Those of you more athletically inclined than I, have likely participated in a walkathon, a 5k run/walk, or worse yet, a marathon for the more insane among you.  My humble congratulations on all those. In my youth I did do a walkathon or two. 

I do things differently now.   As an introvert. who had a job that required extrovert behaviors, I came home, when I could, to read. Not always possible when I was working, but I am now retired and making up for lost time. 

I'm pretty sure most people who read a lot are introverts. If you aren't one, we share some commonality with other introverts.  We don't people well, unless we have to.  I was a pediatric speech language pathologist, and it was like being an acrobat. Always on, big motions, lots of talking, big playing, with kids who don't communicate well. My hand movements and face motions helped them comprehend what I was saying. So when I arrived home, limp, the last thing I wanted to do was talk. (explains a deeply troubled marriage.....) Introverts don't like crowds, or busy places, or concerts, or festivals (unless it's a book festival! ) and crowded restaurants and bars.  Our idea of a good time?  A book, a beverage, and peace and quiet. 

​Readathons are made for introverts. 

Readathons. So that's a thing. There are several out there that come to mind that are "famous" and well publicized. There is a readathon every three months or so called #24in48.  Simply put, you try to read 24 hours in 48 hours. Typically over a weekend and participants post on "booky" sites, such as Litsy, Goodreads, Library Thing, and even mainstream social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and InstaGram.  Prizes are awarded to people who post and get picked randomly. 

​Another one is Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon at the link below. 

The signups are live now and the readathon itself is October 26, 2019. The perfect season for a cuppa and a book.  Sign up and see how it goes! I'm already in and will likely try and read A Little Life that weekend. It's been on my shelf for at least three years and there is nothing I like better than a brick of a book, in paperback! 

Yep, introverts are a little bit crazy. 

, Daisy Jones and the Six is a fictionalized book about a rock band in the 70's in the middle of the era of sex, drugs and Rock and Roll.  Prior to reading this book, I had read reviews that glowed with praise about this book.  It seems to be loosely based on Fleetwood Mac, but I would say, very loosely based. 

The author, who also wrote one of my favorites from last year, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, lost my fan girldom( Is that a word?)  on this one.  The story, is written as an interview transcript, and I was sensing that was the author's way of introducing the characters.  Oh if only. The style continued throughout the book and it made it emotionless and simply put, boring.  I kept waiting for it to be funny, like Spinal Tap. It wasn't.  I hated Daisy as a character and now regret deeply that I named one of my cats Daisy. It was that bad. 

I got deeply weary of the same idiotic situations that are based on observations from managers, former band member, and friends. Ugh. Excesses. sex, deceit, poor decisions, jealousy, drugs, tempers, blah blah blah.  I felt it was a lazy book and gimicky, and didn't work for me at all. 

One of the worst books this season, in my humble opinion. It's an unpopular opinion to be certain.  Taylor Jenkins Reid, the author, owes me one. Until the next book, she is on suspension for my list of favorite authors. 




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​My Dad, Yogi was written by Dale Berra, Yogi's son. It was written as a love letter to his father, who was by all accounts one of the greatest and iconic baseball players to live and play the sport of baseball.  It also is one of the most poorly written books I have read. While the story is heartfelt and does portray Yogi, as well as the entire family's history, it is in serious need of major editing.  I enjoyed the stories, but it was exceedingly repetitive and in spots, run on.  

If this book were edited correctly, I feel it would have an audience. Otherwise, it's destined to be read only by true baseball and Yogi Berra fans and in the bargain bin at Ollie's.  I usually am not so harsh with reviews, but I must warn the reader with this one.  

Thanks to #NetGallely for the opportunity to review this book prior to publication in exchange for an honest review.

​I found myself really enjoying this book, as it takes place in rural Texas in current times, and addresses some well worn issues, such as racism and how that permeates the justice system and society at large. 

An African American Texas Ranger takes on a double murder and unearths some secrets in a small Texas town. It's a complex novel that will get you thinking about the hurdles that minorities face when working in systems that are inherently stacked against them. 

Thanks to #NetGalley for an opportunity for a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 
A solid 4 stars!  

The Guest Book was selected as the June Book at Barnes and Noble's now monthly book discussion.  And what a discussion it will be! 

I haven't been wowed in particular about some of the choices for their book club, however, I recognize the need to accommodate a wide variety of tastes of book readers (i.e. customers for a business that is struggling).  I look forward to Waterstone's influence. But, I digress. 

This month, however, I can't wait for the discussion, as this book resonated with me on so many levels.  A multi-generational historical fiction, this novel captures what the wealthy in America were prior to income tax on one level. On other levels, you have race, anti-Semitism, mental health, misogyny, and how silent people were about them all. Family secrets highlight the WASPish lifestyle of the "own an island" rich, and how people can overlook ethical and moral decisions.  A love story that begets love stories within the novel is captivating and real. 

Set in NYC, as well as an island off the coast of Maine, the book traces the complexities of growing up with the "Oughts". One ought to sit straight, one ought to put your fork and knife at 4:20 on your plate.  The characters from one generation to the next evolve and move forward, and is easily seen as loosening of power and, in my opinion, improving over time. 

I related to this book so much, as I grew up WASPish, albeit not wealthy.  Silence and rules were the way I was brought up, not to show emotions, never talk about family secrets (or anything really), and never ever talk about race or religion.  We were the Miltons very poor relations.  As the Miltons head to the downward spiral of no longer being able to afford the island in present day, so have most middle class families that had accumulated a moderated degree of wealth and land. 

I highly recommend this book on so many levels. The writing of Sarah Blake is beautifully descriptive and flows. At 496 pages, this is a book you will need to devote your week to, but it is so good, you won't want to put it down.  5 stars from me!

Join the Barnes and Noble discussion tonight at 7:00 at your local B&N! 
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#SarahBlake #BarnesAndNoble #TheGuestBook #Fiction #BookDiscussion

Anthony Bourdain Remembered is a beautiful tribute to a troubled, yet wonderful soul. I was a huge fan of his show on CNN and will on occasion, rewatch some episodes to remember his ability to touch others.  This book has displays beautiful photographs of Anthony and the places and people. he visited.  

Anthony Bourdain is more a series of remembrances of him told by his co-workers and friends.   Included in the book are messages people wrote after hearing about Anthony’s untimely death. I'm so happy that CNN put this book together for those of us who truly miss this sensitive soul.   He is missed.  

Thanks to #NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. A solid 5 star book that you will enjoy.

Spending time in the Florida Keys is close up and personal to climate change. If you have doubts, come on down. These are pictures of Sargassum algae seaweed, which at this time of year is everywhere.  NOAA has some better explanations. 

I wish I could suggest the last book read, Elin Hilderbrand.  I usually like this author for an entertaining beach read. Her novels are typically set on Nantucket, where she resides.  This one, however, fell flat for me.  Yes, it was set on Nantucket, but this one had Russian prostitutes, lots of extramarital sex and cheap values.  I know that type of novel might be for some, but it is not what I want to read as a beach read.  Always well written, her novel is readable, but not for me.  Just two stars for this one.  Two stars....barely.  #TheRumor #ElinHilderbrand