How to Read a Book: A Novel | 
pickOMG, this book! 😍 It totally stole my heart in a “A Man Called Ove” sort of way. I had tears in my eyes by the end. Loved it!
I‘m struck by this assertion: A book does not exist until it is read. A writer writes the words. But WE as the reader decide what the story is. What a fabulous and provocative topic of discussion for a book club.
pickHow to read a book, according to “How To Read a Book”: slowly – savoring the story, the “meanwhile”, the turn of phrase that makes you catch your breath just a little. The characters were so relatable and I felt like I would want to meet them and call them friends. So thoughtfully written and full of soul filled moments that make you think about life, love and the beauty of human connection.
Book 1/100 of the year.
so-soI enjoyed it but for some reason I wasn‘t in a rush to keep picking it up. Yet I didn‘t want to stop reading it. I liked the charachters but I think it never felt like it was leading up to anything
Last three prompts of the year for the NEWTS Harry Potter Flourish and Blotts Reading Challenge!I enjoy matching books to prompts just for fun.
🦎Devil‘s Snare: deadly fun/risky situation - We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
🦎Whomping Willow: hard-hitting - How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
🦎Giant Wars: includes a war- The Huntress by Kate Quinn
pickI‘ll be recommending this now to every person I see for at least the next entire calendar year 😭❤️🥹
Such gorgeous writing, in that refreshing takes-your-breath-away sense, and such a unique story full of humans trying their best against all odds. Found family, hearts broken and mended, and the power of books… My friend lent this to me, and WOW am I grateful.
pickLove the early evening sun on this adorable cat and I very much enjoyed this book. Made me laugh, made me cry a tear or two, or maybe a few of those taken-by-surprise hit to the chest teariness, ya know? Poor decisions have consequences and sometimes overcoming fears have fabulous results. Found-family stories are my jam.
#Nov2024 Book106
Am loving this book! Enjoyed T‘s birthday party last night ( band was 🔥) and TODAY is International Day of Tolerance… Reading along when this book has the word TOLERANCE so I made this collage. #PettyCash Roadtripping back home now.
Next up eBook style. Mini Lemon Chess Pies for a 🥳 birthday party tonight. #RoadTrip #iLovePie #CaresPieShow #LitPie
I love #bookspin and #doublespin day! Always look forward to seeing which books from my TBR I will definitely read this month. Thanks @TheAromaofBooks
This is so far proving to be more of a read that I can get into. 😚
pickWhat a quietly moving book. Wood has brought these three characters to life in such a real way that it's almost hard to believe I won't run into them in my local bookshop. This book is full of nuance and thoughtfulness and is just a really lovely story.
I have been trying SO HARD to manage my library holds so that they don‘t all come in at once. How is that working out for me, you ask? Well. It‘s a good thing it‘s a long weekend.
#libraryhaul #overbooked
pickEmpathy and love are woven through this lovely story. With the world so negative and hateful, this story reminds us of the importance or caring for each other. Even for those that some believe don‘t deserve it. I adored this story🥰.
panI did not like this one. The words treacly and twee come to mind. It starts out ok but the blurb makes this sound like a found family story which doesn‘t happen until well past the half way point. There is a very cringey plot point that was unnecessary and creepy. I actually hate finished it.
pickOh how I loved this book! I read it 4 book club. There‘re 3 POVs: a young woman who inadvertently kills a woman in a drunk driving accident & is sent to prison; the woman leading the prison book club; & the widower of the woman that was killed. They all converge in an independent bookstore in Portland, Maine & it goes from there. One thing I didn‘t like was a cliche plot line; otherwise this book is perfection! I highly recommend it!
pickThis book could come across as too sweet, but I found I really enjoyed it. I think it is useful to examine what the purpose of the justice system is - is it meant just to punish or do we really want people to become rehabilitated members of society. The themes of love and forgiveness are also explored in a gentle, lovely story.
You must not ever stop being whimsical.
And you must not, ever, give anyone else the responsibility for your life.
“Staying Alive” ~ Mary Oliver
pickA beautiful story about forgiveness, second chances, and the transformative power of human connection. The characters (including a parrot!) are lovingly rendered and beautifully flawed. Just a wonderfully heartwarming, redemptive book.
pickIf character-driven novels are your sweet spot, I strongly encourage you to read Monica Wood‘s books. I fall in love with the characters as though they are my very own neighbors, every single time. It is, of course, a delight that the setting is typically in Maine - the author‘s home state, and mine. This was beautiful and funny and charming; I can think of no other author who makes me adore humans more than MW does. Highly recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
pickI adored this book about forgiveness, second chances, compassion, and seeing people for who they are and who they can be. Violet, Harriet, and Frank are delightful characters, as are the women in the book club. I especially enjoyed the parts about the African Grey parrots. (Ollie stole the show!) It was fascinating to learn how brilliant these birds are.
Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for an advance copy of this book.
