Reading for Me

The Books I Have Read…..Just for Me

Sep 24

#23: The Hotel Nantucket (Elin Hilderbrand)

by kennithfreeman

A recently restored historic hotel staffed by people who have lots of secrets to hide. Sounds interesting, huh? Toss in a super critical hotel reviewer and a ghost who was murdered in the hotel 100 years ago and you have the key components of Elin Hilderbrand’s latest novel, The Hotel Nantucket.

I have seen Hilderbrand’s books on the bookstore shelves for years, but I’ve never taken the time to pick one up. I suppose I assumed that they were strictly fluff pieces that were not worth my time. When The Hotel Nantucket showed up as an option of the Book of the Month club, I decided it was time to give this author a chance. I found myself laughing out loud at the outrageous storyline and rooting for this charming cast of underdogs.

The Hotel Nantucket was mysteriously destroyed by fire nearly a century ago and a chambermaid died in the inferno. Since the disaster, the hotel has been poorly renovated and been the subject of much negativity by the community. The fact that the building was haunted did not help the hotel’s marketing either. Now that the place has been bought by English billionaire Xavier Darling, Hotel Nantucket now has a second chance at a new life.

When he hired Lizbet to serve as general manager, Xavier told her that he was trying to impress two women. One of those women was Shelly Carpenter, the author of the monthly blog Hotel Confidential. Shelly is notoriously picky and has never given an establishment the coveted five key rating. Xavier (and Lizbet) are determined to earn that distinction for Hotel Nantucket.

Finding a qualified staff on short notice proves to be more challenging than Lizbet imagined. Despite her best efforts, her staff turns out to be a gaggle of misfits — from the frat boy housekeeper to the unethical night clerk and the gold-digging front desk manager. While trying to keep these problematic people in check, Lizbet doesn’t need anything else to go wrong. Once the hotel guests begin to arrive, things go from bad to worse and the antics really begin.

The Hotel Nantucket was an engaging read with its witty writing and loveable cast of characters. Now I have to figure out a way to go to Nantucket for a visit during the summer season.

What’s next in my reading list? I’ve begun another selection from the Book of the Month club — The Attic Child by Lola Jaye. I just started the novel this morning and I am already HOOKED! I’ll let you know how things go with this latest read next week.

2022 Reading Challenge Book of the Month fiction

Leave a comment »
Sep 15

#22: A Separate Peace (John Knowles)

by kennithfreeman

This week, I returned to a classic novel that I first read the summer after my freshman year of college. One of my roommates had a copy of the novel nestled on a shelf above our shared desk and he regularly commented how this was one of his favorite books of all time. Since I hadn’t read the book in high school, summer break sounded like the perfect time to read about the fictional school of Devon and the events that occurred in the summer of 1942.

A Separate Peace focuses on the friendship between Phineas and Gene as they deal with the horrors of war and their imminent call to serve in the American military. Gene is a scholar; Phineas is the epitome of an athlete. The two should not have the makings of such a strong friendship, but that is exactly what happens. Phineas finds his identity firmly planted in his success in his various athletic pursuits. Gene, on the other hand, seems to only have an identity as the friend of Phineas. When tragedy strikes, the boys each find themselves in an unexpected search for self-identity.

Themes of fear, athletic competition, self-identity and self-worth run throughout the pages of the novel. These themes are heightened by the looming background of the Great War in the lives of these impressionable adolescents. Honestly, I had forgotten how much of the novel involved athletic pursuits and dreams of success above all else.

I expected a quick read since this is a relatively short novel, coming in at just under 200 pages. Instead, I found myself reaching for my pen regularly to underline passages that spoke to me and filling the margins with questions to consider as I continue reflecting on Knowles’ story. I enjoyed a slower pace of reading and the opportunity to once again question the text.

What’s next in my reading life? I picked up one of this month’s selections from the Book of the Month Club this afternoon. I’m just a few pages into the novel, but I am enjoying Elin Hilderbrand’s The Hotel Nantucket so far. I’ll let you know next week how it’s going.

classic fiction

Leave a comment »
Apr 23

#10: The Duke and I (Julia Quinn)

by kennithfreeman

I thoroughly enjoyed my recent foray into fluff reading. After watching the Netflix’s series Bridgerton based on Quinn’s novel, I was prepared for some raunchy scenes that were going to make me blush. All in all, Quinn’s novel was romantic and sexy, but it wasn’t as graphic as I feared. I found it a pretty good mix of naughty and nice.

If you’ve been living under a rock and have no idea about the plot of this series of books, I suppose some introduction is appropriate. Set in Regency England, the series follows the love lives of the 7 children of the Bridgerton family. In this first volume, our focus is on the oldest daughter, Daphne. Daphne is anxious to be married and have a family. However, she cannot find a suitor who captures her eye and heart. Enter Simon, the dashing Duke of Hastings.

Simon appears to be the perfect match for Daphne. Handsome, social standing, and wealthy. However, because of his childhood experiences, Simon does not intend to wed or bear children. It should come as no surprise when Simon and Daphne enter into an agreement to pretend to be madly in love so they both get what they want during the social courting season. Simon is unapproachable by other young ladies while Daphne is now the center of attention of all of the eligible bachelors! Nothing can go wrong with this plan, right?

Read the book. Watch the outstanding ensemble piece on Netflix — just have whatever you need to cool you down when you do! — and enjoy this charming story of love and intrigue. You’ll be glad you did.

2022 Reading Challenge fiction historical romance

Leave a comment »
Apr 18

#9: Mercy Street (Jennifer Haigh)

by kennithfreeman

My reading slump continues. However, I did manage to read Mercy Street over the course of the last three weeks. I had high expectations for the novel. It was well-written. It was an extremely interesting topic. I am assuming that my failure to connect with the book has more to do with my current mood than the quality of the book. As always, this review is intended to be nothing more than a dialogue about my own experience with the book at this particular moment in time.

Mercy Street is set in Boston and focuses on the daily operation of an abortion clinic and the women who work there. These women do not have all of the answers to life’s pressing issues. They face struggles and uncertainty. Some are even facing their own unwanted pregnancy.

To make matters worse, the staff learns that pictures are being snapped of patients as they enter the facility. When the staff discovers the photographs included on the “Hall of Shame” online, they are certain that their patients and all who work there are in extreme danger.

This was definitely an engaging, exciting read. My problem arose from the numerous storylines that ran parallel to each other. I connected with the women in the clinic. I found the drug dealer and the End Times vigilante to be flat, two-dimensional characters. It wasn’t that I didn’t identify with them. They simply didn’t seem real in my imagination.

I’ve placed Mercy Street in a prominent place so I will see it again this summer. Perhaps I’ll pick it up again and give it another chance. For right now, I have to admit that I was let down by my reading experience.

2022 Reading Challenge fiction

Leave a comment »
Mar 26

#7: First Comes Love (Emily Giffin)

by kennithfreeman

I am finally beginning to get over the cold that has rocked my world in the late winter/early spring weeks. It effected everything….including my reading life. I began reading Emily Giffin’s novel on February 5 to fulfill the reading challenge of a book with a bird on the cover. Sadly, it took over a month to push through not feeling well, business travel, and “life” to finish the book. I was definitely happy to see this one come to a close.

First Comes Love appeared to be a book that I would typically connect with. It is the story of two sisters who have become estranged as a result of the tragic death of their beloved brother. Josie is a single first-grade teacher who longs to have a child and begins investigating non-traditional options that will result in her pregnancy. Meredith, on the other hand, appears to have the perfect life. A great career, a loving husband, and a beautiful child. Meredith is not happy though. She always wonders if there is something more. Meredith longs for the freedom of Josie’s life; Josie wishes she could have a family like Meredith without feeling as though she was settling for second best.

The novel is filled with humor, love, and family drama. This is normally a perfect formula for me. Even now as I reflect on the reading, I find myself thinking that I should have devoured this book. The reality is that the book was a struggle for me. I don’t think First Comes Love is a bad book; I simply think it was the wrong book for me at this time. Perhaps I will return to it again in the future to give Giffin’s writing another chance.

fiction

Leave a comment »
Jan 23

#3: The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett)

by kennithfreeman

This week’s prompt in the reading challenge was a book with a twist. That was proving to be a challenging thing to determine without getting too many spoilers, so I decided to use the mammoth novel that I began over Christmas break to fill the gap. Coming in at over 900 pages, The Pillars of the Earth certainly had more than a few plot twists that kept me coming back for more. I needed to read the last 250 pages or so this week to finish the novel, so it felt like a reasonable challenge despite the slow reading pace that the novel required. I got done just under the wire on Saturday evening!

I’ve been told for many years that I needed to read The Pillars of the Earth. I had enjoyed Follett’s Century Trilogy, but there was just something about the prospect of reading a massive novel about the construction of a cathedral in Medieval England that did not excite me. As Christmas break rolled around, I knew that I needed something to lose myself in and decided to give the work a long-overdue try. To put it simply, the novel is beautifully written with an exquisitely developed cast of characters.

The story really centers around three major characters. Tom Builder and his family find their way to Kingsbridge as they desperately search for work. Along the way, the family meets Alaina, a beautiful young duchess who has lost her fortune when her father is falsely arrested. The monastery at Kingsbridge is lead by Prior Phillip who is gentle, wise, and compassionate. However, any good story also must have people that we love to hate……and Follett fills the bill with Waleran Bigod, a nasty priest with a thirst for power and the bloodthirsty Earl-to-be, William Hamleigh.

It would be impossible to provide a plot summary in such a short space. While the cathedral is a character herself, the story centers around the people who are instrumental in the construction process. The cast is vast, but can easily be visualized through Follett’s excellent prose. Although set in the Middle Ages, many of the important themes traced throughout the book are extremely modern and relevant to the 21st century reader. Do yourself a favor and find the time to dive into the enthralling world of Kingsbridge. It’s a journey worth taking.

What’s ahead this week? I’ll continue my reading challenge. This week’s prompt is to read a book that is the source of a 2022 movie. I’ve decided to finally read Delia Owens’ Where The Crawdads Sing. I suppose it’s time to see what all of the hype has been about.

2022 Reading Challenge fiction

Leave a comment »
Dec 13

#33: The Reading List (Sara Nisha Adams)

by kennithfreeman

Books lovers like me know that books are powerful. Books have the power to transport us to another place. Books have the power to heal broken hearts and minds. Books have the power to teach. Books have the power to create community among readers through the sharing of common experiences on the page. Sara Nisha Adams shares a beautiful story about the power of books in her novel, The Reading List.

Aleisha is a recent high school graduate who had hoped to have the summer job of her dreams before starting university in the fall. Instead, she is stuck at Harrow Road Library. While preparing to re-shelve a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird, she discovered a handwritten list in the back pocket of the book. It simply said,

  • Just in case you need it…..
    • To Kill a Mockingbird
    • Rebecca
    • The Kite Runner
    • Life of Pi
    • Pride and Prejudice
    • Little Women
    • Beloved
    • A Suitable Boy

Aleisha is more than a little frustrated when Mukesh returns to the library with a long-overdue copy of The Time Traveler’s Wife. The book had actually been checked out by his wife who died several months ago. When Mukesh discovered the book, he decided to read it to see what his wife’s fascination with novels was all about. As he read, Mukesh felt that he understood more about his wife and felt much closer to her. Now that he is returning the book to the library, he feels compelled to ask the “librarian” for another recommendation. Aleisha is not a reader herself and has no idea what she should recommend…..so she decides to let the reading list serve as her guide. This begins Aleisha’s and Mukesh’s journey through the pages of the books on the reading list.

To add to the richness of this debut novel, Aleisha is not the only person who has discovered a copy of the reading list. Each individual faces unique challenges, but each one has “discovered” the same list. Was it simply fate that put this list of 8 novels in each of their hands, or had someone meticulously planned for this to happen? With a deftness for storytelling and an obvious love for the written word, Adams pulls together a novel that pays honor to the books included in the reading list while developing a well-crafted story populated by lovable characters facing real issues in a modern world.

I think The Reading List holds such a special place in my heart because two of the novels are personal favorites of mine (To Kill a Mockingbird and Beloved). Now I find myself drawn to the remaining six books on the list and plan to investigate them — though not right away. Regardless, The Reading List was one of my favorite reads of 2021. I highly recommend every bibliophile checking out this extraordinary novel.

So if I’m not going to begin working my way through the reading list contained in the novel, what’s up next for me? I decided that Christmas Break was the perfect time to dive into a massive book that has long been on my radar. For the next few weeks, I’ll be devoting my attention to The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I started reading it earlier today and must admit that I am enthralled with the opening of the saga…and a little overwhelmed by the massive tome. I’ll keep you posted on how things progress.

fiction

Leave a comment »
Dec 8

#31: Over the Edge (Mary Connealy)

by kennithfreeman

It has been far too long since I have finished reading a novel, but the dry spell finally ended today! As my students were turning in their exam, I was working through the final pages of the novel. Rather than returning to the office right away to get things graded, I sat quietly in the classroom to finally reach the series’ conclusion.

Over the Edge is the final volume of Mary Connealy’s Kincaid Brides trilogy. In this installment, our focus is on Seth, the brother who was horribly injured in a hiking accident as a child. Seth now finds himself reconnected with the wife he has forgotten and a child he never knew about. When danger threatens Callie, Seth faces his own demons and returns to the cavern where all of his torment began. Will he be able to overcome the darkness that has haunted him for so many years? Or will he finally discover the power of exposing our troublesome pasts to the light of truth?

Over the Edge finally answers questions that readers have searched for throughout the trilogy. The conclusion was satisfying, but I don’t know that I will say that everything is resolved. There were still loose ends that need to be tied up. I’m not sure if there are additional stories about the Kincaid family or not…..and I’m not sure that I am invested enough to continue reading them if there are.

Christian fiction My Library Shelf romance

Leave a comment »
Nov 9

#30: The Accidental Tourist (Anne Tyler)

by kennithfreeman

There are always books that you have been aware of for quite some time, but really have no idea what they are about. I have always *meant* to read this novel, but never knew what it was about and there was nothing pulling me in. This novel came at the perfect season in my life and resonated with me on several levels.

The Accidental Tourist centers on Macon, an author who writes travel guides for businessmen who find that they must travel but really hate to leave their homes. Macon’s son was killed in a tragic accident prior to the novel’s opening, and now his world is crumbling around him. His marriage is on the rocks. He has no interest in socializing. His only joy is in his disobedient and destructive dog, Edward. Over the course of the novel, we watch as Macon experiences changes that he wanted to avoid while dealing with his own midlife crisis.

The novel is thought-provoking, heart-felt, and humorous. From the first few pages, I found myself rooting for Macon and hoping that things would ultimately work out for him in the end. In a season in my life when I am finding myself facing change that I did not see coming and did not want to experience, Macon’s story resonated. While there were times I wanted the pacing to move along, I found that I enjoyed the reading overall. I’m definitely glad I ventured out of my comfort zone and read The Accidental Tourist.

fiction

Leave a comment »
Sep 25

#26: Trunk Music (Michael Connelly)

by kennithfreeman

I am so excited to share with you that I finished a book this week! That really is excellent news for me. I dropped the ball in other areas of my life, but I think I have managed to get back into the groove of reading daily for pleasure.

Trunk Music was another of the Harry Bosch novels that I have discovered as part of My Library Shelf project. In this installment, Harry and his partners find a corpse in the trunk of a white Rolls Royce overlooking the summer finale performance of the LA Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. (I love those kind of details….I can picture the scene clearly in my mind’s eye!) Once the dead man is identified as a second-rate movie mogul who has been laundering money for criminals, everything points to the murder as a mob hit. Harry follows the case to the seedier side of Las Vegas and finds the murderer.

At least, he *thinks* he has found the murderer. Connelly sets up so many twists and turns in this plot that your reading feels like an exciting roller coaster ride. I was never fully certain where I was going to end up, but I knew that I was enjoying the ride! Life-changing things are happening for Bosch on the personal front as well at the close of the novel — he marries Eleanor finally! I’m definitely a fan of the Harry Bosch novels, but I’m ready for something a little different in my reading life for the coming week.

So what’s the next book that I’m diving into? I decided to stick with My Library Shelf and am reading The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. This is definitely not something I would normally pick up, but I have to admit that I am intrigued by what I have learned about the novel so far. First published in 1868, the novel took London by storm when it first appeared in a serialized form in Charles Dickens’ weekly magazine. It seems to be one of the first versions of the genre we now know as “detective stories.” I’m only a few pages into the book on this chilly Saturday and have found myself struggling to get into the writing. So far, much of the story has been setting the stage about the history of this strange “moonstone” gem and the supposed curse that follows it. As I am beginning the story proper, I’m really hoping that the story will become more engaging. The library card jacket suggests that it is included on Accelerated Reader lists in the city, so I’m anxious to see if I think it can hold the attention of a young reader. It is rather long — 464 pages — so I’m hoping that it grabs my attention and is a rather quick read. I don’t want to spend my time wading through a novel that I’m just not enjoying.

fiction My Library Shelf mystery Series

Leave a comment »
«Older Entries
Newer Entries »
Blog at WordPress.com.