Musings of a Bookish Kitty

Thursday, September 25, 2025

Where Is Your Bookmark? [September 26th Edition]

One of my current reads, The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, is everything I hoped it would be so far. Let's take a peek!

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by Gillion of Rose City Reader. Also linking to First Line Friday hosted by Carrie of Reading is My Super Power.

Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches. That was what Nana Alba used to say when she told Minerva bedtime stories; it was the preamble that led into a realm of shadows and mysteries. [opening of The Bewitching]

This is the kind of opening that makes me fall instantly in love with a book.

A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Our host Freda of Freda's Voice is on a break, and Anne of My Head is Full of Books has stepped in to host!

"It was here," Alba said, and pulled the curtains open. "In the trees. It was floating there. It woke me. It screamed."

"An owl?" her mother asked.
"No, although it was noisy as one. It glowed. It burned."

They looked out the window. There was no wind to make the branches of the trees shiver, no whisper from the treetops. The moon lay hidden behind clouds. It was so dark outside that even if someone had been holding a lantern it might have been difficult to glimpse in the trees.

[excerpt from 56% of The Bewitching]

I am not here yet in the book, so this was a bit of a spoiler for me. I cannot wait to get to this scene though. What does Alba see out her window? Is it a witch? A ghost? Whatever it is, it's not something we would prefer not be there.

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Three women in three different eras encounter danger and witchcraft in this eerie multigenerational horror saga from the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic.

“Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches”: That was how Nana Alba always began the stories she told her great-granddaughter Minerva—stories that have stayed with Minerva all her life. Perhaps that’s why Minerva has become a graduate student focused on the history of horror literature and is researching the life of Beatrice Tremblay, an obscure author of macabre tales.

In the course of assembling her thesis, Minerva uncovers information that reveals that Tremblay’s most famous novel, The Vanishing, was inspired by a true story: Decades earlier, during the Great Depression, Tremblay attended the same university where Minerva is now studying and became obsessed with her beautiful and otherworldly roommate, who then disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

As Minerva descends ever deeper into Tremblay’s manuscript, she begins to sense that the malign force that stalked Tremblay and the missing girl might still walk the halls of the campus. These disturbing events also echo the stories Nana Alba told about her girlhood in 1900s Mexico, where she had a terrifying encounter with a witch.

Minerva suspects that the same shadow that darkened the lives of her great-grandmother and Beatrice Tremblay is now threatening her own in 1990s Massachusetts. An academic career can be a punishing pursuit, but it might turn outright deadly when witchcraft is involved. [Publisher's Summary]

Does this sound like something you would enjoy reading? If you have read it, what did you think?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. It is hosted by Linda Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell and Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About. Join in by answering this week's question in the comments or on your own blog.

Which fictional character do you wish were a real person?

*I decided to pull characters from books I have read this year to make it easier on myself.*

I would love to hang out with Joe in their Misty Divine persona or even just Joe, and please can Miles, their adoring partner, come too? These Murder in a Dressing Room characters from Holly Stars cozy mystery seem like such a nice pair. They would not mind that I am on the quiet side and would be such fun to hang out with, whether it's light-hearted fun or for serious conversation.

Lindsay from Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller also comes to mind. Maybe she would be willing to help me spread some banned book love in the local little libraries around my area. Her mom, Beverly, seems like a great person too. Considering their fictional world isn't too different than reality, I imagine they would fit right in.

We all need a Vera Wong in our life. Jesse Sutanto's character from her Vera Wong series may get into mischief a lot, but she has a big heart and a way of bringing people who together, especially those who need a helping hand or a friend the most.

And just because, I am going to throw Marcellus from Shelby Van Pelt's Remarkably Bright Creatures in there too. Because we all need an especially intelligent octopus in our lives.

Is there a fictional character you wish was a real person?

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Do you ever get strange looks from strangers while browsing the book aisle in department stores? What do you think is going through their minds?

The department stores I shop at these days do not carry books. You are more likely to find me browsing bookshelves in one of the many local bookstores, and, there, most people, like myself, are too engrossed in their own bookish wanderings (and wonderings) to give anyone else much thought. There are occasions when I see someone pick up a book I have read and I consider speaking up, telling them how much I liked it, but I chicken out. One time a fellow bookstore customer paused in her browsing to highly recommend a manga my daughter and I were debating getting. Then there was the time a gentleman asked me what drew me to the display of diverse books, if I had read any of them, and that turned into a friendly discussion. I also remember an instance when I was looking over a table of books with sprayed edges, and a salesclerk asked me if it was the edges I liked or the genre displayed. I told her it was more about the genre for me, and she said it was the same for her. So no strange looks, but there have been moments of bonding over books. More often than not, I pay more attention to the books than the people around me.

Have you ever gotten strange looks while looking at books in the bookstore? Do you ever recommend books to other customers or have they recommended any to you?

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!

© 2025, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Saturday, September 20, 2025

Weekly Mews: Bookish Mewsings (Remarkably Bright Creatures & The Midnight Feast)

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer and The Sunday Salon (TSS) hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz where participants recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. I am also linking It's Monday! What Are you Reading? hosted by Kathryn of Book Date where readers talk about what they have been, are and will be reading.

I did not make much progress in Nikki Payne's Pride and Prejudice this past week as I was more focused on getting my Mystery book club selection finished in time. I just started The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, this month's TBR List Poll pick, and am enjoying it.

What are you reading right now?

This past week I finished two books. Let's take a look!

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, narrated by Marin Ireland & Michael Urie
(Harper Audio, 2022; 11hrs 16min)

After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she's been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago. Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn't dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors--until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova. Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it's too late. [from the Publisher]

This book felt like a big warm hug. I loved every minute of the audiobook. It was sweet and charming, but not overly so. I was not sure what to expect going in. I did think Marcellus, the octopus, might play a bigger role but then was relieved that he did not. It felt more natural the way author Shelby Van Pelt incorporates his role into Tova and Cameron's lives. Odd thing to say, I suppose, given he has anthropomorphic characteristics, but it works. Both Tova and Cameron have come to crossroads in their lives. Tova is getting older and continues to struggle with her grief over her lost son and the more recent death of her husband. Her job as a cleaner at the aquarium means everything to her, but when she falls and is put on medical leave, she feels more alone and unmoored. Then there is Cameron, a listless man who cannot hold down a job and recently broke up with his girlfriend. He leaves his home in Modesto, heading north to Washington state in search for the father he never knew, and ends up taking a job at the aquarium as a temporary replacement for Tova to make ends meet. In his own way, Marcellus tries to bring these two lost souls together in his effort to heal his friend Tova's heart.

Marcellus is a great character (and I loved the narrator who voiced him), but I think my favorite was Ethan, the grocery store owner, who knew everyone's business and loved rock music. He wasn't so much a busybody, it seemed to me, but rather someone who cared about those in his community. I liked the way he took Cameron, a complete stranger, under his wing. Luckily, Cameron wasn't one to take advantage of that kindness.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is full of heart. Well-written with characters that felt real and I came to love. Grief and loss do not completely disappear no matter how much time passes, and I appreciated how the author gets that point across through her characters--not in a harsh way but in a gentle one. In some ways, the novel was predictable. The outcome was obvious early on, but I was completely okay with that. This is the story I needed right now, and I am so glad I finally decided to give it a try.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
(William Morrow, 2014, 320 pgs)

Secrets. Lies. Murder. Let the festivities begin...

It’s the opening night of The Manor, and no expense, small or large, has been spared. The infinity pool sparkles; crystal pouches for guests’ healing have been placed in the Seaside Cottages and Woodland Hutches; the “Manor Mule” cocktail (grapefruit, ginger, vodka, and a dash of CBD oil) is being poured with a heavy hand. Everyone is wearing linen.

But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. Just outside the Manor’s immaculately kept grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. And the Sunday morning of opening weekend, the local police are called. Something’s not right with the guests. There’s been a fire. A body’s been discovered. [from the Publisher]

I do not think anyone in my Mystery book club expected a lengthy discussion about this month's selection, The Midnight Feast, but we all seemed to have a lot to say. Opinions were mixed: from one person who really liked it, another who said it was better the second time but still felt meh about it, a couple of people who didn't like it at all, and then those of us mostly liked it, but did not love it. I fall into that latter camp.

The novel is told from the perspective of several different characters, jumping back and forth in time from before the Solstice to during and after, which in someone else's hands may not have worked so effectively. Lucy Foley gives each of her characters distinct voices, and the weaving of the timelines adds to the building tension. The author's depiction of wealth inequity, the class differences, and the seduction money and power can have over people, stood out for me in the lives and motivations of each of her characters. Francesca is determined the opening of her elite resort, once her grandparents' estate, will go perfectly and she will make sure it does at all costs, even as the secrets of the past threaten to cast a shadow over it all. Francesca's husband, Owen, will do anything to make Francesca happy, but he also has secrets of his own. Eddie, the son of a local farmer, is working at the resort without his parents' knowledge, knowing they would not approve. The resort is bringing nothing but heartache to the local community, encroaching on their livelihoods, and threatening their woods and beaches. There is the perfect assistant, Michelle; Bella, a guest with an agenda of her own, and DI Walker, who is called in to investigate a suspicious death. And these are just the main characters. There were several side characters who also play a prominent part in in the novel.

I struggled to get into The Midnight Feast initially. The writing did not grab me and I worried that it was just too dark for me at this point in time. While I found the characters to be be on the one dimensional side, I really liked the way the plot points came together. The author kind of hints at a supernatural element related to the a local superstition of the Birds. Whether that proves true or not--well, you will have to read the book for yourself to find out. I will say that I found the way everything comes together during the final third of the book very satisfying, even if things go a bit off the rails. I was fully engaged at that point.

A monthly feature in which I l share the books I read this month ten years ago.

(Rating Scale: 5 Paws=Outstanding; 4 Paws=Very Good; 3 Paws=Good; 2 Paws=Okay; 1 Paw=Didn't Like)

The titles are linked to my original reviews of each book when available.

Looking back over my reading in September 2015:

The Demon's Librarian by Lilith Saintcrow is such a great title, don't you think? It was one of a few Lilith Saintcrow's books I read that year, and while not my favorite of the bunch, I did enjoy it.

Next there was My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman. I was surprised I gave it a 3.5 rating instead of a 4 (it's Fredrik Backman, for goodness sake), but, then again, in reading my thoughts from then, I remember why. Still, I found it to be heartwarming while at the same time heartbreaking.

When I think of The Other Daughter by Lauren Willig, it is less about the book, admittedly, and more about the fact that it was the first book my daughter had a hand in picking out for me as a gift (with the help of my husband, of course). Drama, romance, a hint of mystery make up this historical novel set in the Jazz age. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Bearing It All by Vonnie Davis is the third in the Highlander's Beloved paranormal romance trilogy, of which I liked the first two books more (especially the second book, A Highlander's Passion). This third book pushed me past my ability to suspend my disbelief, I'm afraid, but I still look back fondly on this bear shifter trilogy.

Do you remember what you were reading ten years ago? Have you read any of these books, and if so, what did you think?

Following in the footsteps of Deb of Readerbuzz - With all the worries and stressors in life,

I want to highlight some of the good, even the seemingly small stuff.

1. Whenever Mouse has an orthodontist appointment in the afternoons, we often will stop in at the mall and wander around. One of those times was this past week. We had such a fun time! She let me read some of her writing over pretzels and drinks, and we chatted about school and whatever else that came to mind.

2. Nina may not be the most affectionate cat, but she does like to hang out in the same room with is. Here she has her eyes covered with her paws as she naps in the family room as I read.

3. Tonight was the school marching band and color guard barbecue and open house for family and friends. It was a fun time. The kids played for us and performed the first song from their field show. Everyone was invited to stay for the rest of the rehearsal after if we wanted to, and while a lot of people left, many stayed as well. My mom, Anjin, and I had already planned on staying, so got to see them rehearse the second song of their three song field show. I am always impressed with how the choreography comes together, with so many moving parts (or people, as the case may be).

I hope you have a great week! Let me know what you have been reading!

Thursday, September 18, 2025

Where Is Your Bookmark? [September 19th Edition]

This week I thought I would feature my latest book, Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. I pulled the quotes from the print copy I own, but I was more in the mood to listen to it in audio format, so checked the audiobook out from the library. I had put off picking this one up, worried it might be a little too over the top with an octopus as a character. As it turns out though, it was just what I needed.

Darkness suits me. [opening of Remarkably Bright Creatures]

Sometimes all it takes is a three word sentence to leave me wanting more, and this is one of those instances. On its own, there is no real context, but it's piqued my interest just enough.

She feels a scowl cross her face now, watching this young fellow pick up a pair of fallen canisters and return them to the shelf, not seeming to care that he's placed them upside down. For the last two weeks, Barb Vanderhoof and Ethan Mack and their ilk have been churning the rumor mill with their talk of the fellow from California, the homeless man, who had taken her place. But Cameron has clean fingernails and nice, white teeth. And he's well versed in the works of Shakespeare, apparently. He has promised to keep her secret, and for some reason she can't quite identify, she likes him. She might even trust him.

He is not what she expected. [excerpt from Remarkably Bright Creatures, page 179]

Rumors can run rampant in small towns, but they are not always true, or at least, do not always tell the entire story.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

For fans of A Man Called Ove, a charming, witty and compulsively readable exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope that traces a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus

After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she's been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.

Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn't dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors--until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it's too late.

Shelby Van Pelt's debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible. [from the Publisher]

Does this sound like something you would enjoy reading? If you have read it, what did you think?

What would you do if you won the lottery?

My answer is less than glamourous and not very altruistic, I confess. And it would depend on whether I won a little pocket money or the biggest prize ever. If the latter, I would pay off any debt (namely my mortgage and the car), set aside money for my daughter's education and perhaps some for close relatives and friends in need. I would not mind doing a bit of traveling, but mostly, I would want to set up a fund of some sort that would allow me to live comfortably (no mansions or expensive cars or anything fancy) for the rest of my life. Though, a cottage in a remote forest near a lake sounds really good about now . . . But if I only win a little pocket money? I would treat my family to lunch--or ice cream, if that's all it would buy.

What would you do if you won the lottery?

Do you know more than one language? If so, do you read books published in other countries?

Sadly, I am a monolinguist. I know a little Spanish but not enough to get by. I might be able to read an early reader children's book in Spanish that was published in another country thanks to my high school and college Spanish classes, but that would be about it. I have not actually tried though. Books translated into English are a different story. I have read and enjoyed those! I have great respect for those of you who speak and read in multiple languages. It is such a useful skill to have.

What about you?

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!

Friday, September 12, 2025

Weekly Mews: Bookish Mewsings and a September Birthday

This week, I finally finished reading Small Island by Andrea Levy. I was a little disappointed that no confetti fell from above when I read the last line. I also was able to fit in Sweep With Me (Innkeeper Chronicles #4.5) by Ilona Andrews.

I currently am reading The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley for my upcoming Mystery book club meeting and Nikki Payne's Pride and Protest.

What are you reading right now?

My TBR List is hosted by Michelle at Because Reading. The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books from my TBR pile I am considering reading and let you vote for my next read during that month. My review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise).

Thank you to everyone who voted in this month's TBR List Poll! The winning book stayed in the lead all week, although it was a close contest.

The two books that did not win were tied most of the week, but Murder at the Wham Bam Club (Psychics & Soul Food Mystery #1) by Carolyn Marie Wilkins came in second with six (6) votes in the end, with Zomromcom (Supernatural Entanglements #1) by Olivia Dade receiving four (4) votes. Winning with seven (7) votes is The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia! I enjoyed Mexican Gothic by Moreno-Garcia and look forward to reading The Bewitching this month.

Thank you for voting!

Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom
(Random House Audio, 1997; 3hr, 51m)
Source: Library

Am I the only parent who, upon hearing my daughter is reading a book for a class that I haven't read yet, picks up said book to read too? I have not done this every time (I still haven't gotten around to reading Holes) but I did reread The Outsiders last year because she was reading it in class. And this quarter, I decide to read Tuesdays with Morrie since she was reading it for school, especially since my library had a copy of the audiobook I could borrow.
Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher, or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, helped you see the world as a more profound place, gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it.
Mitch Albom had not seen his college professor Morrie Schwartz for almost twenty years, but when he saw an interview of him on television in which Morrie talked about his Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease) diagnosis, Mitch decided to reach out to Morrie. The two began meeting regularly on Tuesdays, Mitch armed with his recorder to capture every word of Morrie's lessons on how to live. Morrie knew he was going to die but was not done teaching. His words, in part thanks to Mitch's memoir, would go on to inspire and offer comfort to generations of people, young and old.

The memoir, Tuesdays With Morrie, is sad in that it documents the final months of Morrie's life through Mitch's eyes (Lou Gehrig's Disease is cruel). But it is also an inspiring story. Morrie had so much life and was so positive up until the end, even as he struggled to eat and could no longer care for himself. Mitch shares a little bit about his own experience, seeing his mentor deteriorate before him, but does not linger on those aspects long.

In the afterward of the 25th anniversary edition of the book, Mitch Albom explains that he wrote the book to help pay for Morrie's medical costs. The book ends with audio clips from conversations Mitch had with Morrie. It was very moving, hearing Morrie share some of his lessons in his own words.

My daughter's class is still working their way through this short memoir, and so she has not voiced an opinion on her reading experience yet. I look forward to hearing what she takes away from it when she is finished with it.

"Be compassionate," Morrie whispered. "And take responsibility for each other. If we only learned those lessons, this world would be so much better a place."

He took a breath, then added his mantra: "Love each other or die." [excerpt from Tuesday with Morrie]

A Silence in Belgrave Square (A Below Stairs Mystery #8) by Jennifer Ashley
(Berkley, 2025; 311 pgs)
Source: Thank you to the publisher for sending me a e-copy via NetGalley for an honest review

I settled right into Jennifer Ashley's 8th book of the Below Stairs mystery series and it felt like coming home. This is by far one of my favorite historical mystery series. I am very attached to the characters and enjoy every moment spent with them, and this time was no different.
Valiant cook and amateur sleuth Kat Holloway must uncover the secrets of Victorian London’s most elite noblemen to save the man she loves.
It is not like Daniel McAdam to be so open with Kat about his upcoming mission, but with the stakes so high, Daniel hopes Kat will realize just how dangerous the situation is and stay far away. This is supposed to be his last mission for his boss, whose relationship with Daniel is contentious at best. Daniel should know better than assume warning away Kat will have any effect. But then again, he probably does know she will not be able to help herself. Kat enlists the help of an old friend to keep an eye on Daniel in a way she cannot. In the meantime, Kat has her own job as head cook to worry about, not to mention those blackmail letters that several of her friends and colleagues have been receiving. With a blackmailer to catch, a threat against the Crown to thwart, and now a murderer to catch (because there indeed was a murder), Kat and Daniel have their work cut out for them.

I especially enjoy seeing Kat put her connections to good use in getting into places and finding the answers she seeks. She's resourceful and well-respected among many across different classes. She doesn't see herself as better than those whose situation is not as good as her own. She knows all too well what it is like to be down on one's luck. In A Silence in Belgrave Square, we're reminded of some of those strong loyal friends Kat has made, whether it's them putting their trust in her, doing her a favor, or looking out for her.

Kat and Daniel's relationship through the series has been a slow burn romance, which I have enjoyed seeing unfold. The ever mysterious Daniel clearly adores Kat and will do anything for her. Even Grace, Kat's daughter has come to enjoy Daniel's visits when the three of them are able to be together. We have watched Grace grow over the course of the novels. She's growing into quite the young lady.

A Silence in Belgrave Square is full of moments that made me sigh in delight and gasp in concern as trouble came. This book felt like a turning point in the series, and I am eager to see the direction the author will take her characters in future books.

Sweep with Me (Innkeeper Chronicles #4.5) by Ilona Andrews
(NYLA, 2020; 146 pgs)
Source: Own TBR

I feel like I am spoiling myself, reading books in two of my favorite series back to back. The Innkeeper Chronicles by Ilona Andrews is my favorite of this husband and wife writing team's books. In my dream life, I would be an Innkeeper to a sentient and magical house like Gertrude Hunt too.

It is Dina Demille who is, in fact, Innkeeper of Gertrude Hunt, a bed and breakfast in Red Deer Texas, along with her wolf shapeshifter boyfriend, Sean Evans. Gertrude Hunt is one of several special inns that serve as safe havens and portals between worlds. Treaty Stay is a special holiday for Innkeepers, one that celebrates the ancient treaty that united the Inns and set the rules for the Inns in an effort to protect them, their intergalactic guests, and those on Earth, most of whom are unaware of the planets and worlds beyond their knowledge. This time of year, on Treaty Stay, Innkeepers are unable to turn away guests, and so it is with open, however reluctant, arms Dina and Sean welcome their latest guests, and, of course, everything goes array. Or, at least some things do. Seeing Dina in her element is one of my favorite parts of the series. She has to put out several fires, get creative in helping her guests find solutions to their problems, including her own chef Orro, who loses faith in himself when he cannot make a fast food hamburger taste as bad as the real thing. Then there is the human determined to get into Gertrude Hunt to confront one of Dina's more distinguished guests--the lengths his hired help go through and the trouble they face was quite entertaining! Dina has her own worries, concerned that her connection with Gertrude Hunt is not as strong as it once was. Sweep with Me was full of humorous moments (space chickens, anyone?) and several touching ones too. I hated that Sweep with Me was so short. I am never ready to leave Dina's world.

Small Island by Andrea Levy
(Picador, 2004; 441 pgs)
Source: Own TBR

Although I was not able to read Small Island with my Historical Fiction book club in June, I decided I still wanted to read it on my own. Now I wish I could go back in time and attend the meeting because there is so much to discuss!
Hortense Joseph arrives in London from Jamaica in 1948 with her life in her suitcase, her heart broken, her resolve intact. Her husband, Gilbert Joseph, returns from the war expecting to be received as a hero, but finds his status as a black man in Britain to be second class. His white landlady, Queenie, raised as a farmer's daughter, befriends Gilbert, and later Hortense, with innocence and courage, until the unexpected arrival of her husband, Bernard, who returns from combat with issues of his own to resolve.
Told in these four voices, Small Island is a courageous novel of tender emotion and sparkling wit, of crossings taken and passages lost, of shattering compassion and of reckless optimism in the face of insurmountable barriers---in short, an encapsulation of the immigrant's life.
I confess I was not sure I would finish this book at first. The slow pacing combined with a character I did not connect with right away made me doubtful this would be a book I would enjoy, but then it happened and I was invested and found my heart aching for these characters, each with their own struggles, disappointments, and heartaches. The novel takes the reader back and forth in time, before World War II, during the war, and after, jumping back and forth as we get to know each of the four main characters.

Hortense and Gilbert Joseph hope for a better life in England, the "Mother Country," when they emigrate from Jamaica. Hortense has dreams of living in a big house with a real door bell and getting a job as a teacher. Gilbert wants to be a lawyer. The reality of their situation hits them full force when they arrive (separately) in London, trading life on one "small" island for another. Not only do they face the struggle of putting together a life in a new place with doors closed in their face and opportunities limited, but also with the classism and racism of a society that looks down on them because of their situation and color of their skin. Hortense especially has a hard time adjusting, her expectations of a better life dashed and being completely unprepared. While Gilbert may have been my favorite character through most of the novel, Hortense stands out as my favorite now that I have finished it. I did not care for her much at first, I admit, finding her haughty and somewhat dismissive, but the more I got to know her, instead I saw an unfaltering confident and courageous woman.

Queenie and Bernard Bligh, white and privileged, offer their own perspectives of life during a tumultuous time in English history. Queenie is a particularly interesting character, a farmer's daughter, who gladly left that behind to live in the city. She married Bernard more for security and stability than love, I feel. I got the impression she was always wanting more out of her life, never quite satisfied and is often lonely. During the war, she helps families who have been displaced from the bombings in London and later takes in boarders to help with the bills during her husband's long absence during and after the war. Her neighbors are not too keen on the idea that she takes in Black boarders, but Queenie does not care. And then there is her husband. Bernard's experiences in the war have left him with many deep scars. He seemed to be the most stuck and the least likeable of the characters. He clearly has some deep-seated prejudice against non-whites.

Andrea Levy's Small Island is a multi-layered and thoughtful book that is at times subtle and other times more hard hitting. Having the four different perspectives only enhanced this nuanced novel. There was much sadness in this novel given the struggles and hardships the characters faced, but there is also hope, even when things seem impossible.

"Listen to me, man, we both just finish fighting a war - a bloody war - for the better world we wan' see. And on the same side - you and me. We both look on other men to see enemy. You and me, fighting for empire, fighting for peace. But still, after all that we suffer together, you wan' tell me I am worthless and you are not. Am I to be the servant and you are the master for all time? No. Stop this man. Stop it now. We can work together, Mr. Bligh. You no see? We must. Or else you just gonna fight me till the end." [excerpt from Small Island]

If you have ready any of these, I would like to know your thoughts! Do any of them sound like books you would like to read?

Following in the footsteps of Deb of Readerbuzz, who shares three good things in her Sunday Salon posts, I thought I would try to do the same. With all the worries and stressors in life, I want to highlight some of the good, even the seemingly small stuff.

This week every year is always a mix of joy and sadness. There's my birthday (yay!), followed by the anniversaries of the deaths of my grandmother and my father. Let's focus on the good stuff:

1. A nice birthday lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory with my family (my mom, husband and daughter)! We also stopped by the bookstore and mall (Mouse needed new shoes) before heading home.

Gifts from my mom:

Shakespeare playing cards, a reading journal, and bookish-themed socks!

No picture of the bird feeder as we still need to put it together

2. My husband and daughter surprised me with an ice cream birthday cake on my actual birthday. My favorite kind of cake (mint chocolate chip ice cream and chocolate cake)!

3. Being able to open the windows and enjoy a breeze coming through the house Friday morning. In the early evening I was able to open them again, and enjoyed listening to my neighbor's music filtering in. My work day was done and I enjoyed being in that moment.

What have you been up to this past week?

I hope you have a great week! Let me know what you have been reading!

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Where Is Your Bookmark? [September 12th Edition]

Unfortunately, I did not make my Diverse Romance Book Club this week nor did I finish this month's selection. It wasn't the books fault. Time got away from me. Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite Austen novels, and I have been looking forward to reading Nikki Payne's Pride and Protest.

A red light blipped on the top left of the control board. Liza B. had a caller. "Hello and good evening. You are live with Liza B., the only DJ who gives a jam. Tell me what's on your mind . . . " [opening of Pride and Protest]

I used to listen to the radio more than I do now, especially on my commute into work in the mornings or in the evenings on my way home. So, there's a bit of nostalgia for me in this first paragraph from my current read. This opening introduces the reader to the heroine of the story, Liza.

"You know what your problem is?"

Dorsey pulled the door open wider, nudging her to exit the stairwell.
"You mean besides being a friendless, vain sociopath?" he offered wearily.
"Oh wait, I actually think that covers it." Liza snapped. Where is that smoldering man from just two minutes ago? [excerpt from Pride and Protest, page 89]

Pride and protest seem to be fitting adjectives to describe both Dorsey and Liza. They spend an awful lot of time verbally sparring, but there is a definite attraction there.

Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne

A woman goes head-to-head with the CEO of a corporation threatening to destroy her neighborhood in this fresh and modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice by debut author Nikki Payne.

Liza B.--the only DJ who gives a jam--wants to take her neighborhood back from the soulless property developer dropping unaffordable condos on every street corner in DC. But her planned protest at a corporate event takes a turn after she mistakes the smoldering-hot CEO for the waitstaff. When they go toe-to-toe, the sparks fly--but her impossible-to-ignore family thwarts her every move. Liza wants Dorsey Fitzgerald out of her hood, but she'll settle for getting him out of her head.

At first, Dorsey writes off Liza Bennett as more interested in performing outrage than acting on it. As the adopted Filipino son of a wealthy white family, he's always felt a bit out of place and knows a fraud when he sees one. But when Liza's protest results in a viral meme, their lives are turned upside down, and Dorsey comes to realize this irresistible revolutionary is the most real woman he's ever met. [From the Publisher]

Does this sound like something you would enjoy reading? Do you enjoy reading re-tellings of the classics?

What’s your favorite room in your house?

My library with its cozy couches, front window with the view of my trees, and my many bookshelves of books.

One corner of my library

What is your favorite room in your house?

Are there any books that are considered terrible but you love?

This would be a much easier question for me to answer if we were talking about movies. I tried using my Goodreads ratings to see if there were any four or five start books on my list that were poorly rated, but that was not much help. The differences in ratings didn't fall into the "terrible" category. I am sure there are many books I have loved that others (including some of you) find terrible or just plain did not like. I look forward to seeing which books you list--and maybe I'll find some there that could have gone on a list of my own!

What about you?

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!