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. 

May 29, 2025 TRIP AROUND THE SUN

 365 days. Yup. My lovely daughter will be getting married in exactly ONE YEAR. Time is just flying by. I'll be going over to the venue later today-- to take pictures--so she can see what the  grounds/gardens will look like next year at this time. FUN. I've started looking at dresses for the BIG DAY. Think I'm going to go simple yet elegant--AND COMFORTABLE--BUT I also NEED to look good. Yup--there's the old vanity coming out again. YIKES-- I'm definitely NOT looking any younger. I have ONE year to get my act together--lose a few pounds, get rid of these wrinkles, whiten my teeth, get rid of these stubborn greys. I need a plan or a maintenance routine or something........UGH. It's all too much.   On to more important things. I just read a really good thriller by Charlie Donlea called Twenty Years Later.  As this story unfolds, it's 2001 and detective Walt Jenkins is investigatng the murder of a famous author, Cameron Young, in the Catskills area, and all evidence point to his lover, Victoria Ford. The novel then jumps to twenty years later. Avery Mason, the host of American Events, is investigating a new story. The New York Medical Examiner's Office has developed new DNA technology and  identified  a new victim of 9/11 as Victoria Ford. As Avery investigates, she get more questions than answers, especially, after interviewing Victoria's sister, Emma Kind, and Walk Jenkins, who is now retired and living in Jamaica. This mystery is filled with twists and turns AND everyone has something to hide--including Avery. Find out more when you read this suspense filled novel that will have you guessing until the bitter end. Enjoy. 

May 16, 2025 BITTERSWEET

 It's bittersweet. The baby is graduating from high school next week. So funny that we call Tim the baby--he's 6'3" and almost 18 years old. It has been a privilege to be his mother. He is a kind, responsible, intelligent young man. Good thing he wasn't my first or I would have wondered where I went wrong with the others.  HA. Seriously--my three kids couldn't be MORE different. Pretty sure Tim practically raised himself. Taught himself to read, swim, AND did all of his homework without being asked. He ate whatever was put in front of him too. Pretty much a dream child. Going to miss him so much when he leaves for college BUT so proud of him in every way. Just finished a Reese's book club pick called Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall that I really enjoyed.This tragic story takes place in the countryside of England in 1968. Beth, a poet turned farmer's wife, enjoys a quiet life with her husband, Frank, until her first love, Gabriel, returns to town with his young son, Leo. Against Frank's wishes, Beth reconnects with her former love and forms a bond with Leo. The chapters in the story jump between 1955 when Beth and  Gabriel originally fell in love--to their current lives in 1968 AND a murder trial at the Old Bailey courthouse. It's a love triangle gone bad in SO many ways. This novel is about love, loss and regret but it's so much more because it's also a mystery with  many plot twists that make it unputdownable.  Don't want to say much more because I don't want to spoil the fun. It's well written and I did like the characters too. Enjoy. 

May 4, 2025. EVERYBODY HURTS

 I've read countless books in my long life BUT none quite like Intermezzo by Sally Rooney. It was the writing. I was completely blown away---but I'll have to admit-- it took me a while to appreciate it.   One thing I found fascinating was how the writing changed based on the character. In the chapters about Peter--the writing lacked punctuation, contained sentence fragments, verb/subject inversion and jumped to stream of consciousness on a whim. The reader had to be VERY aware. When the chapter focused on the younger brother Ivan, the writing was calmer, more relaxed and much easier to read. These contrasting styles worked well with the frame of mind of the brothers and the struggles they were facing. The title of the book is also of interest--Intermezzo is a chess term--it's Italian for in-between--or entering a new period as the brothers do after the death of their father. Set in present day Ireland, Peter and Ivan have just buried their father after a long battle with cancer. They are struggling  to cope with this gaping loss. Peter is a 33 years old successful lawyer in Dublin. He appears to have it all---friends, money, connections and personality plus. Although he is still in love with Sylvia, they are no longer together so he plays the field and is currently with Naomi, a 23 year old college student. Ivan, his much younger brother, is a recent college graduate and competitive chess player. He is socially awkward and lonely. After meeting a much older women named Margaret at a chess tournament,  his life seems to be making a turn for the better until conflict between the brothers threatens their delicate relationship. This tender story is about grief, relationships, family and coping when the rock of the family is gone. Again, the writing is so different that it took me a bit to get used to, but I really loved the book and it will definitely make the list next year.