…(a) descriptive and endearing narrative on the struggles of life and treasures of friendship
I am so far behind in my NetGalley book reviews… but I’ve been choosing sleep instead of reading in an effort to improve my health. The sacrifice has not yet been worth it – just sayin’.
One of the books I completed a some days ago and thought deserving of a full-fledged review was “The Printed Letter Bookshop.” It’s a Thomas Nelson title – so fairly wholesome, although the characters definitely have their issues. It focuses on a determined young lawyer who inherits her aunt’s bookshop, and the two local women who assist in the shop – a divorcee, and a do-it-all mom.
Through personality clashes, obvious character flaws, family secrets, and a good deal of “searching” I would classify this as a novel of growth, with a dash of sweet romance. It was probably a pleasure to read because of the main feature – the charming little bookshop – a delight for readers who dream of an actual day-to-day connection with books (i.e. me…) just inhaling the scent and discovering new pieces of printed wonder. It’s a testament to the impact one individual can make. It’s a story of hope and new beginnings.
I’ve not read Katherine Reay before this NetGalley copy provided in exchange for my opinion, but I have most definitely added other titles to my to-read list. This was a delightful, easy-to-read, descriptive and endearing narrative on the struggles of life and treasures of friendship. This title was published May 14th – so go pick up a copy from your local independent bookseller (or Amazon if all else fails…)
I realise this doesn’t qualify as Meal Plan Monday considering I’m posting it on a Tuesday, but the menu was prepared well in advance of yesterday.
It’s hard to believe we’re trying up the first half of 2019! Besides reading a tidy amount of books, I’m not too sure we’ve accomplished anything if significance.
Back to the posting on a Tuesday… Yesterday I packed 7 hours of work into 4.5 hours, then spent my afternoon in the chilly sunshine cheering on our 8th grader. As a runner, he qualified for the area meet (track and field) of the northern schools in our district. He managed to place third in his 200m finals. He ran his heart out in his other events and this mama couldn’t be prouder!
Unfortunately, by the time this mama got home she was on the verge of a migraine and hid in her bed for quite some time. This means we took a shortcut to meal prep… as in Kev picked up dinner on his way home.
Here is our illustrious menu:
Deli chicken meal (yesterday)
Oven-baked wings, fries, and fresh veggies
Taco salad
Beef dip sandwiches and salad
Beef “poutine” and salad
Veggie pasta skillet
Leftovers
Here’s to a few more short weeks of lunch-packing and sunny afternoons with a picnic in the park!
There are certain books you read that leave a big impression on your heart. Others you read and wonder why you didn’t just put it down. Many more fall into the in-between – they’re great distractions in the moment, but the emotional wow-factor isn’t quite what you hoped. Most fall somewhere along the middle. They are entertainment, pure and simple.
I haven’t been reading as much over the last few weeks – falling into a bit of a slump on that front. We’ve been busy. I’ve been tired. And even my great escape has felt like it required too much energy. I’ve been blogging even less. Priorities and all that… I have a few titles I’ve read that I should post reviews for… but instead of a singular post for each, I’m going to offer a round-up of recommendations and reflection. Each of these titles are complimentary copies I received via NetGalley in exchange for my opinions.
The Spanish Promise by Karen Swan is a dual-timeline novel touching on a family’s secrets and the desire to prevent a scandal. (Bonus trivia: Author Karen Swan is a Globe & Mail bestseller.) I loved the mystery and unlocking of the secrets – the questions and false-leads and the historical elements as they tried to figure out who the wealthy patriarch was leaving his estate to and the why behind his actions. The drama of all that unfolded during the Spanish Civil War and how it influenced so many lives in the present really captured my attention. I didn’t love the supposed romance of the contemporary characters – or even the characters themselves. That aspect fell flat and I found it a bit worldly and jaded. Rating: 3 stars
Published by: Pan MacMillan / Publishers Group Canada Publication Date: May 1, 2019 .
Edie Browne’s Cottage by the Sea by Jane Linfoot is set seaside, obviously, in the UK. After some health issues and a break up, our female lead tries to find healing and herself as she stays with her aunt and tackles the renovation of her cottage by the sea. Both Edie and her aunt have some healing to do. The novel is quirky and like other seaside romance novels, makes me want to take a vacation. That being said, while I loved the comradery that developed (because that’s what happens in small towns, no?) the book isn’t deep or even emotionally engaging. I loved the crafty and creative spin on things because that’s my language… and Cam had me won over from the start. Overall, it’s a light bit of fluff that’ll have you craving ice cream and bonfires, but you probably won’t feel like your life has been changed. Another 3 stars from me.
Published by: Harper Impulse and Killer Reads Publication Date: May 24, 2019
The Woman In Our House by Andrew Hart isn’t my typical read. It’s contemporary suspense done well. It’s a bit dark and twisted (as suspense typically is.) Based on the premise that the nanny they hired isn’t who she claims to be, I will admit there were things I didn’t see coming… and other aspects that I had pinned down right away. As a mother, it gave me goosebumps. As a reader, I wanted to see what happened next. That being said, I found some of it was a little stilted. Give it a go if you are into twists and turns and twisted minds. Still… just a 3 stars from me. (and 3 stars aren’t bad, just somewhat indifferent…)
Published by: Lake Union Publishing Publication Date: June 18, 2019
I have some others to review as well, but they will hold until another day… as it seems these were all mediocre (and that could just be the slump speaking) what’s on your must-recommend list? What have you recently read that sticks out in your mind and actually moved you? Please share…
This past weekend we attended our local Food Truck Frenzy organized as a fundraiser by the Rotary group. We decided to go in the rain. On the plus side, no crazy crowds to deal with. In the down side, it’s still crazy expensive and you walk out feeling like you’ve been bathed in oil. My favourite pick this year was from the Jerk Brothers Carribean truck – the jerk pork poutine was de-li-cious. I was sad to share it three ways.
Yesterday after church we had our final potluck lunch before summer. There were a ton of casseroles – including 7 shepherds pies – and only two crockpots of meat – one full of meatballs and mine full of BBQ jerk pulled pork. I went home with zero leftovers. Success.
Last night, I craved veggies – so we enjoyed a peanutty cashew stir-fry with butternut squash noodles to try and find some balance in our weekend overload of ridiculously tasty and decadent food.
My boys will not stop eating the last couple of weeks. I think we’re dealiñg with some growth spurts. At 12 & 13, I’m sure we’re in for copiously large grocery shops in the near future. Our menu for the upcoming week (if I can keep the food in the fridge long enough) looks like this:
Italian sausage, roasted potatoes, Caesar salad
Burgers and veggie sticks
Crepes and sides
Chicken and pepper alfredo
Chili or other meal featuring ground beef
Leftovers
Parents of preteen/teenage boys… What are your tips and tricks to groceries on a budget and still keeping them fed?
It’s the May long weekend here in our tiny corner of the world. The weather is finally cooperating for outdoor book binges. We had a birthday party yesterday and I have this weird thing about parents judging my housekeeping skills, so we cleaned like mad before the 12 year old boys showed up to make a mess again. Thankfully, clean-up was a breeze so today lent itself to indulgent backyard gazebo time with a rosé lemonade (meh) and a book (amazing!)
I’ve had The Book Woman of Troublesome Creekon my to-read pile for months. I’ve put it off, and put it off, and put it off… until I decided to give it a go last night. I made it to chapter 13 (when I should have been sleeping but we all know I’ll give up sleep for a good book.) The wee hours of the morning finally got to me, so I put it down knowing I’d have the afternoon to while away in 1930’s Kentucky hill country. Oh. My. Word. Why didn’t I read this book sooner?!?
Why didn’t I read this book sooner?!?
From the first paragraphs, this title is evocative and transports you to another time and place. It’s rife with folklore, superstition, and old home remedies – balanced with an honest and colourful depiction of a difficult era and landscape. Inspired by the historical and truly remarkable Kentucky Pack Horse library service and gentle-hearted blue-skinned people of Kentucky, Kim Michele Richardson weaves a poignant and heart-wrenching telling of poverty, misogyny, racial prejudice, and poverty. Through it all, books bind humble souls together – feeding the mind when the land won’t yield food and families are dying of starvation.
I don’t want to share any spoilers so I’ll leave you with this: pick up a copy of this book, book off a chunk of free-time, and dive right in! You’ll find yourself invested – infuriated with the wrongness of so many situations, in tears because of the heartache and loss, and absolutely in love with the Book Lady, Cussy, and the family she builds through the care and gifts for her patrons. Honestly, one of the best books I’ve read in awhile!
This complimentary title was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark Publication Date: May 7, 2019
I’ve read a few books from Bookouture, a UK-based digital publisher, and each one has been enjoyable. No surprise, The House at Hope Corner by Emma Davies was another successful literary escape (my favourite type of low-budget not-actually-a-vacation.)
Whirlwind romance, delightful scenery, just enough trouble to keep things interesting, and of course, a likeable female lead defining herself in the midst of it all – it equals a formula for a fantastic summer read. This book is the type you’ll want to load onto your reader for a relaxing afternoon under a tree or sitting on the beach – or in my case, snuggled up under the covers on a quiet dreary day.
I laughed, I cried, and I felt like I was right there, a part of the family with every tense scene, ever new situation, every triumph. The House at Hope Corner is a warm-hearted, page-turning depiction of a sweetly eccentric woman, her charming farmer fiancee, and the merging of two very different outlooks on life – finding balance between artistic, creative freedom and rigid, routine farm life while overcoming challenges and the secrets that come to light as you get to know someone and there family. It’s a great work of contemporary women’s fiction that will charm the socks off you!
I received a complimentary of this title via NetGalley with thanks to the publisher. As always, all opinions are my own.
Published: May 10, 2019 (Available now) Publisher: Bookouture
Every once in a while, you dive into a book that really makes you think the author has a handle on their genre. My contact at Agora Books reached out to me and offered The House of Hardie by Anne Melville as a suggested read in response to some of my requests and reviews to their agency. She was spot on – I loved this book!
Two families from two classes. Four siblings with four dreams. Fate versus destiny... In this dramatic Victorian saga, can love and passion overcome power and ambition? Not a new question posed in fiction, but done very well in this case.
The House of Hardie was first published in 1987 and is the first in the Hardie Family series. Agora has re-published this title posthumously. Author Anne Melville, in fact a pseudonym for Margaret Edith Newman, born in 1926 in Middlesex.
Before writing, she worked a variety of jobs including teaching in Egypt, editing a children’s magazine in London, and advising the Citizen’s Advice Bureau in Twickenham. She published her first novel as Margaret Newman, a mystery novel entitled Murder to Music.
Newman continued publishing novels until her death in 1998, under a variety of pseudonyms and encompassing multiple genres. As Anne Melville, she focused on historical novels. Over the course of her career she published fifty-five novels.
As to the novel itself, it addresses the obstacles of romance between the merchant class and the Ton, the barriers set upon women with unrealistic expectations and limitations, it explores romance and adventure and the ties that bind us to family (and the bonds that are even greater.)
It was a well-written saga of a tale with an engaging plot and well-developed characters – especially the well-rounded, strong female leads. I mentioned in my Instagram post yesterday that it was “Historical fiction done right!”
My thanks to Agora Books for the complimentary copy via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
Published: May 2, 2019 (get it in store now!) Publisher: Agora Books
I’m skipping meal planning for the early part of this week as we use up the fridge/freezer/pantry items on hand. Nothing to share menu-wise. Instead I’ll remind you to plan time and things that nurture your spirit and feed your soul this week. I’ll also remind you to look for opportunities to feed others – with encouragement, with love, with kindness (food is a great thing too if they contain any of the above ingredients.)
I haven’t read as much as I’d have liked to this week. It’s been crazy busy – so busy I may have forgotten an important appointment, whoops! I’ve had some turnover in our office that has required some flexibility, we volunteered our time for a massive fundraising yard sale, and of course, we celebrated one special kid’s birthday. All important things on top of the normal things and by the time I’ve managed to sit down or crawl into bed, my body has been saying “Close your eyes, woman!”
I allowed the birthday boy (because he’s the birthday boy all week) skip school today. Last night, he was working alongside adults and pulling his weight (and more than) helping to move boxes and furniture for the yard sale, in the damp, in the dark, no complaining. Today, they moved everything again (out into the field) so he asked if he could help hands-on so I made the call that community service was an important learning opportunity for him as well. I’m remarkably proud of his generous and kind heart.
When we got home this afternoon, a little chilly and damp, he turned on the Food Network while I puttered around tidying the house (before my BRAND NEW WASHING MACHINE is delivered tomorrow! Pinnacle of adulthood!) He left it on when he moved to his room and I’ve been sucked into the web of Carnival Food, Firemasters, and Chopped. In all reality, I should really be vacumming the couch, but I just don’t want to move. Honestly, I could take a nap. The dog is cozy looking on his bed, snoring out loud, and I’m a little jealous.
I know this is all a ramble and I really don’t have a point… but sometimes I just need to spew in a sort of decompression. We have a busy weekend ahead – Mother’s Day lunch with my in-laws, Sunday School prep (I keep forgetting that I’m the teacher this week!), church (and Sunday school), and dinner with Kevin’s in-laws (aka my family.)
So here are my final thoughts… how do you decompress or carve out a time to recharge when you’ve had a busy, productive week and know that the weekend isn’t going to be any better? And how will you be honouring Mom this weekend? I always jokingly comment that we’re so busy celebrating all the other moms that this mom doesn’t get any time for herself. Any others mamas feel that way? Mothers Day weekend is as hectic as Christmas.
The East End by Jason Allen was just published this week – on Tuesday, to be exact. Congratulations to the author! I know a lot of heart and soul and sweat and tears go into the process of taking a book from idea to page to publication. When a publicist at HarperCollins sent the initial description and asked if I’d like to be part of the blog tour, I jumped on board. Here is some information on the book, the author, and my final thoughts.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After graduating high school, Corey Halpern would love to leave the Hamptons and never look back. He is stuck though, saddled with responsibility for his alcoholic mother, Gina, and his younger brother. So for now, he finds momentary escape by breaking and entering. The night before Memorial Day weekend, he targets the estate of Leo Sheffield, the billionaire CEO for whom he and Gina work. But everything goes awry. Leo arrives suddenly—and he’s not alone. As Corey looks on in stunned horror, he witnesses a fatal mishap…as does another traumatized onlooker. With everything to lose, Leo will do whatever it takes to cover up the truth. Things spiral out of control, however. Pushed to their limits, Corey, Gina, and Leo all hurtle towards climactic showdowns as explosive as the holiday fireworks lighting up the night sky.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jason Allen grew up in a working-class home in the Hamptons, where he worked a variety of blue-collar jobs for wealthy estate owners. He writes fiction, poetry, and memoir, and is the author of the poetry collection A Meditation on Fire. He has an MFA from Pacific University and a PhD in literature and creative writing from Binghamton University. He currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, where he teaches writing at Clayton State University. THE EAST END is his first novel.
MY REVIEW:.
I like to provide honest reviews and I always feel a little awkward when I don’t rave about a title. So I will be honest and say this is not a book I would have purchased on my own and I realised that very quickly into the first two chapters. I know it would not be a title I would recommend to a lot of the real-life readers who are part of my circle because they would have found it incredibly offensive – it’s raw and graphic and full of harsh language and scenes that would have left them uncomfortable. (A “Rated R… viewer discretion advised” type of novel.) That being said, I know a ton of other readers in my online circles who would absolutely love this book for all the same reasons – because it’s edgy, and fast-paced, and very, very corrupt.
So while I can’t recommend it in good conscience to some of my dear and closest friends, I can say that THE EAST END is well-written. It’s not bright or cheerful, but dark and atmospheric. It’s sad (as in desolate) and tumbles along at quite a pace. It’s not a traditional mystery or suspense, but it’s suspenseful in the tension-filled, catastrophic rush to a shocking ending. The lives of many unhappy people are intertwined and the moral/immoral choices and quandaries – the lies, the loyalties, the tale of a whole bunch of people who are not happy with their lives and are trying to fill the gaps with drug and alcohol addiction, unhealthy relationships, illicit affairs, and illegal hobbies – catch up in one dynamite conclusion. The author does a remarkable job of capturing the despair and despondency of the characters despite their socio-economic differences. He effectively touches on the need for trust and connection while highlighting the dangers of secrecy, obsession, and desperation. Best of all he leaves you with a small spark of hope that two of the main characters find redemption and happily ever after.
(As a small note of humour, when I finished, all I could think is, “Man, I don’t think I’ll ever visit the Hamptons. People are not happy there.” I’m sure the tourism board will be thrilled with this one… )
My thanks to the publisher, Harlequin, for providing a copy of this title and inviting me to be a part of this tour.
Life Love Laughter Linds 