Greetings you guys! It’s the third weekend in a row with dreadfully cold weather. Wind and rain also seem to take up weekend residence in our little town. We don’t mind the rain, we desperately need it. But the wind and cold is too much for my sensitive constitution.
We are all well and the little mutt still appears to be growing like one of Jack’s magic beans. She is very inquisitive and playful. She does keep the humans on their toes and the rest of the household’s tails in a knot. I am worried that she is trying to hack a space on my beautiful blog. I have my spies out you know and here she was caught red-handed by Lea trying to hack our post.
Can you believe that? And then Mommy turns around and says that maybe we should give her some blogging time. Daddy cam up with Agent Anna Snout Investigates and suggests we let her do all the mystery books Mommy loves so much. I need to think about this. Long and hard.
Nothing much else is new in our world, school is busy and finally at a good rhythm after the past 2+ years. Mommy is full of new ideas for the library and she really just needs to give a special shout out to Debbie @ Readerbuzz for all her help and input with ideas and inspiration.
Although we’ve been a bit quiet on the blogging front, we have been reading quite a bit. Our new library is so gorgeous, but it’s terribly cold downstairs, so we rather just say up here and read as much as we can. Sharing the couch with the mutt is a challenge for me, but I will overcome it in good time. Or not.
Adding to the Litter
My Mommy squealed with happiness this week when she got approved for the new Marie Benedict book, The Mitford Affair.
From New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict—she’ll have to choose: her country or her sisters?
Between the World Wars, the six Mitford sisters dominate the English political, literary, and social scenes. Though they’ve weathered scandals before, the family falls into disarray when Diana divorces her husband to marry a fascist leader and Unity follows her sister’s lead, inciting rumors that she’s become Hitler’s own mistress.
Novelist Nancy Mitford is the only member of her family to keep in touch with Diana and Unity after their desertion, so it falls to her to act when her sisters become spies for the Nazi party.
Probing the torrid political climate of World War II and the ways that sensible people can be sucked into radical action, The Mitford Affair follows Nancy’s valiant efforts to end the war and the cost of placing loyalty to her country above loyalty to her family.
This book is due for publishing in January 2023, so my Mommy rushed to the Book Shop to go and buy a new planner for 2023. And she got one even better. An 18 month Planner starting August 2022, ending January 2024. How awesome is that. New Year in mid August. It feels as if we are allowed to turn a brand new page. And aren’t those pages just gorgeous.
Scratching the Blog Pole
We haven’t been as active as I guess we can, let’s just blame the weather. In case you missed any of our posts lately, here’s the links for you:
- Book Review – Gambling with Murder by Lida Sideris
- Ten Hilariously Funny Feline Book Titles
- Book Review: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
- Ten Books I love that are 100 Years Old
- Throwback Thursday to Salt to the Sea & At the Water’s Edge
On the Couch
Recently Finished
- How to Stop Time by Matt Haig (Audio) – Hmmmm… I think I might have enjoyed this one more if I’ve read it and not listened to it. Typical Matt Haig, there’s a lot of life affirmation and think-about-it quotes that sometimes goes missing between the sound waves, but tend to remain stuck between the pages when you read the book. It was still but a 3 star book for me.
- The Secrets of Sainte Madeleine by Tilly Bagshawe (Pigeonhole) – How much do you love family sagas? We love them! This was good. Our review will be up during the week. A 4.5 star read.
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Paperback/Book Club) – Unputdownable. We read until the wee hours this morning.
- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (Paperback/Book Club) – Life changing and definitely my book of the year!! Our review is on top.
Currently Reading
I’ve been reviewing for The History Quill Book Club now for a year and I have to say, I have never been disappointed in the books the list for review. The latest one is something different, but we are enjoying it a lot.
Based on actual events, this story is set in a newspaper office in Eastern Montana in 1926. A time when the American public was obsessed with newspaper horror stories of what most today would consider ordinary murders or other man-made catastrophes. Anything that could contribute to the roar of the Roaring 20’s was commercialized, became sensational news overnight, and newspaper fodder for many days thereafter. Hence, a flood that could destroy a town became a front-page event. More than anything, Alex wants to be a journalist for a major metropolitan newspaper. A field dominated by men. Harriet Quimby and Nellie Bly notwithstanding. Although she’s covered other front-page stories, including a murder of a much loved and respected rancher, this flood will affect everyone living in Sunset Valley, if they survive. When this life changing story falls into her lap, her editor threatens to assign it to a more seasoned male reporter, or maybe cover it himself. Alex becomes frustrated at being cast aside and is determined to hold on to her right to cover the breaking news. Her story will ring true to all women who have been passed over in favor of a male associate, those who didn’t give in and broke through the glass ceiling, and inspire women who are just getting their feet wet in their careers.
We should be finished later today and will keep you posted on our review. I think we will start with The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak today as well.
Not watching anything worth mentioning at the moment. Any suggestions?
Have a good week you guys and remember to add your link to our lovely hosts: Debbie @ Readerbuzz with The Sunday Salon, Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer with The Sunday Post and Marlene @ Reading Reality with Stacking the Shelves.
I hope you had a wonderful week. I’m really late getting to everyone’s posts this week. 😯
Love the pic of Anna trying to hack the blog! I love the idea of the pups taking on the mystery reviews. That’ll give Elza some extra me time! Our cat seems to be slowly warming to the dog but they are not the best of friends yet despite the dog’s enthusiasm. I hope you’ve had a great week!
Adding The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo to my list. Have a great week!
I love the dog photo! Both are so adorable, but not as adorable as Elza :). I love the new planner too. And I’m so glad you enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry!! It’s so good and one of my favorites for 2022
I’m sorry it’s so cold. I don’t mind the rain either, but I don’t like the coldness of winter. I do like it cool, but not cold.
I’m glad you’ve been getting a lot of reading done. 😀 I haven’t, lol. Maybe soon. We’ll see.
Have a good week! 😀
You are reading some good books. I would take the cold since I can put on more knitted sweaters and socks but in the heat and sun I can’t really take off any more clothes. I mean I sunburn terribly. lol If it’s cold, perhaps the mutts will warm your feet or side? They are adorable.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
I hope you and the new dog can work things out between you. I’m sure there’s plenty of love and plenty of blog to go around.
That’s a lovely planner! And I need to put Lessons in Chemistry on my TBR list. All the reviews I have seen have been so good.
Have a wonderful week!
Agent Anna has a nice ring, LOL. Sorry it is cold and wet, we are dealing with humidity and rain, but it does seem to be cooling off a bit. Glad things are working out and coming along in the library. Have a great week.
Cute pics of the dogs! Happy reading!
Even today, there are glass ceilings of all kinds in journalism. A Lady Newspaperman’s dilelmma sounds like a fascinating book.
I hear you Harvee,
The leading character in A Lady Newspaper Man’s Dilemma did really push the ceiling. I can highly recommend it! My review will probably be up within the next couple of days.
Busted! Will it be long before we stat seeing updates? She looks like she’s ready to go!
Lessons in Chrmistry does seem to be getting lots of love! 🙂
Hi Greg!
I am busy formulating a plan of note here. I just need to get the time to sit with my graphic designer friend and to plan the Agent Anna Snout inclusion very carefully. But it is exciting!
Sorry I reply so late, this week….
At least you’re replying- I struggle with getting to mine. And yay are we seriously going to get doggo updates?
Sorry about the dreadful cold but, we should not complain about the rain…we need some here but, no water restrictions yet thankfully. I hope Agent Anna is up to the mystery review challenge. I’m sure Elza won’t mind LOL – Have a great week and pull out the warm sweaters.
Hi there Diane! We are very grateful for the rain yes. No idea when our water restrictions will be lifted. I think we might need a bit more rain….
I think Agent Anna is up for the challenge yes. I just need to get some extra time to do a bit of planning and so forth. I’ll keep you posted.
Hope you will have a great week Diane!
I always love planners and your looks lovely. I’ll have to check out Lessons in Chemistry. It sounds really good. Have a great week!
I’m sure you will love Lessons in Chemistry Yvonne! I’ve borrowed it to my principal and even he loved it so much.
I love my new planner! I mainly use it for blogging though. The school works on a time table…
Have a good week!
A canine interloper nosing into the blog?? You need to put your paw down very firmly over THAT suggestion, Elza! Who knows what they’ll suggest next – a scratching post for him? a catnip treat or two? Or maybe he’ll get to lie in the warmest spot in the house!!! I hope the weather gets less miserable and you assert your proper place in the scheme of things. Have a lovely week and love to Mom from me:)).
Hi Sarah!
Oh your comment made me laugh out loud now!! So funny! I will read your message word for word to Elza. She will agree with everything you say and probably ask you to join her army.
How are you doing? Wait, let me hop over!
What a gorgeous photo – your new addition to the family is so cute! Looks like you had a great reading week, I bought Seven Husbands last year but still haven’t gotten around to reading it yet. I also have Lessons in Chemistry on my TBR as I keep hearing such good things about it. Have a great week and happy reading.
Hi Louise!
Anna is terribly cute yes and a welcome addition to the family. We love her so much!
I can strongly recommend both Evelyn Hugo and Lessons in Chemistry, I hope you can get to them soon.
Have a lovely week ahead and thanks for stopping by!
So wonderful of you, Elza, to consider giving up a bit of your blog space for the occasional post by your competitor…uh, that is, your friend.
I’m so sorry you are suffering through this cold you are experiencing. Why can’t weather even out a bit? Is anyone working on that?
Happy you loved Lessons in Chemistry. And I’m eager to see how your school 1001 Children’s Books projects work out. I do hope you will be able to suggest more great children’s books from your part of the world to us soon.
Hi there Debbie!
I sure did take on a heavy task with the 1001 books. But the kids love love love the idea and now I have to make shelf space. Already spoken to someone who can make me a lovely sign for the shelf and started printing out the lists. I think it’s going to be so much fun. The Afrikaans kids already asked what they are going to do. I am busy working that out! We will definitely keep you in the loop.
I quite like the idea of Anna taking on a post or two, I like the dynamic between the two “characters”. Aah she’s such a joy Debbie. I love Elza, but let’s be honest – she’s a meowing queen! Regal and fuzzy and full of feline issues. She can be lucky she’s so damn gorgeous and lov me so much. But this little fox terrier… Now that’s a different story!! So glad we got her.
Look at me chatting up a storm. You must have a wonderful week ahead and take care!
I liked the Matt Haig books but prefered The Midnight Library more than the Stop Time book. Lessons in Chemistry is amazing!
Hi there Tina!
I’ve also enjoyed The Midnight Library more. Don’t know if it was because I’ve read it and not listened to it. How to Stop Time wasn’t bad, it just became tedious at certain points. But I did still enjoy it enough.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will have a good week ahead!
I want to read The Seven Husband’s of Evelyn Hugo. I love the photo! And that journal looks excellent.
After all the ridiculous heat we are finally getting some rain and cloud!
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2022/08/21/sunday-salon-17/
I love my new journal and really enjoyed Evelyn Hugo. It was worth all the hype.
Thanks for paying us a visit, I hope you will have a great week ahead!
It wasn’t clear to me if the book about the Mitfords was historic fiction or actual history. I keep meaning to read more about them, but I’ll start with actual history. I love the fact that the evil sisters Bella LeStrange and Narcissa Malfoy were somewhat based on them, as well as their good sister, Tonks. (I assume it’s obvious that I refer to the world of Harry Potter.)
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hi there Mae! I’ve read a few other novels by Marie Benedict and she is really good with sticking with historical facts and digging up things we didn’t know.
I can’t wait to read it and draw all the similarities to the other evil sisters.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by, I hope you will have a great week ahead!
A Lady Newspaperman’s Dilemma sounds really good. I will have to check it out!
It reads as if it’s written by a journalist, quite fitting! I am enjoying it and I hope it is a book that will be well received.
Thanks for the visit!
Lovely haul! I love a new planner (it’s hold such promise) but for me a digital planner is what works best. A Lady Newspaperman’s Dilemma sound wonderful – I hope that you enjoy it. Have a wonderful week ahead Elza!
Hi Jodie!
I can’t work with a digital planner… I’m too old school I guess. I do all my planning for school digitally, but then I print it out… LOL!!
I have 20% left of a Lady Newspaper man, it really is good read!
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will have a great week.