Where Is Your Bookmark: The Last Christmas in Paris & A Little Friday Fun

At the moment I am juggling two books, one of which is The Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb. While World War II novels are quick to catch my interest, so are books set in and around the first World War. I knew I wanted to read this one the minute I first heard about it. You may say it is too early for Christmas-themed novels, but I already know this is much more than that.

Goodreads Summary: 

August 1914. England is at war. As Evie Elliott watches her brother, Will, and his best friend, Thomas Harding, depart for the front, she believes—as everyone does—that it will be over by Christmas, when the trio plan to celebrate the holiday among the romantic cafes of Paris.

But as history tells us, it all happened so differently…

Evie and Thomas experience a very different war. Frustrated by life as a privileged young lady, Evie longs to play a greater part in the conflict—but how?—and as Thomas struggles with the unimaginable realities of war he also faces personal battles back home where War Office regulations on press reporting cause trouble at his father’s newspaper business. Through their letters, Evie and Thomas share their greatest hopes and fears—and grow ever fonder from afar. Can love flourish amid the horror of the First World War, or will fate intervene?

Christmas 1968. With failing health, Thomas returns to Paris—a cherished packet of letters in hand—determined to lay to rest the ghosts of his past. But one final letter is waiting for him.

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.

Life is forever changed without her; without the sense of her somewhere near. Empty hours wander by as  I listen for the soft tread of her footfall on the stair and wait for her laughter to cheer these lifeless rooms. When I close my eyes I can conjure her; the scent of her perfume, the feather-touch of her finger-tips against my cheek, those intense blue eyes looking back at me. But it is all illusion. Smoke and mirrors that conceal the truth of her absence.

I just love this introduction. It is part of the prologue that opens the book and sets the stage. It's evident that Thomas loved this woman and misses her terribly. I can feel his grief in this paragraph.

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.

Oddly, now I find myself asking, is "real life" what happens back in London? cars jamming the streets, people rushing about, ladies tending their gardens and buying new hats, men knocking back a fine scotch after a round of billiards at the club. Or is the reality here, harsh and unspeakable? Blood and flesh and all that senseless death.

I thought I might share a bit of one of Evie's letters, but Thomas's letter to Evie takes center stage on page 56 and the pages before and after. This excerpt actually comes from page 57,  but stood out for me in just  how violence and war can shake one's perception and view of the world. He isn't the first to wonder, and unfortunately, won't be the last.


What do you think? Is this something you would want to read more of?

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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. "Keep calm and stick your leg up in the air!" (My daughter's contribution)


2. Not being able to cuddle with, pet or be awakened each morning by my Parker disappoints me.


3. Reading is my way of slowing down and stepping outside the fast lane that life often can be.                          .

4. In retrospect, sometimes the biggest struggles and challenges we face are the ones that lead us to our greatest accomplishments.


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

Because sitting on my husband's journal in the rocking chair is the best seat in the house.

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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.

Where Is Your Bookmark? (Miss Jane & Book Cover Art)

This week I began reading Brad Watson's Miss Jane for my Going Postal mail book group.

Goodreads Summary: 

Brings to life a forgotten woman and a lost world in a Southern pastoral.
Inspired by the true story of his own great-aunt, Watson explores the life of Miss Jane Chisolm, born in rural, early-twentieth-century Mississippi with a genital birth defect that would stand in the way of the central “uses” for a woman in that time and place—namely, sex and marriage.
From the country doctor who adopts Jane to the hard tactile labor of farm life, from the highly erotic world of nature around her to the boy who loved but was forced to leave her, the world of Miss Jane Chisolm is anything but barren. Free to satisfy only herself, she mesmerizes those around her, exerting an unearthly fascination that lives beyond her still.

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.

You would not think someone so afflicted would or could be cheerful, not prone to melancholy or the miseries. 

From this first line of Miss Jane, I get the impression I will like the protagonist. She is not one to sit around and feel sorry for herself, at least not for very long, if at all. I also get the since I will enjoy Brad Watson's writing.

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.

"I appreciate you all came," the doctor said, looking past her to where Grace sat in the bed of their buckboard. Like her mother she wore a black dress and a black bonnet that hid her face. "The Mrs. seems upset."
Chisolm said, looking over at her, jaw set, "She did consent to come along, but I'm afraid that death does not become her." [pg 56]

That last sentence is what really made me stand at attention in this excerpt.


Have you read this one? Does this sound like something you would like to read?

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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.

Have you ever bought a book because you liked its cover art?

Not exactly, no. Not just for that reason. An attractive cover might stop me in its tracks and draw me to a book, make me pick it up and open it. An attractive cover might intrigue me enough to read the back cover or inside flap to see what the book is about. Ultimately, though, it's what it is about that will determine whether I will buy the book or not. First impressions can be important, but it is what is inside the cover that counts the most.

What about you?

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Everyone has a favorite and then we also have something we dislike. Like a coin, there are two sides to every question. Each week, Carrie at The Butterfly Reads and Laura from Blue Eye Books ask participants to list what they like and don't like about that week's topic.

This week's topic is Favorite/Least Favorite Cover Trend.

Book covers seem to be the theme for today! This was a tough topic for me. While I may not like one thing about one particular cover, I may find it well done in another, depending on the font, colors, etc. And it can depend on the type of book as well. I like the covers to match the book somewhat.

LEAST LIKED:

My husband doesn't like covers that cut off people's heads. And while I agree with him to some extent, there are some that are well done--at least in my opinion even if not his. I'm probably more likely to be put out by unattractive fonts. Plus, I don't like it when the author's name is bigger than the title. Then there's the scantily clad people that sometimes grace the cover of romance novels that tend to make me blush.

I really don't care for the font in the first cover or even the coloring. And while I understand the author's name sells books, I would prefer it to be smaller than the title.

But my least favorite covers? They tend to be movie/TV tie-in covers, especially when it has actors or actresses front and center. I will always go for the cover that has nothing to do with the television show or movie if given the choice. I don't care how attractive the movie tie-in cover might be.

Okay, so I don't really like either one of these. Bad font, author's name standing out more than title on the original cover and then the TV series tie-in--just no.

I definitely prefer the non-movie tie-in cover best. It draws the eye instantly. Pretty flower, drop of blood, even.  Besides, I'd rather go off my own vision of the characters than the actors who played them.

Another case of my preferring the non-movie tie-in cover. I like the mystery of the original cover, and the font of the title.

MOST LIKED:

Now that I have gone on and on about what I like least in cover trends, let's talk about cover trends I do like. Another hard question for me to answer because I am not really up on the terminology for cover art. And I like so many different ones! From bold colors to a softer look, landscapes to people and animals.

For the sake of today's topic, I'll highlight a few that especially appeal to me in terms of trends:

Silhouettes - It's just a fluke that so many of these are blue, but I admit, blue is a color I am drawn to.

Period Covers - There is just something about a cover in which you are instantly transported into the past, whether by costume, the scenery, or what have you. It draws me in immediately, and makes me want to take a closer look.

Flowers/Softened Colors - These covers I just find so pretty. They make me sigh in contentment. I love the contrast in colors, the pinks or purple. And don't you just love that hummingbird? 

I could got on. Cozy mystery covers are often a lot of fun, especially when they have animals in them. I like covers with an item of clothing front and center, no person. 

Are there any cover trends you don't like? What are your favorites?

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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. September bucket list: 1. Avoid early Halloween candy 2. Read all the books (Not ALL of them, actually. Just the ones I want to read in September. Well, maybe just most of them).

2. If I came with a warning label, it would say: Approach With Caution When Book/Kindle in Hand.

3. Truth be told, I wish I was still on vacation.

4. I would rather spend a quiet evening at home with my family and my book than go out for cocktails after work.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me where your bookmark is today!

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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.

Where Is Your Bookmark? (Sworn Virgin/Long & Short Books/Friday Fun)

I polished off two books this week while on vacation and am about to start another one. I am leaning strongly towards the historical fiction novel set in the early 1900's, The Sworn Virgin by Kristopher Dukes, about a young woman who avoids being sold into marriage by calling on an old tradition to remain a virgin for the rest of her life so that she can live independently with many of the rights of a man.

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.

The body lay motionless. His once bright, brown eyes now as dull as the sucking mud beneath him, much like the sopping footpath they had traveled to reach this strange town. Thick blood flooded his white shirt from the deep, black hole in his chest. Eleanora flinched as a tall, craggy-faced man touched her arm, telling her this was not something a young woman should see. 

The author jumps right into the action of the novel with the first sentence in the novel. The rest of the paragraph only lays bare what we already know. Someone is dead. I was immediately pulled in with this opening, and cannot wait to read more.

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.

"I want to speak with the elders--no, the chief of the town," she said. She would find this shooter and make him pay for what he had done. When the elders found out who had been shot . . . Her tone was hard, but not brittle. She would not be a stupid hysterical woman. She would be calm as Baba had taught her to be. She wiped her eyes and took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. "Now, please. Take me now." [pg 57]

Eleanora is clearly upset about the death, but I like that she is trying to be strong and take action. She isn't one to sit back and let things happen to and around her from the sounds of it.


What do you think so far? Would you keep reading?

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Everyone has a favorite and then we also have something we dislike. Like a coin, there are two sides to every question. Each week, Carrie at The Butterfly Reads and Laura from Blue Eye Books ask participants to list what they like and don't like about that week's topic.

This week's topic is Book you've enjoyed with the most/least pages.

Coming in at 1,439 pages, The Stand by Stephen King, was a surprisingly fast book to read, and I enjoyed it.  On the other end of the spectrum, (excluding children's books and graphic novels) is Wet Silence: Poems about Hindu Widows by Sweta Srivastava Vikram which was only 82 pages long. It's a beautiful and emotional collection of poems.

What is a book you enjoyed with the most pages? The least pages?

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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.

Have you ever read a book written in a foreign language you might be fluent in, and then read the same book in English?

I enjoy reading books that have been translated into English, especially crime fiction. I wish I was so gifted as to know more than one language. Alas, I am only fluent in English. 

What about you?

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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. Over-worrying is a waste of time, and yet I do it all the time.

2. My favorite app is the Inoreader app, which I use to track most of the book blogs I follow.

3. My first car was a Neon Dodge. I named it Danica, but eventually switched its name to Betty.

4. The best car I ever owned is my current car because it is still running.


 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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© 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.

Where Is Your Bookmark (Bookish Gifts, A House Without Books & Friday Fun)

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

It was dusk, but as he turned onto the rutted driveway he could make out the perimeter of yellow tape that still circled the property. 

While it is obvious from the opening sentence that the novel opens at a crime scene, just what occurred is still a mystery. One I am anxious to find out.

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.

He was suddenly aware of his own cowardice and felt that after the shock wore off he was probably going to have a good long cry. he didn't feel good about it, but he also felt lucky to be alive and longed to be back in his apartment alone. [12%]

The above takes place right after the main character George had an unwelcome encounter. This particular excerpt struck me because it isn't often I read about a grown man so afraid--or relieved--he wants to cry. I thought it was a nice touch.

I am not too far into Peter Swanson's The Girl With a Clock For a Heart, only about a quarter of the way in. I haven't much of a chance to read this week, unfortunately. Hopefully this weekend I will be able to make up for it.

What do you think? Would you keep reading?

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Everyone has a favorite and then we also have something we dislike. Like a coin, there are two sides to every question. Each week, Carrie at The Butterfly Reads and Laura from Blue Eye Books ask participants to list what they like and don't like about that week's topic.

This week's topic is Bookish Gift You'd Most/Least Like to Receive.

Would a gift card to a bookstore for an unlimited amount of money count as a bookish gift I want most count? A booklover can dream, right? I have had my eye on something like this for awhile now. I am just not sure where to put it if I did receive it, and I am pretty sure my husband is looking at me like I'm crazy right about now.

Or, more realistically, I would take an annual subscription to a book box. My favorite one is My Lit Box, featuring authors of color. The book selections are awesome and the goodies are always a fun surprise. If the gift giver didn't want to save me money on something I am already subscribing to, he or she could try another subscription book box. There are some pretty good sounding ones out there! 

As for what I would like least to receive, perhaps something like this:

I like purses. And I love totes with bookish themes. I might not even mind a purse with a bookish theme. But, I confess, I am not a fan of purses made out of books. I'm just not. Even when I like the book it's made from.

What bookish item would you most like to receive? What bookish item would you least like to receive?

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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.

When you enter an unfamiliar house or apartment for the first time, do you feel disappointed if you don't see any bookshelves, or books on the coffee table?

No, I would not be disappointed if I didn't encounter books on shelves or on a coffee table upon first entering an unfamiliar house. I would be be elated if I did, however, but it isn't something I would expect or necessarily need to see. Chances are, I am there for another reason--not to look for books. Not everyone feels the need to keep books out in the open. The real question is whether I would be able to resist looking at any books if there were any around . . .

What about you?

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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. If someone were visiting my area, I would recommend a visit to so many places: the beach to see the Pacific Ocean, the Mojave Desert, San Diego, Disneyland, Lake Arrowhead in the mountains, and the Getty Museums, both the one in Malibu and the other in Los Angeles. And that's just for starters!

2. My favorite room in my home is my living room personal library. Who doesn't like to be surrounded by books? Plus, the couches are comfy and it's the perfect place to settle in and read for a little while.

3. Back-to-school time makes me think of the beginning of the new soccer season, the coming of fall (just over a month away!), and homework--lots and lots of homework.

4. My favorite year of school was fourth grade because that was the year I discovered my love for writing.


 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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© 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.

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!

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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.

Where Is Your Bookmark? (It's Hot Outside, Let's Stay Inside and Read)

This week I settled down with The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas whenever I got the chance to read. I just finished reading it, and I have so many thoughts . . . If you haven't, you should read it. Books like this are why I love reading.

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.

I shouldn't have come to this party.

Thoughts: That one sentence can go in quite a few directions. It definitely has an ominous feel to it, don't you think?

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

I've seen it happen over and over again: a black person gets killed just for being black, and all hell breaks loose. I've tweeted RIP hashtags, reblogged pictures on Tumblr, and signed every petition out there. I always said that if I saw it happen to somebody, I would have the loudest voice, making sure the world knew what went down. 

Now I am that person, and I'm to afraid to speak. [pgs 34-35]

What do you think? Would you continue reading?

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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.

In one sentence, describe your passion for reading.

I could go with something cliche: Reading is like breathing to me.

But this is what I am really thinking: Your existence is forfeit if you interrupt my reading.

What about you?

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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. My favorite line from a film is one that still makes me melt inside whenever I hear it:

Well, it was a million tiny little things that, when you added them all up, they meant we were supposed to be together... and I knew it. I knew it the very first time I touched her. It was like coming home... only to no home I'd ever known... I was just taking her hand to help her out of a car and I knew. It was like... magic. [From Sleepless in Seattle]

2. Other than blogs, a couple websites I visit often are Goodreads  and LibraryThing.

3. When I feel down, I like to settle in on the couch, a cat cuddled on my lap, my daughter and husband snuggled next to me and read a book or watch a favorite movie.                              .

4. If I could devote an extra hour a day to reading, I would have a smaller TBR collection. Maybe.


 I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and rest of July! I will be taking a break for the rest of the month, but will be back in August. Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!

What?! I do too fit!

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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.