Thursday, January 13, 2022

Where Is Your Bookmark: An Exiled Goddess & Earthquakes



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.



When I was born, the name for what I was did not exist. [opening of Circe]





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.


The halls would echo with her furious screams and the great gods would come to whip me, but I would welcome them, for every lash upon my skin would be only further proof to Glaucos of my love. [pg 56 of Circe]

I am nearly halfway into Madeline Miller's Circe, which I am absolutely loving. Why did I wait so long to pick this one up?! 
In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child - not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power - the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves.

Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus.

But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love. 
[Goodreads Summary]

What do you think? Does this sound like something you would enjoy?


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.

As I was considering Connect 5 topics for this week, a small earthquake rattled the house and I had my topic! Living in California, earthquakes are somewhat common place. Most of them go unnoticed. I have been through two bigger ones so far in my lifetime: the Loma Prieta earthquake (aka San Francisco earthquake) of 1989 and the Northridge earthquake in 1994. I still remember exactly where I was and how I felt at the time of both. The anniversary of the Northridge quake is coming up next week and got me thinking of books I have read or want to read featuring earthquakes. The first three books are ones I have read while the other two are books I want to read. 



1. Silver Bough by Lisa Tuttle
~ When an earthquake causes a landslide on the only road into and out of town, the visitors and residents of Appleton find themselves cut off from the rest of the world. Suddenly things around Appleton begin to change; myths become reality and the ancient magicks of the area reclaim the land. Ashley, Kathleen, and Nell have front row seats to the events that are about to unfold in the lazy coastal town of Appleton. The fate of the town lies in the destiny of one very special golden apple.



2. All Stories Are Love Stories for Elizabeth Percer ~ This novel takes place just before, during and after two catastrophic earthquakes in San Francisco, sparking fire and devastation. At the novel's center are three characters: Max, a twenty-nine year old who is going through the motions of living, let down by those he loved the most; Vashti, who has made a fresh start after the deaths of her daughter and husband, and who has never stopped loving Max; and Gene, a Stanford geologist who is afraid of losing the one person he loves most in the world. All three of their lives will converge as they face their pasts, come to terms with their present, and do what they can to survive.



3. Smile by Raina Telgemeier  ~ This is a coming of age graphic memoir about navigating middle school, dealing with dental drama, boy confusion, mean girls and living through a major earthquake. My daughter has read this one a million times just about, so of course I had to read it too.


4. The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner ~ I have not gotten to this one yet, but it is on my TBR pile and is one of my must read books of the year. 
Sophie Whalen is a young Irish immigrant so desperate to get out of a New York tenement that she answers a mail-order bride ad and agrees to marry a man she knows nothing about. San Francisco widower Martin Hocking proves to be as aloof as he is mesmerizingly handsome. Sophie quickly develops deep affection for Kat, Martin's silent five-year-old daughter, but Martin's odd behavior leaves her with the uneasy feeling that something about her newfound situation isn't right.

Then one early-spring evening, a stranger at the door sets in motion a transforming chain of events. Sophie discovers hidden ties to two other women. The first, pretty and pregnant, is standing on her doorstep. The second is hundreds of miles away in the American Southwest, grieving the loss of everything she once loved.

The fates of these three women intertwine on the eve of the devastating earthquake, thrusting them onto a perilous journey that will test their resiliency and resolve and, ultimately, their belief that love can overcome fear. [Goodreads Summary]

5. Beyond Me by Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu
~ This is a recent addition to my wish list. I thought it would be a good one for both me and my daughter.
In the spirit of A Place to Belong, this remarkable novel-in-verse examines the aftershocks of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan in 2011 through the eyes of a young girl who learns that even the smallest kindness can make a difference.

March 11, 2011 An earthquake shakes Japan to its core. A tsunami crashes into Japan’s coast. Everything changes.

In the aftermath of the natural disasters that have struck her country, eleven-year-old Maya is luckier than many. Her family didn’t lose their home, their lives, or each other. But Maya still can’t help feeling paralyzed with terror, and each aftershock that ripples out in the days that follow makes her fear all over again that her luck could change in an instant.

As word of the devastation elsewhere grows increasingly grim—tens of thousands have perished—it all seems so huge, so irreparable. Already flinching at every rumble from the earth, Maya’s overcome with a sense of helplessness and hopelessness. How can her country ever recover, and how could anything she does possibly make a difference?

Before Maya can extend a hand to others, she must dig deep to find the hidden well of strength in herself in this sweeping, searing novel that shows even small acts can add something greater and help people and communities heal.
[Goodreads Summary]


Have you read any novels featuring earthquakes you would recommend I read? 


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


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42 comments:

  1. Aaah I'm so glad you're loving Circe, it's such a great book! 'Silver Bough' also sounds really intriguing, I love the idea of being cut off and the suddenly myths come alive! Definitely going to add it to my TBR! I hope you have a lovely weekend :)
    Juli @ A Universe in Words

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    1. Juli - Even when I'm not reading Circe, I feel like a part of me is still in that world. I love it when that happens--even if it can be a bit disconcerting. I hope you enjoy Silver Bough if you read it! I hope you have a great weekend too!

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  2. I have been seeing Circe everywhere! I'm glad you like it.

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    1. Laurel-Rain - I am so glad to finally be reading it. :-) Thank you for visiting!

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  3. I lived very close to Northridge during the earthquake, and I remember it well. My husband (before I knew him) did live in Northridge at the time and barely escaped his apartment collapse!

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    1. Tammy - I am glad your husband was able to escape his apartment before it collapsed. That would have been so scary! My parents had just dropped me off back at school and made a mad dash for home in Northern California. I remember it took them forever because they couldn't go the usual route due to collapsed overpasses and damaged roadways. My college campus suffered some damage, but it could have been a lot worse like it was for so many. We had some of the displaced students from Northridge staying at our campus until they could return to theirs, I remember.

      I hope you have a great weekend!

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  4. I never thought Circe was one I'd enjoy but, you make it sound so good. I LOVED The Nature of Fragile Things....hope you do too.

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    1. Diane - I think my interest in Greek mythology helps. :-) I don't think I've heard anyone say they didn't love The Nature of Fragile Things. I really hope to read that this year finally! Thank you for visiting!

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  5. Circeeeeee! One of my all time favorites! 😍

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    1. Stephanie - I have a feeling it will be one of mine too. :-) Thank you for visiting!

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  6. Beyond Me looks particularly interesting! Have a great weekend.

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    1. Helen - I saw Beyond Me mentioned online somewhere recently and it caught my eye. I think it would be really interesting too. I hope you have a great weekend too!

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  7. What an intriguing opener! Glad to hear you're enjoying it! Hope you have a great weekend! :)

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    1. Ashley - Thank you! I hope you have a great weekend as well!

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  8. I have been thinking about reading Circe for the longest time! Maybe I should... soon!

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    1. Eustacia - I hope you do! I loved Madeline Miller's Song of Achilles, but I think I like this one better, if that's possible. Of course, I should reserve judgement until I finish. That could change . . . Thank you for visiting!

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  9. These all looking fascinating. Love the connection.

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    1. Beverley - Thank you! It was a spur of the moment connection, but I couldn't resist it once it popped into my head. Thank you for visiting!

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  10. I hope you continue to enjoy this one!! Your connect 5 are interesting as well...earthquakes are scary and fascinating all at the same time! Have a great weekend! https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/2022/01/first-line-friday-34-deadly-target.html

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    1. Cindy - So far I am. I wish my lunch break at work was longer! Yes, earthquakes can be very scary and the threat is always here. I hope you have a great weekend too!

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  11. I am glad you are loving Circe. It is on my TBR, but not sure when I will get to it. I can't think of any earthquake books I have read, but I do want to read The Nature of Fragile Things.

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    1. Carla - I am glad I am finally reading it. There are always so many books I want to read that I don't get to. I am determined to work my way through them! Thank you for visiting!

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  12. I can't think of any earthquake novels. Hmm. Now I want to investigate that topic.... Happy weekend. My Friday quotes are from Harlem Shuffle

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    1. Anne - I have another on my TBR I didn't list that is set during the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. The Two Mrs. Carlyles, I think it's called. Thank you for visiting!

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  13. Circe is one I'd like to read! Happy weekend!

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    1. Freda - It's so good! I hope you get a chance to read it. I hope you have a great weekend too!

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  14. Happy to see that you are enjoying Circe! It's been on my TBR for the longest time but I just haven't gotten around to reading it. Maybe I'll try to get it from the library before my semester starts!

    claire @ clairefy

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    1. Claire - I hope you do get a chance to read it. Thank you for visiting!

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  15. Circe sounds really good. I'll have to check it out.

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  16. Earthquakes are scary. I lived in northern Japan for a few years and we got a few quakes when we were there. They are so unpredictable. So glad you're safe

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    1. Wendy - I imagine Japan gets quite a few earthquakes. I know the country has suffered some bad ones too. Thank you for visiting!

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  17. You know, I have heard so many good things about Circe. I should probably pick it up at some point.

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    1. Carole - I am really enjoying it. I hope to finish it today. Thank you for stopping by!

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  18. Circe is on my TBR but it's one I forget about. I really need to go on and get it as it sounds absolutely wonderful.

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    1. Circe - I hope you enjoy it if you do read it! Thank you for visiting!

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  19. I've read The Nature of Fragile Things and Smile. Great topic earthquakes. We share that as like California, New Zealand is on the ring of fire where earthquakes are. One woke me last week, but I only got the end of it. I haven't been in a bad one, and don't want to be!

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    1. Kathryn - I hope you never have to experience a bad earthquake. Thank you for stopping by!

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  20. Circe must definitely sounds like my cup of tea as does Silver Bough. The others not so much so but then I'd not rule them out either. Cover wise, I was straight away attracted to Beyond Me which is rather odd given that of all the books you've shared here this is probably the one that least appeals to me.

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    1. Felicity - I hope you enjoy them if you give them a try! Thank you for visiting!

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  21. I already had Circe on my TBR, but I am definitely adding The Silver Bough and The Nature of Fragile Things. As far as earthquakes go, we don't live in an area with big fault lines, but there are several smaller ones. I've felt three small tremors in my life, none bad enough where I was to do more than shake the house a little bit and knock a picture off the wall. But even still they make your breath catch and your stomach drop in fear of the unknown. I too remember where I was and what I was doing at the time of the tremors, it's things like that you don't forget all too easily.

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    1. Cathy - I hope you will enjoy both if you read them! Living in an area where earthquakes are not uncommon, it's too easy to take them for granted. They really can be harmful the bigger they are. Thank you for stopping by!

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