Within the pages of Xine’s Pack of Strays & Others – A Memoir, lies a rich tapestry woven from the threads of canine companionship, where each chapter tells a unique story of love, laughter, and the transformative power of four-legged friends. Among the myriad of tales, one shines brightly – the story of Alex, the Great Dane who graced the halls of Boston University and left an indelible impression on the hearts of those he encountered.
Though not my own dog, Alex’s presence looms large, offering valuable lessons and shaping my journey toward building my own pack of nine beloved canines. Join me as we embark on a journey through the pages of my memoir, where the bonds of friendship between humans and animals are celebrated, and the joy of companionship knows no bounds.
Welcome to a world where every dog has a story to tell, and the love of a pack becomes a guiding light through life’s adventures. Let the tales unfold.
Welcome to the Lit Lounge, fellow book enthusiasts! Despite the rain that seems to have taken up residence here in New Hampshire, I’m thrilled that you’ve joined me as we embark on a literary escape to sun-soaked destinations within the pages of our favorite summer-themed reads. So, grab your favorite beverage, find a cozy spot, and let’s dive into a curated selection of books that will transport you to warm beaches, enchanting towns, and adventures that scream summer. Rain or shine, I’m excited to share these unforgettable reads that will make your literary journey an absolute delight.
Step into the world of captivating stories that will transport you to sun-soaked settings and immerse you in the magic of summer. With this handpicked selection of 4 and 5-star-rated reads, get ready to embark on unforgettable journeys and embrace the joy of summer reading. Whether you’re longing to wander the rugged coastal marshes of Where The Crawdads Sing or embark on a soul-searching pilgrimage in The Salt Path, these books offer a range of experiences that will make your summer all the more memorable. Join the unforgettable characters in Lessons In Chemistry and The Summer Book as they navigate love, self-discovery, and the season’s beauty. With these summer escapes, you’ll find yourself lost in pages that sparkle with the essence of sunlit adventures.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars [Read and reviewed October 2020]
I loved Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The story follows the rise and fall of a fictional 1970s rock band, and it is an absolutely captivating read. The book’s unique format reminded me of Rolling Stone Magazine since, rather than being written in a traditional narrative style, the story is told through a series of interviews with the band members and other people in their lives. This format gives the story a sense of immediacy and intimacy that is hard to achieve in a traditional novel. The characters in this book are all so well-written and fully realized that they feel like real people. They have flaws and struggles and make mistakes, but they are also incredibly talented and passionate about their music. The relationships between the band members are complex and compelling, and the tension and drama that arise throughout the story kept me on the edge of my seat. So many times, I had to remind myself that the book is fiction. The audiobook version is particularly enjoyable, as each character is voiced by a different narrator, giving the interviews a truly immersive feel. The narrators bring their characters to life with their distinctive voices, and the music woven throughout the story enhances the experience. I highly recommend Daisy Jones and the Six to anyone who loves music, 1970s nostalgia, and complex character-driven stories. The audiobook is an especially great way to experience the story, with its immersive narration and captivating music.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars [Read and reviewed August 2021]
Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury is an absolute masterpiece that whisks readers away to the enchanting summer of 1928. As a devoted fan of Bradbury, this book holds a special place in my heart, immersing me in a world where nostalgia and imagination merge effortlessly. Bradbury’s unparalleled storytelling and lyrical prose immediately captivate. With vivid descriptions, he transports us to the summer of 1928, allowing us to experience its joys, sorrows, and wonders firsthand. The story showcases Bradbury’s versatility as a writer, celebrating youth, the passage of time, and the magic found in everyday moments. It resonates deeply, evoking emotions that linger long after the last page is turned. Immersed in the characters’ lives, particularly young Douglas Spaulding, we relish childhood innocence and enchantment. Bradbury explores profound themes of growth and mortality, reminding us to appreciate life’s fleeting moments. Dandelion Wine invites visitors to revisit its pages, discovering new layers of meaning with each reading. It’s a timeless exploration of the human experience that leaves an indelible mark on the soul.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars [Read and reviewed August 2022]
Those were the days! Want to spend part of your summer on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket without having to spend a fortune? Reading Summer of ’69 by Elin Hilderbrand is just the ticket – no lines, no delays, no cancellations, no reservations, and a lot cheaper. The story is about a family on Nantucket, and one of the daughters has taken a summer job on neighboring Martha’s Vineyard. Hilderbrand’s intimate knowledge and experience from her time on Nantucket made it easy for her to set such a vivid scene. She weaves personal details of the time that authenticate the period and demonstrate how much times have changed. Summer of ’69 is an interesting historical fiction novel but an equally terrific beach read. Hilderbrand covers all the hot points from the civil and women’s rights movements to the war in Vietnam, the moon launch, Woodstock, and Chappaquiddick. It’s a multi-generational story told by multiple family members – a great way to see how the times affected everybody and let the reader know each character. I loved how Hilderbrand used the names of classic songs from sixties bands like Buffalo Springfield and Jefferson Airplane. Great book, and if they ever make a movie, the soundtrack will be fantastic! Now I am curious and think I will put her other book, Summer of ’79, on my TBR list. I listened to the audiobook and Erin Bennett does a great job with the narration. 13 hours, 34 minutes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars [Read and reviewed July 2022]
Like a wave that crashed onto the shore and pulled me out to sea, I was swept away by Raynor Winn’s The Salt Path in the first 20 pages and deeply immersed in their story. The book reads raw and rough, much like their 630-mile walk. Winn’s descriptions of the southwest coast path in England make me want to experience the natural, wild beauty for myself. But then I remember what it’s like to go camping for long periods and think better of it. Wild camping may sound exciting, but as Ray explains, it has many drawbacks. She does not romanticize their situation; instead, she captures the realism of it, which can make some people uncomfortable. They had a home, their health, and the security of being able to make a living – all gone in the blink of an eye. It’s a story about life and how not paying attention to the little details can make all the difference in the world. However, it’s also about demonstrating that no matter how hard you get knocked down that it’s best to get back up and keep on moving. It’s a unique story about homelessness and how a couple of people who had everything going against them managed to keep going despite the odds. Great adventure read.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars [Read and reviewed July 2021]
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson is the best summer read! It’s a literary gem that captivates readers with its timeless portrayal of the tender bond between generations and the profound connections we forge with nature. This enchanting novel has left an indelible impression on me, and I can already sense that it will be a cherished companion on my bookshelf, beckoning me to return to its pages time and time again. At the heart of the story lies the priceless relationship between a young girl named Sophia and her grandmother. Jansson weaves a tapestry of emotions, effortlessly capturing the subtle nuances of their interactions. Their exchanges are filled with wisdom, laughter, and shared experiences, creating a portrait of love and understanding that resonates with readers of all ages. Through Sophia and her grandmother, Jansson explores the intricate dynamics within families, leaving us with a renewed appreciation for the connections that shape our lives. Jansson’s prose is magical and transports us to the idyllic island where Sophia and her grandmother reside. She paints a breathtaking picture of their surroundings with vivid and evocative descriptions. As I dove deeper into the story, I found myself walking alongside them, feeling the salty breeze against my skin and marveling at the beauty that enveloped them. Jansson’s ability to bring the island to life is simply awe-inspiring, making it an integral part of the narrative and infusing it with a soul of its own. One of the book’s greatest strengths lies in Jansson’s ability to infuse her reflections about people, relationships, and our connection to nature with a timelessness that transcends generations. The themes explored in The Summer Book are as relevant today as when the novel was first published. Jansson’s insights serve as gentle reminders of the profound impact our surroundings have on our well-being and the importance of cherishing the relationships that shape our lives. Through Sophia and her grandmother, Jansson invites us to reflect upon our own lives and find solace in the simple joys of nature. The Summer Book is a multilayered masterpiece that reveals new depths with each reading. Its charm lies in its ability to entertain, inspire, and provoke introspection simultaneously. As I turned the final page, I was left with a sense of awe and wonder that only a truly remarkable book can elicit. It is a must-read for anyone seeking a heartwarming and poignant tale that reminds us of the beauty found within the simplicity of life. Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book is a beautifully written work of art that deserves nothing short of five stars. Its exploration of the relationship between the grandmother and Sophia is tender and priceless, while the vivid descriptions of the island transport us to a world of unparalleled beauty. Jansson’s timeless reflections on people, relationships, and our connection to nature make this book a must-read for those seeking a captivating and thought-provoking experience. Prepare to be enchanted and discover a literary treasure that will find a permanent place in your heart and your bookshelf.
Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is a terrific novel that exceeded all my expectations. Approaching it cautiously due to past disappointments, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it truly deserves the accolades it has received. The story follows the determined journey of Elizabeth Zott, a single woman in a man’s world during a transformative era. Garmus skillfully balances the intense themes of the narrative with her infectious wit and humor, creating an engaging and enjoyable reading experience. Elizabeth’s trials resonated deeply with me as I found echoes of her struggles in our modern society. Garmus’s portrayal of her challenges felt authentic and relatable, drawing me further into the story. I was particularly drawn to the author’s vivid descriptions of the joys and tribulations of life with a newborn, which had me chuckling out loud. Throughout the novel, Garmus weaves a cast of endearing characters who become like a second family. As I bid farewell to Elizabeth, Mad, Harriet, and the others, a pang of sadness lingers as if parting from dear friends. Garmus’s ability to create such memorable and beloved characters is a testament to her writing skill. Lessons In Chemistry is a captivating and insightful read that deserves the highest praise. Its compelling storyline, well-rounded characters, and the perfect balance of depth and humor earned it a solid 4.5 stars in my book, rounded up to 5 stars.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars [Read and reviewed June 2020]
Amazing! Where the Crawdads Sing, the debut novel by Delia Owens, is a mesmerizing tale that effortlessly transports readers into a world of intersecting lives and the enchanting beauty of the natural world. Narrated by Cassandra Campbell in a captivating audio edition that spans 12 hours and 12 minutes, this story unfolds with grace, immersing the listener in the vivid landscapes of Barkley Cove, North Carolina, and the haunting marshlands where Kya Clark, the enigmatic “Marsh Girl,” resides. From the first moment, Owens’s storytelling prowess grips the reader, and through Campbell’s eloquent narration, Kya’s world comes alive with remarkable depth. Kya’s journey, shaped by years of isolation, resonates profoundly as she navigates a world she learned from the untamed wilderness. The author’s background as a zoologist is evident in her lyrical descriptions of the marsh, its creatures, and the delicate interplay between nature and the human spirit. The atmospheric descriptions of the marshlands and the creatures that inhabit them provide a seamless backdrop to Kya’s captivating narrative. Owens’s ability to seamlessly intertwine the raw beauty of nature with Kya’s struggles and triumphs creates a truly immersive experience for the listener. One cannot help but marvel at the ecosystem’s intricacies that nurtured and protected Kya when the human world failed her. Through her skillful storytelling, Owens explores the complexities of love and the inherent dichotomy found in the natural world. Kya’s understanding of the ruthless nature of female insects becomes a poignant metaphor for her experiences with relationships. These subtle parallels draw readers deeper into Kya’s psyche, enhancing the emotional resonance of her story and leaving a lasting impression. Where the Crawdads Sing, is an extraordinary literary journey that seamlessly blends a coming-of-age story with the raw power of nature. Delia Owens’s background as a zoologist shines through in her exquisite descriptions, while Cassandra Campbell’s narration brings Kya’s world to life in the audio edition. This 5-star novel is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience and our profound connection to the natural world. Prepare to be swept away by this enchanting tale of isolation, self-discovery, and the enduring power of love.
Thank you for joining us in the Lit Lounge! I hope these summer reads have sparked your imagination, transported you to sun-soaked destinations, and ignited your love for the written word. As we reluctantly bid farewell to this selection of books that captured the essence of summer, remember the words of Ray Bradbury in Dandelion Wine: “Summer, after all, is a time when wonderful things can happen to quiet people.” Let’s keep the spirit of summer alive and stay tuned for more seasonal-themed selections that will transport us to different worlds and evoke the magic of each season. In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you! Share your favorite summer reads or suggest books that have captured the season’s essence. Let’s celebrate the joy of reading and the magic of every season. Cheers to many more literary adventures to come!
I’ve had so much pressure put on me these days I think if I write them down I’ll feel better.
The first line from Book One: Christine’s Diary 2/20/80-6/20/80 February 20, 1980 – I’m 15 years old at the time
I am a huge advocate for journaling. I find it to be a great way of downloading and organizing my thoughts —a way to work out all the crazy details of what life throws at me. It gives me to have the space and time to sort out things. I have been journaling on and off for the last forty years. My mother hated that I kept a journal when I was a teenager. She read it, invading my privacy, betraying my trust. She felt it was for my own good. She wanted me to destroy my diary but it meant too much to me, I was 16 years old and gave it to my boyfriend at the time for safe keeping. It was ‘our diary’. He kept it for twenty years or more and returned it to me, still in the same manila envelope I had sealed it up in two decades earlier. He never opened it. Reading it today is hysterical and I am so glad I have those memories preserved, I had forgotten so much.
Book One is on top of the Red Diary Book IV, the diary which got me into so much trouble. I must have been watching a lot of M*A*S*H in 1981. My current journal is peeking out to the right with the flower design.
I journaled very little in my twenties. Gun-shy that my privacy, my trust would be betrayed again by those around me. I tried to start again when I had children in my late 20s, early 30s – I wanted to have at least a record of some of the milestones they were experiencing—a sentence here, a paragraph there is all I could muster. I was blocked. Mom’s voice echoing in my head telling me that it was dangerous to write things down. Someone could read it.
During a particularly difficult time in my life, little by little, I turned to journaling to quiet my mind. I began writing more in my notebooks. I had finally unlocked a part of me that had been closed off. The dam that was keeping me from being able to express myself on paper was beginning to weaken. Thankfully it burst. That was close to 18 years ago and for over a decade, I have kept the same routine every morning.
Notebook, pen and coffee – the trinity of my morning
I am an early bird who enjoys waking up when it’s dark, no matter what time of year. I head straight to the kitchen and brew myself a cup of coffee when the time is four something a.m. The dogs get a morning snack while we wait for my water to boil. For the last 10 months, I have been using an AeroPress to make my coffee. I used to use a Keurig, but we discovered too many times the minerals that built up in the reservoir, and sometimes something green looked to be floating around if we forgot about rinsing out the reservoir…So now I boil water in a small teapot with a thermometer so I can achieve the perfect temperature for coffee. I love coffee and don’t ever want to live without it, but that’s another blog article waiting to be written. After the coffee is made and the dogs have had a treat or two, we head into my den, my sanctuary.
I sit at the desk that was once my Nana’s, it’s an old secretary that would close if I ever cleared enough of my clutter away. Nana would be shaking her head at my constant mess and the look of her old desk. Usually very little of the dark brown wood is exposed on the writing surface, my journal sits upon a few notebooks, catalogs, mail and my calendar book. The few times I have cleared my desk, the clutter appears within hours much like magnets are attracted to ferrous medal. It’s organized chaos, I know pretty much where everything is when I need to retrieve things from the pile. The idea of keeping the desk clear enough to be able to shut it up when I am not using it seems absurd to be since I am always using my desk.
Journaling Helps Mindfulness
Journaling, for me, has become a form of meditation. It’s one of a couple of ways I meditate besides my time on the cushion. This may seem contrary to what most people see meditation being. Many believe to meditate they must have a clear mind. Many don’t attempt mediation because they think they will never be able to stop the rolling thunder of thoughts they constantly have. I am able to help quiet my mind by writing my thoughts about what’s on my mind first thing in the morning, so I don’t drag that load of thoughts with me throughout the day. There is no turning off of our brains, but you can learn how to control the volume.
I am trying to be more present as I go through life in these very distracting times and I find that journaling helps me to be more mindful. There is something about putting my thoughts down and seeing them visually that I find helpful. I am always encouraging my children to journal, even if it’s an artistic journal of daily drawing or a combination of words and drawings. Sometimes drawing when you can’t find the words will help.
My children are all adults now and came to visit us recently; everybody had their heads in their phones. I miss the days when you left the house, and your phone didn’t come with you. It didn’t used to be like this when I was raising them, the technology became more invasive since they moved away from home over 5 years now. You could focus on what was around you and not be so concerned with the distractions that our phones present today. Again that’s for another blog post.
There was a time when I was trying to get back to writing in a journal but was afraid to write down my thoughts. My mother’s voice in my head, saying that someone would read them and use my words against me. I tried to type a journal and use passwords to lock the entries. But now I have no idea what the password is all these years later, which is just as well. Some thoughts may be better off forgotten.
I never liked typing my journal out. It seems so impersonal. I prefer to handwrite things out. The first draft of my memoir is handwritten in three notebooks. I love the feel of pen to paper. The sound it makes as I carve each letter out into my notebook. Sometimes in the silence of the morning that is all I can hear, a sound which I find soothes me. I have a specific pen I like to use too, the Pilot G-2 .07 in black ink. The ink flows smoothly and never pools. I have had that issue with other pens. This pen feels nice and comfortable in my hand which is important since I can write for hours. When I was writing my book I would write for three or four hours at a time without a break; however morning journaling is usually an hour, sometimes two. I also have a certain style of journal I prefer to use over others: Pen+Gear. It is the perfect size and has a decent number of pages per book. It takes me anywhere from three to four months to fill one of these journals. I also love to decorate my journals the way I would have in high school or college. I don’t know what I will do with all my journals one day. They were helpful to me while I wrote Xine’s Pack of Strays & Others , helpful reminders of certain details here and there. Perhaps I will have a bonfire in our wood furnace, so as not to burden my children with their mother’s leftovers one day.
A collection of my journals. The one in front I just started a couple of days ago.
“In the diary you find proof that in situations which today would seem unbearable, you lived, looked around and wrote down observations, that this right hand moved then as it does today, when we may be wiser because we are able to look back upon our former condition, and for that very reason have got to admit the courage of our earlier striving in which we persisted even in sheer ignorance.”
Franz Kafka
Getting Started
If you want to start a new routine of journaling. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Write as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. I would recommend trying to set as side at least two minutes of your day to start. You would be amazed at what a busy mind can write down in two minutes. And if you can’t think of anything, write down what the weather is like outside. Every one of my journal entries begin with the day, date and time that I started writing. I usually also note the time that I end but not always. I also write down the weather outside. I have a weather station that sits atop my desk so I record the temperature and wind speed if there is any. We can gale force winds on the mountain. All these little details get my pen flowing and my mind starts to spill out onto the page.
When journaling don’t worry about how say things or sound. What is important is getting the thoughts – however raw on to the paper. We carry so much with us on a daily basis, It’s a challenge to be in the present in the moment with distractions so in our face, an overload of information being thrown at us and worries about the future playing on a repeated loop in our minds. Taking a few minutes for ourselves is more important than ever. Sometimes you need to be able to vent and not have anyone judging you. Sometimes just writing down what’s bother ing you can help.
Ceremonial Burn
Burning your thoughts can be extremely cathartic. When my mother was really upset she would sometimes write her thoughts but then she would burn them. Her old boss at the Stork Club, Sherman Billingsley always advised her to never write anything down and if she did to burn the pages and the pad she wrote in. I haven’t burned anything in years however, I have a letter that I plan on writing that I don’t expect to be very nice. I will burn that letter in a cathartic ceremony to free myself of thoughts that no longer serve me. The recipient is dead so it’s really the only way to “deliver it”. I don’t wish to carry these things in to the future with me. Writing things out certainly helps in being able to not only work through things but to also help in letting go as well.
I am so excited about this! I have been working on this project for a long while now and to see it finally come to fruition is thrilling and a proud moment for me.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New book “Xine’s Pack of Strays & Others: A Memoir” by Xine Segalas is released, a touching, often humorous collection of stories, lessons, and adventures of a lifetime spent with dogs.
“Xine’s Pack of Strays & Others: A Memoir” by Xine Segalas has been released worldwide. This 286-page memoir focuses on the author’s lifelong adoration for dogs, from adopting her first puppy as a child to an adult life raising a family around loveable canines. Throughout her life, the presence of these loyal, goofy, and wonderful pets have provided comfort, essential life lessons, and a sense of companionship that dog lovers around the world can relate to.
These stories, drawn from years of daily journaling, show how dogs are with us through thick and thin, often teaching us valuable lessons of compassion, patience, and unconditional love. Chronicling her family’s dogs over the years, these poignant reflections are often funny, but also delve into the inevitable heartbreak of losing a beloved animal, navigating grief, and the true value of opening your heart.
A perfect read for animal lovers of all kinds, Segalas deftly describes the personalities of her dogs, their quirks, their role in family dynamics, and the ways that four-legged friends improve the lives of all the people they encounter. The underlying message of fearless love is inspiring, and a reminder of how relationships with pets can change how we see the world.
Xine’s Pack of Strays & Others: A Memoir (ISBN: 9781958729861) can be purchased through retailers worldwide, including Barnes and Noble and Amazon. The paperback retails for $18.99, and the ebook retails for $4.99. Wholesale orders are available through Ingramew book.
From the back cover:
Life isn’t easy, but there are two essential things that Xine Segalas uses to help her navigate daily. First, writing every morning in a journal to download her thoughts. A habit she started as a teenager and continues to practice to this day. Second, but always first in priority, are her dogs, her pack, “#xinespack.” The dogs that help her get through the daily crap, even when they are adding to it.
Everyone knows one of those dogs. If you don’t have one of them yourself, your friend or neighbor does, or you see them on the street. They are Shetland Sheepdogs, Brittanys, Goldendoodles, Australian Shepherds, and mixed breeds. They’re the dogs that make you laugh and make you cry, sometimes simultaneously. The ones you rescued only to realize they saved you. They are the dogs that left us too soon and the ones that needed our help to make the tough decisions. Their imprints are all over our hearts, and the lessons they teach are immeasurable. Xine’s Pack ofStrays and Others is a collection of those stories – the adventures, the misadventures, and everything in between – and the lessons Xine and her family have learned about life from their furry and feathery friends.
About the author:
Xine Segalas was born and raised in New York City. She graduated from Boston University’s College of Communications and enjoyed a career in communications and financial industries before starting a couple of companies in the home gardening industry. Currently, she lives in Bridgewater, New Hampshire, with three dogs, three chickens, and her fiancé, Mark. In addition to writing daily, Xine is a digital artist, photographer, and gardener.
About NH book publisher Seacoast Press:
NH book publisher Seacoast Press provides authors with traditional-quality bookpublishing services while allowing authors to retain publishing rights and 100% royalties.Seacoast Press’ wide variety of publishing services includes book design; editorial; printing; distribution; publicity; and marketing. Seacoast Press books are available through retailers and booksellers worldwide. All Seacoast Press books can be purchased wholesale through Ingram.
To learn more about Seacoast Press, the premier book publisher in NH,
I am amazed how quickly summer came and went and yet still parts crawled by. As I am still dealing with things which started earlier this summer, I can’t help but think that all the reading and listening I have been doing has helped time to march along. Certainly my book club selections have opened whole new worlds to me for which I am grateful to escape into as do my audiobook selections. September was a month filled with some wonderful selections, all very different from the next!
The influences of H.G. Wells, Agatha Christie, and the writers of Groundhog Day, Harold Ramis and Danny Rubin, can be seen throughout Stuart Turton’s debut novel, The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. The English countryside setting is straight out of a Hercule Poirot mystery. Blackheath is the remote country estate of the wealthy Hardcastle family, who are throwing a party for their daughter, Evelyn, on the anniversary of their son’s murder. Family can be so twisted. The guests that have all been summoned were also present all those years ago, the night of the murder, except one. One guest, the narrator/protagonist, decided to come to Blackheath because he wanted to be there. This complex novel is further complicated by deliberately confusing the protagonist from the beginning.
Are people whom they appear to be? A question for the ages, and it’s presented rather cleverly. There is a large cast of characters to keep straight as we figure out the mystery. This gets tricky since we learn about many of them as the protagonist jumps from body to body, day by day. Each time he jumps, he has no recollection of who he is and what he learned about the murder when he was in the other bodies. So, there is a lot to keep straight.
Can people change given a chance to relive their mistakes? Would they repeat them, ever learn from them? Like the classic 1983 comedy Groundhog Day, Turton has turned this question into a darker story at Blackheath. An essential element of the story which some might find triggering is suicide. Overall, I liked the book; but being so confused for so long throughout made following along challenging. The audiobook is 17 hours and 4 minutes long and narrated by James Cameron Stewart.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when my August Literati book from Cheryl Stray’s Wild Reads arrived last month. Seeing Ghosts: A Memoir by Kat Chow sounded like a potentially scary memoir. In ways, Chow was haunted by images of her mother’s “taxidermic self,” picturing what her mother would be doing in situations after her death from cancer. They shared a fascination with death – a subject that many find uncomfortable to discuss, but Chow discussed freely with her mother. Like many memoirs, she talks about family, loss, love, and grief, but the book goes far beyond exploring the process of her loss and grief. The mother-daughter initial focus of the story is just part of the larger story.
I was pleasantly surprised to find this book to be an intimate and poignant narrative about three generations of Chow’s Chinese American family and how we are not just affected by death but how we can grow from it. Chow delves into her family’s history through her father’s plight to reunite the remains of his parents. Her extensive research of political and historical events shows how they directly altered the lives of her ancestors and millions of Chinese. She touches upon her struggle with trying to learn Cantonese, the language of her ancestors and mother, and how essential pieces are lost in assimilating with the American culture. She shares the rituals she learned from her mother as a child, not realizing their importance until later in life(like many of us). She uses humor effectively in demonstrating the absurdities life will throw at you in the worst of times. Her story is raw in places, making you feel as if you are reading her diary, as Chow processes her grief as she writes.
A great read and relatable in many ways, which surprised me a bit. I am a second-generation Greek American struggling to learn Greek via an app. I know and have seen how as time ticks by, cultural traditions are lost or fade and how the yearning to be able to speak the language of your grandparents makes you feel closer to them. Even if you never met them. Chow’s memoir Seeing Ghosts pays homage to her ancestors and her culture. At the very core, this book is about family and the relationships within a family, a story that almost everyone can relate to on some level.
I started listening to the Random House Audio version of Carrie Soto is Back on the last day of the 2022 US Open. Serena William, age 40, had played and lost her final match before retiring, and 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz from Spain had just won the men’s singles title. I had forgotten how thrilling it is to witness athletes play at such a high and admirable level of physical skill and mental acuity.
Taylor Jenkins Reid captures the excitement of the rhythm of the game, the highs, the lows, the give and take. She shows how the best players can defeat themselves on the court if they get too much into their own heads. But Carrie Soto is Back goes well beyond being a story about tennis or the mindset of an aging athlete coming out of retirement. It’s a story about commitment, love, grief, and personal growth.
As I stated earlier, I listened to the audiobook, which had a cast of narrators – twelve exactly. Several narrators are the tennis commentators discussing the matches, which helps move the narration along. I couldn’t help but think about the 2004 film Wimbledon with Kirstin Dunst and Paul Bettany – which I loved – and the first part of the book Carrie Soto reminded me of. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a tennis fan for sure, but you don’t have to know or understand tennis to enjoy a great story about a family.
If you enjoy historical fiction, read The Dictionary of Lost Words. If you enjoy words and are interested in their history, read The Dictionary of Lost Words. If you enjoy reading stories with good character development, read The Dictionary of Lost Words. If you enjoy reading stories about family, read The Dictionary of Lost Words. And if you enjoy reading stories about love, I highly recommend reading The Dictionary of Lost Words. Pip William wrote a masterpiece. Her thorough research about the times surrounding the period in which the words were compiled and published in the first edition of the Oxford-English Dictionary allowed Williams to create a vivid and accurate historical backdrop for the reader to follow Esme grow up in an ever-changing world. I enjoyed every moment of this book and was delighted with how Williams focused on certain provocative words to make a point about how words can be ‘lost’ depending on who oversees the editing. Narrator Pippa Bennett-Warner does an excellent job of bringing the characters to life.
I am currently 51 books into my goal of 58 books for this reads Goodreads Reading Challenge. Now that I have completed 88% of my goal with still ninety-one days left of 2022, I am excited to have the luxury of some time in case I opt to pick one of the longer books on my TBR list. There are some of the classics which I would like to listen to such as Les Miserables by Victor Hugo or The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. But at 57 hours and 48 minutes and 52 hours, 41 minutes respectively these selections make Dicken’s David Copperfield or Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina at 36 hours, 30 minutes and 35 hours, 35 minutes look more doable. The longest book I have listened to so far is A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara at 32 hours, 51 minutes; so I know I could get through something so long, as long as it’s a good story.
Happy reading and listening everyone!
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
I can’t believe it’s September 1st already. I am in awe of how quickly this summer has whizzed by, as it seems like minutes ago we were discussing possibilities for the summer while planting the garden.
As August started, I was ready for a classic summer beach read and picked Summer of ’69 since someone had donated to the little library that I run and it looked interesting. This was the second of her novels that I have read, I read Winter Street two winters ago when I was looking for a book to match the season. Hilderbran seems to be good for that as she as many other seasonal titles. Besides my first brush with Summer of ’69 in the little free library, I enjoy reading historical fiction which is also something else that drew me to this title.
Those were the days! Want to spend part of your summer on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket without having to spend a fortune? Reading Summer of ’69 by Elin Hilderbrand is just the ticket – no lines, no delays, no cancellations, no reservations, and a lot cheaper. The story is about a family on Nantucket, and one of the daughters has taken a summer job on neighboring Martha’s Vineyard. Hilderbrand’s intimate knowledge and experience from her time on Nantucket made it easy for her to set such a vivid scene. She weaves personal details of the time that authenticate the period and demonstrate how much times have changed. Summer of ’69 is an interesting historical fiction novel but an equally terrific beach read. Hilderbrand covers all the hot points from the civil and women’s rights movements to the war in Vietnam, the moon launch, Woodstock, and Chappaquiddick. It’s a multi-generational story told by multiple family members – a great way to see how the times affected everybody and let the reader know each character. I loved how Hilderbrand used the names of classic songs from sixties bands like Buffalo Springfield and Jefferson Airplane. Great book, and if they ever make a movie, the soundtrack will be fantastic! Now I am curious and think I will put her other book, Summer of ’79, on my TBR list. I listened to the audiobook and Erin Bennett does a great job with the narration. 13 hours, 34 minutes
One of the things that I have been doing as I go through my Goodreads challenges is to read books that I have been meaning to read ever since I was in high school or college. There are tons of books I may have started and not finished or meant to get to but never did. I believe The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is one of those books that I wanted to read but life got in the way until now.
Cross the hilarity of Monty Python’s Flying Circus with Kurt Vonnegut’s dry wit, and you have Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. It is a whimsical science fiction classic, but the humor may not be for everyone. The book has a cultish following, as fellow hitchhikers love to quote from it. Try asking your Alexa what the answer to life is. I recommend the book to those who enjoy British humor. Stephen Fry does an excellent job narrating.
I love my Literati Book Club, it has exposed me to so many authors and genres, I particularly like the fact that you can change the club you are in if you don’t like the upcoming book, you just have to switch clubs by the 17th of the month. I’ve been in a bunch of clubs at this point, I am currently in Cheryl Strayed’s Wild Reads club and reading Kat Chow’s Seeing Ghosts. Last month I was in Brynn Elliott’s The Art of Philosophy club. That club’s aim is ” to empower readers with the tools to seek out philosophical insight and creative inspiration in their daily lives.” I decided to take a chance with reading the August selection since it was a book of poetry. I don’t generally read poetry but have been trying to broaden my horizons. Plus the way this summer has been going for me, I thought I should give it a chance.
I have never been a huge fan of poetry, but I enjoyed reading this book. I read this as part of my Literati book club selection in The Art of Philosophy club. The proems of beautifully written and uplifting. My biggest complaint about the book however would be the use of too small of a font size for a number of poems which made reading them extremely difficult. Also the use of white type also sometimes too small on a light colored background. I would have given the book a higher rating however these things took away from my overall reading experience.
So far I am 47 books into my Goodreads challenge which is 81% of my goal of 58 books. I spent a lot of time this summer working on my own book which is set to be released any day now. I will write a separate post regarding that book once it has been officially released. Needless say I am extremely excited about it since I have physically been working on this project for over two years, although the seed was initially planted almost 30 years ago!
