Thursday, January 21, 2021

Where Is Your Bookmark? (5 Fave Nonfiction Books / What I Am Reading Now & Five Years Ago / BBHOP: E-Readers)

I am so very close to finishing my current read but work and life keep getting in the way. I. Must. Finish. I am really enjoying Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder by T.A. Willberg, and thought I would tease you with a couple of excerpts.
The letter was short. A name, a time, a place. Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder plunges readers into the heart of London, to the secret tunnels that exist far beneath the city streets. There, a mysterious group of detectives recruited for Miss Brickett’s Investigations & Inquiries use their cunning and gadgets to solve crimes that have stumped Scotland Yard.  

Late one night in April 1958, a filing assistant for Miss Brickett’s named Michelle White receives a letter warning her that a heinous act is about to occur. She goes to investigate but finds the room empty. At the stroke of midnight, she is murdered by a killer she can’t see—her death the only sign she wasn’t alone. It becomes chillingly clear that the person responsible must also work for Miss Brickett’s, making everyone a suspect. 

Almost unwillingly, Marion Lane, a first-year Inquirer-in-training, finds herself being drawn ever deeper into the investigation. When her friend and mentor is framed for the crime, to clear his name she must sort through the hidden alliances at Miss Brickett’s and secrets dating back to WWII. Masterful, clever and deliciously suspenseful, Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder is a fresh take on the Agatha Christie—style locked-room mystery with an exciting new heroine detective at the helm. [Goodreads Summary]



A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the amazing Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

Threads of steam rose from the warm tarmac. The alleyway was quiet tonight, the perfect setting for the conveyance of secrets. The woman in the red headscarf checked over her shoulder. No one would have followed her, but she had to be sure. 
My initial thoughts: An ominous beginning . . . I was immediately hooked, wanting to know what she was up to, why she was worried about being followed, and what secrets she was holding and who was she going to share them with.




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.


Bill stared at her with a look of bewilderment, 'Blimey.'

'What?' Marion shifted in her seat.

'You're just, I've never seen this side of you. I'd almost encourage it if it wasn't about to get us fired, or worse.'

My thoughts: Something is about to happen. Or rather Marion is about to do something that could put her placement as an apprentice at risk. 


Does Marion Lane and the Midnight Hour sound like something you would enjoy reading? What are you reading right now?

Originally a feature called Last Year I Was Reading created by Maria from ReadingMaria
I liked it enough to continue on my own, but have tweaked it
 to feature Five Years Ago I Was Reading. 
(I would have gone back ten, but I read so little in 2011)

Five years ago at this time, I had just finished reading Moonlight Over Paris by Jennifer Robson. Lady Helena Montagu-Douglas-Parr is recovering from a near fatal illness. She has a new appreciation for life and wants to live as fully as she can. Despite her family's reservations, she travels to Paris to stay with her widowed aunt where Helena is to study art. Her parents give her a year, and she plans to make the most of it. There she meets Sam Howard, a Chicago-Tribune journalist, who couldn't be more wrong for her, and yet she is drawn to this scarred war veteran. I enjoyed Moonlight Over Paris most for its atmosphere, the setting, including the time period (1920's), and the interesting cast of characters. I would not have minded a bit more tension and conflict, but, overall, I do not think the story suffered for it.

It is definitely a different flavor than my current book, which is more of a historical mystery. I do a historical setting! 



What were you reading five years ago? Have you read Moonlight Over Paris?


Connect Five Friday is a weekly meme where readers share a list of five books, 
read or unread, or bookish things, that share a common theme. 
Hosted by the  Kathryn of of Book Date.

I almost always gravitate more towards fiction than I do towards nonfiction. However, I enjoy nonfiction from time to time and thought I would share some of my favorite nonfiction reads with you today. 


Hidden Figures: The American Dream and Untold Story of Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly ~ Hidden Figures tells the stories of some of the most underrated influential black women in the history of the American space program. Among them being Mary Jackson, Dorothy Vaughan, Katherine Jackson, Christine Darden, and Gloria Champine.  I really enjoy reading stories about lesser known and recognized individuals throughout history. More often women, and even more especially women of color. Too often their contributions are undervalued. The movie with the same title was good, but the real stories are even better.

Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir by Jenny Lawson ~ Lawson's conversational narrative made it feel like I was sitting right there with her. I found Lawson extremely easy to relate to: at times laughing out loud and other times crying right alongside her as she talks about her life and struggles with mental illness. 

StiffThe Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach ~ I was first introduced to Mary Roach through Reader's Digest. I would always read the cartoons and her articles first. Stiff is a funny and informative books about what happens to the body after a person dies, historically and up through modern times. It may sound like a morbid topic to some, but it's really quite fascinating. And hilarious.

Machete Season: The Killers in Rwanda Speak by Jean Hatzfeld, translated by Linda Coverdale ~ Whenever the question comes up of what is the scariest book I have read, I often cite this one. Usually the asker means something in the horror genre, but what is more horrific than real events? Where neighbors turn on neighbors so easily? Slaughtering even children. Years after having read it, I am still haunted by it. While this book specifically deals with the genocide in Rwanda, its truths and lessons about prejudice, hate and greed for power are ones that can impact and apply to all of us in varying ways. 

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, translated by Mattias Ripa ~ My favorite kind of graphic novels are graphic memoirs, and both volumes 1 and 2 of Persepolis makes the top if the list. These two volumes describe what it was like for the author growing up in Iran during the Islamic and Cultural Revolutions. They touch on the toll war takes on ordinary people, oppression of women, and about the difficulties of being an immigrant and having to start over. Satrapi's story is also one of hope. 


What are some of your favorite nonfiction books? 



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 own more than one e-reader? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)


I have two (three if you count my mobile phone). I have an older Kindle Fire which I sometimes break out if I am reading a PDF file that I just cannot manage to read on my preferred e-reader. I do most of my e-reading on my Oasis. It is easier on my eyes for reading than the Fire ever is.

This isn't to say I do not like to read physical books! I enjoy reading those too, and the occasional audio book.

What about you?


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



© 2021, 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.

58 comments:

  1. I love historical read also. Here's my post with what I was reading 5 years ago:

    https://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2021/01/my-weekly-bookishness-1222021.html

    Colletta

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    1. Colletta - I especially love it when a historical novel gives me the research bug and I try to learn more about the time period/event/people I am reading about. Thank you for stopping by!

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  2. I've got about twenty physical books but they are almost all my comfort reads like P D James, Agatha Christie and Jane Austen. Everything else is on my Kindle.

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    1. Mystica - Comfort reads are treasures. Thank you for visiting!

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  3. It's been a while since I've read a historical mystery, and Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder looks like a book I would be interested in.

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    1. Breana - I really enjoyed Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder. It has a bit of a fantasy feel to it, which made it even more interesting. Thank you for stopping by!

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  4. I've only got my paperwhite and if anything ever happens to that I will probably have a meltdown. I've used the app on my phone before but it drained the battery so quickly.
    So glad you're enjoying the mystery book because it caught my eye last week.

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    1. Louise - Reading on the phone can drain the battery faster. I just don't like reading on such a small screen. Thank you for visiting!

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  5. I'm hoping to read Hidden Figures very soon. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Lauren - I hope you enjoy Hidden Figures when you read it! Thank you for stopping by!

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  6. Halloooo! So glad to hear you are enjoying Marion Lane. I still want to read it and can't wait to hear your final thoughts.

    I might sound like a bit of a psychopath if I say Stiff drew my attention immediately...

    Happy weekend!

    Elza Reads

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    1. Mareli (Elza) - I hope you get a chance to read Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder!

      You don't sound anymore like a psychopath than the many others of us who read and loved Stiff. It's a fun read and I hope you will give it a try.

      Thank you for visiting!

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  7. I loved the Jenny Lawson book and Persepolis! I still need to read Stiff. I’ll get to it someday.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. AJ - Stiff is worth reading if you get the chance. It's my favorite of her books. Thank you for stopping by!

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  8. I like the quote you included from Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder. I do love good nonfiction and Hidden Figures remains a favorite. Just finished The Bravest Voices, a memoir of the Cook sisters and their efforts to get people out of Nazi Germany before the war. I wasn't familiar with these two courageous women, and I liked the book which covered their youth in the 1920's, their war efforts, the Blitz, and more.

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    1. Jenclair - The Bravest Voices sounds like something I would like. I will have to check it out. Thank you for visiting!

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  9. Great excerpts! I have been eyeing this book, so now I want to know more. Here's mine: “BEFORE SHE DISAPPEARED”

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    1. Laurel-Rain - I really enjoyed it! Thank you for stopping by.

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  10. oooh, I didn't know that Willberg book, sounds good. Mine is here: https://francebooktours.com/2021/01/22/loving-modigliani-friday-56/

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    1. Emma - It's worth checking out if you get the chance! Thank you for visiting!

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  11. Very intriguing snippets! Happy weekend!

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  12. A good Connect 5! I don't read too much nonfiction and many times pick and choose what I read, because I'm after a specific piece of information. These all sound very good. I agree that true stories can be the most horrific. I remember the horror of reading about the Rwanda massacres when they were happening and still shiver today.

    Lots of other interesting book info, too!

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    1. Jan - Thank you! I'm not a big nonfiction reader either and tend to be very picky about what I will read. What happened in Rwanda was awful. So many innocent lives lost. Thank you for stopping by!

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  13. Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder sounds like a book I'd like. And your five nonfiction picks also look good, especially the one about Rwanda. Have a great weekend! :)

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    1. Lark - I think would enjoy Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder too! Thank you for visiting!

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  14. I almost never read nonfiction, but honestly some titles pop up so often I feel like maybe I should give this genre more of a chance lol!

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    1. Penelope - Nonfiction, just like fiction, covers such a wide range and amount of topics. I wish I read more nonfiction sometimes, but I do love my fiction. Thank you for stopping by!

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  15. Marion Lane sounds great! I like that era and setting. Your "five years ago book" idea is very cool. According to LibraryThing, five years ago I was reading Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz.

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    1. Gillion - I really enjoyed Marion Lane. :-) Isn't it fun to look back at what we were reading five years ago? Thank you for visiting!

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  16. Wendy, I love the sound of: Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder - I hadn't heard of it but, you make it sound so good.

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    1. Diane - I really enjoyed it! The historical aspect isn't as strong as other elements of the novel, but that comes into play later in the novel. Thank you for stopping by!

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  17. I am looking forward to your review of the mystery you are currently reading.

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    1. Helen - Hopefully soon! I really enjoyed the book. Thank you for visiting!

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  18. I think the Jennifer Robson book is for me. Yes I read mostly fiction too but I like a non fiction book somewhere. I have just started Obama's memoir, I enjoy books like that.

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    1. Kathryn - I hope you will give the Robson book a try! I really enjoy her books. I hope you are enjoying Obama's memoir. I need to pick up Michelle Obama's soon. Thank you for visiting!

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  19. Marion Lane looks like a catchy series, I can't wait to read your review :)

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    1. Iza - I can't wait until the next book. I hope I don't have to wait long! Thank you for stopping by!

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  20. I only have a Kindle that I love. I have not heard of Oasis. I enjoy my physical books too. I have never listened to an audio book. Have a great weekend!

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    1. Jamie - The Oasis is one of the Kindle line. I love mine. I don't think I would ever give up my physical books. I like having options. Thank you for visiting!

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  21. Adding Marion Late and The Midnight Murder to my TBR. It looks great and like a book I'd like. I love a historical setting too and Moonlight Over Paris looks really good though definitely different!

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    1. Katherine - I hope you enjoy both if you read them! Thank you for stopping by!

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  22. I have a newer Kindle, an older Kindle Keyboard and now I have Ken's tablet.

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    1. Mary - We are attached to our Kindles. :-) Thank you for visiting!

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  23. Marion Lane sounds good, I’m going to add it to my list!

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    1. Heather - I really enjoyed it! Thank you for stopping by!

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  24. Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder sound really good! But maybe also because I love mystery!

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    1. Eustacia - It was really enjoyable. I hope you get a chance to read it! Thank you for visiting.

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  25. Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder was really good.

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  26. Ohh Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder sounds really interesting! The opening paragraph really caught my attention and made me want to read it. As a fan of mystery, I would definitely be checking it out!

    Last year on this month, I was probably reading The Good Luck Charm by Helena Hunting 🤔

    I am adding all of the non-fictions on my list! I, specifically, want to read Hidden Figures and Machete Season ASAP!

    I have two devices I read my books on. I generally prefer reading on my mobile as it's always accessible to me easily! But the eye strain is real 😣

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    1. Kitten - Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder is definitely worth checking out.

      Hidden Figures is amazing as is Machette Season. But that last one is also very sad. I hope you like them if you read them!

      Thank you for visiting!

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  27. Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder sounds like something I'd really enjoy. Those snippets have me so curious for more. Thanks for sharing! Hope you have an awesome week! :)

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    1. Ashley - I hope you get a chance to read Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder! Thank you for stopping by!

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  28. I've a Kindle and an e-reader app on my phone. I'd still prefer a physical book anytime but not when we are outside and travelling. Plus, most ARCs come in the form of digital copies so it has now become a common device for my reading.

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    1. Melody - Traveling with an e-reader tends to be more convenient, doesn't it? Thank you for visiting!

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