Not much reading time this week. Gearing up for Election Day this Tuesday

It's a good read, but I seem to fall asleep before I get very far.

for Tuesday!

I just started Starling House by Alix Harrow and I’m clearly not going to get a lot done today because I was hooked at the end of chapter one and I would rather read than do my chores. I would say it’s a fantasy…which isn’t my go to genre but I have grown to love Alix Harrow so here I am.

Here’s a link to a synopsis of the book: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/65213595

That book sounds really good. I'll be reading it for sure.

It's snowing again. Second day. Wasn't supposed to. I'm thinking maybe some of that wicked storm in California found its way over here. Fortunately it warms up in the afternoon and mostly melts. Oh well, great excuse to just stay in and read.

titled This Tender Land after I saw it mentioned by someone in one of our previous weekly threads. I am hooked on this one already, esp the main character, Odie. Here's a blurb from amazon:

In the summer of 1932, on the banks of Minnesota’s Gilead River, Odie O’Banion is an orphan confined to the Lincoln Indian Training School, a pitiless place where his lively nature earns him the superintendent’s wrath. Forced to flee after committing a terrible crime, he and his brother, Albert, their best friend, Mose, and a brokenhearted little girl named Emmy steal away in a canoe, heading for the mighty Mississippi and a place to call their own.

Over the course of one summer, these four orphans journey into the unknown and cross paths with others who are adrift, from struggling farmers and traveling faith healers to displaced families and lost souls of all kinds. With the feel of a modern classic, This Tender Land is an enthralling, big-hearted epic that shows how the magnificent American landscape connects us all, haunts our dreams, and makes us whole.

Thanks.

It was quite good.

Now reading, "Shockwave," by John Sandford, another Virgil Flowers story. Those are always good, this one about a mad bomber going after a mega-billionaire that's building a Walmart type store in their town.

2011. I'm thinking back then I would have been kind of rooting for the bomber. I was never fond of the idea of Walmart and to this day never shop there.

The Neighbor sounds good. A young mother vanishes from her South Boston home, leaving behind only one witness -- her four-year-old daughter -- and one suspect -- her handsome, secretive husband.

Thanks for sharing.

I just literally finished Home Front by Kristin Hannah, about a female Blackhawk helicopter pilot and her deployment to Iraq. It was pretty good, but not as strong as The Women.

Next up is Block Party by Jaimie Day, about a cul-de-sac party and a murder. I live in a cul-de-sac, and things can get interesting as many of our neighbors are from different countries…..Sri Lanka, Germany, Guatemala, Peru, just to name a few.

I hope you’re enjoying Beyond That, I’m interested in how it translates on audio.

As always, thanks for this thread!

the very end of it. Such a sweet, sad story. Some reviews I read said they found it hard to read since it was 8 different narrators. Listening to it, with just one reader, I didn't notice that at all. I thought it all flowed together quite nicely. Everybody had a British accent.

Some chapters are only 3 pages, and some readers were complaining. I don’t do audio, mainly because ear pods are very uncomfortable for me. So I wondered about readers v. listeners, with the short chapters, written from the POV of eight characters.

Very interesting so far.

The start of an award-winning, cutting edge trilogy set in Nigeria, by one of science fiction's most engaging new voices.

Some Longmire family backstory. State corruption with stolen billions. Regular crew of the Bear, Cadie, and all.

Now re-reading Louise Penny/The Madness of Crowds. Post pandemic. How vile politics infect like a virus.

Catching details second time through and a bit of distance from Covid fear.

Still want to eat at the bistro. And browse Myrna’s books.

History buffs and hopeless romantics, prepare to be swept away by Linda Stewart Henley's "Kate's War"! Set against the backdrop of WWII-era Britain, twenty-year-old Kate is a spirited dreamer poised for a life of song and independence, only to see her world shattered by the relentless drumbeat of war.

This isn't your average "Blitz and blackouts" tale. Kate navigates air raids, societal upheavals, and a forbidden romance with both unwavering determination and the vulnerability of a woman on the cusp of adulthood. When she unexpectedly becomes a guardian for a young Jewish refugee, Kate's journey morphs into a testament to courage, sacrifice, and the unyielding strength of the female spirit in the face of unimaginable darkness.

Henley's writing is a delicious paradox – both evocative and witty. One moment you'll feel the grit of London's streets under your fingernails, the next you'll chuckle at the wartime banter, and throughout you'll want desperately to lend Kate a shoulder (or perhaps a stiff drink!). "Kate's War" is a vivid and moving portrait of a generation defined by bravery in the face of relentless fear. It's a tale of defying expectations, finding purpose in chaos, and discovering that love can ignite even in the darkest of times.

Let "Kate's War" sweep you away!

Karen Valby's "The Swans of Harlem" isn't just a book; it's a time machine, transporting you straight to the intoxicating heart of 1920s New York City. The Harlem Renaissance spills off the pages in vibrant color – the jazz clubs thrumming with life, the flappers defying convention with their bold style, and the speakeasies humming with the secrets of an era on the cusp of reinvention.

Valby's prose dances with the exuberant rhythm of the time. You'll practically hear the clink of champagne flutes and the infectious beats of jazz echoing through the streets. Her captivating writing paints a portrait of a time defined by the clash of tradition and rebellion, where figures like the enchanting Josephine Baker and the magnetic Langston Hughes became cultural icons.

Prepare to be swept into a whirlwind of glamorous parties, secret trysts, and audacious fashion that sets society ablaze. "The Swans of Harlem" is a captivating blend of fact and fiction, a tribute to the larger-than-life personalities who reshaped American society. Get ready for scandalous whispers, forbidden romances, and enough drama to fuel a thousand gossip columns.

Whether drawn by the allure of history or seeking a captivating story, Valby's novel delivers an experience as intoxicating as the era itself. So dim the lights, dress in your finest attire, and prepare to be transported into a world of dazzling personalities, artistic revolution, and the electrifying spirit of the Jazz Age.

Get ready to dive into "The Seduction of Sunni Sinclair", a novel that expertly blends tantalizing heat, insightful wit, and a healthy dash of delightful absurdity. Noel Mealey takes a classic romance trope and spices it up with a refreshing modern twist, creating a story that sizzles on the page and leaves a lasting impression.

Meet Sunni Sinclair – a force to be reckoned with. Ambitious, witty, and armed with a determination that could rival a conquering army, Sunni has her eyes on that coveted promotion. But when an irresistibly enigmatic boss enters the picture, her laser-sharp focus wavers. Attraction ignites a whirlwind of simmering tension, flirtatious exchanges, and enough unspoken longing to set the office ablaze.

Mealey's prose seduces with a playful elegance that will keep you hooked from the first chapter. Smoldering scenes are balanced perfectly with humorous interludes, creating a reading experience that's as exhilarating as it is entertaining. Don't be fooled by the steam, though; beneath the captivating surface lies a thoughtful exploration of female ambition, societal expectations, and the challenges women navigate in the corporate world. Sunni's journey is a testament to the fact that a woman can indeed have it all – a passionate love life, a fulfilling career, and an unshakable confidence in her own abilities.

So settle in and prepare to be charmed, amused, and possibly a little flustered by "The Seduction of Sunni Sinclair". This isn't merely a romance novel; it's a captivating story of desire, ambition, and the delightful power of embracing one's full self. Just remember to keep a fan nearby – things are about to get hot.

Marc Wanamaker and Steven Bingen's "Hollywood Behind the Lens" is a deliciously unvarnished exposé that lifts the veil on the organized chaos underpinning the glamorous realm of film-making. With a deft balance of reverence and irreverence, the authors invite readers to traverse the lesser-trodden paths of the industry, revealing the unsung heroes and occasional ego-fueled buffoonery that coalesce to manifest the silver screen's magic.

Wanamaker and Bingen's prose is a refreshing departure from the sycophantic narratives that often characterize Hollywood tell-alls. Their sarcastic asides and wry observations punctuate the genuine insights they offer into the intricate tapestry of collaboration and compromise that weaves together a successful production. From the meticulously orchestrated technicalities of lighting and sound to the delicate art of massaging mercurial talents, no stone is left unturned.

Particular delight is found in the authors' recounting of the industry's more farcical episodes, where the veneer of glamour and prestige is unceremoniously shattered by the all-too-human foibles of its most revered luminaries. One can scarcely stifle a chortle at the tales of tantrums thrown over the improper calibration of a trailer's climate control system or the utter meltdown incited by a misplaced hair extension.

Yet, beneath the mirth, there is a palpable reverence for the sheer ingenuity and perseverance required to bring a director's vision to fruition. Wanamaker and Bingen deftly underscore the oft-overlooked artistry of the unheralded crew members whose contributions are as vital as those of the marquee names.

I wholeheartedly recommend immersing oneself in this tome for two principal reasons:

Firstly, it offers an unprecedented glimpse into the intricate clockwork driving Hollywood's dream factory, bestowing upon the reader a newfound appreciation for the collaborative genius and logistical sorcery involved.

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it is an utterly engaging and entertaining read. Wanamaker and Bingen have struck a masterful balance between insightful elucidation and uproarious storytelling, ensuring that even the most jaded reader will find themselves utterly captivated from start to finish.

Let's face it, most historical accounts possess the same soporific qualities as an elderly professor's droning lecture. Edward Dolnick however, in his work *Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party*, proves a delightful exception. This historical adventure dives into the fascinating era of early paleontology, when Victorians stumbled upon evidence of a world so fantastical, it defied their carefully constructed worldview.

Dolnick's prose is a captivating blend of scientific rigor and delightful wit. The tales of eccentric (and at times egotistical) paleontologists such as Mary Anning, William Buckland, and Richard Owen are not merely informative, but immensely entertaining. One might easily envision this trio as characters in a particularly quirky costume drama; Anning, a woman defying social expectations with her sharp eye for fossils, and the flamboyantly zealous Buckland, whose gastronomic experiments on the animal kingdom are almost as unsettling as the strange creatures his science reveals.

What truly excels in this work is Dolnick's ability to convey the profound ripple effects these discoveries sent through the bedrock of Victorian society. The concept of extinction, of an Earth not meticulously designed for its current inhabitants, was both bewildering and unsettling. Yet, the sheer grandeur of these vanished prehistoric beasts ignited a flame of wonder, a sense that the planet's history stretched far beyond human comprehension.

Naturally, as with any scientific endeavor, the road is riddled with missteps and false leads—and Dolnick doesn't shy from these either. There's a subtle humor in witnessing once-revered scientists cling to theories that appear comically inaccurate from our vantage point. But this isn't mere mockery; it illuminates the very nature of scientific progress.

If you harbor any lingering notions of paleontology as a dry recitation of species names and geological strata, *Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party* will shatter them with gusto. This book is as much about the thrill of discovery as it is a testament to the human capacity for embracing a universe far more expansive and strange than ever imagined. I would highly recommend it to the discerning reader – although one word of caution: you might find yourself craving a roast iguanodon after turning the final page.