Laura > Recent Status Updates

I'm flying through this series on audio, as a diversion during these interminable winter days and evenings. Murder mysteries can get dark; these have been somewhat grisly and sad, as the form goes. The biggest drawback for me has been the prolific occurrence of the f word. Horowitz is a gifted author and capable of finding better language to build the persona of his characters, even those we aren't supposed to like.

So British. So smartly written. I appreciate the craft of these books more as the series continues on. This one is tender because it explores the loss of Flavia's mom, Harriet. There are profound observations about grief woven into the narration. Along with a mystery, of course.

A perennial favorite. Jayne Entwhistle's audio rendition of young Flavia is the perfect blend of a motherless girl's pathos and slightly diabolical interest in crime, chemistry, and sibling wars. I love all of the characters we meet from book to book. Murder mysteries do get dark, but Flavia is unflappable - at least so far in the series. Alan Bradley is a genius of the craft.

A novelization of the play. I'm really enjoying it. Layers of characters and backstory that gives a different experience than watching a performance (which I get to enjoy next week!). The narration does an excellent job fleshing out the inner turmoil of the characters, especially Gertrude, who can be interpreted so many ways. I appreciate Yorick's character in this rendition as well. The Bard's genuis lives on here!

I so enjoy these novels: The world of Three Pines, the characters we grow more acquainted with as the series unfolds, of course at the center, Gamache and his quiet, dogged brilliance - the combination of his peaceful presence with the underlying horror of the murders he investigates. It's combination like that which set these books so many notches above other detective fiction.

I started the audio of this last fall but couldn't get into it so I'm trying it with a print copy and so far it's better.

I started the audio of this last fall but couldn't get into it so I'm trying it with a print copy and so far it's better.

The tentacles of purity culture reach deep and wide. I never took a pledge, wore a purity ring or attended a ball but the toxicity found me anyway, and did its destructive work. Dr Camden offers a clear, empowering guide for healthier, truth-based perspective and personal healing. So far this is a 5 star read for me. Not easy, but so good.

Slow-paced and introspective reading. At this point, I don't know exactly where this book is going, but I enjoy the characters and exploration of various relationships. I'm reading it in December and the leisurely feel is a nice counter balance for this busy time of year.

Lyrical and gritty. This is both a memoir and a manifesto for justice and reconciliation, written by a woman wlwhose own healing journey paves a path for her readers to pursue their own.

I've been waiting eagerly for this book to release. and now listening to the audio on long flights and train rides during a trip. It's perfect.

"There is no us and them because there is only one beating heart of humanity."

"Chona had never been one to play by the rules of American society. She did not experience the world as most people did. To her, the world was not a china closet where you admire this and don’t touch that. Rather, she saw it as a place where every act of living was a chance for tikkun olam, to improve the world. The tiny woman with the bad foot was all soul."

Funny, informative, relatable. I'm enjoying this a lot... even though I'm only preparing to visit England - not move there permanently like Claire!