Book a Week 2020 - BW44: Non Fiction November

[Robin M 31,381]

Happy Sunday, my lovelies. Welcome to November and National Novel Writing Month, Native American Heritage month, National Caregiver Appreciation month.   This week we celebrate National Author Day, so if you have some time this week thank an author for all their wonderful words via email, snail mail, facebook, or twitter. We are also observing Dio De los Muertos, voting on U.S. General Election Day, if you haven't already, as well as letting our Men Make Dinner Day, and if you are like me, having a Margarita with my Nacho's on  National Nacho Day. 

We are celebrating all things non fiction this month from the practical to the literary and creative. Fill your mind with facts and figures, history and geography, cultural and biographical, or learn something new from cooking to woodworking. There is a wide variety to appeal to most everyone.

 Annie Dillard on the Art of the Essay and the Different Responsibilities of Narrative Nonfiction, Poetry, and Short Stories

 25 great nonfiction essays you can read online for free

 Fiction v nonfiction – English literature's made-up divide

 A Reading List for Stronger Creative Non-Fiction

 Creative Nonfiction Magazine

 100 Great Narrative Nonfiction Books

 The Best Nonfiction Books of 2020

 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read

 50 Cookbooks We're Diving Into This Fall

 11 Nonfiction books that read like fiction

 Works of Nonfiction to Rival Any Great Thriller Novel

 

Have fun exploring through the world of nonfiction and following rabbit trails.  ~Cheers

 

 

Link to Week 43

Visit  52 Books in 52 Weeks where you can find all the information on the annual, mini and perpetual challenges, as well as share your book reviews with other readers  around the globe.

Edited November 1, 2020 by Robin M

[Robin M 31,381]

Did you all remember to set your clocks back for those where daylight savings time ended.  Yes, I'm up early and taking advantage of the quiet to write before the guys consume my day. Nanowrimo month and I'm being a rebel and editing versus starting something new.

Still working on Jordan's The Gathering Storm and McConaughey's Greenlights.  Rereading Brigg's Burn Bright. 

We watched Alien Covenant last night which was pretty good, although a bit gory. Lots of covering of the eyes. LOL! The androids were the best part of the movie. The humans were incredibly stupid if you think about it. Weren’t they supposed to be the smartest and the brightest sent to colonize a new planet? Dim bulbs. IMHO and now the guys want to debate and prove me wrong. LOL!

 

[SereneHome 4,386]

Oh my goodness, I actually am reading non fiction right  now  -Hetty, the genius and madness of the first female tycoon. Such a fascinating story, I don't think many people know who she was.

Here is to hiding away in books during this upcoming week 🙂

[mumto2 34,352]

I ran into a non fiction book that has been on my list last week and added it to the stack knowing November was coming........The Dead Duke, His Secret Wife, and His Missing Corpse.  Quite a concept and sounds like it might be better than fiction!   https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25622302-the-dead-duke-his-secret-wife-and-the-missing-corpse
 

[aggieamy 19,064]

3 hours ago, Robin M said:

Did you all remember to set your clocks back for those where daylight savings time ended.  Yes, I'm up early and taking advantage of the quiet to write before the guys consume my day. Nanowrimo month and I'm being a rebel and editing versus starting something new.

I'm doing NaNo too. I'm attempting to not be a rebel but really I should be editing something rather than doing new words. What's your NaNo username?

[aggieamy 19,064]

Does anyone remember my bold plans to read John The Witch Family last night? Show of hands who thought I was a little ambitious with that plan. Yeah. There was no reading to him last night, he was exhausted after trick or treating and passed out in bed before I could tuck him in. 

Our neighborhood was light on kids trick or treating but lots of houses were participating in safe ways. Either people had a bucket of candy on their front steps or they'd have a card table setup with candy and the resident would sit ten feet back in a lawn chair so kids could help themselves to candy. A few people did it the old fashioned way (knock on door style) and those people all wore masks along with the trick or treaters. 

[Ali in OR 16,959]

I'm currently reading The Stationery Shop, but have other good books piling up that I need to get to: Invisible Women, Beloved, and Caste. Just need more reading time!

[Penguin 27,646]

42 minutes ago, aggieamy said:

Does anyone remember my bold plans to read John The Witch Family last night? Show of hands who thought I was a little ambitious with that plan. Yeah. There was no reading to him last night, he was exhausted after trick or treating and passed out in bed before I could tuck him in. 

Our neighborhood was light on kids trick or treating but lots of houses were participating in safe ways. Either people had a bucket of candy on their front steps or they'd have a card table setup with candy and the resident would sit ten feet back in a lawn chair so kids could help themselves to candy. A few people did it the old fashioned way (knock on door style) and those people all wore masks along with the trick or treaters. 

I'm glad that trick or treating was a success for him 🙂 

[Kareni 65,129]

1 hour ago, aggieamy said:

Our neighborhood was light on kids trick or treating but lots of houses were participating in safe ways...

We had one, yes, ONE child trick or treating who came to our door. We'll be enjoying small candy bars for quite some time... how sad!

Regards,

Kareni

[Negin 15,679]

I read LIFE: Queen Elizabeth: Britain's Longest Reigning Monarch - 5 Stars - I wouldn’t have thought that this special edition of “Life” magazine would count as a book, but since there’s quite a bit of reading involved, and not just pictures, and since Good Reads counts it as a book, I figured, “Why not add it to my books?”

I’ve always loved monarchy and the Queen. Let me correct that. I don’t just love her, I adore her. I’ve have seen her twice, once from up close.

This beautiful gift edition covers her life from childhood until 2018. The photos are amazing. I got this magazine two years ago and chose to re-read it once again, since my daughter and I are binge-watching “The Crown” on Netflix.

I'm laughing at the girl's pretty braid photobombing this, but that's what makes it even more memorable.

[Liz CA 18,589]

On non- fiction - The Salmon Sisters Cookbook

The Defector by Silva. I am still on that streak and can't seem to get off. I must be nearing the end though.

Murder on Bank Street by Thompson. As I said before she is good for audio. Not too complicated so I can follow along while weaving through traffic.

I have a couple work related books sitting around too but I am not too motivated to dive into those right now.

[marbel 25,732]

Hello everyone, I think I missed the last week or two! Hard for me to keep up these days.

I'm starting a nonfiction book today - one I've read every November since I discovered it a few years ago: Thanksgiving: How to Cook it Well by Sam Sifton (of NY Times cooking). It's a fun little book. Very little of it actually applies to my Thanksgiving but I enjoy it and it always gives me a new idea or two, or at least inspiration. Here is a tiny snip:

You can go  your whole life and then wake up one morning and look in the refrigerator at this animal carcass the size of a toddler and think: I have to cook that today.  There is no need to worry. Thanksgiving does not have to be a drag. It does not have to involve dry turkey or scorched potatoes, chalky stuffing or a cousin in from Erie weeping in the hall. There is no need to argue. There is no need for fear. You can cook a great meal on Thanksgiving. You can have a great time. 

Other than that... last week I read Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak. I had a hard time getting into it, and would have abandoned it if I had not been reading it for a little discussion group. Then suddenly the writing style and story clicked and I really enjoyed it.  

I'm also reading The Warden by Anthony Trollope, for my little book group. I am familiar with the story from a BBC show but had not read it. It is the first book in the "Chronicles of Barchester" series; I had read the second (Barchester Towers) after reading somewhere that The Warden is dull and unnecessary for understanding the rest of the series. But, one of the 3 people in the book group suggested it, so... dull or not, I'm in.

 Also, The Swallows by Lisa Lutz. I'd read her book The Passenger and enjoyed it. This one is set in a boarding school with a dark secret... I'm always a sucker for boarding school novels. So far it's darkly amusing, and fast-paced. Switching off with Trollope is a good way to go. 

Edited November 1, 2020 by marbel

[Little Green Leaves 1,557]

I finished Catherine of Siena, the biography of St Catherine by Sigrid Undset. I think what I loved most in this book were the little insights into medieval life and thought -- the treatment of prisoners, for example, or the relationships between family members -- and the connections Undset made to her own time. She was writing just a few years after the end of WWII so her mind is very much on the horrors of war and the holocaust. There are just a few places where she refers to this, but they're memorable. She says that the horrors we've all been through should make us all draw closer to the medieval viewpoint, in which sin and goodness were shared by the whole community; this is instead of the modern model of personal success and personal effort. This way of looking at things struck me as so lovely, and also the polar opposite of, say, post-war existentialism.

Anyhow. I'm waiting for a few books to arrive and I don't know what I'm reading next! 

@aggieamyI'm totally jealous of your trick or treat experience. For us it was a flop. Most people in my neighborhood are in apartments, but usually most stores and home owners do give out candy, and in a normal year the streets are full of happy kids in costumes. This year, well, all the stores had signs saying they didn't have candy, and all the houses were dark...we walked around a little so that the kids could show off their costumes, and then we went home and made cookies. Fun, but definitely not the usual Halloween.

 

Edited November 1, 2020 by Little Green Leaves

[Little Green Leaves 1,557]

Double post...I quoted myself 

Edited November 1, 2020 by Little Green Leaves

[Robin M 31,381]

4 hours ago, SereneHome said:

Oh my goodness, I actually am reading non fiction right  now  -Hetty, the genius and madness of the first female tycoon. Such a fascinating story, I don't think many people know who she was.

Here is to hiding away in books during this upcoming week 🙂

 A belated Happy Birthday and hope you had an awesome day!  Did you get any books to add to your stacks?

 

[Robin M 31,381]

2 hours ago, aggieamy said:

I'm doing NaNo too. I'm attempting to not be a rebel but really I should be editing something rather than doing new words. What's your NaNo username?

I'm Mytwoblessings. What's yours?

[Kareni 65,129]

Some bookish posts ~

Bill Bryson is retiring. Woe is us

https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/bill-bryson-is-retiring-woe-is-us/story-7LRKTDzLPj0rXiHsPj4HKK.html

A book review... Bones: Inside and Out by Roy A. Meals, MD

https://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/overall-b-reviews/b-plus-reviews/review-bones-inside-and-out-by-roy-a-meals/comment-page-1/#comment-910439

Five Empowering Retellings of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon”

https://www.tor.com/2020/10/26/five-empowering-retellings-of-east-of-the-sun-west-of-the-moon/

Regards,

Kareni

[Dreamergal 8,495]

Happy November  ! Thanks for the thread @Robin M

Finished listening to

Not a big fan of memoirs, prefer reading books to listening to them, but this man like Trevor Noah pushed all those self imposed inhibitions aside because he is one of those I have wondered "what made you who you are". I'm generally not a "fan" of any actor, but  when I came to Texas, I heard of him since he was something of a legend because of the whole naked bongo playing thing. He just did not seem to give a damn about what anyone thought of him, something I found refreshing in Hollywood. Then came his Oscar speech and another commencement speech he gave and I knew if he wrote a book, I had to read it.

Matthew comes across as the quintessential Texan, with his lazy drawl, very laid back and I thought he had to have a very cushy life to have made him that way. Dead wrong. His childhood is just plain scary to me and the only word I can use to describe his parents marriage is toxic. I always thought he was very handsome and so movie roles were offered to him, wrong again. He made it happen. This book is raw, painful and yet hopeful. When he narrates it to you in his smooth Jazz like voice, you feel the layers of pain in them yet he puts a smile on your face.

A remarkable memoir of a remarkable man.  

[Dreamergal 8,495]

Currently reading, a book I got on sale thanks to @negin 

.

This book is also by another Queen, an Empress of the Mughal Dynasty, a remarkable woman called Nurjahan, who was not born into royaly.But she became one of the most powerful women, even had coins struck with her likeness at a time when women did not rule or queen consorts were just one of many.

I am hoping these two will be the start of the bingo 10X10 square I form of female rulers in history around the world.

Since this month is non-fiction month and I am rather woefully in need of reading more, I decided to form one more 10X10 bingo comprising of books that increase my knowledge of America. The first book in that is one that is recommended by many

[Violet Crown 22,161]

I have not finished anything. It hasn't been a week for reading, as a previously difficult situation has gotten significantly more difficult. I may need to take a break from the boards for a while.

ETA: @aggieamy, I'm glad John got to have a normal trick-or-treat. Middle Girl and one of her friends put a card table on our porch, taped one of those social-distance-stand-here floor stickers to the walkway at a 6-foot distance, and used a pair of replica trebuchets to launch candy into small children's buckets (or heads). A good time was had by all. I sat inside with MG's friend's mom, a/k/a my friend, and talked to her about everything and drank the wine she thoughtfully brought. So that was all good.

Edited November 1, 2020 by Violet Crown

[Kareni 65,129]

Sending good wishes your way, @Violet Crown.

Regards,

Kareni

[SereneHome 4,386]

2 hours ago, Robin M said:

 A belated Happy Birthday and hope you had an awesome day!  Did you get any books to add to your stacks?

 

Oh my thank you so so much!

Yes to book but this is it!!! I already filled a brand new book case my husband just built, lol

[aggieamy 19,064]

I just have to draw attention to @Violet Crown's signature because it's too clever.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
for Consul
2020

"Pragmatist for the People"

😃

 

[Robin M 31,381]

4 hours ago, Violet Crown said:

I have not finished anything. It hasn't been a week for reading, as a previously difficult situation has gotten significantly more difficult. I may need to take a break from the boards for a while.

 

Hugs and prayers winging your way! 

 

[Robin M 31,381]

13 minutes ago, aggieamy said:

I just have to draw attention to @Violet Crown's signature because it's too clever.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
for Consul
2020

"Pragmatist for the People"

😃

 

It tis!  I just had a friend call to let me know she voted and she wrote herself in for president.  🙄

[aggieamy 19,064]

37 minutes ago, Robin M said:

It tis!  I just had a friend call to let me know she voted and she wrote herself in for president.  🙄

*removed*

Edited November 2, 2020 by aggieamy
I forgot that Margaret Thatcher is actually a controversial political figure and thought it would be best to keep politics off this thread. :)

[SereneHome 4,386]

@Violet Crown - whatever it is you are going through - may it resolve quickly and with good outcomes

@Dreamergal - you listing all those books about queens...I have a question for you. If I am not mistaken, you are from India. I read Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran and really didn't like it. But I did wanted to read more about that part of history in India. Was wondering if you have any recommendation;ions. If you are not from India and I wrongly assumed, I am so sorry.

[melmichigan 3,887]

I'm taking a little detour, as Elizabeth Hunter just released a new PWF series, so I'll start with that, otherwise I'm still working my way through the Blood on the Stars, I believe I'm currently on #12. Amazon describes them as space fleet science fiction, and  that is a reasonable explanation. They are military sci-fi in my best explanation. I ran across them on the kindle unlimited library when looking for a diversion, and they are suiting that purpose.  When I struggle with the reading I've been using the audible since I can get that for $1.99 add on, which helps while money is tight for extras like new books.

The first book is Duel in the Dark:  "The Confederation battleship Dauntless has spent ten months patrolling the border, alone, watching for an attack from the enemy Union. The crew is exhausted, and the aging vessel needs repairs. 

The fleet is mobilized, ready for the war it knows is coming. The forward bases are overloaded beyond capacity, and Dauntless is sent clear across the Confederation, to a base along the peaceful and sleepy sector known as the Far Rim.

But the quiet frontier isn’t quite what it seems, and a distress call from a mining colony at the edge of Confederation space, sends Captain Tyler Barron and his ship forward into the unknown.

Barron and his crew have their ship—and each other—but they can expect no reinforcements. His superiors believe that Union deceit is at play, that the attack is merely a diversion, intended to draw Confederation forces from the disputed border. Their orders are clear: no ships will be transferred from the main front. Stopping whatever is happening on the Far Rim is Barron’s responsibility, and his alone.

Barron is the grandson of the Confederation’s greatest hero, and his name has always carried great privilege, along with crushing responsibility. Now he must prove that he has inherited more than just a name from his famous ancestor. 

He must face the enemy, and win the victory.

Before the Confederation is caught between two enemies and destroyed."

@Karenithanks for asking.  Yes, I still struggle with retaining information I've read, but casual reading is much improved from the time of my injury.  Academic reading can still be more challenging, but I've adapted pretty well with sticky notes, screen shots, and highlighting. 🙂 

[Kareni 65,129]

15 minutes ago, melmichigan said:

@Karenithanks for asking.  Yes, I still struggle with retaining information I've read, but casual reading is much improved from the time of my injury.  Academic reading can still be more challenging, but I've adapted pretty well with sticky notes, screen shots, and highlighting. 🙂 

I'm glad to hear that things are much improved while sorry to learn that some aspects of reading are still challenging. I hope that your abilities will continue to improve with time.

Thanks for the information about Duel in the Dark. It seems I own it (always a happy thing), so I will give it a try.

Regards,

Kareni

[Negin 15,679]

11 hours ago, Kareni said:

Bill Bryson is retiring. Woe is us

Oh no. I love his books, most especially his travelogues. I had a feeling that he would retire soon. At least I have all his books to re-read from time to time. His writing has often made me laugh to the point of tears. 

9 hours ago, Dreamergal said:

Since this month is non-fiction month and I am rather woefully in need of reading more, I decided to form one more 10X10 bingo comprising of books that increase my knowledge of America. The first book in that is one that is recommended by many

Thank you for the reminder to read the Howard Zinn book. Like you, I was an adult when I arrived to the U.S. I've been meaning to read a good and thorough history book. 

I'm adding "The Twentieth Wife" to my list. 

9 hours ago, Violet Crown said:

I have not finished anything. It hasn't been a week for reading, as a previously difficult situation has gotten significantly more difficult. I may need to take a break from the boards for a while.

I am so sorry. I hope and pray that the situation gets easier very soon. 

[Negin 15,679]

Kindle book on sale today. 

[mumto2 34,352]

@Violet CrownSending hugs.  I hope you are able to return soon!

i didn’t really post about my reading for the week.  I have a stack of spooky audiobooks that have arrived in my hold’s.........since I expect to need stress relief this week I will be working on a couple of fun quilts this week......today’s project are some reindeer and a couple of gnomettes.  Anyway I will hopefully get through several.......

I have also started Jennifer Estep’s Venum which I am enjoying.

[Little Green Leaves 1,557]

@Dreamergal I thought of you this morning because I ordered some of the Amar Chitra Katha books for my kids -- thanks for recommending them!

@Violet Crownsending you best wishes and I hope things get better soon.

None of my library books have arrived so I had to raid my own bookshelves for a new reading project. I settled on Les crusades cues par les Arabes (the crusades from the viewpoint of the arabs) by Amin Maalouf. I've tried this one in the past but never got far, mostly because of the French being tough for me. Still it feels like a natural choice after Saint Catherine and her support for the crusades. I found that unsettling. 

[Dreamergal 8,495]

@Violet Crown Prayers and best wishes sent your way.

@Little Green Leaves Yeah ! Glad I could be of help. 

@negin You are so dangerous to my wallet. I am ordering book after book of your recommendations. Thanks !

The Twentieth Wife book is about a Queen who belonged to the Mughal Dynasty (the dynasty that built the Taj). This book is about the step mother to the Emperor who built the Taj and the person he built it for, his favorite wife is the niece of this Queen. Loving the Queen Victoria book so far. 

@aggieamy I like Margaret Thatcher, controversy and all and am so looking forward to her in the Crown. I feel my Crown cup runneth over with the Diana and Margaret Thatcher years this season. 🤣

[Dreamergal 8,495]

15 hours ago, SereneHome said:

@Dreamergal - you listing all those books about queens...I have a question for you. If I am not mistaken, you are from India. I read Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran and really didn't like it. But I did wanted to read more about that part of history in India. Was wondering if you have any recommendation;ions. If you are not from India and I wrongly assumed, I am so sorry.

Yes, I am from India. 

I had to look up Rebel Queen as I was not familiar with it. To my knowledge looking at the blurb, they are talking about this Queen. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rani_of_Jhansi

She was a real person who existed and her claim to fame is she resisted the British. She was among the first recognized freedom fighters and even the British seem to have been in awe of her a bit. There is a lot of writing about her by the British

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/rani-of-jhansi-through-the-eyes-of-britishers/story-YnF7mbxWHJwUuuyR3Z0UWL.html

A lot of myth is also associated with her so a lot has to be separated from truth. But what I know for sure is she was a commoner who rose to be queen consort, rode out in battle and is always depicted on a horse with her young child tied to her back, her sword upraised and leading men in battle. 

Sorry for the history detour. She is a very popular figure written in several books by both western and Indian authors, poems, folk tales. Even a Greek prince wrote a book about her in French. 

To answer your question though, female warriors are very less known, but this is a legendary warrior called Shivaji and a translation of a book written in Marathi

https://www.amazon.com/Shivaji-Great-Maratha-Ranjit-Desai/dp/9352774396/ref=sr_1_5?crid=5GTTI6FS7M12&dchild=1&keywords=amar+chitra+katha+shivaji&qid=1604344893&sprefix=shivaji+ama%2Caps%2C186&sr=8-5

I shall link to others a bit later in the week.

I know more of graphic novels of history by an Indian company called Amar Chitra Katha (immortal picture stories) I grew up with that I can link to if you like.

[SereneHome 4,386]

@Dreamergalthank you!! I think the book I mentioned was poorly written and really didn't do her justice, so I was looking for other sources. But evidently my googling skills are not great bc this was the only book I could find.

[Dreamergal 8,495]

2 minutes ago, SereneHome said:

@Dreamergalthank you!! I think the book I mentioned was poorly written and really didn't do her justice, so I was looking for other sources. But evidently my googling skills are not great bc this was the only book I could find.

These are some of the books per Good reads. I have not read any. 

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/101986.Rani_of_Jhansi

There are scores more written about her in many languages. I read most of them in Hindi. I am curious about the french book about her and it is on my TBR pile. 

I grew up reading the graphic novel version of her story similar to this by Amar Chitra Katha 

https://www.amazon.com/Rani-Jhansi-glorious-heritage-India/dp/8175080493/ref=pd_sbs_14_1/130-9397480-0903364?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=8175080493&pd_rd_r=b73415c3-caeb-4686-9fc3-62304d50cb64&pd_rd_w=4dYcA&pd_rd_wg=ZkJJE&pf_rd_p=ff9b5089-1414-4e8f-9675-3397e98bf276&pf_rd_r=XAAEZWCSETB836ZAGCNB&psc=1&refRID=XAAEZWCSETB836ZAGCNB

There is a Bollywood movie made about her called ManiKarnika, Queen of Jhansi available for free if you have Amazon Prime. Manikarnika is her real name. 

[melmichigan 3,887]

I got my original recommendation here, so an update to let everyone know that the Alex Craft Series by Kalayna Price is supposed to finish with the seventh book, Grave War.  It's scheduled for release on November 24th. I've altered my plans to do a reread of the series in preparation.  The first book, Grave Witch is on sale for $2.99 for kindle.

Edited November 2, 2020 by melmichigan

[Kareni 65,129]

I just finished a book that I quite enjoyed. You'd need to read the series in order as this volume builds on its predecessors.

Boundary Haunted (Boundary Magic) by Melissa F. Olson

The author has a novella in this FREE multi-author collection which is set in the same world ~ The Witching Hour: 10 Enchanting Novels Featuring Witches, Wizards, Vampires, Shifters, Ghosts, Fae, and More!

Regards,

Kareni

[Kareni 65,129]

Some bookish posts ~

From the Word Wenches: WWR — What we read in October

https://wordwenches.typepad.com/word_wenches/2020/10/wwr-what-we-read-in-october.html

Treasured Timeslips

https://wordwenches.typepad.com/word_wenches/2020/11/treasured-timeslips.html#comment-6a00d8341c84c753ef026be4200862200d

**

From SBTB: Ready Set Go: In Case of Emergency, Read This Book!

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2020/10/ready-set-go-in-case-of-emergency-read-this-book/#comment-853053

Regards,

Kareni

[Penguin 27,646]

@Violet CrownI hope things smooth out for you.

@mumto2 Maybe I missed it, but did you comment on Piranesi? I see from Goodreads that you abandoned it. I just picked it up from the library, and am not sure that I really want to read it right now. I haven't heard any high praise for it yet. It is short, so I don't need to overthink it. But of course I do so anyway 🙂 

[Kareni 65,129]

Last night I read with pleasure the novella  Bloodsick: An Old World Tale by Melissa F. Olson. It's in the same world as the book I mentioned above, but it stands alone. 

"All her life, Sashi’s mother warned her not to get involved with werewolf problems. But Sashi, a witch who uses magic to heal sick and injured bodies, has never made a habit of ignoring trauma. When she meets an abused shapeshifter that no one else seems willing to help, Sashi will risk everything –including a budding romance with a human, Will – to save a woman who can’t save herself."

You can purchase the novella for $1.99 at the link in this post, or you can read it in this  FREE multi-author collection  ~ The Witching Hour: 10 Enchanting Novels Featuring Witches, Wizards, Vampires, Shifters, Ghosts, Fae, and More!

Regards,

Kareni

[mumto2 34,352]

1 hour ago, Penguin said:

@Violet CrownI hope things smooth out for you.

@mumto2 Maybe I missed it, but did you comment on Piranesi? I see from Goodreads that you abandoned it. I just picked it up from the library, and am not sure that I really want to read it right now. I haven't heard any high praise for it yet. It is short, so I don't need to overthink it. But of course I do so anyway 🙂 

I gave up on it maybe 40 pages in.  I just wasn’t following it well and it seemed pretty random. So I decided to stop and wait for someone else to read it first! 😉. I just didn’t have the concentration level to enjoy it.  I was also super disappointed to discover it really wasn’t anything like Jonathon Strange.  Can’t wait to hear what you think!

Edited November 3, 2020 by mumto2

[Penguin 27,646]

I will have to finish Dracula first. I read multiple books at once, but I can't do two fantasy novels at once. Dracula is taking me longer than I thought it would. It doesn't help that I am reading Norton's annotated edition, which I have mixed feelings about. I really enjoy the sidebars about things like the history of blood transfusions and explanatory notes about archaic terms. I despise what the editor did by creating "gentle fiction" wherein he pretends that the story is true. I'm ignoring almost all notes now anyway, otherwise I'll never finish the book!

[Kareni 65,129]

Currently FREE for Kindle readers ~

The Complete Novels of Mark Twain

A Goose Creek Christmas (Tales from the Goose Creek B&B Book 4) by Virginia Smith

Sweet Somethings Kindle Edition by Barbara Freethy

Regards,

Kareni

[Kareni 65,129]

I just finished the contemporary romance You Lucky Dog by Julia London; it was entertaining and made me laugh aloud a few times.

"Carly Kennedy's life is in a spiral. She is drowning in work, her divorced parents are going through their midlife crises, and somehow Carly's sister convinces her to foster Baxter--a basset hound rescue with a bad case of the blues. When Carly comes home late from work one day to discover that the dog walker has accidentally switched out Baxter for another perkier, friendlier basset hound, she has reached the end of her leash.

When Max Sheffington finds a depressed male basset hound in place of his cheerful Hazel, he is bewildered. But when cute, fiery Carly arrives on his doorstep, he is intrigued. He was expecting the dog walker, not a pretty woman with firm ideas about dog discipline. And Carly was not expecting a handsome, bespectacled man to be feeding her dog mac and cheese. Baxter is besotted with Hazel, and Carly realizes she may have found the key to her puppy’s happiness. For his sake, she starts to spend more time with Hazel and Max, until she begins to understand the appeal of falling for your polar opposite."

Regards,

Kareni

[mumto2 34,352]

36 minutes ago, Kareni said:

just finished the contemporary romance You Lucky Dog by Julia London; it was entertaining and made me laugh aloud a few times.

I enjoyed You Lucky Dog also.

[Kareni 65,129]

1 minute ago, mumto2 said:

I enjoyed You Lucky Dog also.

Ah, perhaps I heard about it from you! Thank you.

Regards,

Kareni

[aggieamy 19,064]

I am a chapter into YOU LUCKY DOG this morning and am loving it. Normally I'm not a fan of contemporary anything but this premise sounded so charming. Just what I needed today. 

[Kareni 65,129]

Several books that are FREE for Kindle readers ~

The Ostrich Race by Simon Birks

Runaway Road Devney Perry.

I liked these science fiction novels by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller:

Agent of Change (Liaden Universe Book 9)
amazon.com/dp/B00BSW2FG6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_60TOFbCDWDKJP

Fledgling (Liaden Universe Book 12)
amazon.com/dp/B00APAELRI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_c2TOFb33WH54N

Regards,

Kareni