A pretty good Southern tale, thus far.

I‘ve read this packs an emotional punch, and thus far, that‘s accurate.

This is a book for someone going through deep, dark grief. For that, I commend it. For me, I wish I had abandoned it early on and avoided the maddening repetition. If you are grieving, however, this book will be of great help.

Listening on audio.

An excellent explanation of Appalachia and an important examination of being dopesick. Definitely worth your time.

The latest BOTM read for me.

A great perspective on family and place.

Probably one of the best novels I could recommend for a book club because of all of the themes and angles for discussion. A really well-done work.

Finding a lot of good prose in “Read with Jenna” books.

Excited to start this.

Heartening, enriching, and delightful! The novel adds to the soul, and Jenna‘s picks are proving wonderful choices! Enjoy.

A new audiobook.

My latest audiobook.

Simple and predictable. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Trying this on for size.

Fascinating history thus far.

Some final summer reading. 🌞

An extremely well-written war novel by an important American writer that pays special tribute to the Marines and race.

A strong book that examines pre-WWII Germany from both the Jewish and non-Jewish perspective. It explores a time frame that I wish more was written about, so I found it a new take on Holocaust literature. Like the war, you have to hang on a little bit to get through the experience, but it‘s worthwhile.

Ted Kooser is my favorite poet. His poems are beautiful mazes for the mind that celebrate the richness of life. I can‘t wait to review more of them. If you like poetry that is heartening, reminiscent, and praises the mundane, Ted is the poet for you. A true delight.

This compelling read is hard to read and hard to put down, simultaneously. I‘m so glad I read it. It gave me a distinct understanding of what pride I must take in my little life. That is a very optimistic read on this painful look at humanity.

Some especially good suspense here! Clever!

Finally getting around to this one!

#botm club reading time!

I enjoy Tippett a lot on NPR, so we‘ll see what this brings.

Finally getting around to this chunkster. 😊

I just loved this book. I fell in love with the characters, the places, the stories. I‘ve met a whole group of friends with whom I‘m not ready to part. It‘s the book you wish you‘d just heard of so that you can start it all over again.

One chapter in, and it‘s a delight!

This book was bittersweet for me. It offered a lot in the way of detailing how the sour in life is necessary. She makes some very good points, and I found her emphasis on music especially interesting.

This is definitely dark, and Vanessa is a character you won‘t soon forget. She haunts me with her morose tale that has a trigger for almost everything, so be cautious. This was a troubling read; I don‘t think anyone can really “like” this book due to its daunting contents, but it is well-written and unforgettable.

Curious about Cain‘s perspectives.

I almost DNF this book numerous times, but at 50%, I forged ahead. Reese‘s picks haven‘t been as reliable for me lately. There are some significant triggers in here, and the ending is unresolved. It might just be me, so I always hesitate to not recommend a book, but I do hesitate a little on this one. I struggle with criticizing books, because I wholeheartedly believe every book has something to offer that you didn‘t have before. It is here, too.

This novel was a page-turner and solid entertainment. I think I liked _The Guest List_ better, and I think it had a less predictable plot, but anything Parisian gets extra points in my book, and there are definitely a few shockers in this one. Check it out.

Time for an audiobook.

Back to a Reese recommendation. 😊

A lot to contemplate during and after reading this book, which angered me. It was a good, thought-provoking anger, however, about the role of women in previous times…and if those roles have changed. A unique book that examines many of life‘s roles. It may also make you take a look at your own.

Eager to finish this one!

On to the last Haruf I can find, which happens to be his first novel.

Beyond delightful. Haruf‘s crisp language and exceptional storytelling abilities make his work first-rate. He has a gift with creating dialogue and describing things in such a detailed fashion that you can envision yourself in every room, in every embrace, in every victory, in every loss. I‘m truly thankful for his books.

Trying something different.

I just finished Eventide; Benediction is the third of the Plainsong trilogy. I‘ve rarely read such quality literature in my life. It‘s simple but profound and some of the most moving prose I‘ve encountered.

In love with Ken Haruf‘s writing right now, and on to the second of the Plainsong trilogy.

This beautiful book captures the essence of life and the truth in small-town characters. Heartening; just a delightful group of characters that you will know. If you don‘t, meet them here.

Definitely a pick. This book explores the unseen, whether it‘s life as a woman in the 60s/70s, what it‘s like to work in a plane, what some cities have to offer, or how commercial jets functioned in the Vietnam war. There‘s something for everyone here-you see the world anew, just like when you take to the skies.

On to this simplistic yet holistic novel.

An interesting view of the way in which life could turn out for us should circumstances have been slightly altered; however, I don‘t know that she can claim an especially remarkable life. This was a quick and fairly engaging little read, so I‘ll give her the benefit of the doubt. Finally, her chapter on miscarriage is painful and deep, so she deserves a few extra points for the accuracy of that one in particular. 😢

Have started this one now….

This was the singsong version of how I hoped the ‘70s to be—a gentle introduction to new ideas and people that let America‘s youth see the hope in this kind of world. A really lovely book that showcases seeing America through its best sense…happiness, love, and good music. Totally enjoyable.

This also has some Seventies hype — and I love non-fiction on audio.

I‘m on a 1970‘s kick, okay? And I love it! ✌️