August 6, 2025 YOU CAN'T CHANGE THAT

Bromance-- since first grade. Joined at the hip--until tomorrow. Yup-Tim's first BFF is leaving for college. Weren't they just playing Monopoly in the family room?? Where did the time go???  It's a bittersweet time for sure. On the one hand--the excitement of College--BUT there's also the FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN--AND CHANGE. Tim's been so lucky with friends. He's literally had the same core group since first grade-A BAND OF BROTHERS. They'll have to say SO LONG for now--until Christmas--BUT the Bromance will continue because of their connection and  shared memories of the last thirteen years. Enjoy your first semester--can't wait to hear all about it. The main character, Hai,  in Ocean Vuong's new book The Emperor of Gladness isn't so lucky. As the novel unfolds, Hai, is a nineteen year old Vietnamese American living in East Gladness, Connecticut, debating his fate as he stands on a bridge ready to jump.  Luckily, an elderly woman named, Grazina, talks him down. Grazina takes Hai to her dilapitated house to discuss his near suicide and then Hai reluctantly becomes her caretaker.  Hai also starts working at Home Market, a casual restaurant, where he meets a cast of characters including the manager BJ-who wants to be a professional wrestler, Wayne, Russia, Maureen, and his cousin Sony. They form a camaraderie as they share many struggles while working at this dead end job. Hai and Grazina also form a bond that ultimately changes both of their lives. This is a quirky story about friendship, loneliness and addiction where the reader decides the fate of the characters. I enjoyed this book--especially the characters in the restaurant as I felt like I was back at Papa Ginos. 

July 28, 2025. ISLAND GIRL

 Just spent a lovely weekend on Block Island with the bookclub. Can't believe its been 20 years. When the bookclub started out,  we were just a random group of neighbors who got together every month to discuss books and make a little merry.  Heck--some of us didn't even know each other. Over the years, we've formed a bond that has helped each of us overcome lifes many challenges. It really does take a village.  I'm very thankful to these women-- together we are stronger--strong enough to weather any storm. Thanks for the memories and the support--when I needed it most--looking forward to the next 20 years. Finished Wally Lamb's new book The River is Waiting right before the trip so here's my reivew. As this tragic novel unfolds, Corby and Emily Ledbetter live in a fictional town in Connecticut with their two year old twins, Maisie and Niko. Emily is an elementary school teacher and Corby is a stay-at-home dad as he has been laid off from work. One morning the unthinkable happens--and their world is forever changed. Corby is later arrested and sentenced to time at Yates Correctional Center. Corby's struggles in prison are frightening. He witnesses unbearable acts from not only prisoners but also from the correctional officers assigned to keep them safe. The only thing that keeps him from insanity is the hope that Emily can forgive him. Find out why Corby is in prison and if Emily can forgive him when you read this heartbreaking novel for yourself. This is Wally Lamb at his best--even if it is tragic --and leaves me thinking--it's sad that "we" unintentionally hurt the ones we love them most. 

July 18, 2025 CARELESS WHISPER

Who remembers the Seinfeld episode The Puffy Shirt? It's a classic. Kramer has a friend who is a LOW TALKER-- she is a designer who asks Seinfeld  to wear her puffy shirt on a televsion show. Seinfeld says yes BUT HAS NO IDEA WHAT HE IS AGREEING TO BECAUSE HE CAN'T HEAR HER. Well that's exactly how I felt last month while dining at a local restaurant. The waitress was a VERY LOW TALKER and we couldn't hear a word she said. At first I thought we were on an episode of Candid Camera--I 'm really showing my age here if you remember that show. Anyways--because we couldn't hear a word she said we had to hope for the best and try not to LAUGH-- BECAUSE IT WAS TOO FUNNY-- it too could have been a Seinfeld espisode. Truly miss that show. Back to the books. Just finished Alice Feeney's new book Beautiful Ugly. As this phychological thriller begins, Grady Green is an author who has finally made the best seller list, unfortunately, this happens on the same day his wife, Abbey, disappears. Overcome by grief and unable to start another book, Grady agrees (his editor has a cabin there)  to temporarily  move to a remote Scottish Island called Amity to get his life together and start a new book as per his contract. Once Grady gets to the island, he realizes some strange behaviors, coincidences and even thinks he see's his wife--or a woman who looks just like her. Find out what Amity Island is really all about and if the woman on the island is really Grady's wife when you read this mystery for yourself. I enjoyed this story and had a hard time putting it down. Let me know what you think. 

July 6, 2025. WHEN DOVES CRY

 Where are the hummingbirds?? Haven't seen ANY this summer. I'm so bummed. I love watching them flitter around the flowers and feeders. Wondering if it has anything to do with climate change? Hope it's just a nesting thing or a migration problem and they'll be back next year. In other bird news--we have had our first ever Bobwhites. They are funny quail-like looking birds who sort of whistle and call out the word--bobwhite--hence their name. Another first this year--we have chipmunks. Talk about cute little critters. Not sure where they came from but they seem to get along with the squirrels so its all good. While I sit on my patio and ponder the fate of the hummingbirds, I might as well review a mystery that I finished last week called The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave. As this thriller unfolds, Liam Noone is a hugely successful hotelier who dies after falling from a cliff at his home. Although it has been deemed an accident, his son, Sam, isn't so sure. He convinces his estranged sister, Nora, that the death is suspicious and the two start their own investigation where they learn more than they bargain for. The story shifts between the investigation and Liam's past where the siblings uncover secrets, lies and a family history that forces them to rethink their whole lives. Find out what the siblings uncover and if Liam fell or was pushed off the cliff when you read this thriller for yourself. I totally enjoyed it and had a hard time putting it down. AND I did not guess the ending or the other twists and turns either. Happy Reading. 

June 24, 2025. THE HEAT IS ON.

 

I know most people have AC so they are taking our current heatwave in stride --BUT-- I DO NOT. Believe it or not-I HAVE NEVER had IT.  I know what you're thinking--She really is INSANE--and you are probably right-- but I have two trains of thought about the BIG AC. Yes--it is helpful when the weather reaches these crazy temps-- but on the whole--I'm more of a fresh air girl. If and when I finally get AC--I won't want it on all the time either. I'll still want to open my windows so that I can hear the birds chirping and other neighborhood noise. I like it. I also know SO many people that have ZERO HEAT TOLERANCE--that's from AC. I can't imagine hardly ever going outside because it's TOO HOT. Again--I'm outside--rain/snow/heatwave--I'm pretty sure I could hang out in the Badlands and survive that heat too. The debut novel, Theo of Golden, by Allen Levi is set in another hot spot, the fictional town of Golden, Georgia. As this lovely story unfolds, Theo is an elderly gentleman from Portugal who moves into the small town of Golden. While at a local coffee shop, Theo sees 92 pencil portraits of local residents done by local artist Asher Glissen. Theo decides to buy the portraits and gift them to the subjects. His acts of kindess lead him to meet several wonderful characters including Tony Wilcox, owner of the local bookstore and veteran of war. He also meets Ellen, a homeless woman with mental health issues, who is obessed with her bike, Simone, a cello player, and several other interesting people. The gifts lead to friendships, story telling and make a positive impact on the community. The story is about so much more than just the gift giving but I don't want to spoil the fun. Give it a try. It's a beautifully written book--that can be a tad bit sappy at times--with super interesting characters and a mystery with an ending you won't forget. Enjoy. 

June 15, 2025. FATHER FIGURE

 

Happy Father's Day to all the fine fathers out there. Being a good dad AND a good role model is a lot of work. And it's a job that lasts forever. That's something many new parents don't really get. I didn't when my kids were young. I used to think that when the kids were 18--I'd get my life back BUT the reality is  THEY ARE MY LIFE and I wouldn't want it any other way. Neither would my husband. Not sure what he's going to do when the baby goes off to college in August as he's pretty much revolved his life around Tim's schedule-especially-since he retired. Guess we'll be taking more trips to Boston and then getting ready for the big wedding. That should keep us busy for a bit. Hope your're celebrating the dad in your life today by doing something special. Just finished a new novel by Fredrik Backman called My Friends, where many of the characters unfortunately come from broken families. As the story unfolds, Louisa is a seventeen year old foster kid and artist who sneaks into an auction to look at her favorite painting, The One of the Sea by C. Jat.  Many people see the painting as just a seascape but Louisa see's much more--she believes the painting is about friendship and belonging as she spies 3 figures in the background sitting on a pier. After getting kicked out of the auction, Louisa runs and hides behind a dumpster where she meets C. Jat and his friend Ted. Flash back 25 years where four teenagers-Joar, KimKim, Ted, and Ali spend a summer hanging on an abandoned pier where they form a bond that lasts forever. By the end of the summer, one friend has painted The One of the Sea, which becomes world famous. The story then flips back and forth between Louisa's present life and the past--the summer the painting was done. I don't want to say too much more other then that this story is equal parts heartbreaking and funny with a plethera of interesting, unforgettable characters. Pick up your copy to find out where Louisa's adventures take her and what happened that summer long ago. Enjoy

June 5, 2025 DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART

Just finished my 25th year of teaching. I'm telling you--it doesn't get any easier. I'm getting older and REALLY LOSING MY FILTER. I just don't have it in me to put up with the BS anymore. Teachers these days have to practically tiptoe around the kids because we might OFFEND THEM. NOONE cares about offending me. In my day, teachers could give the kids a quick hug, pat their shoulder or arm to urge them on BUT NOT TODAY. Teachers have to worry about having their careers RUINED as kids are literally calling their parents during school to REPORT teachers. It's NUTS. Parents are ACTUALLY calling their kids during the school day too and yelling at them if they don't answer the phone?? HELLO--does this make any sense??  Still looking for a new job but as of now I'm stuck in CRAZY LAND. Thank God for books. Just finished a lovely novel by Marjan Kamali called The Stationary Shop. As this story unfolds, it's 2013 and Roya, the main character, is living with her husband,Walter, in Massachusetts. She's just made an appointment to meet with someone she hasn't seen in sixty years. The novel then flips back to 1953. Roya is a high school senior who loves books and spending time in Mr. Fakhri's stationary shop. One day while at the shop, she meets a young revolutionary named Bahman. The two fall in love and plan to marry when Bahman suddenly disappears. Roya thinks he's a political prisoner, but after receiving several letters from him, he assures her he is not and the two plan to meet in the town square to elope. When Roya arrives, violence ensues because of a coup that not only changes Iran but also her life. Bahman never shows and  Roya is heartbroken. She eventually picks up the pieces and leaves Tehran to study in California with her sister. Find out what happens to Roya in California and over the next sixty years, why Bahman never showed  and so much more when you read this heartbreaking, beautifully written book with really interesting characters thats's also filled with Iranian culture, tradition and history. Enjoy.