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Before Fall Comes...

Summerland by Hannu Rajaniemi

A book by an author that my husband likes, and I was not disappointed. It is an adventure through a previous, fictional time, a story of fighting a World War through the context of the British spy agency. While there are great technological advances, the most significant is the use of the recently dead souls. A good death takes on a new meaning.  

The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro

I struggled through this one as the Arthurian tales are not something that pulls me in. The context of a world where something is taking away people's memories is intriguing, and I felt like I had to see the end.

Fear & Clothing: Unbuckling American Style by Cintra Wilson

What fun this book was! I love memoir and cultural insights, so this book looking at the fashion of different American cities, was a delight. Plus, the author is irreverent but has a ton of access due to her position with the New York Times. I recommend it if fashion is of interest to you.

On the Edge by Ilona Andrews

This book was a library recommendation (where you look at a book in the online catalog, and at the bottom, there are other books the algorithm suggests). I surely didn't expect romance-type fantasy novel. It is not the type of book I would typically pick out, but the story outside of the romance was fun, and I would read more of this author when in the mode for something quick and a bit racy. 

The Unchangeable Spots of Leopards by Kristopher Jansma

An excellent library recommendation. This is just the type of novel I can dive into and hate to put down. It reads like a memoir but is excellent literary fiction. The critical element was that I liked the main character. Even at the protagonists' most pathetic lows, I wanted to see him succeed or at least come through his struggle.

Palimpsest by Lisa Wool-Rim Sjöblom

This is a graphic novel about a woman who was adopted as a baby from Korea looking for her birth family. It was a thought-provoking journey, and I'd suggest anyone curious about adoption look into it. I've seen some of these struggles in adopted friends, especially their feelings of disconnect from their family and the world.

American Elsewhere by Robert Jackson Bennett

I don't typically read or watch scary things, and this book seemed to be leading down that road, but I had read another book by this author and loved it, so I gave it a chance. I'm glad I did. It was a compelling story that moved quickly, yet you had to slow down to grasp the magnitude and intricacies of the plot. Highly recommend. (Also, I want to point out that the author is from Louisiana and has 3 first names.)

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Ninth House is a story about the secret societies at Yale, and a girl brought into the fold because she can see ghosts. Excellently written, and I will read other books by this author. The story of an outsider in an elite setting plus ghosts and magic is just the type of book I want during COVID.  

Short Comings by Adrian Tomine

This graphic novel and the next book on my list were both stories about men who are insecure in themselves and their relationships and therefore do stupid crap. Skip this and the next one.

Twenty-one Truths About Love by Matthew Dicks

Typically I love a book told in lists and short notes and scribbles, but this one I forced myself to finish, and though I don't regret it, I don't suggest anyone else go through that process. This frustrating story of an insecure man who cannot get himself to tell his wife the truth about their financial situation and then does something so dumb to fix it that he misses a critical life event is not worth your time.  

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And more books, but not as many as you'd think considering quarentine.

Less by Andrew Sean Greer

My cousin recommended this book to me, and for a while, I kept at it because I trust her opinion but wasn't truly engaged in the book. The story of a man deciding to say yes to all of his opportunities and break free from the safe confines of his life is a good premise. Once I was further along, I began to enjoy the protagonist's quirks, and by the end, I was satisfied with the journey.

Whit by Iain Banks

This is the second book I read by Iain Banks- a name that I always spell incorrectly- the first being The Business, which I highly recommend. This book is about a woman who is on the verge of taking over the religious sect she has grown up in, but there are other forces at work trying to stymie this situation. Through adventure and clear vision, she prevails. The story is a good one but sometimes gets bogged down in the philosophy of the religious group, and I just skimmed it until the plot picked up again. I will continue to work my way through his bibliography.

The Bards of Bone Plain by Patricia A. McKillip

After reading the Alphabet of Thorns, I went back to the library and picked up another book by Patricia A. McKillip, and I was not disappointed. This was another excellent read if you like fantasy that isn't rooted in the world of wizards, but magic is still at work. The Bards of Bone Plain traces the stories of two bards during different times, one trying to find out what happened to his predecessor.

The Isobel Journal by Isobel Harrop

An illustrated journal-book that is described on its rear cover as "no ordinary snapshot of a contemporary teenage life," and I'd agree. The drawings are not fine art but a personal journey laid out in words and sketches. I'm enjoying finding these little gems in the Comic Book/Graphic Novel section of the library.

Bellweather Rhapsody by Kate Racculia

Another book by Kate Racculia in the style of Ellen Raskin, who is a favorite author of mine. Mysterious events take place at an annual event for young musicians held at an old hotel- murder, suicide, appearances from the past. It was a fun read, but as I tried to reread it, I lost interest pretty quickly. Maybe it is not so engaging now that I know the plot twists.

The Starless Sea by Erin Morganstern

I love this author. Her book the Night Circus was an instant favorite, and this next book is no different. I read it for the new book club I joined and was so excited to see that it was this author. Knowing the way she crafts a story, I opted to read it (sadly done so on my phone), and now that I've finished, I'm listing to the audio version. It is a story of stories; mysterious lands build of tales and myths and fables. The symbolism in the book is one that inspires paintings and begs to be an immersive experience—an excellent book and one that I will look to have on my shelf.

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More Books

A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan

I couldn't put this book down but found it upsetting the whole time I read it. I was compelled to find out what happened, but in some way, the story hit too close to home. A woman finds herself needing a full-time job after her husband decides to leave his law firm. Everything falls apart for a while, and I can empathize with this mother having to change her life and be overwhelmed with the responsibilities put on her in a work world where personal time and family time are not valued. Though truthfully, everyone in the book disappointed me at some point in the story.  

Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts by Kate Racculia

This book was a super-fun ride. An eccentric millionaire dies and, from beyond the grave, hosts a city-wide scavenger hunt.  The main character, Tuesday Mooney, was someone who I would want to know, and her adventure with this scavenger hunt is a beautiful journey of becoming and also of building community.

(didn't finish) Light From Other Stars by Ericka Swyler

The premise of this book was interesting, but for some reason, maybe the jumping between characters' points of view and different years was too much to follow in my sporadic reading. Will I give it another chance? Maybe.

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2020 Books

While I'll return to this document to add additional non-fiction books I've read so far this year, I'll list what I have read so far and noted.

The Book of Speculation by Ericka Swyler

This book is a gripping tale of a family and circus culture that reminds me of The Night Circus.  It is a parallel tale following history and present day and while you get to know the characters, the story moves you forward and sweeps you into the conclusion. I have the author's next book sitting on the shelf ready for me to devour.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

A surprise since this is a romance novel, not a genre I typically read, but it is a well-crafted story with interesting characters.  It hasn't drawn me to consume more romance, but at least I know that if I want to go that route, there is an author I'd read more.

Older, but Better, But Older by Caroline de Maigret & Sophie Mas

This book, by the authors of How to be Parisian Wherever You Are, is an examination into aging as a woman while still feeling vibrant and young though society may see you differently.  I read this as I was about to enter the last year of my 30's, and it made me feel ready to move forward, confident that I was not alone on this path of aging.

Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennet

The author's other series was recommended to me by my brother, but this book was the one that caught my attention.  For some reason, I'm always sympathetic to a thief character in books, tv, and film.  It took a bit for me to get deep into, but that may have been due to attention, not the story itself.  Once I get caught up enough in a story, where the plot is more engaging than whatever my phone has to offer, I dive in fully, and this was no different.  It seems that this book will be the first in a series, but I'm happy with it as a stand-alone for now.

Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia A. McKillip

I found this book while looking at the recommendations the library computer came up with based on my enjoyment of The Library at Mount Char.  The book was older, and the cover not engaging; it lived under one of our couches for about a week.  Knowing it was due back to the library soon, I cracked it open and barely closed it.  Such a beautiful story and now the author is one who I will follow, hopefully finding more tales to enjoy.

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Moving forward in text

While this website has been a repository for things that I’ve encountered, I’m ready to make a change with more writing and commentary vs a visual list of items that could be better done in Instagram.  There are a number of changes and new pursuits in my life and I’m interested in documenting them in a public forum.  Who knows what these things may turn into but I’m ready for a change.

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MOMA has some of my favorite jewelry.

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Maybe this is should be the guide for cataloging my library.

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This bag would go so well with my summer sandals. Sadly, I am not about to spend $239 right now.

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A great way to know where your keys are and to not forget the mail.

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This jacket is awesome. I don't know if it fits the new style I'm cultivating, but I don't much care.

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In Águeda, a small Portuguese town, some streets are decorated with colorful umbrellas. The umbrellas look like they’re magically floating in mid-air, making people walking on the street without the hot summer sun on their heads!

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"The Most Hipster-y of Beers"

(from notmartha.org)

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Carry Me 26% off now featured on Fab. Fab.com Carry Me showcases the unique design sensibility and clever projects captured in Japanese craft books with 20 handbags featuring clever construction, unique details and simple sewing techniques. Sophisticated photography shows off each bag to the fullest, with helpful detail shots of closures, handles, linings and design details. Readers will find a variety of bag styles, including everything from a wool tweed travel bag perfect for a weekend getaway to a stylish denim bag with grommet and zipper details.

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Another fox for the Foxtrot Girls!

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Book iPad cover.  Super fancy.

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Little Bird Smoke Alarm.  Maybe if I had this, I wouldn't get so cranky about the chirping when the battery is low.