While the book hits more than a few of my favorite topics it is also about things I know nothing about: the Indian community in the UK, people who donWhile the book hits more than a few of my favorite topics it is also about things I know nothing about: the Indian community in the UK, people who don't already love books and reading, grandfathers. I looked up a lot of unfamiliar words, almost all about food. But I really appreciated the reading-for-comfort aspect most. As a reader it always kind of bugs me when a character is presented as a reader but doesn’t ever read onstage, doesn’t have conversations about books, doesn’t wonder what to read. ...Now I have "only connect" on my mind. I may have to read Howard's End again.
And also, props for the books on the reading list. Great stories. Sometimes imagine not having so many books in the hous: have only a small set of of my most beloved books, but, seriously? I'd ne er make it past Boynton without using up my permitted number of titles, no matter how many I could pick.
If I could only choose one by Austen it'd have to be Northanger Abbey: all the book chat!
At the Isabella Stewart Gardner. The was a rabbit outside the Living Room window, enjoying some grass. In the book, there were several pictures based At the Isabella Stewart Gardner. The was a rabbit outside the Living Room window, enjoying some grass. In the book, there were several pictures based on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass, including one of the rabbit hole, which particularly delighted me.
Apparently I have been hanging out in the wrong social media neighborhood: #CatsandBooks was new to me. There was no indication, until the last page oApparently I have been hanging out in the wrong social media neighborhood: #CatsandBooks was new to me. There was no indication, until the last page of photo credits and the back xover, that this book was assembled from posted photos. That explains why the pictures lean heavily in the direction of posed shots. Now it makes sense that the shelves are always pristine, and often the books are arranged by xolor.
The really surprising thing is how many of the cat eccentricities in the brief personality lists given resemble cats I have known: the hair ties in the water dish (Calder), going for walks with humans (Beastie), comes when whistled for (Pickle), carrying around toys to play fetch (like half of them), affection for Doritos, (Spooky). It made the book unexpectedly nostalgic.
Awww. The amusing adventures of a smut-loving librarian. Allows Excellent ending. In her more recent novels Dade has stretched out her timelines whichAwww. The amusing adventures of a smut-loving librarian. Allows Excellent ending. In her more recent novels Dade has stretched out her timelines which gives more room to develop the characters, motivations, contradictions as well as the plot. There's just as much charm and humor, but the tifhr schedule lends it a madcap quality.
I read this and the second book out of order. They're both a bit Princess Bride, the movie, and just silly fun. But I think I prefer this one just a tI read this and the second book out of order. They're both a bit Princess Bride, the movie, and just silly fun. But I think I prefer this one just a tiny bit: the bit at the very end.
Interesting take on Queen Victoria, too. Possibly my favorite there as well.
Free public libraries are one of the best things in modern life and dogs appearing publicly as therapy animals isAwwwwwww! I want to be a library dog!
Free public libraries are one of the best things in modern life and dogs appearing publicly as therapy animals is the best thing about Fridays at the hospital. One just can't help feeling better about everything when you see everyone being so pleased to see them.
So of course I teared up, just a little. Happy tears.
A vignette more than a story, but I sympathize. I read a lot, but rarely have anything meaningful to say about anything when I am done. And often, reaA vignette more than a story, but I sympathize. I read a lot, but rarely have anything meaningful to say about anything when I am done. And often, reading taste, or movies, or games, or whatever, they just don't mesh. There's more than a few people who recommend or give me books that just aren't it. There's a reason recommendations are muted ro me, and I don't make them: even people whose taste overlaps a lot with mine enjoy books I cannot, and vice versa. It is enough for someone ro tell me why they liked it, and sometimes why they hated it, for me to consider if it would do the same for me. And even then, sometimes a book doesn't suit my current mood, or the next two, and it falls by the wayside, returned to the library for someone else to enjoy, without ever being deliberately abandoned. Currently Reading is a shelf of books in limbo, maybe.
karen has it on the 2021 December calendar: here...more
Many picture books star anthropomorphic animals, but fewer have those critters living among humans. A goat-owned bookshop is novel. This works well wiMany picture books star anthropomorphic animals, but fewer have those critters living among humans. A goat-owned bookshop is novel. This works well with the plot: how does the bookseller convince another goat to read a book, rather than eat it. The illustrations are delightfully cozy: fun sweaters, fires American Gothic with goats! The bookstore is the archetype of cozy. Plus, there are little bookstore mice reading tiny books. Prepare to snuggle a child while you read this aloud. If there is deep snow outside, even better. So wintery!
Awww. Very sweet, in evoking independent bookstores, diverse popularions, and walkable urban neighborhoods. And there's a bookstore cat, of which I apAwww. Very sweet, in evoking independent bookstores, diverse popularions, and walkable urban neighborhoods. And there's a bookstore cat, of which I approve even as I know that allergies can be devastating. I had some quibbles with the illustrations (the onomotopeia repeated from the text to the illustrations throws off the rhythm), but the pair with the light on and off is brilliant.
LaMarche's art makes the difference between a good book and a fabulous one. I've read several by Haseley now, and they're good, I will be picking up aLaMarche's art makes the difference between a good book and a fabulous one. I've read several by Haseley now, and they're good, I will be picking up anything he's written. This book is lovely and it made me cry and I couldn't say why. It was just lovely and slightly sad but not entirely.
I thought I knew how it would all play out, and happily I was sooo wrong! No greater joy can be found in a book by a plot fiend such as me. Well, okayI thought I knew how it would all play out, and happily I was sooo wrong! No greater joy can be found in a book by a plot fiend such as me. Well, okay, delicious eats and three devoted friends is quit happy-making. One hates to see people brought together by bigotry, but loves to see people finding their people.
Highly relatable to most admins, English majors, female people, people in publishing, etc. and me, notably neither young nor of Asian descent.
From time to time I may have mentioned how it vexed me that more characters in novels don't read novels. Matthews has made up a goodly chunk of that dFrom time to time I may have mentioned how it vexed me that more characters in novels don't read novels. Matthews has made up a goodly chunk of that deficit in one go.
Devoted readers will love this, bookish people, rom-com fans, New York lovers, fans of small towns in general and North Carolina, alDeeply satisfying.
Devoted readers will love this, bookish people, rom-com fans, New York lovers, fans of small towns in general and North Carolina, all the people who watch all the Christmas romance movies, although this is not a Christmas story, probably lots of struggling actors, not excepting those who can do twinkly-eyed not really old ladies, artists filled with contempt for the business, and various others. Those looking for more books like this will enjoying all the names sprinkled through the text and densely packed into the acknowledgements: see, this is why you shouldn't skip the front or back matter.
Guess I'm going to have to read her other books, too.
In my humble opinion there are too many novels about writers and not nearly enough about readers. Happily this falls into that latter group, although In my humble opinion there are too many novels about writers and not nearly enough about readers. Happily this falls into that latter group, although to be honest, there is very little reading on stage.
Everyone who ever admired a large personal library will be charmed.
From the absurd number of tags/shelves I've marked it should be clear that this book manages to. Hit a whole slew of interests. I love these books. I From the absurd number of tags/shelves I've marked it should be clear that this book manages to. Hit a whole slew of interests. I love these books. I love that Cashore is out there having adventures and turning them into stories so that I don't have to go to sea and suffer all that. Because as much as sailing appeals to me, the seasickness would be unbearable.
Now off to start over again with Graceling for the New Year.
Really fun look at a kid's favorite book that has been customized. While I do not advocate defiling a library book of course, no matter how much I disReally fun look at a kid's favorite book that has been customized. While I do not advocate defiling a library book of course, no matter how much I disagree with any aspect of it (besides, I can vent to more people on GoodReads), I am heartily in favor of people owning books and enjoying them however they see fit. I do not dog ear my books, try not to break the spines, keep them properly housed on shelves for the most part. I even take off the dust jacket while I'm reading a hardcover, although that's mostly because they are slippy and annoying. Nor do I write in my books, not even my name. But that's me. Other people are welcome to do wildly different things. I can't even get upset about the deliberate and willful destruction of books by individuals or libraries. Burning is wrong of course because global warming, fire safety, etc. But I've seen fun crafts and beautiful art made from books and I am well aware that while some books may be sacred, there are an awful lot that don't even come within hailing distance of the nominally functional.
Let the wild rumpus begin!
Fun book, vibrant art, props for including a Black princess with a white knight.
Life is a lot right now, and I haven't been getting enough sleep to cope, and when I can't cope, nothing is as comforting as Meg Cabot. She is reliablLife is a lot right now, and I haven't been getting enough sleep to cope, and when I can't cope, nothing is as comforting as Meg Cabot. She is reliably cheerful, even when (perhaps especially when) she's writing about bad stuff. What a remarkable skill it is to look at something bad and, without denying or belittling, show a way through it.
Look, I know that fiction isn't disguised autobiography. But the principle and featured characters here are all popular writers at a book festival. How can a reader not love it? The thoughtfulness of the book-signing scene, what it reveals of character, is just perfect. This scene is everything. I wouldn't place a bet on which books are still being read in a hundred years even if I knew I would be around to collect it. Even if it hasn't become a classic though, I really hope someone will get their PhD examining that scene.
Short form: best book to read your way through the worst time.
Library copy but I'm going to buy a copy right now. I may read it again today....more
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