Sunday, April 13, 2025

Early April Reviews



Hello, friends. It's Sunday again and, somehow, almost the middle of April! I've read several good books already this month, including two this week. So before I get too far behind, here's a quick review round-up.




Narrative nonfiction at is finest... this book is about the KKK's rise to power in the 1920s, the evil mastermind behind it, and the woman who ultimately brought about his, and eventually the Klan's, downfall. I was completely unaware of the history presented here, but the northern KKK's reach into the highest levels of local and state governments, particularly in Indiana, was staggering. In addition, its national aspirations and plans were downright scary. And most importantly, I found far too many chilling parallels to the current state of affairs in the US.

Egan's research is meticulous, and his skillful pacing and storytelling kept me turning the pages. Part of the book even reads like a legal thriller. I was positively riveted!  

A Fever in the Heartland  was a read/listen combination for me. Egan narrated the book himself and did an excellent job.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐




Kate & Frida by Kim Fay

Fay's previous novel, Love & Saffron, was a 5-star favorite back in 2022, so I was thrilled to win a kindle edition of her new novel from goodreads.  In Kate & Frida  I found another delightful epistolary novel, this time set in the early 1990s with letters between two twenty-somethings finding their way in the world. 

Frida, an aspiring war journalist in Paris, writes to a Seattle bookstore and her request is answered by Kate, a bookseller longing to become a writer. The two strike up a correspondence which develops into a true friendship. Along the way they discuss life, books, food, and much more. There are plenty of 90s pop culture references, too. I may purchase a hardcover copy to put on my shelf next to Love & Saffron.
⭐⭐⭐⭐





The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim

I've been thinking about an April reread of this classic for a few years, and jumped at the chance to join in a buddy read with some MMD friends. The Enchanted April, first published in 1922, tells the story of four very different English women, previously unknown to each other and each dissatisfied with her day-to-day life, who answer an ad to rent a castle in Italy for the month of April. The combination of the Italian sunshine, sea air, and wisteria cause their spirits to rise and unexpected changes begin to occur. After all these years, The Enchanted April  is still a favorite!

This was another read/listen combination and I very much enjoyed Eleanor Bron's narration.  I'm planning to watch the 1991 movie again this week, too.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


How is your April reading going? What have you been reading lately?








 

Sunday, April 6, 2025

March Wrap-up and April Reading Possibilities



Where did March go? I enjoyed visits from family members, time with friends, great beach weather, and some really good books! March is truly "high season" around here and the island was busier than it's been since before Hurricane Ian in 2022. Around 50% of hotel rooms and condos have been restored and the recovery continues. Restaurants, shops, and the bike paths are crowded. We're still waiting for a couple of favorite restaurants to come back (fingers crossed!) but other cities that have faced similar devastation have told us that it takes a full five years.

March was also my best reading month so far this year, in terms of both quantity and quality.


BOOKS READ IN MARCH

Three Apples Fell from the Sky by Narine Abgaryan - 4.5 stars
World Lit Book Club, fiction, in translation - my thoughts

I'll Come to You by Rebecca Kauffman - 4.5 stars
literary fiction - my thoughts

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler - 4 stars
 fiction - my thoughts

How to Stay Married by Harrison Scott Key
memoir, book club selection, not for me- my thoughts

You Are Here by David Nicholls - 5 stars
fiction - my thoughts






APRIL READING POSSIBILITIES 


A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan
narrative nonfiction, finished, review coming soon

Kate & Frida by Kim Fay
epistolary fiction, in progress

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim
classic, fiction, reread

Search by Michelle Huneven 
fiction, MMD May selection

Censoring an Iranian Love Story by Shahriar Mandanipour
fiction, in translation, World Lit book club
,
Wellness by Nathan Hill
fiction, priority TBR


Also in April//

Our time in Florida is winding down and our calendar for the month is filling up! We have a few home maintenance service calls, dinners with friends, a farewell gathering or two, plus another visit from our daughter and her husband coming up. We're also looking forward to Easter in just a couple of weeks. 


How was your month? What was your favorite March book?


Feeding time! Zoom in to see roseate spoonbills, wood storks, ibis, and great egrets.



 

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