Tag Archives: Reccomendations

Books I Read in October, November, & December 2024

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Lessons in Chemistry

I have been remiss in posting lately and hope to do better in the new year. Happy 2025 my Friends! I don’t really have a good excuse for not writing. I’ve spent quite a bit of time taking care of Zekie the wonder dog and working on my new hobby of painting, but mostly I’ve just been lazy. So, on to my list of books read for the last months of 2024.

You will notice that I have begun listening to an occasional audiobook. I still love print books but have decided to listen to audiobooks upon occasion when I am in the car or cooking dinner. This way I can add another book or two a month! I have discovered that I only really enjoy non-fiction works on audio. I tried a couple works of fiction and having the characters voices read by one person does not work for me. I also have trouble keeping my mind on the narrated story line. I’m ok with that. Increasing the non-fiction works I take in is a good thing!

Out of all the books following, there is one that stood out to me from all the others as my number one recommendation-Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. It has been a long time since I read a book that I could not put down. This one did the trick. I related to the main character and her struggles to be taken seriously as a woman of science. Elizabeth Zott is a strong-willed, memorable character.

My second recommendation of all these books is Somewhere Beyond the Sea-by TJ Klune. It is the sequel to The House Under the Cerulean Sea. Arthur Parnassus and Linus Baker are back along with the assorted magical creatures who are their children. It is a book about inclusivity, kindness, and doing what is right. The characters are all endearing, except for the “bad guys”!

October 2024

  1. Fire and Bones-Kathy Reichs

    Tempe is called to Washington DC to examine the remains of fire victims, interfering with her planned romantic getaway with her partner Ryan. Tempe feels duty bound to do her best to identify the victims even though it puts her at odds with Ryan. Tempe follows a tangle of clues, making friends and enemies along the way.

    2. The Last Mrs. Summers-Rhys Bowen

    Georgie O’Mara’s friend Belinda inherits a tiny, rundown fishing cottage in Cornwall. The two take a trip to check it out. They discover it in nearly uninhabitable condition. They meet a childhood friend while there and are invited to stay with Rose at Trewoma Hall. Turns out Belinda had an affair with Rose’s husband before they were married. The husband is murdered, and fingers are pointed at Belinda. There was also a previous murder at the estate. Georgie must quickly solve the case before Belinda is tried for murder.

    3. Creative Collage-30 Projects-Clare Youngs (Non-fiction)

    The book shares techniques and supply information and then gives specific project ideas.

    4. Lessons in Chemistry-Bonnie Garmus

    Oh my gosh, this book was so good! I couldn’t stop reading it. Elizabeth Zott is a chemist in the 1950’s. She is not your typical woman in any way. She meets the love of her life, award winning chemist Calvin Evans but refuses to marry him because she wants to remain a chemist and be taken seriously. They do move in together and adopt a dog named Six Thirty who of course has an enormous understanding of the English language. Calvin dies and Elizabeth discovers she is with child. Another hurdle for her in 1950’s California. Elizabeth struggles to be taken seriously as a scientist and provide a home for her child. She falls into a job as an afternoon tv host on a cooking show and bases her recipes on chemistry. This book is hilarious while pointing out the challenges of a woman trying to be taken seriously.

    Magazines:  Down East (2), Fall Gardening, Oh Reader

    November 2024

    1. Tell Me Everything-Elizabeth Strout

      Lucy Barton is back, along with Bob Burgess and Olive Kitterage from previous books. About relationships and life in Crosby, Maine. Bob is defending a murder suspect from their town.

      2. Close Knit-Jenny Colgan

      This centers around knitting and flying an airplane. Gertie lives with her mother and grandmother. Frequently their friends come over to knit. Gertie works at the local market but takes a short-term job with the wee, local Scottish airline. Her new boss and former school mate, Morag, is also her new flat mate. Struan is a teacher at the school and is ordered to take his students on an overnight camping trip. Struan is also Gertie’s school crush. An unexpected blizzard hits when the students are camping. Gertie, Morag, and Struan must all work together to save the children.

      3. You Could Make This Place Beautiful-Maggie Smith (Audiobook)

      No, it’s not written by that Maggie Smith as I thought when I checked it out. This is about a wife and mother of two, and her experiences struggling through her divorce. It was a little depressing for my taste but not a bad book.

      4. Living the Creative Life-Rice Freeman-Zachery (Non-fiction)

      The book features several artists and gets their answers to various art-related questions. Everything from what is creativity? to what are your workspaces and habits? More about a creative lifestyle than the art itself.

      5. After You-Jojo Moyes

      This is the sequel to Me Before You. The original is spectacular and is burned in my memory. This book is good but as always, the first one is better. After losing Will, Louisa’s life is depressing and seems to be on hold. Enter Sam Fielding a paramedic who treats Louisa after a freak accident. The book centers around Louisa attempting to get her life on track and figuring out what and who is important to her.

      6. Cottage Core Simplified-Katie Merriman (Non-fiction)

      This book delivers what the cover offers-a guide to countryside charm, comfort, and happiness. A nice cozy book.

      7. Big Magic:  Creative Living Beyond Fear-Elizabeth Gilbert (Audiobook)

      An inspiring book for writers and other artists. Personal experiences from the author of Eat, Pray, Love.

      8. The Christmas Tree Farm-Melody Carlson

      Maddie McDowell returns to the Christmas tree farm she and her sister Addie have inherited from their grandparents. Maddie has been teaching in Mongolia for the past five years. The two sisters are at odds over whether to keep the farm. Enter Gavin, the neighbor both girls are smitten with. There is a lot of back and forth bickering before a conclusion is reached. A cozy holiday novel.

      Magazines:  AARP, Yankee, The Power of Connection (Oprah), Forks Over Knives-Plant-based cooking, Best Friends

      December 2024

      1. Somewhere Beyond the Sea-TJ Klune

        Arthur Parnassus, Linus Baker, and their menagerie of magical children are back in this sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea. I think of this book as the inclusive version of a fantasy story. The group is once again combatting the powers of evil that try to control them and rule their lives. I do so enjoy these books!

        2. The Murders in Great Diddling-Katarina Bivald

        In the book, author Berit Gardner attends a tea party in the tiny village of Great Diddling. The event takes place at the home of a wealthy estate owner. Her estate is set to be inherited by the disliked nephew. (I’ve read the first 30 pages of this book two times and cannot get into the story. Back to the library it goes. The story sounds interesting, it just isn’t holding my attention right now.)

        3. Does This Taste Funny?-Stephen Colbert & Evie McGee Colbert (Cookbook)

        The Colberts are from the South and so are the recipes featured in this book. Many from Evie’s mother. There is also humorous commentary from the authors, the two being from the late night talk show that bears their name.

        4. The Heart Healthy Plant-Based Cookbook-Pulapaka

        Many intriguing recipes are shared. They sound tasty but most require ingredients I don’t have on hand/are quite spicy, not necessarily hot. Not what I’m into right now but I may check this book out at another time.

        5. A Cyclist’s Guide to Crime & Croissants-Ann Claire

        Sadie Greene is successful at her corporate job and offered a promotion. She is also so busy that when her best friend comes by and asks her to go for a bicycle ride, she turns her down. Her friend is killed by a hit and run motorist on this very ride, forcing Sadie to reexamine her priorities. She quits her job and takes on the dream she and her friend shared of owning and running a bicycle touring company in the French countryside. Murders seem to follow Sadie, and she must solve them to save her new dream job.

        6. A Christmas Carol-Charles Dickens

        Even though I have seen several versions of this Christmas classic on screen, including the Mr. Magoo version, I had never read the original. Now, I have! It is as you would expect, and well worth the read.

        7. The Rose Arbor-Rhys Bowen

        Bowen’s books are a lovely combination of historical timepiece and cozy murder mystery. Liz Houghton is a former investigative reporter trying to fight her way back to the newsroom. She focuses on a missing child and wonders if the current case is tied to three unsolved missing child cases from years before. An evacuated and bombed English village comes into play in the cases. It took me a bit to get pulled into the story, then I couldn’t put it down.

        8. Lucy Burdette’s Kitchen, Recipes & Stories from the Key West Food Critic Mysteries (Cookbook)-Lucy Burdette

        I thought this was going to be a book about a food critic’s life on the island since I wasn’t familiar with the author. Instead, it contained recipes from a murder mystery series. Still, the book gave a nice island feel, and I may check out the mystery series.

        Magazines:  Real Simple

        Books I Read in February 2024

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        book
        A fun book!
        1. Unleashed Holiday-Victoria Schade

        I’ve been looking for this book ever since it came out in the fall. Dog trainer Chelsea Higgins is not happy when her old nemesis and former love interest Andrew locates his new gym right next to her business. She agrees to a job training Andrew’s mother’s goats. Chelsea also ends up helping Andrew train his deaf boxer and adopts an unruly Boston Terrier. We are amused by the many run ins between them all.

        2. The Road to Little Dribbling-Bill Bryson (Non-fiction)

        This is the sequel to Notes from a Small Island. The author moved from the United States to Britain years ago and has become a dual citizen. His descriptions of the country and his experiences are informative, and at times hilarious.

        3. How to be Wildflower-Katie Daisy (Illustrated)

        This is a book of gorgeous paintings by Katie Daisy with famous quotes and a bit of commentary from her. I used to buy her planners when I was working because they are so beautiful.

        4. Housebroke-Jaci Burton

        Hazel is living in her friend’s house with her five foster dogs, after said friend moved to the opposite coast. Hazel is surprised when renovator Lincoln Kennedy shows up, because her friend forgot to tell her the house was sold. Being a good guy, Lincoln lets Hazel, and the dogs stay in the guest house. They have all kinds of fun antics, but what will happen when it’s time for Linc to flip the house? A fun book.

        5. House Cat-Paul Barbera (Non-fiction)

        A cute book combining decorating and cats. We see photos of people’s interiors and meet their cats. Most of the homes are in New York, so not all my style, but still… cats!

        6. A Lighthouse Christmas-Jenny Hale

        Mia returns to the lighthouse where she grew up, after her grandmother’s death. She, and her mother and sister are readying it for sale to pay off debts. None of them really wants to sell it. Things are complicated when the real estate agent is good looking and nice too. Then there’s Mia’s estranged husband who wants her back. An enjoyable book.

        Magazines:  Yankee, Down East, Best Friends

        You may have noticed that a couple of these are Christmas books and Christmas is long over. I always enjoy a good Christmas book. I see no reason to relegate Christmas magic to December. A little bit of magic is good at any time of year.

        All the fiction books were fun, it’s your pick! I enjoyed the book by Bill Bryson, and I suspect it would be especially fun as an audio book to take advantage of any British accents. I will be looking for more of Bryson’s books on a future trip to the library.

        I hope all of my Ohio friends are safe and warm after yesterday’s little snowstorm. Our temperatures had been in the 60’s which resulted in me doing yard work. Yesterday we had several inches of snow, and winds. Today, it’s back to the 50’s, and 60’s in the days following. This is Ohio. We are not surprised.

        Books Read in July 2021

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        I often do my reading on the patio.

        I enjoyed every single one of these books! You can’t go wrong with any of them. Most are by authors that I read on a regular basis. Happy reading!

        1. The Return-Nicholas Sparks

        Trevor Benson is a surgeon recovering from permanent injuries that he sustained while serving in Afghanistan. He inherited his recently deceased grandfather’s home in North Carolina. While Trevor is there, he tends the bees and makes new relationships. One romantic and the other with a troubled young girl. While he is helping everyone else, he is also finding his own new path through life.

        2. Love for Beginners-Jill Shalvis

        Another wonderful story from Jill Shalvis. Her books are romances, but I love the relationships between all the characters in her books. Emma is recovering well from a near fatal accident. She and her physical therapist, Simon, work together regularly and develop a special relationship. The connections between Emma and her mortal frenemy, Simon’s dad, and others are all strong bonds.

        3. Birds of a Feather-Jacqueline Winspear

        This is the second book in the Maisie Dobbs series. This book once again points out tragedies that occurred during World War I, along with a mystery. A grocery store owner’s daughter goes missing and Maisie must find her. Of course, the case is not as straight forward as it first seemed. I like these books because they make me think, not only about the cases, but about society. They make the time during and after WWI come to life.

        4. The Bone Code-Kathy Reichs

        This is a book starring Temperance Brennan, a forensic anthropologist. Tempe is working on a case to identify two cases of similar crimes, as well as a historical mystery. Its fast-paced excitement keeps you on your toes. I’m also curious to see where Tempe’s life and career will end her next. I’m never disappointed.

        5. Life’s too Short-Abby Jimenez

        Vlogger Vanessa Price is trying to get her life together while dealing with a life wrought with family tragedies. Her next-door neighbor becomes a big part of this by helping her care for her sister’s infant daughter and her life in general. This is a book full of relationships of all types. I loved it!

        Magazines: Cottage Home, Southern Lady, Eating Well, Better Homes & Gardens, Writer’s Digest, Dogster

        Books I Have Read-January 2021

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        Books and Reading
        Coffee and Books!
        1. Paris Is Always a Good Idea-Jenn McKinlay

        Chelsea Martin tries to relive her year traveling through Europe. She went to Ireland, France, and Italy on her gap year between college and career. She decides she wants to find the girl she was, so recreates the trip with many unexpected results. A fun read.

        2. The Bone Collection-Kathy

        Four novellas about Dr. Temperance Brennan. We are given information about her background and how she came to be a forensic investigator. Intriguing as all works of Kathy Reich are.

        3. Murder, She Barked-Krista Davis

        Holly Miller returns unexpectedly to the pet-centered town where her grandmother lives. Murders and confusion seem to be everywhere. An enjoyable read.

        4 .A Good Year for the Roses-Gil McNeil

        Right after Molly gets divorced, she inherits a manor house from her Aunt. She and her three boys move from London to the Devon coast and begin a whole new way of life. Molly’s journey is one of growth and humor.

        5.The Hundred-Year House-Rebecca Makkai

        I nearly gave up on this book. It is written in 3 major sections, going backward in time. It could be a little hard to follow as each section began. By the end of each section, I was invested enough in the characters to keep going. The large house in question goes from artists’ colony to stately home to artists’ colony. It may be that the author is just too clever for me.

        Of these five books, I would have to say my favorite was #1, Paris Is Always a Good Idea. I love Jen McKinlay, and this book did not disappoint. If you’re not into romance novels, The Bone Collection by Kathy Reichs is also a very good choice.

        I didn’t read as much this past month and I’m not quite sure why. I’ll try to do better for February. Keep in mind the quote (I can’t remember who said it), “Those who can read and don’t, are no better off than those who can’t.

        Read on!

        Books Read-October 2020

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        1. A Conspiracy of Bones-Kathy Reichs

        Forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan works on solving another case while dealing with her own personal issues.

        2.Sisters by Choice-Susan Mallery

        Sophie, Kristine, and Heather are cousins. They look out for each other in their changing lives, offering courage and support.

        3.Sea Wife-Amity Gaige

        Juliet, her husband Michael and their two children buy a sailboat and live on it for a year. This book did not hold my interest and I stopped reading after about 40 pages.

        4.The Giver of Stars-JoJo Moyes

        A tale about four Kentucky librarians under Eleanor Roosevelt’s traveling library. The friendships that develop between the girls is heartwarming.

        5.No Fixed Line-Dana Stabenow

        A Kate Shugak crime mystery that takes place in Alaska. Kate solves a case involving drug and child trafficking. A good read.

        6.The Haunting of Hill House-Shirley Jackson

        A classic about a haunted house and the people who show up to study it.

        Of this list, my favorite was Giver of Stars. The relationships between the characters is heartwarming. I kept picking up this book because I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen.

        Books Read in January

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        I enjoy seeing what other people are reading so thought I would start my own reading list for 2020. I will comment on what I have read at the end of each month this year. Below is my list of books and magazines read for January 2020. I will also share with you a recommendation of which book was my favorite and why.

        Books Read January 2020:

        1. Noel Street-Richard Paul Evans

        A struggling young mother of a biracial child helps a Vietnam Veteran overcome his emotional troubles after the war.

        2. Everybody Has a Book Inside of Them-Ann Marie Sabth (Non-fiction)

        The author coaches you through deciding what your book is and gives inspiration and advice to write it.

        3. Midnight at The Blackbird Café-Heather Webber

        A young woman inherits her grandmother’s café and learns about her family, herself, and the legend of the blackbirds.

        4. The Oysterville Sewing Circle-Susan Wiggs

        The main character takes in her friend’s two orphaned children. This book is only peripherally about sewing. The scope covers a much larger issue.

        5. The Enlightenment of Bees-Rachel Linden

        The main character breaks up with her boyfriend and travels to foreign lands as a volunteer, having many adventures along the way.

        6. Aussie Rules-Jill Shalvis

        Love and a mystery with an Australian sidekick.

        7. The Second Worst Restaurant in France-Alexander McCall Smith

        The main character goes to a small town in the French countryside and has numerous unlikely adventures.

        Magazines

        1. O Magazine (Oprah)- December 2019
        2. Magnolia Journal-Fall 2018
        3. National Geographic December 2019

        And the winner is…The Oysterville Sewing Circle-Susan Wiggs! I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable book. It has a social message and awareness for us all to benefit from. The characters were also realistic and I found myself rooting for them. The main theme of the book took me by surprise and was much more than I expected.

        In the spirit of brevity, I did not give in depth descriptions or summaries of the books. If this is something that you would like to hear about, leave me a comment and I will offer more details in the future. Thanks for reading!