July 22, 2026 YOU TAKE MY BREATH AWAY

 

Who remembers the ABC Afterschool Special? I absolutely loved it--ESPECIALLY- the 1979 episode starring Rex Smith called Sooner or Later. Denise Miller played Jessie, a love sick teenager who tries to meet and attract, Michael (Rex Smith) an aspiring musician, who teaches guitar lessons.  After watching it--I became completely OBSESSED with him. Posters from Teen Beat Magazine adorned my walls as I fantasized about meeting Rex AND BELIEVING--much like the show--that if he just met ME............This obsession lingered as I remember going to see him on Broadway in Pirates of Penzance--again dreaming we would meet....Crazy.  My heart still skips a beat--AND I FEEL THIRTEEN AGAIN-- whenever I hear the song You Take My Breath Away. This trip down memory lane has everything to do with an interesting book I just finished called American Fantasy by Emma Straub. American Fantasy is a cruise ship specializing in themed cruises. Annie, a recently divorced woman in her fifties, reluctantly agrees to accompany her sister on a celebrity cruise to see, Boy Talk, a boy band that was famous in the 1990s.  After her sister breaks her leg, Annie finds herself boarding the ship accompanied by 3,000 middle-aged screaming female fans. This is serious fandom--women completely devoted to the boy band --who  cruise every year to spend four days with the band--photo ops, meet & greets, concerts. The story is told through three different perspectives including Annie who is both horrified and caught up in the nostalgia she feels. Sarah, the head of JackRabbit productions, who is in charge of entertainment and making sure the band members are happy.  Interestingly, the story is also told through members of the band who are basically addicted to the attention in some cases while others just  need the money. Don't want to tell too much more about the story but you will totally enjoy it if you can buy into the fantasy and think of it as a fun escape. It totally made me think WAY back--who would I want to see if I ever went on a celebrity cruise.........maybe Rex Smith or KISS. Not sure....How about you??  Enjoy. 

July 14, 2026 PEACE AND HARMONY

 

Say it isn't so........Only 49% of ADULTS READ BOOKS......AND....only 16% READ DAILY. Although these statistics are MIND BOGGLING--It certainly explains SOOOOOOO many things that are wrong in our world.  Reading not only helps develop and build empathy BUT it also helps people learn about and consider different perspectives. It also helps people develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. Where else can someone build vocabulary, communication and writing skills-- ALL paramount to success--in such an organic way??  Did I  mention the medical benefits--memory retention--stress reduction--better cognitive function--increased life expectancy. Just think--If everyone read 30 minutes each day--the world would be a happier more accepting place. People might be a bit more empathetic, kind and open-minded. We'd have great thinkers who would solve world problems instead of creating them AND we'd all get to live a little longer. Can't hurt to dream. In the meantime, I'd like to tell you about Maggie O'Farrell's newest historical fiction novel Land. This beautifully written family saga takes place on a remote Irish peninsula in 1865. Tomas, a skilled cartographer, and his young son, Liam, are sent to survey land for the British after the Great Famine. After a life altering experience in the copse, Tomas is declared possessed by the devil and a local priest, Father Joseph, performs an exorcism that leaves Tomas almost catatonic. After returning to his wife, Phina, and family in the Dublin tenements, Tomas makes a rash decision to move the family to the peninsula, changing the course of their lives forever. This story then goes on to explore the lives of each of the children, Liam, Endra, Rose and Eugene as well as many others including the widow, as each endures life on this sparse land mass. The Land itself is also a character in the story as it stands as witness to history,  terrain changes, destruction and death due to the Potato Famine.  This fascinating story is so much more than I can say in this review but if you are interested in Irish history, family sagas and great writing,  this is the book for you. 

June 27, 2026 FREE BIRD

 

Thought we'd surprise my husband with a new bird feeder for Father's Day as ours was literally  hanging by a thread on a broken pole. BUT that's what happens when you have to pay for a wedding-- RIGHT?  Back in the day, the bird feeder/pole came as a unit-- NOT TODAY. Had to buy a bird feeder AND a fancy mounting pole AND some gadget called a SQUIRREL BAFFLE. Got the kids to chip in thinking it would be about $100. WELL--pretty sure my head did a 360 at the register. Let's just say--we won't be eating for a month-- BUT the birds are happy and I'm  pretty sure we FINALLY have a squirrel proof bird feeder--FOR NOW--but I'll give them a week to figure it out. Just finished a novel by one of my favorite writers-- Ann Patchett's Whistler. As this lovely story unfolds, Daphne Fuller and her husband, Jonathan, are wandering around  the Metropolitan Museum of Art when her husband notices that they are being followed by an older gentleman. Jonathan eventually approaches the man only to learn that his name is Eddie Triplett and he was Daphne's step-father when she was nine years old. Although they haven't seen each other in 45 years, Daphne and Eddie are eager to reconnect as they remember each other fondly. The story then goes back and forth in time, when Eddie, a book editor, marries Daphne's mother, Abigail, and is a wonderful step-father to Daphne and her sister, Leda. Soon after, Eddie and Daphne share a traumatic event, Abigail quickly divorces Eddie and then cut off all contact. Find out what  happened all those years ago and what Whistler has to do with the past when you read this quiet novel about love, loss, memory and the power of connections--however brief--on people. Patchett is the master of character studies and this book does not disappoint. 

June 17, 2026 LIVING IN AMERICA

Currently recovering from bike accident number 3. YUP. Think I'd be a bit leery--since I've gone flying over a couple of cars in my younger days?? Crazy. This wasn't your typical bike accident though. I wasn't technically riding at the time. Somehow a calamity of tiny missteps happened and WHAM--I'm face first on the cement--4 stitches, a black eye, slammed  jaw, teeth out of whack--could barely chew for a week. Did I mention the sprained fingers and a bad knee. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE. The only thing more frightening than the accident was the 7 hours spent in the hallway at the emergency room. Talk about CRAZY. We were  packed in there like sardines. Bless those ER workers. That is one job that is literally INSANE. Reminded me of the old days back at the court house. Talk about PTSD. I've plowed through many books during my convalescence but one that really sticks with me is Good People by Patmeena Sabit. This debut novel is pretty amazing as it is set up as a series of interviews of friends, family, neighbors, teachers, store keepers-- regarding the Sharaf family after a tragic event.  Rahmat Sharaf, wife Maryam, and their three children left Afghanistan and moved to Northern Virginia in order to escape the war. They come with nothing but after Rahmat finds success, the family lives the American dream--moving to a mansion, private schools for the kids, luxury cars. Money is no object. Cultural differences, however, plague them,  especially when their daughter, Zorah tries to behave more American. The reader only learns about the family and their lives through the interviews as we all become investigators trying to unravel the story. What is interesting is that each interview paints a different picture of the family. Who do we believe? Who really knows? This thought provoking book makes you wonder---how many people make judgements about people based on conversations, social media, stereotypes, cultural differences? How easily are we all manipulated? Find out more about the Sharaf family and judge for yourself what really happened.

June 8, 2026 CHAPEL OF LOVE

 

After many prayers and months of preparation--my daughter finally got married. The weather was glorious-thank God--as the rehearsal dinner and ceremony were outside. A little windy--but I'll take it. It was perfect.  From the officiant --Ali's life-long friend who was amazing--to the band-- the dance floor was jam packed all night--outstanding.  The food & venue--shout out to Haley Mansion--excellent service and food. And an atmosphere so full of love--it was simply divine. I'm so happy for the newlyweds.  The happy couple--my daughter especially-- truly enjoyed every minute too. She made sure that pictures were done in 45 minutes and that they arrived right on time for cocktail hour--signature drinks-- and a night they'll never forget. Cheers. Also managed to squeeze in a novel I think you might enjoy called The Bird Hotel by Joyce Maynard. Irene, the main character of this lovely novel, has had a tramatic childhood. After being shlepped around from one hippie band to another by her mom, Irene eventually moves in with her grandmother in New York after her mom tragically dies. Irene later faces other tragedies that force her to leave the country where she ends up in La Esperanza, somewhere in Central America, at a hotel called La Llorona, that is owned by Leila. After Leila's death, Irene unexpectantly becomes the owner of the hotel where she gets to work renovating, welcoming an array of guests and learning the Mayan culture.  She also meets a great cast of characters including Walter, Elmer, Maria, Luis and Mirabel, who become like family and help her accept the past, forgive and love again.

May 22, 2026 SWEET MAGNOLIA

Everyone knows that I'm obsessed with books and running but not sure if you know about my other passion. As an art history major/art minor AND art teacher I have to let you in on a little secret--I absolutely LOVE museums. Whenever I plan a trip--it's always around museums/culture/history AND famous book stores. One of my favorite little haunts in NYC is the Frick. Originally the home of Henry Clay Frick and his family, this incredible gilded age mansion opened to the public in 1935 as an art museum. It houses over 1,800 paintings, sculptures and decorative arts. The collection is absolutely amazing as is the history of the Frick family. AND most of the work at the museum was purchased by the Frick family while it was still their home. It blows my mind that these people lived with MASTERPIECES on their walls to gaze at whenever they wanted. The reason I bring up this incredible place is because I just finished a lovely novel set at the Frick called The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis. This historical thriller follows two story lines--that of Lillian Carter in 1919 and Veronica Weber in 1966. As the story unfolds, Lillian is an artist model/muse who has worked for many famous artists. One day after work, she finds herself running from the scene of a murder and ends up seeking refuge at the Frick, where the servants think she is a job applicant. Lillian ends up working for Miss Helen, daughter of Henry Frick, as her private secretary. It is in this position that Lillian becomes linked to a missing diamond and her story intertwines with events in 1966. In 1966, Veronica Weber is a model on a photo shoot for Vogue at the Frick. After a blizzard, she is stuck at the museum with an intern named Joshua where they find clues that might solve the mystery of the missing  diamond. I totally enjoyed this mystery and found the characters to be well developed and interesting. Find out all about the museum, its collection and the Fricks when you read this page turner. I totally recommend going to the museum before reading this novel because it will help bring this lovely story to life. Enjoy. 

May 10, 2026 MAMMA MIA

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. You deserve to be celebrated. It really is the hardest job in the world.  One thing that never changes when you are a mom--NO MATTER HOW OLD YOUR KIDS ARE--is the worrying. I still worry for their safety, health and overall happiness every day. I know I have ZERO control over these things BUT--I can't help myself. As much as I wanted them to grow up and do their thing--It's a catch 22. I  have no idea what they are doing--or where they are going from day to day. I recently found out that my youngest was in Montreal for a weekend and NEVER mentioned it. Crazy. I know that I just have to trust that they will be smarter than I was at their age. UGH. Now that's a low bar. And you wonder why I'm worried. HA. On to the books. I recently finished a historical novel based on the true story of Marguerite de la Rocque, a French noblewoman abandoned on a remote island called Isola by Allegra Goodman. As the story unfolds, Marguerite is an orphaned heiress who lives with her nurse, Damienne in France in the 16th century. Her guardian and cousin, Roberval, is in control of her fortune and future but after he loses her money, Marguerite and her nurse are forced to live in the tower of her castle. After moving in with her cousin, Marguerite and her nurse are then taken on a voyage of discovery to New France, where Marguerite has a secret affair with Auguste. After Roberval discovers this betrayal, he leaves his cousin, lover and her nurse on a remote island for two winters. Sound interesting? Find out what happens in this well-written book about survival, strength, love and redemption-when you read it for yourself. Enjoy. 

April 26, 2026 PERFECT

 

Perfect. That's the word my daughter used to describe her bridal shower last weekend. And that made it worth all the time and effort. When I decided to have her shower at our house--extreme action was necessary to get our house up to par. Rooms needed painting--aging furniture desperately needed replacing. Light fixtures dating back to the Civil War (JK) needed to be updated. Our house was a hot mess. Figured that it would cost  a good chunk of money to have the shower at a destination so why not spend that extra money on the house and have it here. AND IT REALLY WAS PERFECT. I love a home shower. Ours was intimate--cozy-- AND  the 15 bottles of Prosecco really added to the celebratory mood. Only 5 weeks until the nuptials. Praying for good weather. In the midst of all this craziness, I 'm still managing to read and recently finished the National Book Award winner from 2025, The True True Story of Raja The Gullible (and His Mother) by Rabih Alameddine. As this quirky story unfolds, Raja is a retired, gay teacher who lives in a tiny apartment in Beirut with his 85 year old domineering, over protective mother, Zalfa. It's definitely a love/hate relationship. One day, Raja gets a letter in the mail telling him that he has been awarded an all expense paid writing residency in Virginia and he is extremely flattered. The story then flips back and forth through time, as Raja remembers some of the decisions he has made because of his gullibility and the consequences of those choses. The story covers six decades that include war, a banking crisis, sexual violence, kidnapping and even the pandemic. Some of the stories are absurd, crazy and laugh-out-loud funny,  while others are more somber and heart wrenching, but they are all his true stories. This gem is also filled with outlandish characters including his cousin, Nahed, Aunt Yasmine, the neighborhood "godfather" Madame Taweel and many more. Find out if Raja takes another leap of faith and goes to Virginia when you read this well-written, one of a kind story. 

April 6, 2026 IMMIGRATION SONG

 

Back in the day, my grandmother went to the beauty parlor every Friday to have her hair "set".  This ritual  involved a professional shampoo, rollers, pins, a magical "hooded dryer" to "bake the set" and copious amounts of HEAVY DUTY HAIRSPRAY. Yup--that's all it took to have perfect hair for an entire week. And if it rained?? My grandmother must have had the market on plastic rain bonnets. One would magically appear on her head if there was even the threat of rain.  My other grandmother also had a very serious hairdo--the bee hive. It literally stood up on her head almost a foot. I bet that needed some serious hairspray. She wrapped the hive in at least a roll of toilet paper every night to keep that baby in place. I got to thinking about this last weekend while at the hairdresser. I'd had my hair washed, colored and blown out. It looked great.  Just wished it would last as long as the "set" did back in the day. Fond memories. Ma, the main character in Megha Majumdar's new book A Guardian and a Thief is not so fortunate.  Set in Kolkata, India, Ma, her father, Babu, and her two year old daughter, Misthi, have one week until they immigrate to the United States to join her husband in Michigan. Ma is the manager of a homeless shelter in the city--a city facing climate change and severe famine. People are desperate to feed their families and many face choices between life and death. Boomba is a twenty year old homeless man who came to Kolkata to save his own family. Instead, he is penniless and staying at the shelter. One day he follows Ma home from the shelter and later breaks into her house looking for food and inadvertently steals their passports. Don't want to say much more about the plot other than that I never would have guessed where it was going. This is a novel about morality, desperation and the choices we make for family. Pretty sure it was a finalist for The National Book Award in 2025. Enjoy.

March 22, 2026. KILLING IN THE NAME

As an employee of Papa Ginos at The New London Mall in 1984--I was a bit apprehensive when the Crystal Mall opened its doors. I worried that the mall would close and I'd be out of a job.  But--that didn't stop me from going to see what all the hype was about. I'll never forget my first trip. I literally lost my car. I had never been to a mall SO big. I didn't realize there were so many entrances and exits. I still laugh when I think about the hour I spent walking around the parking lot looking for my little blue car. I went to the Crystal Mall yesterday-- 42 years later--and what a shock. There are only a few stores open. Although the original New London Mall is gone--it's still a shopping center albeit without Papa Ginos.  No such luck for the Crystal Mall with Electric Boat taking over the entire space. Sad but times change. In other news, I just finished a book I think you might enjoy call Buckeye by Patrick Ryan. Buckeye is a lovely novel that spans 50 years--from 1920s-1970s. Set in Ohio, it follows the lives of two couples, Cal and Becky Jenkins and Felix and Margaret Salt. As the story unfolds, Cal is haunted because he can not serve in WWII as he was born with one leg longer than the other. After high school graduation, he dates and quickly marries Becky, a spiritual medium. The couple settle into life and quickly have a son named Skip. Margaret Salt is an orphan who hopes marriage will solve her problems. After her husband Felix deploys, he serves aboard a naval vessel for 4 years. When he finally comes home,  he is traumatized, but seems better after Margaret announces her pregnancy and they have a son named, Tom.  I don't want to say too much more because I don't want to ruin the story, but major themes include secrets, forgiveness, complexities in marriage and the impact of war. This well-written saga is filled with interesting, rich characters that will stick with you for a long time. It will also make you question why people never seem to learn that WAR SOLVE NOTHING. 

March 7, 2026. KOKOMO

Spent the last week in Aruba with friends. It's just what I needed to get  through the rest of this God- forsaken winter. Totally lucked out too--Missed the BLIZZARD OF 2026.  While New Englanders were shoveling out--I was relaxing drinking a pina colada--with a floater-- on Baby Beach. Sorry. Don't know about you but winters are getting tough for me. I can't stand the COLD-- AND THE WIND is unbearable. Don't remember it being like this when I was younger. Climate Change?  Looking forward to springing ahead this weekend--daylight savings and warmer weather. Cheers to making it through another winter. Read a few good books over vacation, but one I really enjoyed was called Heft by Liz Moore. Arthur Opp is an obese, former English teacher, who hasn't left his home in ten years. His only contact with people comes from couriers when they deliver food, groceries and other necessities. He spends most of his time thinking about Charlene Turner, a former student he met eighteen years earlier, when he was teaching night school in Manhattan. Arthur and Charlene became friends during the semester and briefly dated before Charlene called it off, however, they continued to correspond for several years until the letters finally stopped. It's now been 20 years since Arthur has heard from Charlene--who out of the blue calls him to ask him to tutor her son, Kel. Kel is a baseball prodigy trying to juggle school with taking care of his mother. This quirky story is told through alternating voices--Arthur and Kel--as both try to navigate loneliness, trauma, and ideas of family in this hopeful novel that I truly enjoyed. Don't want to say much more. Give it a try and let me know what you think. 

February 7, 2026. TANTRUM

Spent some time with a few young children last week and DAMN if they didn't remind me of Toddler Trump. Lucky for them--they are just kids and have parents willing to help them grow, mature and manage their feelings--while Trump just continues his descent into toddlerhood as he.........

1) Ignores rules and authority--because they don't apply to him and Trump thinks he's smarter than a fifth grader....

2) NEVER takes responsibility--CAN"T admit mistakes or ACCEPT criticism EVER

3) Bullies, mocks and resorts to name calling when he feels threatened --ZERO SELF ESTEEM

3) Seeks revenge for any "perceived" misstep--NARCISSISTIC 

4) Impulisve beyond belief--especially on social media- Trump must have serious MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

5) Temper Tantrums--CONTROLLING 

6) Needs to be the center of attenion--whether the attention is negative or positive. MUST BE VERY INSECURE...........

Wish I could hibernate til this nightmare comes to an end but since I can't, I might as well review a little gem you might want to read called The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood. As this lovely novel unfolds, Ona Vitkus is a 104 year old Lithuanian immigrant living in Portland, Maine. One day an eleven year old boy show up at her house and offers to help her with chores so that he can earn a boy scout badge. The two forge an unlikely friendship as Ona opens up to the boy about her life and the boy shares his quirky interests, especially, his obsession with the Guinness Book of World Records. One Saturday, the young boy fails to show up and Ona is beside herself with worry. Later in the day, there's a knock at her door and the boy's father, Quinn Porter, has shown up to complete the chores. I don't want to say too much more other than that this is a well-written story with very interesting characters. Although sad at times, it is also quite funny as the book explores the themes of friendship. loss, grief and moving forward. 

 

January 25, 2026 IMMIGRANT SONG

 

It's totally out of control. Trump's ICE--modern day gestapo--NEEDS TO GO NOW.  Have you watched the Renee Good video? Alex Pretti? He was literally trying to help a woman who was thrown to the ground by ICE. He was pepper sprayed and attacked by several ICE agents. He wasn't brandishing a weapon. AND he was literally shot 10 times in 5 seconds. Is there NO regard for human life anymore?? ICE is literally entering homes without warrants--apparently the rules don't apply to them--and shooting American citizens in cold blood before our eyes and it's being deemed as justified?? We are living in an alternate universe right now--a place where our PRESIDENT and his supporters--spread propaganda--fake news--double talk and manipulate language in the name of the their SCAPEGOAT---Immigrants. DISGUSTING. Shame on you.  Thank God for books. Not sure what I would do if I couldn't lose myself in a good story during this nightmare. Just finished one of Obama's favorite books from 2025 called The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai. This sweeping novel centers around two Indian immigrants, Sonia, a college student living in Vermont and Sunny, a journalist stuggling to make ends meet in New York City. As the story unfolds, Sonia's loneliness leads her to a toxic relationship with a much older artist named, Ilan, and Sunny lives with his American girlfriend but still feels lonely because he feels cultural displacement and racism. Interestingly, Sonia's grandfather (Dadaji) who lives  in India, is trying to set up an arranged marriage between Sonia and Sunny that doesn't pan out but the two eventually meet on a train in India when Sonia returns home after failing to make things work in America and Sunny is visiting his overbearing mother, Babita.  The story then follows the lives of Sonia and Sunny and several interesting characters including Mina Foi, Satya, Babita, Manav and Seher--to name a few. The novel although long--deals with many interesting themes including love, loss, tradition v. modernity, loneliness and belonging. Although there were parts of the story that didn't work for me and I felt it was too long, I loved the narrative and totally loved the characters in the story. 

January 18, 2026 MONEY FOR NOTHING

 

The wedding is about 4 months away. Lots to do in the next few months. Super exciting but also SUPER expense. Every time I turn around it's a money bleed. Just yesterday it was the dance floor. Dance Floor? Just shaking my head. Have to go with it all at this point. After all--it's for my lovely daughter. It's her special day and I want it to be perfect. Too bad we can't pay for perfect weather in May though--JK-- I'll start praying now. Onward Ho! Recently finished a novel by one of my favorite Irish writers, John Boyne, called The Elements. Interestingly enough--this book is actually 4 novellas--Water, Earth, Fire and Air-- that are interconnected with characters from one story appearing in another. The first story involves a distraught mother running away from her life to a secluded island in Ireland where she meets many people including a soccer player, the subject of the next novella. This is followed by a story about a surgeon with serious PTSD and finally a father and son who deal with trauma in a very different way. This novel is a deep exploration of crime, victims, perpetrators, guilt, blame, abuse, forgiveness and in some cases, redemption. These are some dark--well written stories-- that will make you rethink the world we live in. This novel has won many awards including the Prix Femina Estranger in France and has been longlisted for a literary award in Dublin. 

January 8, 2025 SORRY SEEMS TO BE THE HARDEST WORD

 

My book club recently celebrated twenty years. Unbelieveable. 20 years. One member suggested we spend the next year rereading some of our favorite books. At first I was skeptical--if I want to reread a book I do--but then I found a way to make it work. So I walk and or run several times a week right?  Why not listen to the books instead or rereading them--kill two birds with one stone-- SO that it doesn't interfere with the books I want to read. Pure genius. Finally found a niche for audio books and am loving it. Just finished listening to The Dutch House --AND Tom Hanks was the narrator. Life is good. I also just finished reading a book I think you might enjoy called How To Read A Book by Monica Wood. As this powerful novel unfolds, Violet, a twenty-two year old woman from Maine, is in prison for a fatal drunk driving accident where she meets Harriet. Harriet is a retired English teaher and empty nester who volunteers to run a book club at the prison. The two bond over their love of literature. After Violet is released from prison, she heads to a local book store  and bumps into not only Harriet but also Frank Daigle, a retired widower and  handyman who works at the bookstore. Frank's wife was the victim of the accident involving Violet. After this chance meeting, their lives are forever changed. Don't want to say much more but this book is so worth the read. The characters are endearing, the story well written and the themes of redemption, forgiveness and second chances ring true for everyone. Enjoy. 

January 1, 2026. BEST BOOKS OF 2025

 The Belle of the Book just celebrated 10 years. I honestly CANNOT believe its lasted this long. I just love reading/writing/talking about books so much and want to share the wealth. Hope you have enjoyed my reviews this year AND can't wait to read my new favorite books for 2026. Looking back over 2025--I've read at least 55 books and reviewed 25 of them. I wish I could review them all but there's just not enough time........maybe when I retire. These are my favorite books of 2025--in no particular order. 

1) Heart the Lover by Lily King. Reviewed 12/14. Blog title--Jesse's Girl.

2) The Correspondent by Virgina Evans. Reviewed 11/10. Blog title--Please Mr. Postman.

3) The Names by Florence Knapp. Reviewed 10/31. Blog title--Big Bertha.

4) The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb. Reviewed 7/28. Blog title--Island Girl.

5) Intermezzo by Sally Rooney. Reviewed 5/4. Blog title--Everybody Hurts.

6) Forgotten on Sunday by Valerie Perrin. Reviewed 1/5. Blog title--The Weight,

7) Time of the Child by Niall Williams. Reviewed 2/2. Blog title--Land of Confusion.

8) The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali--not reviewed yet.

9) There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak--not reviewed yet.

10) A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara--not reviewed yet. 

            Happy New Year. Hope the new year brings you happiness, peace and good health. 

December 14, 2026. JESSE'S GIRL

Brain fog. Can't seem to get out of my own way--much less write my blog. Not sure what it is.........the Christimas decorations right after Halloween or the Christmas music before Thanksgiving. I'm strictly a ONE HOLIDAY PERSON. I can only manage one celebration at a time. Yes--I understand that Thanksgiving was late this year BUT the rule stands. NO thinking about another holiday until ONE is OVER. It's just too much for me. It makes me feel--betwixt and between--neither here nor there--on the fence-- DOWN RIGHT CONFUSED. I've even had difficulty concentrating on books lately AND that's where I draw the line--Trying to wrap my head around Christmas right now and am determined to enjoy it--and read a few books. Just finished a lovely novel by Lily King called Heart the Lover. As the story unfolds, Jordan is an English major and senior at a college in Massachusetts in the 1980's. While taking a 17th century literature class, she meets Sam and Yash, best friends who are sharing a professor's house called The Breach for the semester. She's invited to the house several times where they play cards, debate, party and share their ambitions. The trio gets caught up in a love triangle that ultimately changes their lives. The novel then jumps to 2010, Jordan is now a famous author, mother and wife living in Maine who thinks she has made peace with the past until an unexpected visit brings it all back. Don't want to say much more but this is a real gem that will stick with me for a long time. It's a great story with interesting characters who are forced to confront the choices they made when they were younger and learn to forgive. Enjoy.

November 10, 2025 PLEASE MISTER POSTMAN

Why in the world are we STILL turning the clocks back?? It's ridiculous. I'd rather have it light out later in the day and drive to work in the dark. I can't stand that it gets dark out by 4:30. My dogs are going crazy. They think it's dinner time at 3:30 AND  literally follow me around the house WHINING for their dinner until they wear me down- then- repeat the process VERY early in the morning. It's a LOSE-LOSE situation. I don't know about you BUT the nights have been CRAWLING  BY. When I look at the clock-- it's only 8:00 BUT--it feels like MIDNIGHT. Who makes these silly decisions? I'm gonna write them a letter to get this changed! Oh- the art of letter writing. Is it really a lost art? Not according to Sybil Van Antwerp, the main character, in Virgina Evans wonderful book The Correspondent. As this epistolary novel unfolds, Sybil is a retired lawyer living in Annapolis, Maryland, who has lived her life through letters. She spends several hours a day composing letters to friends, family, authors, young mentees and even the president. This ritual helps Sybil not only keep in touch with friends, but also feel in control of and make sense of the world.  It is through these letters that Sybil is forced to confront mistakes, shortcomings, regrets and finally come to terms with a painful event from her past so that she can be forgiven by her children, Bruce and Fiona. There are several wonderful, quirky characters in the novel including her brother Felix, best friend Rosalie, neighbor Theodore and many more that make this book a treasure. This mighty story reminds the reader that only with  age can we gain wisdom and understand that as humans, we are all flawed and that is ok.  I Hope you enjoy this as much as I did. It will definitely make the top 10 list this year. 

October 31, 2025. BIG BERTHA

Marsha. WHY??  I  NEVER liked my name. I've been told that I was named after my mother's best friend in high school. Why wasn't her name Sophie? I would have made a great Sophie. Seriously--I was called Marcia Brady a billion times back in the day. UGH. Let's FACE IT -there are just some names that need to go AWAY. One that's at the top of my list (besides Marsha) is Bertha. Other contenders include--AND THIS IS JUST MY HUMBLE OPINION-- Esther, Edith, Edna, Ethel, Olive, Hazel and Eloise. FYI the name Marsha was ONLY popular in the 1950s-1960s. NO ONE in their right mind would name their poor daughter that today--thankfully-- BUT according to  internet sources --all the other names that-- I THINK SHOULD BE PUT OUT TO PASTURE-- are ACTUALLY vintage names that are MAKING A COME BACK. OMG. I can't image GEN Z  going that retro. Good luck to GEN Beta--they'll all need therapy........The reason I'm thinking about names is because I just finished this great book called Names by Florence Knapp. This intriguing story is set in 1987 in England as Cora, the main character, makes her way to the town hall to register and name her newborn son. Her husband Gordon, a well-known doctor, expects her to name the baby after him to carry on the family tradition. Cora has reservations about naming her son after his father for fear that naming him Gordon will shape his destiny. Cora dreams instead of naming him Julian, a name of his own. Cora and Gordon's nine year old daughter has her own idea about her brother's name--she thinks he should be called Bear because he is cute and cuddly. The story then branches off in three different directions that  explore what would happen if the child was named Gordon, Julian and finally Bear.  Each life is totally different and begs the reader to think about fate, free-will, identity and how important a name really can be. There is so much to this book-- but I don't want to say anything else-- so you will have to read it for yourself to find out what happens. Enjoy.

October 9, 2025 SPACE ODDITY

A few years back--I wrote a blog about my eyebrows. I was wondering what happened to THEM as they seemed to be mysteriously disappearing. I was actually being FACETIOUS at the time BUT NOW-- I'M NOT. Seriously--I pretty much only have ONE EYEBROW. The other one seems to be spotty at best with gray hair trying to fill the void. I look ridiculous--and can't walk out the door without trying to fix this injustice brought upon ME with age. I've had to spend an obscene amount of money on brow pencils, powders, gels and tints to make my eyebrows "look natural"??? Not sure if I should go to the extreme--maybe try the Nano Brow or Brow Tattoo. This is A LOT FOR ME........On to something I can handle....Recently finished a book I really enjoyed by Taylor Jenkins Reid called Atmosphere. As the story unfolds, it's 1984, at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, the Navigator Space Shuttle has been damaged in space and it's Joan Goodwin from mission control, tasked with the duty to get them home safely. The story then flips back in time to 1980 as Joan Goodwin, a physicist and astronomer, applys and is accepted into the NASA program. While training to be an astronaut she forges friendships and more with other candidates including pilot Hank Redmon, scientist John Griffin, mission specialist Lydia Danes and Vanessa Ford, an aeronautical engineer. She also manages a hectic like that includes helping her sister Barbara raise her daughter, Frances. Although the book is fiction, it is inspired by a real historical event includng the experiences of the first class of women astronauts and the difficulties they faced. Find out whether Goodwin gets the Navigator and the astronauts home safely when you read this hard to put down book for yourself. Enjoy.