Reading Friends: If we like the same types of books, you are going to want to read The Women.
First of all, it is by an author we have read before and loved, Kristin Hannah!
I probably don’t need to say more than that but I will…
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Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.
This is the mnemonic I use to remember the basic history of Henry VIII’s marriages more than 500 years ago.
For this year’s January hibernation, I found The King’s Pleasure A Novel of Henry VIII by Alison Weir. Apparently Wier has already written a book on each of the wives/queens perspectives, and this new book (published in 2023) is from the perspective of Henry.
Henry’s perspective, not surprisingly, does not make him more likeable.
I did thoroughly enjoy Weir’s story even though it contained too many political and religious details for my preference – I’m just here for the romance and marriages! It has me thinking back to the other interpretations of this story I have indulged in over the years.
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Keeping my end-of-year tradition, I’m sharing my favorite books and most popular posts!
It wasn’t my most prolific year of reading or posting – I got tied up reading the epic Shantaran for several months (which I do recommend) – and I got out of the habit of posting on my blog, but I am going to try to do better next year.
Keep reading for my favorite five books published during 2023. These would be great gifts or for when you are able to relax during the holidays (does that actually happen?).
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RE-READING “THE GREATEST WAR NOVEL OF ALL TIME”
I was lucky to have a set of grandparents living in my college town, and I would often go over there for a night or more to study, relax, or just get away from my busy college scene. This was waaaaay before any of the electronic distractions we have now, and I remember reading one book from their collection multiple times while lounging on their living room couch:
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
When the movie came out last year (and was nominated for best picture!) I was reminded how that book absorbed me decades ago. I didn’t remember the specific details so much as the feeling of the book, which is written from a German’s perspective during WWI, that this war was horrible for all. I also remember the book being a quick read, possible in a weekend.
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At long last I can tell you about the epic book I’ve been reading since spring break using my crumpled boarding pass to Miami as a bookmark.
I read this work of art slowly because every page needed to be savored and understood. There were so many characters and so much to digest from the busy streets of Bombay where an Australian fugitive settles.
I read several other books in the meantime because I practice multibooking.
This book, now a favorite, is:
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
Continue readingI love reading historical fiction set in places I’ve traveled!
Several years ago we stopped at Laguna Beach during an epic west coast summer road trip to Ashland (Oregon), the Redwoods, San Francisco, and Disneyland. As I obsessively planned this vacation, I kept adding stops, and I realized I didn’t want to miss out on seeing a beach! So I picked Laguna because it seemed artsy and low key.
Laguna Beach vacation -post from the archives!
Continue readingCuba is a recurring theme on this blog; I definitely look at any book with this country in the title or description!
Today I’m writing about a book that was different than anything I’ve read before even though I’ve circled around similar topics, genres, and locations.
Hotel Cuba by Aaron Hamburger
Continue readingChanel Cleeton’s books tend to focus on Cuban families forced to flee the political turmoil of their homeland, and I have loved and recommended several of them.
So when I was approved by NetGalley to receive a download of her newest book, The Cuban Heiress, in exchange for an honest review, I wanted to shout out in joy! As a bookblogger, we can request early access to certain books but because I have a smaller blog, I don’t always get all the books I request.
Although this new book isn’t my favorite of her books (and I will note my favorites below), it was a solid, entertaining read, and I recommend it!
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Today’s post is a tribute to Gordon Lightfoot, a Canadian folk singer who passed away this week.
One of his most popular songs “If You Could Read My Mind” is a favorite of mine. I once had it on a “create” playlist – songs that make me want to write or just feel inspired and appreciative of the beauty of music.
I’m grateful I got to see him sing this song (and others) in person several years ago.
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SPRING BREAK CRUISE – WITH THE FAMILY
On spring break vacation, I started reading a long, epic book, but this book is so long and so epic (I’m really building the suspense on this one) I need a lot of time to process every page and every chapter. Thus, I have thus resorted to multi-booking and am updating my spring reading list with short reviews as I go, while I read and enjoy the epic book slowly.
So today I’m going to tell you about our spring break cruise!
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