was compulsively readable. I could not put it down. I finished reading it approximately 26 hours after I started it - and that includes an overnight sleep in the mix. It was so very readable, but also so very strange. I'm still not sure exactly what I read.

To Holiday or Not to Holiday?

With fall officially here and October marching toward the door, it's the time of year for seasonal books to shine. In a weird quirk of the publishing world, October is when most new Christmas books are published. Which means I always consider October 1st to be the start of Christmas Reading Season - a date that most of my reading friends disagree with.

Their argument is that October is for fall and spooky reads, and you can start Christmas reading after Halloween at the earliest, but it's better if you wait for post-Thanksgiving.

As someone who has never been a big fan of "spooky" and hasn't ever made Halloween a big deal, I have never felt that need - but can see their point. To a point. And yes, "fall" books are a good thing - but very hard to come by! - and I will work those into the mix as I'm able. But there are so many Christmas books, and with more added every October, that if I waited to read them until after Thanksgiving, I'd never make progress!

When do you think is the appropriate time to start reading Christmas books?

Hurricane Ian

At the time of writing (true confession: I'm writing this ahead of time for Friday posting!), it looks like a hurricane will be upon us by the time this is live for reading ... Here's hoping for a cozy hibernation weekend, with "nice" rain and lots of good books to read. 

Stay safe, y'all!

Read Together

A slightly different angle on the books featured in today's Read Together post... instead of focusing on books related to a particular topic, I'm going to share a particular kind of book: Short Story Collections.

Sometimes you want to read a story, but you don't have the time (or mental bandwidth) to dive into a novel. What's a reader to do? Turn to short stories! There are so many options to choose from - whether you want to dive deeper into your favorite story universe (Star Wars, anyone?) or catch up on quick reads about certain characters, or lose yourself in stories set during a particular season. And, of course, there are love stories. 

There's something fascinating about a short story - from both a reading and a writing point-of-view - and if you'd like to give the genre a trial read, here's a small sampling of titles to get you started.

Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View (Various Authors)

The Empire Strikes Back: From a Certain Point of View (Various Authors)

Star Wars: Canto Bight (Various Authors)

Marple: Twelve New Mysteries (Various Authors)

A Simple Murder (Linda Castillo)

No Middle Name (Lee Child)

Uncommon Type (Tom Hanks)

Men Without Women (Haruki Murakami)

Sparring Partners (John Grisham)

Together, Apart (Various Authors)

Meet Cute (Various Authors)

Serendipity (Various Authors)

My True Love Gave to Me (Various Authors)

Summer Days and Summer Nights (Various Authors)

Endless Summer (Elin Hilderbrand)

Love in Colour (Bolu Babalola)

Chance Developments (Alexander McCall Smith)

Love and Other Seasons (Rebecca M. Fleming)

See anything that catches your eye?

Do you read short stories - if so, what's your favorite collection and/or type to read?

Book Bites Recommends

September's gathering of the Book Bites crew resulted in another varied - but all recommended! - titles. Fall is an excellent time to lose yourself in a good book - have you read any of these? Do any catch your eye?

Book-to-Screen Adaptations, Part 2

Did you catch the first Book-to-Screen Adaptations post? I mentioned an upcoming post with more about the Young Adult [YA] books that have taken screens by storm - and here it is, with a small twist. I know this is probably shocking - but I have not (yet!) seen any of these adaptations. I have read several of the books (I'll let you know which ones), and have all of these on my "To Watch" list, it just hasn't happened. Yet. And so ... a list of popular and "buzzy" YA Book-to-Screen Adaptations.

Note: All of the adaptations listed are available on streaming services. The links posted are to the original book form in the Library catalog, but the streaming platforms are mentioned for each.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before 
How to watch: 3-movie "series" on Netflix
Based on Jenny Han's trilogy of books by the same name, I've heard only good things about these movies. I can say the books were very fun, and Lara Jean is an adorable heroine.

The Summer I Turned Pretty 
How to watch: 7-episode series on Amazon Prime, potentially more seasons?
The first book in another trilogy by Jenny Han, I remember having more weight than you might expect - but that was many, many moons ago. Popular opinion however, says the show is good summer viewing.

Along for the Ride 
How to watch: Netflix
As a tremendous fan of Sarah Dessen (a local author, just down the road in Chapel Hill!), when she posted behind the scenes teasers from the filming of this movie to her Instagram? I squealed. The fact I have not seen this movie yet is a testimony to the whirlwind that is this year, but I have read the book multiple times and look forward to seeing it on screen.

Love & Gelato 
How to watch: Netflix
The covers of this series are so cute, as are the titles - but I haven't read them yet. Rumor has it that the books especially will give you a bad case of wanderlust. (Sounds fun to me!)

Dumplin'
How to watch: Netflix
Julie Murphy knows how to write a character, and anytime I pick up one of her books I devour them. Dumplin' was my first, but nowhere near my last. I've heard only the best feedback about this adaptation, which actually came out in 2018. That may be a sign it should move up my list...

Shadow and Bone
How to watch: Series on Netflix, potentially more seasons?
Honestly, this trilogy by Leigh Bardugo never really hit my radar, other than making sure the Library had copies because they checked out frequently. Then Netflix produced a show, with Ben Barnes in a starring role, and I got intrigued. YA Fantasy is usually a favorite genre for me, so may have to give this one a whirl - on the screen first.

Do any of these catch your eye?
Have you read and/or seen any already - if so, do share so I can decide which to watch first, ha.

Once Upon a Fairytale

There are fairy tales, and then there are fairy tales - those tales so familiar it's almost as if they're embedded in our cultural understanding. To my mind, Cinderella is undoubtedly one of this group. Perhaps you can think back, remembering elementary school explorations of "Cinderella stories around the world" - there are so very many incarnations and versions of this story. Picture book renditions are a delightful indulgence, and could be a whole post in their own right. But did you know Cinderella also manages to be told and told again in novel form? From young students to grown ups, from futuristic science fiction to contemporary romance, there's a Cinderella story for every reader ...

Fairy tale feature: Cinderella
All of the books in this list are adaptations, expansions, novelizations, variations or reimaginings of the original tale, and there's a wide variety so hopefully everyone can find their perfect match.
Note: The "target audience" for these also range from elementary to adult. Brief summaries from Goodreads/Amazon/Publishers/my own reviews when applicable.

"Traditional" / Loosely Historical Fantasy

Ella Enchanted (Gail Carson Levine)
The twist to this retelling is that Ella is cursed by her fairy godmother - to be obedient. In order to find her Happily Ever After, she must find a way to break the curse.  Yes, there is a pumpkin coach and a glass slipper, and even a Prince, but this is quite the unexpected Cinderella story.
There's a movie also, and while diehard Ella fans despair over the changes made for the screen, I happen to be a big fan and think the movie is fun.

Princess of Glass (Jessica Day George)
Picking up the story some time after the events in George's Princess of the Midnight Ball (featured in the first Once Upon a Fairytale), we find Poppy participating in a royal exchange program. What should be an enjoyable experience gets complicated when a vengeful fairy godmother gets involved. This is yet another impressive retelling from George, and shows again her talent at spinning a new story from such a familiar tale.

Science Fiction / Steampunk / Dystopian

Cinder (Marissa Meyer)
A Cinderella story set in a futuristic dystopian society with droids and cyborgs (think really advanced prosthetics implanted in "damaged" humans), but unable to combat a deadly Plague spreading through the population. Also, there's a whole other set of people living on the moon, and they've got their own weird agenda. This is a complex environment, and a lot more issues are covered than "simply Cinderella" - but Meyer does a masterful job of working those traditional story elements into the tale.

Mechanica (Betsy Cornwell)

With Steampunk vibes (think Victorian England + complex technology that's gear/gas/steam based rather than digital), themes of social justice and family shine in this richly imagined Cinderella retelling about an indomitable inventor who finds her prince ... but realizes she doesn't want a fairy tale happy ending after all. 

Contemporary Romance

Geekerella (Ashley Poston)
Part romance, part love letter to nerd culture, and all fun, Geekerella is a fairy tale for anyone who believes in the magic of fandom. Elle lives and breathes "Starfield," the classic sci-fi series she grew up watching with her late father. So when she sees a cosplay contest for the new "Starfield" movie, she has to enter. With savings from her job at the Magic Pumpkin food truck and her dad's old costume, Elle's determined to win ... unless her stepsisters get there first. This one was fun and sweet, and an adoring homage to geekiness.

If the Shoe Fits (Julie Murphy)
This retelling has so many fun updates to the story: instead of a ball for the Prince to find A Wife, there's a reality dating show. The family/relationship dynamics between Cindy and the Steps are so much healthier and feel realistic. The whole story feels more believable and realistic - complicated and messy, definitely, but there's a real sense of positivity and sisterhood that infuses the story with new life.

Book Bites Recommends

August might be the most varied selection of books recommended by Book Bites readers yet! It's always so interesting to see what everyone is reading, and to see how our reading journeys reflect our lives.

Have you read any of these highly recommended reads?
Does something on this list catch your attention?

Summer Reads

For Teens and Adults, Summer Reading involves writing short reviews of books read to earn entries in the end-of-summer giveaway(s). Today, we're going to share a selection of those reviews (all from highly rated books), in case you need inspiration for what to read next.

See anything that catches your eye? Have you read any of these?
What have YOU read and loved this summer? 

Friday Ramble

Whew. What a whirlwind of a summer it has been! Can you believe it's the end of July already? Where did the time go - seems like just yesterday we were figuring out what to do for Summer Reading ...

Summer Reading
We had our last program this week - an End-of-Summer Bash to celebrate the successful completion of a summer of fun and exciting programs at the Library! So many happy, smiling faces have attended programs, and picked up craft kits, and we loved seeing the excitement of children turning in their time cards.
Don't forget: all reviews/time read must be submitted by 11:59pm on Sunday, 7/31, to count toward the giveaways! We can't wait to tally the numbers and see just how much Archdale readers have been reading this summer. Y'all rock!

Speaking of Summer Reading...
Swing by next week to see what Archdale readers have said about some of their highly-rated summer reads. (We do read the reviews you submit!)

Armchair Travelling
The last few weeks have been weirdly hectic schedules, so at night we've been looking for something to watch that is interesting but doesn't require a lot of brain power (no new historical dramas just yet, thank you). Over the weekend we discovered a documentary series from NatGeo "Europe from Above" that perfectly fit the bill.
The cinematography is gorgeous, and the insider "sneak peeks" are fascinating. After devouring Season 1, we're now on the hunt to find the other seasons available for streaming, as well as any similar shows.
Have you done any armchair travel like this?

New Seasons Ahead
Summer is definitely one of the most exciting (and active!) seasons in the Library, but there's so much of the year left. (Yes, I know, it's hard to believe we're less than 5 months from Christmas, but there's still 5 months of 2022 to go!). August is always a sleepy month, as we sift through summer leftovers and everyone adjusts to new schedules (school starts back!), but September will bring the return of Book Break and who knows what we may be planning.

Read Together

Time for another Read Together feature, this time spotlighting books that are all retellings of the classic musical "My Fair Lady." (Which, if you don't know, was originally a George Bernard Shaw play entitled Pygmalion. I've never read the play, but I am a big fan of the movie.)

When thinking about retellings, I tend to think first about Jane Austen novels - or fairy tales. But when I recently picked up a second book in a row that was a remix of "My Fair Lady," I realized there are several others out there as well. Thus: the need for a Read Together posting!

Note: If I have read the books mentioned, I'll give a star rating/quick mini review. If I have not, then I'll include a publisher synopsis.

My Fine Fellow (Jennieke Cohen) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This one is so good - it was my featured title at Book Bites! It's a gender-bent retelling (meaning "Eliza Dolittle" was actually Elijah Little), set in an alternate historical England. Featuring a compelling societal structure and set in the world of culinarians/exquisite chefs-in-training, this one was so much fun to read, even though it made me hungry!

Made in Manhattan (Lauren Layne) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Another gender-bent retelling, this time set in contemporary NYC, where a Manhattan socialite is tasked with preparing (aka transforming) a newly discovered Bayou-born grandson to take the reins of his family's global corporation. The chemistry is sizzling and this one had a nice twist to it in that Violet (our "Prof Higgins" character) has her own transformation journey.

My Fair Gentleman (Nancy Campbell Allen)

In this Regency (and gender-bent) twist, Jack would rather be at sea than fixing the mistakes of his grandfather. Instead, he finds that inheriting his grandfather's wealth and title - and securing the welfare of his sister and mother - means joining the ranks of high society and living with the aristocracy. Luckily, Ivy Carlisle, the granddaughter of a dear friend of Jack's late grandmother, is willing to teach him etiquette and properly introduce him into society. Jack soon learns that his challenge isn't surviving his new lifestyle but surviving the conspiracies against him - as well as keeping himself from falling madly in love with his new tutor.

My Unfair Lady (Kathryne Kennedy) ⭐⭐⭐

"My Fair Lady" meets the Wild West meets the Gilded Age ... this was a wild romp through Proper Society and The Rules, with American heiress Summer Wine Lee (what a name!) paying a disenfranchised Duke to help her become a real lady. Of course nothing works out as it should - there are some nice quirks and hilarious antics. It's not meant to be a serious read, although there are some heavy moments - and hard truths - tucked inside.

Note: This one does have some steamy/"open door" romantic scenes. 

Book Bites Recommends

It's the second week in July, which means another meeting of the Book Bites crew! Check out the graphic below to see what we all read (and enjoyed!) this month, maybe you'll find something new to investigate ... After all, isn't that what Summer Reading is all about?

Book-to-Screen Adaptations, Part 1

Raise your hand if you've ever uttered the phrase: 

"The book is always better than the movie."

*raises both hands*

Most of us readers have probably said this at least a half dozen times, but have you ever had the reverse situation? You know, where the movie was actually better than the book?

I have - and it always surprises people, but yes, I can definitively tell you of a movie that was better than the book.

For me, it's The Princess Diaries.

I read the first book when it came out, and thought it was fun and cute - I loved the idea of a "normal" American teenage girl finding out she was the crown princess of a tiny European nation. Total fairy tale stuff, right? I kept reading the series as it grew, and while still enjoyable, it started to lose something as the series continued. 

Enter the movie - and the serene elegance of Julie Andrews's Queen Clarice and the completely relatable klutziness of Anne Hathaway's Mia - and suddenly I had the version of the story I didn't know I wanted. (The incredibly gorgeous score cannot be ignored either). 

Even when the second movie deviated from the base story, I loved it as much as the first. It felt right. And while I revisit the movies on a fairly regular basis, I never felt the need to reread the books. The movie is simply better.

Sidenote: I also enjoyed the movie versions of Ella Enchanted  and The Devil Wears Prada far more than the books. Perhaps it's an Anne Hathaway thing?

In other situations I find myself enjoying books and their movies equally. Even when the screen version changes things, I'm able to separate the experience. (Plus, let's be honest: Nobody would be able to replicate exactly what I see in my head when I read. Not to mention, every one of us sees/reads our own version of a book, so of course a movie can't be exactly like the book). 

Many of my favorite, repeat-viewing movies, are based on books I've also read and loved. *cough*Jane Austen*cough* I love the stories, no matter the format, and often have different favorite parts depending on whether I'm rereading the novel or which movie version I'm watching. 

There's a unique pleasure to the experience - seeing how someone else interpreted what they read, how they developed a certain character or if they included this minor detail or excluded that one. Especially in the case of Jane Austen's novels, or Little Women, classics that have endured for so many years and been read and reread, and screened and re-screened, so many times. These stories somehow grow with every telling, and I love seeing how my understanding and appreciation of the original evolves as I encounter new versions of the familiar tale.

As I've been binge-watching my way through several shows over the last few months, I've noticed nearly all of them are based on books. Some I've read, others I have not (and may never pick up), but all based on books - usually a series of books. It's an interesting entertainment development, and one that intrigues me as a reader. Now that I've noticed, I'm seeing more and more book-to-screen adaptations occurring - some with more buzz than others (e.g. Where the Crawdads Sing).  There is also an increasing number of YA books being adapted for the screen, and I am loving this trend. Stay tuned for another post (Part 2) that will focus on these YA adaptations!

In the meantime ... Do you think the book or movie is better? 

Or, like me, do you have examples of both? 

What is your favorite book-based movie or show?

Book Bites Recommends

 After a wildly eventful week last week (the Library was closed most of the week while the city removed old concrete and replaced it with a lovely new entrance walkway and sidewalks), we are officially in Summer Reading mode here in Archdale!

One of our first "events" was yesterday's meeting of the Book Bites - which was also the first time we've ever had a book club meeting during the summer months. Yay for new things!

In case your Summer Reading List needs a jumpstart, check out the graphic below with June's titles. They all come highly recommended!

Friday Ramble

Happy Friday, Reader! It's been a while since our last Friday Ramble, and somehow the first Friday of June (aka: the unofficial first weekend of Summer) feels like the appropriate time to chat. Grab a cool drink to sip, and let's see where the rambling takes us, shall we?

SUMMER READING
Of course this has to top the list today - Summer Reading is back! Wednesday was our official first day to register, and our first program will be a virtual visit to the sea turtle hospital in Marathon, Florida on Wednesday June 15th - a fascinating start to an exciting line-up of programs! This year, most programs will be in person at the Library, with a few special virtual events as well. Swing by our Summer Reading page for all the details and to register if you're a Teen and/or Adult.

Nostalgia Reading
Also known as "rereading classic children's books," but doesn't nostalgia reading sound better somehow? This idea is not a new one for me - I've been revisiting classics via audiobook off and on for a couple years now (highly recommend!), and sometimes there's a children's book in that mix. Most recently, I stumbled upon an audio version of Charlotte's Web narrated by Meryl Streep and a full cast. I love the depth a full cast gives an audiobook: completely unique voices for each character brings the story alive, and this was an excellent casting.
While listening however, I realized something: I'm not sure I'd ever actually read the book. We had a VHS copy of the {original} animated movie that I watched hundreds of times growing up, so I'm very familiar with the story. But I don't know that I ever read the words for myself; so that was fun, catching up on a missed classic. 
Of course, now I'm wondering what other books I didn't actually read and should revisit ...

Summer Plans: Bookish Version
While there are no thrilling vacation destinations on my horizon, I have some pretty exciting plans for the summer: to travel extensively, through space, time, and around the globe, through books. I have added many books to my personal library the last few months, and my goal for the summer is to read many of them {to "catch up" to my TBR would be nearly impossible, ha}. Stay tuned for updates on my progress, as I travel vicariously via pages. I may catch up on movies and series I've missed, also based on books {of course!}!

What are your plans for the summer? Exciting reading lists? Movies or documentaries set in exotic lands - or the reaches of space? Will you be one of the lucky ones traveling? 

No matter your plans, don't forget to register for Summer Reading!

Book Bites Recommends

If you are unfamiliar with Book Bites, it's the "un-book club" offered by the Library. How does it work? Well, on the second Tuesday of every month, a group of avid readers meet at 2pm and discuss the book they've read and loved most since the last meeting. It's always a varied and wide-ranging list of titles discussed, and all come highly recommended by one reader or another (or several!)

Here's the lists of recommended titles from our first three meetings so far this month (and our first meetings after a 2 year hiatus because of the pandemic!):

Another new feature being introduced today: Bookish Delights! Somewhat different from a Friday Ramble, this will be for spotlighting cover reveals and upcoming releases; mini reviews of books I've read and loved and various fun things I'd like to share with y'all.

Today, I've got a few mini reviews to share, but who knows what will be in the next post ...

Love & Saffron (Kim Fay)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was a lovely read: decadent and comforting and wholesome and so very like a hearty, rustic country dinner. It's not as "light and fluffy" as you might think, but it is infused with hope and heart and flavor. It feels both cozy and somehow true - I savored it, but read it in a day. It is, quite simply, a lovely treat of a read.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (Taylor Jenkins Reid) 
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Whenever a book has so much buzz surrounding it, I'm always a bit skeptical. But I finally gave in and read this one - to see what the fuss was about - and I can understand why people are talking. It's a quick read: I could barely put it down when real life interrupted my reading time! It is also ... Unusual. Engrossing. Salacious. Riveting. And a bit more complex than anticipated. Evelyn's story is messy and convoluted, and completely Hollywood-dazzle. She made decisions that make me cringe and shake me head, but I had to know what she would do next. It reads like a tell-all, but also a late night sleepover gossip session. It may not be for everyone, but I can definitely understand the buzz.

Miss Eliza's English Kitchen (Annabel Abbs)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was an intriguing read. There's secrets and hints of things lurking in the shadows. There's struggle and quiet joy in the simple things. There's friendship - unexpected but real. It's a quiet, comfort-sort of read, with a true homage to the act of cooking and the delight of eating good food.

The Siren of Sussex (Mimi Matthews)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I can't help but fangirl a bit over this one. A gorgeous cover? ✔ An equally gorgeous story? ✔ Victorian fashion? ✔ Horses? ✔ Social drama? ✔ Brainy women who don't wish to be pigeonholed? ✔ A dazzling love story with a kind and respectful hero? ✔ This one checked all the boxes for me, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series to be released (in October).