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?
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