Thursday, August 10, 2017

Where Is Your Bookmark? (08/11/2017)

I am just over halfway through Julia Alvarez's In the Time of the Butterflies, a historical fiction novel about the Mirabal sisters, Las Mariposas (the Butterflies), who rebelled against the oppressive dictatorship of Gen. Rafael Leonidas Trujillo in the Dominican Republic. Not exactly what you'd expect looking at this cover, is it? 



A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the wonderful Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.
She is plucking her bird of paradise of its dead branches, leaning around the plant every time she hears a car. The woman will never find the old house behind the hedge of towering hibiscus at the bend of the dirt road. Not a gringa domincana in a rented car with a road map asking for street names! Dedé had taken the call over at the little museum this morning.
The novel opens as Dedé, one of the Mirabel sisters, waits for the woman who is coming to interview her. I like the opening, bringing the scene into my mind perfectly. Although, it reveals very little about the story to come.

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A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.

"If you had seen what I saw on that mountain," I pleaded with him, weeping all over again for that dead boy. "Ay, Pedrito, how can we be true Christians and turn our back on our brothers and sisters--" [pg 152]

Can you just feel the emotion in her cry? The heartache? I know I can.

Tell me about what you are reading right now!

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Each week Maureen from Maureen's Books asks participants to share a favorite on the weekly designated topic.

This week's topic is my favorite book that made me cry.

What favorite book of mine hasn't made me cry? It is a prerequisite for my favorites' list. As it is, I am an emotional reader and often get teary-eyed when I read. I read with my heart as much as my head.

Cries can be broken down into several categories: the teary-eyed, maybe a drip or two, but mostly just wet eyes; the wipe away tears that don't leave me looking like I cried at all unless you catch me in the act; the cry that requires multiple tissues; or, the ugly cry which leaves me with a sort of hangover for days after. The water works can be caused by anger, or sadness, or joy . . . It doesn't matter. Of course, the best books will make me cry for all those reasons--and most likely one of those last two category cries. Lots of tears. And a red nose.

As for me picking just one favorite out of all the books I have read . . . I cannot do it. Let me instead just name my favorite book so far this year that had me in tears the most. Okay, two books. Because I wish everyone would read them and cry along with me.


The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
I love this book for a lot of reasons: the writing style, the history, the characters (especially the characters), the setting, and the story. Lisa See is such a gifted story teller, and she really knows how to get to the heart of her characters and bring them to life. This one definitely made me cry. A lot. Out of anger, frustration, sadness and grief. Out of joy and hope. This is an amazing and beautiful book. (The cover links to my review.)


The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
My review for this one hasn't gone up yet, but I cannot stop singing this book's praises. It is relevant to today, opening the door to much needed discussion about police shootings and race relations. It is also about the bonds of family and community, about self-identity, friendship, and so much more. This book is a giant emotional roller-coaster, taking me through all the emotions. (Cover links to Goodreads)

What is your favorite book that made you cry? 
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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 participate in readathons and/or reading challenges?
The short answer is yes, although not right now.

My participation with readathons is limited to short spurts here and there. I love the idea of readathons, but I find it hard to fit in more reading than I already am able to on the longer run ones and bad timing on the part of the 24-hour ones. Someday, I would like to participate fully in something like Dewey's 24-Hour Readathon as it always seems like such fun, not to mention a great community activity (who says reading is a solitary hobby?!). Maybe when my daughter is older, and we don't have so much going on . . . It always comes back to not having enough time, I'm afraid.

As for reading challenges, I love coming up with a reading list at the beginning. But, truth be told, I am terrible at following lists. So, I tend to prefer reading challenges in which I can pick books as I go. In recent years though, I have been bad about following through with challenges. It is more of a chore than fun by the end. As a result, I am not participating in any reading challenges this year (other than my commitment to read more Classics, which I don't really consider a challenge). I decided I needed a break. My favorite part of reading challenges, besides the initial list making, has always been the community aspect: sharing a common goal with other readers and supporting each other in reaching that goal. 

What about you? Do you participate in readathons and/or reading challenges?


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Every Friday Ellen from 15andmeowing.com and Ann from McGuffy’s Reader get together to host the Friendly Fill-Ins. You can be serious or funny--the idea is just to have fun.

1.1. Blind dates never bring good books.

2. Ten years ago tomorrow, I posted my thoughts on one of my all-time favorite books, Moloka'i by Alan Brennert here on my blog.

3. I admire my mother because she is an amazing woman. She doesn't hesitate to drop everything and help family out when they need her. She is hardworking and loving and kind. She is smart. And supportive.

4. Sitting in my living room library and looking at all my books makes me think I need to find time to organize my shelves. Again.                              .


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


© 2017, 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.

50 comments:

  1. The Alvarez book certainly has an interesting premise. Don't think I've ever read anything set there before.

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    1. Nicki - I can't say I've read anything set in the Dominican Republic either. I have had my copy for years, but was finally motivated to read it with an online reading group. I wish I hadn't waited so long to get to it.

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    1. Laura - Yes, it fell on the heels of such a terrifying scene. I'm enjoying the book so far. I'm going to look for the movie after and see if I can watch it.

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  3. The cover and the snippet are way off from each other. I'd love for you and your readers to check out mine! http://tinyurl.com/LisaKsBookReviewsOFITG

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    1. Lisa - The cover gives off more a light-hearted read, I think.

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  4. What a fun, busy, and interesting post! I just organized my books. I took some to donate, some to trade, and found others in the process. Ah, well. Books are a healthy vice. Right?

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    1. Ann - I did include a lot in this post. I may try to break it up next week . . .

      It's been awhile since I did a book purge. I do that every now and then and end up donating a lot of books to my library or take them to work to add to our office library there.

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  5. Sounds interesting but not something I'd pick up for myself. This week I have Come Sundown by Nora Roberts. Happy reading!

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    1. Kathy - I am enjoying it. I seem to be on a historical fiction binge right now. :-)

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  6. I will look for The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane at the library, it does sound good. Thank you for your participation in the fill-ins, great answers. Wow, you have been blogging for 10 years- congratulations! I didn't even realize blogs existed back then and I missed out on so much.
    Your Mom sounds like a wonderful person. And I need to do the same with my book. Have a nice weekend!

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    1. Ellen - I loved The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane and hope you will too if you do read it! Yeah, I hit the 11 year mark with my blog this past month. It's hard to believe it's been that long. Book blogging has changed a lot since I started blogging. I hope you have a nice weekend too!

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  7. I've been eyeing In the Time of Butterflies. I love that cover...and the excerpts draw me in. Thanks for sharing, and here's mine: “THE IDENTICALS”

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    1. Laurel-Rain - I do recommend In the Time of the Butterflies if you get a chance to read it! It's really good so far.

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  8. Put all 3 books on my Want to Read list. *^-^*
    The only reading challenge I participate in is Goodreads. I think the list types look fun and it can be good to get outside your comfort zone, but at the same time, it seems like a lot of work. ^^;

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    1. Shannon - I hope you do get a chance to read all three! I forgot about the Goodreads reading challenge. I do that one too, although I set my goal so ridiculously low, it's really not a challenge at all.

      I tend to shy away from the challenges requiring lists more because once I make the list, I want to read every book NOT on the list. And so I find the challenges that don't require the participant to stick to a specific list set in the beginning and allow for freedom in choice work better for me. I tend to use challenges to work on getting my TBR piles down. Too many unread books sitting in my house that I need to get to and they make perfect challenge fodder. :-)

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  9. Let's see. There is a lot to digest on this blog post. 1. I keep telling people I've read In the Time of the Butterflies, but now that I look at your quotes, which I don't remember, it makes me think I started it and never finished it. It has a good reputation, though, and is based on facts. 2. Lisa See has a new book? I haven't heard of this book. Are you liking it? 3. The Hate U Give--- Wow. Wow. Wow. 4. I like participating in readathons because I really do get a lot of books finished. Please visit my Friday Quotes Page.

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    1. Anne - I've already found myself looking up details from the book because my interest in that time in history is piqued. It came out awhile ago, so you may have finished it, but just don't remember? That happens to me sometimes.

      The Lisa See book is awesome. I read it at the beginning of the year and loved it. If you enjoy her books, I highly recommend it!

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  10. I really need too check out the book The Hate U Give because I have been hearing amazing raving reviews about it. Plus it looks and sounds absolutely phenomenal and utterly fantastic! Great blog hop answer sadly I don't do readathons because I don't have the time to do them, I wish I could but I just can't. The only challenges I ever did was on goodreads. Thank you for the awesome post.

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    1. Kati - I hope you do get a chance to read The Hate U Give. My mother even bought a copy the other day, she told me. If I had known she was interested in reading it, I would have loaned her my copy.

      I find it hard to find time to do the readathons too. I keep hoping the time will come though.

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  11. The butterfly is in a jar on the cover, so maybe that fits. Our local bird of paradise plants have thorns, so I'm not sure a person would lean in it. Must be a different kind.

    As a host of a reading challenge, I agree it is hard to stick to a list. We are reading what are supposed to be the best 100 books from the last decade, picked by a computer algorithm. Sometimes I'd like to pick up something new and fresh instead.

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    1. Roberta - That's a very good point about the cover! I think I'll be looking at it differently from now on. :-) I don't know anything about bird of paradise plants, but that's an interesting observation. Maybe she's leaning in without touching it? I know I do that when I'm pruning my roses. I'm very careful not to touch the thorns.

      When I first started blogging, I was much better at sticking to those reading challenge lists. I am not sure why it's so hard now . . . Maybe I'm just tempted by so many more books. Or else my impulse control is shot.

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  12. It seems like every room in our house has become part of our library, too. Books are great. Have a great week.

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    1. David - It's inevitable, I think, with all the books we read. I hope you have a great week too!

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  13. I agree that reading challenges can be stressful at times, especially when you're trying to beat the challenge during a small period of time.


    Here’s my Book Blogger Hop!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog

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  14. Ronyell - Time limits does add extra pressure!

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  15. Sounds like a powerful read! You're right, I wouldn't necessarily expect that from the cover. Glad you're enjoying it, it does sound like a very interesting read.

    I do an occasional readathon. Challenges I don't do too many of, although this year I signed up for three (and I'm doing really good on ONE ha ha).

    Have a great weekend!

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    1. Greg - I had never heard of the Mirabal sisters before, although now that I've read In the Time of Butterflies I feel like I should have.

      I am glad you are doing well with at least one of your reading challenges. :-) I so easily fall behind with them.

      I hope you have a great weekend too!

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  16. I'm definitely an emotional reader too. Most time I enjoy it, but sometimes crying that easy is so frustrating.
    I haven't heard about 'The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane'. It sounds like a beautiful book!
    Reading challenge definitely can get stressful, but I try to take it easy this year :)
    Thanks for joining the My Favorite Meme and sharing your favorite.

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    1. Maureen - I find it cathartic to cry when I'm reading. It comes from being too good at keeping my personal feelings from my own life bottled up, I think.

      I really like Lisa See's books, and The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane is one of my favorites of hers for sure--that along with Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.

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  17. I loved The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane! It's such a moving story, isn't it? The Hate You Give sounds like both a powerful and an emotional book, and I look forward to your thoughts on it, Wendy.

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    1. Melody - It really is a moving story. It's been hard to put my thoughts into words about The Hate U Give. Hopefully my review will be more than "I loved it. Now go read it." Haha.

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  18. In the Time of Butterflies is way different than I would have guessed just by looking at the cover! I would expect some kind of light women's fiction but this sounds fascinating. I really love the idea of a readathon but like you the timing is just to difficult right now. I do hope to try at one point when the Tornado is a little older but who knows if that'll actually happen!

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    1. Katherine - I would have expected light women's fiction as well from the cover. While one could argue it's women's fiction because it is about mostly women, it is definitely not light.

      I'm like you when it comes to readathons. Maybe when Mouse is older . . . :-)

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  19. Sounds like a great read. Those snippets pulled me right in! Happy weekend!

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    1. Freda - I really liked it. I finished it last night after my daughter fell asleep. I couldn't keep back the tears. :-( I hope you have a happy weekend too.

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  20. Like David said, our whole house is pretty much a library. I love having all these books around. And, with my memory issues, reading a book a second time always offers me a new adventure. haha

    It sounds like you have an awesome mama. How blessed you are!

    Have a blessed weekend. :)

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    1. Suzanne - I can say the same about my house, I'm sure. :-) I am very lucky to have the mom I do. Thank you.

      I hope you have a great weekend too.

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  21. Ooh!! Adding The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See to my TBR right now!!

    I have participated in reading challenges in the past, but no readathons yet. I hope to one day! :)

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    1. Erica - I hope you like The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane if you read it! I love Lisa See's books.

      Someday I'll be able to participate fully in a readathon as well. :-)

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  22. Yes I struggle with finding the time for reading challenges too. Maybe someday I can fit one in again.

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    1. Kym - Someday being the operative word for me as well.

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  23. I've seen In the Time of Butterflies around and understand that lots of readers are interested in the book. I like what you have highlighted here. I need to look into it. I'm glad you shared it and thanks for visiting my blog.

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    1. Margot - It's worth reading, and so I hope you get a chance to read it.

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  24. I will need to try that Lisa See novel. Thanks for sharing.

    Lauren @ Always Me

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    1. Lauren - I hope you will like it if you give it a try. I really enjoy See's books overall, but this one and Snowflower and the Secret Fan are my most favorites of hers.

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  25. I want to read The Hate U Give so bad!! I've heard of Dewey's 24-Hour Readathon, but I don't know if I could read a book in a day, much less do a readathon.

    My BBH: http://poemsbyayoungartist.blogspot.com/2017/08/bookbloggerhop-august-11-17-readathons.html

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    1. Dani - I hope you get a chance to read The Hate U Give. It's so good!

      I think a lot of people choose short reads, even graphic novels for the 24 hour type read-athons so they can say they've read a lot more than they might have otherwise. I'm like you though, I don't see myself reading a lot in terms of numbers during a readathon. Plus, a lot of the participants post updates and such throughout the day and cheer on others. I don't know if I could do that and get any reading done at all. LOL

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