The Year of Magical Thinking

 The Year of Magical Thinking 

by Joan Didion

Pages: 227

5 out of 5 stars

Following the sudden death of her husband, writer Joan Didion wasn't exactly sure how to grieve. Her daughter was also seriously ill and this kept her busy caring for her. Several times that first year, she thought she was losing her mind. Thankfully, she was brave and after that year, sat down and wrote about it. She shares her thoughts, her memories and how disjointed reality seemed. How the smallest thing would bring back memories of her husband and she'd be weeping in public. For anyone who has lost a spouse, a parent or perhaps a child I think this book could be helpful in knowing you are not alone. The out of time and place feelings you are having doesn't mean you are going crazy. Your world really has turned upside down. I wish I had read this book before my father-in-law passed away. I recognized some of the behaviors Didion described in how my mother-in-law acted the first couple of years after Dad died. I'd like to think I would have been better able to reach her and offer support if I had read this first. 

Kingsbane by Claire Legrand

Audric's mom really do be like Lady Catherine from Pride and Prejudice.... Also my boy gonna need therapy or something...
....Do you ever just see a relationship and love it, but you're also like.....this is going to crash and burn because someone is going to ruin it..... And the cinnamon roll will either not know anything or they will die from the agony.
,,,,,so that was spicy....
Also my brain is getting Wicked and Phantom of the Opera vibes. Except my cinnamon boy is too good to even be compared to Raoul....ugh..cringe.. even though he make stupid decisions....he's doing his best.
I did not sign up for this bamboozling...
Me watching characters do things....because.....yeah....why can't they just use their brains.....


624 Pages

The Center of Everything

 

The Center of Everything by Laura Moriarty

Pages: 252

4 out of 5 stars

Set in small town, Kerrville, Kansas, this novel is told by Evelyn Bucknow. Evelyn is a young girl, when we met her, her mom, Grandma and the neighbors in their ran-down apartment building. You share Evelyn's life and thoughts as she grows up - up to the point where she is ready to leave home for college. The people of Kerrville are in the center of the United States, but to Evelyn it might as well be the middle of nowhere. Evelyn's voice is authentic as a young girl and later teen, growing up in rural America in the 1980s during the Reagan years. 

Peace Talks (The Dresden Files #16)

Peace Talks (The Dresden Files #16) by Jim Butcher

Pages: 340

Rated: 4 out of 5 stars

We all know politics can be full of schemes, manipulation and downright dirty. Add to that beings of supernatural powers and energy with the own values and sense of fair play and you have an idea of the enormity of the task in front of Harry Dresden, Chicago's only professional wizard. 

The leaders of the supernatural world are meeting to hold, Peace Talks to negotiate an end to ongoing hostilities and maybe draw up a new accord, Harry is recruited to be on the White Council's security team. This does not relieve him of his duties as the White Knight to Queen Mab who decides now is a good time to trade Harry and his skills for favors owed to the leader of the White Court, vampires that feed off of human sexual energy. As if all that is not enough the Peace Talks are being held in Harry's hometown of Chicago and hosted by the only human to be included in the supernatural world's accords, Mob Boss Marcone. All the leaders want to gain some new advantage, Harry just wants to keep Chicago from being destroyed in the process. 

The True Tails of Baker and Taylor: The Library Cats Who Left Their Pawprints on a Small Town . . . and the World

 The True Tails of Baker and Taylor: The Library Cats Who Left Their Pawprints on a Small Town . . . and the World by Jan Louch and Lisa Rogak

Pages: 274

5 out of 5 stars

In this true story of Baker and Taylor, two library cats who not only lifted the spirits of the library staff struggling to meet the demands of a rapidly growing community, but the community itself, Jan Louch shares how the library came to have the two cats, how the book company Baker & Taylor came to use them as their mascots and make them feline celebrities. The cats even became pen pals to school children in another state and helped encourage reading and writing. 

For everyone who loves cats, but especially for those who also love books and libraries. 

Last Minute Additions

A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green

I loved his first book, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing,  in which metal alien statues-affectionately named Carl-land all over the planet and people go nuts. This sequel is even better! Carl is back, and saves a primary character through alien prosthetics, leaving her with an android-like appearance. The group of friends then have to face off against a hyper-realistic virtual reality gaming company with much more nefarious intentions.I think what I like most about these books is that the author is not afraid to comment on tough current issues-income inequality, social media conspiracies, information privacy, the list goes on and on. This was a very fun science fiction duology!

452 pages

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

Binti is the first of her people to attend Oomza University, even though it means she will be ostracized by her community. However, trying to maintain her traditions in a high-tech society also does not help her fit in with her peers. Then the Meduse attack.. I was amazed at how much world building Okorafor was able to put into 90 pages. This was a really good novella, and I will probably pick up the others in the short series.

90 pages

Read Harder Task #17


Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi

A loose retelling of Snow White set in a Massachusetts small town during the 1950's/60's. Boy escapes her abusive father, eventually falling in love with a carpenter. Their daughter, Bird, is dark skinned, and exposes them as African Americans passing for white. Honestly, I thought the plot dragged a bit, but that final plot twist at the end makes the story worth it.

308 pages

Read Harder Task #2



Fashion Jewelry: A beginner's guide to jewelry making by Courtney Legenhausen

I've been dabbling with some jewelry making for a while, and I thought I'd finally pick up a book to learn the actual techniques, instead of my current stumbling along with Pinterest and Youtube videos. Apparently I was opening jump rings wrong. I also know the correct way to finish a piece. And crimp beads are lifesavers. With lots of step by step pictures, I thought it was useful for a beginner.

175 pages




Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland

I wish they would have told me this was based on a true story up front, because I thought the premise was ridiculous-if this was fiction, why would someone write such a dismal novel? Florence, while training to prepare for her English Channel swim, accidentally drowns. Her family decides not to tell her sister, because they are afraid she will get upset and miscarry as she did before. So, we get six months of family members frantically trying to keep a secret. Meanwhile, there's a weird subplot about Florida real estate? I was not impressed.

309 pages




The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Xiomara feels unheard by her family, her church, and to some extent, her friends. Secretly dating Aman, and forced into confirmation classes by her mother, she channels her frustrations into her notebook. She finally finds her voice through an invitation to join her school's poetry slam club-allowing her to blossom. The audiobook of this is sooo good, and hearing the poetry spoken by the actual author is quite effective.

361 pages

Read Harder Task #8


The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue

This intense story follows the lives of three women in an Irish quarantined maternity ward over three days during the flu of 1918. The story is brutal, refusing to shy away from the reality of medical interventions, nauseating symptoms, and the brutality of poverty and the Irish orphanage system of the time. This book was very detailed, emotional and shocking. Definitely not for everyone, but I enjoyed it.

295 pages




Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh 

When Henry Silver arrives as a new resident of Greenhollow, his interest in folklore leads him to investigate the Wild Man of the wood. Dryads, old curses, a mysterious past, teen abductions, and a gentle romance compose this creative fantasy retelling of the Green Man myth. I thought it was a great debut, and I plan to look out for Tesh's next book.

109 pages




The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O'Neill

A companion novel to The Tea Dragon Society, this graphic novel provides some backstory for two society members of the first book. They return to Silverleaf village, where everyone lives alongside tea dragons. we meet a young dragon who has just awoken from an unintended 80 year nap. Once again the artwork is beautiful, the characters are diverse, and the tea dragons are adorable. I never thought I would see sign language in a graphic novel-it was very well done!

131 pages



Too Much and Never Enough by Mary L. Trump

I've been trying to stay away from reading political stuff right now (easier said than done), but the premise for this family narrative and memoir was too tempting. Mary's personal experiences, familial knowledge and clinical Ph.D psychologist's expertise give us a unique character study that certainly explains... a lot. Toxic families create toxic people. A very interesting read.

225 pages





The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

The reviews for this book were so positive, but I thought it was so bad. I get it, it's a memoir about grief, but using obscure references to celebrities and writers just left me lost and confused. Way too much name dropping, and not really much emotion, considering her situation. If I wasn't listening to the audiobook, I probably would not have finished this one.

227 pages




You Brought Me the Ocean by Alex Sanchez, Julie Maroh (ill.)

A coming of age story about friends drifting apart, college applications, and discovering your truth. Of course, the main character lives in a desert and has magical powers that react to water-you know, just to make it interesting. I don't think I've ever seen a comic focused entirely on Aqualad. I love how DC has been embracing such diverse characters lately. This was fun!

186 pages



And now I am FINALLY caught up so I don't have to do these crazy long posts.

History by C.L. Lynch

When you find a book on ebook, and you don't realize until you're like 1/3 of the way through that the book is twice as long as the first one, but you're not upset.
So I love that you can see the plot line of New Moon, but like....better...
HOWIE HOWIE HOWIE HOWIE HOWIE HOWIE. I love him. I love him so much. He is too pure. Too good for this world.
Me @ Stella:

also I'm really tempted to go off about Dean and literally all of the things that are wrong...."Babe".....like....come on....Also....Love is willing the good of the other over yourself, sooooo no..no Dean. Like I want to pull out my Catechism and Theology of the Body and throw them at his head and explain how he is not loving correctly... and yeah I mean THAT kind of loving. Because he's being super selfish and isn't thinking about her.
I love me a man who knows how to love his woman. Howie drinks respect women juice and I am here for it.

WHY ISN'T BIOLOGY OUT YET. WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY
694 Pages

The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh

Alexa play "A Whole New World"
Ok but Khalid being the sweetie that he is.....
....Families, and father figures in particular, suck, I guess.....
Is that a snake or someone pretending to be a snake.
I just want the cinnamon rolls to be happy, is that too much to ask?!?! It's not fair.
fsajkldfsjdaklfjsklafjsla;fjasfjlasjf;jsafj;
Also there are so many quotes to go in my Common Place journal once I start one.
THE EPILOGUE. I AM WRECKED.
The writing is so pretty and the chemistry and the tension and someone send help and someone buy me the hardcover edition of these books because the cover is gorgeous.
440 Pages

Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators

   Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators

by Ronan Farrow

Pages: 448

5 stars out of 5

This book made me angry. But, I think it is supposed to make you angry. Reporter Ronan Farrow stumbled upon a conspiracy that had long protected men in power in the media, the government, the world of finance and Hollywood.  As he dug deeper to find out how many women had been sexually harassed and some assaulted, he discovered a network that covered up what was going on for decades. Women were afraid to come forward both because of a threat to their careers but for some their life and the lives of the family members had also been threatened. Some people disappeared. Ronan thought about backing off the story when he realized he was being followed and photographed but his partner and his sister kept encouraging him not to be another  man who had let these women down. He lost his job and had to sell the story freelance but eventually the truth won out. Several people in this book have recently been convicted of their crimes while others are still awaiting trial. Sadly, some are still protected. 

Breaking Point (I-Team #5) by Pamela Clare

Summary: "While investigating border violence in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, Denver journalist Natalie Benoit is caught in a bloody ambush and taken captive. Alone in the hands of ruthless killers, she will need every ounce of courage she possesses to survive."

I read this on my Kindle, as I love a good cartel/narcos story! Part of me regrets reading the I-Team series out of order, because the characters from the previous books are definitely present in this story.

405 pages

MOBIUS | goodreads

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Dude the Caliph is Zuko with his two swords.

Alexa play "Speechless" from Aladdin.
I love Shahrzad. She fierce. Shazi is so BA. I love her.
Also all of the mystery of Khalid.... and his angst, and his walls and his secrets. I'm fine. He protec. (and he has anger issues, like same).
Jalal.... Bro... like....Mr. Bingley vibes, anyone?
The drama. The tension. The chemistry.
ALL OF THE ANGST AND THE YEARNING. I LIVE FOR YEARNING AND PINING. Send help.
Despina. Heart eyes.
Also the writing is beautiful.
432 Pages

The Damned by Renee Ahdieh

I love Bastien.
Every time I hear Michael and the fact that he's a police person, my brain just jumps to Jane the Virgin.
Aaaaaand the world just got a whole lot bigger.
So those last few chapters....anyone?
416 Pages

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

Chef's kiss.
Literal perfection
fkldnslafjklds


I love the writing style. It's so pretttty
It's like the Cruel Prince but not, and it's amazing.
I love Rook. I love his sass. He is iconic. I want him to follow me around. I want to follow him around. My high expectations for men.... I'm dying alone... I love their relationship and I just can't... Like I can't handle the fdjklfdjklafjkld

Also I totally didn't go sit on youtube and watch ravens....
Those love proclamations.. My brain literally went to:

WHY ISN'T THIS A SERIES AND WHY ISN'T THIS LONGER
I NEED FANART AND FANFICTION. I NEED NOVELLAS. FDJLSASFJKLDL

320 Pages

The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E Pearson

My babies. Like..... Help me.
My girl. My queen. She fierce. She nice. She deserves the world, but the world doesn't deserve her.
Everyone protect my cinnamon roll that could kill anyone. yes. I'm leaving it that vague.
My angsty heart-broken babies.
Also I finally put together everyone, so I know how everything ends (like not in the details, but in broad strokes sooooooo) (because the Dance of Thieves/Vow of Thieves is like a sequel series but not soooooo cameos happen)
I live for devotion. I live for men who love fiercely and want to protect and honor and show devotion, but also like....let someone be their own person... OH respect. That's what I was looking for... Human dignity...that's a thing.
Curse my high expectations.
I JUST WANT THEM TO BE HAPPY AND HAVE TIME FOR A NAP. THEY ALL DESERVE ALL THE NAPS.
Like....the last few pages.... Stressed.
496 Pages

Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined by Stephenie Meyer

....Yeah I literally just read it for the gender-bend and the different ending.....
meh. I wish the descriptions were better...like....meh
400 Pages

Don't Know Much About History...

Heavenly Bodies by Paul Koudounaris

In the late 16th century, a new section of the Roman Catacombs were discovered. The Church recognized the skeletons as those of Early Christian martyrs, and sent them to Catholic churches as saints across Germanic Europe. The relics were then richly adorned with jewels and costumes, and the laity came on long pilgrimages to pray at their shrines. While the tradition fell out of practice by the 19th century, many of these relics are still found in churches across Europe. Koudounaris presents this photographic history with his beautiful, and enthralling images. This book is just way too cool!

189 pages


Kinloch: Missouri's First Black City by John A. Wright

Longtime resident John A. Wright has collected photos and interviews to tell the story of Kinloch, located north of St. Louis. Going from wealth and luxury, white flight, school desegregation, as well as church and community life, the book gives an overview of this city's history. While Kinloch itself is in decline, a population shift has retained much of its heritage in nearby Ferguson.

128 pages




An American Plague by Jim Murphy

I wasn't sure I wanted to read a plague history right now, given.... you know. But this book on the 1793 Philadelphia plague felt distant enough that I didn't mind reading it. Although it is technically juvenile nonfiction, this is definitely a book that can be enjoyed by all ages. Murphy is very good at telling the stories of the main doctors and public officials involved in the crisis, as well as the vital role of the Free African Society. The discussion on the various theories of causes for the (pre-germ theory) plague were telling-placing blame on foreigners is certainly not new. This book is an engaging and informative read. I've also read his book, The Great Fire of Chicago, which is also fantastic!

165 pages


Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

You know, for the most part I really liked this one. You see Laura really start to grow up and participate in the social conventions of the era. The sociable! Lunatic fringes! Name cards! I couldn't imagine having to wear a corset. I made the mistake of googling "corset damage" and the images gave me nightmares. The story is quite pleasant until the end. That minstrel show... Yikes.

307 pages



Don't know much Biology...
Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake

This book is definitely not to everyone's tastes, but I freakin' loved reading about the history and cultures around fungi, mushrooms, lichens-everything! Did you know fungi were the first to colonize land, forming giant towers as prototaxes? Or that mychorrhizal fungi form vital connections in a forest, swapping nutrients and "feeding" younger and weaker trees? Scientists are testing the chemicals in psilocybin mushrooms for potential treatments for anxiety and depression! And yes, Star Trek collaborated with Paul Stamets, an actual mycologist, to develop Discovery's fictional mycelial network, designed by Lt. Commander... Paul Stamets.

352 pages



Conservation Trails by Teresa Kight/ MO Dept. of Conservation

So many great trails and Conservation Areas to explore in Missouri! While this publication is a bit dated, most of these trails haven't changed much in the past decade or so... It gives me some ideas of places to explore once this whole mess has blown over...

96 pages





A Guide to Missouri's Snakes from the MO Dept. of Conservation

Sneks. Everybody loves snakes, right? No? Only me? ... okay. We have sooo many watersnakes. And unfortunately they get killed for no good reason because folks assume any snake in the water is a cottonmouth. Copperheads are nasty. I remember killing one once with a garden hoe. And baby rat snakes are the cutest thing ever!

59 pages





The Lost Words by Robert MacFarlane

This oversize book focuses on words disappearing from children's lives, pairing poems with pages and pages of colorful paintings. Each poem focuses on a word-bramble, wren, acorn-that may or may not enter children's vocabularies with our increasingly indoor culture.Beautiful poetry. Gorgeous artwork.

128 pages





Don't know much about geography...

Yellowstone: A Journey Through America's Wild Heart by David Quammen

Quammen combines tales of his adventures in America's first national park with breathtaking images of wildlife and the landscape. The nature photography is phenomenal! I enjoyed reading about the history of the park and challenges it faces today. I've never been able to visit, but I definitely want to take a road trip now...

222 pages

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

I've been recommended this book many times. Then DBRL chose it for the One Read... and I caved. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed it! It follows the story of Count Alexander Rostov, who is sentenced to house arrest by the Bolsheviks in the Metropol. Across from the Bolshoi, the Metropol is a grand hotel (I've been there, it's huge) yet I'm sure it would feel tiny after 40-ish years. I enjoyed how the Count watched the passage of early Soviet history. The author definitely did his research, which I appreciated. The hype around this novel is not over exaggerated!

462 pages

 
Don't know what a slide rule is for...
Me neither, dude. I had to look it up. Makes me real grateful for calculators.

This song is now stuck in your head!
That, or you're trying to look up the reference.
You're welcome.

What a wonderful world this would be.