Monday, January 12, 2015

Where Is Your Bookmark? (01/13/2015)

I had hoped everyone in the house would be well enough so that we could drive up the mountain and play in the snow this past weekend. It was not meant to be. Saturday afternoon, after we got home from soccer class, the park and library, Mouse laid down for a nap--something she rarely does anymore. She woke up with a 104F temperature.


She is much better now, thank goodness.

Stacy from Stacy's Books rekindled my interest in PostCrossing, a website that facilitates sending  and receiving postcards to and from random people around the world. I used to be active in the pen palling world and often miss receiving letters in the mail. Stacy convinced me to reactivate my PostCrossing account, and I have already sent six postcards out in the mail, one to Russia, Turkey, Germany, China, France, and one to here in the U.S. Now to just sit back and wait for something to come in the mail for me!

One thing I have discovered, however, is how difficult it is to find postcards around town.  It isn't as easy as it once was. I thought for sure the local Hallmark store would have some. No such luck. The drugstores have a few touristy-type cards, but I was hoping for something a little different. On my way home from my postcard search this weekend, I stopped in the local indie bookstore, The Cellar Door, to console myself and bought a couple books: Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan and Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast.


With my little one not feeling well, I was able to slip in a couple of books this weekend. finishing up the second book in Marc Krulewitch's Jules Landau Mystery Series, Windy City Blues, which I will be reviewing later this week. I also read Laura Foley's short collection of poetry called Joy Street. It's been ages since I last read a book of poetry. I enjoy poetry now and then, but consider it outside my comfort zone just the same. I think it is the intimidation factor. I have this fear that when I read a poem I will miss some deep meaning. Poetry isn't meant to be read that way though--it's about words and feelings. There is no right or wrong way to interpret a poem. I am trying to keep that in mind as a prepare my review of the collection.

This year I am participating in a postal bookclub exchange in which the members (all book bloggers) of the group each read a book, jot down thoughts in a journal, and then mail the book and journal to the next person on the list. This month I received a copy of  A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, which just happens to be first book on my Top Ten 2014 Releases I Meant To Read But Didn't Get To list (see below). I was quite excited when I found the book in my mailbox this past week. Of course, I dove right in.

What are you reading right now?  Would you recommend it?

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

This weeks' Top Ten Tuesday theme is Top Ten 2014 Releases I Meant To Read But Didn't Get To.  This list could go on for mile. There were a number of books I had hoped to get to last year I just didn't for whatever reason. Here are a few 2014 releases I missed then, but will be reading at some point in the (hopefully near) future:


A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman ~ This is getting wonderful reviews and was my mother-in-law's favorite book of 2014.  From the publisher:
. . . when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove's mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents' association to their very foundations.


Skin Game by Jim Butcher ~ One of my favorite authors. I am not quite caught up to this one in the series (it's number 15), but I would like to be by the end of the year.  The series features Chicago's Harry Dresden, private investigator and wizard.  These books are always action-packed and intense.


The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey ~ The synopsis for this one intrigues me.  From the Publisher:
Melanie is a very special girl. Dr. Caldwell calls her "our little genius." Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite, but they don't laugh. The Girl With All the Gifts is a groundbreaking thriller, emotionally charged and gripping from beginning to end.


Deep Shelter by Oliver Harris ~ I really enjoyed the first book in Harris's DC Belsey's mystery series, and am looking forward to reading the next in the series. From the publisher:
In this gritty, white-knuckle crime thriller, Detective Nick Belsey—introduced in the acclaimed The Hollow Man as a shrewd, street-smart cynic who is one of London’s sharpest, but most unprincipled, investigators—is plunged into a perplexing mystery of secrets, danger, and suspense beneath the city’s streets.


The Secret of Magic by Deborah Johnson ~ A New York lawyer working for Thurgood Marshall is asked to investigate the murder of black war hero in the Deep South of 1946. From the publisher:
She must navigate the muddy waters of racism, relationships, and her own tragic past. The Secret of Magic brilliantly explores the power of stories and those who tell them.


Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel ~ I have enjoyed the author's other books and am looking forward to this one.  From the publisher:
An audacious, darkly glittering novel set in the eerie days of civilization's collapse, Station Eleven tells the spellbinding story of a Hollywood star, his would-be savior, and a nomadic group of actors roaming the scattered outposts of the Great Lakes region, risking everything for art and humanity.



The Weight of Blood by Laura McHugh ~ I love a good crime fiction novel and have heard many great things about this one.  From the publisher:
For fans of Gillian Flynn and Daniel Woodrell, a dark, gripping debut novel of literary suspense about two mysterious disappearances, a generation apart, and the meaning of family-the sacrifices we make, the secrets we keep, and the lengths we will go to protect the ones we love.



Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill ~ This one has come highly recommended by fellow book bloggers who have read it.  From the publisher:
Dept. of Speculation is a portrait of a marriage. It is also a beguiling rumination on the mysteries of intimacy, trust, faith, knowledge, and the condition of universal shipwreck that unites us all.



Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng ~ This is another book blogger recommended book I have seen mentioned in several places.  From the publisher:
Lydia is dead. But they don’t know this yet . . . So begins this debut novel about a mixed-race family living in 1970's Ohio and the tragedy that will either be their undoing or their salvation. Lydia is the favorite child of Marilyn and James Lee; their middle daughter, a girl who inherited her mother’s bright blue eyes and her father’s jet-black hair. Her parents are determined that Lydia will fulfill the dreams they were unable to pursue—in Marilyn’s case that her daughter become a doctor rather than a homemaker, in James’s case that Lydia be popular at school, a girl with a busy social life and the center of every party.  
When Lydia’s body is found in the local lake, the delicate balancing act that has been keeping the Lee family together tumbles into chaos, forcing them to confront the long-kept secrets that have been slowly pulling them apart.



The Dress Shop of Dreams by Menna van Praag ~ I read the author's The House at the End of Hope Street and just loved it. I am anxious to read her latest book.  The publisher describes it:
For fans of Alice Hoffman, Sarah Addison Allen, and Adriana Trigiani, The Dress Shop of Dreams is a captivating novel of enduring hopes, second chances, and the life-changing magic of true love.

Have you read any of these?  What did you think?  What books came out last year you missed and hope to catch in the future?



Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea hosts 
First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where  
participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a 
book they are reading or thinking about reading soon.

Here is a taste of the opening of Fredrik Backman's A Man Called Ove (see below for a description of the book): 
Ove is fifty-nine. 
He drives a Saab. He's the kind of man who points at people he doesn't like the look of, as if they were burglars and his forefinger a policeman's flashlight. He stands at the counter of a shop where the owners of Japanese cars come to purchase while cables. Ove eyes the sales assistant for a long time before shaking a medium sized white box at him. 
"So this is one of those O-Pads, is it?" he demands. 
The assistant, a young man with a single-digit body mass index, looks ill at ease. He visibly struggles to control his urge to snatch the box out of Ove's hands. 
"Yes, exactly. An iPad. Do you think you could stop shaking it like that . . . ?"
Ove gives the box a skeptical glance, as if it's a highly dubious sort of box, a box that rides a scooter and wears tracksuit pants and just called Ove "my friend" before offering to sell him a watch.
Would you continue reading?


© 2015, Wendy Runyon of 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.

74 comments:

  1. I heard such good things about The Girl With All The Gifts. I'm yet to read it though. I hope you enjoy these books when you do get around to them. My TTT

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    1. Chrissi - The Girl With All the Gifts seems to be well liked by many. Hopefully we will both like it when we read it!

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  2. After reading the opening (and the publisher's blurb), I'm sure this book is one I'd enjoy. Ove sounds like a fascinating curmudgeon.
    Thank you for stopping by my blog and taking the time to leave a comment.
    Sandy @ TEXAS TWANG.

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    1. Sandra - I was reading A Man Called Ove during my lunch break today and was glad no one was around to hear me chuckling to myself. :-) I'm really enjoying it so far.

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  3. I'm liking the sound of A Man Called Ove and you have a few in your top ten that I missed reading in 2014 too - especially Everything I Never Told You.

    http://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com

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    1. Cleo - Doesn't Everything I Never Told You sound good? I hope I can read it this year.

      I'm not too far into A Man Called Ove, but I'm already really liking it.

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  4. I think I'm not supposed to like Ove at the beginning. I feel compelled to continue to see if my opinion of him changes.

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    1. Margot - He is a rather curmudgeon of a man to start off. :-)

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  5. Haven't read this author. Sounds interesting though. I do love strong characters.

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    1. Suzi - It's good so far. I like strong characters too.

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  6. I really miss those snail mailing moments! I remember waiting excitedly for mails to come through the mailbox when I was a girl. So much fun and so much anticipation! :) Getting emails from friends are wonderful but getting snail mails are so rare now that we consider them precious. Funny how time has change, lol.

    Those books sound wonderful! Can't wait to hear what you'll think of them.

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    1. Melody - Me too, Melody. So many days all I get is junk mail and bills. My daughter loves to receive mail--at least the idea of it. She's quick to discard whatever she's received once she knows it's for her. LOL

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  7. Ove was a great ready, quirky and heartwarming as well -- enjoy Wendy. Glad Mouse is feeling better.

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    1. Diane - I'm enjoying A Man Called Ove already--and I'm barely into the book. It had me smiling at the end of my lunch break. :-)

      I am glad Mouse is feeling better too. I hate it when the temperature gets so high. :-(

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  8. Glad to hear that your little Mouse is feeling better. I remember those days, sitting with a book while my feverish little one napped.

    You've got several on your list that I have thought about reading. I have Everything I Never Told You on audio and hope to listen to it soon.

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    1. Kay - Thank you. I felt so bad for her.

      I'll be curious to know what you think of Everything I Never Told You. I might get it on audio if you end up recommending it.

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  9. Not sure I'd keep reading the Ove book. I've a few on your Top Ten list and really liked them.

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    1. Beth - It's a bit different, but I have a feeling I'll really like A Man Called Ove. It's a nice change after reading two murder mysteries.

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  10. Oh, I hope your little is feeling better! Those fevers always make me anxious.

    A Man Called Ove is on my list for this year...love the sound of that excerpt; I get a sense of who he is from the descriptions.

    Thanks for visiting my blog.

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    1. Laurel-Rain - She is feeling much better, and no more fever. I was quite anxious Saturday when I saw how high her temperature was. I fought the urge to rush her to the hospital and decided to see if the medication helped first.

      I hope you enjoy A Man Called Ove if you get to read it. I am liking it so far.

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  11. Great List! I also loved how you put your list this week.

    My Top Ten Tuesday!

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  12. I'm glad Mouse is feeling better! I have no idea where I could find postcards around here. I would continue with Ove - I loved it!

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    1. Kathy - Me too, Kathy! I hate it when she's sick, seeing her so miserable.

      It used to be postcards were everywhere. Now, not so much. I have a feeling I will have to turn to online outlets for the less tourist-y type ones.

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  13. I have a copy of the Ove book somewhere around here...maybe I'll unearth it and finally read it, Love the idea of a postal book club...if you know of one still looking for members, I'd be interested in joining,

    My post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2015/01/first-chapter-first-paragraph-89.html

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    1. Catherine - I hope you like A Man Called Ove when you read it, Catherine. Hopefully it will continue to be as good as its been so far.

      I had never heard of a postal book club before someone brought it to my attention. This is the first round, so we'll see how it goes. I'll keep my eye out for one for you, Catherine. Or maybe we can start another one. I'm not sure I'm up for more than one at once, but I could probably be talked into it. :-) Or if you wanted to start one of your own . . .I can send you a copy of the rules we use for my current one as a guide if you want.

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  14. A Man Called Ove is on my list of "Titles to watch for". My year is going to focus on library check outs, so I'll probably have to get on a list for this one. Thanks for reminding me. My Tuesday intro: http://grammajudyb.blogspot.com/2015/01/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday_12.html

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    1. Judy - I hope you are able to find it in your library--or you can request it. Maybe they'll get it for you. :-)

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  15. I read both Station Eleven and The Girl with all the Gifts last year. Both of them were SO good. Station Eleven was one of my favorite books of 2014.

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    1. Cynthia - I am glad you liked both Station Eleven and The Girl With All the Gifts so much! I'm looking forward to reading them. Hopefully this year.

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  16. Oh, I used to do Postcrossing! I started because I thought my kids would find it interesting, but I think they are still a bit young for it. I may start it up again when they're a little older.

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    1. Melinda - That's part of the reason I decided to re-activate my account. I thought maybe my daughter would enjoy seeing the postcards. :-) She may be too young yet, but she'll at least like the pictures.

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  17. Glad to hear Mouse is better and hope you can drive to the mountain another day soon :)

    I missed so many books from last year so I kind of like that I wasn't so clued in anyway, but I've a couple to read. I wasn't keen on Station Eleven but I seem to be in the minority.

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    1. Charlie - I hope the snow lasts long enough so we can.

      I'm sorry you didn't care for Station Eleven. I've read two of the author's earlier books and really liked them. So, I'm hopeful I'll like Station Eleven.

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  18. I love the idea of the postal book club exchange!
    I've read a couple of the books on your left, The Weight of Blood and Station Eleven. I can't say that either were among my favorites, but I hope you enjoy them. I love the cover on The Dress Shop of Dreams and The Secret of Magic!

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    1. Kim - I really like the idea too. This is the first round, and I am curious to see what I'll be reading for the club this year.

      I'm really excited about reading The Dress Shop of Dreams. I loved the author's earlier book. I love the cover too. :-)

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  19. What a great variety of reads. Enjoy and hope your daughter gets better fast.mi like the sound of the Ng book especially

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    1. Mystica - I hope I am able to get to them all this year, but if not, that's okay. :-) And thank you for the well wishes for my daughter. The fever is gone and she's feeling much better, but she still has the sniffles.

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  20. I love the idea of the book exchange with the journal! That kind of thing would be right up my alley.

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    1. Irene - Isn't it a fun idea? It'll be interesting to see how it works as it goes.

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  21. That is a good idea about the book exchange and that's a fun list of books. Have a nice week. kelley—the road goes ever ever on

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    1. Kelley - It'll be fun to see what other books come my way with the postal bookclub. :-) I hope you have a fun week too!

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  22. Great list! I read STATION ELEVEN this year and really enjoyed it. It's a quieter dystopian than most, but it's still eerie and beautifully written. I also want to read DEPT. OF SPECULATION and THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS. I hadn't heard of THE SECRET OF MAGIC, but it looks excellent. I'll have to get my hands on a copy.

    P.S. Have you tried WalMart for postcards? Weirdly enough, they usually have tourist sections with magnets, postcards, keychains, etc.

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    1. Susan - Thank you! I have heard that about Station Eleven. I really like Mandel's writing and so am looking forward to this new book of hers.

      I haven't tried WalMart (a store I usually try to avoid unless I can't help it), but I will have to stop in and see what they have. I found a couple places that have the tourist-y type postcards, but I'm hoping to find more artsy and/or vintage and humorous postcards. Besides the "I've Moved!" variety that seems to be popular.

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  23. I hope to get to A Man Called Ove soon. Loved The Girl With All The Gifts and Station Eleven. Glad Mouse if feeling better.

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    1. Nise' - I hope you enjoy A Man Called Ove. I hope to sneak in a chapter or two tonight before I drift off to sleep.

      I am glad you enjoyed The Girl With All the Gifts and Station Eleven. Hopefully I will get to them this year.

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  24. I have The Dress Shop of Dreams to review. It looks really good.

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    1. Yvonne - It sounds like it will be good! I am looking forward to reading it.

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  25. ONe of the Bout of Books readathon participants read and loved the dress shop.
    what I luv is your postcard efforts! how cool- def enjoyed having a penpal when in grade school and reconnected a cpl years ago via email.. makes the world such a smaller place.
    I think I'd be making postcards from cardstock at michaels or stationery cut to size from staples, etc. I'd be making it a creative project I think ;) I know postcards to purchase are few and far between my hunting for them !

    Have a great week
    [ps- we did the new yrs eve readathon together on librarything I think..? recognizing your name/handle] got a good start on the yr's reading w/ that one for sure :)

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    1. Faith Hope Cherrytea- I really liked Menna van Praag's other book so am anxious to read her new one.

      I am Facebook friends with a few of my pen pals from my letter writing days. It's nice to still be in touch after all these years. I started pen palling in middle school and continued well into adulthood.

      I really like your idea of making postcards. I'm not very crafty so I'm not sure how well they would turn out, especially in the beginning. And finding the time is an issue. I've been talking for about a year now about wanting to make note cards with the help of my daughter when she's a little older. I think it would be fun. I'll have to seriously give it some thought. Thank you for the idea!

      I didn't participate in the New Year's Eve readathon on LibraryThing, I'm afraid. It must be someone else you are thinking of. I would have loved to do something like that; maybe when my daughter is much more independent.

      I hope you have a great week too.

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  26. Sorry your little one is sick - I hope she feels better soon!

    I read and reviewed The Dress Shop of Dreams - I really enjoyed it. I haven't read any of the others on your list, but have read good reviews of some of them. I wish you happy reading in 2015, and hope you get to at least some of the books on your list!

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    1. Lark - Thank you. She must be feeling better since she won't stop singing Humpty Dumpty.

      I am glad to hear you enjoyed The Dress Shop of Dreams and liked it--good news for me. :-) I hope to read it sooner than later. I hope you have a wonderful year of reading too!

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  27. I would love to read The Secret of Magic. Luv magic. Would luv to read about Thurgood Marshall. Have put it on hold at the library. Also dying to read The Dress Shop.

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    1. Topazshell - I'm really curious about The Secret of Magic. It sounds like it will be interesting. I hope you get a chance to read it!

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  28. Loving the idea of both PostCrossing and the postal Book Exchange.I love getting so-called snail mail.
    Glad to hear Mouse is well, these things can be so frightening.
    So behind with my Jim Butcher books, I really must get my finger out and get reading his books.

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    1. Tracy - I love snail mail too. :-) It gives me a reason to want to go to the mailbox just about every day.

      I hope I can catch up with the Dresden Files this year. I say that every year, but one year I actually will do it!

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  29. Station Eleven is excellent, and The Girl with all the Gifts is really good too. I am scrambling around trying to find Ove on audio at the library, because it sounds so good. This little group that passes around a book and a journal is a great idea!

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    1. Sandy - I am glad to hear you liked both of those! Hopefully I will too. :-) I hope you can get a hold of Ove on audio. I think it would be a great one to listen to with the right narrator.

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  30. Poor Mouse! Hope she's feeling better. The great things about little ones is for the most part they do seem to bounce back fast. Dress Shop of Dreams is on my TBR. I've heard such great things about it. I think I'm going to try the audio route for it. Good luck getting to the others on your list!

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    1. Katherine - She's feeling much better, thank you. :-) Even when she's sick she's got more energy than I'd think possible. I hope we both like Dress Shop of Dream! I'll be curious to know what you think of the audio version.

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  31. I loved The Girl with all the Gifts! And Him Butcher is one of my favorite UF authors as well! It was nice to see him back in action and kind of returning to the style of the earlier books. Hope you're able to squeeze them all in this year. :-)

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    1. Tabitha - I have a literary crush on Harry Dresden. :-) I just love those books. I can't wait to read The Girl with All the Gifts.

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  32. Glad that Mouse is feeling better! I love A Man Called Ove! It is such a beautiful, charming book. Looking forward to hearing what you think. I did read Girl with all the Gifts, but I didn't enjoy it much. Hope you will have better success with it.

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    1. Athira - I am too. She's still sniffling some, but she's back to her old self. :-) I finished A Man Called Ove on Monday and really enjoyed it too. :-)

      I remember you not enjoying Girl With All the Gifts as much as some. I hope I enjoy it, but I am keeping my expectations at a reasonable level.

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  33. I'm glad Mouse wasn't sick for long! I think you will enjoy a lot of the 2014 books you haven't gotten to yet - catching up with Harry Dresden will definitely help there. :) Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel is on my list too. I feel like I've seen it everywhere and am not quite sure why I haven't gotten to it yet!

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    1. Meghan - Yes, with a fever that high, I expected it to last awhile. So glad it didn't. I hope you enjoy Station Eleven when you get to it! I was thinking of the author's Last Night in Montreal the other day while at the circus. I really enjoyed that one. I do miss Harry. I need to visit him soon. :-)

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  34. I want to read The Girl With all the Gifts as well! I saw it on a bunch of best of lists so I will definitely be reading it sooner rather than later!! I'm glad to hear that Mouse is doing better. Hope you are having a nice relaxing weekend (as I'm a bit late as usual).

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    1. Samantha - The Girl With All the Gifts does seem to be well liked by most. Hopefully we will both enjoy it. :-)

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  35. I've got several of those 2014 books on my (imaginary) list, too. Glad to hear your Mouse didn't stay sick for too long. 104 is a scary temp!

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    1. Lisa - It's a long list--and not really just ten books--isn't it? To have more time to read . . .

      You wouldn't know Mouse was ever sick, the way she's acting. :-)

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  36. Poor mouse! I hope she's back to normal now and being a happy little one! I am looking forward to reading Joy Street too and can't wait to hear what you think. I love to read poetry but I feel like I have to be in the mood otherwise like you said you might miss some hidden meanings!

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    1. Iliana - She is feeling much better, thank you. :-) I've had my review all ready to post for Joy Street since last week. My tour date isn't until next week though. Yes, poetry is definitely a mood thing for me too.

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  37. First, let me say that Gage received his train postcard a few days ago and was over the moon abnout it! Thank you so much for sending it. I think it will be the first in his train postcard collection :) Postcards can be hard to find. I am always searching for them when we are out or on vacation. Some people actually want the touristy cards, but I have quite a collection now. Museum stores are good and I ordered a few Reading Woman postcard books online just so I could always be spreading the word :)
    I just finished The Dress Shop of Dreams and really liked it.

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    1. Stacy - I'm so glad he got the postcard and likes it! Mouse put it in the mailbox herself. :-) I was looking at postcards online and think I may have to order some that way. I don't mind the touristy cards myself, but it seemed like the people I got this round all were specific about not wanting those types of cards. It makes it hard when that's all I have on hand or can find.

      I'm so glad you enjoyed The Dress Shop of Dreams! I hope to read it soon.

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