City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert

I just finished this novel yesterday and couldn't wait to share it. I loved every page!

This is the fascinating story of Vivian Morris. In 1940, she is kicked out of Vassar for poor performance, which doesn't faze the nineteen year old who wasn't interested in the studies of, or people who attend, Vassar.

Her privileged and affluent family is appalled and send Vivian to New York city to live with her aunt Peg.  Vivian barely knows her aunt, who lives in a giant forlorn building that houses the "Lily Playhouse", but discovers, to her delight, that her aunt is nothing like anyone she has ever known.

The spirited but innocent Vivian is introduced to the work of showgirls, writers, actors, musicians, and dancers and discovers that her talent for sewing allows her to become part of the many small productions as their costume designer. During this time she meets many fascinating characters, explores her own new found freedoms and is delighted in her unconventional lifestyle.

The story follows Vivian through a world war, scandals, loves and losses, heartbreaks and triumphs to the 1970's... and all of the lessons that she learned along the way.

I highly recommend this one!

"Life is both fleeting and dangerous, and there is no point in denying yourself pleasure, or being anything other than what you are." - City of Girls

I do. Always.

The Myth of Perpetual Summer by Susan Crandall

An absorbing, well crafted novel.

Tallulah, a young girl, has parents with an extreme volatile relationship. Her father suffers from severe manic depression, and her mother doesn't really want to be a mother... but has four children.

At a young age, Tallulah takes the responsibility of protecting her family’s reputation and raising her younger siblings, her only assistance is her older brother and her very Southern "old school" grandmother. 

In her teens she escapes to the promise of California, only to discover that even with great distance, the dysfunction of her childhood is still very much a part of her life.

When the disaster of her siblings upbringing causes one of her brothers to commit a terrible crime, Tallulah must return home to try to piece her family back together again.  

Katy No-Pocket by Emmy Payne

Another childhood favorite!

Katy, a kangaroo, is sad because she doesn't have a pocket to carry her little joey in like all of the other mother kangaroos do.

She decides to ask all of the other animal mothers how they carry their babies to see if one might work for her. None seem to be able to help until ash speaks to an owl who tells her to try going to the city to see if she could buy a pocket.

In the city, she encounters a kindly construction worker who is wearing an apron with a BUNCH of POCKETS! This kindly man, upon hearing of Katy's troubles, instantly dumps the tools from his apron and gives it to Katy. 

She is no longer "Katy no pocket". She has more pockets than any other Kangaroo mother in the world!

A sweet story.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

I savored every page of this novel. Loved it and highly recommend it.

This is the story of Kya. The book begins when she is seven and lives in a ramshackle cabin with her abusive father, mother and siblings in the marshes and swamps of North Carolina.  One day her mother leaves... and never returns.  Shortly thereafter, her siblings leave as well, leaving Kya alone with her father. Over the years her angry father spends less and less time at the cabin, and Kya realizes one day, that he was also gone forever.

Kya has, by necessity, grown fiercely independent, living off what the land provides, studying the animals and plants, and occasionally trading goods with the friendly man at a small local shop.

When she is 14, she meets a boy named Tate who becomes her first friend. Tate teaches her to read and helps her to discover books about the nature and animals that she so loves, that have surrounded her for all of her life, and kept her alive. She falls in love with Tate, and he with her.

However, after several years, he leaves for college, vowing to return... but he too never comes back.

Feeling abandoned by everyone in her life, she makes a new friend of a local boy named Chase who is a member of a prominent local family. She is once again in love and happy, at least until Chase's body is found, and then her life is changed forever.

Part coming of age story, largely a love letter to nature and animals, with just a bit of murder mystery thrown in... I couldn't get enough of this book. Fabulous!

The perfect (or purrrfect) bookmark.

Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris

This is the story of the perfect couple. Jack and Grace are beautiful, charming, wealthy and have the perfect marriage. They are the envy of everyone.

Unless you look closer. If you stop to notice, you'll realize that you never see Grace alone, Jack is always there. She doesn't work, but is always too busy to get together with friends... unless Jack is invited as well.

Something seems off, not quite right.   That, it turns out. is a massive understatement.

An exciting edge-of-your-seat, stay up late for just one more chapter, thriller of a novel.  

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson.

First published in 1955, this little book is still fun today.

Harold is a 4 year old who discovers that he can alter his world with a purple crayon. He uses his crayon to create things in his mind, leading him on adventures with a dragon, a sailboat on the ocean, a hot air balloon... and more!

The focus on imagination is important, especially in today's world where children seem to use their imaginations less and less.

Verity by Colleen Hoove

This is the 1st book that I've seen with an actual warning "Due to graphic scenes and mature content, this book is recommended for readers 18+". 
Intriguing! 

It DOES have some disturbing content and it DOES have quite a few rather graphic sex scenes, but it was a good thriller nonetheless. 

Lowen is a writer who, after a publishing one successful novel, finds herself financially strapped. 

She accepts a job from Jeremy, the husband of the bestselling author Verity Crawford. Lowen is to complete Verity's series, as Verity is unable to. While researching Verity's notes, Lowen discovers Verity's secret autobiography full of terrible and horrifying admissions. 

Chilling, but a good story and fun distraction from reality. I don't know about specific ages, but I would agree that it is intended for mature readers. 

Reward yourself.

Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

This is one the best series of all time. It appeals to EVERYONE, children, teens, adults... all love Harry Potter!

Unless you've lived under a rock, I'm assuming you have heard the story line of the young boy who discovers that his parents were both powerful wizards. He is taken from the home of his mean uncle and aunt to Hogwarts to live. Hogwarts is a magical, wonderful boarding school (more like a castle) for Wizards. Here Harry discovers not only his own magical gifts, but a whole new world of magic.

I read the first few of these with my young children before they decided to read the rest on their own. I went back and read the entire series myself, and was so glad that I did.

I highly recommend all seven books in the series this to anyone and everyone between the ages of 8 and 108.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton

Another children's book today. This was one of my favorites as a child. Bright wonderful illustrations and a sweet story.

This is a story of a little house built on a hill in the country.  The man who built it know that if he built it well, it would last for generations. 

The little house was happy as she watched the world around her, the animals and children through all of the seasons.  Over the years, she notices little changes. The roads, other houses being built around her. Then lots of traffic followed by gas stations. Then a subway and buildings so tall she could barley see the stars or even what season it was. The little changes had happened so slowly, but had become so big!

The little house grew sad. Would the little house ever be happy again?

How to Make an American Quilt Summary by Whitney Otto

I really enjoyed this novel about a small group of women in a small town in California who are all members of a small quilting group.

They work side by side, stitching their stories into the fabric, piecing together their histories in such a beautiful and communal way. Each quilt is unique, sharing memories from the past or hopes for the future or to celebrate events, each with a theme and a message all it's own.

The story is based around these women, but is also largely about a young woman named Finn, the granddaughter of one of these women who comes to visit. Finn is engaged to a man she loves, but is struggling to figure out her life and unsure of what to do with it.

With the help of these women of multi generations, much like a quilt being pieced together, the stories of each of these vibrant lady's lives becomes clear and entwined and come together to create something extraordinary, a stunning novel like a beautiful big cozy quilt. 

I highly enjoyed wrapping myself in this novel and suggest you do as well.

Read a book.

Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

This is an absolutely delicious Gothic novel.

A vampire named Louis tells a reporter about his 200 year long life story.

After the death of his wife, Louis was devastated and has a wish to end his life. One night he encounters Lestat, a vampire who longs for a companion. He changes Louis into a vampire to become just that. When Louis discovers that he is changed, he is horrified at the idea of feeding on humans and chooses a diet of animals, much to the amusement and disdain of Lestat. Gradually Louis accepts his nature and begins feeding on humans, but is forever repulsed by the lack of empathy or compassion Lestat shows for humans.

Their "lives" change when Louis finds a young girl crying over the body of her mother whom has died of the plague. Lestat changes this young girl into a vampire "daughter" for them and names her Claudia. Again, Louis is horrified that Lestat would do such a thing, but Louis eventually comes to love Claudia, and both vampires pamper and spoil her with riches and teach her how to be a vampire, which she takes to surprisingly well.

Claudia eventually discovers that she will never grow up, never be a woman, is forever a little girl and becomes hysterical and angry. She and Louis decide to part ways with Lestat, "killing" him. They leave to travel the globe in search of more of their own kind.

However, it is not so easy to kill a vampire... and Lestat isn't finished with his "family" just yet.

Book one in the Vampire Chronicles, it is a thrilling novel, traveling the globe over many years with wonderfully creepy characters, I highly recommend it.

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

This is one of the most important books ever written. 
Seriously. 
Should be required reading for every human on the planet.

First published in 1971, this story is more relevant today than ever.

Not just a story about protecting nature, but also speaks to the dangers of human destruction of the environment while placing the responsibility to take personal care of, and responsibility for, the environment squarely on the shoulders of every human.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not.” 
― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

A wonderful novel first published in 1960 and still very relevant today.

It is the story of Scout Finch, her lawyer father, Atticus, and her brother, Jem. They live in a small town in Alabama during the Great Depression. Scout is a rambunctious tomboy of a girl and she and her brother are typical children of that era, getting into mischief and living small town life. They become fascinated with an old spooky house in the neighborhood, the home of a mysterious and reclusive man named Boo Radley. Their shenanigans lead to an important lesson in judging people.

Meanwhile, Atticus takes a case to defend a black man who is accused of raping a white woman. He is met with much anger and disdain from the small white racist community, also leading to a lesson in not judging people but also that hatred and prejudice only harm people and communities.  

An excellent story that all should read, I believe.

This made me smile.

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

I finished this one recently. Part psychological thriller, part ghost story, compulsively readable. Kept me on the edge of my seat!

Rowan is in jail for murder, the murder of a child. Claiming innocence, she is writing to a lawyer trying to explain the events that lead to her arrest...

When Rowan lands a dream job as a well paid live-in nanny, she moves into her new employers home, a strange and mysterious house that has been remodeled into a combination of an ultra modern "smart" home while keeping some aspects of the original old Gothic Victorian. The wife and husband she will be working for are workaholic types, architects that must leave town often for business. They have two young daughters, a baby, and a rebellious teenager that spends her week days in a boarding school.

Upon her arrival, she is tossed right in when the parents leave town almost immediately. Rowan must learn to manage the strange house full of cameras and get to know the young girls she will be living with. The girls turn out to be somewhat troubled and a far cry from the perfect children she was lead to believe they were. Rowan must also care for the baby and two large dogs.

She does her best to fit into their lives, when things start to get strange. She discovers a "poison garden" on the property, a decrepit fenced in garden full of poisonous plants created years ago by the former owner, whose daughter accidentally died from ingesting one of the plants. There is also the endless creaking caused by the pacing footsteps in the attic above Rowan's bedroom by someone (or something) unknown.

It slowly dawns on her that she has made a big mistake.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This is a dystopian trilogy aimed at teens, but I thoroughly enjoyed them all and had a blast talking about them with both of my daughters after we had all read them. A good series to read with the whole family.

After the fall of North American and it's government, the country is now called Panem and it's leader is named "President Snow" . Panem is divided into twelve districts and has a capitol. At some point in the past, the twelve districts went to war with the capitol, the capitol defeated the rebels. Now, ever year the capitol has a competition called "the Hunger Games" where one boy and one girl ages 12-18, called "tributes", are chosen from each of the twelve districts in a ceremony called "the reaping". They are forced to fight each other to the death in the Hunger Games. The tributes are sent into a computerized world full of danger controlled by the capitol. The single survivor becomes the victor and is allowed to live and return home to their district with plenty of food, a rare commodity in the districts.

16 year old Katniss Everdeen, the hero of these stories and a strong female character, is chosen as a tribute after she offers to stand in when her young sister was chosen. This is her story, the story of life and the people in this dystopian society.

I liked and recommend all three of these books. The three movies based on these novels are also very well done with great casting. 

There has just recently been a new release (pictured at the bottom of this post), by the same author, of a "hunger games novel", which appears to be about President Snow in his younger years, but I have yet to read it, although I look forward to it.

                                       Just released.  A new Hunger Games novel:

And now for something complete different...

You are all the books you read...

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Ernst is an abusive and deeply troubled man. A Vietnam vet just back from the war who is struggling emotionally with the experience. He decides to move to the Alaskan wilderness with his wife, Cora, and daughter, Leni, to find a fresh start. His troubles, however, follow them into this lonely wilderness and they struggle to survive.

With winter fast approaching, they try to ready themselves, building, stock piling and supplying their home for the isolated months to come. Some of the few people that live in the area, many of whom are doomsday-er and survivalist types, try to help the struggling family to adapt. This rugged homesteading way of life greatly appeals to Ernst and his wounded soul and he slowly descends deeper into his anger.

Cora loves Ernst and forgives her husband's behavior while assuming the position of submissive and dutiful wife, while Leni rebels. 

When Leni falls in love with the son of the most prominent man in town, Tom, Ernst's jealousy and hatred of Tom grows and he joins some of the more fanatical folks in town while the dispute is inflamed and the situation is headed to a terrible climax.

A wonderful novel, absolutely captivating.

A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy

I recently finished this one, a first for me from this author, but certainly not the last. I really enjoyed it!

Mostly taking place on the West Coast of Ireland in a small town called Stonybridge. Chicky Starr has an old mansion high on the cliffs of the Atlantic that is quickly falling into disrepair. With the help of several friends and family, she decides to restore the old house and turn it into a cozy bed-n-breakfast.

The novel is written in an interesting way, dedicating a chapter each to one the characters in an almost short story fashion that culminates all the separate stories and characters in a full story at the end. 

It's an in-depth but fun way to tell the stories of Chicky, her friends and family as well as the very first guests coming to stay for a holiday, including an American movie star, a couple of doctors recovering from a traumatic event, a mother and soon to be mother-in-law that do not get along but were sent on holiday together by the soon-to-be husband/son, a young man who loves music but is forced to join the family business, a grumpy retired school principle, and others. Each character on a journey of their own that lead them to this inn high on the cliffs.

One reviewer from People wrote "Reading this novel is like ducking out of a cold rain into a fire-warmed pub filled with laughter.", and I couldn't agree more. It is a warm and moving novel and I highly recommend it! 

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

Another children's book, one of my favorites.

First published in 1936, Ferdinand is a young bull living in a pasture in Spain with his mother and many other young bulls. As they grew, the other young bulls liked to butt their heads to play battle, but Ferdinand, while large and strong, was peaceful and simply liked to sit and smell flowers.

One day as group of men come looking for the most ferocious bull to come and be their fighter, however they get wrong idea after watching the reaction of Ferdinand after he accidentally sits on a bee. They choose Ferdinand and name him "Ferdinand the Fierce", but become angry when the giant but peaceful bull refuses to fight.

A wonderful story with important topics such as animal rights and non-violence, and with lovey illustrations that will bring joy, this story is excellent for all young readers.

Something different...

Poetry isn't exactly fiction... and I'm not always a huge fan, however I do love this one.

In the light of how things are in the world during the first five months of 2020 in the USA with a global pandemic PLUS racial unrest and rioting all across the country for the last six days and nights following the murder of yet another unarmed back man -  leading to the President having to hide in a bunker while protesters set fire in front of the white house PLUS 100, 000+ sick with Covid 19 (just in the USA) PLUS 40+ million jobless claims.... I think this one speaks to me especially today, and maybe to you too?

The Quiet Mind by John Clare from "The Rural Muse":