The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna 11/6 (Kindle/library)
It’s a leap of faith to love people and let yourself be loved. It’s closing your eyes, stepping off a ledge into nothing, and trusting that you’ll fly rather than fall.
when someone leaves, all you can do is leave a window open for them so that one day, if they choose, they can come back.
“Who said anything about transforming the world?” He shrugged. “What about just making it a little better? And then a little better? And then a little more, until, one day, maybe long after we’re gone, it has transformed? You deserve more than what you’re allowing yourself to have.”
When Ghosts Come Home by Wiley Cash 11/7 (print/library)
Another annoying side note I read a hard cover library book which had a loose dust jacket.
A storm had passed between them, destroying every structure in sight and ripping trees from the earth, but neither of them would ever acknowledge the carnage, choosing instead to live exposed to the elements in silence.
Book of Queens by Pardis Mahdavi 11/8 (Kindle/library)
"The untold story of generations of Middle Eastern freedom fighters—horsewomen who safeguarded an ancient breed of Caspian horse—and their efforts to defend their homelands from the Taliban and others seeking to destroy them."
I found it more about the horses and the women who loved and breed them and not so much about the warriors. There were a couple chapters about the women in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban but much was on a farm(s) in Iran. Maryam is my favorite person in this book- she is the great (I think?) grandmother of the author. Her story alone is fascinating, encouraging and heartbreaking all in one. She winds up becoming a warrior in her own right- smuggling abused and battered women out of Iran on horseback, across the mountains to the community of women living in caves in Afghanistan.
There, in the hills between Herat and Mazar-i-Sharif, these sisters along with roughly two dozen other women had made their homes in a series of mountain caves. Some had children; others did not. No men were allowed. The women were raising an all-female army trained on horseback to protect themselves against the various rounds of invaders that threatened their country and families.
Louise didn’t mind. She loved the flames of strength that flickered in Maryam’s eyes when she spoke of the women of the caves.
The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright 11/9 (Kindle/own)
"Here. Coffee.” Eddie pushed a mug toward her as if it would magically solve the world’s problems. Wren sipped, considered, and swallowed. Perhaps it would.
Going Rogue: Rise and Shine Twenty Nine by Janet Evanovich 11/15 (Kindle/library)★★★
I’m always amazed at how you never destroy my cars the same way twice. This one is especially clever the way it’s impaled on the tree.
“First off, I’m not fat,” Lula said. “I’ve got an abundance of voluptuousness.”
House Lessons by Erica Bauermeister 11/17 (audio/hoopla)★★★★
An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten, Marlaine Delargy (Translator) 11/22 (eBook/library)
I was not crazy about this book. If it was not short and fulfilling a prompt for 52 Books- I probably would have DNF it.
Basically about an old lady who goes around murdering people who annoy her- and getting totally away with it because who would suspect this old lady of murdering people.
But she had learned that it was smart not to reveal that all her senses were in full working order; instead, she allowed people to act in accordance with their own preconceptions. This was often a useful source of information, and Maud could form her own opinion of the person and the situation.
The Vanishing Type (Secret, Book, & Scone Society #5) by Ellery Adams 11/22 (kindle/library)
This one takes place around Valentine's Day. A stranger in town is discovered dead in a ravine. (I totally called who the stranger was and why he was in town...just sayin').
I hate movie tie-in covers. They’re like the worst dressed at the Oscars. Whoever came up with the idea to replace cover art with what’s basically a movie poster should be exiled to Mars.
A bookstore is the perfect place to fall in love again and again and again. Every day is Valentine’s Day when you’re surrounded by books.
The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady by Sharon J. Mondragón 11/25 (print/own)
My original review from 2021 still stands-
This book was spectacular. A story of friendship, prayer, knitting and getting out of your comfort zone. I loved every one of the cast of characters. A hopeful, heartwarming story that made my laugh and cry, want to pray and knit and hug my mom and children. 💙
Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry by Mildred D. Taylor 11/29 (Kindle/library)
I chose this book for #27. Newbery Medal Winner in the 2023 52 Books challenge, it also took me to Mississippi for my reading across the 50 states challenge.
It's set in the 1930's and told from the perspective of a 9 year old Black girl.
There are things you can't back down on, things you gotta take a stand on. But it's up to you to decide what them things are. You have to demand respect in this world, ain't nobody just gonna hand it to you. How you carry yourself, what you stand for--that's how you gain respect. But, little one, ain't nobody's respect worth more than your own.
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry 11/30 (audio/library)
“Hi, my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name. My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead. If you like, you can consider what you’re about to read to be a message from the beyond, my beyond."
And knowing how his story ended just a short time later. I knew he had struggled with addiction, I never knew the extent of it. It sounded like maybe he found peace towards then end of his life. I hope he did.
Matthew Perry is synonymous with Chandler Bing to the point it felt like when he died- we were all mourning a fictional character not the true man. A very broken man.
It is very odd to live in a world where if you died, it would shock people but surprise no one.
“Martin Sheen turned to me and said, 'Do you know what Saint Peter says to everyone who tries to get into heaven?' When I looked blankly, the man who was once president said, 'Peter says, 'Don't you have any scars?' And when most would respond proudly, 'Well no, no I don't,' Peter says, 'Why not? Was there nothing worth fighting for?”
Addiction, the big terrible thing, is far too powerful for anyone to defeat alone. But together, one day at a time, we can beat it down.
Total: 11 2023: 96
Kindle/Ebook: 6 Print: 3 Audio: 2
Library: 9 Owned: 2 Borrowed: 0
Unread Shelf: 0 Purchased: 1
52 Books Challenge: 43/52
Reading Across the 50 States: 26/50
this month I added
- New Jersy- Going Rogue
- Mississippi- Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry
