Happy Friday Links, a Day Late
10-30-21
Happy Saturday, everyone (since I didn’t get this finished in time for Friday),
The weather has definitely changed in North Texas. It was so windy this week that the “drive-thru” vaccine booster site (set up with big tents) was canceled because of safety concerns with the big tents, and my appointment was rescheduled to the following Wednesday. My scaredy-cat Mo thought the wind noise against the windows was thunder, so he spent most of his time under the couch. It’s cold enough in the morning that I have to wear a jacket when I start my walk, but it quickly gets tied around my waist as I warm up. Next weekend the time changes, and since I’m an early morning riser, it doesn’t bother me. But I know others don’t like getting off work when it is dark outside. I guess there are pros and cons to everything in life.
Tomorrow night is trick-or-treating with my grandkids; next year, it will likely be only the youngest that wants to trick-or-treat as the others are getting too old. As you encounter and pass milestones moving forward, you leave memories of other milestones in the past.
I seem to be feeling really nostalgic these days; I’m not sure why so I’ll refrain from trying to figure it out here and move on to this week’s links:
I lived in Southern California growing up and I was fortunate enough to be able to go to Disneyland every year for my birthday. I’ve never been to Disneyworld, so this was interesting to me as I’d never heard of some of these.
No matter how well we know someone, we always seem to learn more after they pass on. After reading her father’s travel journals, this daughter’s insights remind me of questions I still have long after my parents passed away that I didn’t think to ask them while they were still alive.
After his death, we seem to be learning so much about Anthony Bourdain and his seemingly wonderful and, at the same time, tortured life. He left a legacy in TV shows and books, and for this, I’m thankful. I enjoyed his shows but didn’t dig much further into who he was until after his death.
Publishers design book covers and the blurbs they use on both covers to signify the type of book it is. What happens when a books’ content doesn’t match its cover; is it the publisher being deceptive or just a mistake on the part of the reader not understanding what the cover should signify? I have mixed feelings about this as I’ve encountered this a few times in my reading and wondered if I was purposely misled.
As this article states, defining this “slippery creature that is literary fiction” can lead to all kinds of definitions. To me, “literary crime fiction” seems like an oxymoron as we all know what a crime novel is, and it doesn’t seem to fit what the usual definitions of literary fiction are. I’ll let you decide for yourself, as I’m still unclear on literary fiction, much less literary crime fiction.
Are you a library power user? Take this quiz to see, and then read the links at the end of the article to learn how to be one if you aren’t already one.
The first Tuesday of each month always seems like more than the usual amount of new books published than on an ordinary Tuesday, and November is no exception. Below are a few that have caught my eye and one that I’ve read; maybe a few will catch your eye also:
A Certain Appeal by Vanessa King - from Publishers Weekly “King’s irresistible debut gives Pride and Prejudice a fresh look, transplanting the classic story to the sexy, sequined world of a contemporary burlesque club… Between the camaraderie and the costumes, this immersive look at the burlesque scene is sure to win many fans, Austenite or not.” I love Pride and Prejudice retellings, and I’ve read several, some better than others. I have this e-book on hold on one of my library cards and can’t wait to read it.
Everything We Didn’t Say by Nicole Baart - from best-selling author Susan Meissner “Everything We Didn’t Say brims with Nicole Baart’s signature hallmarks–complex characters, tangled family dynamics, and, as always, beautiful writing. A multifaceted page-turner with intricate twists and turns, Baart has delivered a captivating read from the first page to the last!” I read her most recent book, You Were Always Mine, and enjoyed it a lot; this new one will be going on my 2022 reading list for sure.
All Her Little Secrets: A Novel by Wanda M. Morris - from best-selling author Karin Slaughter “All Her Little Secrets is a brilliantly nuanced but powerhouse exploration of race, the legal system, and the crushing pressure of keeping secrets. Morris brings a vibrant and welcome new voice to the thriller space.” One more for my 2022 TBR, unless I can’t wait until 2022 and read it sooner.
Wholehearted Faith by Rachel Held Evans and Jeff Chu - Rachel’s death in 2019 was so unexpected, and it devastated her family and many in the faith community across America. When she passed away, she had started her newest book about wholeheartedness. Author and close friend Jeff Chu took the incomplete manuscript, added many unpublished writings of Held Evans, and created this final book of essays in the voice that many have grown to love through her books. I have read three of her previous books and was excited to receive this ARC. Reading this was bittersweet, one last opportunity to hear her voice and her love of God in her life.
The London House by Katherine Reay - from best selling author Kristin Harmel “Carefully researched, emotionally hewn, and written with a sure hand, The London House is a tantalizing tale of deeply held secrets, heartbreak, redemption, and the enduring way that family can both hurt and heal us.” I love books about family secrets and books written in dual timelines. This one combines both as Caroline embarks on a quest to uncover the truth about her aunt and what really happened with her during WWII. I started this book earlier this week and was hoping to finish it by Tuesday, and I may still make it.
I’m sorry that this newsletter was late this week; hopefully, it was worth the wait, and that there are a few tidbits or books that will keep you reading for a while this weekend. Have a great weekend and happy reading!