Cute little book that guides you through ways to meditate or at least be more mindful while accomplishing the day-to-day tasks in your life. Washing dishes, riding the bus, sorting laundry will never be the same as you become more aware of everything that you do.
(#68-2022)
A new library Board Chair may throw a wrench into Minnie's days of spreading reading and cheer aboard the Chilton Library Bookmobile.
And then, of course, there's the murder of a Bookmobile regular. Minnie, Eddie and friends need to find out what happened, and why at the same time as they try to save the Bookmobile from whatever fate could be heading its way.
There are always a lot of conclusions that are needlessly jumped to in a cozy mystery novel, and this book is absolutely no different. Minnie is the queen of assumptions and jumping ahead to get where she wants to be. But in the safest, least athletic way possible.
In almost all cases, it turns out the right way for her and that's just part of what makes these a joy to read. You might not always be stumped by the whodunit portion, but it very rarely gets there in a way that you'd expect.
(#67-2022)
Adorable book that extols the virtues of the reader - would be an excellent gift for someone you want to be grateful for.
(#66-2022)
I read through these as a series, so I will also write this as a compilation.
I read these first when I was the target age and I think I've probably read them multiple times since then. The idea of a mouse who yearned for adventure and a different kind of life somehow spoke to me as a child. I don't relate to it the same way as an adult, but it's still incredibly endearing
(#63, 64, 65-2022)
I don't even know how to summarize this one. A story of love and loss and grief and pain. I was emotionally wrung out by the time I was done - and that was all in one day because I just couldn't put it down. I was immediately attached to the characters and was both afraid and excited to see where the story went and how it ended. It left me with sorrow and also relief with a little joy mixed in.
It didn't end in exactly the way I expected or maybe I hoped it would, but it was satisfying and while I know there is a prequel being released soon which I am planning to read, I don't want anything further into the future of this story.
(#62-2022)
Another crazy caper for librarian Minnie Hamilton and her cat, Eddie as they travel around a region of Northern Michigan on the Chilton Library Bookmobile.
This time around, we widen Minnie's circle of friends and benefactors and also negotiate Minnie's relationships. I've gotten used to some of the quirks about Minnie that used to make me dislike the character and now find her endearing. Most of the time.
The mysteries get stranger and stranger and this one is no different. The comparisons between Minnie and Aurora Teagarden (Charlaine Harris' librarian crime-solver) are still very obvious, but the addition of the Bookmobile and of course Eddie make this series just different enough to keep my attention.
(#61-2022)
Mostly a picture book, and reiterated the thoughts from the biography read previously. Nothing much more to say here, though the photography was quite lovely.
(#60-2022)
Lengthy, but engaging biography of singer George Michael. This book contained details that I wasn't expecting and perspectives that weren't necessarily at the forefront during the years Michael was actively pursuing his musical career.
I've lost no respect for the artist, and have gained an appreciation for the personal struggle that he put himself through based on what he thought the world's expectations were for him.
Despite some amazing success and a lot of talent, it was not an easy life for Michael. And that makes the loss of his life at a fairly early age even more sad. Imagine what else he could have done if he hadn't gotten in his own way.
(#59-2022)
I can't possibly write my thoughts on this without ruining the movie, so let's just say that it lives up to the rest of the series. I'm interested to know where they'll take certain characters and stories moving forward, and of course, it's the Harry Potter world, so despite any misgivings about the author, I will continue to follow the story.
(#58-2022)
