Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan

 I got this book from the library for our Monterey Book group, and I believe it was Lynne who recommended it. I like her, so I hoped I would like her book. I did, but it also really annoyed me and disappointed me.

I love everything I've read by C.S. Lewis, particularly his essays on Christianity and his Narnia books. He transports me and uplifts me and makes me so grateful to be a Christian. I was hoping for some of that aura and shine and feeling to show itself in this story of his relationship with Joy Davidman. Although there were some beautiful landscape descriptions and a few attempts to describe spiritual experiences, they were mostly not inspiring at all. This is such a shame! But perhaps this author has never been transported in that way? I don't know...it read more like a romance. When, oh when, would "Jack" wake up and show his love for Joy? The whole book hinged on waiting for him...Joy went through her own development, but was always waiting for him to come around...And finally, at the end, he did. 

I was also not convinced in the story that Joy really cared as much about her boys as this author tried to show. She left them for months at a time, and when she finally gained custody, she sent them to boarding school. All the heartache and longing she felt for the boys did not feel genuine to me...Of course this is the "fiction" of the novel, and who knows what was really felt or done?

I do like the way the author portrayed C.S. Lewis. He is shown as kind, caring, and very gentle. I liked that portrayal and feel it's probably true. The author listed a lot of sources, so I may delve into a couple in particular, written by one of Joy's sons. His perspective would be interesting. I don't trust this author's interpretation, so I'll find out for myself!

I loved the descriptions of Oxford and would love to go and visit. I didn't realize that C.S. Lewis wasn't as honored there and eventually taught at Cambridge instead. All of his "rooms" and lectures the whole environment made me want to go and visit for myself. Maybe someday...

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

This book came highly recommended by those who like epostolary novels, which I do. However, this one is too short and its allusions are too obscure for me to appreciate. Still, it was an enjoyable, charming, and quick read. What's also interesting is that it begins in 1949 and goes through 1969--an incredibly important time span in MY life. I enjoyed some to the cultural things going on, though there wasn't much of that; mainly at the beginning when the British folks had rationing, and the New Yorker could order them food.

It was so sad that this author, Helene Hanff, the writer of the letters to the amazing and charming British bookseller, never made it to London to visit this beloved place in person. Her letters brought her close to the workers there, and even their families--it was so sad she never got there in person. I also enjoyed their descriptions of the books and their creamy pages...The prices were amazing for these collectors' items...it was fun to read about those aspects... 

I am definitely a book lover, and the worlds it creates for me...especially at this time of my life when I have time to enjoy them. I am becoming more discerning, too, and really appreciate a good read as opposed to most of the fluff coming out today...

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion - Volume 5 - by Beth Brower

 Oh, my, the fun continues!

I was really trying hard to stay focused on my lesson prep (Genesis) for Gospel Doctrine, AND I was excited to read this when it finally got to me from the library. Thank Heaven, I was able to discipline myself, prepare a really different kind of Gospel Doctrine Lesson (two little plays portraying Sarah, Jehovah, and Abraham) AND enjoy this book, but not overly so. It was delightful this afternoon to have my lesson go well, and to be able to enjoy the sweet Christmas and New Year's ending of this book.

In this volume, Emma attempts to track the Roman's movements by culling sightings from the citizens of the neighborhood. She begins to recover from Maxwell's burial, and there are some especially poignant thoughts about grieving. Especially at the end, when Hawkes invites her to confession and she tells him about the beginnings of her recovery. 

Another riveting scene is when Jack calls in his favor and takes Emma to see his dying mother. It's an almost violent scene and heart-breaking. But Emma endures it well, and becomes a confidante to Jack at the end. 

There are sweet moments with Agnes and Parian and Pierce, but he's definitely drinking to excess these days, and Emma notices. Will she become his rescue as he was for her? And there's a deepening entertaining relationship between Emma and Islington which is pure delightful banter. So good!

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volume 4, by Beth Brower

 Oh, my goodness, these just get better and better. Volume 4 hits high and it hits deep...Emma goes to Maxwell's burial and is ripped open by grief. The way Pierce comforts her is beautiful. The alchemy between the four main characters is discovered and deepens...Young Hawkes, Emma, Islington, and Pierce. Who doesn't want to be "one of the guys" in a very feminine and protected way? Browers portrays this emerging partnership beautifully. You really want to inhabit this world. So sweet...and yet her grief over Maxwell's loss is so poignant. Maybe this is a great example of knowing the bitter so you can learn to prize the sweet???

That would be an appropriate message as I am studying Moses right now, and the contrast between bitter and sweet and between learning to prize the good comes up a LOT. 

I'm on the waiting list for the next two volumes...I've also put holds on the audio. I think I would enjoy listening to some of these volumes again and again...

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volume 2, by Beth Brower

Oh my gosh, I love this Emma M. Lion, and smirk and smile and occasionally laugh out loud at her writing and her situations. I'm still frustrated that each book is so short and that there is such a long wait for each one at the library, but I love them so much I'm sticking with them. I heard somewhere that additional volumes are coming out beyond the seven that are out now, so I wonder if I should go ahead and just purchase the first group? THEY ARE THAT GOOD!

It's so refreshing to have comical and interesting characters and then to throw in some royalty and snobbery and some greed... Really, each page is delightful. In this volume, Emma begins her job as a foil to her cousin Arabella and attends all sorts of interesting social events. She gets to know her Tenant next door, and there is obviously some chemistry brewing. Then her childhood nemesis, Roland, also creates some love tension...and there is a duke in the neighborhood who stops in and is totally entertained by the unusual and unexpected antics of Emma. 

In this volume, Emma and her friend Mary's boyfriend, Jack, conspire to return to her boarding school to retrieve a three-volume set of Jane Eyre, spurred on by a meeting of "the Janes" in her Lapis Lazuli house. The Tenant asks to rent the salon for his studio, so that will probably heat up the action in the next volume. So fun! Such a relief to read funny, witty, and clean and clever fiction!!!

August 13, 2026

Here I am, the second time through, and I am savoring every page. The retrieval of the Jane Eyre volumes with Jack sets in motion an interesting set of favors. I am also very cognizant of "stormy" Mr. Pierce; and Emma even slips and likens him to Mr. Rochester! I think I might like this series even better the second time through because the bread crumbs and hints are now recognizable, and they aren't as evident when you're new to Emma's world. So good! Now that the British version is out, maybe I need to buy those instead? We shall see... The library still takes a L   O    N   G  time to come through. 

Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton - listened on Libby - 6 hours 46 minutes, read by Louise Brealey

 My sister Alice Jane mentioned that she really enjoyed this book, so I decided to give it a try. It was a bonus that it was available on Libby with no waiting. Nice! It was peaceful company for me on many walks. I especially enjoyed the six minute interview at the end of the book with the author. 

It's a meditative book, a memoir, a natural history, and a call to action to view wildlife differently and accommodate them as well. I never expected to learn so much about hares nor about what one can discover as one slows down and observes nature for weeks and months at a time. This is the second book I've read recently that had a Covid-connection. Tom Lake was set during the pandemic, and this book was only possible because the author was sequestered. Interesting results!

I wouldn't go so far as to say the book was captivating, but it was engaging. The hares in the story are delightful and interesting to learn about. The author's reflection on what she learned and how she changed by raising the hares was illuminating. Jane liked it so much that she sent a hard copy to John to read. I don't know if it will hold his interest, but it certainly could. It will also help him consider the many different aspects of trying to save a wild creature. So many rich moral issues... He may be a little young to be interested in those, but you never know. The other two family members who might like it are Bruce and Terri, so I will recommend it to them. The many thoughts about pet vs. wild, tame vs. untamed, and when and how to interfere with nature are all good food for thought. And this author deals with them with great openness and vulnerability. I think I'll also recommend it to Glen Whipple. It might be right up his alley...

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. 

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!

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. 

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. 

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...

My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella

 This audio book was twelve hours of wit and fun and romance and juicy story. It was the perfect kind of book to keep me totally entertained as I drove from Vacaville to St. George over two days in rainy November!

As I drove the "country roads" south of Vacaville to connect with Highway 99, it kept me calm and going. I didn't even worry too much about the signs warning of potential flooding, but kept on going. The tone of this engaging story is light and funny, so it helped me not take myself too seriously! Honestly, it made the drive home pleasant.

When I neared Vegas, I didn't want to stop the story so I could shop at Ikea. But I did, and the break was very good for me! 

I really enjoyed the obvious short-sightedness of the immature Katie, who became Kat when she moved to London. As the story rolled on, and she gained maturity, she returned to Katie and revealed more and more of who she really was. Although it's light and fun and silly, the basic message of being yourself was a really good one for young adults, or really for anyone of any age! Her obsession with her boss's, Demeter's lifestyle, was a cautionary tale of truth! 

I also related to her struggle to remain in London or return to her country life; the struggle of having to choose reminded me of returning to America after my sojourn in Berlin. Can you really have the best of both worlds? I'm wondering about that as I watch Joerg be very homesick for Germany. He thought he had chosen, but now I see some regret creeping in... An interesting dilemma for sure. 

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

 This was the most challenging of Dickens' books for me so far. There were quite a few long passages that I did not understand AT ALL, which made it difficult to get the flow of the plot. Still, I plowed ahead, hoping it would make sense in time. Some of it did, and some of it didn't. The culminating scene when the old professor is quoted as to what happened to him left me totally clueless. I couldn't understand how those words condemned him. Re reading didn't help, either. Finally, I consulted Google and some analysis was helpful. I was frustrated that I couldn't work it out myself. However, the time Dickens wrote was so very different; their words and phrases are different, and that didn't help. I got the gist, with help, and was enchanted with some of the classic characters...Like Madame DeFarge. Evil incarnate! It also made me more curious about the French Revolution. Maybe with more of that background, it would have been easier to understand. I love the way Dickens portrays love and loyalty. Those parts were inspiring. I may give this one another try, to see if it will be easier next time...

Pride and Prescience: Or, A Truth Universally Acknowledged by Carrie Barrus

 I was browsing in the St. George library and saw this book in a display. I picked it up and read the first few paragraphs and figured it had potential. I'm a huge Jane Austen fan, and hoped it might be in a similar realm. It was not. Not even close! This book was ponderous and boring and stilited. I kept thinking I should give it up because it was going nowhere, but there was a murder to be solved, so I stuck with it to learn the culprit. I got to the most unsatisfying end, and realized I should have quit far sooner. There was no character development and really no explanation as to the magic involved in the mysterious artifacts. It was just a strange boring setting for Elizabeth and Darcy to superficially interact. I should know by now that Austen is in a class by herself!!! Will I ever learn? At least I didn't waste any money on the deal. Only time, which is perhaps even more valuable!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

 When this book first came out, there was great excitement, and it seemed everyone loved this story. Back in the day (1997?) I wanted to see what the fuss was about, so I read it. I recall thinking, Huh. Not particularly impressive. Fun, cute, but nothing great. And I didn't continue on reading the rest of the series. Because Henry has chosen to go to Universal Studios to see the Harry Potter part of that, I figured I ought to give it another chance. After all, I don't want to be ignorant of what we're seeing. So, I borrowed a copy from my friend Dawna Gower, and just finished it this afternoon.

I was hoping I would see it differently now, and that I would enjoy it more this time around. I am sorry to say that mostly I enjoyed it less! There are too many characters to keep track of! They are fairly one-dimensional. I liked some of the interesting concepts like unicorns being so special, and owls being messengers, but overall it was rather ho hum. I do admire Rowling's imagination, though. I could never create a game like Quidditch! There were clever book titles and educational traditions like wearing cloaks and learning spells, but it got a little redundant by the end of the book. One thing I did really like was the development of the friendship between Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They didn't like her at all at first, but they were all able to grow and become fast friends through their experiences together. I liked that message.

When I was about half-way through, I thought I should seek to borrow Book 2, because I was still thinking it was enjoyable enough to continue. Today, though, now that I'm finished with Book 1, I don't have much interest in Book 2 or beyond. Maybe watching the movies will be better prep for the Universal Studios anyway. Like the books, though, I've only seen one of the movies, and that was years ago, and all I can remember is that it was very dark. We'll see...

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

 This is the second book by this author, and it is every bit as good as the first, which I enjoyed a couple of months ago. I am so delighted by this author's humor and his keen eye for characters and interesting details. This plot got a little twisty, but I was able to follow 95% of it.

One thing that particularly stood out to me is the way Elizabeth treats her husband Stephen. And how she thinks about him. His dementia is increasing, and she treats him wonderfully! I found it truly inspiring and instructive. She honors him, she dotes on him, she agrees with him! 

You could almost call this a "cozy mystery" although there is plenty of blood. What makes it cozy is the four friends who live in a senior community and love and support each other. Their capers are inventive and their conversations are hilarious. Their misunderstanding of modern culture often gets them into funny situations as well. Often criminals and others underestimate their abilities and that makes for good  humor as well. I just read there's a third one coming out and I will be ordering it post haste!!!

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James

 I have found that most authors who attempt either serious or light-handed work with Jane Austen's characters fall very far short. P.D. James, though, does better than most! I found this hard copy on the "For Sale" shelf at the Santa Clara library. I thought, "Why not?" It's worth the risk of a dollar. Before I risked, it though, I did a quick Amazon review read of James. She is quite the accomplished author, so it's no wonder she did a good job with Mr. and Mrs. Darcy!

This is a mystery with a lot of details and clues along the way. Because I love the P & P characters, especially Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy, it was fun to see them so happily married and thriving. Other familiar characters also make an appearance, and James is true to their personalities. The characters lacking integrity get their comeuppance, and that is always satisfying. 

And the mystery aspect kept me turning the pages and reading much later than I should have. It's a keeper which I will enjoy again sometime in the future. And while James is true to the characters, she is less apt to expound or comment in lengthy phrases on the happenings. And the Austen wit is less in evidence. So it's an easier, lighter read all around. Perfect for the little get-aways that I enjoy when I read before bed!

In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner by Elizabeth George

 I happened on to this author when I was searching Amazon for a different author I had heard about in a podcast. The reviews were so glowing, I thought I should try one. This particular mystery was very well-written with very intriguing English characters. However, the crime and milieu were so unpleasant that it kind of darkened my mood. The plot uncovered a specialized prostitution ring that had S&M as its main attraction. I was dismayed by the level of detail and descriptions of S&M, and probably should have left it alone. However, the Scotland Yard detectives were admirable, and I really wanted to know how they would eventually solve the murder that began the story. I finished it on our flight to Florida, and it made those four to six hours go by very quickly! I may try another one by this author, but will be more careful to read the reviews and see what the gist of the crime is before choosing one! This is #10 in a series of Inspector Lynley books, and I really liked his character as he tried to discipline Detective Barbara Havers. After a little break, I may try another one in this series. I really appreciate good writing and colorful, real characters, which this one definitely had!

The Secret Life of Fungi by Aliya Whiteley

 This was a sweet little book gifted to me for Christmas by Glen and Darla Whipple. Their daughter, Michelle recommended it, and they are reading it too.

I found it entertaining, fascinating in parts, and full of wonder. I like reading and learning about the natural world. And the world of fungi IS fascinating and pervasive in our world. I had no idea they were EVERYWHERE! I liked how Whiteley related some of her personal story as she revealed what she learned about fungi. I always like a good English setting, so that was a plus. She describes the smells and sights of the forest beautifully. I also appreciated the short chapters... I could take this book in small chunks and savor each one. 

I enjoyed it, but it is not a repeat read or a keeper for me. I'm trying to think of someone to give it to who would like it. It's such a pretty little book with a great cover. So...do I keep it for that????

The Kennedy Debutante by Kerri Maher

 This was a gift from Rulona Stevenson for Christmas and it was the perfect "take me away" kind of story. It has so many real characters and is based on a real person, so there's history unfolding as well as a good story. The author, Kerri Maher, is a good writer and while it's not BEAUTIFUL prose, it's descriptive and entertaining. Not banal, although sometimes the characters seem a bit that way!

I'm sure it would be a mistake to assume that any of this is "TRUTH," but it was still interesting to wonder if this is indeed the way the Kennedy family lived and breathed. And how they used their influence. It sounds like a continuous round of parties and charity balls, and I never really got the sense of much of substance. The competition and athleticism of the Kennedy family was interesting to speculate about, as was the closeness of the siblings.

It was a wonder to me that although her brothers' and father's carousing bothered her, she never confronted any of it. Not sure how she would have, but the hypocrisy must have been hard to live with. And her mother, Rose, and her desperate clinging to her religion with no real explanation as to how or why was weird. Kick, the main character, struggles through the whole book about her love for Billy, but because he's a Protestant, she can't marry him. The whole story centers on this controversy, though we never learn exactly what it is that is objectionable. Maybe I"m weird, but I would have learned a lot from a more detailed and enlightening discussion of the divisive issues, or at least WHY the Catholic church thought you would go to hell if you married outside the faith. That would have enhanced the story for me.

Yet, this love story and Kick's struggle to help her sisters and resolve her issues was interesting to read about. It's a story told with a sympathetic view of her, and she definitely had admirable characteristics. It is a perfect light and clean and entertaining story.