Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson on Libby, ready by Moira Kelly, 3 hours

This Newbery book was a great young adult story that I really enjoyed.  Sara Louise is the unhappy twin to gifted and loved Caroline. She spends her youth resenting her and it's painful to hear about, and very relatable as she tries to understand her feelings. The captain becomes a great friend but then provides Caroline with a lifeline that sends poor Louise into even more resentment. It was interesting to read about her isolated island life, demented grandmother, and sympathetic parents. Talk about a victim mentality! 

I was thinking it would be interesting to get Henry's take on this story and this character when we're on our road trip in a couple of weeks. I don't know if it would appeal to him or not... 

I remember those surprising feelings and how they would come upon me without warning. I remember thinking I was crazy and that I could live out my life in a certain way, just as Louise was thinking. This author really understands the 13-15 year old mindset! It was good food for thought as I walked in St. George's summer heat!

Among the Janeites by Deborah Yaffe

 This was an interesting take on all of the fandom surrounding Jane Austen. It was listed as a source for one of the recent Jane Austen-inspired books I read, and it sounded intriguing. There are very committed people spending a lot of their lives studying, re-enacting, and writing in the Jane Austen vein.

The people stories were interesting as well as the description of the conclaves that are held both here in the US and in England. But I got a little bogged down about half-way through...it didn't hold my itnerest and there were too many people to keep track of... I'm going to take it to my next Ridgeview book club meeting to see if anyone wants it. It's time to clear out some of the books I've accumulated this spring!

Beneath A Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan

 I went in search of this book when I saw it was on the list for this month's Stonebridge neighbors book club. I've been invited multiple times but haven't made it yet, but will this time. I was able to check this book out of the Santa Clara library, and I read it in just a few days. It was a good read, not especially well-written, but it's a compelling story, based on a real person.

Pino Lella is the main character, and my favorite part of the book was near the beginning when he lived in a boys' school, high up in the Alps, near the Swiss border. He was sent there from his family in Milan for safety as the Nazi's were rampant in Italy. His faith and strength under difficult circumstances leading Jews over icy mountains was inspiring to me! I loved that part, and Pino was at his most faithful and blessed.

The rest of the book is filled with pain and violence, and the other main character is the German general that Pino is the driver for. He has lots of conflicting feelings about General Leyers and it's hard to watch the continuing atrocities unfold. I didn't know about all of the horrors happening in Italy, so it was new to me. I liked the Milanese family characters that surround Pino, and Father Re, the priest in the Alps whom he respects so much.

I found the ending and afterword very interesting as the author explains the unfolding of how he researched the story after meeting Pino in his later years. General Leyers was a real person also, as were most of the others. I liked learning about all of this, and particularly learning about Mussolini and his death.  Pino's love interest was well described, as when he found it hard to concentrate on his orders when he was day dreaming about her. He must have had a great memory for details or else the author made up a lot of details that helped me understand the milieu and gave me a real desire to visit Italy. 

Overall an interesting read, but not one I would want to read again. Too violent...and dark, despite Pino's and his family's goodness. It will be interesting to hear what these new book club ladies will hve to say...

Crow Mary by Kathleen Grissom

 Is three book clubs too many??? This is the book for one that I haven't yet attended, but I plan to in the future. My new next-door neighbor, Sandy Peterson, lent me this book when I expressed an interest in it, even though they had already held their discussion of it. I hope it will be the basis of a good discussion between the two of us in the future. I really like her so far, and hope we can become friends. 

At first I wasn't impressed by this book, because it felt like a classic disingenuous retelling of the superior Native culture, full of stereotypes. And there was the potential of a lot of violence and struggle, and I wasn't in the mood to be brought down. Yet, I stuck with it, and I'm glad I did. There was more to the story than the stereotypes and there was a lot of Native culture explained that was admirable. What was most interesting to me was the way the author was able to contrast the two world views: Crow vs. Whites.

One interesting departure from the norm was that the white person in this story became a victim of his alcoholism, and not the Indians. Yes, there was drinking by Natives and whites, but the drinking of Farwell had a dire impact on his family. I admired the character of Crow Mary, and wonder how much of this historical person's story is accurate. Surely she was a brave woman to even just travel and marry a trader, let alone rescue some of her people. 

Because of my experiences with Lakota culture I feel somewhat more informed and sensitive about the ways Native culture and people are portrayed. This book didn't add much to my knowledge, but some. It was interesting to note the differences between the Crow and the "Sioux" that the author illuminated, and since her sources were all Crow, it's not surprising that other tribes were looked down on. But that's natural...and I can take that in stride. And it was good summer evening reading...not an author I will pursue again...but not a total loss, either. 

The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden 8.5 hours on Libby

 Well, I always wondered about Covenant Communications and their "proper romances," and now I know! Thanks to our Ridgeview Ward book club, and Karen Lossee, we are reading this one and another one for our group. And since I enjoy these women so much, I'm carrying on. And I especially enjoy Karen and her thoughts and comments on what we've read. So, I was kind of surprised at the inanity of this book! She warned us it was a lightweight, and she was correct. I do have to say, though, that I enjoyed it sometimes. Lightweight can be fun, but this was too much, too silly, and too long. The plot was absolutely absurd and the premise was nuts, and yet, I could have lived with that except the prolonged misunderstanding between the two potential lovers went on and on and on. I thought at one point, this would be a good novella. Or even a short story. But over 8 hours of this absurdity? But that's on me... When I went to the library to look for the second one she recommended, I saw a whole shelf full by this author! Not the Persphone one that we will be reading, however. It's okay, I don't think I need to waste any more time on this genre. 

The handsome Lord Cavratt kisses the beautiful Catherine in a garden to blunt the advances of another suitor. Catherine's uncle insists he marry her, and so he does, and the rest of the story is absurd legal machinations that would never happen in a million years. But still... The absolute reliance on the opinion of others and the polite society was reminiscent of Jane Austen's work, I wonder if that's what the author was going for? What society thinks and the gossips, etc., got very tiresome to hear about. Okay, enough ranting. I will try to be kind when we meet to discuss this book. The good news is, it kept me amused sometimes on long hot summer walks!

The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley - 8 hours, 50 minutes on Libby Audio

 This sequel to The War That Saved My Life was just fantastic! It brought me to tears twice. I grew to really care about each of these characters and how they grew and faced hardship with such courage. A very good listen! Lots of great life lessons, and especially about how easy we have it, not being in war time. Their lives of constant death, worry, fear, loss, rationing, etc., was so hard, yet it was faced with such matter of factness...truly courageous and lovable people. 

Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster - 4 hours, 18 minutes via Libby Audio Books

 This was a pure delight! The Ridgeview Ward book club is discussing this book tomorrow night, so I listened to it yesterday and today to get it done. Every minute was enjoyable, witty, and fun. And it reminded me about how the structures of the early 20th century, like women's colleges, were really good in lots of ways. It also reminded me of the excitement of being in college, of learning new things, and the fun and closeness of roommates. Just delightful. I have read this before, but somehow I lost the book. I think Sally Palmer gave me a copy, with sweet illustrations, but I must have lent it to someone because I haven't seen it in years. And I would have never parted with it again. What a treat it was to listen to it as I cleaned our new Monterey home, and sat and listened as I watched the golf course. Just a sweet and fun experience. 

Good, clean story with clever humor and solid character development. Jerusha definitely matures over the four years of the span of the story. Even her writing and vocabulary grow over time. Just love it. 

The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley - 8 hours 52 minutes Libby Audiobook

 This book was brought up in our Ridgeview Ward book club as Karen Western's favorite book. Several women agreed it was really good, so I put in a request for it on Libby. It finally arrived, and they were right--it's really a good and inspiring and moving story.

The heartless mother is hard to believe, but I suppose they exist. As Ada and Jaimie leave their toxic London environment, it's interesting and instructive to read Ada's inner thoughts as she gradually confronts and tries to heal from her trauma. Susan, their literal savior, is a grieving woman who intuitively learns how to be a mother and healer. Their story, against the backdrop of World War 2 is colorful and entertaining and well-told. It's inspiring to read how Ada's thoughts gradually change and she matures into a courageous and admirable person. It's hard to fathom the hardships these people endured, but their spirits kept them going.

I especially admired Susan's resourcefulness in wrapping Ada up tight in a blanket to soothe her anxiety. It was also good to read about her abilities to sew, cook, and garden, and to help the children grow and learn. The village people were supportive, too, as Ada became a hero and spotted a German spy. All good, all unexpected, and admirable. It was a perfect read as I walked around my new neighborhoods in Stonebridge on warm late spring days!

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

 I picked up this paperback at Deseret Industries and I enjoyed almost every page. Bryson waxes long on environmental issues, which is mostly interesting, but sometimes I was anxious to get back to his hike with Katz. I am a big fan of hiking stories, and this one filled the bill. Katz is a funny foil to funny, but more droll Bryson. I'm recovering from my hemi-lamenectomy, so it was fun to dream about hiking again. and I wondered, not for the first time, do I want to plan a trip to the AT and do some section hiking, or do I just want to read about it?

I think both! I wonder if I could put together an itinerary that would work...would I want to go solo? this July will be good practice if I can figure out a way to stay near Yosemite and do a little section hiking of the John Muir Trail. A good test of my research skills!

At any rate, this author is (mostly) clean, with a few colorful expletives, mostly from his hiking companion, Katz. I liked the way they were flexible, too, and didn't insist on doing parts of the trail they deemed beyond their skills. Yet they had plenty of challenges. I wonder if I could carry a heavy pack? No, I'm definitely more of a section hiker with a car full of my stuff at the end of each day...I don't mind missing the trail experiences at the shelters and campgrounds. They sound too uncomfortable! I wonder, who would like to do this with me? 

Bird Summons by Leila Aboulela

 This was another of my "pick up an interesting-looking random book" at the library choices. And I liked the title and the description on the back. I don't know much about Muslim women, and so this looked intriguing.

I enjoyed the beginning of the book and the premise of three very different Muslim immigrant women taking a road trip together, a pilgrimage almost, in England. They were planning to visit the shrine of one of their heroines, and this trip was way out of their comfort zone.

The way the three friends interacted and revealed customs of their different Muslim cultures was interesting and enlightening to me. Their various relationships that they discussed with each other revealed their more traditional and "women suppressive" experiences and attitudes. It was fascinating reading about their different challenges. And then...the author took a turn into fantasy, where a Hoopoe bird began talking to one of them, and it told story after story.

I'm sure these were allegorical, but often they left me clueless. And for most of the middle of the book, it was hard to tell what was fantasy and what was real. Again, these messages and experiences for each of the women had a spiritual moral message, but they were a little obscure. By the end of the book, I was back on board and understood a little better the growth each woman exhibited. So it was a satisfying ending, but not particularly enjoyable along the way. Just a little too weird for my taste. 

An Art Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder by Dianne Freeman

 I was browsing the Washington Library downtown and happened to see a bunch of books in this series, and they looked intriguing. Since I love Paris, I enjoy mysteries, and I love art, it seemed worth the risk! It was a cute little romp with some witty conversations and intrigue, but not enough for me to read any more of this. It worked to put me to sleep at night, so that's a good thing for my 3 AM wake ups... The main characters, Countess Harleigh and her husband, were fun and upbeat and indefatigable. Many of the others, though, were dark and villainous and not particularly interesting. It's too bad, because a lot of these are available... It's still worth the gamble, though, to try new authors. I will keep trying!

The Jane Austen Project bu Kathleen A. Flynn - on Libby audio - 11 hours

 This author, Kathleen A. Flynn, was chosen by Natalie Jenner, the author of The Jane Austen Society, to interview Natalie for an endpiece to her audio book. Jenner mentions in the interview that she chose Flynn because she so admired what she had accomplished in this book on Austen. That intrigued me, because I really enjoyed Jenner's book, and value her opinion. I'm not fond of fantasy or sci fi, so this was a stretch, but because it came so highly-recommended, I went for it.

It was a fascinating listen on many levels! The story begins in the future when two people are chosen and trained to travel back to Jane Austen's time. The few aspects of the future that are revealed are interesting and believable. The tension that's created with wondering if they'll be able to return to their own time after their research keeps the story lively. And the philosophical and ethical dilemmas abound! Like, how much are they interfering in the "probability field" that will change the outcome of history? Is it too much to help a poor chimney sweep's boy? Or to give medical care to Jane to prolong her life and thus enable her to write more?

In addition to these dilemmas, of course there is sexual tension between the two researchers, a man and a woman from the future, trying to fit in to Jane Austen's world and win her confidence. Those struggles are fascinating too. It's just fascinating in every regard, though it also felt a bit dark at times. I liked how Jane Austen and her brothers were portrayed, and it was fun to hear the researchers and Jane discuss some of her characters. There' is an abundance of information and dates about what was going on in Jane's life when, much more than I was aware of. It made me want to go walk the countryside around Chawton and see the places that feel almost familiar to me now. 

There are some rather graphic sex scenes, but not too much...And Flynn did an excellent job in capturing the tone of conversations from that time period. It was an expecially fun listen for 11 hours! It helped me prolong my walks around our new Monterey Drive neighborhood!

The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner

 I happened to find this on Libby and was excited to listen to it, when I found the paper copy at the Santa Clara Library. So, I mostly listened to this on audio, but then I took a little time to read in the book as well. The reader was British, and did such a good job that the paper seemed almost boring! It's a delightful, well-written book that feels like a movie or a play as you listen to it.

I was super impressed by the way the characters developed and the way Jenner describes their emotions and their interactions, especially GRIEF. There are lots of life lessons and wisdom here! This is set in the period just after the second world war, and England and America are recovering...and the characters reflect that reality. I especially liked steady Dr. Gray, and was shocked when his addiction was revealed. 

The characters were so likable, and you had the sense that everything was going to turn out all right, despite their challenges. This author is very like Austen in that way. And it was fun to be reminded of the many Austen characters as the characters in this novel discuss them! Very clever. In listening to the interview at the end of the audio book, the author mentions how much she admired The Jane Austen Project, and was interviewed by its author. So now I have another book to look forward to reading!

This was fun to listen to as I walked around our new neighborhood in Stonebridge and tried to recover from my hemi-lamenectomy surgery. I can walk further now, and it's fun to have such a good thing to listen to! It was also fun to learn about the earlier period of the same characters who appeared in Bloomsbury Girls, which I happened to read first, and really enjoyed. 

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

 In keeping with my new idea to pick up a library book that appeals to me by it's cover, this was my choice in Santa Clara last week. It was an interesting read and it had a beautiful cover!

I related to this story somewhat; since it dealt with intense, passionate, teen-age love that is lost, and only refound late in life. I remember those intense feelings with Leonard, when we were teenagers! However, in this story, this girl cannot move on. There are pages and pages of pain. Later, when she marries, has a child, and the child dies, there are more pages and pages of pain. Roya, the central character is a closed and immovable type of person and it's painful to read seemingly endlessly of her obsessions.

The parts of the book that I liked though, were her descriptions of her closeness with her sister and her parents, and how tied she is to her cooking and memories of Persian food. It made me want to try to eat some Persian food, which I don't believe I ever have. The spices and fragrances sound fantastic! Saffron, cardomom, and cinnamon, for example.

I also enjoyed the brief description of her life in the Bay Area and then Boston. Would I recommend this book? Not really. Too much sad obsessiveness. The plot was interesting with twists and turns, and Roya's husband, Walter, is an admirable character Otherwise, though, I would let it go... Move on! 

Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner (I listened to the audio book on Libby, read by Juliet Stevenson)

 This was 13 hours of pure listening delight! I was getting ready for my back surgery, a hemi-lamenectomy on L4-L5, so I wanted to catch up on housework beforehand. I swept, vacuumed, mopped, and attacked the windows, all while enjoying this fascinating story with a fascinating tableau of characters; some real and some fictional. I loved everything about this story: the allusions to other authors, particularly Jane Austen, the academic environment of Cambridge, the setting of London, the fun characters who inhabit the bookstore, and the way the characters grew and learned and developed over time. It was also almost a mystery, as the author kept me wondering, how will Evie find this book and how will she get it out to the public honestly? 

The underlying theme was how women were disenfranchised when the men returned from World War II. And the creative and intelligent ways they were able to function despite their mistreatment. It was also fascinating to read about the underlying as well as overt prejudice the Indian character, Ash, experienced. I loved the way the successful independent women were able to mentor and encourage the three women who were the bookstore workers. It is an instructive story, really, to show how people need each other, and the advantages of being vulnerable. The author did a masterful job of weaving together a lot of complexities that resulted in a very satisfying outcome for all of the characters involved. I can't wait to read the novel that preceded this one...and I need to do a little research to see how much of this story is true... Peggy Guggenheim and George Orwell's widow (and others) were great characters, and did they really encourage other women? And did Samuel Beckett help encourage Vivien or any other woman become a playwright? I'll look into that.

My surgery went well yesterday, and I was so excited to have it done that I couldn't sleep. I listened to the ending in the middle of the night. Nice to have an escape like that!

The Last Time I Saw You by Elizabeth Berg

 What a joy this book was! It takes disparate people from one high school class and traces their preparation and attendance at their fortieth high school reunion. Although their time frame is a little later than mine, I could relate to the feelings and the environments that they flashed back to. The smoking in the girls' restroom, the dominance of the cheerleaders, the jock, the nerds, etc. 

The people in this book ran the gamut of the high school crowd, and the way they grew and developed into the people they were at their reunion. Since Leonard and I went to every Napa High reunion they ever had, I could relate to the agony over what to wear, and the wondering of who would be there, and what they would be like... I also witnessed a few Dorothy-like moments where people tried to hook up with their high school crushes and that was disconcerting and sometimes pathetic to see. Still, it's a human thing to wonder about, and I feel lucky that I got to go to those with Leonard! And still have some very sweet and nostalgic moments without any embarrassment or bad behavior!

What was really heart-warming about this book was the way people were willing to forgive each other for past mistakes. It showed a very shallow woman coming into her own. It showed a lot of heart and growth. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, it's one of those books that I'm going to reread right away. It's a feel-good book, especially at the end. Berg writes wonderful and real characters that make me happy to be like some of them in some ways. Actually, they inspire me to be better...

Joy School by Elizabeth Berg

 This is a follow-up to Durable Goods and it is equally delightful. It takes Katie from Texas to Missouri and her figuring out how to fit in in her new environment. She falls for a young man much older than she is, and the way this romance unfolds is very real and sweet. I could relate to her thinking! Thank goodness this young man was extremely sensitive and kind. When I fell for older young men at this age, I never let it develop into anything. I would admire from afar. It was fun to watch Katie move toward what she wanted, even though it was clearly beyond her. She had real adolescent thoughts and feelings that were described with empathy and soft humor. So good! 

I also loved how Katie learned about friendship and how her friendship with Cynthia developed. And it was awesome that she had a friend in her father's friend Ginger, who turned out to be a soft landing for Katie. Another very enjoyable, relatable read! Thank you, Elizabeth Berg!!!

True to Form by Elizabeth Berg

 This book was  delight. Berg captures so much of my adolescent thinking and in my time period, that it's just a joy to be there with her. Katie is 13, and I'm sure I read the previous two books about her a LONG time ago, but this book easily stands on its own.

From her turning orange from using too much QT to her friend getting pregnant, it's just so relatable. Katie has a summer job babysitting and helping an elderly couple, and these scenes are poignant and true. I was so much like Katie that it's uncanny. And I also wanted to fit in, but I didn't and maybe still don't have the courage to stand up to the snobs like she does. Just wow.

I also liked how she tries to make it right with her friend Cynthia after betraying her... She tries everything, including a Catholic-like confession, to get things right again. It's a beautiful description of repentance and coming to understand where your thinking can get you in trouble. So good! 

I also enjoyed her descriptions of her love of walking and the stars and of nature. And her description of how intimately she knows Cynthia when she describes everything that's in her purse. I remember being that close and intimate with a few friends at that age and it is very sweet and growth-inducing! Now I'm ready to go back to the library and get the two previous books about Katie--Durable Goods and Joy School. Somehow I didn't record them in this record so I must have read them beffore 2011? Not sure if that's the case or if I just didn't write about them. I do recall that June Apaza and I both read and talked about Durable Goods. We agreed that it felt so true to adolescent feelings and challenges. 

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh

 So...we are now in a new Ward, the Stonebridge Ward, where I thought we'd meet lots of like-minded folks. They look like us--well-dressed and educated--older--drive SUV's and live in our neighborhood...have grandkids...etc., etc., so I was excited to learn they have an active book club. I read online that they are reading The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley so I ordered it to be prepared to enjoy a good discussion, I liked the title and it sounded light and fun.

Well...like so many of the rom-coms I've been exposed to lately, it's frustrating to read. Every point is repeated ad nauseum. I almost tossed it after the third page; a young woman trying to be tragically funny. Example after example of her runner-up life, what a loser she is, on and on and on... But, I had just returned from a great trip to Indiana to see the Stevenson's, and I was nursing a bad cold and needed to stay in bed, so I stuck with it. It was the perfect sick in bed read.

It got slightly better as the main character, a seemingly autistic woman with no social skills, gradually emerges and tries to be happier. She is encouraged along the way by a loving elderly man, a spunky neighbor who takes her to yoga, and of course, a handsome love-interest. They gradually all help her out of her very hard shell. 

Along the way there are some good messages for recluses. I liked that she found friendship in unexpected places and that she was open to them. The bad message, though, I think is that the handsome professor would have that kind of patience... should one expect a prince charming? I don't think so. Yet there was enough exploration of Isadora's feelings and her realization that "happiness is a choice" is a good message. Some of the other hints at happiness were also good --exercise regularly, get out in nature, and confront what's making you unhappy. It was kind of a self-help manual within a story. 

I'll be interested in what the ladies in our ward have to say about this one and wonder who suggested it...

Durable Goods by Elizabeth Berg

 I know I read this back in the day when June Apaza and I were TIE colleagues, and we both really enjoyed this one. It must have been prior to 2011, when I started this record, though, because it's not described here. My memory is that I enjoyed it on a flight sometime during my flying off to conferences era...and talked with June about it. I'll have to ask her.

At any rate, I loved it this time too. It is "early Berg" and so simple and powerful. She has so much empathy for her main character, Katie. She is only 13, and in the early sixties, Berg captures so much that I can relate to. It's just uncanny, the way she thinks! What is heart-breaking is how her father treats her, and how she is coping with the loss of her mother. Her description of her relationship with her older sister is heart-breaking, too, yet sweet when Diana lets her in. 

Berg captures so well the feelings I had as an early teen! The insecurities about what to wear, how to do my hair, and wanting to be older and have more autonomy. Happily, my family life was rich and wonderful, but there are still parts that resonate with me. I also like the way she describes Katie's friend Cherylanne. I knew girls like this, too, and it's just fun reading about how she relates to the world, always knows about make-up and hair and how to deport properly. She's hilarious!  And Cherylanne's mother, Belle, is such a good example of how one caring adult can make a big difference in a child's life. 

Katie becomes very insightful about her father and why he's the way he is. It's with a lot of compassion and beginnings of understanding. 

Until the Real Thing Comes Along by Elizabeth Berg

 I really enjoy Berg's descriptions and metaphors that immediately resonate with me. She picks specific images like American cheese or OshKosh overalls and I'm right there with her, particularly from when I was a young mother. This is a very poignant story of a woman who always wanted to be a mother but who could never seem to find the right father. She leads a quiet life after having fallen in love with a man who is gay and they remain good friends. But no one can live up to the closeness she feels with him, and so she convinces him to impregnate her... This is an interesting exploration into what it would take to change one's fundamental nature...Berg does it with honesty and vulnerability. I think, though, that Patty's acceptance of Ethan's departure is unrealistic... That she could welcome him, along with his new partner, seems like it would take a mighty big heart. But maybe that's what one would need: an example that it's possible...

Letters from Yellowstone by Diane Smith

 This title caught my eye when I was browsing at the St. George library downtown, and so I added it to my pile of Elizabeth Berg books. I'm glad I did! Having been to Yellowstone, it was fun reading about what it was like back in the day when it was new to these intrepid explorers at the turn of the century.

The main character, Alexandria Bertram, is a committed botanist who joins a company of men to collect and identify the flora of the park. They were expecting a man, and so this is the initial hurdle to get over; it doesn't take long, though, for them to discover how capable she is. It was fun to read about her strength and determination as well as her softening of "scientific" methods and opinions. She definitely developed over the course of the story. I also particularly enjoyed the lyrical descriptions of the park and its environs. I wonder if this is one Bruce and Terri would like...

I just ordered it on Amazon -- used for five bucks!-- and had it sent to Bruce. We'll see what he thinks. 

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

 I don't recall how I heard about this older story, but I read some reviews on Amazon after I believe I heard about it on Instagram. I decided it was worth finding at the library, and I took it along to Sacramento on my most recent trip. It's delightful! It's clean! It's relatable! And there's so much wisdom in the conversations... This family in England that lives in a castle is off-beat, unique, and very, very destitute. Yet their spirits are high and their conversations engaging.

I liked this so much, I could hardly wait to get to bed to read another chapter. And that is saying something since I was staying with Ann and we often play games or just talk into the night. But I wanted to re-enter this beautiful world of rural England where Cassandra appreciates nature, is growing up, and puzzles things out in her mind. As soon as I finished it, I was ready to read it again. And I liked the rather open-ended ending that left me wondering about her more distant future. 

I am going to order my own copy and also send one to Leslie for her birthday...it's the kind of book I believe she will enjoy just as much as I did...

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center (audio book from Libby)

 One of the Instagrammers I follow, can't remember which one, highly recommended this book. Since I could listen to it free, on Libby, I decided to give it a try. It's a light-weight romance with cute characters, not much reality, but a lot of wisdom and some clever dialogue. 

We are in the midst of settling in to our Monterey home, and it was fun to have something light and juicy to listen to while I mopped floors, unpacked boxes, and moved into our new kitchen. A lot of this moving work required my full attention, so I couldn't always listen, but I also took some walks in our new neighborhood so I could listen longer. It was fun and engaging. 

I liked the values that were encouraged in this story, as the young woman from Texas was her father's caregiver for 10 years, and modeled unselfishness quite well. The Hollywood screenwriter she falls in love with has to learn how to love, and there were some good ideas along the way. Selfishness, seeking happiness, sacrifice, were all good themes. It was surprisingly wise and deep at times. I have a definite prejudice against romance novels, even though I like a good rom com movie. The author, though, at the end of the story, made a good case for good love stories. That we as humans do better with good models and these stories are all prosocial. Food for thought, that's for sure. I do like more substance and color, though...

The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted by Elizabeth Berg

 This was a fun collection of short stories that were perfect for night time reading. Berg's humor is soft and engaging, and her characters are charming, vulnerable, and a little off-beat. I was hoping it might be appropriate to share with Leslie, but sometimes the humor is dark, and so much of her stories revolve around romantic relationships and/or death, that I decided no, not this one...

Earth's the Right Place for Love by Elizabeth Berg

 This was the third book I checked out from St. George Library downtown when I was on a little Berg binge. I liked this one a lot! It's a prequel to the Arthur Trulove character in another book of her's I read awhile ago. This describes Arthur's growing up years, his great love for Nola, and his rich relationship with his brother, Frank.

I love the simpler time this story is set in. People walk the neighborhoods, they know each other, and families sit down together for meals. It's very sweetly described. I loved the character of Frank, and his kindness and protection of his younger brother Arthur. And Arthur is a classic NERD, not one of the cool kids, and his goodness comes through constantly without embarrassment or apology. What sweet brothers!

This was a nice story to escape to during our great transition from one home in St. George to another. From Red Canyon to the golf course! And there is a lot to think about, a lot to do, and a lot to manage in this transition, which we are right now in the middle of. But we have made it fun (mostly) and this book was a nice reward when night time came. Now I need another one! I've taken a little break so I can also get our taxes done...and I did, so, YAY ME!

The Confession Club by Elizabeth Berg

 The second of my three library Berg books was a fun one. This cute little town of Mason, Missouri has some familiar characters from other books, and some new ones. This Confession Club allows Berg to let the women share a lot of their personal neuroses, fears, and intimate secrets. They are poignant and often funny. It's a clever way to reassure women that we all suffer from common insecurities. What's unique about this club, though, is that these women support each other and are kind. 

I fully expected them to be afraid for their friend who befriends and ultimately falls in love with a homeless transient person. He is a Viet Nam vet who suffers from PTSD... But everyone is supportive of Iris's choice and her actions. I enjoyed the parts where they both (Iris and John) was poetic about the joys of being outside and free. I could really relate to those feelings.

This was a quick, enjoyable, and cozy read. A perfect balm to take me away from the stress of our upcoming house sale and house purchase!

Once Upon a Time, There Was You by Elizabeth Berg

 We have been buying a new home and attempting to sell our current one, here in St. George. It is a stressful business, and I needed to stay focused! So, I went without a book for awhile, because I needed to keep my nose to the grindstone. When there was a little breath of a break, I went to the library. I knew I wanted something lighter and relaxing. I had just finished A Gentleman in Moscow for the third or fourth time, and I loved it so so so much, but it also required my focus to remember all the characters and all the little tempting bread crumbs along the way. Elizabeth Berg seemed the right one to take a break with. I'm so happy I did. I checked out three at once. So luxurious! This is the first of the three.

The story is set in both Minnesota and San Francisco, which are both places I love. So that was fun. Berg has a way of writing that is lighter and delightful; great analogies and great insights into relationships and the way people think and feel. Conversations feel authentic. Nothing is too dangerous or gruesome, despite an abduction in this book. I enjoyed the relationship between the divorced parents and their daughter, and the way they all learned and grew and became more self-aware. I thought it interesting that the mother was the one character who refused to grow...but maybe that is reality. At any rate, it was a great little enjoyable respite from the stress of our house selling and buying!

Daughters of the Occupation by Shelly Sanders

 

These Three Remain by Pamela Aidan (Book 3 in the Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman trilogy)

 I'm so glad I found this one at the library so I could complete the series. I found it along with book 2, not long before Len and I went to Hawaii. I was half-way done with this one, and was so intrigued that I hauled it along on the trip. It made delightful reading on the planes and for the first couple of days in Kona! It had a very satisfying way of bringing Elizabeth and Darcy together, happily. 

What Aidan did very well, I thought, was show how Darcy's character developed over time. How he understood better his own shortcomings, and how Elizabeth helped him see them. She also had some development and both of them were written about really well, I thought. This was definitely the best of the three novels, and was so good, I wondered if people familiar with the story could just read book 3 and skip the other two? Perhaps...I was thinking this because I wondered if it would be a good one for our Ridegeview Ward book club...But then I had a different idea. The Small and the Mighty became available as an audio book on Libby, and I was so taken with it, that I decided to suggest it to read instead...

Duty and Desire by Pamela Aidan (Book 2 in the Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman series of 3)

 Because this was available at the St. George library and I had nothing else pressing, I took on book 2, having somewhat enjoyed the first book. This book covers the the time (months?) when Darcy was trying to overcome his obsession with Elizabeth. It takes a very interesting turn into a kind of retreat with his old university friends, and they have an interesting time with a wide variety of characters. It colors in some of the interesting mores of the time; some superstitions and some manners and pastimes that make me very glad I didn't live in this time. One character I really came to appreciate is Darcy's valet, who shows a lot of detective skills! It's kind of a fun romp, but wasn't as enjoyable as the first book because Elizabeth scarcely makes an appearance. Still, it was fun to learn about what went on in those times, complete with a mystery and peasant uprising...

The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon (audio book, borrowed through Libby)

 While we were in Hawaii, I listened to this wonderful, somewhat sardonic book, read by the author. She is very entertaining, and very informal. She frequently takes asides and speaks directly to the listener and I enjoyed her humor and insights all along the way.

Maybe it was because there was so much to see while I walked or sat poolside in Maui, that it was sometimes hard to focus my attention. But even when I finished listening to this when we were home, and I was walking around the neighborhood, I found it hard to follow some the historical characters that were brought back up in later vignettes. It was kine of disjointed that way...

The stories of both women and men who made a difference in their time were inspiring to me. There are stories of courage, of great personal sacrifice, and so much more. These are not historical figures that I ever heard of before, so it was refreshing to learn about these people and ponder how I could emulate some of them...especially the woman who started a school for the children of slaves...and the school burned down, and she rebuilt it. Many of these stories related to education, and I felt like a spoiled brat being paid so generously and having such cushy teaching conditions in MY career. Honestly, these people are stellar! Very worth listening to....

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

 I had heard of this book, so when I saw it at Deseret Industries, I picked it up for a dollar. A good mystery, it seemed. And it was, but I had no idea it was going to be so violent and so full of sadism. Yuck. Which is too bad, because the whole first third of the book gave no indication it was going to go that direction.

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, and I'm sorry I'll never be rid of the violent images. On the other hand, it was an exciting mystery to uncover and follow; very cerebral, with very interesting and likable characters.

One of the main characters, Lisbeth Salander, has Asberger's Syndrome, and reading and understanding her traits were enlightening. A brilliant mind with few social skills...

It's set in Sweden, and a lot of the Swedish culture comes through, most particularly their casual attitude about casual sex. Marriage didn't mean fidelity and it wasn't expected in the main characters. That was interesting...Okay, that's about all I can say about this one. Not going down this road again. 

An Assembly Such as This by Pamela Aidan

 This little paperback had beautiful art on the cover which made it stand out from others on the shelf at Deserest Industries. I was looking for something lightweight to take on the flight to Rapid City for our Christmas/50th Wedding anniversary celebration, and this one fit the bill. Plus, it was only $1.00!

When I bought it. I thought it was the Pride and Prejudice story, told from Darcy's point of view, which it is, but what I didn't realize is that this is the first in a trilogy of novels and only begins the story. Still, it is VERY well-writtten and very witty and amazingly reminiscent of Jane Austen, which is very unlike most of the P & P fanfiction.

It was the perfect story to rest back into at night in Rapid City, after a full day, to cozy into Melissa's huge bed, and lose myself. It wasn't exciting enough to lure me away from Leonard or Ann or Melissa, but welcoming enough to be a good and enjoyable sedative to lay me down to sleep.

My only beef is that it feels like the author draws out the story almost unendingly with many detours and new characters which are interesting, but the story progresses at a snail's pace! Really, let's get on with the connection between Darcy and Elizabeth! I haven't decided whether orr not to seek out the remaining two novels in this triology because I 'm not sure I have the patience! Still, it's fun to see someone do something so clever wtih dialogue and imagination to fill out the Darcy character. It also adds context to some of Austen's world with color and social amenities. So maybe I will... Amazon makes it so easy!

What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon

 This author's reviews were good, and she has lots of historical fiction, so I decided to see if she were in the library. She was, so I went with her Irish history story. It was an enjoyable read, but not a compelling read. I learned a sketchy amount of Irish rebellion history, and enjoyed some interesting characters, but will probably not seek this author out again. There is also an interesting time travel twist, where the heroine goes back in time and eventually gets to stay there with her own true love.

It was a bit confusing because Anne is the heroine, the granddaughter, and goes back in time (via boat accident) to become her grandfather's mother and help raise him. I finally got the characters all straight, but had to keep reminding myself who was who! It was well done, the writing and characters interesting, but bascially pretty one-diminsional. A fascinating idea and the quoting of lots of Yeats' poetry was a nice addition. 

I think I need character development to find a story compelling. And I need a love story, if a part of the story, to be real and not sweet and devoted in every detail and instance. Love is complicated and sometimes troubling; here it was seamless and endless. A nice idea but not as interesting to me.

Bottom line? I need more substance!