June & July 2017 Book Report

I took a binge into fiction-land the last two months. Must be something about summer!

Completed
The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon: In prep for Season 3 of Outlander I read this stand alone/Lord John Grey novel that takes place in the mists between book 2 and 3 in the Outlander storyline. This is a Jamie and Lord John centered story and gives some backstory on how they became friends instead of just guard and ward. It was captivating and I really enjoyed it, and it also answered some other outlying questions that we don’t get in the main series.

Letters from Paris by Juliet Blackwell: This present day story begins in rural Louisiana and is about a woman disconnected from her life in Chicago, coming home to take care of her grandmother in her last days, and finding there are answers to her past unsolved. A broken replica mask in the attic and a strange letter sends her to Paris where she first soothes her soul with being a tourist but finds herself working on the side in the shop that had made the plaster mask. A sweet story ensues and it took me quite awhile to figure out one of the two mysteries in the story. An easy and enjoyable read.

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein: After reading Code Name Verity last month I knew I had to finish up the series. This takes place after CNV but involves another set of characters almost entirely, with references to a few of the other characters from the first novel. I actually enjoyed this novel more despite it being very tough to deal with at times—heavy concentration/work camp imagery.

The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein: A prequel to CNV, this revolves around the main character in CNV in her adolescence, with a backstory on her life pre-war. You get a sense of who she was becoming and it was a bit disheartening knowing where her life would end up. I enjoyed the story, though! Pre-war Scotland and some aristocracy talk.

Blackmoore by Julianna Donaldson:
Pure Regency romance, this book. There are some characters in here that were annoying and a bit implausible—think Mrs. Bennett from P&P on steroids—but otherwise entirely entertaining.

Edenbrooke by Julianna Donaldson: Since I was on the Regency romance bandwagon with the novel above, I went down the rabbit hole with this one. Edenbrooke was far better of a book and I could handle this one made into a movie. It’s even better on the romance section with some swoon worthy moments and the main male character has some Mr. Darcy-esque moments with a more likeable personality. He’s a combination of Darcy and Bingley in a way, without Bingley’s goofiness. Hard to explain, but if you like Regency romances, this is one to pick up.

In the Middle Of
Gaia’s Garden by Toby Hemenway: I got this one for my birthday and am about 3/4ths of the way through but it is not a book you just read straight. It’s one to pick up over and over again through the years.

Companion Planting for the Kitchen Gardener by Allison Greer: I started this one back in June but it is on hold for now. I need to do more companion planting.

Coming of Age at the End of Nature: This is probably one to put on hold, it is essays about the environment from various GenX and Millenials about the doom and gloom of where we are headed. It’s good but not a read straight through kind of book.

Unlatched by Jennifer Grayson: Finally picking this ARC copy up that I received from my friend Lisa awhile ago and am really enjoying it so far. I’m not that far into it but she’s got a lot of great information about the state of breastfeeding in US.

Still Reading in Bits
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer: Haven’t been in an audiobook mood lately so this one has been in bits and spurts. I only have about two hours left to listen.

The Magic of Motherhood by Ashlee Gadd: A compendium of essays from the Coffee + Crumbs ladies. A slow read, an essay at a time.

What are you reading?