Musings of a Bookish Kitty: July 2016

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Sunday Post: July Wrap Up, Roses & Another Month of the Comment Challenge!

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.

I am still playing catch up with my blog reading. We spent all day Saturday at Knott's Berry Farm, which was lot of fun, but it also meant my initial plans to do a little blogging fell by the wayside. That is partly why this post may seem a bit shorter too.

What are you to this weekend? Did you have a good week? What are you reading right now? Anything you would recommend?

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 give books as gifts? (submitted by Elizabeth)

Oh, yes! I love to give books as gifts. I love shopping for books for the special people in my life too. My mother and both of my in-laws love to read. My husband enjoys reading. And, of course, I like to give books as gifts to the children in my life, whether it be my own, a relative or the children of friends.

What I Am Reading: I finished reading Amanda Quick's 'Til Death Do Us Part this past week and started on P.J. Tracy's latest mystery, The Sixth Idea. I'm a bit behind in the series, and am hoping my jumping in with the most recent in the Monkeewrench series won't prove to be a problem. I've really missed the Monkeewrench crew and am enjoying visiting with them again.

My July was an average reading month for me number-wise. I read five books. I had been hoping for more, but my mother's visit, the dreaded conjunctivitis, and work obligations made both blogging and reading take a back seat.

In July I finished reading:
The Magician's Lie by Greer Macallister
In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware (audio)
The American Girl by Kate Horsley
The Fireman by Joe Hill
'Til Death Do Us Part by Amanda Quick

There was not a bad one in the bunch, really. I especially liked Imogen Church's narration of In a Dark, Dark Wood, and so would probably have to say that is my favorite.

What was your favorite book you read in the month of July?

What I Am Watching: I have not had a chance to watch much of anything recently, other than The Care Bears (the recent Netflix version), which my daughter has just discovered. I really hope I can watch Stranger Things soon, as it sounds like something I would enjoy. I did watch a live Western stunt show at Knott's Berry Farm Saturday, which was entertaining.

It's time for the final month of the Summer 2016 Comment Challenge hosted by Lonna of FLYLēF and Alicia of A Kernel of Nonsense. I enjoyed being a part of the July Challenge, getting the opportunity to meet Jean of Howling Frog Books (isn't that an awesome blog title? It's from Daniel Pinkwater's The Snarkout Boys and the Baconburg Horror, which is now on my wish list). Jean and I are both live in California, although at different ends of the state. I especially enjoyed hearing all about Jean's adventures in the United Kingdom this month, which she wrote extensively about in a series of posts. I wanted to travel there before, but her posts make me want to do so even more. The photos she shared are beautiful and the history quite fascinating. I highly recommend you check out her blog. She's smart and insightful, not to mention well read.

For August, I have been paired with Nina from By Page or By Plane, who I am looking forward to getting to know. From the peek I have had of her blog so far, I already like her.

Mouse started her new summer program this week, and so far so good. She is having a great time, although the no nap time during the day is having an effect. She's not so pleasant in the evenings. We are in the process of adjusting her bedtime to be sure she's getting enough sleep. She was able to visit her friends at her old daycare Friday; we arrived just in time for water play. Her old friends were happy to see her and she them. I took Mouse out for lunch at Mimi's afterward. She ordered the chocolate chip pancakes, of course.

I had to give a presentation to a group of new employees at work Tuesday. I think it went okay. I am not a public speaker of any kind, and so admit I was not thrilled about doing it in the first place. Still, it's good experience, and I know my subject matter well.

A rose from one of my rose bush this week.

Another rose from one of my rose bushes this week.

Waiting for the Log Ride

This Past Week In Reading Mews:

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

© 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.

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Bookish Thoughts: Redshirts by John Scalzi

From the top of the large boulder he sat on, Ensign Tom Davis looked across the expanse of the cave toward Captain Lucius Abernathy, Science Officer Q'eeng and Chief Engineer Paul West perched on a second, larger boulder and thought, Well, this sucks. ~ Opening of Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas

Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas by John Scalzi, narrated by Wil Wheaton

Tor Books/Audible Frontiers, 2012

Science Fiction; 320 pgs (7 hours, 41 minutes)

Source: I purchased this copy.

From Goodreads:

Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456. It’s a prestige posting, and Andrew is thrilled all the more to be assigned to the ship’s Xenobiology laboratory.

Life couldn’t be better…until Andrew begins to pick up on the fact that (1) every Away Mission involves some kind of lethal confrontation with alien forces, (2) the ship’s captain, its chief science officer, and the handsome Lieutenant Kerensky always survive these confrontations, and (3) at least one low-ranked crew member is, sadly, always killed.

Not surprisingly, a great deal of energy below decks is expendedon avoiding, at all costs, being assigned to an Away Mission. Then Andrew stumbles on information that completely transforms his and his colleagues’ understanding of what the starship Intrepid really is…and offers them a crazy, high-risk chance to save their own lives.

I decided on a whim one Friday to listen to John Scalzi's Redshirts, narrated by Wil Wheaton. I ended up listening to the entire book in one day. I have not much to say about it, other than it had me laughing out loud in spots and was just plain fun to listen to. This is my second audiobook narrated by Wil Wheaton, and yet again he impressed me. He was the perfect narrator for this book, especially given his time on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

For those who are fans of science fiction television, particularly Star Trek, this is a must read (or listen). It pokes fun at and celebrates the genre in a way that is both compelling and comic. There is action, and a great cast of characters who one just can't help but root for. The Codas are worth listening to as well, adding to the main story in unexpected ways.

To learn more about John Scalzi and his work, please visit the author's website.
For more information about the narrator, Wil Wheaton, visit his website.

Shelf Control: Elizabeth George's Inspector Thomas Lynley Series

I have seen this meme quite a bit this year and decided it might be a fun way to give attention to some of the books marinating on my shelves, patiently waiting their turn to be read. I make no promises that it will be soon. My TBR collection is . . . well, let's just say, quite large. And that's an understatement.

Shelf Control hosted by Lisa of Bookshelf Fantasies "is all about the books we want to read — and already own! Consider this a variation of a Wishing & Waiting post… but looking at books already available sitting right there on our shelves and e-readers."

This mystery series features Detective Inspector Thomas "Tommy" Lynley, 8th Earl of Asherton, and Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers of New Scotland Yard. I believe the series is up to 19 books, but I only have 14 of them, along with a short story collection that includes one story featuring Inspector Lynley. There are two many books to provide a synopsis of each one, but I imagine just knowing who the main players are and the setting gives you an idea of the type of books these are.

A Great Deliverance (1988; 413 pgs)

Payment in Blood (1989; 374 pgs)

Well-Schooled in Murder (1990; 414 pgs)

A Suitable Vengeance (1991; 449 pgs)

For the Sake of Elena (1992; 442 pgs)

Missing Joseph (1993; 567 pgs)

Playing for the Ashes (1994; 678 pgs)

The Presence of the Enemy (1996; 625 pgs)

Deception on His Mind (1996; 716 pgs)

In the Pursuit of the Proper Sinner (1999; 718 pgs)

A Traitor To Memory (2001; 1009 pgs )

A Place of Hiding (2003; 777 pgs)

How I got them: Years ago, I discovered E-Bay and the fact that I could buy boxes of used books at a irresistible rate. I bid on a box of twelve used books in Elizabeth George's Inspector Lynley's series, and one short story collection (The Evidence Exposed), and won.

When I got it: *hangs head in embarrassment* September of 2004. (I later purchased No One As My Witness in March of 2006 from Barnes and Noble and a signed copy of This Body of Death at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books in 2010, which is kind of silly in retrospect given I had only read one f the other books in the series. This was back in my must-have-every-possible-book-in-the-series-before-reading phase.)

Why I want to read them: A pen pal recommended the series to me, and I have heard wonderful things about the books since then. I have actually read one of Elizabeth George's books (For the Sake of Elena--although another copy; not the one that came in this box), which I enjoyed quite a bit. I love mysteries, and really do want to read this series someday. It's one of the reasons all these books survived my massive book purging when we moved five years ago and the second one last year. Of course, pulling the books off my shelf for the photos for the post, I nearly dove right into the first one because, even after all these years, the series sounds so good.

The Evidence Exposed (1999, 216 pgs)

Have you read these books? If so, what did you think? Should I move them up in my TBR pile?

Monday, July 25, 2016

Where Is Your Bookmark? (07/26/2016)

I am currently reading (and enjoying) Amanda Quick's 'Til Death Do Us Part, a Gothic mystery romance, which the majority of you voted for as my July read. The protagonist owns an introduction service in Victorian London and is being stalked by an unknown person. She turns to a reclusive crime fiction author for assistance in finding out who is targeting her.

'Til Death Do Us Part by Amanda Quick

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.

"I've got to get rid of her, Birch." Nestor Kettering reached for the brandy bottle and refilled his glass. "I can't abide the sight of my wife. You have no idea what it's like living with her in the same house."

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 3% of 'Til Death Do Us Part:

For a precious few seconds he debated where to leave his gift. The bed or the dressing table?

The bed, he decided. So much more intimate.

and

Teaser from page 6% of 'Til Death Do Us Part:

"The last thing I need is a professional fortune hunter trying to make me believe that he is still in love with me after he abandoned me to marry another woman. I would remind you that I am not alone in this house. My housekeeper and butler may be elderly, but I assure you they are still quite capable of whistling for a constable if necessary. Yes, Nestor, I will scream bloody murder if that's what it takes to remove you from the premises."

What do you think? Would you keep reading?

I am intrigued already!

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 Top Ten Things Books Have Made Me Want To Do or Not Do.

Things Books Have Made Me Want To Do:

1. Own and work in a bookstore - Whether it's The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend Broken Wheel Recommend or The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry or another book set in a bookstore, I understand it would be hard work and I might find a dead body or two, but what reader wouldn't want to be surrounded by books all day?

2. Travel ~ Reading has let me travel all around the world, and so many of those places I would love to visit in person. Be it London, Australia, Narnia, New York City, Japan. Anywhere really.

3. Go back in time ~ Oh, how I would love to go back and time and meet some of my favorite historical characters in person, not to mention see how they really lived. And wouldn't it be amazing to experience some of history's greatest moments in person?

4. Hang out at Hogwarts ~ I have always wished I could explore the campus and surrounding grounds more fully. It is a magical place. If I met up with a few of my favorite characters from the Harry Potter books, well, I wouldn't mind that either.

5. Have magical powers/Save the day ~ I have always enjoyed stories involving magic, and would love to one or more magical abilities myself. In my ordinary very normal life, I sometimes enjoy reading a book in which I can place myself in the place of the hero or heroine, saving the day. Even if no one else knows, I have thought I wouldn't mind doing that in real life.

Things Books Have Made Me Not Want To Do:

1. Date a vampire ~ Can you imagine cuddling up to someone who is so cold? And, well, dead? Not to mention he will likely want to drink my blood. Plus, where vampires go, trouble always follows.

2. Go intentionally into a dangerous situation alone--or without at least telling someone what I was doing ~ Because that's a sure sign I am too stupid to live (TSTL) and will likely wind up in a lot of trouble.

3. Go back in time ~ No indoor plumbing, inadequate medical care, and women weren't exactly always treated well.

4. Hang out at the Overlook Hotel ~ If you've ever read Stephen King's The Shining, you'll understand why.

5. Have the weight of the world on my shoulders ~ If I did have those magical powers and, as much as I would like to have saved the day, the actual work to do the saving would probably be hard, cruel and I would likely almost die a few times before the final outcome. I'm not sure I would be up for that.

What are some of the things books have made you want to do or not do? Please share in the comments!

Sunday, July 24, 2016

From the Archives: A Blogging Retrospective - July 2006

[Post idea ~~stolen~~ ~~borrowed~~ inspired by Kay of Kay's Reading Life's Bookish Nostalgia and Stacy of Stacy's Books' A Look Back features. Thank you, Ladies!]

July 2006 was overcast, stormy and hot. I took advantage of a week long vacation to get in some quality reading time. My husband had a flat tire and the person at the tire repair shop switched out the wrong tire. I am sure there was plenty of cuddle time with my cat, Parker, and dog, Riley.

I'll be honest with you. The reason I decided to set up this blog at this very moment instead of tomorrow or two months from now is because I am avoiding the book I am reading.

With those opening lines, Musings of a Bookish Kitty was born on July 23, 2006. Sixteen posts went up during the final days of July, reviews mostly. I received all of one comment that month by my online book group friend, Linda Sheehan. Boy, did she make my day! I was very active in online book groups at the time, mostly through Yahoo Groups. I had been participating in them for years, enjoying the company of other book lovers who were just as obsessed with reading and books as I was. Although book blogging was not a new concept when I entered into it, the community was much smaller than it is today. In fact, I wasn't aware there was a book blogging community at all initially. I knew a couple of people who had book blogs, but that was it. When I did discover it, I was in awe of other book bloggers and the community itself. Everyone was welcoming and made me feel right at home.

Reviewing books for publishers, publicists and authors may not have been very common in 2006, but it was on the rise. I had been reviewing books for Harper Collins' First Look Program for little a while before starting my blog. There were also websites set up where readers could volunteer to read and review early releases or independently published books on those sites. I would eventually give that a try--but that's getting ahead of myself. One of the books I reviewed on my blog during my first July of blogging was First Look book, Lifeless by Mark Billingham, a crime fiction novel set in London. It was my first book by the author.

In July of 2016, My template for my reviews was more defined in terms of sections, although not much different from what I do now when it comes to content. I posted about my rating system, which I would go on to add numeric value and define a little more clearly the next year. At some point, I went in and added the numeric (1 to 5 paws) ratings in to those early reviews, although I can't tell you exactly when that was. I have since stopped rating books on my blog, although I still rate them on my reading spreadsheet and when I list books I read on sites like Goodreads and LibraryThing.

Although I reviewed 13 books that month, I read 11, which, even today, is a pretty amazing number for me. I am tempted to copy and paste my July 2006 reading summary post because it describes the books I reviewed in July very well, as if I was traveling through the world--which I was, in a way. My reading took me across the U.S., into Canada, and through Europe, Asia and Africa. Not to mention taking me all over history, past to present, fantasy, mystery, and more realistic fare. Most were books I owned, although one was a review book and another from a BookCrossing bookring (similar to my postal mail group, where a book is mailed from reader to reader). Just via books.

My July 2006 reviews:

The Birth of Venus by Sarah Durant
Labyrinth by Kate Mosse
Lifeless by Mark Billingham
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Empire of the Sun by J.G. Ballard
The Attack by Yasmina Khadra
Bombay Time by Thrity Umrigar
Tales From a Child of the Enemy by Ursula Duba
Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat
Kitty Goes to Washington by Carrie Vaughn
Practical Demonkeeping by Christopher Moore

Three of the books I reviewed received my highest rating (Labyrinth, The Alchemist, and Tales From a Child of the Enemy) which must have been a happy surprise at the time. Even then I didn't give Outstanding ratings often. I still think highly of all three books. If I were to pick a favorite from the bunch today, I might be more likely to go with The Birth of Venus or Empire of the Sun, however. But I may have Empire of the Sun muddled in my head with the movie--which I loved. My least favorite definitely remains Christopher Moore's book, I am sad to say, which I liked somewhat, but found disappointing. I have yet to try anything else by the author.

It appears my first month of blogging got off to a great start. I certainly read and reviewed some great books that month.

Have you read any of these books? If so, what did you think?
Do you remember what you were reading 10 years ago?
Do you think your opinion of what you were reading then has changed?

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Sunday Post: Ten Years of Blogging & My Usual Update

Well, it's official. Musings of a Bookish Kitty is ten years old. It doesn't seem possible. Where has the time gone?! My blog has been through several different looks since I first began. Those who have been around a while, may remember some of these headers my husband put together:

I feel so lucky to be a part of such a great community of other book bloggers. Those of you who visit and read my blog mean so much to me. I still feel the same excitement when I receive a comment as I did when I received my first comment. Musings of a Bookish Kitty has turned into not only a journal of the books I read, but also a record of my life's journey in these past ten years. This has blog has seen me through so many ups and downs and life changes. Thank you to all of you for reading my posts, your comments and friendship, whether old or new.

I hope you will take time out to tell me what you are up to this weekend! What are you reading? Are you watching anything you would recommend?

Do you always put a book cover in your posts when you are mentioning books or just text? (submitted by Elizabeth)

It depends. When I am reviewing a book, I like to include a picture of a book cover. If I'm just mentioning a book in passing, I may not include a cover. If I am making a list of several different books, I may include every cover or I may include just a few to keep the length of the post down. I think including pictures of covers adds color to a post. Too much of nothing but text can be boring after awhile. Besides, sometimes it's the cover that grabs someone's attention because it tends to stand out in a post and spurs his or her interest. I know it can have that affect on me anyway.

New to my Shelves:

Love Anthony by Lisa Genova, from my Postal Mail Group

The Whiskey Sea by Ann Howard Creel,

from the publisher for an upcoming book tour

Used Bookstore purchases (and Gracie, my cat):

The Double Comfort Safari Club by Alexander McCall Smith

Haunted Mesa by Louis L'Amour

The Walking Drum by Louis L'Amour

What I Am Reading: My reading has been close to non-existent for the past couple of weeks, with my mom in town and other things going on. I did manage to finish Joe Hill's The Fireman this weekend though. Now I can devote all my attention to Amanda Quick's 'Til Death Do Us Part, my July TBR winner.

What I Am Watching: Surprisingly, I have watched very little as of late. Maybe a You-Tube video here and there.

What's Going On Off the Blog: I have not been able to get around the blogiverse much over the last two weeks. With my wedding anniversary and my mom's visit on top of work and everything else going on, it's been hard to fit in even reading. Hopefully now things will settle into a more normal routine.

This past weekend my husband and I got away, leaving my mother and daughter to their sleep over. The two had a fun time making rice crispy cookies, preparing for and putting on a play, dressing up and playing games. Mouse kept her grandmother busy, and they had a lot of fun. Meanwhile, my husband and I had a nice time just the two of us. We took in a musical (The Man of La Mancha), had a romantic dinner, and stayed in a very nice historic hotel. Evidently there was a big PokemonGo get-together downtown that evening. We felt a little out of place, not walking with our phones out in front of us, among the throngs of people, some in costume. It was actually quite amusing. We stumbled on a used bookstore on our evening walk and came away with three books. It's a cozy little store. I could have probably spent hours browsing the shelves.

The California Theatre of Performing Arts

Lobby of the Mission Inn

During my mom's visit, she brought along old photo albums of my grandmother as a girl and a scrapbook my grandmother kept of my grandfather's time in the military during World War II. It is quite a treasure of family history. There was even a letter my grandfather had written to my grandmother right at the moment Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese (he was in Tacoma, Washington at the time). My mother also shared with me notes my grandfather had kept of his childhood on Iowa.

My grandfather in boot camp.

My Great-Grandmother with the family Cat.

A father/daughter dance upon our return

This past Friday was Mouse's last day at the daycare and school she has attended since she was three and a half months old. Mouse's bestfriend was able to come back (her last day had been back in June) for the day. The goodbyes were hard. Mouse's teacher and I hugged each other I don't know how many times, tears in our eyes. She and her family are like family to us. We've, in essence, raised Mouse together these past five years. Mouse said goodbye to her friends, giving them hugs, lingering a bit at the door as we headed out. She held back her silent tears until we got in the car. I reassured her we would see them again, maybe even as soon as next Friday for a drop in visit.

We still had time after swim class Friday afternoon to drive by the summer program Mouse will be starting this coming week, and I asked her if she wanted to stop in and see it again (we'd last been in May). I half hoped she would say no--it was 108 outside and the car air conditioner hand finally kicked in--but we were both hot. I am glad we did stop though. There weren't many kids there during their last hour of being open, but it was enough. Mouse and I walked around, the other children introduced themselves to her, and the staff person was very friendly and told us about the fun activities Mouse would be able to do there, including upcoming fieldtrips. I also got the reassurance I needed as the anxious mother, my last minute questions answered, and was comforted as I watched Mouse take in the new surroundings with a smile on her face. As we walked back to the car, Mouse asked me how many days until she started there. "I can't wait, Mommy! I wish it was tomorrow."

This Past Week In Reading Mews:

Upcoming on the Blog:
Monday - From the Archives: A Blogging Retrospective - July 2006
Tuesday - Where Is Your Bookmark?
Wednesday - Shelf Control
Thursday - Bookish Thoughts: Redshirts by John Scalzi

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

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Mouse's Corner: Thank You Cards

Early on my mother instilled in me the importance of writing thank you cards. While some kids begged and pleaded and did whatever they could to get out of writing to them, I was always eager to sit down right away and write them. Perhaps it was because of my love for writing letters. Whatever it was, I can only hope my daughter may enjoy it too--as much of a chore as it may seem at times for a child.

This year I decided it was her turn to start writing her own thank you cards. With my help of course. She learned to write her letters the year before last, but this past school year they began to make more sense to her. She understands that they make up words. Mouse was more than eager to attempt to write her own thank you cards after her birthday this past March. She likes to sign her name to all cards nowadays and include her own little note. She has even drawing pictures, asking for envelopes and telling me who I should send them to. Letter writing was a hobby of mine for many years, and I am happy to see my daughter take an interest in it too.

Mouse's first attempt at a Thank You Card (March 2016)

A Mother's Day Card to Her Grandmother

Mouse drawing on a puzzle card

Do you send out thank you cards? Do you enjoy letter writing?

Monday, July 11, 2016

Bookish Thoughts: Under an Adirondack Sky by Karen Rock

Rebecca Day shrugged on her raincoat and eyed the rain tapping against the Koffee Kat's storefront window. It turned SoHo's block-paved streets into an impressionistic blur, the sidewalks uncharacteristically empty of tourists, the iron-trimmed buildings seeming to slide down like melting wax. A cab lurched along the road, sending up fans of dark spray.

Teaser from 49%:

Time did fly. In fact, in his life, it simply disappeared. Great chunks of it, gone without him noticing . . . only now, he couldn't stop wanting it back. Or at least a way to slow it down.

What do you think? Would you keep reading?

Under an Adirondack Sky by Karen Rock

Harlequin Heartwarming, 2016

Romance; 384 pgs

In this sweet contemporary romance, our hero and heroine couldn't be more different--at least on the surface. Rebecca has a big heart she wears on her sleeve. Aiden keeps everything inside. Aiden is struggling to keep his father's business afloat and raise his siblings. He has little time on his hands for much of anything else. Rebecca is worried about her job as a school psychologist. Not all of her workmates accept her methods, feeling she's way too soft, and she has yet to gain tenure, which she desperately needs. Aiden's teenage brother Conner, is in serious trouble, facing being expelled from school. Rebecca is Conner's last chance--and maybe Aiden's last chance to save his relationship with his brother.

Rebecca has two weeks in the Adirondack Mountains to prove to the school board she has what it takes to help troubled teens. Aiden can't afford two weeks away from the tavern, but he has no choice if he wants to help his brother.

Both Rebecca and Aiden have their hearts in the right place. Orphaned at a young age, Rebecca was raised by a workaholic aunt. She knows what Conner is going through, vying for attention from his brother who won't give him the time of day. Aiden loves his family fiercely and keeping a roof over their head and food on the table is the one sure way he can do it, even if it means sacrificing social time for himself or with them. Aiden doesn't have time for love. And Rebecca won't settle for someone who doesn't have time for her. Yet neither can resist their attraction to each other.

The attraction between the two main characters is obvious from the moment they meet, and both struggle with it. Every time they give in, something comes up to make them regret it. The obstacles seem insurmountable.

While the romance is the main focus of the novel, it was impossible not to get attached to the kids Rebecca is trying to help. The wilderness program she and other child psychologists have put together to help troubled kids gets off to a rough start, but that was expected. The hope is giving the kids new experiences outside of their home environments will help them with their various issues. Conner in particular proves to be a challenge. All of the kids are basically good kids who have made crappy decisions. Whether it be from their past or family lives.

Is everything a little too perfect? Probably. It's a Heartwarming Romance after all. I found Under An Adirondack Sky entertaining and enjoyable. The characters were relatable and good together. I like that things didn't come easily for Aiden and Rebecca, especially where Conner was concerned. Under An Adirondack Sky was a nice escape.

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

I hope you will check out what others had to say about Under the Adirondack Sky 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.

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Bookish Thoughts: The Hummingbird by Stephen P. Kiernan

Deborah Birch is a seasoned hospice nurse whose daily work requires courage and compassion. ~ Opening of The Hummingbird

The Hummingbird by Stephen P. Kiernan

William Morrow, 2015

Fiction; 320 pgs

Once a well-respected history professor who was brought down by an academic scandal, Barclay Reed does not have long to live. Hospice worker, Deborah Porter, is a registered nurse assigned to care for him, one of many hospice nurses in a few short weeks. Deborah proves to be a good match for the cantankerous elderly man. She takes comfort in her work. Her home life is in turmoil. Her husband is home after his third tour of duty in Iraq and has come back a changed man. Deborah desperately wants to help her husband, but doesn't know how.

As Professor Reed and Deborah grow closer, she longs to know more about Professor Reed's past; what exactly happened to make him a pariah in the academic world? When Professor Reed learns of Deborah's home situation, he strikes a deal with her. He will tell her a story, the story that ended his career, if she will read his manuscript to him one last time. Within that manuscript, he assures her, she may find answers to help her on the home front.

Professor Reed has no one. He has burned his bridges and is dying alone. He is not an easy man to like or get to know. Deborah hopes that in his final days, he is able to make peace with his past and himself. Through the sharing of his research and final manuscript with her and her sharing her own story with him, perhaps he will be able to.

The novel alternates between Deborah's perspective and Professor Reed's manuscript. Stephen P. Kiernan effectively uses a story within a story through Professor Reed's manuscript to tell the story of a Japanese fighter pilot, Ichiro Soga, during World War II whose mission was to target strategic locations over the United States mainland. His is a tale of courage and hope, themes that carry over into Deborah's own story.

I took an instant liking to Deborah. I once considered going into hospice care as a career. Deborah is a fully realized character, as is her husband, Michael, and Professor Reed. She is dedicated to her job, in helping not only her patients, but also their families, through one of the most difficult times in their lives. She helps the dying find peace.

Deborah's husband, Michael, has come back a little more changed each time he returns from military duty in Iraq. This third time, he seems like an entirely different person. He is withdrawn, on edge, easy to anger, and at times violent. He has lost interest in all that he once loved, including, it would seem, Deborah. As someone who helps others for a living, Deborah wants only to help her husband, only, she isn't sure how. Everything she tries seems to fail. I felt for both Michael and Deborah. Deborah's love for her husband, her feelings of helplessness, and Michael's anger and fear are all so palatable.

The Hummingbird turned out to be an emotional read for me, striking a personal chord. Although he fought in a different war and I never knew him before it, the effects of the war on my father were noticeable. I saw bits of my father in Michael. I also saw him in Barclay Reed, from his love for history, particularly World War II, to his dying. This is one of those novels I wish I could push on my dad--I think he would have liked it. Most of all, I wish he was around so we could talk about it together.

Healing and forgiveness are at the center of this novel as it deals with the difficult topics of war and dying. Stephan P. Kiernan expertly takes three seemingly different stories, one from the past and two from the present, and weaves them together. The Hummingbird is an emotional and thought provoking novel that will resonant with many readers.

To learn more about Stephen Kiernan and his work, please visit the author's website and Facebook page.

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