Weekly Mews: September's Bookish Mewsings on The Hating Game and Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries / TBR Tarot Cards to the Rescue

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 am linking up Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently.  

This past week the heat advisories started up again after a few days of much welcome cooler weather. It's not unusual for this time of year to be warm. The surprise was the rain and lower temperatures. Summer is always reluctant to let fall have her way. I believe it's supposed to get cooler again soon--fingers crossed! 

We went with friends to see a local high school production of the musical Little Shop of Horrors last month. The teens put on a great show. We followed it up with a late dinner together, which was a nice way to close out the evening. 

Girl Scouts is in full swing. Mouse spent the day with her troop working on a journey badge all today, in fact. She's had activities almost every weekend. Next weekend there's a bird walk and trail clean up. Last weekend we visited the local no-kill animal shelter with her troop and got to socialize with the cats (my favorite part--I wanted to bring a couple of the kitties home so badly--if only I could!). I think most of the girls would have preferred to play with the puppies, but the puppies were at a Suicide Prevention Walk event in town, hoping to be adopted.

My mom's Masquer's Club put on a program for their community and the general public about the history of music in honor of International Day of Older Persons. The skit they started off with about seniors and computers was so funny. Don't underestimate someone's ability based on their age. My favorite part was my mom's presentation on Buddy Holly and his influence on music. She wore a pink poodle skirt, a Pink Lady's jacket, and, of course, saddle shoes. The entire program was informative and a lot of fun. The audience enjoyed singing along to all the featured songs.

A couple months or so ago my father-in-law was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer. He went through intensive radiation treatment in August for cancer found on his brain and began immunotherapy this past month. His condition took a turn for the worse, however, and he passed away a week ago Friday, surrounded by family. my father-in-law always seemed to have a smile for everyone and never hesitated to offer help when he saw someone in need. He led a full life and was well loved. It's been a difficult time to say the least, but we are holding onto the many memories we have of him.

I am currently going back and forth between a middle grade fantasy novel, Nightfall (Keeper of the Lost Cities #6) by Shannon Messenger, and a cozy mystery, Mrs. Morris and the Witch (Salem B&B #2) by Traci Milton. 

Nightfall is proving to be a bit slower of a read for me than the earlier books in the series, and, while I could blame it on its size, it may be because there's been less action in it so far. But even more likely it is because I have been focusing on other books. Last I checked in with Sophie yesterday, she was meeting with the ogre king, hoping to form an unlikely alliance and get the next clue to finding her human parents who were kidnapped by the Neverseen. 

I am only a couple chapters into Mrs. Morris and the Witch. It's the second in the series and a perfect read for this time of year. The characters and I just finished the ghost tour on Halloween night and have stumbled upon a dead body. I imagine things are about to heat up quite a bit now! 

What are you reading right now?

My TBR List is hosted by the awesome Michelle  at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books 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). 

I had my daughter pull one of my TBR Tarot cards at random to help me settle on a theme for this month. The instructions on the card read: 

Choose a book . . . 

which has a yellow cover

Evidently I have quite a few books with yellow covers! It wasn't too hard to narrow down my choices to three however. Okay, so maybe a little. These are the three that sound most appealing to me at the moment.  Now I need your help deciding which one of these I should read next!

Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn

A wise and witty new novel that echoes with timely questions about love, career, reconciling with the past, and finding your path while knowing your true worth.

Longtime personal assistant Georgie Mulcahy has made a career out of putting others before herself. When an unexpected upheaval sends her away from her hectic job in L.A. and back to her hometown, Georgie must confront an uncomfortable truth: her own wants and needs have always been a disconcertingly blank page.

But then Georgie comes across a forgotten artifact—a “friendfic” diary she wrote as a teenager, filled with possibilities she once imagined. To an overwhelmed Georgie, the diary’s simple, small-scale ideas are a lifeline—a guidebook for getting started on a new path.

Georgie’s plans hit a snag when she comes face to face with an unexpected roommate—Levi Fanning, onetime town troublemaker and current town hermit. But this quiet, grouchy man is more than just his reputation, and he offers to help Georgie with her quest. As the two make their way through her wishlist, Georgie begins to realize that what she truly wants might not be in the pages of her diary after all, but right by her side—if only they can both find a way to let go of the pasts that hold them back.

Honest and deeply emotional, Georgie, All Along is a smart, tender must-read for everyone who’s ever wondered about the life that got away . . . [Goodreads Summary]

The Beekeeper's Apprentice (Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes #1) by Laurie R. King

In 1915, Sherlock Holmes is retired and quietly engaged in the study of honeybees in Sussex when a young woman literally stumbles onto him on the Sussex Downs. Fifteen years old, gawky, egotistical, and recently orphaned, the young Mary Russell displays an intellect to impress even Sherlock Holmes.

Under his reluctant tutelage, this very modern, twentieth-century woman proves a deft protégée and a fitting partner for the Victorian detective. They are soon called to Wales to help Scotland Yard find the kidnapped daughter of an American senator, a case of international significance with clues that dip deep into Holmes's past.

Full of brilliant deduction, disguises, and danger, The Beekeeper's Apprentice , the first book of the Mary Russell–Sherlock Holmes mysteries. [Goodreads Summary]

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars: same year at Yale, same debut year in publishing. But Athena's a cross-genre literary darling, and June didn't even get a paperback release. Nobody wants stories about basic white girls, June thinks.

So when June witnesses Athena's death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse: she steals Athena's just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers to the British and French war efforts during World War I.

So what if June edits Athena's novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song--complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? Doesn't this piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller? That's what June claims, and the New York Times bestseller list seems to agree.

But June can't get away from Athena's shadow, and emerging evidence threatens to bring June's (stolen) success down around her. As June races to protect her secret, she discovers exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.

With its totally immersive first-person voice, Yellowface takes on questions of diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation not only in the publishing industry but the persistent erasure of Asian-American voices and history by Western white society. R. F. Kuang's novel is timely, razor-sharp, and eminently readable. [Goodreads Summary]

Thank you for voting!

I am very pleased with all the books I read in September. I finished Lodestar, the fifth book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series by Shannon Messenger, toward the beginning of the month. My daughter refuses to give me spoilers when I ask, but I keep trying. And then there were the two books I read as part of my fiction/nonfiction pairing goal. I will be posting my thoughts on Erin Kimmerle's We Carry Their Bones: The Search for Justice at the Dozier School for Boys and Colson Whitehead's The Nickel Boys in the near future. Reading the two books back to back made for a richer reading experience. I need to do that more often!

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, narrated by Katie Schorr (HarperAudio, 2016)

I have a theory. ~ Opening of The Hating Game

I actually finished an audiobook in under a month! Barely, admittedly, but I managed it. More time driving last month made that possible. Anyway, you want to know what I thought of the book. Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman work together at the publishing firm of Bexley & Gamin as assistants to the head executives. Lucy and Joshua hate each other (or so they think) and go out of their way to get a rise out of each other. HR is very familiar with their rivalry given the number of complaints they've received. And now they are both up for the same promotion . . .

The Hating Game is an enemy to lovers romance at its core with a few other well known romance tropes mixed in as well. I found the novel to be a bit too predictable, and, as much as I liked Lucy, she could be really oblivious about Joshua sometimes. I guess that's kind of how it goes in real life sometimes though. We get so caught up in our own stuff, we can't always see what's right in front of us.  Joshua definitely grew on me the more I got to know him--just as he did for Lucy. The two have a lot of chemistry and compliment each other well, which is definite must in a romance like this.

Even though I did not love this novel, I did enjoy it and thought it was funny and charming. The ending was very satisfying. Not wrapped up perfectly with a bow, but just enough to leave me satisfied and smiling, knowing Joshua and Lucy will have a good life together. Katie Schorr proved to be an excellent narrator for the audio version of the book. 

I made the mistake of watching the movie version of the book right after finishing it. Remind me next time to put a few days, if not months, between the book and movie. I can easily enjoy a movie based on a book on its own merit generally, even while making comparisons, but I find it harder to do when I still have the book so fresh in my mind. Because then I notice everything.

I have no complaints about the cast. Lucy Hale made a good Lucy Hutton. And while Austin Stowell was not who I pictured as Joshua, he did not disappoint. I liked the Danny version (played by Damon Daunno) in the movie more than the character in the book. The filmmakers held onto many of the more significant elements from the book but often with changes in timing or details.  I did not mind some of the changes, but others I wasn't so happy with. The movie version had added a conflict which did not occur in the book--most likely to make it more climactic for the screen, which impacted the ending. I didn't like it (my poor husband heard all about it).  All in all, I liked the book much better and was sorely disappointed in the film. Would I have felt the same way had I not just finished the book? Unfortunately, we will never know. 

Challenges Met: Backlist, Mount TBR

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries (#1) by Heather Fawcett (Del Rey, 2023; Fantasy, 320 pgs) 

Source: from the publisher via NetGalley; all opinions are my own.

Shadow is not at all happy with me. ~ Opening of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries 

Thank you to everyone who voted in September's TBR Poll. Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries was the hand's down winner and it was a winner for me too.

A curmudgeonly professor journeys to a small town in the far north to study faerie folklore and discovers dark fae magic, friendship, and love in the start of a heartwarming and enchanting new fantasy series. [Goodreads Summary]

I am not sure what I expected going into this novel, but the novel turned out to be so much more that whatever I imagined. I couldn't help but think of Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (and not just because of the footnotes). The two books couldn't be more different and yet they reminded me of each other. Perhaps it was in the way Mr. Norrell was the mentor to Jonathan Strange just as Wendell Bambleby is sort of a mentor (and rival) to Emily Wilde. Or the depth of study that went into their fields (for one magic and the other faeries). Whatever it was, I loved every minute of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries and cannot wait to read more.

Emily Wilde isn't the warmest person. As described in the summary above, she's quite curmudgeonly. But very intelligent and resourceful--at least when it comes to getting out of tight spots. Having traveled to a small village called Hrafnsvik in Arctic Norway for the winter, she hopes to study the local faeries and finish her book. She keeps to herself mostly and at first refuses to lean on the locals for help of any kind, much to their consternation. She is more comfortable in working with the Folk, or faeries, studying their ways and learning as much as she can about them. The last thing she wants is for her rival and colleague Wendell Bambleby to show up, but show up he does. His charm and easygoing nature immediately endear him to the townsfolk and their hosts. His lack of focus and laziness only serve to annoy Emily more. She finds she needs his help more than she wants to admit, especially the more she uncovers about the Hidden Ones, the mysterious faeries who live in the forest outside of the village. I enjoyed the banter between Wendell and Emily quite a bit. I cannot forget to mention Shadow! Emily's dog is perhaps one of my most favorite characters. 

The world building is amazing. The folklore about faeries is extremely detailed and well researched, and the author weaves it seamlessly into her story. I enjoyed getting to know the town folk. The setting itself was a character of it's own, a small Norwegian village in the early 1900's and its surrounding forest and land. Most of the novel is written from Emily's perspective in epistolary style, taken from her journal, and this format worked very well. It was easy to forget I was reading a journal entry. I am glad I finally got the chance to read this book. Heather Fawcett's novel had so many qualities I love wrapped up in one. It was a charming historical fantasy with a touch of the dark, a hint of romance, and quite a bit of mystery and intrigue.

Challenges Met: Historical Fiction Reading Challenge/COYER

Have you read these books? If so, what did you think?

New to my shelves:

Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope

Scarlet (#1)  by Genevieve Cogman

Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook, Ko Hyung-Ju, and Ryan Estrada

Lavender House (#1) by Lev A.C. Rosen

The Bookstore Sisters by Alice Hoffman

Finding Me by Viola Davis

Shanghai Immortal (#1) by A.Y. Chao

Ghost 19 by Simone St. James

The Near Witch by V.E. Schwab

The Thursday Murder Club (#1) by Richard Osman

New to Mouse's shelves: 

Creatures of the In Between by Cindy Lin

The Jules Verne Prophecy by Larry Schwarz and Iva-Marie Palmer

Mr. Villain's Day Off, Volume 1 by Yuu Morikawa

Ghost Book by Remy Lai

Finch House by Ciera Burch

Hooky, Volume 3 by Míriam Bonastre Tur

The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass

What new books made it onto your shelf recently? 

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

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© 2023, 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.

Bookish Thoughts: Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo (Audio)

You do not enter a race to lose. ~ Opening of Wonder Woman: Warbringer

Wonder Woman: Warbringer (DC Icons #1) by Leigh Bardugo, narrated by Mozhan Marno

Random House, 2017

Fantasy (YA); 376 pgs (12hrs)
Source: I purchased a copy for my listening pleasure.

High on the thrill of the recent Wonder Woman movie, I was interested in giving Leigh Bardugo’s Wonder Woman: Warbringer a try. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, although I knew Bardugo was an author I had been wanting to read for a while. Wonder Woman and I go way back to the days of Linda Carter, when she magically changed into her blue, red and white costume as she twirled around to sound effects and music. In the TV series set during World War II, she battled Nazis and other especially evil bad guys. I had been skeptical about the 2017 movie, but I ended up loving it. Gal Gadot was perfect as Wonder Woman. Would Bardugo’s version of Wonder Woman and her backstory measure up? I had to find out.

Mozhan Marno, an actress on the Blacklist television show, narrates the audio version of Wonder Woman: Warbringer. I thought she did a good job of pulling me into the story and making me feel like I was a part of the characters’ lives.

I liked that Bardugo is able to get across just how different Diana is not only from mortals but also from the Amazons. She did not come to the island the same way as the other women did, dying a heroic death. Diana, a teenager, longs to prove to the Amazons she belongs and to find her place among them. When a ship wreck leads to her saving a teenage girl, Diana risks exile if she’s discovered. It soon becomes clear that the mortal girl’s presence on the island is detrimental to the Amazons, and Diana must make a choice.

Bardugo takes an iconic character and creates her own Wonder Woman story tied to legends and myths of old. Alia, the mortal girl, is being hunted by those who think she is a catalyst of war. I especially liked Alia’s backstory—or the backstory of who and what she is, to be more exact. I found it all very intriguing.

I found the book slow in spots, particularly when Diana first sets foot in New York. Her fascination with everything and everyone she encounters is interesting enough, but it dragged on a bit too long. Once Diana, Alia and friends are at the ball, however, the book picked back up for me. There was a definite YA feel to the novel (which, it is—so no surprise there), and the expected action sequences, shows of strength, a hint of romance and coming into one’s own for both Alia and Diana. There were expected and unexpected twists. Overall I enjoyed Women Woman: Warbringer, although it didn’t quite live up the hype surrounding it.

To learn more about author Leigh Bardugo and her work, please visit the author's website. 

To learn more about narrator Mozhan Marno and her work, please visit her on Twitter. 

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© 2018, 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.

Bookish Thoughts: The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes & Holidays On Ice by David Sedaris

I remember, in no particular order:

- a shiny inner wrist; 

- steam rising from a wet sink as a hot frying pan is laughingly tossed into it; 

- gouts of sperm circling a plughole, before being sluiced down the full length of a tall house; 

- a river rushing nonsensically upstream, its wave and wash lit by half a dozen chasing torchbeams; 

- another river, broad and grey, the direction of its flow disguised by a stiff wind exciting the surface; 

- bathwater long gone cold behind a locked door.   [Opening of The Sense of an Ending]

The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes, narrated by Richard Morant

AudioGo, 2011

Fiction; 150 pgs

Goodreads Summary: 

This intense new novel follows a middle-aged man as he contends with a past he has never much thought about--until his closest childhood friends return with a vengeance, one of them from the grave, another maddeningly present. Tony Webster thought he'd left all this behind as he built a life for himself, and by now his marriage and family and career have fallen into an amicable divorce and retirement. But he is then presented with a mysterious legacy that obliges him to reconsider a variety of things he thought he'd understood all along, and to revise his estimation of his own nature and place in the world.

The writing in The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes is beautiful. Had I been reading the book instead of listening to it, I imagine I would have highlighted passages on just about every page—or at least made note of them.

I liked the narrator quite well, his voice almost hypnotizing. Maybe that was just the accent. I love a British accent. I wasn’t so fond of the main character, although I was interested in the direction his story was going.

When I came to the end of The Sense of an Ending, I found myself wondering what had just happened. Was that really the end? It’s quite a twist, I’ll give it that. I almost want to re-listen to it to see if I missed something because it kind of feels like I did. And I find myself asking, “Is that all?” I am not really sure what I think of it when all is said and done. Did I like it? I think so? But maybe it was too academic for me.

You can learn more about Julian Barnes and his books on the author's website. 

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I was in a coffee shop looking through the want ads when I read, "Macy's Herald Square, the largest store in the world, has big opportunities for out-going, fun-loving people of all shapes and sizes who want more than just a holiday job!" ~ Opening of Holidays on Ice 

Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
Little Brown & Co, 1998
Fiction/Nonfiction; 176 pgs

Goodreads Summary: 

David Sedaris's beloved holiday collection is new again with six more pieces, including a never before published story. Along with such favorites as the diaries of a Macy's elf and the annals of two very competitive families, are Sedaris's tales of tardy trick-or-treaters (Us and Them); the difficulties of explaining the Easter Bunny to the French (Jesus Shaves); what to do when you've been locked out in a snowstorm (Let It Snow); the puzzling Christmas traditions of other nations (Six to Eight Black Men); what Halloween at the medical examiner's looks like (The Monster Mash); and a barnyard secret Santa scheme gone awry (Cow and Turkey).

The last time I attempted something by David Sedaris, I could not finish it. It was the audio version of Me Talk Pretty One Day, narrated by the author himself. I had heard such great things about Sedaris, particularly his humor. I didn't make it very far in that one. When Holidays on Ice came in the mail via my postal mail book group, I tried to keep an open mind while at the same time being a little leery. Every author deserves a second chance. Maybe I would like this one better.

I wish that had been the case. I did at least finish Holidays on Ice. Sedaris's fictional characters are not particularly likeable nor did I connect with him in his more biographical stories. I got the impression these stories are meant to poke fun at certain behaviors and practices--satire and dry humor abound. Most fell flat for me though. "Jesus Shaves," in which various Easter traditions are discussed among people from different cultures, was probably my favorite if I had to pick one. Each of the stories centers around the holiday theme--family get-togethers, mall Santa elves, neighborly competition and charity, and tradition, among them. This was a quick read for me, mostly because I was rushing through just to finish it.

You can learn more about David Sedaris and his books on the author's website. 

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© 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.

Bookish Thoughts: The Devil Takes a Bride by Julia London (Audio)

At the end of the hunting season, before the winter set in, the Earl of Clarendon hosted a soiree at his London home for families of Quality that had come to town. ~ Opening of The Devil Takes a Bride

The Devil Takes a Bride by Julia London, narrated by Rosalyn Landor
Recorded Books (Audible) (HQN); 2015
Romance (Historical); 9 hrs, 45 min
Source: Purchased for my own listening pleasure.

Since I began reading romance again a couple years ago, I have a better idea of what I like and don't like in the genre. I tend to prefer what's called "sweet" romances--heavy on the romance, light on the sex. I also have found that historical romance is not among my favorite sub-genres of the romance genre, although occasionally one catches my fancy, and I decide to give it a try.

Add to that my being relatively "new" to audiobooks. I listened to six last year, my most ever, if that tells you anything. I am still working out what works best for me in that format, and so I thought I would dip my toe in a romance audio. I can't remember why I used an Audible credit for The Devil Takes the Bride, in particular. Maybe one of you recommended it on your blog? If so, thank you! It was a good choice.

There was much I liked about The Devil Takes a Bride. How often do you run into a historical romance novel that deals with mental illness? And not just in a secondary character, but in a main character. Not that I have read a lot of historical fiction recently, but it's certainly not something I've run into a lot. 

Our hero, Jeffrey, the Earl of Beckington suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which obviously wasn't well known as a disorder at the time. I thought the author showed sensitivity and compassion in her writing of the character as well as that of his heroine, Grace Cabot, and how she helped and coped with her husband's illness. Kudos to the author for not taking her heroine and have her sweep in to "cure" her husband. 

The way the couple met could have hurt my opinion of the main heroine. And yet I found myself falling under her charm just as most everyone else in the novel. Besides how much of my feelings were related to modern thoughts as opposed to the limitations of the past? Women in her situation didn't have a lot of options, and she was feeling desperate at the time.

There was one scene in particular that bothered me in the novel. It's early on in the couple's marriage, and, okay, I'm going to spoil it right here. Highlight the bracketed text if you want to know anyway. [Jeffrey thought she was afraid of him the first time he had sex with her. He thought she didn't want him. Still, he proceeded. She wanted it as much as he did, sure, but the fact that he had sex with her thinking she didn't want to bothers my modern sensibilities quite a bit.]

In many ways, this was a novel in which certain misunderstandings or assumptions could have been circumvented if everyone would have just communicated with each other. However, Neither the hero nor heroine really knew each other all that well, and they each have secrets they are ashamed of. Secrets that would send most perspective suitors running in the other direction. It is no wonder they weren't so forthcoming with each other from the start.

Despite my problem with the one scene, I enjoyed this novel nonetheless. The author has crafted fully developed characters whom I grew quite attached too. There was depth to their individual stories and they felt real to me. I enjoyed the narrator's reading of the story. It was easy to lose myself and forget I wasn't part of the novel. And I admit, I'm now curious about the other Cabot sisters and their stories.


To learn more about Julia London and her work, please visit the author's website. You can also find her on Twitter.

To learn more about Rosalyn Landor and her work, please visit her on Twitter.

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© 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.

Bookish Thoughts: Yes Please by Amy Poehler

I was in fourth grade and in trouble. ~ Opening of Yes Please

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

Harper Audio, 2014

Nonfiction; 7 hrs, 31 min
Source: Purchased for my own listening pleasure.

Goodreads Summary: 

In Amy Poehler’s highly anticipated first book, Yes Please, she offers up a big juicy stew of personal stories, funny bits on sex and love and friendship and parenthood and real life advice (some useful, some not so much), like when to be funny and when to be serious. Powered by Amy’s charming and hilarious, biting yet wise voice, Yes Please is a book full of words to live by.

Also included? A one-night-only live performance at Poehler's Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. Hear Amy read a chapter live in front of a young and attractive Los Angeles audience.

Amy Poehler wasn't a name I was too familiar with until listening Tine Fey's Bossypants. After that, I had it in the back of my mind that I needed to read Yes Please. I am adding both Tina Fey and Amy Poehler to my list of celebrities I wish I could be friends with. Amy Poehler is funny, and real, and smart, and I wish she was my best friend. I like how honest she comes across, how genuine. I could relate to many of the stories she shared, especially about motherhood, love and friendship. I even didn't mind the Hollywood stories, and enjoyed hearing about her struggles as an up-and-coming comedian/actress, which I wasn't as interested in.

I had never watched Parks and Recreation before listening to this book, but hearing Amy Poehler's take on the show as well as her thoughts on her coworkers made me want to. My husband and I are only a few episodes into the first season.

Amy Poehler narrates her own memoir and I enjoyed the experience. She had a variety of guests, including Patrick Stewart, that made this an even more fun book to listen to. I now want to go out and see everything Amy Poehler has been in.

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© 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.

Bookish Thoughts: As You Wish by Cary Elwes, Joe Layden

Standing onstage at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, surrounded by cast members and some of the crew, many of whom I've not seen in years, I feel an almost overwhelming sense of gratitude and nostalgia. ~ Opening of As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes, Joe Layden

Audible, 2014

Nonfiction; 7 hrs, 1 min
Source: Purchased for my own reading pleasure.

Goodreads Summary: 

From actor Cary Elwes, who played the iconic role of Westley in The Princess Bride, comes a first-person account and behind-the-scenes look at the making of the cult classic film filled with never-before-told stories, exclusive photographs, and interviews with costars Robin Wright, Wallace Shawn, Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest, and Mandy Patinkin, as well as author and screenwriter William Goldman, producer Norman Lear, and director Rob Reiner.

It was my husband-then-boyfriend's favorite movie, and I had never seen it until after meeting him. I thought it was okay, but nothing special. I fell in love with the soundtrack, however, and would listen to it over and over again. The more I watched The Princess Bride, the more I began to like it. After reading and falling utterly and helplessly in love with William Goldman's book on which the movie is based, I began to love the movie too. It might not have been love at first sight, but it is a lasting love.

The book, As You Wish offers an inside look at the filming, both on and off camera, of The Princess Bride movie from Cary Elwes point of view. He is extremely humble and appreciative of the film and how it helped his career. I am glad I had the opportunity to listen to the audio version, which honestly, is probably the only way I would have taken this one in. It seems to be the right choice too, given all the guest appearances by other crew and stars from the movie.

The Princess Bride did not gain instant success upon release. The marketing department wasn't sure how to market the film and it wasn't until quite a while later that the movie really took off and gained a loyal following. It is not a cult favorite, enjoyed by families through the generations. Hearing about the process and the reactions of those involved with the making of the film was quite interesting.

The book is funny and at times sentimental. It sounds like everyone involved in the movie was well invested and had a great time bringing it together. The author was nervous and, rightfully so given Hollywood's history of translating books to film, but hearing how happy he was with the final project just adds to the greatness of it. From stories about Andre the Giant to learning how to sword fight and the kissing scene with Robin Wright, the Pit of Despair--everything, really--had me smiling and laughing and nodding my head as I listened. And I just love Cary Elwes's voice. Doesn't everyone though?

I watched the film again after finishing the book, having a new appreciation for the cast and their experience. Certain moments stood out like they hadn't before--and yet it was so easy to get lost in the film. . . They really did a seamless job of putting it together. It really is a sweet and funny movie. And it is no wonder this book is a hit among the fans of the movie.

To learn more about author Cary Elwes and his work, please visit his Facebook Page.

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© 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.

Bookish Thoughts: Descent by Tim Johnston (Audio)

Her name was Caitlin, she was eighteen, and her own heart would sometimes wake her--flying away in the dream-race where finish lines grew farther away not nearer, where knees turned to taffy, or feet to stones. ~ Opening of Descent

Descent by Tim Johnston, narrated by R.C. Bray and Xe Sands

Algonquin Books, 2015 (Highbridge, 2015)

Crime Fiction (Thriller); 384 pgs (11 hrs, 31 min)

What was supposed to be a nice family vacation in the Rocky Mountains turns into a nightmare when eighteen year old Caitlin Courtland goes missing, and her younger brother is injured and left behind. Not all was perfect in their family before, but recent events tear them apart. Angela, Caitlin's mom, returns to Wisconsin, ripped apart emotionally. Her father, Grant, stays behind in Colorado, numb and searching. 

One of a parent's worst fears is when his or her child goes missing. Caitlin had a bright future ahead of her. She was a track star and college bound. Her family does not know whether she is alive or dead. Each of her family members is going through their own private hell. Author Tim Johnston captures their anguish and grief, as well as their fear and guilt. I struggled with the first section of the book after Caitlin goes missing. Angela and Grant are in such a dark place, and no wonder given their circumstances. Their helplessness was palpable. The novel picked up for me when Sean and Caitlin re-entered the picture. Sean is on the road by himself, going through the motions of surviving, not looking for trouble, but trouble sometimes finding him. Caitlin is trapped, scared and feeling completely isolated.

Just as the novel started off a bit slow for me, the narration took me a little bit to get used to. This is only my second experience with a dual person narrated book, but my first of a book written in third person. Once I got acclimated it, however, I was completely swept into the story, narrated by Xe Sands and R.C. Bray. Both are talented narrators and really brought Descent to life for me.

Tim Johnston's Descent is dark and emotional, one that was, at times, difficult to listen to. Yet it is also a very captivating and insightful novel. The author shows humanity at its lowest and also at its strongest. Each character, including the minor ones, are layered and real. I cannot remember who recommended this book to me, but I am so glad I listened to it.

To learn more about Tim Johnston and his work, please visit the author's website or visit him on Twitter.

To learn more about R.C. Bray and his work, please visit the narrator's website or visit him on Twitter.

To learn more about Xe Sands and her work, please visit the narrator's website or visit her Twitter.

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© 2016, 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.

Bookish Thoughts: Glory in Death by J.D. Robb (Audio)

The dead were her business. ~ Opening of Glory in Death

Glory in Death (In Death, #2) by J.D. Robb, Narrated by Susan Ericksen

Berkley, 1995 (Brilliance Audio, 2008)

Crime Fiction; 320 pgs (9hrs, 49min)

The year is 2058. Eve Dallas is a homicide detective with the New York City Police Department. She has a stellar reputation for putting the bad guys behind bars, and so it is no wonder she is hand selected to investigate the murder of a wealthy and well-respected criminal prosecutor. When the second body is found, it is clear the killer is after highly successful women. But why? Eve must figure that out along with who is behind the murders before too many more bodies pile up.

I eased into the listening of Glory in Death soon after finishing the audio of Naked in Death. Susan Ericksen continued as narrator in this second book of the series. I like her take on the characters, giving each distinct voices and putting me right into the story itself.

I like Eve's grit and dedication to her job. She cares about the victims whose crimes she is set on solving. It is becoming harder for her to keep her past at bay, however. The flashbacks and memories surfacing with each investigation are becoming more intense. Her boyfriend, Roarke, does what he can to break through the shell she's built around herself. He wants nothing but to love her and for her to love him back--to trust him. For Eve, that isn't so easy to do. She trusts no one. Relies on no one else. While the murder investigation takes precedent in the novel, Eve's personal life is a big part of the story too. I'm beginning to see why so many fans of the series are big Roarke fans. He's quite the catch.

I knew instantly who the killer was and admit to being a little annoyed that Eve couldn't see it right from the start--or even suspect it. Maybe I'm spoiling the novel by saying that much. Overall, though, I enjoyed listening to Glory in Death. I would like to see Eve comes to terms with her past and stop running from her demons. And I'm dying to know more about the mysterious Roarke. 

To learn more about J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts), and her work, please visit the author's website and Facebook.

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© 2016, 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.

Bookish Thoughts: Naked in Death by J.D. Robb (Audio)

She woke in the dark. ~ Opening of Naked in Death

Naked in Death by J.D. Robb, Narrated by Susan Eriksen

Berkley, 1995 (Brillance Audio, 2008)

Crime Fiction (Romance); 10 hrs, 17 minutes

Goodreads Summary: 

In a world of danger and deception, she walks the line--between seductive passion and scandalous murder. Eve Dallas is a New York police lieutenant hunting for a ruthless killer. In over ten years on the force, she's seen it all--and knows her survival depends on her instincts. And she's going against every warning telling her not to get involved with Roarke, an Irish billionaire--and a suspect in Eve's murder investigation. But passion and seduction have rules of their own, and it's up to Eve to take a chance in the arms of a man she knows nothing about--except the addictive hunger of needing his touch.

The first time I read Naked in Death, I didn't care for it. In fact, I had some pretty unflattering things to say about it. The future world setting was written too vague for my liking and it was heavier in romance than I preferred at the time. In recent years, as I have begun reading more romance and not minding it as much when it does have a heavy hand in my crime fiction novels, I thought maybe I should give J.D. Robb another try, especially after receiving a copy as a Christmas gift from a fellow book blogger. Everyone who reads the series just about loves it. Maybe my biases got in the way. This time, I decided to listen to the audio version, and, I must say . . . I fared much better.

Susan Eriksen's narration of Naked in Death pulled me in pretty quickly. I found her voice relaxing, and it was easy to be drawn into the world of Eve Dallas and not want to leave. Susan does an excellent job taking on the various voices of the characters, including the slight Irish lilt of Roarke's accent.

I vaguely remember the details from my first reading of the book. Who did what and why came back to me as soon as the character was introduced. Still, this second time around, I did not have the same impression as I did before--that it was heavy in romance, although that element was certainly there. It was not nearly as heavy as had been my original impression. I also wasn't as bothered with the vagueness of the time period, although I wouldn't have minded more world building. Perhaps that comes in later books.

The mystery itself is intriguing, with a strong sense of suspense as Eve tries to figure out who is behind the murders before the next one takes place. Politics, sex and power loom large as possible motives. Eve is a complex woman, dedicated to her work, maybe too much so. She's built her entire identity around her job as a detective, trusting very few. It is no wonder given her backstory, which is both horrific and sad. Another major player in the novel is Roarke, a wealthy man who has a mysterious air about him. He appreciates the finer things in life and is very private. He is a man who is used to getting what he wants, and right now, he wants Eve.

I have a lot of respect for Nora Roberts, at least from what I have heard of and from her over the years. As a result, I really want to like her work--and am so relieved to be able to say I do now. This is definitely an example of how the enjoyment of a book can depend on when in a person's life that book is read. Perhaps listening to the book this time around made a difference too. It certainly didn't hurt. 

To learn more about J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts), and her work, please visit the author's website and Facebook.

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© 2016, 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.

Bookish Thoughts: Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates (Audio)

This was a grand adventure, I told myself. ~ Opening of Brownies and Broomsticks

Brownies and Broomsticks (Magical Bakery Mystery #1) by Bailey Cates, Narrated by Johanna Parker

Signet/NAL, 2012 (Tantor Audio, 2013)

Crime Fiction (Paranormal/Cozy); 7 hrs and 4 minutes

Brownies and Broomsticks is a fun romp of mystery and magic. I enjoyed settling in as Johanna Parker read Bailey Cates's novel featuring Katie Lightfoot, who recently moved to Savannah, Georgia to work in her aunt and uncle's bakery. Katie is a master in the kitchen, baking irresistible treats I am sure I would not be able to refuse. She has also just learned she is a witch. When Katie's uncle becomes the prime suspect in a murder of a not-so-well-liked woman in town, Katie is determined to investigate on her own.

While Katie probably should leave things to the police (Detective Quinn seems more than capable), she does uncover helpful clues that point her in an altogether different direction than her uncle. Nosiness aside, Katie generally remembers to take someone along with her when the situation seems questionable. Whether it be a fellow witch from her aunt's coven, or DeClan McCarthy, a local firefighter, and Steve Dawes, the local reporter, who are both more than willing to help when Katie calls. Of course, the two men's interest goes behind just wanting to be neighborly. Katie herself is coming off a bad relationship and unwilling to get involved with someone else just yet--but she's not above finding both men rather attractive.

I enjoyed getting to know Katie and the cast of characters in Brownies and Broomsticks. From the eccentric coven members who all have their own interesting backstories to the residents in the dead woman's apartment complex, DeClan and Dawes, Detective Quinn, and some of the Honeybee costumers, it was hard not to be taken in by the charm of them all.

I felt that the mystery was well done. While I had my suspicions who was behind the murder, the reality was  bit more complicated than that. I liked the introduction of magic and the way it was used to help solve the crime. I also appreciated Katie's initial disbelief--who wouldn't be skeptical having grown up in a world without magic?

This seems a perfect choice for this time of year, with Halloween and all. It was a quick listen and likely would be a quick read. I enjoyed Johanna Parker's narration and would be interested in listening to more of her work. While perhaps not a stand out cozy read, Bailey Cates's Brownies and Broomsticks kept me entertained and I wouldn't mind spending more time with Katie and her new coven.


To learn more about Bailey Cates (aka Cricket McRae & Bailey Catrell) and her work, please visit the author's website. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook.

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© 2016, 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.

Bookish Thoughts: Redshirts by John Scalzi

From the top of the large boulder he sat on, Ensign Tom Davis looked across the expanse of the cave toward Captain Lucius Abernathy, Science Officer Q'eeng and Chief Engineer Paul West perched on a second, larger boulder and thought, Well, this sucks. ~ Opening of Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas

Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas by John Scalzi, narrated by Wil Wheaton

Tor Books/Audible Frontiers, 2012

Science Fiction; 320 pgs (7 hours, 41 minutes)

Source: I purchased this copy.

From Goodreads: 

Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456. It’s a prestige posting, and Andrew is thrilled all the more to be assigned to the ship’s Xenobiology laboratory.  

Life couldn’t be better…until Andrew begins to pick up on the fact that (1) every Away Mission involves some kind of lethal confrontation with alien forces, (2) the ship’s captain, its chief science officer, and the handsome Lieutenant Kerensky always survive these confrontations, and (3) at least one low-ranked crew member is, sadly, always killed.  

Not surprisingly, a great deal of energy below decks is expendedon avoiding, at all costs, being assigned to an Away Mission. Then Andrew stumbles on information that completely transforms his and his colleagues’ understanding of what the starship Intrepid really is…and offers them a crazy, high-risk chance to save their own lives.

I decided on a whim one Friday to listen to John Scalzi's Redshirts, narrated by Wil Wheaton. I ended up listening to the entire book in one day. I have not much to say about it, other than it had me laughing out loud in spots and was just plain fun to listen to. This is my second audiobook narrated by Wil Wheaton, and yet again he impressed me. He was the perfect narrator for this book, especially given his time on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

For those who are fans of science fiction television, particularly Star Trek, this is a must read (or listen). It pokes fun at and celebrates the genre in a way that is both compelling and comic. There is action, and a great cast of characters who one just can't help but root for. The Codas are worth listening to as well, adding to the main story in unexpected ways.

To learn more about John Scalzi and his work, please visit the author's website.
For more information about the narrator, Wil Wheaton, visit his website.

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© 2016, 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.