Link-O-Rama

Link-O-Rama

Nightstand August 15, 2019

I’m so ready for the weekend, how about you? I’m going to make this one a short post because I’m a bit behind on my reading for my upcoming mystery book group meeting and I’m leading the discussion. yikes! But, I have some fun links I wanted to share so hope you enjoy these too.

For those of you who love maps, take a look at these 16th-Century maps of Mexico. Wouldn’t they be wonderful as end papers in a history novel?

Can you imagine being the one to find these scrapbooks? Makes me want to go thrifting this weekend!

Of course, then I read this about radioactive papers and makes me think twice about old papers.

Finally, I know we all know this but Reading Makes People Feel Happier and Smarter. In case you have any non-readers you need to convince to pick up a book.

Happy weekend all and more book talk soon!

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The Flatshare

The Flatshare

Nightstand August 13, 2019

“You’ve got to say this for desperation. It really does make you much more open-minded.I really can see some positives in this flat.”

The Flatshare
By Beth O’Leary
Source: Advance review copy

It’s time for Tiffy to find a new apartment. She’s broken up with her ex-boyfriend, again, and since he’s moved in a new girlfriend she has to leave but the problem is her meager salary doesn’t allow her to be very choosy so when she sees an ad to share a flat and a bed, not at the same time, she thinks that must be the perfect solution.

Leon didn’t want a flat mate but his brother needs his help and if it means sharing his bed then that’s ok. It shouldn’t be too hard to manage as he works the night shift at the long term care home and he can spend his weekends with his girlfriend.

Neither Tiffy’s friends nor Leon’s girlfriend think this arrangement is going to work but Tiffy moves in and the pair are having an easy time communicating via post-its. Leon thinks it’s funny that he’s having a lot of conversations via the little notes and is actually growing used to them and looks forward to Tiffy’s notes about the flat, the neighbors, books she’s reading and everything else in between. Funny how much you can learn about a person.

Eventually Tiffy needs a bit of help getting away from her emotionally abusive ex-boyfriend and this may mean the Tiffy and Leon will finally meet.

I really enjoyed reading about the development of Tiffy and Leon’s relationship. The story is told from both POVs so I thought that was a perfect way to show each of their personalities and quirks.

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On My Nightstand

On My Nightstand

Nightstand August 12, 2019

August has been a good reading month so far. I recently finished The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abby Waxman and that was a fun, light read. More on that to come but in the meantime I wanted to talk about my current reads.

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata. For Women in Translation month I went with this Japanese novel about a young woman who can’t seem to relate to anyone and when she graduates from school she ends up working at the Smile Mart convenience store. What everyone thought was a temporary job stretches out into years. Now Keiko has been working there for 18 years. I love the descriptions of the food mart and the employee and manager interactions. So curious to see what Keiko decides to do to change up her life.

In Another Time by Jillian Cantor. This is my audiobook selection and it’s the story of bookstore owner Max Bassinger and Hannah Ginsberg, a Jewish violinist. Their love story is set amidst the growing threat of another war in Germany but Max thinks he’s found a way to keep Hannah safe. I didn’t know much about this book when I started it so I was a bit thrown off by one major aspect of the book but I’m really enjoying this historical novel.

The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters. This is another story set around wartime and it’s the story of Frances and her mother who’ve had to take on boarders to make ends meet. The paying guests are Lillian and Leonard Barber who seem to have much livelier lives than the Wrays. How well will the four get sharing a space? I can already see dilemmas this living situation is going to present for all involved. As with other Waters’ novels I’ve read, this one is filled with wonderful descriptions of the setting and characters.

Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions by Mario Giordano. Auntie Poldi needs a change of scenery now that she’s retired. What she’s looking for is a house with a good vibe and somewhere with a view of Etna. Really like Auntie Poldi who enjoys her drinks (perhaps a bit too much) and dressing well. I need to focus on this one as it’s for my mystery book group discussion next week.

Have you read any of these? What did you think?

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