Hello Friends, I hope this new year is treating you well! Here is another double installment from my reading list in the hopes of getting up to date at some point.

My Book List from October:

1. Wait for It-Jenn McKinlay

Annabelle Martin moves to take a job across the country with her best friend’s firm in Phoenix. She is escaping to a new life away from her ex-husbands. She lives in a small house at the back of her reclusive landlord’s property. He uses a wheelchair and never comes outside so she assumes he is elderly. This turns out to be far from the truth. Annabelle struggles with sabotage at her new job, makes new friends, and gets to know her landlord. Quite well. Loved the book.

 

2. Follow the Blue Blaze: A Guide to Hiking the Buckeye Trail-Robert J. Pond (Non-fiction)

A summary of Ohio’s Buckye Trail. The book provides general information as well as information about various sections of the trail. The book does not give detailed trail maps. Those you must purchase from the Buckeye Trail Association.

 

3. The House in the Cerulean Sea-TJ Klune

This science fiction tale surrounds an orphanage for magical children. There are sprites and a wyvern, among others. Linus Baker works for a government entity that checks on such things and is assigned there for a month to monitor the living conditions. He learns about how special each child is, including the director of the orphanage, and his life will never be the same. Thank goodness. A very enjoyable story about acceptance.

 

4. Milk Street Noodles-Christopher Kimball (Cookbook)

I learned a lot about different types of noodles and the recipes look delicious. Most however, require one or several ingredients that I don’t have, and my kitchen is fairly well stocked. Back to the library it goes.

 

5. The Ultimate Guide to Painting from Photographs-Markle & Vanover (Non-fiction)

This is a step-by-step book for specific types of paintings and beyond my skill level at this point. I skimmed the book and learned some handy tips.

 

6. The Simple Art of Rice-JJ Johnson (Cookbook)

I never knew there were so many kinds of rice! Tiara Purple, Poho Flattened, Bhutanese Red. Lots of info and recipes. I can’t decide what to make because so many look good.

 

7. Livid-Patricia Cornwall

Dr. Scarpetta is a witness in a televised court case. The judge in the case is Scarpetta’s college roommate and friend. Things become even crazier when the judge’s sister is killed at home. Another glimpse into the life of our favorite forensic medical examiner.

 

8. Must Love Flowers-Debbie Macomber

Joan Sample has trouble dealing with the fact that she is a sudden widow and an empty nester. So much so that she rarely leaves the house. When the homeowner’s association sends a letter complaining about her yard, things must change. At the suggestion of her sister, she tries counseling and even takes in a young boarder. There are more bumps in the road, but Joan’s life starts changing as she takes control of the reins again.

 

Magazines: Dogster (2), All Recipes-Fall Recipes, America’s Favorite Pumpkin Recipes, Bella Grace, Country Living

My Book List from November:

1. The Door to Door Bookstore-Carsten Henn

The story takes place in Germany. Carl Kollhoff has spent his career working for a bookseller. He specializes in doing in person drop offs of requested books. He is suddenly joined by 9 year old Schascha and he has no idea why. Carl loses his job and his purpose. It will take the power of books and friends to overcome. I found this book to be a little slow paced, but it has a good message.

 

2. Summer Reading-Jenn McKinlay

Samantha Gale spends the summer at her family home on Martha’s Vineyard to take care of her 14 year old brother while her father and stepmother take a vacation. Sam is a chef who has just left her job under unpleasant circumstances. It will be nice to hang out with her best friend. Turns out it is nice hanging out with the town’s interim library director too. Only Sam is dyslexic. Hello, awkward! Can she win over the librarian, her brother, and find a job? I always love McKinlay’s books.

 

3. What It Takes to Save a Life-Dr Kwane Stewart (Non-fiction)

One man’s struggle to overcome tough times and become a veterinarian. What a great book. He goes on to volunteer treating the pets of the homeless in addition to his regular job.

 

4. The Twelve Dogs of Christmas-Susan Wiggs

Brenda Malloy dislikes cold and snow, and most especially Christmas. Even more so once her dog has to go to the emergency vet after eating another woman’s panties. So, of course she finds herself helping drive a load of shelter dogs north from Texas to the Catskills to their new homes for Christmas. She meets paramedic Adam Bellamy and everything in her life changes.

 

5. The Little Book of Hygge-Meik Wiking (Non-fiction)

This book explains why Danes are continually voted the happiest people in the world. Includes lots of survey results and ways to apply the answers to your own life. Also, the book itself is enjoyable.

 

6. A December to Remember-Jenny Bayliss

This book is a little different than the other Bayliss books I have read. The others have been romances. Although this one has romance, I think it is more about families. It took me a little while to get sucked into the story line, and I’m glad I stuck with it. Three estranged half-sisters go back to the village of Rowan Thorp for the reading of their Father’s will. They must work together to earn their inheritance.

Magazines: Woman’s Day (2), Down East, Forks Over Knives, Entertain & Celebrate Autumn

My top picks from these lists? If you’re going for fun, always read the Jenn McKinlay books. The one that made me think, long after I read it? The House in the Cerulean Sea. It made me feel good in addition to making me think about acceptance.

I hope you all stay warm and safe from the snow we are having today!