Book Nook Cafe discussion

This the thread for general book discussions for February 2019

Tell us what you just read, are currently reading or plan to read. Tell us about your favorite author. Have you read some book news? Share it with the group. Anything related to books and reading, we want to hear all about it !
:)

---Small spaces
by Katherine Arden

Finding solace in books in the wake of a tragic loss, 11-year-old Ollie rescues a book from being destroyed and discovers within its pages the chilling story of a girl who made a fateful bargain with a sinister specter.


--- The lady and the unicorn
by Tracy Chevalier

Interweaving historical fact with fiction, this richly textured novel by the author of Girl with a Pearl Earring explores the mystery behind the creation of the remarkable Lady and the Unicorn tapestries, woven at the end of the fifteenth century, which today hang in the Cluny Museum in Paris.


--- The masterpiece : a novel
by Fiona Davis

A recently divorced information-booth worker stumbles on an abandoned art school within a crumbling Grand Central Terminal before learning the story of a talented woman artist who went missing 50 years earlier. By the national best-selling author of The Dollhouse and The Address


--- Peach cobbler murder : a Hannah Swensen mystery
by Joanne Fluke

When Shawna Lee Quinn, a rival bakery owner, is found shot to death in the back of the Magnolia Blossom Bakery, Hannah Swenson becomes the prime suspect in the crime and, with a little help from her friends, sets out to serve up the real killer.


--- Lethal white
by Robert Galbraith

When a troubled young man asks him to investigate a crime he thinks he saw as a child, Cormoran Strike sets off on a twisting trail that leads from London's backstreets, into a secretive inner sanctum within Parliament, and to a country manor house


--- The other woman
by Sandie Jones

A blissful romance between Adam and Emily is challenged by Adam's manipulative mother, who resorts to dire measures to keep all other women out of her son's life.


--- Rich people problems : a novel
by Kevin Kwan

Rushing to the deathbed of his grandmother, Nicholas Young encounters a massive clan eager to claim a share of the family fortune, win the hearts of loved ones, destroy each other's reputations and outmaneuver professional rivals.


--- An unwanted guest
by Shari Lapeña

Weathering a storm that has cut them off from the outside world, the guests at a Catskills skiing lodge panic as an unknown assailant starts killing them off one by one.


---- Murder at Ochre Court
by Alyssa Maxwell

When Cleo Cooper-Smith is electrocuted during her coming-out ball, society columnist Emma Cross investigates her death, uncovering connections to a nefarious network that puts her life at risk

---- Death in the stacks
by Jenn McKinlay

Targeted by a new library board president who she is sure is trying to drive her out, library director Lindsey Norris and her new hire, Paula, are declared suspects when the combative president is found dead, a situation that forces them to find the real killer to clear their names.


---- Father's day murder : a Lucy Stone mystery
by Leslie Meier

While attending a Boston newspaper conference, part-time reporter and occasional sleuth Lucy Stone embarks on her latest mystery when Luther Read, the owner of a failing newspaper empire who had many enemies, including his family, is murdered just before Father's Day.


---- Anything you can imagine : Peter Jackson and the making of Middle-earth
by Ian Nathan

Discusses the history of Peter Jackson's Middle-earth saga, including how it was made, what it was like on set, and the films' legacy in popular culture


--- The subway girls
by Susie Orman Schnall

To save her job, outspoken ad exec Olivia, pitted against her arch rival, is desperate to win the NYC Subway account, which leads her to the historic Miss Subways campaign, which could save her job and her future. Original.


--- Mother knows best : a tale of the old witch
by Serena Valentino

The centuries-old, timeless tale of the beautiful princess’s triumph over the old witch who seeks to steal her youth and beauty is now told from the perspective of the old witch, in a tale of mothers and daughters, youth and dark magic.


--- At the water's edge : a novel
by Sara Gruen

While her brother, Ellis, and his friend attempt to find the Loch Ness Monster in an attempt to get back into her father's good graces, Maddie is left on her own in World War II-era Scotland and experiences a social awakening.


--- Me : stories of my life
by Katharine Hepburn

Photographs from Hepburn's personal collection highlight the candid memoirs of the life, long career, friendships, and loves of the legendary Hollywood actress.

Does anyone here read the Alyssa Maxwell series Gilded Newport Mysteries ( https://www.goodreads.com/series/1204... ) mentioned above? I've not heard of it previously, to my recollection, but it sounds interesting. It's set in the "Gilded Age" and the protagonist is a society columnist, which could be fun. If i decide to taste it, i'll begin with the first, Murder at the Breakers, not Murder at Ochre Court mentioned above.

Happy Love of Reading Month, Book Nookers!

--- The lady and the unicorn
by Tracy Chevalier

This was the first of Tracy Chevalier's books that I ever read. I really enjoyed it and have read a few others by her over the years (and will continue to do so).


Deb, I have not read any Alyssa Maxwell books. I can't help with any of the titles but do agree that a series is best started with the first book.

Happy Love of Reading Month!

Just last year i read my first Tracy Chevalier novel, Remarkable Creatures, which i liked very much. I will probably read The Lady and the Unicorn next, but i know not when.

In 2017, we spent several months in the UK. At one stop the docent of a museum mentioned that Chevalier lived nearby and they hoped she would write a book about the unusual women who designed the house we were visiting, A la Ronde ( https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/a-la... ). It is a 16-sided home with a "Shell Gallery" on the upper part, which is walls of seashells in designs. (Sadly, it is too fragile to visit go up, but one may see bits.) ANYway, this is where i heard of Chevalier and her books in relation to British history/arts.

I am just reading Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance. Does anyone have thoughts of this book?

Kathy wrote: "I am just reading Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance. Does anyone have thoughts of this book?"

Sorry, I don't know Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance Maybe someone else here will.

I just wanted to say thank you for joining Book Nook Cafe and posting. Welcome !

Finished My Mother's Secret by J.L. Witterick

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2697431025

Finished A View to Die For. This was not a great read, but at least it was free e-book. The writing did not really grab your attention make you want to keep reading. It was just like the main character telling of his steps to figure out what happened.

Kathy, first of all, welcome to Book Nook. I haven't read the Ruth Emmie Lang book but it sounds interesting. The title alone leads me to believe this is the first in a series, unless the plural "beasts" means something else.

Dem, i've read books with a similar sense of what you shared in your review. Learning about a previously unknown story, particularly about heroes from WWII, but feeling the writer didn't live up to the story. It's frustrating but at least it's an introduction for further research.

Ashley, i appreciate your update on the book. Sorry it disappointed you. I've seen that sort of reporting of steps, rather than fleshing it out previously. I do not read further in the series as a result.

Dear Mr. M by Herman Koch

In this novel, Mr. M is an author who co-opted a true incident (the scandalous disappearance of a teacher) and wrote a book about it. Now, forty years later, Mr. M's action - writing about real people - seems to be having consequences. Good book.
3.5 stars

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

In the Buddy Reads Thread there will be a discussion of
White Chrysanthemum--Mary Lynn Bracht as soon as the participants get the book.

All are welcome to join in.

Please see the thread for further information.

Alias Reader wrote: "

In the Buddy Reads Thread there will be a discussion of
White Chrysanthemum--Mary Lynn Bracht as soon as the participants get the book.

All are welcome to join..."

Another group I'm in is reading Pachinko which deals with similar themes, but this actually sounds more interesting. If I weren't so swamped I'd read both and compare them, but I don't have the time. So my plan is to read White Chrysanthemum when I can get it.

Shomeret, as you may recall, Alias doesn't delete any Book Group discussions, so when you read this one, you can check out our thoughts on the book, if desired.

Barbara, this book sounds as one that could really hook a reader, given the double story line.

Shomeret, as you may recall, Alias doesn't delete any Book Group discussions, so when you read this one, you can check out our thoughts on the book, if desired. Pachinko didn't call to me the way Chrysanthemum does. It'll be neat if you ever able to compare/contrast the two.

Barbara, the two story lines must make for engaging reading, as i'm sure theories about about the more recent story and who that guy is!

Today i read an article in USA Today which listed 17 kids books for Black History Month. Here's a link to the article.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/b...

I thought i'd list several here.

We Are Not Yet Equal: Understanding Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson. This is a YA and 270 pages.

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison. It's a mix of little known and well known black women in a book aimed at middle schoolers.

Hip-Hop Alphabet by Howie Abrams. Back in print!

Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz. A story about Betty Shabazz, Malcolm X's wife, whose own story is compelling. This is for middle schoolers.

Hands Up! by Breanna J. McDaniel. Turning the phrase "Hands Up!" on its head. Ages 4-8.

Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the Selma Voting Rights March by Lynda Blackmon Lowery. For middle schoolers, this book is about 145 pages.

Shomeret wrote: "Another group I'm in is reading Pachinko


That was a selection for the NY Times/PBS NewsHour book club that I am following. I skipped that month as I was just too busy.

I am currently reading their January selection Heart: A History and know this will be a top rating for me.

Maybe if people are interested we can start up group reads again here with the books selected by the NY Times/PBS NewsHour.

Anyone interested ? Sometimes they are hard to get from the library, so I am fine with being one month behind them.

The Feb selection, which I still am on the library wait list, is
The Wife--Meg Wolitzer

madrano wrote: "Today i read an article in USA Today which listed 17 kids books for Black History Month. Here's a link to the article.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/b......"

Nice ! Thanks for sharing the list.

A Merciful Fate by Kendra Elliot

In this Mercy Kilpatrick mystery, the FBI agent investigates a decades old armored car robbery. The book can be read as a standalone. Good mystery. 3 stars

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I was happy to share the list, Alias. There were some creative works there.

The Wolitzer book sounds good and i've wanted to read it since seeing Glenn Close win an award for it. I put myself on the list but apparently i'm not the only one impressed with her speech, as i'm 58th on 2 copies. So, kinda count me in, we resume some traveling in mid-month.

Barbara, sounds like a good series, imo. I'll keep an eye open for the first.

I Shall Not Want by Julia Spencer-Fleming

In this addition to the series, the Reverend Clare Fergusson helps Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne solve the murders of illegal immigrants in upstate New York. The book can be read as a standalone. Lots of romance in this mystery. 3 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Straight Expectations: The Story of a Family in Transition by Peggy Cryden

Peggy Cryden's true story about her daughter who transitioned to become a male and her gay son. Peggy's own difficult childhood helped her understand that her children needed unconditional love and support. Good story. 3 stars

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Barbara, i appreciate your review of Cryden's book and the big problem between the title and the reality. I suppose the author felt the contrast might explain some of the reactions she had with her own children. Or, i suppose, the title could be meant to include her own adoptive family, as well as "in transition". Did she address how her parents interacted with Jake and Jay as they grew?

madrano wrote: "Barbara, i appreciate your review of Cryden's book and the big problem between the title and the reality.

Did she address how her parents interacted with Jake and Jay as they grew? ..."

Madrano, Cryden's parents were both deceased by the time the children 'came out.' 'At the end, Cryden's mom acknowledged that she had shortcomings as a parent …..which was a kind of validation of the author's feelings.

History and Current Events




----- The Deadly Deep: The Definitive History of Submarine Warfare
by Iain Ballantyne

What it is: a deep dive into the evolution of submarines, from ancient Greek and Egyptian underwater warfare efforts to the deployment of nuclear submarines in the Cold War era.

Who it's for: readers interested in detailed naval histories.

About the author: British historian Iain Ballantyne is the author of Killing the Bismarck: Destroying the Pride of Hitler's Fleet.



----- The Future of Capitalism: Facing the New Anxieties
by Paul Collier

What it's about: how regional and class rifts lead to social inequalities -- and how "ethical capitalism" can help bridge these divides.

Is it for you? British economist Paul Collier's evenhanded arguments will be appreciated by readers regardless of their political affiliation.

Further reading: The Inequality Paradox: How Capitalism Can Work for Everyone by Douglas McWilliams.



----- Babel: Around the World in Twenty Languages
by Gaston Dorren

What it is: a brisk and upbeat survey of the world's 20 most widely spoken languages that explores how languages evolve and endure.

What's inside: Concise chapters discuss the selected languages in ascending order by number of speakers and feature charts detailing the tongues' notable hallmarks and idiosyncrasies.

Did you know? The modern Turkish language is incomprehensible from the Turkish of a hundred years ago; Japanese has separate dialects for men and women.



----- The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington
by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch

What it's about: the Hickey Plot, a 1776 scheme orchestrated by prominent New York politicians to kidnap and murder George Washington.

Read it for: the thrilling immediacy of the fast-paced prose; the evocative account of a Revolutionary-era New York City in turmoil.

Why it matters: Washington's counterintelligence unit, led by future Supreme Court Chief Justice John Jay, inspired the creation of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) nearly two centuries later.



----- The Longest Line on the Map: The United States, the Pan-American Highway, and the...
by Eric Rutkow

What it's about: the Pan-American Highway, which has the distinction of being the world's longest road, running from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska to Tierra del Fuego in Argentina.

Why you might like it: Riveting and richly detailed, The Longest Line on the Map chronicles the ambitious efforts to foster strong relationships between the Americas and offers a timely counterpoint to isolationist rhetoric.


******* Black History Month *******


------ Lighting the Fires of Freedom: African American Women in the Civil Rights Movement
by Janet Dewart Bell

What it is: an illuminating oral history of the civil rights movement as told by nine influential female activists whose accomplishments have often gone unrecognized.

Featuring: reflective insights from Kathleen Cleaver, Myrlie Evers, Diane Nash, Gloria Richardson, and others.

Reviewers say: "An important book that should be read in all schools and wherever discussion of social issues takes place" (Library Journal).



------ 100 Amazing Facts About the Negro
by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

What it is: an engaging, meticulously researched compendium that updates journalist Joel A. Rogers' groundbreaking 1934 book 100 Amazing Facts About the Negro with Complete Proof.

Why you might like it: Wide-ranging and unique topics are presented in a concise question-and-answer format, perfect for quick reading.

Chapters include: "Who was the first black saint?"; "Who was the first black woman to be a self-made millionaire?"; "What is Juneteenth?"



------ Defining Moments in Black History: Reading Between the Lies
by Dick Gregory

What it is: Equal parts humorous and inspiring, this survey of 100 key events in American black history offers provocative insights from comedian and activist Dick Gregory, who participated in many of the events he chronicles.

Is it for you? Readers wary of Gregory's penchant for conspiracy theories will nonetheless find much to ponder in this NAACP Image Award Winner and "excellent conversation starter for book groups" (Library Journal).


----- Blood Brothers: The Fatal Friendship Between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X
by Randy Roberts and Johnny Smith

What it's about: Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X's brief but tumultuous friendship, which was initially strengthened -- though later torn apart -- by their involvement in the Nation of Islam (NOI).

Read it for: the sobering contrast between Ali's ascent in the NOI and Malcolm's fall from it, culminating in the latter's 1965 assassination.

What's inside: previously unseen sources, including FBI records and Malcolm's personal papers.



----- Smoketown: The Untold Story of the Other Great Black Renaissance
by Mark Whitaker

What it's about: Pittsburgh's Smoketown community, which from the 1920s-1950s had a "glorious stretch" of black cultural achievement.

Claims to fame: Smoketown boasted America's most widely read black newspaper, two Negro League baseball teams, and the childhood homes of playwright August Wilson and jazz composer Billy Strayhorn.

Reviewers say: "It’s thanks to such a gifted storyteller as Whitaker that this forgotten chapter of American history can finally be told in all its vibrancy and glory" (The New York Times).

---- The Silent Patient
by Alex Michaelides
“Led on a dark path, readers will quickly guess that there's more to Alicia's story than what meets the eye. But the big surprises lie in the deep betrayals and the shock of an ending. Dark, twisted, perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, Paula Hawkins, and Ruth Ware.”

Amy Fellows, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR



----- The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls
by Anissa Gray
“A beautifully written novel told from the viewpoints of three sisters whose dysfunctional childhood has left deep wounds. Family also serves as a source of strength as the women face the damage done and try to heal. For readers who enjoy Tayari Jones and Jessmyn Ward.”

Janine Walsh, East Meadow Public Library, East Meadow, NY



----- Daughter of Moloka'i
by Alan Brennert
"Fans of Moloka'i and new readers will adore this interesting, heartfelt sequel. Taken from her parents as an infant, Ruth is adopted by a loving family who experiences more than their fair share of upheaval and heartache balanced with love and joy. Readers of Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko may enjoy.”

Sharon Layburn, South Huntington Public Library, Huntington Station, NY



---- Finding Dorothy
by Elizabeth Letts
“In examining the meeting between Judy Garland and Maud Baum, Letts weaves two narratives: Hollywood in 1938-39, and Baum's childhood and marriage to L. Frank Baum, author of the book that inspired the movie. A fascinating behind-the-scenes story for Oz fans.”

Lauren McLaughlin, Wilton Library Association, Wilton, CT



---- The Girls at 17 Swann Street
by Yara Zgheib
“A mesmerizing glimpse inside a rehab program for victims of anorexia. This fictional account of one young woman’s life-saving journey is eye-opening with its descriptions and statistics. For readers who enjoy fiction about social and psychological issues, and books by Wally Lamb and Chris Bohjalian.”

Marilyn Sieb, L.D. Fargo Library, Lake Mills, WI



---- Good Riddance
by Elinor Lipman

“An annotated yearbook is an interesting plot device, and Lipman populates it with likable characters that you can’t help but root for and with “villains” so ridiculous that you can’t help but laugh at them. Perfectly paced, engagingly written, and fun. For fans of Adriana Trigiani.”

Lorri Steinbacher, Ridgewood Public Library, Ridgewood, NJ



----- The Huntress
by Kate Quinn
“This is a novel I can happily recommend to patrons who like historical fiction. It excels in both plotting and character development. Nina Markova, a bomber pilot stranded behind enemy lines, becomes the target of a Nazi assassin. For fans of Jackdaws by Ken Follett and Up In Honey’s Room by Elmore Leonard."

Maria Gruener, Watertown Regional Library, Watertown, SD



----- Kid Gloves: Nine Months of Careful Chaos
by Lucy Knisley
“This wonderful graphic novel is also the most honest, comprehensive, revealing, and helpful book on pregnancy, miscarriages, birth, breastfeeding, and everything in between that has ever been written. I wish I had had this book as I was leveled with morning sickness for nine months.”

Jesica Sweedler DeHart, Neill Public Library, Pullman, WA



----- The Last Romantics
by Tara Conklin
“A fresh look at family dynamics, this is the story of four siblings and their love for one another spanning their entire lives. For fans of The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney and The Past by Tessa Hadley.”

Jennifer Dayton, Fairfield Public Library, Fairfield, CT



----- The Priory of the Orange Tree
by Samantha Shannon
“Brilliant world building; multi-dimensional characters; magic; friendship; plots; secrets; romance; and battles between good and evil…. this book has it all. The best new fantasy I’ve read in years. I eagerly await the next installment. For fans of Naomi Novik.”

Alexa Newman, Algonquin Area Public Library, Algonquin, IL

Barbara, thanks for answering my question about Cryden. I'm glad she found some validation for her feelings, which must have helped her very much.

Alias, what are you thinking in tempting us with MORE titles??? And tempted i am. Enjoying languages as much as i do, Babel: Around the World in Twenty Languages by Gaston Dorren sounds wonderful. Now i have 8 books about languages on my TBR.

The Longest Line on the Map: The United States, the Pan-American Highway, and the Quest to Link the Americas caught my eye not only for the topic but also because it was written by Eric Rutkow, author of one of the books i'm currently reading, American Canopy: Trees, Forests, and the Making of a Nation, which i like and am finding most informative. The topic interests me as a traveler who has been tempted by the Pan-Am Hwy. In the north, it's full of potholes, thanks to the weather (or at least that's what someone who traveled it a few years back told me) and in the south, there have been a number of robberies along the road. It'll be interesting to see what he shares about all that.

Each of the books about African American history intrigue me but the one which calls loudest is Smoketown: The Untold Story of the Other Great Black Renaissance by Mark Whitaker. As the post noted, many people are unfamiliar with it and it's that lack of knowledge which drove me to add it to my TBR.

I thought i'd be safe with the list of novels but Noooooo. Alias had to add Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts, which mentions my old stomping grounds of Aberdeen, South Dakota. While i'm somewhat familiar with Maud Gage Baum, i don't know all that much. (I'm more familiar with her suffragist mother, Matilda Joslyn Gage, whose work is one of the highlights of the city's "Dacotah Prairie Museum". They call it "The Gage Room", which is really nothing more than a parlor as they imagine Gage would have decorated it, using authentic items from the era.)

ANYway, thanks a heap, Alias!

madrano wrote: "ANYway, thanks a heap, Alias! ..."

LOL Glad to help.

Finished The Handmaid's Tale for bookclub re-read

My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/754816067

Dem wrote: "Finished The Handmaid's Tale for bookclub re-read

My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/754816067"

Dem, did you listen to the audio or read it on paper ? If so, would you recommend the audio over paper ?

I purchased it for my Kindle awhile ago when it was on sale. I haven't read it yet.

I know it is different then the book, but my sister really loves the show on Hulu.

Out of the Dark by Gregg Hurwitz

In this addition to the 'Orphan X' series, Evan Smoak plans to kill the President of the United States. The book can be read as a standalone but familiarity with the series is a bonus. Good thriller. 3.5 stars

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Barbara, once again i find your reviews of this series enticing. Thank you.

Dem, i haven't read this Atwood book but reading your comments about her prose reminds me of her poetry. I've been a fan of her poetry since the '70s. Her way with words and images are remarkable.

madrano wrote: "Barbara, once again i find your reviews of this series enticing. Thank you.
..."

You're welcome Madrano. 😊

Fin & Lady by Cathleen Schine

In the 1960s a free-spirited twentysomething socialite takes charge of her 11-year-old orphaned brother and exposes him to her harum-scarum lifestyle. Interesting coming of age story. 3 stars

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished New Corpse In Town. This was not an entertaining book. The character works with her former FBI partner to solve a murder and then there is a relationship aspect thrown into the mystery. Both areas of the book fell short however. The writing did not hold my attention and the solving the mystery seems flat and there wasn't a lot going on. The romance aspect was also dry and just kind of seemed thrown into the mystery.

Finished An Anonymous Girl

This is my review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2697432745

Barbara, the Schine novel reminds me of Patrick Dennis's novel about his own upbringing, Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade. Your version is embroidered much fuller, it sounds, but a similar premise.

Ashley, it's disappointing when neither the writing nor the mystery draw you in. Better luck with your next novel.

Dem, it seems you too were disappointed in your mystery. Pity. There are so many mysteries out there, so i think we can be more discriminating but how to figure out which to read? Your "no more Girl" titles seemed a solid plan, i must say!

I finished reading Tulipomania: The Story of the World's Most Coveted Flower & the Extraordinary Passions It Aroused by Mike Dash.
Who knew that the tulip could be this interesting?!! The book covers everything from the discovery of the tulip by the Turks, some history of the Ottoman Empire, the tulip craze, it's outcome, and more. All in all, a very well put together story.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Lethal White by Robert Galbraith

This is the 4th book in Robert Galbraith's (aka J.K. Rowling) series about grizzled private detective Cormoran Strike - a veteran of the war in Afghanistan who lost his leg during the hostilities, and his former secretary, now partner - pretty, strawberry blonde Robin Ellacott. In this book the duo tackle blackmail and murder. The book can be read as a standalone.

Good mystery. 3.5 stars

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Petra wrote: "I finished reading Tulipomania: The Story of the World's Most Coveted Flower & the Extraordinary Passions It Aroused by Mike Dash.
Who knew that the tulip could be this interesting?!!..."

The tulip craze is so interesting. Imagine paying a fortune for one bulb. Wow. 🙂

Petra wrote: "I finished reading Tulipomania: The Story of the World's Most Coveted Flower & the Extraordinary Passions It Aroused by Mike Dash.
Who knew that the tulip could be this interesting?!!..."

Interesting.

I knew about the tulip mania from Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds by Charles Mackay

Many on Wall Street read it.

Romance
4


---- Dare to Love a Duke
by Eva Leigh

Introducing: Former sex worker Lucia Marini, who, in the seductive guise of "Amina," manages the Orchid Club, where masked strangers satisfy their erotic desires, on behalf of its elusive owner.

What happens: Not long after she takes Thomas Powell, the Duke of Northfield, as her lover, Lucia discovers he's also her employer.

Why you might like it: Like previous London Underground books, this 3rd installment explores the darker side of Regency England. It also features a more diverse cast than many novels set during this period.


---- The One You Fight for
by Roni Loren

Starring: siren songstress Jamez and Lucas, the kind stranger who comes to her rescue at an open mic night. (It's a long story.)

Actually: "Jamez" is psychology professor Taryn Landry, survivor of a school shooting, and "Lucas" is Shaw Miller, the brother of the troubled boy who killed her sister.

Is it for you? This heartwrenching 3rd book in the Ones Who Got Away series follows traumatized characters who find love and healing as they rebuild their lives in the aftermath of tragedy.


----- The Rancher
by Kate Pearce

What it's about: While inspecting an abandoned silver mine on her family's property, newly minted engineer Rachel Morgan encounters Cauy Lymond, whose family owns the adjacent ranch. Sparks fly.

What you need to know: Due to their respective childhood traumas (explored in previous installments of the Morgan Ranch series), Rachel and Cauy are loners whose relationship takes them both by surprise.

For fans of: Lori Wilde's Cupid, Texas novels or Harper Sloan's Coming Home series.


---- The Cottage on Rose Lane
by Hope Ramsay

What happens: A surprise inheritance brings Jenna Fossey to Magnolia Harbor, South Carolina, where her quest to learn more about her roots leads her to hire sexy Jude St. Pierre to teach her how to sail.

Why you might like it: This opening volume of the Moonlight Bay series features sympathetic leads and a charming coastal community.

About the author: Best known for her Last Chance series, Hope Ramsay specializes in heartwarming contemporary romances set in small Southern towns.


---- The Accidental Beauty Queen
by Teri Wilson

What it's about: When an allergic reaction sidelines her glamorous, twin sister Ginny, school librarian Charlotte agrees to enter a beauty pageant in her stead. What could go wrong?

Why you might like it: No cattiness here! Although Charlotte and Ginny are very different people, their bond is loving and supportive. Similarly, their pageant competitors are depicted in a positive light.

About the author: Best known for her Royals series, which riffs on classic films such as Roman Holiday and Royal Wedding, author Teri Wilson pays homage to Miss Congeniality in this upbeat novel.


♥♥♥ Focus on: Kisses ♥♥♥


---- You May Kiss the Bride
by Lisa Berne

What it's about: Gabriel Penhallow seeks a dutiful wife to produce an heir and leave him in peace. Although headstrong Livia Stuart is not that kind of woman, a life-changing kiss results in their hasty engagement.

Series alert: This engaging debut kicks off the Penhallow Dynasty series.

You might also like: Tessa Dare's The Duchess Deal, which also features an arrogant duke whose pragmatic plan for acquiring a wife is demolished by a passionate and penniless woman.


---- A Rogue of Her Own
by Grace Burrowes

Best laid plans: "May I prevail upon you to ruin me?" Charlotte Windham asks Lucas Sherbourne, who would rather marry her -- and does, once her scheme (predictably) backfires.

Why you might like it: A Rogue of Her Own offers a marriage-of-convenience story that focuses on the couple's attempts to make their unexpected union work.

Reviewers say: This concluding volume of the Windham Brides series boasts "flawless prose, delicious wit, and an unerring ability to bring complex characters to life" (Library Journal).


----- I Heard A Rumor
by Cheris Hodges

What happens: Thanks to their lying, cheating exes, attorney Chante Britt and real estate mogul Zach Harrington are already tabloid fixtures. So why not let their soul-shattering kiss turn into a scandalous affair?

Series alert: I Heard a Rumor is the sequel to Rumor Has It, which focuses on Chante's best friend Liza.

You might also like: Deborah Fletcher Mello's Sultry Southern Nights series, which similarly follows career-driven African-American protagonists from relationship disasters to hard-won happily-ever-afters.


-----Not Always a Saint
by Mary Jo Putney

What happens: a passionate kiss between a woman with a past and a man with a future.

Starring: Daniel Herbert, a physician whose recently inherited title requires him to find a wife to smooth his path into polite society; Jessie Kelham, a vulnerable widow who needs a husband -- STAT.

Why you might like it: This steamy 7th installment of the Lost Lords series features seemingly mismatched leads who turn out to be perfect for each other.


-----About That Kiss
by Jill Shalvis

What it's about: After artisan Kylie Masters and veteran Joe Malone share an unforgettable kiss, Joe...doesn't call her. And now she needs his help tracking down a stolen keepsake.

Read it for: a quirky scavenger hunt that takes a pair of would-be lovers across San Francisco.

Series alert: About That Kiss is the 5th book in the upbeat Heartbreaker Bay series, about a magic wishing fountain that brings couples together.

----- Game Changers: What Leaders, Innovators, and Mavericks Do to Win at Life
by Dave Asprey

What it is: an exploration of the productivity techniques and personal growth strategies of notable professionals at the top of their respective fields.

Featuring: psychotherapist Esther Perel, entrepreneur Tim Ferriss, motivational speaker Gabby Bernstein, and journalist Arianna Huffington.

Topics include: how to manage anxiety; how to create and stick to good habits; mindfulness; and the importance of gratitude.



----- The Inflamed Mind: A Radical New Approach to Depression
by Edward Bullmore

What's inside: a groundbreaking reassessment of the possible causes of clinical depression, based on cutting-edge research into the effects of inflammation on the body and brain.

Is it for you? This is best suited for readers of science writing who are looking for an outline of the newest research into clinical depression.

You might also like: The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee and Ordinarily Well by Peter Kramer.



------ Are U Ok? A Guide to Caring for Your Mental Health: How to Know if You Need Help...
by Kati Morton

What it's about: some of the most commonly asked questions about mental illness, mental health, self-care practices, and asking for help when you need it.

Read it for: the author's tone, which is welcoming, encouraging, and makes a difficult topic seem more approachable.

Author alert: Kati Morton is a licensed family therapist best known for her popular YouTube channel, where she discusses a variety of mental health topics and works to reduce the stigma of mental illness.



----- Why We Dream: The Transformative Power of Our Nightly Journey
by Alice Robb

What it is: an accessible exploration of the hows and whys of dreaming, what dreams have to do with wellness, and the past, present, and future of scientific research into the topic.

Don't miss: the author's experiences with her own dreams and her experiments with different popular methods of dream examination.

Reviewers say: author Alice Robb "provides an engaging overview of sleep science and effectively argues for its significance" (Publishers Weekly).



------ The Eating Instinct: Food Culture, Body Image, and Guilt in America
by Virginia Sole-Smith

What it's about: humanity's relationship with hunger and appetite, topped with up-to-date research and the author's own history with diet culture.

Topics of note: the role parenting plays in forming attitudes toward food and body image; the health struggles of the author's daughter, whose time on a feeding tube affected both of their relationships with hunger.

Want a taste? "September 17, 2013. It is the day before my daughter Violet's one-month birthday. It is also the first day that she will almost die."


********* Getting Things Done *********


---- The Organized Mind: Thinking Straight in the Age of Information Overload
by Daniel J. Levitin

What it's about: the "Stone Age" characteristics of the human brain and how the mind manages (or doesn't manage) modern demands and distractions.

Author alert: Daniel J. Levitin is the author of other books about the human brain and the modern age, including This Is Your Brain On Music and Weaponized Lies.

Reviewers say: "Levitin's fascinating tour of the mind helps us better understand the ways we process and structure our experiences" (Publishers Weekly).



------ Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
by Cal Newport

What it is: an impassioned discussion of the obstacles standing between many professionals and their most effective, efficient work.

Don't miss: a discussion of the surprising possible benefits of distraction and boredom to productivity.

Is it for you? Cal Newport describes himself as something of a luddite, but his self-awareness and his lack of nostalgia about working in the pre-digital age make this less of an issue.



------ Work Simply: Embracing the Power of Your Personal Productivity Style
by Carson Tate

What it is: a no-nonsense guide to managing your time, changing your mindset toward getting work done, and building work habits that stick.

What sets it apart: the focus on customizing your approach to productivity; the author's willingness to engage with less commonly discussed obstacles like guilt and shame.

Includes: a 28-question Productivity Style Assessment, to help you determine your productivity type (Prioritizer, Visualizer, Arranger, or Planner) and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each.



------ I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time
by Laura Vanderkam

What it's about: the common time management strategies of women who have found ways to balance their successful careers with their fulfilling private lives.

Why you might like it: The author's recommendations are built on hard numbers, gathered from a 1000-day study of high-earning women who logged their time hour by hour.

Is it for you? The research is focused exclusively on upper-class women, although the author is upfront about it and about the shortcomings of this approach.

Petra, i enjoyed reading your enthusiasm for Tulipomania in your review. I've heard about the book for years but just haven't read it yet. Your comment about the fact there have been other flower "bubbles" over the years intrigues me even more!

Barbara, before i got to the end of your review i was already thinking the mystery sounded too involved with characters. Then you mentioned it was indeed long and meandering. Well presented.

Alias, the title I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time amused me. Remember years ago the to-do over I Don't Know How She Does It? This sounds like a good come back to that one.

For once i didn't add any book to my list! Hurrah!

I made some hard choices today and removed myself from some other GoodReads book groups that were absorbing a lot of my time but not giving me as much pleasure as they once had. That gives me more time to spend here.

I'm reading The New Iberia Blues by James Lee Burke; Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson; and Why Religion?: A Personal Story by Elaine Pagels. Oh ... and also Green Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson.

Larry wrote: "I made some hard choices today and removed myself from some other GoodReads book groups that were absorbing a lot of my time but not giving me as much pleasure as they once had. That gives me more ..."

:) Thank you.

Larry, over the years i've had to do the same. Often it is easy to disconnect but even today i'll occasionally think of (& kinda miss) one of the people from the group. We're glad you are still here.

I am curious about your thoughts on the Pagels book. I've read a couple of her books and some articles by her. It's been eye-opening.

madrano wrote: "Larry, over the years i've had to do the same. Often it is easy to disconnect but even today i'll occasionally think of (& kinda miss) one of the people from the group. We're glad you are still her...I am curious about your thoughts on the Pagels book. I've read a couple of her books and some articles by her. It's been eye-opening."

Deb,

I've actually finished reading Why Religion?: A Personal Story. I'll be re-reading it with others in another group. I think it is as fine a personal study in grief as I have read in years. She explores her early years (I had no idea she was a good friend of Jerry Garcia) and quickly gets into what it was like for her as a woman in graduate school and as a young professor in the early 1960s. And then she gets into the heart of the book as she loses her five year old son and then her husband in a fifteen month period shortly after they had adopted two other children.

I was deeply moved by how she explains the grief and the anger that comes and goes with that grief and weaves in many other things, including some spiritual mysteries that she has experienced.

Fascinating, Larry. Who would have suspected she knew Garcia? I have this image of her in my mind and knowing him wouldn't have fit. It's the heartbreak of the deaths which draw me to the book, as my sister had two deaths in her life close together. I will have to get a copy of this book for me to see if it would fit her needs.

Had you read any of her earlier books? Another reason this personal book intrigues me is because other books by her which i've read are such meticulous ones and i wondered as i read parts what her personal life was like.

Thank you for sharing about this book. The spiritual mysteries intrigue me, too, of course. :-)

madrano wrote: "Fascinating, Larry. Who would have suspected she knew Garcia? I have this image of her in my mind and knowing him wouldn't have fit. It's the heartbreak of the deaths which draw me to the book, as ...Had you read any of her earlier books? Another reason this personal book intrigues me is because other books by her which i've read are such meticulous ones and i wondered as i read parts what her personal life was like."

Deb,

I have all of her other books except for the one on the devil. The only one that I've read, however, is The Gnostic Gospels, and that was when it first was released. I first came to her through my readings of her husband's books: The Cosmic Code: Quantum Physics as the Language of Nature; Perfect Symmetry: The Search for the Beginning of Time; and The Dreams of Reason: The Computer and the Rise of the Sciences of Complexity. The truth is that Heinz Pagels was not a great physicist, just a very good one. But he was a great science writer, and those three books are still worth reading.