Where Is Your Bookmark? (Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery & My Favorite Christmas Story)

As I prepare this post early in the week, I am nearing the end of Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan. By the time this posts, however, I imagine I will have finished it. It is the third book in a trilogy, although my first by the author. My husband called me a rebel when I told him. Luckily it is one of those books where it doesn't matter where you jump in to enjoy the book.

Goodreads Summary:  

In the Cornish coastal village of Mount Polbearne, the Christmas season has arrived. It’s a joyous time for family, friends, and feasting as decorations sparkle along the town’s winding streets and shop windows feature buoyant, festive displays. And in Polly’s Little Beach Street bakery, the aromas of gingerbread cookies and other treats tempt people in from the cold.

Though Polly is busy keeping up with the demands of the season, she still makes time for her beekeeper boyfriend, Huckle. She’s especially happy to be celebrating the holiday this year with him, and can’t wait to cuddle up in front of the fireplace with a cup of eggnog on Christmas Eve.

But holiday bliss soon gives way to panic when a storm cuts the village off from the mainland. Now it will take all of the villagers to work together in order to ensure everyone has a Merry Christmas.

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the wonderful Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

This story is about one particular Christmas, but it actually starts with a very Bad Thing happening the previous spring. 

And with that opening statement, I was dying to know what exactly that "very Bad Thing" is!

A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.

"That when friends need you more than ever. When something awful happens. And here's the crucial thing; even if the awful thing that's happened is your own fault. Especially when it's your own fault, Do you see?" [pg 58]

I find this particular sentiment so true, especially in the case of the characters in this book.

What do you think? Does this sound like something you would want to read?

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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.

What is your favourite Christmas-themed read?

While I love to immerse myself in holiday-themed romance and family dramas during the Christmas season with their inspirational and happy endings, my favorite Christmas-themed book is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens by far. It is a story that has been shared and re-told in many different variations over the years, it's message just as relevant today as it was during the time it was written. 

What about you? What is your favorite holiday (Christmas or otherwise) themed-read?

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© 2017, 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.

Mini Reviews: From Fantastic Beasts to Warring Werewolves to Sexy Weretigers

Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them by Newt Scamander (Pseudonym) & J.K. Rowling; Narrated by Eddie Redmayne (2017)

Opening Sentence: The Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures gives classifications to all known beasts, beings and spirits. 

 Perhaps you have heard the expression, "So and so has such a great voice; I could listen to him read the dictionary!" Well, I kind of did that when I listened to Eddie Redmayne read Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. It's basically an encyclopedia of the various magical creatures you will find in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter world listed in order from A to Z. The introduction to this compendium offers some interesting insight into the politics and history of the Wizarding World and its relationship with other creatures and beings. I think that was my favorite part. I would love to get my hands on the illustrated version of this book. I think it would be a great reference book to compliment my Harry Potter book collection.

To learn more about J.K. Rowling and her books, please visit the author's website. 

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Bitten by Deceit (Hadley Werewolves #1) by Shawntelle Madison

2012; 61 pgs

Opening Sentence: All Emma had to do was open the car door.

Emma chose to remain behind when her mate left the pack. Now she is begging for his help when the pack leader falls under the curse of a black witch. Danger follows fast on her heels, and Kyle must think fast to prepare a defense--and an end to the plague. It's the only sure way to save Emma. I have read other books by Shawntelle Madison, which I enjoyed, and have had this short novella on my Kindle for awhile now. It was hidden away, as sometimes Kindle books can be. E-books aren't as in your face as books on an actual physical book shelf. I enjoyed Bitten by Deceit for being quick to and full of action, and Madison's ability to give just enough backstory and set up to make this story feel more complete. Still, it did seem too short, and I wouldn't have minded knowing more about the pack Emma and Kyle come from. Overall, this was a satisfying quick read to scratch my itch for something short and intense.

To learn more about Shawntelle Madison and her books, please visit the author's website. 

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Forbidden (Never After Dark #1) by Elle Thorne

Barbed Borders Press, 2015; 105 pgs

Opening Sentence: Rafe had thought he'd be past it by now.

Continuing in my phase of desiring short--and this one steamy (sizzling) hot--I turned to Elle Thorne's Forbidden, featuring a family of weretigers in Italy. Another novella which had gotten lost on my Kindle. Rafe believes himself to be in love with his half brother's mate and is not looking forward to their visit. But then he meets Jax and helps her out of a bind with her parents. One thing leads to another, and it becomes clear that the two are fated to be together. Will Jax be able to accept Rafe's animal side?

This one is a bit more sexually graphic than my usual romance reading fare, admittedly, but I can't say I wasn't warned going in. Jax seems like a smart woman, although I question her taste in men. Rafe is definitely a step up--several steps up, in fact, from her old boyfriend. Because this story is so short, everything happens fast, and it really did feel like it was too fast. I would like to have had just a little more conflict between the two main characters, perhaps. I would not mind reading more of Thorne's work. Maybe just something longer next time.

To learn more about Elle Thorne and her books, please visit the author's website. 

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© 2017, 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.

Tuesday Favorites: Top Ten Books On My Winter TBR

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

This week's  Top Ten Tuesday is Top Ten Books On My Winter TBR. It is hard to think past Christmas right now, and so it's tempting to list all the Christmas books I would like to get to but likely won't because I'm not that fast of a reader--nor can I devote all my time to reading. Winter is much longer than just December though. In fact, it starts just after the mid-point. And as you know, I am terrible about sticking to lists when it comes to my reading, so this is more of a list of possibilities.

1.

Vanished by Karen E. Olson ~ This winter I hope to catch up with Karen E. Olson's Black Hat series featuring hacker Nicole Jones. I have enjoyed everything Karen E. Olson has written, and this is series is my favorite of hers yet.


2.

Wicked City by Beatriz Williams ~ Set in New York City, this novel is described on Goodreads as being a "deliciously spicy adventure that mixes past and present" featuring the present day Ella who leaves her cheating husband and moves into a small apartment, which from the building's basement can be heard sounds of jazz music and clinking glasses--once a speakeasy in the 1920's. Ella sets out to find out more about the history of the speakeasy, uncovering the story of Geneva "Gin" Kelly as well as her entanglement with a Prohibition agent and a wealthy debonair.


3. 

Death Below the Stairs by Jennifer Ashley ~ In this historical mystery, "Victorian class lines are crossed when cook Kat Holloway is drawn into a murder that reaches all the way to the throne [excerpt from Goodreads]." I have been wanting to read this one since I first heard about it!


4.

Bridget Jones Diary by Helen Fielding ~ If you aren't familiar with at least the name, Bridget Jones, you are probably living in a cave with no access to books, movies, or television. I had hoped to read this one before the end of the year (and still might, but it's doubtful). I hope to at least read it this winter.


5.

The Secret History of Wonder Woman by Jill Lepore ~ Recently having seen the latest Wonder Woman movie and listened to Leigh Bardugo's Wonder Woman: Warbringer, I figure it is about time I dust off my copy of  The Secret History of Wonder Woman and give it a read. As Goodreads says:, this is "cultural history of Wonder Woman traces the character's creation and enduring popularity, drawing on interviews and archival research to reveal the pivotal role of feminism in shaping her seven-decade story."


6.

Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert ~ A portal fantasy of sorts--magic and a fairy tale feel--a 17 year old must go to the forbidden Hazel Wood and the world her now deceased grandmother had created in her stories in an effort to save her mother. Doesn't this sound like the perfect winter book to lose oneself in?


7.

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid ~ A novel about two lovers, a young unmarried Muslim couple, forced to flee their homeland as it is being torn apart by civil war. This was one of My Lit Box books I purchased earlier this year and has been on my mind to read now for some time.


8.

The Hating Game by by Sally Thorne ~ I admit this one, about two publishing company employees who don't just dislike each other but hate each other and who are up for the same promotion, didn't interest me initially. The reviews by fellow book bloggers won me over, however, and I recently added it to my audio library. I hope to listen to The Hating Game this winter.


9.

The Lost Plot by Genevieve Cogman ~ The 4th book in the Invisible Library series which I have so much love for. This one  takes us back in time to the 1930's. I can't wait to see what trouble Irene and Kai get into next!


10.

Mrs. Claus: Not the Fairy Tale They Say edited by Rhonda Parrish ~ Because I have to list at least one Christmas-themed book, and I am eager to dive into this one! Mrs. Claus is a short story collection featuring Mrs. Claus in some decidedly nontraditional roles.

What books are you looking forward to reading this winter (or summer for those of you in the Southern Hemisphere)?

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© 2017, 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: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

The screw through Cinder's ankle had rusted, the engraved cross marks worn to a mangled circle. ~ Opening of Cinder

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

Feiwel & Friends, 2012

Science Fiction (YA); 400 pgs

Goodreads Summary: 

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

I have wanted to read Cinder for awhile now and knew this year would be the year. Thanks to all of you who voted for it in my September TBR poll! I knew Cinder was a cyborg and that it was a loose re-telling of Cinderella when I began reading it, but, for the most part, I went into the novel with little idea of what to expect.

The novel kicks right off with Cinder at her booth in the market and a poorly disguised Prince Kai appearing at her stall seeking the mechanic's help. The two hit it off well right from the start, although their conversation is brief. Soon after he leaves, a woman in the market shows signs of a fatal and highly contagious plague that is threatening the kingdom, and all hell breaks loose.

The novel took a while to really get off the ground for me. The author takes her time setting up Cinder's situation, which is definitely not a good one. She lives with her guardian and the guardian's two daughters. Only one of the girls is nice to Cinder, someone she might call a friend even. The guardian is particularly nasty. I never really got a feel for the other daughter, other than her sharing in some of her mother's animosity toward Cinder.

I think it was the moment when Cinder first meets Dr. Erland that I became completely invested in the novel. Things started falling into place quickly after that and the tension began building at a steadier pace. I wasn't entirely surprised at the direction Cinder took, although I wanted to see how everything would evolve.

I loved that the novel is set in New Beijing. Although there is not a strong sense of place other than your generic kingdom, the greater political picture caught my interest--the coalition between the governments, the fear of the Lunars, the people from the moon. The Lunar Queen in particular seems to be a force to be reckoned with--ruling her own people and others with manipulation and fear.

I worried initially that the characters would lack much in the way of development, but as the book went on, they became more defined and interesting. Kai isn't just the love sick young man and Cinder is also more than she seems on the surface as well.

I confess it was Scarlet that first drew my attention to the Lunar Chronicles. I haven't yet read it because I knew I needed to start with Cinder. While I liked Cinder, I didn't fall in love with it the way I hoped. Still, I am looking forward to seeing what Scarlet holds for me as I've heard it is even better than Cinder, and I want to know what happens next!

To learn more about Marissa Meyer and her work, please visit the author on the author's website. 

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© 2017, 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? (Lust & Wonder by Augusten Burroughs)

One thing I especially enjoy about the Going Postal book group I belong to is the variety of books we read. Each member selects a book at the beginning of the year, and every couple of months, after having read the book in our possession, we mail it, along with a journal, to the next person in the group. By the end of the year, we've each read all the books and recorded our thoughts. I have not liked all the books chosen, but I have had a chance to read books I might not have picked up otherwise. Lust & Wonder by Augusten Burroughs is one of those books. I really enjoyed Running With Scissors by the same author which I read about twelve years ago. It was funny and sad--at times shocking--but I found Burroughs to be humble and thoughtful, entertaining, and incredibly resilient. 

It has been awhile since I last read--or wanted to read--a memoir. And while reading Lust & Wonder right now is taking me away from the holiday themed books I am craving, I didn't want to let it sit too long (besides, there's a deadline to finish it and send it on to the next person).

Goodreads Summary: 

In chronicling the development and demise of the different relationships he's had while living in New York, Augusten Burroughs examines what it means to be in love, what it means to be in lust, and what it means to be figuring it all out. With Augusten's unique and singular observations and his own unabashed way of detailing both the horrific and the humorous, Lust and Wonder is an intimate and honest memoir that his legions of fans have been waiting for.

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the wonderful Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

Just when I broke my sobriety and started drinking again in moderate controlled measure exactly like a normal person, I met this guy who wasn't just a guy but a writer, and not just a writer but the author of one of my favorite books. 

In AA, you are brainwashed into believing that all the good stuff happens only after you stop drinking. Clearly they are lying; my life improved significantly as soon as I ordered a cocktail.

Augusten Burroughs drew me in right away with this opening. It's got a conversational feel to it and from the second paragraph, I just know he's in for a hard fall. Not that I want him to fail, but it seems given it will happen.

A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.

"We didn't say anything. We just sat there on the sofa, and I understood everything. The problem is, I really am monogamous. You know? I've spent the last two years trying not to love somebody who's dying, but it didn't work." [pg 51]

I would be lying if I said tears didn't spring to my eyes as I read this excerpt and what came after. It's an insightful moment into Augusten's life at that time in his life.

I haven't gotten too far into the book--I'm on page 52, but I hope to make more progress this weekend. I find Burrough's writing and story compelling, and look forward to continuing on.

What do you think? Is this something you might like to read?

Can you believe Thanksgiving is next week (well, at least for us Americans)?! If you celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful day. I will be taking this next week off from blogging. I have to work for much of the week, but want to concentrate on spending time with my family, and maybe even dedicate some extra time to reading. Have a great weekend--and week!

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© 2017, 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: Death in the Stacks by Jenn McKinlay

September in New England was about as perfect a season as there was on earth. ~ Opening of Death in the Stacks

Death in the Stacks (Library Lover's Mystery #8) by Jenn McKinlay

Berkley, 2017

Crime Fiction (Cozy); 304 pgs

Source: E-copy provided by publisher for an honest review.

I could not resist requesting Death in the Stacks by Jenn McKinlay when I first saw it up for offer on Penguin's First to Read program. Lindsey Norris is the directory for Briar Creek Library, and she has her work cut out for her with the annual Dinner in the Stacks fundraiser event scheduled in just a few days. The new library board president, Olive Boyle, is less than impressed with the plans and is making a lot of noise to make sure everyone knows it. Olive isn't liked by many people given her penchant to collect dirty secrets and use them as blackmail to get what she wants. She seems determined to bring down the library staff, and Lindsey isn't sure why.

When Olive is found murdered in the library, all eyes fall to one of the library employees who had been threatened by Olive just that night. Lindsey had promised to stay out of further murder investigations (probably related to the previous seven books in the series, which I haven't yet read), but everyone seems to know her better than herself. And this murder did take place in her library, after all. 

Olive is truly a despicable character, and one cannot help but dislike her. Although no one would wish the way she died on anyone, even her, it's likely not many will miss her. I could really relate to Lindsey on the other hand, and enjoyed getting to know her. I'm quite fond of her boyfriend too, but even more so her dog, Heathcliff, who definitely deserves more than the cameo he got. I also like the the sheriff, although she probably gives Lindsey more latitude than she should. There is quite a cast of eccentric characters, including some out of town guests.

I thought I knew the direction the novel was going, but it gets pretty twisty there in the end--if a bit confusing--but it kept me glued to the pages. I just had to know how everything turned out. 

Death in the Stacks was such a fun read. It even ends with the library's craft and reader's guide for one of the "Crafternoons" (the library's craft and reading group) book choices and the craft to go along with it. There are even a few recipes included to send the reader off hungry.  This is one of those books that walked into my life at just the right time. It was funny and down right silly at times, but I was hooked from the start. I look forward to reading more in the series.

To learn more about Jenn McKinlay and her work, please visit the author on the author's website. 

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© 2017, 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.

Wishing for Wednesday: Paranormal Suspense of the Romantic Variety & A Cozy Mystery

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. (Based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.)

Today's books share a similar theme. Sort of. Both feature a librarian. One in a paranormal romantic suspense and the other a cozy mystery.

Dangerously Divine (Broken Riders #2) by Deborah Blake

Release Date: November 28, 2017 by Berkley

The Riders: Three immortal brothers who kept the Baba Yagas safe, now stripped of their summons to protect. But fate is not finished with them—and their new callings are even more powerful...

Though his physical wounds have healed, Gregori Sun, the eldest of the Riders, remains in spiritual turmoil. His search for his mother, the one person able to heal his soul and save his life, is failing—until he crosses paths with a beautiful and fascinating librarian who might be the key to his salvation...

Ciera Evans’s bookish ways are just a guise. The product of a difficult past, she has dedicated her life to saving lost teens—by any means necessary. She works alone, but when a dark, brooding stranger proposes they team up to solve both their problems, she is tempted—in more ways than one...

After Ciera and Sun’s plans are derailed by dangerous enemies, they find themselves entangled in an ungodly affair—one that will force them to either find new strength together or be forever haunted by their pasts alone. [Goodreads Summary]

Reason for wanting to read: I have not yet read the first book in the series (or any of the Baba Yaga books, for that matter), but I do like the sound of this one. A librarian who likes to save lost teens? An immortal and high stakes? I'm there!

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A Murder for the Books (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #1) by Victoria Gilbert
Release Date: December 12, 2017 by Crooked Lane Books

Fleeing a disastrous love affair, university librarian Amy Webber moves in with her aunt in a quiet, historic mountain town in Virginia. She quickly busies herself with managing a charming public library that requires all her attention with its severe lack of funds and overabundance of eccentric patrons. The last thing she needs is a new, available neighbor whose charm lures her into trouble.

Dancer-turned-teacher and choreographer Richard Muir inherited the farmhouse next door from his great-uncle, Paul Dassin. But town folklore claims the house’s original owner was poisoned by his wife, who was an outsider. It quickly became water under the bridge, until she vanished after her sensational 1925 murder trial. Determined to clear the name of the woman his great-uncle loved, Richard implores Amy to help him investigate the case. Amy is skeptical until their research raises questions about the culpability of the town’s leading families... including her own.

When inexplicable murders plunge the quiet town into chaos, Amy and Richard must crack open the books to reveal a cruel conspiracy and lay a turbulent past to rest in A Murder for the Books, the first installment of Victoria Gilbert’s Blue Ridge Library mysteries. [Goodreads Summary]

Reason for wanting to read: In recent months I have bee, especially drawn to cozy mysteries when filling out my wish list, and I cannot resist adding this one about a small town librarian. Add to that a mystery from the past. I can't wait to meet Amy and her eccentric librarian patrons!

Do  either of these sound like something you would like to read too?

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© 2017, 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.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

Montgomery, Alabama. ~ Opening of Quiet

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

Crown, 2012

Nonfiction; 370 pgs

Source: I purchased a copy for my own reading pleasure.

Goodreads Summary: 

At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over working in teams. It is to introverts—Rosa Parks, Chopin, Dr. Seuss, Steve Wozniak—that we owe many of the great contributions to society.

In Quiet, Susan Cain argues that we dramatically undervalue introverts and shows how much we lose in doing so. She charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal throughout the twentieth century and explores how deeply it has come to permeate our culture. She also introduces us to successful introverts—from a witty, high-octane public speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks, to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions. Passionately argued, superbly researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and, equally important, how they see themselves.

When Quiet first came out in in 2012, I was very excited. American society has often placed more value on extroversion than it has on introversion. People who are quick on their feet, outgoing and are energized by socializing seem to be a step ahead of those of us who are more thoughtful, analytical and tend to need time alone to reboot.

I have always been the more reflective type, preferring to observe what is going on around me before joining in. I feel drained in social situations, rather than energized. I need my alone time to regroup and focus. I do better when I work on my own than in a team setting. And I prefer small groups to large crowds. I am a more private person, and am very introspective. I hate talking on the phone and do not have much patience for small talk.  The list could go on and on. My introversion runs deep.

The agency I work for recently adopted Gallup's employee engagement theory based on focusing on strengths to increase performance. It wasn't a surprise when I took the strengths survey that my top five strengths, particularly three of them, fall distinctly onto the introverted side. I like the idea of focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses. And to see some of my more introverted traits in a strength-based light has been validating in more ways than one. American culture pushes extroversion from the day we are born (it's even pushed in schools as early as elementary school), and introversion is seen more as a weakness.

What I loved about Susan Cain's book is how it completely flips the idea that extroversion is better on its ear. Through extensive research, time and time again, Cain shows how, throughout history, introverted traits have benefited business and society. Her book is full of examples of introverts shining. She also goes into how introverts have adapted in an extroverted society, sometimes able to fake it with the best of them--but it can take a toll. She also discusses how there is no perfect cookie cutter definition of an introverted and extroverted person. While some traits tend to be more recognized as one or the other, there are social introverts and their are quiet extroverts. And what of ambiverts, who fall more in the middle of the spectrum, with both introverted and extroverted traits?

I especially found it interesting how different cultures view introversion and extroversion. Asian countries tend to value introversion more, for example, whereas the Western world places more value in extroversion.

Quiet was more focused on business, especially in the early chapters, than I expected, and there is a definite bias toward introversion in the book. I expected that, of course (I mean, just look at the title of the book!), but even though Cain says both are equal, extroversion didn't come out as being in the best of light. I wouldn't have minded a bit more balance in that regard.

I came away from Susan Cain's book feeling even more pride in my introversion than when I started; although, I admit it is hard to completely get rid of those old feelings of wishing I were more the kind of person who was at ease in social situations and more impulsive at times.

To learn more about Susan Cain and her work, please visit the author on the author's website. 

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© 2017, 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.

November TBR List Winner

Thank you for helping me decide what book from my TBR collection I should read next:

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 Saturday 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 (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise). 

I hope you all are enjoying your weekend! Mouse had her last soccer game of the season this morning. I am looking forward to being able to sleep in a little on Saturday mornings again. It was a relatively quiet day after that. I managed to get caught up on my book review writing, which I had fallen behind in. Mouse and I had a little tea party with quite a variety of snacks (and no tea). She invited her new unicorn which she got from our next door neighbor who is having a yard sale.

This evening there was a parent's meeting for the dance studio's Christmas showcase. This is my first time doing anything like this, and I am a bit of a nervous wreck. A combination of having no idea what I am doing, how to make rehearsal during work hours, and all the extra costs they don't tell you about.

At least the majority of my Christmas shopping is done. And I got my Christmas photo cards ordered.

Thank you to everyone who took time to vote in my poll this past week! It takes some of the pressure off of me to have you help me choose what I should read next.

Rule of Luck by Catherine Cerveny came in with 4 votes and Annie Spence's Dear Fahrenheit 451 received 10 votes. Snowfall on Haven Point won 50% of the votes, getting 14 votes.

I was excited about reading all of these, but at the moment, I'm particularly happy to see RaeAnne Thayne's Snowfall on Haven Point won if only because I could use a happy holiday escape right now--something that will help take my mind off of work stress, dance performance stress, family stress, the news, and, well, you get the picture. Thank you so much to all who voted!

I hope you all have a great week. Happy reading!

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© 2017, 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? (Mr. Dickens and His Carol)

This week I am in the middle of Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva. It is a fictionalized account of how author Charles Dickens came to write one of my favorite Christmas stories, The Christmas Carol. I am not finding it to be a fast read, but I am enjoying it quite a bit. It is one of those books I lose myself in when I have a good chunk of time to sit and read rather than in small doses here and there. 

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the wonderful Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

On that unseasonably warm November day at One Devonshire Terrace, Christmas was not in his head at all. 

I like this opening sentence and think it is a good one as a lead in to what is to come. Fortunately, the weather here has finally cooled down, and seems more fall like, but the week before Halloween, I had my doubts. As a result, I can appreciate how the weather can affect our thoughts about the holidays. Even if I live in a climate where the ice cream truck comes around the neighborhood even at Christmas time, I still appreciate that winter in this part of the world means colder weather.

A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.

"I know it's true, what you say," he said, flinging his hair back from his forehead. "But I'm in a most disheveled state, John. And fear I've lost my muse."

This is the 56% mark of Mr. Dickens and His Carol. Charles is in dire straits at this point. The deadline is fast approaching for his Christmas story, one he very reluctantly agreed to write. And now this . . .


What do you think? Would you continue reading?


I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!

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© 2017, 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: Miss Jane by Brad Watson

You would not think someone so afflicted would or could be cheerful, not prone to melancholy or miseries. ~ Opening of Miss Jane

Miss Jane by Brad Watson
W.W. Norton & Company, 2016
Fiction (Historical); 284 pgs

Brad Watson’s Miss Jane is the story of Jane Chisolm, a woman born with a genital birth defect. The novel, based loosely on the life of a relative of the author, takes the reader deep into rural Mississippi during the early twentieth century. Jane was born on her family’s farm to a mother whose heart was heavy from the loss of her young son and a distant but hardworking father.

Jane is isolated most of her life, attending only a semester of school. She is fairly precocious, however, picking up reading and math quickly on her own. She knows she will never led the normal expected life of a woman due to her deformity, but it does not stop her from feeling or loving or even living.

Given what I had heard about the book going in, I thought it would be more cheerful than it was. That isn’t to say it’s sad, but it is a book about life. And life, as most of us know, can be pretty messy and has its ups and downs. And so it is with Jane and her family. I appreciated the author’s depiction of each of the character’s, from Jane’s somber mother, her rebellious sister, and her distant father who finds comfort more and more in his apple brandy to the more thoughtful and curious Jane. This is as much a coming of age story as it is a character study. The reader sees Jane discovering who she is, struggling to accept her differences and eventually coming into her own. She knows loneliness and isolation. She knows hope and peace. Jane has a strong advocate in Dr. Thompson who befriends the child and does what he can to guide and protect her as she grows up.

I was particularly taken with Grace, Jane’s strong willed sister who wanted only to get out and away from her family. There was a part of me who could relate to her restlessness and feeling of being trapped. When she finally does get away, she proves she can weather just about any storm—her will to survive and stand on her own two feet strong.

Jane is a strong person herself, but in a different way than Grace. While Grace is all edges, Jane is smoother. Her strength is quieter and maybe not quite so obvious. She has a gentler approach to life, her curiosity and thoughtfulness carrying her through. It was impossible not to like Jane. She reminded me a bit of Melanie from The Girl With All the Gifts in that way. I couldn’t help but cheer for Jane and want for her all that life could offer. She makes the most of what she does have, which I think is a lesson many of us should take to heart.

The setting is very much a part of the story, the rural farm and woods surrounding it as well as the small town. The reader gets a real feel for what life was like during that time period, through the good times and then as the Depression sets in.

I found Miss Jane slow going, and I was easily distracted as I read. I am not entirely sure that is the book’s fault though given my state of mind and what was going on in my life at the time I read it. Had it not been for my Going Postal book club, I probably would have set it aside to try again at a later time. It says something though that I still came away from this novel appreciating and liking it overall. 

You can learn more about Brad Watson and his books on the author's website. 

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© 2017, 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.

Wishing For Wednesday: A Psychological Thriller/Paranormal Romance/Holiday Reading

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. (Based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.)

Poison by Galt Niederhoffer
Release Date: November 21, 2017 by St. Martin's Press

Poison is a literary psychological thriller about a marriage that follows minor betrayal into a bubbling stew of lies, cruelty, manipulation, and danger.

Cass and Ryan Connor have achieved family nirvana. With three kids between them, a cat and a yard, a home they built and feathered, they seem to have the Modern Family dream. Their family, including Cass' two children from previous relationships, has recently moved to Portland —a new start for their new lives. Cass and Ryan have stable, successful careers, and they are happy. But trouble begins almost imperceptibly. First with small omissions and white lies that happen daily in any marital bedroom. They seem insignificant, but they are quickly followed by a series of denials and feints that mushroom and then cyclone in menace.

With life-or-death stakes and irreversible consequences, Poison is a chilling and irresistible reminder that the closest bond designed to protect and provide for each other and for children can change in a minute. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I Want to Read It: It is the cat that got me. No, not really. It's been a little while since I sank my  teeth into a good psychological thriller and this one sounds like a good one.

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Maid of Ice by Shona Husk
Release Date: November 21, 2017 by Kensington Books/Lyrical Press

Stalkers and death threats . . .  For Finlay Ryder, danger means playing a racecar driver on a daytime soap. That is, until he’s forced to reckon with his true identity as an Albah, a magical ancient race, by one of his own kind. Someone wants him dead. And worse, an ancient vampire is on the prowl, drawing blood left and right. Now, Finlay has no choice but to hunt enemies with unspeakable powers—or risk being hunted himself . . .

. . . and that’s just the first date.  Ice skater Alina Nyx is using her broken wrist as an excuse for a career change. And when she falls for handsome Finlay, Albah drama feels like her new full-time job. Learning about magic and vampires is exciting, until her life is threatened. Now, as she begins to uncover her own mysterious powers, she must combine forces with Finlay to eradicate their foes for good, or all Albah will suffer . . . [Goodreads Summary]

Why I Want to Read It: I recently discovered this series as a result of seeing this book. A paranormal romance involving a magical ancient race and a mystery. My curiosity has gotten the better of me and I can't wait to give this series a try.

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Mrs. Claus: Not the Fairy Tale They Say edited by Rhonda Parrish
Release Date: November 28, 2017 by World Weaver Press

When you think of Mrs. Claus, do you imagine a quiet North Pole homebody who finds complete fulfillment in baking cookies, petting reindeer and crafting toys alongside elves? How about a magic-wielding ice goddess, or a tough-as-nails Valkyrie? Or maybe an ancient fae of dubious intentions, or a well-meaning witch? Could Mrs. Claus be a cigar-smoking Latina, or a crash-landed alien? Within these pages Mrs. Claus is a hero, a villain, a mother, a spacefarer, a monster hunter, and more. The only thing she decidedly is not, is a sidekick.

It’s Mrs. Claus’ turn to shine and she is stepping out of Santa’s shadow and into the spotlight in these fourteen spectacular stories that make her the star! Featuring original short stories by Laura VanArendonk Baugh, C.B. Calsing, DJ Tyrer, Jennifer Lee Rossman, Kristen Lee, Randi Perrin, Michael Leonberger, Andrew Wilson, Ross Van Dusen, MLD Curelas, Maren Matthias, Anne Luebke, Jeff Kuykendall, and Hayley Stone. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I Want to Read It:  Short stories are hit and miss with me, but I couldn't resist this collection, especially at this time of year. With family coming into town and lots to do, fitting in a short story here and there might be all I can manage. I like that this collection takes a traditional character and puts her in nontraditional roles.

Do any of these sound like something you would like to read too?

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© 2017, 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: Owl and the Japanese Circus by Kristi Charish

I hate potholes. ~ Opening from Owl and the Japanese Circus

Owl and the Japanese Circus by Kristi Charish

Pocket Star, 2015

Fantasy (Urban); 433 pgs

Source: I purchased my own copy of this book.

Owl was once an archaeology student whose career as an archaeologist was ruined before she even gotten her degree. She has since made a name for herself stealing antiquities. She is very good at her job, but sometimes trouble follows. Most recently that trouble was upsetting the French Vampire contingency who are now trying to track her down. Owl is living in her Winnebago with her cat, Captain, the two of them on the run.

Unfortunately, she was not able to hide her whereabouts well enough because the next thing she knows, Owl is on a helicopter to Las Vegas where she meets up with a dragon who makes a rather irresistible proposition. If Owl wants to survive, she doesn’t have much choice but to say yes. The trail it leads her down is not only extremely dangerous, but also has her having to deal with the one thing she wishes to avoid: the supernatural. As if the job itself wasn’t bad enough, it seems a very powerful vampire with vengeance on the mind is not only out to get Owl but the object she has been tasked to retrieve.

Owl is joined for a good part of the novel by two of her friends, a fellow former archaeology student who owns a hostess bar and club in Tokyo and the guy she’s afraid to get close to but who proves to be invaluable in backing her up. Then there is my favorite, her cat Captain, who is indispensable, especially against vampires.

Owl and the Japanese Circus is the first in a series, although much has happened in Owl’s life already that gives her an especially interesting backstory. Add to that the mess she is currently in . . . This was a fun book to read. I loved the various references to mythology and the supernatural peppered throughout the novel. The idea of the supernatural living under the radar of us average humans is nothing new, of course, but there is something alluring about it just the same. I think the tie into archaeology especially pulled me in.

As much fun as I had reading this action-packed novel (because there really was A LOT of action packed in!), the novel did seem on the long side. There was so much to take in, not to mention all the twists. I found myself wishing the chapters had been a bit shorter. But that is probably more a convenience issue on my part.

I liked Owl for the most part, but she really seemed to have a knack for jumping into situations without looking—or thinking—first. Her friends complain about this all the time since she always seems to land herself in some pretty bad situations, not all of which she can get herself out of without their help. Instead of this being a learning point for her—her friends come to admit this is one of the qualities that make her so great at being her. I’m not sure I agree.

I can take Owl’s character though if I get more Rin, Naida, and, of course, Captain. Author Kristi Charish does such a great job with the world building overall that I am eager to see where she goes with this series.

You can learn more about Kristi Charish and her books on the author's website. She can also be found on Twitter and Facebook.

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© 2017, 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.

Weekly Mews: October Wrap-Up & What Should I Read Next? (November's My TBR List Poll)

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by the wonderful Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where participants 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. As well as Stacking the Shelves hosted by the great Team Tynga's Reviews and Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently.

I am afraid to tell you that the fall weather seems to finally be here to stay because then it might not and summer will be back. This weekend we will set the clocks back an hour, and so it seems only fitting fall would want to stay, right? Let's hope!

October In Review: October was a challenging month, and it is with mixed feelings that I bade it goodbye this week. Mouse was sick earlier in the month, and discovered the magic of going to the nurse's office. It meant a call went to mom or dad, and she would get picked up. We caught on quick to that, however, but then it was wanting to spend recesses in the nurse's office because it meant spending time with her friend who had a healing injury and couldn't play outside. She had all of us pretty worried, complaining of stomach pain every day. All of this on top of her grieving for our family cat, Parker. A talk with her teacher, the school's health tech, the doctor, plus putting two and two together, everything seems to have gotten back to normal. Thank goodness for open communication between school staff and I.

Work continues to be stressful. I will not bore you with details, but it's a cross between the bureaucracy and the work itself. I had to deal with a couple of very rough situations towards the end of the month. The kind that make me rush home and hug my daughter even tighter and longer than usual. Life is so fragile and children so vulnerable.

Halloween isn't a particular favorite holiday of mine, but for some reason I was very excited to see it come this year. Maybe because I needed something to look forward to. I took a vacation day Halloween Day, and was able to see my daughter in her school's costume parade. We passed out candy and went trick-or-treating that evening. I even dressed for the occasion!

Reading wise, it turned out to be a better month than I anticipated. My lack of interest in reading  at the start of October fortunately gave way in the face of good books. I did not read very much with my daughter, unfortunately, my own illness making it hard to read out loud, and so my husband gladly stepped in. For myself, I read a number of good books, and polished off two novellas in the final days of the month just because I could.

Here is what I read last month:

Solely For Me:

• The Fire By Night by Teresa Messineo
• Miss Jane by Brad Watson
• The Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor & Heather Webb
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander & J.K. Rowling (audio)
• Death in the Stacks by Jenn McKinlay
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer
• Bitten by Deceit by Shawntelle Madison
• Forbidden by Elle Thorne

Read With My Daughter:

• What Does It Mean To Be Kind? by Rana DiOrio, illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch
• The Prince Says "I Love You!" (Sight Words Book 1) by Thea Feldman
• Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey
• How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids by Tom Rath, Mary Reckmeyer, illustrated by Maurie J. Manning  
• Sing Your Song! (Nella the Princess Knight) by Kristen L Depken, illustrated by Nneka Myers
• Biscuit Finds a Friend by Aylssa Satin Capucilli and Pat Schories
• The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read by Curtis Manley and Kate Berube
• 
  

October 2017 Favorite: It is hard to pick a favorite as I liked everything I read. There was Death in the Stacks, which was light and funny--perfect for my rather depressed mood. But then The Fire By Night was so raw and great. I think, though, I will have to go with The Last Christmas in Paris as my favorite for the month. This historical epistolary novel touched just the right spot with my romantic heart and love for history.

Book Reviews Posted in October (but not necessarily read in October):

• The Fire by Night by Teresa Messineo
• Bookish Thoughts from Anjin: Mage, Book One: The Hero Discovered, Volume One by Matt Wagner
• The Girl With a Clock For a Heart by Peter Swanson
• Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
• Last Christmas In Paris by Hazel Gaynor & Heather Webb
• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
• Gin and Panic by Maia Chance
• Mouse's Corner: The Too Scary Story by Bethanie Deeney Murguia

Non-Book Review Posts in October:

• My Parker
• Weekly Mews: September Wrap-Up & What Should I Read Next? (October's My TBR List Poll)
• Where Is Your Bookmark? (The Last Christmas in Paris & A Little Friday Fun)
• October 2017 TBR List Winner
• Tuesday Favorites: A Favorite Book I Want to See Turned Into a Movie & Top Ten Books On My TBR Shelf With Some Sort of Food in the Title
• Wishing For Wednesday: The Secret, Book & Scone Society & A Spoonful of Magic
• Where Is Your Bookmark? (Death in the Stacks)
• Tuesday Favorites: Not So Much Unique Titles as a Common Word Shared - Books Read With Daughter in the Title
• Wishing For Wednesday: Charles Dickens, An Orphan Raised by Wolves & A Lady of Deception
• Where Is Your Bookmark? (Cinder by Marissa Meyer)
• Tuesday Favorites: My Top Twelve Novels Featuring Witches/Wizards

How did your October shape up reading wise? What was your favorite book you read in October?

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New to My Shelves: The November My Lit Box arrived this week. I am loving the boxes that include journals. Did you know I love journals? This month's box includes Erika L. Sánchez's I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, a book I have a feeling I will be able to relate to. Also, included is the Letting Go journal and a pen that either says "Over Achiever" or "Under Achiever" depending on which way you hold it.

Lust & Wonder by Augusten Burroughs is my Going Postal Book Group's selection for this round. It arrived in the mail just yesterday:

E-books purchased in October:

Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident by Donnie Eichar

A Tangled Mercy by Joy Jordan-Lake

The Keeper of Secrets (Horowitz Chronicles #1) by Julie Thomas

Lady of Silver (Blood and Silver #1) by Shona Husk

Warrior of Fire (Blood and Silver #2) by Shona Husk

Running Out of Space: Sunblinded One by S.J. Higbee

Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber

Books for Mouse:

What Does It Mean To Be Kind? by Rana DiOrio, illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch
Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey
How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids by Tom Rath, Mary Reckmeyer, illustrated by Maurie J. Manning
Sing Your Song! (Nella the Princess Knight) by Kristen L Depken, illustrated by Nneka Myers

My bookish magazines also arrived in the mail this past week!

What I Am Reading: I went back and forth what to read this week, but finally settled on Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva. I figure it is time to start on the many Christmas related books I have stacked up on my nightstand (or Kindle, depending).


What I Am Listening To: I am about halfway into Leigh Bardugo's Wonder Woman: Warbringer at the moment and quite enjoying it. I hadn't expected it to be a modern tale, and so that was a surprise.


What I Am Watching: The Walking Dead is back! It's gotten off to a more or less slow start compared to seasons past, although it has been action packed. It's good to see everyone again. I am also all caught up with sitcom The Good Place, which I have come to really enjoy. The Christmas Hallmark movies have started up again too--and why do I find myself watching them on the weekends when before I could never stand them? I rather like them though, as predictable as they are.

What Is Happening Off the Blog: Soccer practice was cancelled this week (too tired after Halloween, maybe?). Mouse's school had its annual Fall Festival, which my husband was able to attend with us this year. Mouse had a great time. My mom is visiting from out of town this weekend and finally is getting to see her granddaughter play in a soccer game. Mouse has one more after this before the season is over.

I am still in the process of updating my list and LibraryThing catalog of all the books I own. I have an official count on the books on my bookshelves downstairs (excluding the children's books). I am too embarrassed to tell you how many there are (it's a good mix of books I have read and those I haven't).  The next part of the project will be to get all the books on shelves upstairs logged.

I received an e-mail on October 31st about a hostage situation at an elementary school in the town where I live. The school wasn't initially named, and so you can imagine the set off panic bells that set off. I was relieved when I realized it was not at my daughter's school, although no less concerned for those involved. Luckily, no children were hurt. A parent evidently had taken a teacher hostage, barricading themselves in a classroom. Hours later, a report came in that the police had fatally shot the disgruntled parent. The teacher is okay (minor injuries), thankfully--at least physically. A substitute teacher who had tried to stop the parent was treated for a broken nose. What a scare for everyone involved! It especially hits home because it involved a first grade teacher, which is the grade my daughter is in. Luckily, the kids were at lunch at the time, and so there were no students in the classroom at the time.

My Gracie

Around the Blogging Community:

• Over at Mel's Shelves, blogger and author S.J. Higbee shares a few irresistible sounding Sci-Firecommendations ~ Blog Tour/Top Ten List: Running Out of Space by S.J. Higbee
• Cara's thoughts on this book have me wanting to rush out and read it ~ REVIEW: SMALLER AND SMALLER CIRCLES BY F.H. BATACAN
• Mikaela opens the conversation about memes ~ The Controversy of Blog Memes
• Katie addresses one author's complaint about ratings, and I couldn't agree with her more ~ This Confession Gets Two Birds
• A few must read recommendations from Beth Fish ~ 7 Books to Diversify Your Reading List

Tell me about what you have been up to! What are you reading, listening to and watching? How was your week? Do you have anything planned for this coming week?

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Thank you for helping me decide what book from my TBR collection I should read next:

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 Saturday 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 (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise). 

In honor of this being  Sci-Fi Month, November Nonfiction, and with the Annual HoHoHo Holiday/Winter Readathon taking place mid-month, I decided to center this month's choices on those three events (even though I am not participating). I enlisted the help of my husband in narrowing down my choices because so many sounded tempting. I look forward to seeing which book I will be reading this month!

Rule of Luck by Catherine Cerveny

A thrilling new science fiction series -- perfect for fans of character-driven SF adventure. Linnea Sinclair, author of the Dock Five Universe novels calls it "an edge-of-your-seat ride."

Year 2950. Humanity has survived devastating climate shifts and four world wars, coming out stronger and smarter than ever. Incredible technology is available to all, and enhancements to appearance, intelligence, and physical ability are commonplace.

In this future, Felicia Sevigny has built her fame reading the futures of others.

Alexei Petriv, the most dangerous man in the TriSystem, will trust only Felicia to read his cards. But the future she sees is darker than either of them could ever have imagined. A future that pits them against an all-knowing government, almost superhuman criminals, and something from Felicia's past that she could never have predicted, but that could be the key to saving -- or destroying -- them all. [Goodreads Summary]

Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks by Annie Spence

A Gen-X librarian's laugh-out-loud funny, deeply moving collection of love letters and break-up notes to the books in her life.

Librarians spend their lives weeding. Not weeds, but books! Books that have reached the end of their shelf life, both literally and figuratively. They remove the ones that patrons no longer check out, and they put back the ones they treasure. Annie Spence, who has a decade of experience as a Midwestern librarian, does this not only at her Michigan library but also at home, for her neighbors, at cocktail parties—everywhere. In Dear Fahrenheit 451, she addresses those books directly. We read her love letters to Just Kids and Frog and Toad Storybook Treasury, as well as her break-ups with The Giving Tree and Dear John. Her notes to The Goldfinch and The Time Traveler’s Wife feel like classics. Through the lens of the books in her life, Annie comments on everything from women’s psychology to gay culture to health to poverty to childhood aspirations. Hilarious, compassionate, and wise, Dear Fahrenheit 451 is the consummate book-lover's book. [Goodreads Summary]

Snowfall on Haven Point by RaeAnne Thayne

There's no place like Haven Point for the holidays, where the snow conspires to bring two wary hearts together for a Christmas to remember.

It's been two rough years since Andrea Montgomery lost her husband, and all she wants is for her children to enjoy their first Christmas in Haven Point. But then Andie's friend asks a favor—to keep an eye on her brother, Sheriff Marshall Bailey, who's recovering from a hit and run. Andie will do anything for Wyn, even park her own misgivings to check on her grouchy, wounded bear of a brother.

Marshall hates feeling defenseless and resents the protective impulses that Andie brings out in him. But when a blizzard forces them together for the holidays, something in Marshall begins to thaw. Andie's gentle nature is a salve, and her kids' excitement for the holidays makes him forget why he never wanted a family. If only he and Andie can admit what they really want—each other—their Christmas wishes might come true after all. [Goodreads Summary]

Have you read any of these? Which one do you think I should read this month? 

Thank you for voting! I hope you all have a wonderful November and Happy Reading!

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© 2017, 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.