Recent Reading List

Yarn and books

With the holiday weekend coming up in the U.S., I thought I would share my most recent reads just in case someone was looking for a good book to take while traveling or enjoy post-turkey. In no particular order, this is what I have read since my last book list. Other lists can be found here (keep scrolling down!)

Yes Please by Amy Poehler - I loved this! Of course, I admit that I am biased because Amy and I were friends in college. Fangirl since 1989!

Moscow Rules by Daniel Silva - Still making my way through these Gabriel Allon thrillers and still loving them. I also read The Messenger and The Secret Servant, two other titles in this series.

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes - I enjoy books by this author. They are generally lighthearted (most of them) and fast reads with likeable characters. I also read Silver Bay.

The Dance of the Seagull by Andrea Camilleri - Reading this book, Treasure Hunt and Angelica's Smile all by the same author, was like rediscovering my old friend Inspector Montalbano. I tore through all three of these books quickly. These mysteries are set in Sicily and are best read in chronological order. I read the other books in the series in the summer of 2012.

City of Dragons by Kelli Stanley - Set in 1940 San Francisco with femal private investigator as the protagonist, this was a little slow to start for me, but I enjoyed the story.

Frog Music by Emma Donoghue - I know that many people enjoyed this book, but it was not one of my favorites. Not sure why.

The Headmaster's Wife by Thomas Christopher Greene - I did not know where this book was going until the end and I loved that.

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin - Such a touching book. I really did not want it to end.

Now You See Me by Sharon Bolton - This is a mystery/thriller that is a little graphic and psychologically intense. I really liked the story, the characters are fantastic, but I had to read it during daylight hours instead of in bed at night. Once I finished that one, I moved on to Dead Scared which has the same main character and was equally as thrilling, but not as graphic as the first. I think these will be a series.

Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore - I adored this one. It's long and the story has many layers with an interesting cast of characters, most of which are multi-generational members of the same family.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion - My book club read this earlier in the fall and I thought it was a very enjoyable, fun read.

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty - The main character in this book had temporary amnesia and thinks that she is living 10 years earlier than she really is. It's a fun read, but had me thinking. My book group is reading this now and I am anxious to discuss this with them. I also read Big Little Lies and Three Wishes by the same author and they are fun and funny reads.

We Only Know So Much by Elizabeth Crane - This story about a multi-generational family with its fair share of problems is told from all their points of view. I liked it.

The Secret Place by Tana French - I adore this author's novels. This one is no exception. It's a mystery, surrounding a private girls' school in Dublin.

The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell - This is one I can't tell you much about or I might give something away. Just read it.

Cartwheel by Jennifer DuBois - This is the story of an American student living abroad who is charged with the murder of her roommate. The idea is based on a true story that was newsworthy a few years ago, but this book is not about that. Instead the author takes inspiration from real life and makes a story of her own.

And finally, I re-read Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt. I liked it just as much, if not more, than the first time.

 

Have you read anything lately that you would recommend? Let me know!

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This post contains affiliate links, but I purchased all these books on my own. Of course, the opinions are all mine.

Books Comments
Bueller?

Work table

I sent a text to Jane the other night when she was late coming out of play rehearsal that just said, "Bueller?"

I imagine you all saying the same thing to me, wondering where I've been. I don't think I have ever gone a whole month without posting since I started this blog 8+ years ago.

Life is busy. And good. And sometimes a little messy. I'm in the thick of it.

Kate turned 13! And does not want her picture on the internet. Duly noted. We gave her an electric guitar and she was surprised. I do not think she expected it at all and I love that. She is coming into her own in a beautiful way. I am so impressed with the strong, smart, funny, confident, thoughtful person she is growing into. And I am now the mother of two teenagers. Talk about feeling old and young all at the same time. Fatty's birthday was yesterday (I won't mention his age. ;) ) and Jane's follows right after Thanksgiving. It's birthday season around here and I love it.

I'm also working on things that I cannot show you. That is not fun - for me or for you. It's some good stuff! I am trying to balance the work with some selfish sewing, but I'm coming to the point where that will no longer be possible. Still, there are two quilts and two quilt tops to photograph this weekend. And a whole post to write on Liberty feathers. You read that right - LIBERTY FEATHERS. Hang tight.

I am posting on instagram, mostly showing pictures of my food or my knitting. It's the first time I have picked up needles and yarn for over a year. Wouldn't you know it is just like riding a bike? The start was a little rough, but I am in such a groove at the moment and I remember why I love it. The cape grows row by row as I sneak a little knitting in while I wait in the carpool line, at night in front of the TV, while my sauce simmers on the stove. I'm nearing the end, having wound the second to last skein yesterday. I'm looking for some cute, teenage approved, easy hats to tackle next. Suggestions welcomed!

I'm reading. I've got a list to share. (It's coming, Teri, I promise!)

Going Ons Comments