Interesting collection of recent and past writings that look at or mention walking.
P.10 “[Walking] sets your mind free to wonder”

This is a beautifully written story of Tayo, a Laguna Indian of mixed race & his struggles with PTSD following returning home from WWII. Tayo journeys to find his way back to himself & his culture. The prose is absolutely beautiful & vivid.
P. 24 “...only humans resisted what they saw outside themselves”
P. 143 “He wanted to walk until he recognized himself again.”
P.204 “...love had outdistanced death.”

My first reading of the written works of Larry Brown. His stories have been described as “gritty” and “real”. Definitely agree with those descriptions. Favorite stories in this collection are “Tiny Love”, “Sleep”, & “A Roadside Resurrection.” Trigger warnings for racial slurs, sexism, & drunk driving. These stories may not be what I am used to reading, but there are elements of brilliance in the prose. #LibraryThingEarlyReviewer #AlgonquinBooks

Very interesting listen. This story has some twists I wasn‘t expecting. It has themes of friendship, loss, human & pet relationships and writing. Trigger warning for theme of suicide. 3.5⭐️

This was such a wonderful read! What could be better than a memoir recounting one‘s family history thru food and recipes?! Laugh out loud moments made this so enjoyable and sweet. You‘ll see fatback in a whole new light.

Fun summertime read! Has just the right amount of “heat”!

RIP Toni Morrison

Ann Patchett always has a way of developing interesting characters and writing prose that paints a mental image. This one did not disappoint, but she added an interesting element of a made up story that the main character, John, uses to try and piece together the events that brought Fay and Carl into his life. #favoriteauthor

#bookmail #arc #LibraryThing #earlyreviewer

Such an important work. Sharing stories about our national parks that bring forth the true importance of protecting these lands. Her writing is poetry, striking strong and calling us to action to discover the importance of keeping our National Parks intact. “...quieting of the soul inspires creative acts...”p.354

Such a good story! It‘s written in the form of diary entries. A 12 year old girl writes to the mother she never knew and tells her the story of her family‘s journey during India‘s partition in 1947. Powerful, gripping- it touches on differences, fear of the other, and ultimately how we are all the same. Great audio narration as well! Thanks to #thereadingwomenpodcast for bringing this book to my attention!

Such a courageous and insightful memoir. Written with care and detail, the author‘s story comes to life to help the reader broaden understanding of Aspergers and how it affects the lives bound by this “way of being.” #opencanonbookclub

I had a hard time getting into this mystery. It was very different having the author write himself into the story and be the narrator. The style just seemed somewhat pretentious. Though I will say that it did keep me in the dark regarding who committed the murder. This just wasn‘t the right murder mystery for me.

This collection of interconnected stories tell about the life of a young man in Houston. It poignantly details his life in a lower income, ethnically diverse part of town, his family, his sexuality, and his struggle to live for something more. Well written and well narrated.

Poem in the Pullman Poet Society Anthology Volume 2 (High Point Arts Council, High Point ,NC) about a local Indie Bookstore- Scuppernong Books!

Quite the war love story! This story is a twist on most of the WWII novels out today. It tells the story of a widowed English woman managing her own farm and the German pilot she helps and falls in love with. #biglibraryread

3.5⭐️. Perfect summertime read! Quick & fun!

An interesting collection of short stories! Emily Koon has put together stories that catch the reader by surprise- ghosts, murder, apocalyptic scenarios. The story named in the title of this collection is a favorite. “We Are Still Here” is a spooky tale of a family that never leaves an amusement park. Also Koon‘s take on the Litzy Borden story is written with a unique structure. #arc #librarything #earlyreviewer #coniumpress #smallpress

This an epic novel- expertly & creatively written from the perspective of a secret agent writing his confession of his involvement with the war in Vietnam. The writing is rich and plums the depth of the war, the refugees & other players in this war. Hard at times to read, but brilliantly written.

3.5⭐️. I love books about bookstores- fun to read. This one has mystery, heartbreak & reconciliation with tons of literary references. Enjoyable!

Story- we all have a story. Michelle Obama has shared hers here in these pages. She has been very honest, open & vulnerable in her sharing. When we take time to hear one another‘s stories, understanding increases, walls are taken down & and we find that we all have a lot in common. Thank you for sharing your story. You are a woman like me, a wife like me, a mother like me, a friend like me.

I always love a good nature/ science book! More info in this book on how nature and weather give us clues to what‘s happening or what‘s about to happen. Insights were given on the hazards of over watering and fertilizing- our plants and trees become weaker and unable to withstand the harsh realities of nature.

Such a powerful little book. The poems and bits of wisdom contained within its pages made my heart lighter, empowered my spirit, and encouraged my soul. This is a book I will treasure and keep on my nightstand. Page 61 “Take time to carefully consider what you let be part of your being and your spirit.”

So glad this book was rereleased! V.E. Schwab‘s writing talent is so visible in this her first book. I couldn‘t put it down! The writing just kept pushing me to read more. She is an expert at building tension and creating amazing characters. This story did not disappoint. You can sense the winds and threads she cultivates in this book in all of her current writing.

Read for Open Canon Bookclub‘s May 2019 Read. This is an amazing story about family, love, loss, secrets and resilience. I was blown away by the prose, the structure & the storyline. The story is told by 3 narrators, Evi, Eamon, & Dalton, in sequential chapters. Definitely one of the best books I‘ve read this year!

3.5 ⭐️ This memoir as it‘s title suggests is about the author‘s marriage & the medical accident that changed their lives. It‘s about coming to terms with life, learning more about who you are & holding on to what is most dear. The in-depth look into her husband‘s medical event will have you advocating for your loved ones in like circumstances. How do you stay calm or should you stay calm when you have real concerns about the care one receives?

This is a collection of short stories connected by the thread of characters introduced in the first story-6 girls at a boarding school who experience the tragic death of one of their teachers. The rest of the stories focus on each girl- ages & time periods progress with each story coming full circle with death.The writing flows & paints a vivid picture. The depth of emotion built into the stories is palpable. Beautifully written #librarything

This novel is a stream of consciousness. Very interesting novel from a writing style perspective as well as from the themes it deals with. Told from the perspective of Middle Sister the reader gets a first look into this young woman‘s life in a violent Ireland and how her life and relationships move thru the turmoil. Very very long chapters made this a slow read for me, but it is brilliantly written.

Consider participating in The Big Share this weekend. Share a book at a LFL near you. Snap a picture and share on social medial with the hashtag #LFL10. Help us celebrate 10 years of Little Free Libraries!

This book speaks to my spiritual history, present & future. Finished just 9 days after her unexpected passing. Her courage & vulnerability to speak truth regarding the spiritual journey has legacy.
Take aways: It‘s ok to doubt. We don‘t have to have it all together to be in community. To engage we must be vulnerable. Healing (mending- my word) can‘t happen until pain is acknowledged. Release cynicism to heal.
Prayers for her family

A great collection of short stories! Poignant and driving at the heart of the human condition, the writing was so good! Planning to read more of this author‘s work. Quote from the story “Job”- “...everyday is ground glass in the soul.”

Mother‘s Day gift from my daughter.

From the author of “American Housewife: Stories,“ these new essays will make you chuckle and maybe cringe a bit as well. Ellis speaks her mind and shares her stories in the true “Southern Lady Code “ fashion. The audiobook was entertaining- but don‘t listen to this with kids in the car (Southern Lady code for swearing and discussions on mature topics 😉)

This is a very well written story that opens a window to see in and begin to understand the lives of women and how our specific cultures impact out lives. It‘s a story about how power to have a choice is a daily struggle. Trigger warning for domestic violence #botm

Beautifully written poems. These poems touch the everyday, the relationships, the beauty and sadness of life.

This story is uniquely told from 10 different perspectives on one single day. The connection is the local high school. Each is connected but brings out so much individual life, struggles, actions & consequences. It leaves you wanting the rest of the story.

Poetry reading today at Scuppernong Books, Greensboro, NC with the authors of these three chapbooks- #excavatinglight #sleepparalysis #lakediving

This story “Little Faith” is about just that- Faith. It‘s about how our faith can ebb and flow, become great or sink to the depths. This story took me on an emotional roller coaster right along with the main character, Lyle. The ending will leave one pondering.

Absolutely loved this book. Caught myself smiling and laughing out loud as I drove down the road listening to this audiobook. Philpott shares her story with grace, light heartedness and transparency. Planning to pick up a hard copy to keep handy.

4.5 ⭐️. This book is packed with very interesting guidance to find one‘s way by simply looking at what is around us. Nature already has a wonderful roadmap- if only we would be observant and vigilant.

Kelly‘s writings and essays give one much to contemplate regarding the Light within, our response to that Center and the world. Published after his death in 1941, the concepts continue to speak to my condition today.

A wonderful collection of poems, fiction and nonfiction essays. A great showing of the writing talent in the Piedmont Triad area in North Carolina!

Each poem has amazing depth and story. This chapbook is the Author‘s story. Engel shares her life and soul with these words. The poems trace the darkness and the light that our lives journey through.

Best novellas I‘ve read in quite a while. The writing is amazing. “A Simple Tale” is more straight forward in style. “The Hunters” leaves the reader guessing. Not much is known about the narrator and the subtle suspense keeps one reading to the end.

3.5 ⭐️. I always enjoy reading books that center around the Vanderbilt Family and the era during which they lived. This book did well the the historical perspective of Alva Smith Vanderbilt Belmont. This a portrait of a strong woman. #libbyapp

Corrigan doesn‘t mince words or emotions in these 12 stories. She is brutally honest & vulnerable as she shares the hardest moments in her life. It‘s an audiobook I‘d listen to again. Here are some takeaways:
“It happened because it can” “It‘s okay to say I don‘t know “ “Life is a mystery to be lived”
“To be really loved, we need to be willing to be fully known”
“Reality always comes dressed in a point of view...try as we might to lay it bare”

This is such a beautifully written book. It centers around the life of Bhima, an old grandmother of low class in India. The story provides much insight into the lives of women in India and how class differences shape their world. #opencanonbookclub

This was a very unique way of approaching a memoir. The author used what she knew best - the animals that have impacted her life. These individual stories focused on a particular important animal and the journey she took in her life finding meaning and love. The cover of this book is amazing!

Wow! Just Wow! I love when a book turns the corner in a story and you are caught off guard. Not saying much more to avoid spoilers. Wow, just wow! #botm