Written in Starlight by Sloane Brooks is a romantic portal fantasy with a cosmic twist. Della Farley is a chambermaid. She kept her head down and dreamed of something more. One day she stumbles across a strange book about a man named Ansel Tulzok, a wanted fugitive traveling the stars. The strange part is the book seems to be written as she is reading it. Light years away, Ansel finds a mirror copy of the same book. He is reading the story of a woman he has never met. The two begin writing to each other through the pages, opening doors between their worlds. Della decides to write herself into Ansel’s story and finds herself on Ansel’s ship. Together, they agree to help each other. However, every story has a price and they must decide how far they will go to change their fate.
I was intrigued by the description of Written in Starlight and looked forward to reading this story. The beginning was great and hooked me into the story. Ansel reminded me of Star-Lord from Guardians of the Galaxy. Unfortunately, the middle of the story sagged a bit as Della wrote herself into Ansel’s story, his perspective and internal thoughts are lost. The romance between Della and Ansel becomes lost even the mystery of the plotline was lackluster as well. However, the ending was good. I do like the concept that our lives are books in a cosmic library. Overall, I did not enjoy the story as much as I wished I did. I just wasn’t wowed. However, I see readers who live action adventures, fantasy and a little sci-fi would love this story. If you are intrigued by the premise of this story, I recommend checking out Written in Starlight.
Written in Starlight is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook
The Bookbinder’s Secret by A.D. Bell is a story of how one book tells a secret and one woman’s journey to discover it. Lillian “Lily” Delaney is an apprentice to a master bookbinder in Oxford in 1901 and feels trapped. Trapped by her father’s failing bookshop. Trapped by still being an apprentice. When she is given a burned book by a book collector, where she finds something hidden binding, a letter speaking of love, fortune, and murder. Lilly is pulled into a mystery of young lovers, forbidden love, and discovers there are more books with more hidden secrets. She quickly becomes obsessed with the story and that obsession becomes dangerous. She discovers someone is looking for the same books and is ready to kill for them. As she searches, sinister forces are closing in and her life begins to fall apart, she must decide if the truth is worth her life.
The Bookbinder’s Secret is a slow moving train at first as Lilly discovers the hidden letter. As she innocently searches for the truth, she doesn’t realize she is being watched until it is too late. The train speeds up and I was hooked as Lilly is determined to find the truth, find the individuals in the letter, solve the mystery and restore her life as best she can. I loved the look into bookbinding and the cutthroat business of book collecting. The pieces to the mystery were intriguing as well. There is a cast of unsavory characters whom Lilly must trust despite the danger she is in and the reveal of who is behind it all was a shocker! Overall, I enjoyed this story and when I closed the book I sat in awe at the twists and turns. If you enjoy historical fiction with a mystery, I highly recommend The Bookbinder’s Secret.
The Bookbinder’s Secret is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook
Gather Me: A Memoir in Praise of the Books that Saved Me by Glory Edim is an inspiring memoir reflecting on family, community and the power of books and the impact they can have in our lives. Edim grew up in Virginia to Nigerian immigrant parents and for the longest time her only friends, her only solace as in the books. From the books she read in school to the classics she discovered at her local libraries and while in college, she learned about the world around her, about history and about herself. Edim details how the profound writers from Toni Morrison to Maya Angelou, and many more, had impacted the times in her life when times were bleak and gave her hope for the future. Through her love of reading, she was able to form the Well Read Black Girl Book Club and reach millions of other readers.
Books have been a huge part of my life since I was a teen. Like Ms Edim, I found solace and encouragement in the perseverance and resilience of the characters who faced challenges with courage and determination. Glory Edim presents a memoir that books can help us see ourselves as well as others. Her life story is just as much of an inspiration as the books she read as a child. She endured her parents divorce, her father leaving the family behind in America and her mother’s illness to find a platform through books and bring awareness on a wider scale. The hardships she had to endure were heartbreaking and yet her determination to rise above them is heartwarming. Gather Me was an easy read as Ms Edim writes with as much beauty as the authors she admires. Overall, I enjoyed her story and I highly recommend Gather Me.
Gather Me: A Memoir in Praise of the Books that Saved Me
Will be available October 29, 2024 in hardcover, eBook and audiobook
Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles is based on a true story of Jessie “Kit” Carson, an American librarian who worked in a war zone to bring books to the people. In January 1918, as the Great War rages on, Jessie Carson takes a leave of absence from the New York Public Library and works for the American Committee for Devastated France (CARD). Founded by Anne Morgan, the daughter of JP Morgan, this group helped rebuild the war torn French communities along the battlefront. When Jessie arrives, she creates children’s libraries. Turning ambulances into bookmobiles and trains French women as librarians. Then she disappears. Sixty-nine years later, in 1987, Wendy Peterson, a NYPL librarian and aspiring writer, stumbled across Jessie Carson’s name in the archives. With only a passing reference, Wendy becomes obsessed with discovering more about the elusive librarian. Is she prepared for what her search will reveal?
I loved Jane Skeslien Charles’s The Paris Library and could not wait to read another adventure of the importance of books and community, even in war time. It is a story about the resilience of the human spirit to survive and rebuild. It is a story of inspiration and courage. I loved that Jessie felt the call to join CARD and leave her safe home for a war zone. I also loved that she did not let disappointment discourage her from doing what she set out to do. She was a librarian and was going to bring books back to the community. I also loved Wendy’s dedication to find out Jessie’s story and tell the world about her. This story is well researched and I enjoyed the author’s notes at the end about the real life individuals. If you enjoy stories about WWI and books, I recommend Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade.
Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner is a story of post-war London, a century-old bookstore and three women who are determined to find their way in a new, fast-changing world. Bloomsbury Books is an old-fashioned bookstore with new and rare books, run by men and guided by the general manager’s unbreakable fifty-one rules. Vivien Lowry is a single brilliant woman. She has a long list of grievances about how the store is run, many of them well justified. Grace Perkins is a married woman with two sons. She’s been working to support the family after her husband’s breakdown following the war. Evie Stone was one of the first female students to earn a degree from Cambridge. After she was denied an academic position in favor of a less accomplished male rival, she begins working at Bloomsbury Books with a mission. Together they have a plan that will shake up the literary world as they know it.
Bloomsbury Girls is an interesting book as the characters interact with the movers and shakers of the day’s literary world. For example, Daphne Du Maurier, Ellen Doubleday, Sonia Blair, the widow of George Orwell, and Peggy Guggenheim. The story started off slow and I wondered where it was going. But once Evie discovers what she is looking for, the action heats up as she realizes she is not the only one looking for this rare treasure. I cheered for the ending and it made the book worth the read and the slow build up. I thoroughly enjoyed how the women outsmarted the men to come out on top. So much for being the lesser sex! I really enjoyed that one of the general manager’s rules starts each chapter and the action of the chapter shows how the rule is implemented or even broken. If you love stories with strong women featuring books and literary giants, I recommend Bloomsbury Girls.
Bloomsbury Girls is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook.
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald is a story about how books can change our lives in the most unexpected ways. The residents of Broken Wheel, Iowa have never seen anyone like Sara. Sara traveled all the way from Sweden to meet her fellow book-loving pen pal Amy. But when she arrives, she finds the residents have gathered for Amy’s funeral. The residents do their best to make Sara feel welcome even though there isn’t much to do in the dying town. Sara decides to share her and Amy’s love of books with the town. She takes the books from Amy’s house and fixes up her old storefront and opens a bookstore. The residents are reluctant at first, what good ever came from reading a book? Slowly as the residents read the books Sara recommends, they open themselves to the life changing magic and the greatest joys that books can give. With her time in Broken Wheel coming to an end, can the residents find a way to keep their favorite book lover in town permanently.
It has been a long time since a book has grabbed hold of your heart and makes you fall in love with a town and its residents. This is what The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend was to me. It warmed my soul and brought so many huge smiles to my face. It is a great heartwarming reminder why we love books and the power of community. It is filled with great characters and awesome shout outs to amazing books. From classics to modern releases, there’s a book for everyone in town. It is a book about friendships, love and finding freedom in releasing the secrets that have held you back. There wasn’t a character I didn’t enjoy, even the ones who were supposed to be the fly in the ointment. Every character had his or her purpose and place in the town and the story. The Readers of Broken Wheel is a book I will definitely visit again and again. I highly recommend The Readers of Broken Wheel for its heart and for its love of books.
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook.
Seeds of the Word: Finding God in the Culture by Bishop Robert Barron is a look into films, books, politics and society and culture as we see evidence of God and the human longing for God. Christians have searched for “seeds of the Word” in their lives and the surrounding culture. Barron is the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries which includes a YouTube channel and a documentary on the Catholic faith, Catholicism. According to Barron, no matter how charred or distorted, the seeds of the Gospel are all around us, especially in the most unusual places. Seeds of the Word is a collection of essays in which Bishop Barron finds those seeds in today’s most popular arenas like superheroes, sports and social commentary. Barron also confronts the growing anti-Catholic sentiment and where atheists and the secular world get faith and God wrong.
Seeds of the Word was given to me by cousins of mine and while I am not a practicing Catholic, my Christian faith has its roots in the Catholic Church as I was baptized as a baby and have my first communion. I have read many books which make similar assertions of finding God in the world around us, I was curious about Bishop Barron’s claims. From the opening article, Bishop Barron is clear, concise and uses evidence from each film, book and social commentary to support his claims as well as his counter arguments. I found Bishop Barron to be very insightful and interesting. From philosophy to Scripture and historical records, Bishop Barron presents the information very clearly and makes sound arguments for his theses. I highly recommend Seeds of the Word for Bishop Barron’s insights and honesty.
Seeds of the Word: Finding God in the Culture is available in paperback and eBook
A guilty pleasure is defined as something that one enjoys
despite knowing that he or she might be ridiculed for their enjoyment.
Sometimes it is something that people might think someone shouldn’t like it
because its 1) so bad it isn’t worth it or 2) someone is “too old” for it or
it’s considered for children. In the words of British actor Tom Hiddleston, “What’s
my guilty pleasure? The thing is I never feel guilty for my pleasures.” I don’t
like calling a few of my pleasures guilty ones because I don’t feel guilty
enjoying them. However, the following TV shows, music, movies, and books would
probably fall into this category in which I have chosen three.
TV shows can be the most popular within the guilty pleasure
category. First, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, and it’s spin off,
The Equestria Girls. I started watching this program with my, then 3-year-old,
daughter, and now I enjoy watching it as much as she does, sometimes more. It’s
fun and engaging with life lessons about embracing our differences as the spice
of life and being friends. It is currently in its ninth and final season.
Second, Catfish (2012-present) is a MTV show based on the 2010
documentary of the same name. The show follows hosts, Nev Schulman and Max
Joseph, as they help individuals confront others who catfished them. Catfishing
is when a person creates a fake personal profile on social media sites, usually
using fake pictures and false biographical information. The intention for the
catfisher is usually to trick an unsuspecting person into falling love or have
some form of online relationship with no physical contact. I usually don’t
watch a lot of reality tv, but this show captured my attention and I couldn’t
help but watch. I was always interested in how people were fooled, what tipped
them off that something wasn’t right and how they end up confronting the
individual in real life. Viewers can usually learn what not to do when it comes
to online contact and signs to be weary of. Third, I love the TLC reality
shows, Say Yes to the Dress and Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta.
The drama surrounding weddings is inevitable and its fun to see who causes
what. And they usually have a tear-jerking, heart tugging, survival against all
odds stories too.
When most people think of guilty pleasures, I think they
think of music. Sometimes we like music we probably feel we should not be
listening to or even like because it is beyond our age demographic or it isn’t
our usual genres. However, a great song is still a great song. First, I love
listening to Miley Cyrus’ Wrecking Ball (2013). Disturbing video aside,
the song is quite catchy and relates to a relationship falling apart. Even
though the song specifically references a romantic relationship, I think that the
deterioration of some friendships can relate to the song. Two lyrics stand out
to me, “Don’t you even say I just walked away” and “I never meant to start a
war.” Second, Eminem’s Lose Yourself from the 2002 movie, 8 Mile.
The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2003 and it’s the
first (and possibly only) rap song to do so. While I’m not a big rap fan, and
I’ve read online that some people don’t even consider this song rap, I enjoy
the rhythms of the song. As well as its message of never giving up, never
letting an opportunity to follow your dream pass by. Third, Wake Me Up
Before you Go Go by Wham! Was a hit in 1984. Although I was only 4 years
old when the song was released, it is one of my favorite 80s songs. I will
always crank it up and sing along when it comes on the radio, which is quite
often considering the stations I listen to in the car. I never get tired of
hearing it.
Movies are often a common guilty pleasure too. Movies
usually so bad that most people wouldn’t give it another thought. First, I love
the Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver
Surfer (2007). I love Chris Evans as Johnny Storm. He was funny, sarcastic
and the banter between Johnny and Ben Grimm (played by Michael Chiklis) is
great. While the movies themselves are campy and overall poorly done, I have a
special place in my heart for Rise of the Silver Surfer as it was the
movie my husband and I saw on our first date. Second, Never Been Kissed (1999)
is one of my favorite Drew Barrymore movies. I could relate to her character,
Josie, although I wasn’t as socially awkward as she was, I can relate to being
smart and not really a part of the popular crowd. And I didn’t receive my first
kiss until I was in my late 20s (and it was special that I wouldn’t want it any
other way. I love the song, The Beach Boys’ 1964 Don’t Worry Baby, which
plays as Josie receives her first kiss on the baseball diamond. Third, Nacho
Libre (2006) is a corny comedy which my husband introduced me too when we
were dating. Jack Black plays Ignacio aka Nacho, a man who was orphaned as a
boy and becomes a monk at the orphanage. He gets the idea to wrestle as a
masked luchador in order to buy better food and other provisions for the orphans.
It is a fun nonsense movie to watch for pure entertainment. It has mild rude
humor with wrestling action/violence but there is no excessive cussing, if
there is cussing at all.
Normally books are not a guilty pleasure for me. However,
there is one series that is so outside of the usual books I read that its fun
to call it a guilty pleasure and a little forbidden. It is the Highland Series
by Karen Marie Moning. It is a series of 8 books, although I have only read 7
of them. I stopped reading the series after the 7th book when I felt
the quality of the author’s writing had fallen. The books are a mixture of
modern, historical, and mythological. It figures time travel, magic, dangerous
fairies and, of course, erotic love scenes. The characters are typical for
romance novels. The handsome hunky hero and the sassy heroine who resists the
hero’s advances until she can’t anymore. The Scottish Highlands has become a
very popular setting for romance novels. Some authors use the setting well and
others use it because it’s popular. Ms. Moning using the Highlands mystic and
the Celtic culture and imagery to her advantage and does it well. This series
remains one of my favorites. Books that I can keep up for a fast read to kill
time or just to get a fix of the fantastical.
In conclusion, I enjoy all the TV shows, music, movies and
books without any real guilty. They are a fun way to sit back and be
entertained. Honestly, we shouldn’t feel guilty for the things we enjoy. I
don’t like watching TV shows or movies or listen to music or read a book
similar because it’s popular. Sometimes the hidden gems are in the ones that
most people would reject. We never too old to enjoy children’s tv or movies. If
we are entertained by TV shows, movies, music and even books, who’s to say we
must feel guilty? What are some your “guilty pleasures”?
“He was fond of
books, for they are cool and sure friends”
Les Miserables
Books have been my escape since I was 12 years old. Books
about times long past and place I’ve longed to visit. I’ve read books in all
genres except horror. I took an online quiz recently which asked the all-time
questions: my favorite book. It’s hard to pick just one even with the criteria
of a book I’ve read multiple times. It’s just so many books! I have books that
I’ve read so much that the binding is falling apart and I’ve afraid to reread
because I can’t replace them because they are out of print. So, I’ve decided to
write about my top 3 favorite books (these are in no particular order):
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
I first fell in love with the story of the Phantom of the
Opera one summer when I was 12 years old. I was visiting my Aunt Nancy’s and
she had the original London cast recording of the musical. She let me listen to
it and I did. Over and over and over again. So much that she would take me to
see it for my 13th birthday. Ever since then I can’t get enough of
this story. I found the book in which the musical in based on and I enjoyed the mystery and the tragic love story of the Phantom of
the Opera. It is a story of a love triangle between Christine Daae, a young
ballet dancer who dreams of the Angel of Music, Erik, a disfigured man who
lives in the shadows of the Opera House and becomes obsessed with Christine and
Raoul, Christine’s childhood playmate and love interest who returns to her life
and offers her a life away from the horror of her Angel of Music. It was also
inspired by real events at the Paris Opera House. This is the book that
inspired me to learn French and visit the famous opera house. Even though I
never mastered French, I still dream of going to Paris and seeing the opera
house. I still love this story. I’ve read the book so many times. I’ve listened
to the musical soundtrack so much that I have the lyrics memorized. I love the
2004 movie adaptation of the musical. It’s a great story!
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
I’ve watched the movie Gone with the Wind all my life. When
I was 12 years old, I decided that I wanted to read the book. I first read it
in the 7th grade and enjoyed it so much that I read it again. My
reading teacher was so impressed that I was reading books beyond the recommended
reading that she gave me a Reading Award for the Fall Semester. I love the
history of the book. The picture of pre-Civil War Georgia to the devastation of
Reconstruction. My favorite character is Rhett Butler, the dashing gentleman
who walks the line between the genteel society and the taboos they so
desperately avoid. He is the wild spirit to Scarlett’s fire. He represents the
realization of what one had when it’s gone. Rhett realizes that he longed for
the south of his childhood and not the world he came to be in. “Gone with the
Wind” is a love story of two people who aren’t destined to live happily ever
after. It’s also a story of death and survival. The death of a world with so
much pride that they felt invincible and the survival of the ones who saw that
they weren’t. It’s a story of remembering a world long past and learning to
live in the world it had become. It’s a story of how hardships can make or
break a person. Some people become stronger after struggles while others wither
and break apart.
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
I read “Les Miserables” for the first time in the 7th
grade after I had finished “Gone with the Wind.” I was drawn to the story of
Jean Valjean, a man who struggled to live a life in poverty, strived to live a
holy life and escape his criminal past. The story of Fantine who fell in love,
became pregnant, abandoned and left to find a life for herself and her child.
The story of Cosette, a child who was left in the care of a family who abused
her, raised by a mysterious man and learns the missing parts to her story.
There are themes of love and forgiveness, social injustices of the French
society of the 19th century and society’s inability to eliminate the
rigid class system. The haves still had a lot and the have nots still struggled
for their place in the world. The story of a group of students who saw these
injustices and fought and died for the resolution. I was given the original
Broadway cast recording by my Aunt Fran one Christmas after reading this book.
I enjoyed it so much that I also have it memorized and recently enjoyed the
movie adaptation. I have not seen the musical on the stage yet but it’s on my
bucket list. “Les Miserables” is a story of struggles and injustices but, most
importantly, it is also the story of hope, faith and love.
“The Phantom of the Opera,” “Gone with the Wind” and “Les
Miserables” are just three of the books that I love and enjoy after many years
of reading. Books have been my constant companion. I love books. I introduced
books to my daughter at birth. When she’s a little bit older and can understand
how to take care of books, we will take trips to the library and she can pick
out her favorites. Then she can start her own list of books that speak to her
and stay with her as she grows up. I love when I have a stack of books waiting
for me to pick it up. I love going to the library and checking out the maximum number
of books. When I got the opportunity to review newly published books I jumped
on it. I love reading new books and reviewing them for future readers. I love
books!
