Hello, friends. It's hard to believe today is the last full day of summer. As much as I love fall, I'm still sad to see it end. This has been such a pleasant, low-stress summer for us - and after the past few years, we've appreciated it so much! We're back home after spending ten days in central NY visiting my parents, celebrating my mother's 90th birthday, and catching up with old friends. It was a wonderful trip, but it took most of this past week to get caught up. Here are the books I've finished since my last post...
Recent reading//
Good Morning Comrades by Onjake
This was the latest selection of my World Lit book club. It's a short novel set in 1990 Angola and told through the eyes of a 12-year-old schoolboy. At that time Angola was no longer a Portuguese colony, but is in the midst of civil war. The boy tells of a criminal gang randomly attacking schools, pokes fun at his Cuban teachers, and is amazed that his visiting Portuguese aunt does not live with rationing. Viewing a political situation from a child's perspective made this an interesting read. I didn't know much about Angola's history, so spent a little time reading up on it first. That was very helpful.
⭐⭐⭐
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 1 by Beth Brower
The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s
Have you heard about the Emma M. Lions series? They seem to be developing quite a following and I thought the first installment was a delight. My plan is to read the rest of the series, one per month, for the next seven months. Fans say these books just get better as the series progresses. The audio edition is available on hoopla and definitely added to my enjoyment.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This Motherless Land by Nikki May
This is the September selection of the MMD book club and I loved it! Set in Nigeria and London from the 1970s - 1990s, it's billed as a modern retelling of Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (which I reread last month) but you don't need to know anything about Austen's story to appreciate this one.
This is a novel that highlights family dynamics, race, culture, identity, and belonging. Funke, the quiet, studious daughter of a wealthy British mother (disowned by her family) and a Nigerian father, is sent to live with her mother's relatives in London after a tragic accident. The family is cold and distant with the exception of her cousin Liv. They develop a close relationship that is tested as the novel unfolds.
The story is at turns beautiful and gut-wrenching. It was a read/listen combination for me and the dual-narrator audio production is outstanding!
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
Current reading//
No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson by Gardiner Harris
Another read/listen combination, this is both unputdownable and infuriating.
Writers & Lovers by Lily King (reread)
I'm enjoying this book just as much the second time around.
Dracula Daily by Bram Stoker
An ongoing, real time readalong... it's getting good now!
The week ahead//
We have some friends coming to visit for a few days midweek. We'll probably hit some of the more touristy attractions - always a good time. Our new gas fireplace unit is being installed Thursday. The mornings are getting a little chilly, so I'll be glad to see the old broken unit go! We may even get some much-needed rain. Fingers crossed!
How was your week? What have you been reading?
Your book selection is very intriguing — I need some new reading ideas and this might be the way to go.
ReplyDeleteMae - Hope one of these appeals to you. I love getting ideas from other bloggers.
DeleteI'm glad to see how much you enjoyed This Motherless Land. I just finished Village School, and I imagine that the Emma M. Lion series might be similar.
ReplyDeleteI'm eager to hear more about No More Tears when you finish it.
Deb - Village School has been on my list for years! I should finally read it and compare.
DeleteI arrived in upstate NY yesterday for a visit with my daughter. It's nice to have a change of location and pace.
ReplyDeleteHelen - Hope you enjoy your stay. It's still a little early for bright fall colors, but you may start seeing some changes by the end of the week. Hope your daughter's semester is off to a good start!
DeleteHappy 90th to your mom! Since I hate hot weather, the end of summer cannot come fast enough.
ReplyDeleteJinjer - Thanks! My Dad will celebrate his 90th in a few months, too.
DeleteI thought I'd commented on this post already, glad I rechecked. I've been wanting to get an electric fireplace for the few times a year we need a little heat. We have a long one that sits along the wall in the middle of the house that keeps every room warm but I think the ones that look like a fireplace are so pretty! How are you liking the one you bought? I'm going to get a copy of No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson. That's what I used on my 3 babies.
ReplyDeleteVicki - We replaced the unit with exactly the same model as the one that was here, so it should be fine. My parents have one with a more powerful blower, so theirs provides even more heat.
DeleteI'm so glad you have your parents and can enjoy visits with them. I get a bit teary just thinking about how important visits like that was for me with mine. And I'm interested to hear about your reads. I am hoping I can get the new Lily King book from the library soon. People seem to be liking it -- so I'm keen to get to it. Happy reading.
ReplyDeleteSusan - We are so thankful to have this time with our parents. It feels like each day is a blessing... sending you a hug. I hope I can get the new Lily King novel soon, too. The early reviews sound promising.
DeleteGlad you guys got to spend time with your Mom for her 90th. Fall is coming, right? Well, not so much in my area yet, but it will eventually arrive. I'll be interested what you think about that Johnson & Johnson book. Not really tempted to read it myself, but curious what your reaction will be. Non-fiction and I just really don't mesh too much. LOL
ReplyDeleteKay - And now that it's officially fall, the temp and humidity are both heading back up. Crazy, lol! The J&J book is literally making my blood boil... talk about blatant lies and deception! Profit above patient safety seem to be the prevailing culture... grrr! Hope to finish later this week.
DeleteI hope you enjoy your time with your friends
ReplyDeleteNo More Tears intrigues me.
Wishing you a happy reading week
Shelleyrae - As a retired pharmacist, I am both fascinated and angered by No More Tears. Looking forward to seeing our friends in a couple of days.
DeleteHappy 90th to your Mom. I’m glad you had a great summer. I hope you have a wonderful stress-free Fall as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks you, Jodie. Happy fall!
DeleteI still have not gotten to the Lily King book but it's fast moving up on my to-read list. I am reading a nonfcition by Daphne du Maurier now about Cornwall.
ReplyDeleteIt's still summer temps here, hating on it, but hoping fall temps and breezes arrive soon. We love sitting on the back porch at night when it's cool.
Happy birthday to your mom and enjoy your visit with your friends! I haven't heard of the Emma Lion books but I think I need to fix that. It looks like a book I'd enjoy. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a lovely summer. Ours was pretty stress-free, too. I am sad to see it end since I know it won't be long until we're in the rainy season, but we're heading out on another short trip, which should be fun. We got back from our time down in Bodega Bay, had my brother and SIL visit for a few days, and are busy catching up before we head out again. We're taking my mom down to Bandon for a few days, staying at a spot on the beach instead of in the RV for a change! The weather should be nice, so we're all excited!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Comrades sounds very good. I'll add it to my library list. I'm ready for a good audiobook, so I'll see about getting This Motherless Land. I just finished Project Hail Mary and nothing has grabbed me. No More Tears might be a good one to try on audio, as well.
Hope you have a good visit with your friends. Always fun to play tourist in your own community. Take care, JoAnn!
Good Morning Comrades sounds so interesting--I know nothing about Angola, and the story from a child's perspective would be both innovative and moving.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of the Emma M. Lion series, but I am totally intrigued. Audio sounds like a good option here!
I do love the fall, but I was sad to see summer go too. Hopefully though this means cooler weather will be coming my way soon. I am glad you had a nice visit in Central New York. It's always nice to come home though, isn't it? I am reading a modern day re-telling of a Jane Austen novel (Pride and Prejudice) right now so when you mentioned This Motherless Land is also a Jane Austen re-telling, my interest was immediately piqued. I actually haven't read Mansfield Park yet though. My current audiobook is Lady Susan. I'm really enjoying it. I hope you are having a great week!
ReplyDelete