Friday Ramble

Somehow we find ourselves at the end of July - which is also the end of Summer Reading (?!) - and over halfway through the year. Have you been as surprised by the rapid progression of time as I have? How about a little Friday Ramble as we collectively catch our breath and brace ourselves for all that August holds ...

Reading Outside My Zone
Lately I've been reading outside of my "zone" - and, believe it or not, enjoying those reads! What have I been reading? Mysteries. I know, I know. Not nearly as shocking as you suspected, but for me, to read mystery after mystery is a big change. I've avoided them, largely, because I tend to figure out whodunnit early on and get bored. I did stick with the Hannah Swenson mysteries even when I cracked the cases because I love the small town setting and colorful characters. This year I'm stretching even further (thanks to some helpful nudging by a friend who reads across the the genre board). Some highlights:

• The Guest List (Lucy Foley) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  My first novel by Lucy Foley, but definitely not my last. I loved the format/chronology of the storytelling, and the multiple point(s) of view (POV) really added to the ambience and experience.
• Roanoke Ridge (J.J. Dupuis) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  This was even more "outside my range" than the others in this list: It's a Bigfoot book. But it's also so much more, and the first in a new series that I'll be keeping an eye on. (In fact, I've just started reading the second book: Lake Crescent).
• Wild Women and the Blues (Denny S. Bryce) ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
  A mystery wrapped in historical fiction? Perfect. This one unfolded, layer after layer, as the dual narratives (one "present day" and one during Prohibition) worked together to reveal a twist I did not see coming!
• One by One (Ruth Ware) ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
  Another brand new author, and it might have been a 5-star read if I had not read it immediately after Lucy Foley's The Hunting Party. (Though very different, the two felt similar when read back to back - and it distracted me a little). This has a very atmospheric "Agatha Christie vibe" and kept me reading. I believe I knocked it out in 3 days? It was intense.
• A Deadly Inside Scoop (Abby Collette) ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
  So many new series to discover! This is another first book, and I was enchanted by the small town charm and the colorful characters. The foodie vibes (ice cream parlor! family chef nights!) had my stomach growling, and I look forward to seeing what mischief is still to come. The second book, A Game of Cones, is checked out and waiting for me to dive in to ASAP.
• The Last Thing He Told Me (Laura Dave) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  This was an incredible read. The format of the storytelling is perfection - with the flashbacks memories, gradually stepping back further in time, of seemingly "nothing" moments that gain whole new meaning in light of current events. I devoured this one, and gotta admit: it's worth the hype. Now to explore Dave's backlist ...

The Olympics
I'm not getting to watch quite as much as I'd like - those time zone differences make it rough, especially when you have to work in the morning! But I'm catching highlights and following results the best I can. I love the Olympics (actually the Winter Games are my favorite), the coming together to compete on such a stage. 
Are you watching? What's your favorite sport? 

Currently Reading:
Lake Crescent (J.J. Dupuis) as an ebook and The Hating Game (Sally Thorne) in paperback.

Hope you're all staying cool, safe, and healthy!
And if you've read any great books, let us know!

Read Together

Ever finish reading a book and just know that it would go perfectly with another, particular book? Sometimes I even get that feeling when I'm browsing, stumbling across several books that just seem like they're a match made in Book Lover's Heaven. This feeling - the need to "read together" - has prompted me to create a new feature for this blog.

Recently I devoured Renee Rosen's new release The Social Graces. I knew before starting that it was about Alva Vanderbilt and her social feud with Caroline Astor - that's actually why I picked this one up. A few years ago I was introduced to Alva and her formidable conquest of Gilded Age Society in another book - one that would pair beautifully with Rosen's. That made me start thinking about other books that would pair/read well together ...

The Social Graces by Renee Rosen (2021)

Read Together:

 

A Well-Behaved Woman by Therese Fowler (2018)

This is Alva Vanderbilt's story, and it is an engrossing and fascinating read. Having read this first, I enjoyed seeing the differences in how she was portrayed, depending on the focus of each book.

Carnegie's Maid by Marie Benedict (2018)

This pairing might surprise you a little, but as I was reading about the class distinctions and growing unrest, I remembered this one. Like Alva, Clara Kelley took advantage of every chance she came across to better herself and her place in the world - but "behind the scenes." Benedict writes a captivating tale about what might have helped Andrew Carnegie's journey to philanthropy.

That Churchill Woman by Stephanie Barron (2019)

Jennie Jerome was one of the American heiresses who married into British nobility (as Alva's friend and daughter both did). Her story is both similar to and very different from Alva's, but it is no less intriguing (and quite a bit more colorful). 

American Duchess by Karen Harper (2019)

Confession time: I haven't read this one yet, but it has been bumped up on my TBR list after finishing The Social Graces!

This is Consuelo Vanderbilt's story, after her marriage to the Duke of Marlborough, and I very much look forward to reading about her "ever after."

Spring Reading Challenge

Ah ... Spring has arrived! With it, a whole new reading challenge for your pleasure. {Fans of Book Bingo, fear not: It will return for Summer Reading!}

When deciding what sort of challenge/reading "game" to do for April and May, I wanted something fun and easy. Maybe even something a little silly. The book-themed planner I'm using this year includes several challenges, and one of those is "on the cover" - I decided to take that idea for our Spring fun.

Here's how it works:

I've posted a template to our Instagram story, and saved it under the "Odds & Ends" highlight for future reference. I'm also including it here, in case it's easier for you to snag and save.

I've picked 9 different things to find on the cover of the books you're reading, and you can try to find all 9 by the end of May OR however many you feel like reading. There's a mix of things, as you can see, because I wanted to have a range of features for people to be able to look for (which means a greater variety of books) and the fun part of this is that you being asked to pick the book by the cover! 

Make sure you tag us if/when you post your progress so we can see what you're reading and share in the fun! 

Welcome Back!

If you've driven by the Library the last week or so, you  may have noticed more cars in the parking lot. And if you've called us, you'll have heard the new telephone greeting confirming your guess:

The Library doors have reopened.

As with so many things these days, there have been many changes - your trip to the Library won't look quite the same as it did "before," but the Powers That Be have put a great deal of care and attention into how to expand our services and still keep library visitors and staff as safe as possible.

Here's what you should know, with a little help from our furry ambassadors:

When you come into the Library lobby, the greeter will let you in and tell you what you need to know about visiting the Library. This is also where you can update your card information, register for a new card, or pick-up your card if you registered virtually while the doors were closed.

Wearing your mask helps keep everyone safe and healthy! Please make sure your mask covers your mouth and nose the entire time you are in the Library.
If you cannot wear a mask, we will do our best to serve you outside (no contact pick-up will still be available for your convenience/preference).

Please wait in the lobby until the greeter lets you in. This helps us keep things running smoothly and safely for everyone.

When the greeter lets you in, they will give you a sticker with your "exit time," so you know when your daily hour is up. Please keep an eye on the time, so others can have a chance to use the Library too.

This is new for all of us: please be kind to other Library visitors and Library staff, respect everyone's personal space (social distancing is our friend!), and remember that we're all adjusting.
We are doing our best to keep you safe and healthy, and ask that you join us in that process.

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.

A Reading Challenge, You Say?

Reading Challenges. I don't know about you, but I find them both intriguing and, occasionally, daunting.

If you are unfamiliar with the term, no worries: the quick definition is that a challenge  focuses your reading toward a particular set of books. Similar in a sense to our Book Bingo prompts, but ... not. They are usually much bigger in terms of books involved, and can be quite specific.

As someone who has dabbled, trying several reading challenges over the years, I am always curious what will pop up next. This year there are quite a few catching my attention ... I'll link and blurb them here, in case you'd like to stretch your reading in 2021.

The Alphabet Challenge

I first saw this on Little Inklings Design's instagram last year, but I'm sure it has been around for awhile. This is one of the simplest challenges, I think, in that you match the titles you read to the letters of the alphabet (Little Inklings allows for any title including an "X" or "Q" to count, huzzah!).
Last year, I came so close to making it - I was 4 letters short by the time the clock struck midnight. {For the curious, I missed out on: U, V, Y and Z}. 
Maybe this year I can knock out all 26 letters - care to join me?

Book Riot: Read Harder
Book Riot (an excellent source for booklists and bookish news) has an annual Read Harder challenge. With a list of 24 challenge-prompts, they've designed a list that will expand your reading horizons - this is a good challenge if you're wanting to really think about what you're selecting/reading, and want to read more diversely. Individual books can count for multiple prompts, and if you feel stumped, just search the Book Riot blog for "Read Harder" to find suggested booklists. They've also created a nifty tracker, so you can easily keep up your progress.

Modern Mrs. Darcy
Anne Bogel, commonly known as the "Modern Mrs. Darcy" in the bookish world, has an annual reading challenge. This year, that challenge is a bit different than you might expect (if you've seen previous years), but is designed to help you get the most out of your reading.
I love the idea of stopping and assessing what I want to get out of my reading time - and there are so many great prompts and lists and mini exercises to help you get started. 

PopSugar
I have seen the PopSugar Reading Challenge on #bookstagram quite a bit lately, so I tracked it down ... with 50 prompts, it will definitely provide some reading inspiration. Again, there's a checklist you can print and use to track your progress, and there's a variety of online outlets to find suggested titles.

Read Christie 2021
The Read Christie challenge is one I stumbled upon, quite by accident, but I am intrigued. Having recently discovered the genius of Ms. Christie (thanks to the glorious audiobook narration of Dan Stevens for Murder on the Orient Express and And Then There Were None), the idea of having a monthly prompt/focus for reading more of these novels is helpful. 
I'm not sure how I'll do following along, (I completely missed January, and February looks doubtful), but this is definitely something I will consult during the year.

This is only a sampling of the reading challenges available for you to pick from - is there one you love that I've missed? Share the love!

Bingo Booklist

Have you joined the Book Bingo fun? It's not to late to join: the board/round goes through March! Maybe you started strong, found a few books that matched quickly, and then hit a snowbank? Or maybe you're just not sure how or where to start? No worries: I've got a list of titles that would work for each prompt, and if you're anything like me - once you see a list of titles, you start falling down a rabbit hole, finding more and more similar books. (This is a good problem, by the way: it means you will never run out of things to read!)

I'll start with the "easy" prompts first, and then get into the trickier ones. 
Also: if you find a book that matches more than one prompt? Go for it! This is supposed to be something fun (and even a little silly) to help beat the winter blues - don't take it too seriously (unless you want to). 

Reread a FAVORITE
This one is basically a second "free space" - pick any book you've read (and loved) to reread. Have fun with it! I'm still deciding what my reread will be - but I might go way back, pick a childhood favorite.

Published in 2020
This is also a super broad category. This quick web-catalog search of "Books" with a publication year of 2020 has over 4000 results ... some of them are updated editions of nonfiction resources, but still - that is a lot of books to pick from. (You can narrow the search further by selecting author or subject headings from the options in the left sidebar column.)
If you want a more focused (but still very expansive) list to browse, here's a blog that compiled every hardcover book that appeared on the NY Times Bestseller list in 2020.

Try a NEW Author, Genre, or Format
This is also a very personal one - maybe you have never listened to an audiobook or have always wondered what all the graphic novel fuss is about. Maybe you've never read a mystery, or maybe you only read nonfiction.
This prompt simply invites you to experiment - to try something new - whatever new means for you.
I am trying a new author, in a genre that is also somewhat new to me, at the recommendation of a friend: The Guest List by Lucy Foley.

A Book Set in the PAST
Historical fiction has long been a favorite of mine, and it offers so many options! I'm going to link a few catalog searches of various historical periods, but keep in mind: "historical fiction" is any story that is set 20+ years before it was published (ex: a book published in 2010 but set during the 1980s is officially historical fiction).

• World War II
• Regency (England) 
• Frontier and Pioneer Life
• Prehistoric Peoples

A Book Set Somewhere WARM
This prompt makes me think "beach reads," but it could also be "summer" or any location/setting that is warm ... A few searches for inspiration:

• Summer
• The Lowcountry
• Hawaii
• The Caribbean 

A Book with SNOW on the Cover
This one is fun precisely because it's asking you to pick a book because of the cover. (Let's be honest: we all pay attention to the covers, don't we? I know I do). Since nobody can browse the shelves right now, here's a list of 400+ books with snow/ice/winter book covers.

A Book about FOOD
Fiction or nonfiction, you can pick - and there are so many delicious options!

• "Food Fiction"
• Biography: Cooks
• French Cooking
• Italian Cooking
• Baking

NONfiction and/or Biography
Another big broad category with so many possibilities! Here are a few quick catalog searches to get you started:

• General "Biography" search (it's HUGE!)
• United States Presidents
• Astronomy
• Gardening
• Geology

Hopefully these ideas serve as a starting point, and if you follow a rabbit-trail through the catalog and booklists, I hope you find loads of good books to add to your TBR (To Be Read) list. Good luck with your bingo cards, and don't forget to tag us so we can see them!

Happy reading!