Where Is Your Bookmark? A Peek Into What I Am Reading Now & What I Was Reading Five Years Ago / Connect Five: Winter Titles / BBHOP: Can't Wait to Read!

I thought today I would feature the book I selected as my First Read of 2021. It's heartbreaking and beautiful so far. 

A new novel from Lisa See, the New York Times bestselling author of The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, about female friendship and family secrets on a small Korean island. 

Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls living on the Korean island of Jeju, are best friends that come from very different backgrounds. When they are old enough, they begin working in the sea with their village’s all-female diving collective, led by Young-sook’s mother. As the girls take up their positions as baby divers, they know they are beginning a life of excitement and responsibility but also danger. 

Despite their love for each other, Mi-ja and Young-sook’s differences are impossible to ignore. The Island of Sea Women is an epoch set over many decades, beginning during a period of Japanese colonialism in the 1930s and 1940s, followed by World War II, the Korean War and its aftermath, through the era of cell phones and wet suits for the women divers. Throughout this time, the residents of Jeju find themselves caught between warring empires. Mi-ja is the daughter of a Japanese collaborator, and she will forever be marked by this association. Young-sook was born into a long line of haenyeo and will inherit her mother’s position leading the divers in their village. Little do the two friends know that after surviving hundreds of dives and developing the closest of bonds, forces outside their control will push their friendship to the breaking point. 

This beautiful, thoughtful novel illuminates a world turned upside down, one where the women are in charge, engaging in dangerous physical work, and the men take care of the children. A classic Lisa See story—one of women’s friendships and the larger forces that shape them—The Island of Sea Women introduces readers to the fierce and unforgettable female divers of Jeju Island and the dramatic history that shaped their lives. [Goodreads Summary]

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

 

 

An old woman sits on the beach, a cushion strapped to her bottom, sorting algae that's washed ashore. She's used to spending time in the water, but even on land she's vigilant to the environment around her. Jeju is her home, an island known for Three Abundances: wind, stones and women. [opening of The Island of Sea Women]

My initial thoughts: The novel begins in a more contemporary time; the year is 2008. From these first sentences, I feel like I am already beginning to settle in for a good story. I immediately want to know more about Jeju and its women.

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 apologize for the misbehavior of the women in my household," Father said in his fumbling Japanese. "We always want to help--"

The lieutenant sounded sympathetic, but there was no way to trust him. Father bit a thumbnail. I wished he didn't look so scared. 

The lieutenant  motioned to one of his men.  A bag was dropped on the ground. "Here is your compensation," he said, "From now on, try to do as we do. Keep your women home." 

That was an impossible request, but Father agreed to it. [excerpt from page 56]

My thoughts: I could say so much about this excerpt, but to say too much would spoil what comes before. From it though, you can see the power dynamics at play. The Japanese officer is clearly in charge and the villagers are afraid of him and the soldiers. You can probably guess that the compensation offered is a pittance. As if that erases any wrongs done. I also want to point out that the Japanese clearly did not grasp the role of women in the JeJu society. Because of course the soldiers are only thinking of things from their own perspective, one in which women are more subservient to men.

Have you read The Island of Sea Women? Does it sound like something you would like to read?

Originally a feature called Last Year I Was Reading created by Maria from ReadingMaria. 

I liked it enough to continue on my own, but have tweaked it

 to feature Five Years Ago I Was Reading. 

(I would have gone back ten, but I read so little in 2011)

Five years ago, I was reading The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by by Katarina Bivald which was a much different type of book than the one I am reading currently. Whereas The Island of Sea Women is a sweeping historical novel that is often dark and sad, Bivald's novel is much more light-hearted, often funny, and a bit on the sentimental side. I really enjoyed The Readers of Broken Wheel about a stranger coming to town to visit a pen pal, only to find she's died. The stranger stays and sets up a bookshop in town. 

The strange woman standing on Hope's main street was so ordinary it was almost scandalous. ~ Opening of The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend

Do you remember what you were reading five years ago? How does it compare to what you are reading now? 

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.

It seemed a fitting theme to go with books with "winter" in the title since 'tis the season. I went with books I have read, unfortunately not all were winners for me. 

Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin came high recommended, and while I was not thrilled by it, it certainly had some unforgettable moments. I just never quite clicked with it.

Mind of Winter by Laura Kasischke is one of those books that is best to go into knowing very little about. Picture a small crack in a car's windshield.  I really enjoyed it after a rocky start.

I read Wicked Deeds on a  Winter's Night (Immortals After Dark #3) by Kresley Cole in 2013 at the recommendation of fellow blogger. At the time, I was not really into novels with where the main genre was romance, but I decided to give the series a try. It was interesting reading my thoughts from way back then in comparison to what I think now. I did enjoy Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night the most of the three books of the series I read.

A Loud Winter's Nap by Katy Hudson is a cute children's book. Sometimes I wouldn't mind sleeping through the winter, but the I would miss out on so much! 

One book I really enjoyed with "winter" in the title is Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell. The author was capture so well the bleakness and poverty of the area, mixed in with its beauty.

Have you read any books with "winter" in the title? 

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.

What upcoming books are you intrigued to read in 2021? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)

So many! I participate in a weekly meme in which I feature upcoming releases I am anticipating--because there is always something coming out I want to read. I will share three with you today. I do not know when I will read them as they are only on my wish list, but one can dream, right? 

The Gilded Ones (Deathless #1) by Namina Forna

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give prequel)

The Ladies of the Secret Circus by Constance Sayers

 

What about you? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to reading? 

 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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© 2021, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Waiting to Read Wednesday: The Last Tiara / The Ex Talk / Wilde Lake

The New

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by the marvelous Tressa at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss upcoming release we are excited about that we have yet to read.

The Last Tiara by M.J. Rose

Release Date: February 2, 2021 by Blue Box Press

From New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller M.J. Rose comes a provocative and moving story of a young female architect in post-World War II Manhattan, who stumbles upon a hidden treasure and begins a journey to discovering her mother’s life during the fall of the Romanovs. 

Sophia Moon had always been reticent about her life in Russia and when she dies, suspiciously, on a wintry New York evening, Isobelle despairs that her mother’s secrets have died with her. But while renovating the apartment they shared, Isobelle discovers something among her mother’s effects—a stunning silver tiara, stripped of its jewels. 

Isobelle’s research into the tiara’s provenance draws her closer to her mother’s past—including the story of what became of her father back in Russia, a man she has never known. The facts elude her until she meets a young jeweler, who wants to help her but is conflicted by his loyalty to the Midas Society, a covert international organization whose mission is to return lost and stolen antiques, jewels, and artwork to their original owners. 

Told in alternating points of view, the stories of the two young women unfurl as each struggles to find their way during two separate wars. In 1915, young Sofiya Petrovitch, favorite of the royal household and best friend of Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna, tends to wounded soldiers in a makeshift hospital within the grounds of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg and finds the love of her life. In 1948 New York, Isobelle Moon works to break through the rampant sexism of the age as one of very few women working in a male-dominated profession and discovers far more about love and family than she ever hoped for. 

In M.J. Rose’s deftly constructed narrative, the secrets of Sofiya’s early life are revealed incrementally, even as Isobelle herself works to solve the mystery of the historic Romanov tiara (which is based on an actual Romanov artifact that is, to this day, still missing)—and how it is that her mother came to possess it. The two strands play off each other in finely-tuned counterpoint, building to a series of surprising and deeply satisfying revelations. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: There's something about taking an object and weaving a story around it that I find very appealing. And did I see mention of the Romanovs? This is a must read for me.

The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Release Date: January 26, 2021 by Berkley

Public radio co-hosts navigate mixed signals in Rachel Lynn Solomon's sparkling romantic comedy debut.

Shay Goldstein has been a producer at her Seattle public radio station for nearly a decade, and she can't imagine working anywhere else. But lately it's been a constant clash between her and her newest colleague, Dominic Yun, who's fresh off a journalism master's program and convinced he knows everything about public radio.

When the struggling station needs a new concept, Shay proposes a show that her boss green-lights with excitement. On The Ex Talk, two exes will deliver relationship advice live, on air. Their boss decides Shay and Dominic are the perfect co-hosts, given how much they already despise each other. Neither loves the idea of lying to listeners, but it's this or unemployment. Their audience gets invested fast, and it's not long before The Ex Talk becomes a must-listen in Seattle and climbs podcast charts.

As the show gets bigger, so does their deception, especially when Shay and Dominic start to fall for each other. In an industry that values truth, getting caught could mean the end of more than just their careers. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: I used to listen to a lot more talk radio than I do now, but the fact that this one is centered around just such a talk show is what first caught my eye. The Seattle setting doesn't hurt either. This sounds like it will be a fun rom-com. 

Do The Last Tiara and The Ex Talk interest you? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to reading?

The Old(er) 

I have an embarrassing number of unread books sitting on the shelves in my personal library. Carole of Carole's Random Life in Books has given me the perfect excuse to spotlight and discuss those neglected books in her Books from the Backlog feature. After all, even those older books need a bit of love! Not to mention it is reminding me what great books I have waiting for me under my own roof still to read!

Wilde Lake by Laura Lippman (William Morrow, 2016)

The New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed standalones After I’m Gone, I’d Know You Anywhere, and What the Dead Know, challenges our notions of memory, loyalty, responsibility, and justice in this evocative and psychologically complex story about a long-ago death that still haunts a family.

Luisa “Lu” Brant is the newly elected—and first female—state’s attorney of Howard County, Maryland, a job in which her widower father famously served. Fiercely intelligent and ambitious, she sees an opportunity to make her name by trying a mentally disturbed drifter accused of beating a woman to death in her home. It’s not the kind of case that makes headlines, but peaceful Howard county doesn’t see many homicides.

As Lu prepares for the trial, the case dredges up painful memories, reminding her small but tight-knit family of the night when her brother, AJ, saved his best friend at the cost of another man’s life. Only eighteen, AJ was cleared by a grand jury. Now, Lu wonders if the events of 1980 happened as she remembers them. What details might have been withheld from her when she was a child?

The more she learns about the case, the more questions arise. What does it mean to be a man or woman of one’s times? Why do we ask our heroes of the past to conform to the present’s standards? Is that fair? Is it right? Propelled into the past, she discovers that the legal system, the bedrock of her entire life, does not have all the answers. Lu realizes that even if she could learn the whole truth, she probably wouldn’t want to. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: I seem to collect Laura Lippman's books and while I have read a couple or so, I have more unread on my shelves than read. Her books always sound so good and Wild Lake is no different. 

Have you read Wild Lake? Does this book sound like something you would like to read? 

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© 2021, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

2020: Year in Review

At the end of 2019, I was hopeful that the new year would bring more balance and less anxiety. That I would be able to shake the feelings of being overwhelmed and drained all the time. I think we all know how that turned out. Two thousand twenty came in and said, "You thought that was bad? Just wait!" 

It really felt like my reading suffered this past year. But if you look at the total number, I read as many books as I did the year before. The difference though is in what I was reading. My personal mystery count was down this year. Cozies seemed to hold my attention more, and I could not stomach the darker themes of thrillers and police procedurals. As has been true for the past several years, half or so of my reading was dedicated to children's books or middle grade novels, most of which I read with my daughter. Mouse tends to be a reluctant reader, but if I suggest we read together, she's usually all in. I have enjoyed introducing her to my childhood favorites as well as discovering new books with her. I topped the year off with Debbie Tung's Book Love, full of humor and truisms for all us booklovers. It seemed a fitting way to end--celebrating my love for books.

page from Book Love, 2019

I think a lot of my reading this year was for escape, but there was also some time made for learning and self-reflection. Books helped me through this past year, and I look forward to seeing where this new year will take me in reading.

Some Fun Meaningless 2020 Reading Statistics:

Number Of Books Read: 101

Genre Read The Most:

(Some of what I read falls under more than one genre. Here, I count them under the genre I most identified with the book. Also of note, my categorization of each book by sub-genre using broad definitions).

Fiction - 41

• 17 Children’s
• 17 Middle Grade Contemporary
• 3 Adult Contemporary
• 2 Historical Middle Grade
• 1 YA
• 1 Short Story Collection

Fantasy/Science Fiction/Horror - 24

• 7 Fantasy
• 3 Science Fiction (1 Romance, 1 YA, 1 General)
• 3 Horror (2 Historical, 1 Contemporary)
• 3 Middle Grade
• 2 Historical Fantasy
• 2 Graphic Novel/Middle Grade
• 2 Children's Fantasy
• 1 Fantasy YA
• 1 Graphic Novel/YA

Crime Fiction/Mysteries - 22

• 10 Middle Grade (10 Paranormal)
• 8 Cozies (5 paranormal, 3 contemporary) 
• 2 Historical
• 1 Thriller
• 1 Middle Grade (Contemporary)

Romance - 6

• 4 Contemporary
• 2 Paranormal/Fantasy

Nonfiction - 6 (4 Adult, 1 Children's, 1 Graphic Novel)

Poetry - 2 

Of the book I read, 60 were print copies (hardcover or paperback), and 41 were e-books.

14 of the 101 books I read in 2020 were written by men.

85 of the 101 books I read were written by women.

2 of the 101 were written by both male and female writers.

54 of the books I read in 2020 were written in 3rd person point of view.

44 of the books I read were written in 1st person.

3 of the books I read were a mixture of both 1st and 3rd person.

Month I Finished the Most Books: January (13)

Month I Finished the Least Books: July (2)

Best In Books

Of the books I read in 2020 a few stood out above the rest. I tend to be led by emotions when choosing a favorite--how a book makes me feel counts for a lot. I also look for good writing, well-developed characters, a memorable setting and/or world building, and an entertaining and thought provoking story. Here is the list of my Top Ten Favorites for 2020: 

(Click on the titles to be directed to my bookish thoughts; the covers take you to the books' Goodreads pages.)

All Around Top Five: 

1. Wonder (Wonder #1) by R.J. Palacio

2. Dear Martin by Nic Stone

3. Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai 

4.  The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller 

5. The Rules of Magic (Practical Magic #0.5) by Alice Hoffman  

*                   *                   *

Favorite Romance: Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis

Favorite Mystery: A Curious Beginning (Veronica Speedwell, #1) by Deanna Raybourn

Favorite Fantasy: Ink and Bone (The Great Library, #1) by Rachel Caine

 Best World Building: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Favorite First in a Series: The Library of the Unwritten (Hell's Library #1) by A.J. Hackwith

I would love to know what your favorite reads of 2020 were! Please share a link to your favorite's list below if you posted one--or just tell me in the comments. Did we read any of the same books? 

My Blogging Bookish Life

I published 109 blog posts in 2020. January was my most prolific month with 14 posts, and July and August tied for my slowest with only 3 posts each.

I really fell behind on my review writing this year. I hardly reviewed any of the middle grade novels I read and most of the reviews of books I posted in general came the second half of the year. Many of which I had read a month or two (or more) before. For quite a while there, just the act of getting on my computer for nonwork related stuff was a challenge. To use a phrase a friend and fellow blogger, Mystica, used, I felt like I was "drifting without any focus." Adjusting to working partially from home and helping with distance learning were among the biggest challenges that received most of what focus I had.

I know weekly/monthly memes get flack from some in the blogging community, but I appreciated them even more so this past year. In a time when many of us have been isolated, they gave me the opportunity to feel more connected with others and not feel so cut off from everyone and everything. 

In 2020, I continued to take part in Michelle's My TBR List Meme at Because Reading, enlisting your help in choosing one book each month to read. I really enjoyed having you take an active part in selecting what I would read. It can be difficult to choose on my own with so many choices. You wouldn't believe the amount of time I can waste in deciding. Or maybe you can . . . I am grateful to Michelle for coming up with the idea. I plan to continue to participate in the meme in 2021, and hope you will join me! 

Books Read Because Of You (My TBR List Poll Winners of 2020):

• January: An Easy Death (Gunnie Rose, #1) by Charlaine Harris

• February: Dear Martin by Nic Stone

• March: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

• April: Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai

• May: A Curious Beginning (Veronica Spellwell, #1) by Deanna Raybourn

• June: The Study in Scarlet Women (Lady Sherlock #1) by Sherry Thomas

• July: The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa, translated by Philip Gabriel

• August: Ink and Bone (The Great Library, #1) by Rachel Caine

• September: The Rules of Magic (Practical Magic, #0.5) by Alice Hoffman

• October: A Deadly Education (Scholomance, #1) by Naomi Novik

• November: How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse  (Thorne Chronicles #1) by K. Eason

• December:  Royal Holiday (Wedding Date #4) by Jasmine Guillory

Outcome of My 2020 Reading Challenges & Bookish Goals:

1. Catch up with my NetGalley/Edelweiss reading ~ A continuing work in progress.

2. Read more poetry ~ And feature it on my blog. My dream was to do a monthly poetry feature, or more realistically once a quarter. I even joined the Poetry Reading Challenge hosted by Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit as inspiration. While I did not quite meet my personal goal, I did meet my goal for the challenge: to read one poetry collection during the year. I actually read two: Dog Songs by Mary Oliver and Girls Like Us by Elizabeth Hazen.

3. Keep a reading journal ~ My plan was to get back into keeping an actual reading journal beyond just the spreadsheets I keep with bookish minutia, a place where I jot down my thoughts on a book as I read or, at the very least, right after I finish a book, especially since I do not always get to review writing right away. Alas, it did not happen. Maybe in 2021? 

4. Read more nonfiction ~ I signed up for the 2020 Nonfiction Reader Challenge hosted by Shelleyrae of Book'd Out with the goal to read at least three nonfiction books during the year, and I read six. I'm not sure any of them count though because I only reviewed one and another was a children's book and another a graphic novel. So while I may not have officially completed the challenge, I at least met my personal goal. 

• Well-Read Black Girl by Gloria Edim (ed.)
• Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla F. Saad
• White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
• How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
• I Am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer & Christopher Eliopoulos 
• Book Love by Debbie Tung

5. Goodreads Challenge ~ To read 13 books. I admit I do not always take this one very seriously. I try not to put too much weight on quantity. If I set myself a high goal, I would likely stress myself out trying to reach it. So, I generally set the number to something I know I can meet or aim ridiculously low.  I usually will not adjust the number even when I meet it because I kind of like to see the percentage go over 100%. I reached 421% in 2020!

To see which reading challenges I am taking part in this year, visit here. I also made sure to set my Goodreads Challenge goal as well, of course. 

It has been a difficult and frustrating year. I think most of us are glad to see its backside at last. Many of us have suffered loss and major lifestyle changes. I also realize how lucky I am compared to many others. I have a lot to be grateful for. I have no grand expectation for 2021. I do not expect it to be better or all that different than life is right now--at least not the first part of the year. I certainly do not want it to be worse. But what I do hope is for health and safety. For stability and to find joy wherever I can. To appreciate that which is in front of me. I wish this for all of us as we cautiously step foot into this New Year. 

Thank you to all of you for your visits and comments this past year. It means so much to me. As my blog turns 15 this coming summer, I cannot be more proud to be a part of this wonderful community of book bloggers. I have enjoyed visiting with you and look forward to seeing what this year will bring us, both in books and in life.

How did your past year shape up? Did you accomplish your reading and blogging goals? Have you set any for the new year? 

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© 2021, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Weekly Mews: Goodbye December & 2020 (Or should I say good riddance?) (Please Vote in my January TBR List Poll!)

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.

As part of my monthly wrap up, I am linking up to Nicole of Feed Your Addiction's Monthly Wrap-Up Post and Stacking the Shelves hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews and Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently. 

New to the Shelves:

My December purchases: 

Subversive (Clandestine Magic #1) by Colleen Cowley

Radical (Clandestine Magic #2) by Colleen Cowley

Revolutionary (Clandestine Magic #3) by Colleen Cowley

Caught Dead Handed (Witch City Mystery #1) by Carol J. Perry

The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson

While I did not find any books under the Christmas tree, my husband and daughter did.

Anjin's Christmas Books:

Reckless by Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips

Cruel Summer by Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips

Pulp by Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips

Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Bosh

Mouse's Christmas Books: 

Time Museum 2 by Matthew Loux

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (a duplicate copy of a book we already own and have read, but it's the thought that counts)

Fairest of All (Whatever After #1) by Sarah Mlynowski

If the Shoe Fits (Whatever After #2) by Sarah Mlynowski

Sink or Swim (Whatever After #3) by Sarah Mlynowski

My Haunted House (Araminta Spook #1) by Angie Page, illustrated by Jimmy Pickering

Nightlights (#1) by Lorena Alvarez Gomez

The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner

What I Am Reading: I ended the year with three graphic novels, two of which were Mouse's Christmas presents (The Okay Witch and Nightlights). The third was Book Love by Debbie Tung, which I think all book lovers would relate to. These books were a great way to end out an otherwise stressful year. 

Conversations with my daughter after I finished reading her graphic novels:

Me after the 1st one: This one is so good! You're going to love it!

Mouse: Okay. [Still unread.]

Me after the 2nd: I'm not sure about this one.

Mouse [immediately reading it]: I loved it, Mom!

Mouse and I are currently reading the 4th book of the Dork Diaries series. I am debating my chances of recommending we take a break after this one to read something else before picking up book 5. It is a fun series, but I think I am developing series fatigue. 

The first book I picked up to read this year was Lisa See's The Island of Sea Women. (Check out my First Read of 2021 post to see what Mouse and Anjin selected too!) As I was going through my TBR shelves I found two more historical novels featuring women from Jeju (White Chrysanthemum by Mary Lynn Bracht and The Mermaid from Jeju by Sumi Hahn). I may have to pull those from the shelves and read them too!  

My next read will most likely be whichever book wins my January TBR List Poll. I hope you will vote! I can't wait to see which book comes out on top.

What I Am Watching: This past month I watched so many Christmas movies! And some Halloween movies for good measure. We watched Soul and Wonder Woman 1984 on Christmas Day. Soul was much more than I expected. I really enjoyed it. Wonder Woman 1984 was fun, if a bit silly at times. My husband thought they did a good job of making it feel just like a movie out of the 1980's. We ended up watching the pilot episode of the original Wonder Woman show starring Linda Carter Christmas night before going to bed. Boy, did it bring back memories! Mouse loved it. 

Last weekend was musical weekend. Mouse was in the mood to re-watch The Greatest Showman and then we all agreed it was time to re-watch Hamilton. My daughter disappeared while my husband and I watched La La Land for the first time.

After reaching the part in the book Wonder where Auggie talks about how much he likes The Sound of Music, Mouse expressed an interest in watching it. She does not remember seeing it before--but then, she'd been less interested then and got distracted by her toys. She loved it this time around. It helped that she knows some of the songs fairly well already. 

I tortured my daughter and husband with the first couple episodes of Doogie Howser, M.D. the other day. And then rewarded them with The Mummy. It may not be the best movie, but there's just something about it that brings us back to it now and then.

And of course, there's been more Angel and Buffy the Vampire Slayer watching.

Off the Blog: My family and I had a nice Christmas. If you celebrated, I hope you did as well.  My mom joined us virtually for opening presents early in the day and then we had a big family virtual get together with more of my extended family. It was almost like being together in person. But not quite. We had our traditional salad, spaghetti and pie. There was a snow ball fight (fuzzy snow balls; not real ones) reading time (at least for me), and movie watching.

My mom had to say goodbye to her long-time companion, Allie, right before Christmas. She had a lot of health issues, and so it was not sudden, but it was still a blow. She had been with my mom nearly nine years, since just after my dad's death. My mom had adopted her from her local animal shelter at a Senior Adopt an older dog type event. Allie would often come visit us when my mom came to town. She was such a sweet dog, so calm in temperament. We all miss her very much.

It was nice to have a week off from work. I tried not to follow the news too closely, although it was hard at times not to notice the many pleas from local hospital staff for people to follow the public health directives to stay home and avoid gathering as the number of people in the hospitals rose considerably. The situation is dire with the Emergency Rooms and ICUs throughout the county overflowing and too few staff. The National Guard was recently called in to help. I think I heard that 20% of the staff in my office have active cases of COVID right now. 

Our New Year's celebrations have generally been low-key for years now and it was no different this year. We had our traditional hot fudge sundaes and banged our pots and pans at the strike of midnight. We moved some of the furniture around for good measure.  

It is back to school (virtually) for Mouse this next week and work for my husband and me. 

Me: Seriously?! I'm trying to work here, Gracie. You can't just sit on my keyboard.

Gracie: It's nice and warm though. Let me just rest a minute longer.

Gracie: You owe me.

Me: Thank you for at least letting me close the computer.

Here is what I finished reading in December:

• Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life (Dork Diaries #1) by Rachel Renée Russell
• Together, Apart by Erin Craig, et al
• How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse (The Thorne Chronicles #1) by K. Eason
• Tales from a Not-So-Popular Party Girl (Dork Diaries #2) by Rachel Renée Russell
• Royal Holiday (Wedding Date #4) by Jasmine Guillory
• Wonder (#1) by R.J. Palacio
• The Broken Spine (A Beloved Bookroom Mystery #1) by Dorothy St. James
• Tales from a Not-So-Talented Popstar (Dork Diaries #3) by Rachel Renée Russell
• The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner
• Nightlights (#1) by Lorena Alvarez
• Book Love by Debbie Tung

December was a month for finishing up some of the books I had started the month before (and one I had been reading since September). My daughter and I enjoyed reading the first three books in the Dork Diaries series--there were quite a few laugh out loud moments. I adored The Okay Witch, a middle grade fantasy graphic novel. I will be sharing my thoughts on it and Nightlights later in the month.

There really was not anything I did not enjoy reading in December. How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse was a fun read as was The Broken Spine. I had not intended to read Book Love as my last book of the year, but I had pulled it off my shelf for a closer look and the next thing I knew, I was turning the last page. 

I have been enjoying reading your favorites' lists and wrap up posts. In a few days I will be posting mine for the year. I hope you will visit when I do. 

This Past December In Reading Mews:

• Waiting to Read Wednesday: Fairy Godmothers, Inc. & Bellman & Black
• Weekly Mewsings: Wrapping Up November, Lockdown News, and My December TBR List Poll (Please Vote!)
• Weekly Mewsings: Wrapping Up November, Lockdown News, and My December TBR List Poll (Please Vote!)
• Waiting to Read Wednesday: The Wife Upstairs / A Glimmer of Death / Language Arts
• Where Is Your Bookmark? (More Dork Diaries & Five Fun Holiday Reads)
• Weekly Mews: An Uneventful Week in December & My December TBR List Poll Winner
• Waiting to Read Wednesday: The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry / The Broken Spine / Unwept
• Where Is Your Bookmark? (Goodbye Dreadful Week, A Peek Into A Royal Holiday & My Winter TBR List)
• Season's Greetings!
• Bookish Mini Mewsings: How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse / Together, Apart / Anya's Ghost
• Bookish Mini Mewsings: Royal Holiday / Wonder
• 2021 Reading Challenges
• First Sentences of Book Read 2020
• Books Read in 2020

Tell me what you have been up to! What are you reading, listening to and watching? How was your December? Do you have anything planned for this month?

Thank you for helping me decide what book from my TBR collection I should read next:

My TBR List is a meme 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 take a poll as to which you think I should read. I will read the winner that month, and my review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise). 

January's TBR selections are completely random with no particular theme, but when I was looking for options for the poll, these three in particular jumped out at me. Do any of these sound good to you? Which do you think I should read this month? 

Fairy Godmothers, Inc. (#1) by Saranna DeWylde

Armed with her trademark mix of quirky charm, witty comedy, and sexy paranormal romance, Saranna DeWylde takes readers on a rollicking ride through twisted fairy tales and towards the ultimate Happily Ever After in her first Fairy Godmothers, Inc. Series installment. Ever After is a town that runs on magic, and that magic is fueled by love. So when the three fairy godmothers in charge of Ever After's magic supply realize the town's power has started to wane, they conspire to transform Ever After into a premiere wedding destination in hopes of attracting a major infusion of love to the town... 

If love is the source of all the magic in the universe, and the town of Ever After, Missouri, is the epicenter of enchantment, then the locals are in dire need of a reboot. At least according to resident fairy godmothers Petunia, Jonquil, and Bluebonnet. Their solution? Blow a bit of fairy dust in the direction of those in need of romance...what could possibly go wrong? 

SOME KIND OF AWFUL... Lucky Fujiki's first name is a cosmic joke. Her luck is so bad, even the number seven steers clear of her. But when her adorable godmothers ask for a favor, Lucky can't say no--even if she can already feel the bad juju waiting to strike. And her mission is even worse than she imagined: to promote Ever After as a wedding destination by faking a marriage to her first love and long-time ex, Ransom Payne--he of the Embarrassing Incident that neither of them will ever live down... 

OR ALL KINDS OF WONDERFUL? Ransom Payne has spent years building an impressive new reputation for himself, and now his godmothers want him to pretend to wed the one girl he'd like most to forget? Sure, weddings in Ever After could be a huge boon for his chocolate business, but risking more up-close-and-personal time with Lucky? Considering the stakes, it's a curse he'll have to bear, at the risk of being humiliated--or perhaps, bewitched...[Goodreads Summary]

Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder by T.A. Willberg

The letter was short. A name, a time, a place. Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder plunges readers into the heart of London, to the secret tunnels that exist far beneath the city streets. There, a mysterious group of detectives recruited for Miss Brickett’s Investigations & Inquiries use their cunning and gadgets to solve crimes that have stumped Scotland Yard.  

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

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

Lana's War by Anita Abriel 

Paris 1943: Lana Antanova is on her way to see her husband with the thrilling news that she is pregnant. But when she arrives at the convent where he teaches music, she’s horrified to see Gestapo officers execute him for hiding a Jewish girl in the piano.

A few months later, grieving both her husband and her lost pregnancy, Lana is shocked when she’s approached to join the resistance on the French Riviera. As the daughter of a Russian countess, Lana has the perfect background to infiltrate the émigré community of Russian aristocrats who socialize with German officers, including the man who killed her husband.
 ewish girl or wonder about the secrets held by the man whose house she shares. And as the Nazis’ deadly efforts intensify, her intention to protect those around her may put them all at risk instead.

With Anita Abriel’s “heartfelt and memorable” (Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author) storytelling, Lana’s War is a sweeping and suspenseful tale of survival and second chances during some of the darkest days of history.

Thank you for voting! I hope you all have a wonderful week! Wishing you all a peaceful and healthy New Year!  Happy Reading!

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© 2021, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Our First Books of 2021

Every year, Sheila of Book Journey hosts First Book of the Year, collecting photos of readers and their first books and putting them together in a cool collage. (Be sure and click on the link to see what everyone else is reading!)

As I began to see other bloggers posting their First Book choices for the New Year a week or so ago, I felt a panic set in. What would I read?! My daughter and husband refused to help, even when I got down on my hands and knees and begged (okay, so I didn't take it quite that far). I decided I should just pick something light and fun. And why not? With the kind of year 2020 was and the kind of year 2021 is starting out as . . . I need all the escape I can get. Perhaps a sultry romance or a rom-com . . .

So, when I held up the two books I had narrowed my choice down to, my husband just stared at me and shook his head. Because of course I went in an entirely direction. 

My First Read of 2021:

The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See

"I am super excited about my First Read this year. Lisa See is not only one of my favorite authors, but I have heard nothing but good things about The Island of Sea Women. I find these type of stories about women inspiring. I know it will break my heart, but it will be worth it."

Anjin's First Read of 2021:

Pulp by Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips

"I picked Pulp because I have a better than even chance of finishing it before the end of the year."

Mouse's First Read of 2021:

The Cinderella Ballet Mystery (Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew #4) by Carolyn Keene

"I really like Nancy Drew mysteries and because I do ballet."

What book are you starting the year off with?

I hope you all have a very Peaceful and Healthy New Year!  Stay safe and well.

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© 2021, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.