Here‘s my Black History Month-inspired #BookSpin list for February! I took my “required” reads for the month (book clubs, buddy reads, library checkouts, some course reading) and finished out the list with books from my TBR for Black History Month. Hoping for some good picks tomorrow!

My January #BookSpinBingo board—with no bingos. I didn‘t realize how close I was until yesterday, but my reading slate is so full right now I probably wouldn‘t have been able to squeeze in that one center square anyway (I‘ve been too free with the library holds lately!). With four read for #AuldLangSpine including my #DoubleSpin, plus #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead, #OokBOokClub and keeping up with the #HashtagBrigade, it was a good reading month!

This was a deeply reflective and also heartbreaking read, given current events in Gaza. Nikondeha positions the stories of Advent in their historical as well as present-day context, offering fresh insights and thought-provoking connections I hadn‘t previously considered. Her discussion of Mary and Elizabeth as a story of resistance was profoundly moving for me this Advent.

I loved this book so very much, from its characters and themes to its setting (a fictionalized version of Ely, the English Cathedral city I lived in as a child). The Cathedral is almost its own character in the story, and the descriptions of the Cathedral and the city evoked so many memories for me. Beyond the personal connections, the story itself is simply lovely, exploring the transformative power of kindness, compassion, friendship, and love⤵️

Can‘t find the second bookstore of the day in the database (Stranger than Fiction in Ardmore, OK), so I‘ll tag one of my purchases! I was excited to pick up several by Josephine Tey as well.

My mother-in-law always looks for local bookstores to check out while we‘re visiting—this was one of the two we discovered today! I couldn‘t resist getting DiCamillo‘s Norendy tales, which I read from the library last year and loved. And I had a lovely chat with the bookstore proprietor about how wonderful Kate DiCamillo is!

In this complex, non-traditional memoir, the author explores her own memories and imagines the stories of her ancestors through the lens of Chinese myths and folk tales. The narrative is strongly feminist, complex, and often unsettling, subverting my expectations throughout. Although I appreciate and respect what the author was doing here—weaving together fact and fiction, playing with words and silence and withholding— ⤵️

This was high on my TBR because it checks all those book-lover boxes: a woman leaves her unfulfilling life & job to start a bookshop, which grows into a place for others to also find purpose & healing. I‘m fascinated by how deeply I connected with the book, when the writing felt so…plain. The topics were so relevant to where I‘ve been in my life over the past few years: feeling a disconnect and discontent in my job, then leaving it to pursue ⤵️

I read this way back in grad school, in a class with my favorite professor, and I loved it. On this re-read over 20 years later, I still remembered so much of the plot and even more so Dickens‘ always-memorable characters. I remembered how much I loved David, his sweet mother, Peggoty and Agnes and Traddles, and of course, Aunt Betsey. And I loved to hate creepy Uriah Heep & insufferable Steerforth. Right before reading this for #WhattheDickens ⤵️

Hello, Kindred Spirits! The #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead is currently reading Anne‘s House of Dreams for #LMMRereads & we‘ll read The Country of the Pointed Firs by Sarah Orne Jewett for #LMMAdjacent from Feb. 2-15. After that, our schedule is TBD! I have a bunch of potential adjacent reads that I‘ve noted down as I‘ve been reading LMM‘s journals, so I thought I‘d put up a poll to see what others are interested in. The link is in the comments! ⤵️

This was my first #AuldLangSpine read from @Librarybelle as well as my first read of the year, and it was a great way to kick off both! I enjoyed this GBBO-themed story and its lovable characters. Although I often get frustrated with “character is weighed down by a secret from the past” storylines (JUST TELL THEM!), this one mostly worked for me. The flashbacks were predictable, but I enjoyed how the author wove in specific bakes ⤵️

This was completely ridiculous! I have to admit I initially expected a more serious/straightforward Jane Austen-inspired murder mystery (I don‘t know why—the book blurb tells us that eligible bachelor “Edmund Croaksworth” is the murder victim…). Early on I was put off by the more ridiculous/anachronistic elements of the story and dialogue, but once I let myself sink into the silliness, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It reminded me a LOT of ⤵️

It had been YEARS since I read this (I think I read it in high school), and I remembered so little, it was like reading it for the first time! I know I watched the miniseries way back when, and I also remember very little of that—so it was all new!)

I was so impressed by the depth of spiritual reflection and growth explored through Christy‘s perspective here. There‘s a real wrestling with faith & vocation, and with the complexities of how to ⤵️

Hello, #KindredSpirits! Checking in here at the halfway point of Anne‘s House of Dreams:

How is your reading going? What are your thoughts so far?
What stands out to you from the first half of the book?
Any favorite sections or quotes?

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread

“All the information contained in this novel has been manufactured, modified, or distorted in some way, and should not be used as evidence in any argument, be it in a respected academic journal or a heated bar fight.”

Well, that‘s a fantastic opening! 😂

Next up for the #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead: Anne‘s House of Dreams for #LMMReread (+ the short story “The Life-Book of Captain Jesse”) and The Country of the Pointed Firs by Sarah Orne Jewett for #LMMAdjacent.

Discussions are on Saturdays and all are welcome! Let me know if you‘re not tagged and you‘d like to be. (Tag lists for each book are in the comments)

“She pulled a pair of opera glasses from within her hat. ‘I will not forgo my duties as your chaperone. I can use these to watch from a safe distance, and then there is no need for me to go down into some hellish secret room.‘

‘Very well,‘ Beatrice said, and descended eagerly into the hellish secret room.”

😂 This book is utterly ridiculous and I am enjoying it immensely. #AuldLangSpine

It‘s 11:30pm on Friday here, and I won‘t be able to finish this tonight. 😩 I have class all day tomorrow, so… here‘s a discussion prompt with zero questions and you can discuss amongst yourselves! Especially that section about LMM‘s “love affairs” 😆 (That‘s about as far as I‘ve gotten) I‘ll hop into the discussion as I‘m able and as I make progress in my reading!

With family in town and so much going on, I missed last week, but here are my joys for this week‘s #5JoysFriday.

🎂My grand-niece dancing on the table at the end of her first birthday party
📚That same sweet girl enjoying her book gifts at the park
🥐A croissant sticking out its strawberry tongue at the wall of the display case
🙏🏼Seeing a former student interviewed on the news as he was providing support and aid to wildfire victims (link ⤵️)

I apologize for not posting this sooner—I don‘t know how it got to be Wednesday and I‘m only just starting this last chunk of volume 3!! How is everyone‘s journal-reading coming along?

I‘ll plan to post questions this weekend—late on Friday if I can, because I have a busy weekend ahead. Looking forward to discussing with all of you. And now I‘ll dive into my reading! #LMMJournals #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread - Anne of the Island discussion - 4/4

📚Is there anything else you‘d like to discuss about Anne of the Island?

📚Favorite sections or quotes, least favorite parts of the book, relatable moments, funniest scenes?

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread - Anne of the Island discussion - 3/4

📚Last week, we talked a bit about Anne‘s growth and change in this book. What changes and growth took place for other familiar characters: Marilla, Mrs. Lynde, Dianna, Jane Andrews, Ruby Gillis, etc.?

📚What do you think of Roy Gardner and Gilbert Blythe—not just as love interests for Anne, but as characters?

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread - Anne of the Island discussion - 2/4

📚Were Anne‘s experiences at this age relatable for you: going away to college, roommate hijinks, college relationships and romances, as well as her personal growth?

📚What do you see as the biggest similarities or differences between Anne‘s college years and college experiences in our own time?

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread - Anne of the Island discussion - 1/4

📚How did you like Anne of the Island as compared to Green Gables and Avonlea?

📚If this is a re-read for you, was there anything that stood out to you that you hadn‘t noticed before?

📚If this is your first read, what stood out to you the most?

“The universe responds to your willingness to behold the holy by revealing almost everything as holy. A plate of rice & beans, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, your new baby, the latest political scoundrel, the scary diagnosis, the restless nights.

You can start right here, in the middle of your messy life. Your beautiful, imperfect, perfect life.”

“When we make a pact with ourselves to show up for reality just as it is, reality rewards us by revealing its hidden holiness, its ordinary wonder, its fruitful shadows and radiant wounds. Not always, not everywhere, but more and more often and in the places we least expect.”

“Steal not this book for fear of shame,
For in it doth stand the owner's name,
And at the last day God will say
'Where is that book you stole away?'
And if you say, 'I cannot tell,'
He'll say, 'Thou cursed, go to hell.‘

All or any of these books were freely lent, for none of the owners wanted to read them.”

Apparently there‘s a special place in hell for people who don‘t return books, even though nobody in Lark Rise cared 😂 #hashtagbrigade

Hello, #KindredSpirits! Just a little check-in here at the halfway point of Anne of the Island:

How is your reading going? What are your thoughts so far?
What have you enjoyed most in the first half of the book?
Any favorite sections or quotes?

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread

Lots of joys while visiting friends over New Year‘s!
🖼️ Visiting SF MOMA
🟡 Seeing Yayoi Kusama‘s work (Giant polka-dot pumpkins! Infinity room!)
🍻 Games at a friend‘s taproom on New Year‘s Eve
🖼️ Art galleries in Carmel, especially sculptures by Richard MacDonald
🌅 New Year‘s Day sunset in Carmel

#5JoysFriday

I got “more books”—what did you get? 😂😂😂

(Via Goodwill Librarian on FB)

I‘ve waited too long to review this and am having a hard time remembering the plot—but honestly, it doesn‘t feel like it matters since plot is not the main point here! I thoroughly enjoyed this character-driven book. Both Greta and Valdin were likable and relatable, and I loved spending time with them and their sprawling, quirky family. My main criticism is that there were about four too many characters! At times it was a challenge keeping track⤵️

I watched the movie in November (which was excellent) & then had to reread this childhood favorite. The audiobook distracted me from traffic on an unreasonably long drive home from my December class meeting in LA. I love this story so much—what happens when the “worst kids ever” take over the church Christmas pageant because they were told there‘d be snacks. It always manages to be both hilarious and a tearjerker. “Hey! Unto you a child is born!”

Thank you to @Daisey and @JazzFeathers for hosting #TolkienChristmas again this year! I looked forward to reading my Father Christmas letter each day, and Tolkien‘s drawings & the antics of North Polar Bear were such a joy! This year I bought the Centenary edition of the book instead of relying on a library copy, and I‘m so glad I did (pictured here with the closest I have to NPB). This may become an annual tradition for me! #FellowshipofTolkien

January #BookSpin! Posting now because I‘m out of town over New Year‘s and who knows if I‘ll remember before the 2nd! I‘m still trying to finish that last BookSpin pick from November… 😂

Happy almost New Year, Kindred Spirits! Today begins our buddy read of Anne of the Island. I‘m really looking forward to re-reading Anne‘s college adventures!

I‘ll post a check-in halfway through on Jan. 4, and our discussion will be on Jan. 11. Let me know if you‘re not tagged and you‘d like to be! #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread

This is really far out of my usual wheelhouse, but my spiritual director recommended it, and a good friend has talked with me a lot about the polyvagal work she‘s doing with her therapist, so it intrigued me. It turned out to be a helpful read for me—there‘s a LOT that made sense and gave me better insight into my stress responses. The book is probably 40-50% info, and 50-60% exercises—what she calls “explorations.” The info parts required ⤵️

I first read this 15 years ago, and found it deeply meaningful during a time when I was both mentoring others in discerning their calling, and discerning a new direction in my own life. Reading it again now brought up so many memories, and the parallels & contrasts between my life then and now are striking. Because of that, it was a difficult read in some ways, but very reassuring in others. ⤵️

I‘m annoyed by this movie-tie-in cover—especially since the title was changed to match the movie 🙄But I‘m pretty sure I picked it up at a library sale for 50 cents, so I shouldn‘t complain too much 😆

I LOVED this so much! It‘s the story of a friendship between two vastly different kids, each struggling with their own unique pain and escaping into stories. There‘s such good characterization, and it‘s paced just right. ⤵️

This is beautiful, thoughtful & reflective—just what I‘d expect from Marilynne Robinson! I read it slowly, and found myself referencing it frequently in conversations. I lead an Education for Ministry (EfM) group at my church, and year after year my first year participants have such a hard time with reading the Hebrew Bible—not only because it‘s long & often dry, but because there‘s so much that‘s hard to stomach: patriarchy, violence, legalism.⤵️

This was SO much fun, and it made me want to read or re-read and watch all the plays discussed. One disappointment: I intentionally checked out the audiobook, because I wanted to hear this in Judi Dench‘s voice. I didn‘t realize her part of the conversations was narrated by someone else (my fault—it‘s clearly marked on the cover!). That said, once I got into it, I didn‘t notice so much that it wasn‘t her, and the conversations were a delight. ⤵️

I placed a library hold for this as soon as it came out, because I loved the Thursday Murder Club books so very much. And for me, it isn‘t yet quite on par with Thursday Murder Club, but I can see the series growing on me as Osman develops these characters further. And I did really enjoy it! I liked the father-in-law/daughter-in-law mystery-solving duo of Amy and Steve, but Rosie stole the show. There‘s a lot to explore with all of these ⤵️

Did I really never go back to review this #OokBOokClub pick from the beginning of November? Sigh. Pratchett‘s satire of Hollywood was fun, but fell a little short for me. I wanted a bit more all around—less of the jokey poking fun (lots of his stereotype-based humor fell flat for me) and more biting satire, more depth of character development, more exploration ofthe deeper themes that were only hinted at ⤵️

I posted this as part of my Five Joys Friday, but it deserves its own post! Here‘s my Christmas book haul—some great picks by my husband! From the top down: This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley, Return of the Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (finishing out the series!), the tagged book (I LOVE his podcast), The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, & the Horse (5th anniversary edition & the animated story book), and The Lives We Actually Have by Kate Bowler. 💜🎄💜

I was thinking about catching up and joining in on the 12 days of Christmas posts, and then I thought maybe I‘d better catch up on my Litsy reviews first. I checked to see how behind I am, and, well—pictured above are just half of the books I have yet to review 🤦🏻‍♀️ Wonder if I can do them all before New Year‘s? 😆

#FiveJoysFriday - Lots of Christmas joy this week!

🎶 A rich and meaningful Lessons & Carols service on Sunday
👶🏼 Seeing my grand-niece who is just beginning to walk, tottering around like a tiny drunkard after the Christmas Eve service
🐴 My husband‘s reaction to the Wheel of Time/Parks & Rec mashup shirt I got for him
📚 Christmas book gifts
🎄 My dad reading to his great-granddaughter on Christmas

Today‘s story, “Bertie‘s New Year,” is available on Hoopla, in the tagged collection, and here: https://www.online-literature.com/lucy_montgomery/1905-1906/5/

Thank you all for joining me for #KindredSpiritsChristmas this year! These sweet stories have been a delight & I‘ve really enjoyed reading them with each of you. I hope you have a wonderful, meaningful holiday full of the grateful & giving spirit of these stories. #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

“I'd love to be friends with you,“ she said slowly. “I've often thought I'd like to know you. Isn't it odd that we have the same name? It was so nice of you to come and see me. I—I'd love to have you come often.“

Aw—such a sweet story of a mixup that leads to a kind deed and a future friendship. Also: Josie Pye!! ? ⤵️

#KindredSpiritsChristmas #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

“Love. The only indestructible thing. The only wealth and the only reality. The only survival. At the end of it all there was nothing else.”

“She had planned to spend a nice, lazy holiday with the new book her father had given her at Christmas and a box of candy.”

Those sound like FANTASTIC plans for New Year‘s Day, and I feel that “regretful peep” at her book!! But I love the plan to brighten someone‘s New Year, anonymously—with such a wonderful result. ⤵️

#KindredSpiritsChristmas #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

I‘m having so much fun reading LMM‘s Christmas stories! We‘ll finish those on Christmas Eve, then pick up our regular buddy reading starting 12/29. Above is our #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead schedule through mid-February, including two for #LMMReread, the last bit of Vol. 3 for #LMMJournals, and #LMMAdjacent read: The Country of the Pointed Firs by Sarah Orne Jewett. Let me know if you‘d like to be tagged for any or all of the above. All are welcome! ⬇