I Read: Lending a Paw

Lending a Paw by Laurie Cass

(Book one in the Bookmobile Cat Mysteries)

Of course I picked this up because cat. And books. How could I resist?

The cover is cute and tells you what you need to know about the story - if you don't like book stories, and cats, then there's no point in reading. The cover is what initially got my attention. Of course. 

Working my way through the story was a little more difficult than the cover might give the impression of. It feels simplistic, but there are complex and honestly just silly moments that throw the story off track. 

I Read: The Twits

The Twits by Roald Dahl

Unfortunately, this one may be one of my least favourite Dahl stories. There's a lot to it, with monkeys and birds and really not nice people. And the introduction to the characters is pretty intriguing, but overall it's not a pleasant book. It's funny, but not fun. I like that the meanies get their just desserts at the end, but it's still a tough story to justify.

But it's a super quick read, and worked nicely as a filler between longer, more attention heavy reads. 

#99-2020

I Read: Whiskey in a Teacup

Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon

Part cookbook, part memoir, part instruction manual for how to "be more Southern", this is a great representation of who I think Reese Witherspoon is. Quirky, but practical with some very Southern sensibilities. 

I'm enjoying the idea of actually creating some of the recipes she's included, and while I will never be a hostess or entertain in the sense that she speaks about in the book, I still like reading about it and imagining going through the planning of it. 

The little bits and pieces of personal stories that she throws in really make this a more personal story, as if she truly is sharing her family stories and even secrets with you as you travel through the pages with her. 

There's nothing monumental here, but there are some great little tips and tricks for making things more or less formal, and doing it easily or at least more easily than you might imagine they could be. I'm looking forward to trying several of the recipes because they sound like they'd be wonderfully simple and yet feel like a treat. 

#98-2020

I Read: a collection of children's books

Lifetimes: A Beautiful Way to Explain Life and Death to Children by Bryan Mellonie
Grandma's Yarn by Lynne Pickavance
The Giraffe, the Pelly and Me by Roald Dahl
I Don't Mind Being Short by Slavica Popadic
When Will I read? by Miriam Cohen
Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl
Little Ones Listen to God

I had a pile of picture type books on my shelf that I finally took a moment to zoom through, with the end of the year on us. I should have done it months ago. No cover photos for these, since there are a bunch of them, but there are things to say for a few of them.  All of them came from my mother's collection of books that we've gone through to find out which to keep or transition into new homes. These represent a small collection of what I couldn't bear to part with. 

I Read: Danny the Champion of the World

Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl

Another wonderfully ridiculous Roald Dahl offering. Ridiculous of course, but with a lesson to be had. I don't know how he managed to make things silly and serious at the same time. His books are a wonderful break from the real world while remaining planted firmly within it. 

#90-2020

 

I Read: Always Looking Up

Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist by Michael J. Fox

I've always been a Michael J. Fox fan, from the days of Family Ties. I remember staying up "late" at the time in order to be able to watch the episode each week. I followed his career after and managed to always catch up on bits of it. But I've gotten very behind on his books. 

Years ago, I read Lucky Man and thoroughly enjoyed the way that his writing comes across as if he's having a conversation with the reader - this book is no different. It's almost as if you can hear his voice. 

I Read: The Smell of Other People's Houses

The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

I enjoyed this book - I wasn't sure it would be one that would go in that category. The title intrigued me, which is why I choose to read it in the first place. The story is definitely intriguing, following the lives of several teens in Alaska at the time of the territory becoming a state. The stories of those teens mingle together in interesting ways and teach a number of lessons while doing so. 

The subject matter isn't really pleasant, but it is real and wanting to know how the stories are completed is what keeps the reader interested. 

I Read: Finding Audrey

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

This was surprisingly poignant, considering it's written by the same author as the Shopaholic series. I wasn't expecting that. I enjoy the casual nature of Kinsella's writing here, even though she's writing about some serious stuff. And I like that it's relatable, even if we haven't all gone through anything similar. 

The character of Audrey is well developed, and I think that very much helps us to understand how and why she's in the situation she's in. And how she can get out of it. Some of the moments could have been stronger had there been a little more focus on them, and though we get a picture of what she went through, I felt a little bit like I would have been more sympathetic with some more detail. But the vague-ness fits perfectly with the character and the story. 

I Read: Eats, Shoots and Leaves

Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss

Not really going for a review on this one - but for anyone interested in language and the usage and transitions that punctuation has gone through, and continues to go through this is a must-read. There are cute stories and anecdotes about the comma, and semi-colon as well as other highly misunderstood punctuation marks. 

#86-2020 

I Write: Mystery or Thriller?

I wrote a short story for my Writing Mysteries and Thrillers class. It was the final assignment and I had some serious trouble getting traction on an idea to start. When I got the idea and started writing, I wasn't sure how it would go, whether my idea actually would make sense to anyone but me. 

But I wrote it, and in the interest of calling myself a writer, here it is: 

(EDIT 12/17/2020 - I just received my grade for the class - 100%. I must have been doing something right.)

She snaps a fresh glove down over her wrist, the sound echoing in the nearly vacant room. Surveying the scene, she narrows her eyes. She holds herself erect, her face a blank slate. There’s no room for emotion here. She doesn’t take any joy or pride in this particular part of the job. But it needs to be done. 

Her right hand fists at her hip, pushing back the right quarter of her suit jacket, exposing the pocket of slim-fitting pants. With the turtleneck underneath, the suit she wears is a stereotypical look - if she were a man. But she enjoys it. She is far from typical. 

I Read: 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl

13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl by Mona Awad

This book was not at all what I was expecting when I picked it up. And that is not at all a bad thing. I didn't check the back for a description; I bought it based on the title. 

For some reason, I expected short stories about different girls. Instead, this is a journey through the life of a "fat girl" and her experiences at different stages of her life. It's not even always through her perspective. I'm not even going into any more detail than that. This book deserves to be read, to give people a perspective they may not have, and to maybe urge people to talk about things they otherwise might not. 

I really enjoyed it. It's thoughtful and thought-provoking.

#85-2020

I Read: A Bone to Pick

A Bone to Pick by Charlaine Harris

(Book 2 in the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries series)

I'm glad to have found the Hallmark movies of the Aurora Teagarden series before reading the books. I am a fan of Charlaine Harris in general; her writing style is adorable, if quirky and she creates characters that you just want to take under your wing. They're a little silly, and at times annoyingly impractical, but they are very "Southern girl" stereotype so genteel is a great word. 

Book 2 in the Aurora Teagarden series follows along as per type, and Aurora is involved in another mystery, not of her making. She gets caught up in the situations, and always makes a couple of questionable choices that further the story but makes you just shake your head at her. 

They're easy and fun to read, and keep you guessing at least a little bit from beginning to end. They're no real drama or trauma, just a cute little mystery to solve with some eccentric characters to make it fun. 

#84-2020

I Read: Real Murders

Real Murders by Charlaine Harris

(Book 1 in the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries)

I'd watched a number of the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries from Hallmark channel before I realized that there were books. Then to learn that the books are written by Charlaine Harris of True Blood fame was a bonus. I already enjoy her writing, and the Teagarden movies are enjoyable so I've started hunting for the novels. 

This is the first in the series, and as such is the introduction to Aurora Teagarden and her little town.  And her club that studies famous murders. I won't deny that when I'm reading I picture Candance Cameron Bure because of having seen the movies first, but the books don't disappoint. There is a lot more to Aurora and her town than portrayed in a 90-minute movie. The situations she finds herself in are almost ridiculous, but because everything about the story is riding on that edge of unreal it all makes sense. 

I Read: Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator

Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl

The continued story of Charlie and Mr. Wonka takes Charlie's entire family on an out of this world journey in the great glass elevator. True to Dahl-form there are made up words, and characters and entirely implausible scenarios that seem entirely reasonable within his story. It's what makes reading Dahl fun. 

If you enjoyed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I'd recommend reading this to continue the tale. There are even more Oompa Loompas. And buried in the middle are some lessons to learn. Fun!

#82-2020