Bookish Thoughts: Grace Without God by Katherine Ozment

One night five years ago, I heard a strange noise outside the window of our brick row house near Boston. ~ Opening of Grace Without God

Grace Without God: The Search for Meaning, Purpose, and Belonging in a Secular Age 
by Katherine Ozment

Harper Wave, 2016

Nonfiction; 320 pgs

Goodreads Summary:

Meet “the Nones”—In this thought-provoking exploration of secular America, celebrated journalist Katherine Ozment takes readers on a quest to understand the trends and ramifications of a nation in flight from organized religion.

Studies show that religion makes us happier, healthier and more giving, connecting us to our past and creating tight communal bonds. Most Americans are raised in a religious tradition, but in recent decades many have begun to leave religion, and with it their ancient rituals, mythic narratives, and sense of belonging.

So how do the nonreligious fill the need for ritual, story, community, and, above all, purpose and meaning without the one-stop shop of religion? What do they do with the space left after religion? With Nones swelling to one-fourth of American adults, and more than one-third of those under thirty, these questions have never been more urgent.

Writer, journalist, and secular mother of three Katherine Ozment came face-to-face with the fundamental issue of the Nones when her son asked her the simplest of questions: “what are we?” Unsettled by her reply—“Nothing”—she set out on a journey to find a better answer. She traversed the frontier of American secular life, sought guidance in science and the humanities, talked with noted scholars, and wrestled with her own family’s attempts to find meaning and connection after religion.

Insightful, surprising, and compelling, Grace Without God is both a personal and critical exploration of the many ways nonreligious Americans create their own meaning and purpose in an increasingly secular age.

Just when I thought my daughter was finally drifting off to sleep, she asked me who our first parents were. I wasn't sure what she was asking, although I kind of had an idea. I clarified with her she wasn't talking about my parents. She said, "Everyone's first parents. Who made all of us?"

As an agnostic who grew up in the Protestant Christian faith now unsure exactly what I believe and with a husband who is a former Christian turned non-believer, raising our daughter outside the conventions of religion or a church, I wasn't sure what to say. Fall back on my religious upbringing like I did when she was three and asked about death? Try to explain evolution to her? Tell her the truth, that I didn't really know? All the while wondering how to explain any of this to such a young child.

It was soon after that conversation that I received an e-mail with a list of upcoming book tours. Normally I would dismiss a title like Grace Without God without second thought, but this time I took a closer look. Whether it be fate or chance, I don't know. The timing couldn't be better. This is not my typical read. Nor is my faith something I talk about a lot here on my blog, although faith and religion are subjects that fascinate me from historical, psychological and anthropological perspectives.

I felt an instant connection with the author as I began reading Grace Without God. Her own journey and reason for researching and writing this book was because of her son asking questions she did not know how to answer. While I did not go into Grace Without God seeking answers to my own spiritual struggles or even expect answers to my daughter's questions, I was hoping to get some direction and guidance, if only to know I was not alone. I was curious to see what Katherine Ozment discovered in her research.

This is not a book attacking religion nor proselytizing secularism or even atheism. The author remains objective and thoughtful in her analysis of both. Ozment looks at ways in which religion has had to adapt over the years to try to keep up its membership and adjust to the changing times. At the same time, she also explores an even bigger growing trend, that of people leaving the church and religion behind all together. One cannot help but wonder why that is and how it impacts the individual as well as their children.

Along with its weaknesses and faults, religion comes with many strengths, and there can be a definite sense of loss for some who have left their religious organizations behind. They find themselves searching or seeking out ways to replace what we feel is missing. Whether it be the ritual, community, the sense of awe and inspiration, the story, or even the meaning and purpose of life, for example. There are also medical advantages to being a part of a religious group. Ozment explores whether or not secular organizations or rituals are able to provide the same. She goes on to explore several different secular communities and individual practices--from the more spiritual Universal Unitarian Church to much more secular organizations like the Sunday Assembly, Death Cafe, and the Gift Circles, for example--providing a glimpse into their practices and the reasons behind it.

I could relate to many of the issues Ozment raises, including the concern of raising my daughter outside the church and her possibly losing out on the importance of its history, both our personal histories as well as a general knowledge of religion in all its forms, in a society where it is a part of its very fabric. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be that way.

I appreciated Ozment taking a look into each of these areas, sharing her own experience as well as those of others. Maybe I have to work harder than someone whose child has the framework of religion to teach my daughter values, the importance of community service, and the role religion plays in our society and throughout history, but there's nothing to say that it cannot be--that it hasn't been--done. A person does not need religion, organized or otherwise, to lead a moral and purposeful life.

I know Ozment's book will not appeal to everyone, but I think it does present an interesting perspective. Ozment's insights came as a relief to me in many respects. Suddenly I do not feel so alone.

A couple of days after the "who made us" question was asked, my daughter told me, "I know who the first people were, Mommy." I was mentally preparing myself for another deep conversation, when she said quite adamantly, "They were giants." Of course they were. The wisdom of a five year old.

To learn more about Katherine Ozment and her work, please visit the author's website. She can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

I hope you will check out what others had to say about Grace Without God on the TLC Book Tours route!

Many thanks to the TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to be a part of this book tour.  Review copy provided by publisher for an honest review.

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© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Where Is Your Bookmark? (06/28/2016)

I forget sometimes that it takes me longer to read a nonfiction book. Particularly the book I had been reading, as I stopped to take notes periodically or reread a passage. With that book behind me, I can give my full attention to The Magician's Lie by Greer Macallister, which I featured last week here on my blog. Today I thought I would share a taste of the book I hope to start on next, a crime fiction novel by Kate Horsley called The American Girl.

Goodreads Summary:  

From a bright new talent comes a riveting psychological thriller about an American exchange student in France involved in a suspicious accident, and the journalist determined to break the story and uncover the dark secrets a small town is hiding.

Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a book they are reading or thinking about reading soon. It is also where I share my first impressions about the book I am sharing.

Video Diary: Session 7

[Quinn, a girl of seventeen, sits on the edge of a hospital bed wearing a white gown. As she talks, her bare legs kick the frame of the bed and monitors beep softly in the background.]  

You ever have one of those Magic 8-Balls as a kid? Yeah, pretty retro, I know. I remember asking mine if Adam Epstein was planning on taking me to the senior prom. It said, Don't count on it, so I sat on my little pink bed with the daisy-pattern comforter and shook it again and again until I got the answer I wanted. 

Um, my mind keeps circling. Back to that Magic 8-Ball. See, if I can remember those details--my room, the pattern on my comforter--then why can't I remember all the other things that are so much more important? The therapist who gave me this camera told me to keep a diary. He gave me some exercises and helpful advice too: "the mind is a mysterious place" kind of thing. But in the end, I guess, he found it just as frustrating trying to get inside my head as I do. Everyone seems to.

Every Tuesday, Jenn from Books And A Beat hosts Teaser Tuesdays at which time participants grab their current read, open to a random page, and share two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page while avoiding any spoilers.

Teaser from page 44 of The American Girl:

The only things taken were my notes on the case, though actually, it was that choice that worried me. Why would anyone break into a car, not to steal it, not even to take the GPS--still sitting brazenly on the dash--but to take my lousy papers?

What do you think? Would you keep reading?  

Just reading the bits I did of this one have pulled me in. I ended up reading the first chapter. It was hard to pull away. The book is told from the perspective of Quinn, an American exchange student in France, through video and blog entries as well as Molly Swift, a Boston journalist. At least from what I can tell so far. I can't wait to read this one!

What are you reading at the moment?  Is it anything you would recommend?

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

This week's  Top Ten Tuesday is a Freebie, and I thought it would be fun to ask my husband to share his list of favorite books with you. I had my doubts he would actually take me seriously, but the next thing I knew, he handed me the list.

1. The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams

2. Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein

3. The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul by Douglas Adams

4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

5. The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler

6. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

7. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clark

8. Homicide by David Simon

9. Black Hawk Down by Mark Bowden

10. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh

I have only read four of the books on his list (Pride and Prejudice, Black Hawk Down, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, and Catch-22), all of which I agree are pretty awesome. Sue Grafton almost made his list, but was bumped off at the last minute. She's one of our shared favorite authors.

What about you? Have you read any of his favorites?

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© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Mouse's Corner: Learning to Read

Mouse first began writing her letters and numbers when she began preschool at age three. She made games up, practicing the sound each letter makes as she learned them. I remember how proud she was when she could write her name. She even got creative for awhile there, adding an extra "i", saying she liked it better that way. Since then, she has made a habit of making lists, combining random letters and numbers together and telling us what they spell out. She weaves entire stories into her made up words. She loves to rhyme. Such simple exercises and yet very important to language development and for reading.

Over the past year or so, my daughter received several primers from relatives who are educators to help her learn to read. One night before Mouse's bed time, my husband began reading the first in the Word Family of Readers with her at her request. Soon Mouse was begging for more. These are great little books that go over a number of word family groups, like -ay and -ug. There are sixteen books all together. Each book tells a story and ends with practice activities children can do with their parents or a teacher. I love hearing Mouse sound out the words as she learns to read.

Mouse has graduated to the Biscuit (My First I Can Read!) books, which she is also enjoying reading with her dad. Now and then, she lets me read one with her. It isn't something we push, so much as let her lead us. We want reading to be fun for her and do not want to push her too hard before she's ready.

It is fun to see Mouse recognize words here and there. Some she knows on sight, but others she sounds out and needs help with. Now when I read with her, I will sometimes stop and ask her to read certain words for me I know she will recognize, which she is eager to do. We also pause to comment on a scene in a picture we come across, and we talk about our favorite part of each book when we finish it. The human mind is amazing, how it pieces together little bits of knowledge and puts it all together--all in the process of learning.

Admittedly, my daughter would rather do a lot of things other than read. There are too many other things vying for her attention: stories to make up, plays to put on, songs to "write", tea parties to host, and balls to kick around, for instance.

Do you remember learning to read? Did you always like to read?

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© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Bookish Thoughts: The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

The buzz in the street was like the humming of flies. ~ Opening of The Cuckoo's Calling

The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike #1) by Robert Galbraith
Mulholland Books, 2013
Crime Fiction; 550 pgs

It only took me three years to finally read this one. I was interested in the book before the real identity of the author came out, but my motivation to read it sooner rather than later waned as everyone else suddenly was rushing to read it. I didn't want to jump on the bandwagon of fans reading it just because it was written by J.K. Rowling. I never doubted I would like it. I'm a sucker for a good mystery. And so, three years later, I finally read The Cuckoo's Calling thanks to those of you who voted in my March TBR List poll. 

The author jumps right in with the death of a supermodel, summarizing the police investigation and the media's speculation. Was she pushed off her balcony or was it suicide? Private Investigator Cormoran Strike is asked by the victim's brother to investigate what he believes is the murder of his sister. Everyone else has, by that point, written her death off as a suicide. All evidence suggests a suicide, and Cormoran is reluctant to take the case. His bills are overdo, however, and the brother seems desperate. 

In many ways, The Cuckoo's Calling is your typical private investigator novel. Cormoran hits the pavement asking questions, calling on sources, hoping to shake something out that might prove one way or the other whether or not a crime was committed. His temporary secretary, meanwhile, pulls what research she can off the internet. The longer he is on the case, the more doubts Cormoran has that it was suicide. 

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first met Cormoran, but I was quite impressed the more I got to know him. Perhaps it is my father's military history that put a soft spot in my heart for veterans, and Cormoran was no exception. He was injured in the war and has a prosthetic leg. I appreciated how the character does not let his disability stop him from doing his job--and I also liked how the author did not shy away from going into some of the physical struggles he faced. Cormoran is a bit gruff on one hand, but a big softy on the other. He is clearly a very private person who likes to take care of himself. The last thing he wants is pity from anyone, much less hand outs. Which is why he finds himself living out of his office after his break up with his fiancée.

Fortunately, Cormoran's pride, which keeps him from asking for help, doesn't extend to Robin Ellacott. Although she comes to him as a temp, he recognizes immediately the value in her skills. She has a penchant for the work and quite likes it herself. The pay may not be great, but working with a private investigator comes with its own intrinsic rewards. Robin and I definitely agree on that! I liked Robin right from the start and think she and Cormoran make a great team.

The mystery itself is strong. I usually am able to work out who did what, when and why, but this one kept me guessing right up until close to the reveal. While the pacing of the novel seemed a bit slow at times, I never lost interest.

Overall, my first experience with J.K. Rowling as a mystery author was a very positive one. I look forward to reading more in the series.

To learn more about Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling) and her work, please visit the authors's website. She can also be found on Goodreads and Twitter.

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© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Where Is Your Bookmark? (The Magician's Lie and My Top 4 Reads so Far This Year)

I began Greer Macallister's The Magician's Lie just yesterday and am enjoying it so far. The novel is about a notorious illusionist who has been accused of her husband's murder. She has one night to convince the troubled policeman who has apprehended her to let her go . . .

Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a book they are reading or thinking about reading soon. It is also where I share my first impressions about the book I am sharing.

Tonight, I will do the impossible.

The impossible is nothing new to me. As I do every night, I will make people believe things that aren't true. I will show them worlds that never existed, events that never happened. I will weave a web of beautiful illusion to snare them, a glittering trap that drags them willingly with me into the magical, false, spellbinding world. 

Every Tuesday, Jenn from Books And A Beat hosts Teaser Tuesdays at which time participants grab their current read, open to a random page, and share two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page while avoiding any spoilers.

Teaser from page 31% of The Magician's Lie:

"Because I know what monsters are," she says. "And I can't be in that company."

"So tell me what you are then, if not a monster." 

"A fool," she says. 

What do you think? Would you keep reading?  

I feel the opening paragraphs set the scene for not only the show Arden is about to perform, but also for the novel. It certainly makes you wonder if you can trust Arden, doesn't it?

I have not yet reached the teaser yet, but it caught my attention when I was searching for a teaser to share. 

What are you reading at the moment?  Is it anything you would recommend?

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

This week's  Top Ten Tuesday topic is made up of my Top Four Favorite Books I Have Read So Far This Year. It seems a fitting time to pull this list together, six months into the year. Soon we will be carving pumpkins, eating turkey and singing carols. Well, hopefully not that soon. Without further ado, here is my list in no particular order (each book cover linked to my review, except for two whose reviews are pending. Those two covers are linked to Goodreads):

1. The Night Parade by Kathryn Tanquary

2. When the Moon Is Low by Nadia Hashimi

3. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman 

4. The Hummingbird by Stephen P. Kiernan

Runners-Up:

1. The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald

2. Redshirts: A Novel With Three Codas by John Scalzi, narrated by Wil Wheaton

3. June by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore

What is/are your favorite book(s) so far this year that you have read?

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© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Bookish Thoughts: Stone Guardian by Danielle Monsch

Jack Miller aimed his shotgun at the monster's grey-skinned head and pulled the trigger. ~ Opening of Stone Guardian 

Stone Guardian (Entwined Realms #1) by Danielle Monsch

Romantic Geek Publishing, 2013

Fantasy (Urban); 374 pgs

Source: NetGalley

Gargoyles would likely not make my list of romantic interests in a paranormal novel, but Danielle Monsch finds a way to make it work. I mean, if women the world over can be drawn to cold blood-sucking men and furry hot-blooded alpha men who growl . . . Well, why not a winged stone-like man too? I really enjoyed exploring Danielle Monsch's world in Stone Guardian. Imagine two parallel universes colliding and humans and supernatural creatures must find a way to co-exist in the aftermath.

Larissa Miller is a history teacher, but seems pretty clueless about the supernatural beings that inhabit her planet. She's pretty well-sheltered, living in a human only city and surrounded by over protective brothers and a father who is a police chief. She's drawn the attention of quite a few creatures, including Terak, the leader of the Gargoyles. A cryptic prophecy has led him to her, and he has been watching her for months. His doubts that she is really in any danger prove true when she is attacked on the street. Terak and Larissa join forces to find out who is behind the attack and why Larissa is the target.

There are a lot of reasons why this novel should not have worked for me. Larissa is a history teacher and yet knows so little about the world outside her supposedly safe human only city. The argument that she is ever curious and always wants to learn new things and yet stops questioning because it upset her father when she was younger isn't very believable. She's very much the damsel in distress (although she isn't one to take unnecessary risks, which is always a relief), always needing the hero to save her. There's also the fact that I had trouble buying Terak as a leader of the Gargoyles at times.

Despite all that, I had such fun reading this book. I was wrapped up in the story, and wanted to know how everything would play out. I thought it was a good story. I liked both Terak and Larissa, despite my reservations, and felt they were well matched. I especially liked the secondary characters and the world outside Larissa's door. It's definitely one I would like to explore further. 

To learn more about Danielle Monsch and her work, please visit the authors's website. She can also be found on Goodreads and Twitter.

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© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Sunday Post: Summer Reading Plans

The Sunday Post is hosted by the wonderful Kim, the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and gives us all a chance to recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. 

Happy Father's Day all the dads out there! Does anyone have any special plans for the day? Whatever you do, I hope you have a pleasant day.

The current heatwave was enough to convince the city to turn out the local parks' water pads, including the one at the local park where we like to hang out. One hundred ten degrees is worthy. City officials aren't sure whether they will leave it on the entire summer, or set a limit for days only over 95. If the summer goes as it usually does, that will be every day. Anyway, to beat the summer heat this weekend, we decided to get out of town--at least for Saturday. We had a fun-filled day and came home exhausted. We may make our way over to our local park on Sunday for some water play, but more than likely we'll be sleeping in (to recover from Saturday), staying cool indoors, and taking it easy before the work week starts up again on Monday.

A Father and Daughter Moment From Our Saturday Outing

How are you spending your Sunday? Did you have a good week?

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Do you have your photo in your profile? (submitted by Elizabeth) 

I do as a matter of fact. It is a photo of me with Gracie on my head. I had just gotten my hair done that day at a salon and went rather crazy trying to groom and eat my hair. It was a fun moment. Past profile photos have not included me at all, but rather been photos of cats reading in one form or another. I very rarely post photos of myself--more for professional reasons than anything else. My Facebook profile picture is of me (and my daughter), but more than likely, my blog profile will never be a photo of me.

What about you? Do you use a photo of yourself for your profile picture?

What I Am Reading: At the moment I am reading my first nonfiction book of the year. Grace Without God: The Search for Meaning, Purpose, and Belonging in a Secular Age by Katherine Ozkment was a surprising choice even to me but it was like kismet when I came across the title. You will understand when and if you read my review. As soon as I wrap this one up, I will be reading my June TBR List Winner, The Magician's Lie by Greer Macallister. I am really excited about finally reading it.

What I Am Watching: I have finally gotten back to Jessica Jones and finished out the first season. A Daredevil character (my favorite one, in fact) finally made an appearance. I always get a little thrill when characters crossover from one show or another. I'm not sure why exactly.

Challenge Update & Sign Up:

COYER Summer Vacation began this weekend, and I am jumping on board again. It's really just one big reading party. There are games (including some on Facebook) and Twitter chats, book reviews, and lots and lots of reading. Although COYER stands for Clean Out Your E-Reads, the rules are being thrown out the window for the summer--at least mostly. Participants can read whatever they want whether it be e-books, physical books, or audiobooks. Doesn't matter if you buy, borrow or read an ARC. All books count. I can set my own goal--or no goal at all. COYER Summer Vacation will last from June 18th to September 5th. Are you joining in the summer fun?

Some Possibilities:
Rock Paper Tiger by Lisa Brackmann
The Curse of the Gargoyles by Rebecca Chastain
The Whiskey Sea by Ann Howard Creel
LaRose by Louise Erdrich
The Fireman by Joe Hill
The American Girl by Kate Horsley
When I Found You by Kate James
The Magician's Lie by Greer Macallister
The Ninja's Daughter by Susan Spann

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I thought it would be fun to take part in the Summer 2016 Comment Challenge (Link Up Post) hosted by Lonna of FLYLēF and Alicia of A Kernel of Nonsense during the month of July. While it officially began in June, sign-ups are monthly through the summer. I first heard about it through Melinda of West Metro Mommy Reads and thought it sounded like fun. Each participant is paired with another book blogger. The pair then post comments on each other's blogs throughout the month. We all like receiving comments, which is a a definite perk, but the biggest reward will be in making a connection with another book blogger. It's a great way to get to know another blogger and possibly make a new friend. I hope you will consider joining too. There isn't much time left to sign up for July (by June 21st!)--so hurry! It'll come around again in August though, if you miss the deadline.

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While on Twitter the other evening, I saw mention of a read-along for Joe Hill's The Fireman, which I just so happen to have a copy of and want to read. Now is as good a time as any! The read-along takes place this July, and is being lead by Fire Squad Captain Care and her Co-Commander Heather. Melissa, Jen, and Melissa, Ti are the Platoon Leaders. Michelle and Katie are Advisors (because they've already read the book). To follow the read-along on Twitter, just follow the hashtag #FireManAlong.

According to the Goodreads summary, The Fireman is

. . . a chilling novel about a worldwide pandemic of spontaneous combustion that threatens to reduce civilization to ashes and a band of improbable heroes who battle to save it, led by one powerful and enigmatic man known as the Fireman. 

The fireman is coming. Stay cool.

Because goodness knows in this summer heat, I'm sure many of us will feel like we will spontaneous combust. Will you be joining along?

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I went into the the 10th annual Once Upon a Time Challenge hosted by Carl of Stainless Steel Droppings with the goal to read one Fantasy novel, and I am happy to say I ended up reading six.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman

Charming by Elliott James

The Shadow Revolution (Crown & Key #1) by Clay and Susan Griffith

Stone Guardian by Danielle Monsch (review pending)

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

From Young Adult High Fantasy to quite a variety of Urban Fantasy, each book brought something different to the table, exploring mythology, a bit of fairytale, folklore and fantasy. I enjoyed each of the books I read for this challenge, but my favorite is Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. Did you take part in the challenge? What is your favorite fantasy novel?

Around the Blogosphere:

• WE INTERRUPT REGULARLY SCHEDULED POSTING FOR THE BURDEN ON MY HEART -Andi from Estella's Revenge opens up about how recent events are impacting her. I can relate to how she feels. I have no words. I can offer up prayers and thoughts but that really only goes so far. 
• Help Needed: Wednesday's Favorites - Maureen of Maureen's Books has a great feature every Wednesday in which she talks about old favorites. She's posted a poll in hopes of getting some feedback. I hope you will take a look!
• PERIOD PIECE: A PUNCTUATION POST - Chris from Bookarama talks about the current trend of leaving out periods in text messages. I guess it's out of style to text in full sentences with proper grammar, like I do.

What's Going On Off the Blog: It was an ordinary week. One exciting thing happened: I was complaining the other day about not having enough rags, and this week I'm finding just about all my socks have holes. Wishes really do come true.

The summer swim session for Mouse has started. Oh, why did I pick an afternoon time for the lesson?! What was I thinking? Oh, that's right. I wasn't.

My mother-in-law's angiogram came back clear, which is good. She meets with the cardiologist this coming week. We're all hoping the news will be good. We are all still in shock that she had a heart attack without anyone knowing . . . It's a reminder of how important it is to know the signs and take them seriously--not assume they might be something less without first getting it checked out.

 More of my roses

This Past Week In Reading Mews:

• Sunday Post: June TBR Poll Winner, New Books & Lazy Days
• Bookish Thoughts: Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
• Bookish Thoughts: The Shadow Revolution by Clay Griffith & Susan Griffith

Upcoming on the Blog:
Monday - My Bookish Thoughts on Stone Guardian by Danielle Monsch
Tuesday - Where Is Your Bookmark? (Including my Top Favorite Reads So Far This Year)
Thursday - My Bookish Thoughts on The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith


I hope you all have a great week! Happy Reading!

Daughter and Father

One of my favorite photos from three years ago.

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© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Bookish Thoughts: The Shadow Revolution by Clay Griffith & Susan Griffith

A bold moon hung over the dark London cityscape. ~ Opening of The Shadow Revolution

The Shadow Revolution (Crown & Key, #1) by Clay Griffith & Susan Griffith 

Del Rey, 2015

Fantasy (Steampunk); 320 pgs

Source: NetGalley

From Goodreads:  

They are the realm’s last, best defense against supernatural evil. But they’re going to need a lot more silver.  

As fog descends, obscuring the gas lamps of Victorian London, werewolves prowl the shadows of back alleys. But they have infiltrated the inner circles of upper-crust society as well. Only a handful of specially gifted practitioners are equipped to battle the beasts. Among them are the roguish Simon Archer, who conceals his powers as a spell-casting scribe behind the smooth veneer of a dashing playboy; his layabout mentor, Nick Barker, who prefers a good pub to thrilling heroics; and the self-possessed alchemist Kate Anstruther, who is equally at home in a ballroom as she is on a battlefield.

After a lycanthrope targets Kate’s vulnerable younger sister, the three join forces with fierce Scottish monster-hunter Malcolm MacFarlane—but quickly discover they’re dealing with a threat far greater than anything they ever imagined.

I am likely not the first one to say this book would make a great movie. Admittedly, it was hard not to picture some of the cast from the Sherlock Holmes movies (the ones with Robert Downing Jr.). There was hardly a turn in the  book that was not filled with some sort of fight or action, with occasional gore. The dialogue is quite witty, especially between Kate Anstruther and Simon Archer.

This novel is perfectly set in a steampunk Victorian London setting with magicians, alchemists, hunters and werewolves. The authors captured the atmosphere of the time period well.

Simon, Nick and Malcolm prove they are good in a fight as well as in using their brains. I have a feeling there are hidden depths to all three men that will come out in later books. I never really felt like I had a good handle on Nick. And from what Nick said towards the end of the book, I imagine there is a lot more to Simon than the reader knows as well.

Fighting alongside the strong and very capable men, Kate, an alchemist, proves she can hold her own. She doesn't hesitate to jump in when the action starts, even not quite knowing what the situation at hand is. As great a character as Kate is, however, I adore Penny Carter as well and hope to see more of her in the next two books. She doesn't appear until later in the books, but she's a force to be reckoned with.

The Shadow Revolution was an entertaining novel, a story made for the big screen. Still, I am left with a lot of questions and hope to find answers to them in the upcoming novels.

To learn more about Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith and their work, please visit the authors' website. They can also be found on Goodreads and Twitter.

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© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Bookish Thoughts: Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a book they are reading or thinking about reading soon. It is also where I share my first impressions about the book I am sharing.

The night before he went to London, Richard Mayhew was not enjoying himself. 

Every Tuesday, Jenn from Books And A Beat hosts Teaser Tuesdays at which time participants grab their current read, open to a random page, and share two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page while avoiding any spoilers.

Teaser from Neverwhere, page 4:

The old woman took the umbrella, gratefully, and smiled her thanks. "You've a good heart," she told him. "Sometimes that's enough to see you safe wherever you go." Then she shook her head. "But mostly, it's not." 

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

William Morrow, 2014 (originally published in 1997)

Fiction; 336 pgs

When I noticed Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere was going on tour, I immediately volunteered. I have only read a handful of Gaiman's novels, but he is one of those authors who never fails to impress me with his writing and imagination.

Neil Gaiman wrote Neverwhere while shooting the BBC miniseries of the same name. The show wasn't quite living up to his expectations. It could not capture the entire story he wanted to tell, nor did he feel his best scenes always got in the final cut. The novel has recently been re-released in the author's preferred text, reconciling the various versions of the novel that have come out, adding and cutting scenes.

Richard Mayhew is just an ordinary man, living a relatively normal life. It's not a very exciting life, at that. As he and his fiancée, Jessica, are walking to a restaurant for an important meeting with Jessica's boss, Richard sees a young woman bleeding on the sidewalk. Jessica tells him to leave her, but Richard cannot help but assist the woman. By doing so, he steps into a different reality, one which exists alongside his own, only below. Below the London he knows. Richard's own life is in a shambles as a result of his crossover into the shadows, and he turns to Door and the Marquis de Carabas for help. He joins them on Door's mission to find out who was behind the murder of her family, taking them all through London Below, going up against monsters and making new allies.

This dark and comic novel was such a delightful read. Richard is indeed rather ordinary. He has no special skills and can be a bit petulant at times, but given the circumstances, is it really any wonder? Door is extraordinary, a door opener, whose family, before their deaths, was quite powerful in London Below. It is obvious she is well respected. She is the last of her line and determined to find out the reason behind her family's murder--and who ordered their deaths.

The novel is filled with fascinating characters from Old Bailey and his birds, the Marquis who I never quite knew whether I should trust and yet liked just the same; Hunter, a fierce fighter and bodyguard for hire; the rat speakers and the rats themselves; Islington, the angel; to Mr. Croup who loves words (and has some of the best lines in the novel) and Mr. Vandemeer who has a big appetite; the intimidating Serpentine, and a dozen others.

A mixed band of individuals going on a quest is not new to the fantasy genre, but I like Gaiman's approach to it in Neverwhere. An astute reader may notice the several literary allusions, although it isn't at all necessary to do so to enjoy the novel. I'm sure I missed half of them at least. Gaiman's sense of humor, the enduring and interesting characters, and the mystery surrounding Door's family's death kept me riveted to the pages of the novel. I found Neverwhere to be extremely entertaining and a fun read over all.

I cannot help but wonder if the author intended to write a follow-up book given the ending. While the ending wraps the story in Neverwhere up nicely, it does offer a little tease near the end that leaves it wide open for another novel.

This edition of the book ends with a short story called "How the Marquis Got His Coat Back," which gives the reader more of a look into the Marquis de Carabas. He's quite cunning, our Marquis. It's a great addition to the Neverwhere novel.

I could not help but watch the BBC miniseries after finishing the book. The show originally aired in 1996, starring Laura Fraser and Gary Bakewell. Peter Capaldi of Doctor Who fame plays Islington. The show obviously shows its age, given the twenty years since it first aired. The show is fairly true to the book in terms of the story line, and so I imagine if you want to avoid the book being spoiled, definitely read that first. The interactions between Mr. Coup and Mr. Vandemeer in the television show weren't quite as entertaining in the television show as they were in the book, but the Marquis, played by Paterson Joseph, was just as I imagined him. I heard there was talk of a remake of the series. I think that might be fun. Hopefully the Beast will be better cast this time around. I did enjoy the television miniseries, but the book is so much better--no surprise there.

To learn more about Neil Gaiman and his work, please visit the author's website. He can also be found on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter. 

I hope you will check out what others had to say about June on the TLC Book Tours route!

Many thanks to the TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to be a part of this book tour.  Review copy provided by publisher for an honest review.

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© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Sunday Post: June TBR Poll Winner, New Books & Lazy Days

The Sunday Post is hosted by the wonderful Kimba, the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and gives us all a chance to recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. 

It has been a lazy weekend. June Gloom hovered over our Saturday, but Mouse was able to run through the sprinklers and play with her sand table. We also put together some puzzles and practiced for Mouse's play.

Saturday evening we heard some commotion outside, and when we looked out the window, there was a horse and a carriage. Mouse went outside for a closer look and was invited for a ride along with the neighbor children. She crashed their party for a little while and got to jump in a jumper in their backyard too. It was a nice way to cap off the day.

How was your week? Do you have any Sunday plans?

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Are giveaways a part of your blog or only reviews? (submitted by Elizabeth) 

It isn't often I have a giveaway on my blog anymore, although I used to do it with some regularity. Between it being time consuming and not exactly cheap, I have cut way back in recent years. I also do not host giveaways often for publishers or authors like I used to. Most are only open to readers in the U.S.A. and Canada. I feel it unfair to leave out those living outside of those two countries, although I understand why it is necessary on the publisher's part. I used to make a habit of hosting an international giveaway alongside the publisher's to make it open to everyone. It just got to be too much. Occasionally I offer a giveaway for a book of the winner's choice or a gift card. I'm more likely to give away books I read to random commenters now and then. Although it's become less common since most of the books I read are e-books. Nowadays, I mostly just write about the books I am reading, with occasional off-topic talk.

Do you offer giveaways on your blog? Do you participate in many?


In the Mail This Week:  My Lit Box package arrived in the mail on Tuesday and was a nice surprise. I have yet to read anything by Louise Edrich, and LaRose sounds like it will be good--and heart-wrenching. The bookmark is made of wood and is quite beautiful, don't you think?

I also received a copy of Susan Spann's The Ninja's Daughter from the publisher for an upcoming book tour in August.

What I Am Reading: I currently am reading Stephen P. Kiernan's The Hummingbird for an upcoming tour. Before that, I read Karen Rock's contemporary romance Under An Adirondack Sky.

What I Am Watching: After reading Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, I was interested in checking out the BBC miniseries that the book is based on. It's a fairly quick watch--especially if you binge watch the show. It's six episodes, each a half hour long. We watched the animated movie Home this weekend, and enjoyed it. And we have also been watching Strawberry Shortcake. A lot.

What's Going On Off the Blog: We celebrated my husband's birthday earlier this week. Mouse picked out the cake, a candy cake--candy on the outside with chocolate cake on the inside. It was quite good, but way too rich. It's one of those "glad I did it once, but probably never gain" experiences.

The birthday boy got sick later in the week, unfortunately. He's still recovering. My daughter seems to be coming down with something now too. I hope I am able to avoid it--but what are the chances of that?

We found out this past week that my mother-in-law may have a heart attack without even realizing it. She suffers from Multiple Sclerosis and went in for a routine stress test this past week. She's scheduled for an angiogram later this coming Wednesday. It came as a surprise to all of us. We are hopeful that if the doctor finds anything, he will be able to treat it.

One of my roses

This Past Week In Reading Mews:

• Sunday Post: Early Start to Summer & June TBR List Poll
• Bookish Thoughts: Seraphina & Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman
• Where Is Your Bookmark? (06/07/2016) (Including Ten Reasons I Love Mysteries and Fantasy Novels)
• Bookish Thoughts: Charming by Elliott James

Thank you for helping me choose my next read from my TBR collection:

My TBR List is a meme hosted by the awesome Michelle at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Sunday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and take a poll as to which you think I should read. I will read the winner that month, and my review will follow. While I will attempt to post my review that same month, I make no promises--it may go up the following month. 

The winner of my May TBR List Poll is:

The Magician's Lie by Greer Macallister

This week's poll was close. The winner won by 2 votes (48.4%, 15 votes), with Admiral by Sean Danker (41.9%, 13 votes) coming in second. I am afraid Within a Captain's Hold by Lisa A. Olech getting very few votes (9.7, 3 votes).

I hope you all have a great week! Happy Reading!

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© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.