Happy Sunday to everyone! and @Negin wow! that is soo cool! I always thought she was beautiful and it's even better to hear that she was nice, too. Not sure where I left off last time I posted here so apologies if I am repeating myself. The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton I loved The Age of Innocence and had high hopes for this one but the main character was a shallow, manipulative twit. The story follows the life of a nouveau riche woman and her attempts to be the queen of Society. She stomps all over her parents, friends, husbands, lovers, etc. to get what she wants and I kept thinking that she reminded me of Scarlett O'Hara but Scarlett was smarter and much more likable. I listened to this one on Audible and the narrator was good. Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff Heart-warming story of a artistic young girl in the foster system who is welcomed into a family but has trouble believing that she is truly wanted. Home Before Dark by Riley Sager Spooky haunted house story similar to the 'Haunting of Hill House' that is on Netflix. I enjoyed it and think it would be a good pick to read in October. The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim. I've read this before and own the movie( which I watch every April) and thoroughly enjoyed the audio version. I'd forgotten how the book is a little different than the movie but it is still such a lovely story. Passing by Nella Larsen Hmmmmm, not sure how I feel about this one. It is more about the feelings of the character who is friends with the woman who is passing as a white woman and how it makes her rethink her life. The ending surprised me. I'm in the middle of a biography of Emma Smith and an audio version of The Making of a Marchioness.

Congratulations! Grandchildren are so much fun!!

I've been enjoying my reading lately - it feels good! The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James. I think this was recommended in a link Kareni posted a week or two ago. I read most of it in one night but had to stop as my eyes weren't working any longer, haha. The characters felt fairly true to their time and the story was spooky but it fell apart a little at the end. Also, there were a couple s*x scenes that felt unnecessary. Minerva by Marion Chesney. I just looked this up on GR in order to link it and found that I've read it before! I gave it two stars back then . I'm listening to the audio version this time around and am liking it much more than in 2014 I should finish it tomorrow. and I'm reading Shanghai Girls by Lisa See, I'll probably finish tomorrow or Tuesday and am really liking it!

I like them! It did take me a book or two to get used to the Regency era slang so here's a site if you find yourself scratching your head Regency Cant and Expressions My favorite is Frederica 🥰 and Venetia and Sylvester are fun ones, too! Richard Armitage reads abridged versions of both Venetia and Sylvester - I've read the unabridged and you don't miss any of the story by listening to the abridged version (plus, it's Richard Armitage!!).

I'd forgotten about this! Thanks for the reminder 🙂

Hello all! Hope everyone is having a relaxing Sunday. The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories by Susanna Clarke. I loved this! Each story was unique and clever and just right. No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith by Fawn Brodie. After reading a jillion pol*gamy memoirs I just had to read a biography of the man who started all of it, ha. Very well written and in-depth without being a slog to read. I'm also listening along on Craftlit to The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte and I had no idea this story touched on so many issues - alcoholism, drug use, infidelity, women's rights, child custody laws, etc. I've never read it before so can't wait to see what happens. @Kareni Burn sounds intriguing! I'll look for it at the library - thanks!

I've used sellbackyourBook.com a few times and it couldn't have been easier! They walk you through the process and it is simple and quick. I've also sold back dvds, too!

Beautiful little baby! Congratulations!

I love the prints of the cotton woven masks but find they're not very comfortable for long-term wear. My favorites have been the more stretchy ones. We've been very happy with both of these sellers: Adult small 100 percent cotton face masks - we got the checkered, black, and marsala ones but it looks like they're out of most colors now. Face masks in men's and women's sizes I love the smaller size - most masks tend to ride up to my eyes.

I'm so sorry to hear this Melissa. 😞

Hope everyone is doing well! I've managed to finish a few books in the last month - I started several more that I read a few pages of and decided, "Nope!" and promptly took them back to the library. The few that made the cut were: If It Bleeds by Stephen King. New book of four short stories and I was pleasantly surprised by each one. They aren't monster stories but rather more in the Twilight Zone vein. My favorite was the first one about a boy who becomes friends with an elderly neighbor. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. Beautifully written with believable characters - I was so moved by this book. Stay Sexy and Don't Get Murdered: The Definitive How-Yo Guide by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark I listened to this one. I really enjoy their podcast but oh man these ladies swear like sailors. I suppose trying to listen to hours of it was just too much for my delicate ears (haha). An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten. This was delightful and surprising and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I'm going to try to attach a pic of the cover because it is so clever.

😂😂 these are horrifyingly bad. Thanks for the laugh!

I read this last year (I think) - sweet, gentle coming of age read. I really liked it.

Love it! Thank you!

He went to bed and bumped his head and he couldn't get up in the morning. 😊 I love the old childhood rhymes! Daughter of the Saints: Growing Up in Polygamy by Dorothy Allred Solomon. Well-written and heartfelt, this is one of the best books on the subject that I've read. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. I know I'm super late to this party but am loving this story. I'm almost done with it so wanted to include it in this week's post.

Hi everyone! I managed to finish a book a few days ago - Five Windows by D.E. Stevenson. Nice, gentle coming of age story about a young man who grows up in a small village in Scotland then moves to London. I have a couple books from the library and even bought a book a couple weeks ago - I've been really trying to not buy any more. The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule is the book and I've checked it out from the library a couple of times but never manage to finish it. I read about 50 pages or so then have to put it aside as all the serial killer stuff gets me down but it is also so fascinating. @Negin I listened to Steve Martin's book on audio and it was so good! Hope you enjoy the read. @Kareni Thank you for the Susanna Clark link - it made me remember how much I enjoy her writing. I broke my No Buy rule again just now and bought a used copy of The Ladies of Grace Adeiu. (It was only $5 incl shipping!) @Robin M Love your May 4th pic! 😂 My daughters and I watched "Revenge of the Sith" on the 4th. I normally enjoy Star Wars movies but this one was pretty bad. That's great news about your loan - what a relief!

She's beautiful! Glad to hear you are enjoying your new(ish) family member. 😊

Subscriptions to The New York Times, Washington Post, and the New Yorker that I read almost every day and sometimes I'll take a look at the Atlantic.

Hi everyone! Just finished the first in a series - The Surgeon (Rizzoli & Isles #1) by Tess Gerritsen. It follows a couple of detectives as they go after a serial killer who tortures his victims before killing them. It was so very bloody and much too descriptive for my liking. I ended up skimming about the last third of the novel just to see who the killer was. I won't be reading any more of this series. As I organize my garage (need to get it done before it becomes unbearably hot here), I have been listening to Stephen King read his novella, Elevation. It's about a man who keeps losing weight yet doesn't look any different. I'm enjoying it so far. @Kareni I hope your dh is feeling better!

Freddy Fender - I love My Rancho Grande perhaps? It's pretty catchy 😊 I Love My Rancho Grande

Happy Easter! Read two short books this week - The Small Hand and Dolly both by Susan Hill. While I enjoyed both of them, I think Dolly was better as it had a more satisfying ending. @Kareni happy to hear your news!

We streamed it at my daughter's house a week ago - and we all really liked it. It does have a couple scenes that made me go "huh?" but overall I thought it was good. Emma comes across as snobby and thoughtless and I think that is how Jane Austen wrote her. She is too likable in the previous versions! I really loved the costuming and the ladies all had their hair put up properly, too!! There were six of us watching it so the $20 ended up being less than $4 each, so it was cheaper than actually going to the theater. I want to watch it again but am going to wait until it can be rented for less.

Loved these - especially the Needlework - thank you Kareni!

No but they are on my list! My library had The Man in the Picture so I'm going to try that one next.

Hello! Good to see you again 🙂