Tag: books

quick lit – next page, please {january – march 2025}

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Every year I like to do a reading project. Normally, I try to read as many books as I am years old (which would be 45 this year). I continue to notice how my reading project will coincide with the rest of my life. In 2022, I was open to the abundance of life and possibility and that kind of carried over into 2023.  In 2024, I wanted to have a more focused approach around the things that I know I enjoy and indeed need to incorporate into my life. What I like matters and I have to let it matter. So this year, I am narrowing the scope down even further and I want to read 25 5-star reads in 2025. 

Here’s my rating system. I very rarely will give a book 1 or 2 stars. I generally DNF (did not finish) a book if I am not enjoying it. Three stars means I “liked” it. Four stars means I “really liked” it.  Five stars means I “loved” it. 

Twenty-five books turns out to be approximately two 5-star books per month. I am not married to the exact number of 25 or to the 5-stars. A 4-star read will work as well. So far, I am pleased with my progress. As of the end of March, I have read four 5-star reads and a 4-star read. 

A PSALM FOR THE WILD-BUILT by Becky Chambers ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I read this Monk and Robot novella, or its sequel, every New Year’s. It’s a lovely way to start my reading year. Dedicated to “Any one who could use a break”, I can’t think of a more appropriate book right now. 

THE RIVER HAS ROOTS by Amal EL-Mohtar ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This year, I am clearly having a thing for novellas and short stories. When I read the first line, I knew I was fully in. “The River Liss runs north to south, and its water brim with grammar.” The writing style put me in mind of an older text, beautiful but very accessible. But grammar as magic to this English major? Brilliant. It was delightful with a very satisfying ending.

HOW TO READ A BOOK by Monica Wood ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This March Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club pick was a complete and total 5-star surprise.  I was not expecting to love it as much as I did. If you liked Lily King’s WRITERS & LOVERS, I think you will enjoy this one.  Serious stuff happens but it is heartwarming and hopeful. 

MARBLE HALL MURDERS (Susan Ryeland #3) by Anthony Horowiotz ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I enjoy Horowitz’s Susan Ryeland series. And while this one wasn’t my favorite, I am always thrilled to spend more time with Ryeland and Pünd. I was introduced to MAGPIE MURDERS by a lovely listener to the What Should I Read Next? podcast. Releases May 13. 

THE KNIGHT AND THE BUTCHERBIRD by Alix E. Harrow ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I read every short story by Alix. E. Harrow writes. This one explores the lengths we will go to be with the ones that we love.  Beautifully written. 

What great book have you read recently?

enjoy life…

quick lit: next page, please {July 2024}

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It’s been a while since I posted anything I’ve written here. But I wanted to share some of the highlights of my reading year so far. Click on the titles to hear what the publishers have to say about each read.

These do not include my rereads, including A PSALM FOR THE WILD-BUILT by Becky Chambers.  On New Year’s I’ve made it a tradition to read one selection of the Monk & Robot Series; thus I guarantee myself a 5-star read at the beginning of each year. I also reread WINTERING: THE POWER OF REST AND RETREAT IN DIFFICULT TIMES by Katherine May. And THE EXPATS by Chris Pavone, a Rocket City Mom Virtual Book Club selection.

Additionally, I have been really getting into series.  Anthony Horowitz’s Hawthorne & Horowitz Mystery released a fifth book this year, CLOSE TO DEATH that I was really excited to read.  I made progress in Deborah Crombie’s Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James series, meaning I have read book 4 and currently reading book 5. There are 19 books in this series! I also was introduced to the Henry Kimbll/Lily Kintner series by Peter Swanson. Thanks to William and Morrow for the advanced reader’s copy, I read the third one, A TALENT FOR MURDER. Then I went back and read books 1 and 2. Lily Kintner might be one of my newest favorite characters.

Now to my highlighted selections.

BELLE GREENE by Alexandra Lapierre. This is a book that made me cry. I felt so deeply connected to Belle Greene, the curator of J.P. Morgan’s personal library. The story was heartrending, inspiring and empowering. I was frustrated that I had never heard of her before but so happy I now know about her now.

84, CHARING CROSS ROAD by Helene Hanff. People have been telling me to try this epistolary read for a long time and it was what every one told me that it would be. I loved the story told by the correspondence between an American writer and the booksellers in England during World War II.  I read it in one sitting.

WHEN THINGS FALL APART by Pema Chödrön. It has felt that things have been falling apart for while and I have read parts of this book over and over and over again.  But I finally completed it. I am not Buddhist, but some of the concepts within have been really helpful in handling everything that has been going on in my life.

THE MINISTRY OF TIME by Kailene Bradley. I enjoyed this genre-bending read that had me guessing unto the end. It’s sci-fi with a bit of romance mixed in. This book sent me to Google more times than I can count. Check it out.

MIDDLETIDE by Sarah Crouch. This is the SEP/OCT selection for the Rocket City Mom Virtual Book Club. I loved this atmospheric novel set in the Pacific Northwest by debut author Sarah Crouch.  My local indie, The Snail on the Wall, hosted Sarah for the launch of her book and she was delightful. You can watch the event HERE.

YOU ARE HERE by David Nicholls. This might be the best book I have read this year. I have been reading a lot of books about hiking and enjoing these stories. Quiet, with beautiful writing, this is the book I didn’t know that I needed until I read it.

What have you been reading? Tell me in the comments.

…enjoy life

quick lit – next page, please {january 2023}

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Here’s a look at what I read in January. This year I am continuing to be very intentional and deliberate about my reading life in 2023. I don’t want to save the good stuff (taking inspiration for Ginger Horton’s episode on What Should I Read Next? podcast). One of my goals for the year is to make a significant dent in my Owned TBR Shelf, which I did by reading 3 books from that shelf this month. Yay!

A PRAYER FOR THE CROWN-SHY (Monk & Robot #2) by Becky Chambers

I absolutely love the Monk & Robot series and this one follows Sibling Dex and Mosscap off the mountain and into Panga. How will the people react to the robot? Will Sibling Dex still be a tea monk? This was the first book I read this year and I am planning on making reading a Monk & Robot during the first of the year a tradition. It’s dedication sums up my life beautifully: For anybody who doesn’t know where they are going. A lovely story about being where you are while you are there. I love this series so much! 

YELLOWFACE by R.F. Kuang

My first five-star read this year, I will read anything R. F. Kuang writes after last year’s BABEL was one of the my best reads. This one is very meta, set in publishing and about authors and who can tell what stories.  I am not sure I can form a concise thought about this yet; and I am going to read this one again. Set to release on May 16; thanks to William Morrow for the advanced readers’ copy. 

GALATEA by Madeline Miller

This is more short story than novella and I read it because I loved Miller’s CIRCE.  An interesting perspective on another Greek mythological tale.  I liked it.

THE SPACE BETWEEN WORLDS by Micaiah Johnson

This was a surprising five-star read for me; it’s a lesson on not giving up on a book when I think there is something there. I started it two or three times and the time was right for me to complete it this month! This is a sci-fi multiverse novel with multiple worlds with multiple you(s) on those worlds. I’ve always been fascinated with “the road not traveled” and “what if I had made a different choice” stories. This is all that and more.  I can’t stop thinking about it. Here’s to hoping Micaiah Johnson’s working on another one.

TO BE TAUGHT, IF FORTUNATE by Becky Chambers

I am now a Becky Chambers’ completist; and I’m not going to lie, I am sad about that. This one was published before A PSALM FOR THE WILD-BUILT and is a bit more science-driven than her other works. This one was about a team of astronauts visiting and researching other planets who have to create a home in many locales. Visiting these other worlds was very imaginative. I loved what she says, “…a home can only exist in a moment. Something both found and made. Always temporary, in the grand scheme of things, but vital all the same.” I think fans of Andy Weir’s work will enjoy this one.

THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY by Brendan Slocumb

I read this for the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club; it was the January’s selection.  I loved it because it had a lot of the things I loved: music and mystery. I had the privilege of interviewing Brendan Slocumb in Anne’s stead; it is an episode of the What Should I Read Next podcast.  He was a delight and he said that this story is based on his own life’s experience as a classical violinist who also had a violin stolen.  His upcoming release SYMPHONY OF SECRETS is releases in April and is set in the same universe as THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY! I love when books do that. 

THE MIMICKING OF KNOWN SUCCESS (Mossa & Pleiti #1) by Malka Ann Older

Think Sherlock Holmes & John Watson. But females. On Jupiter because Earth is no longer inhabitable. It will release March 7th. I liked this one and will read the follow-up THE IMPOSITION OF UNNECESSARY OBSTACLES due out February 2024. Thanks to Tordotcom for the advanced readers’ copy. 

What did you read in January? As usual, I’m linking up to Anne Bogel’s Quick Lit post. If you’re here because you were there, thank you for coming.

enjoy life…