Svetlana's Reads and Views

Name of Book: Lana's War Author: Anita Abriel ISBN: 978-1-9821-4767-9 Publisher: Atria Books Type of book: France, French Riviera, choices, lives, secrets, 1943-1944, surviving, determination, WWII, wealth, hotels, travels, rationing, connections, saving Jews  Year it was published: 2021 Summary: From the author of the “fast-paced, heartbreaking, and hopeful” (Kristin Harmel, author of The Room on Rue Amélie) The Light After the War, a riveting and heartfelt story of a young woman recruited to be a spy for the resistance on the French Riviera during World War II. Paris 1943: Lana Antanova is on her way to see her husband with the thrilling news that she is pregnant. But when she arrives at the convent where he teaches music, she’s horrified to see Gestapo officers execute him for hiding a Jewish girl in the piano. A few months later, grieving both her husband and her lost pregnancy, Lana is shocked when she’s approached to join the resistance on the French Riviera. As the daughter

 I want to be an optimist and say that 2021 will be a year to look forward to, but I would be lying. I thought 2020 would be one of the greatest years of my life, but we all know how that turned out to be: shattered pieces. I feel drained  in all the ways from 2020. Also a realization: I don't have very many books to look forward to coming out. Few capture my interest or attention. So what will happen? Most likely i will focus on the older books I got over the years, yes the imaginary catch up. I am positive there will be wonderful 2021 reads, but now, few caught my interest. I also stand by the fact I cannot stand ebooks which means fewer chances of reading books unless I am desperate.  Book tours/ spotlights:  None Possible reviews:  Lanas war by Anita Abriel ( my first 2021 book!)  The invisible bridge by Julie Orringer  Styx and stones by James W. Ziskin Possible reads:  Lanas war by Anita Abriel  It's my trail too by Ronald R Cooper  The lost girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff 

Lanas war- Anita Abriel SR: December 11th, 2020 FR: December 18th, 2020 The invisible bridge-Julie Orringer SR: November 5th, 2020 FR:  December 11h, 2020 The missing American-Kwei Quartey SR: December 1st, 2020 FR: December 10th, 2020 Nobody's angel-Karen Robbards SR: November 23rd, 2020 FR:  Not our kind- Kitty Zeldis  SR: December 10th, 2020 FR: Styx and stones-James W Ziskin SR: November 24th, 2020 FR: December 16th, 2020 Nonfiction  Peaceful parents, happy kids how to stop yelling and start connecting- Dr. Laura Markham  SR: December 19th, 2020 FR: 

Name of Book: Spring Author: Leila Rafei ISBN: 9781982672577 Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Type of book: Egypt, religion, 2011, rioting, revolution, lemons, gardening, history, secrets, mysteries, Africa, refugees, class, gender, attention, possibilities, gossip  Year it was published: 2020 Summary: Three stories. One revolution. Eighteen days in Egypt. Sami is no revolutionary. When the Arab Spring breaks out in 2011, he's busy finishing school in Cairo and hiding his relationship with an American woman from his conservative mother, Suad. It's a task that's becoming impossible as events take a catastrophic turn. But Suad won't be fooled -- her son has been distant and she knows it's not about politics. Far away in the Nile Delta, she spends her days tending obsessively to her lemon grove, which is quickly becoming her last vestige of control. The only child who remains by her side is her daughter, but as she, too, gets involved with the protests, Suad realizes i

 Next year, Hannah Mary McKinnon will have an amazing new novel coming out titled YOU WILL REMEMBER ME. I already have scheduled in some reading time and I can't wait to get a chance to read it! Meanwhile, while I wait, I can look at this stunning cover and imagine the twisted possibilities... COVER REVEAL! YOU WILL REMEMBER ME by @hannahmarymckinnon pubs on May 25, 2021 and I can’t wait for this twisted psychological thriller. Look at that cover! “Forget the truth. Remember the lies. He wakes up on a deserted beach in Maryland with a gash on his head and wearing only swim trunks. He can’t remember who he is. Everything—his identity, his life, his loved ones—has been replaced by a dizzying fog of uncertainty. But returning to his Maine hometown in search of the truth uncovers more questions than answers. Lily Reid thinks she knows her boyfriend, Jack. Until he goes missing one night, and her frantic search reveals that he’s been lying to her since they met, desperate to escape a

Name of Book: The Education of Delhomme Author: Nancy Burkhalter ISBN: 978-1-7329508-3-2 Publisher: History Through Fiction Type of book: France, piano tuners, Frederic Chopin, 1830s-1850s, England, music, class struggle, industrial revolution, friendships, relationships, music, techniques, talents  Year it was published: 2020 Summary: Frédéric Chopin’s piano tuner, hungry for money, is lured into a royal spy ring but later condemned for treason by Napoleon III during the 1848 Paris Uprising. His one-time competition for Chopin’s affections, George Sand, might be his only hope. Filled with real historical characters and events, The Education of Delhomme is a captivating tale of struggle and hope amidst the social and political upheavals of mid-nineteenth century Europe. Characters: Main characters are Beau Delhomme as well as Fredric Chopin, George Sand and Eugene Francois Vidocq. Beau is a man who tried to become a doctor but couldn't and when his sisters family moves to England,

Name of Book: Don't You Know There's a War On? Author: Janet Todd ISBN: 978-1909572072 Publisher: Fentum Press Type of book: England, 1920s-1976, WW2, LGBTQ+ themes, hiding self, mother/ daughter relationship, incest, lesbianism, being single, living, year in England, survival,  Year it was published: 2020 Summary: The Second World War is over. England is losing its empire, world status and old elite values. The Empire strikes back with mass immigration, while the government soothes its people with welfare, the NHS, televisions and refrigerators. At the centre of the novel is the contemptuous Joan Kite, at odds with all the changes imposed on the country in the post war period. Shut up in a house with her only daughter, she refuses to compromise and adapt, pouring vitriol on anyone who seeks to enter their lives. After years of frugality, patriotism, service and excitement, she is angry at the contracted existence she’s been delivered and at the manner in which her aspirations

Title of the book: Hello Darkness, My Old Friend; How Daring Dreams, and unyielding friendship turned ones mans blindness into an extraordinary vision for life  Author: Sanford D. Greenberg Publisher: Post Hill Press Publishing Date: 2020 ISBN: 978-1-64293-497-7 Summary: As seen on the Today Show and as featured in People Magazine! The remarkable and inspiring story of a Columbia undergrad from a poor Jewish family who, after losing his eyesight to disease during his junior year, finds the power to break through the darkness and fulfill his vision for a life of great professional success and distinguished public service. It’s a bitterly cold February in 1961, and Sandy Greenberg lies in a hospital bed in Detroit, newly blind. A junior at Columbia University from a Jewish family that struggled to stay above the poverty line, Sandy had just started to see the world open up to him. Now, instead of his plans for a bright future—Harvard Law and politics—Sandy faces a new reality

General Information: Name of Book: Places I['ve Taken My Body; Essays ISBN: 978-0-89255-513-0 Publisher: Persea Year it was published: 2020 Summary: In seventeen intimate essays, poet Molly McCully Brown explores living within and beyond the limits of a body—in her case, one shaped since birth by cerebral palsy, a permanent and often painful movement disorder.  In spite of—indeed, in response to—physical constraints, Brown leads a peripatetic life: the essays comprise a vivid travelogue set throughout the United States and Europe, ranging from the rural American South of her childhood to the cobblestoned streets of Bologna, Italy. Moving between these locales and others, Brown constellates the subjects that define her inside and out: a disabled and conspicuous body, a religious conversion, a missing twin, a life in poetry. As she does, she depicts vividly for us not only her own life but a striking array of sites and topics, among them Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and th

 I am pretty sure that a lot of us are familiar with book titles that one could use as song titles. ( At least I am!) My focus will be more on drama/ romance songs.  1. The Thread of a Thousand Miles  2. Bad taste in men 3. Night in Shanghai  4. White Girl in La Casa  5. If you leave me 6. Riding the east wind 7. The idea of him 8. Somewhere between life and death  9. Lead me home  10. Down this road 

  Name of Book: A Snake Lies Waiting Author: Jin Yong ISBN: 978-1-250-25012-4 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Part of a Series: Legend of Condor Heroes 3 Type of book: Fantasy, martial arts, wuxia, historical fiction, romance, survival, China, 1200s, Song Dynasty, beginnings of Mongolian dynasty, exploring, martial art greats  Year it was published: 2020 Summary: China: 1200 A.D. Guo Jing has confronted Apothecary Huang, his sweetheart Lotus' father, on Peach Blossom Island, and bested the villainous Gallant Ouyang in three trials to win her hand in marriage. But now, along with his sworn brother, Zhou Botong of the Quanzhen Sect, and his shifu, Count Seven Hong, Chief of the Beggar Clan, he has walked into a trap. Tricked by Huang into boarding a unseaworthy barge, they will surely drown unless Lotus - who has overheard her father's plans - can find a way to save them. Yet even if they are to survive the voyage, great dangers lie in wait on the mainland. The Jin Prince Wanya

 The invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer 131/758  The Kennedy Moment by Peter Adamson 106/345 Hello darkness my old friend by Sanford D Greenberg 131/228

Name of Book: Alina, a song for the telling Author: Malve von Hassell  ISBN: 978-1-64397-104-9 Publisher: bhc Press  Type of book: 1172, France, Crusades, Medieval Israel, politics, music, poetry, religion, YA, political marriage, travel, poetry  Year it was published: 2020 Summary: A coming-of-age story of a young woman from Provence in the 12th century. “You should be grateful, my girl. You have no dowry, and I am doing everything I can to get you settled. You are hardly any man’s dream.” Alina’s brother, Milos, pulled his face into a perfect copy of Aunt Marci’s sour expression, primly pursing his mouth. He had got her querulous tone just right. Maybe Alina’s aunt was right. She could not possibly hope to become a musician, a trobairitz—impoverished as she was and without the status of a good marriage. But Alina refuses to accept the life her aunt wants to impose on her. At the first opportunity that presents itself, Alina and her brother embark on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to e

 Possibly like others, I am elated at the news that Biden/Harris won the election, but at the same time I doubt that either one way or another Trumps effect on America will go away soon. It is calm before the storm, eye of the hurricane. We all want normalcy, but normalcy will have different meanings for everyone. For Trump supporters normalcy will be conspiracy theories and attempts to subvert system. For democrats, normalcy will include in fighting between progressives and radicals. Either way, while there is a glimmer of light, the hurricane isn't over. 

 No new books to report. 

It's very VERY common to open up a book- any book- and be drawn into romance, be it happy or sad or bittersweet. (Aside from nonfiction, I can't even recall a fiction title that didn't have romance!) For better or worse romance is in all of the fiction titles that I had that chance of reading.  Why is romance a common subplot of the story? I think mainly it's because it's universal and it's something all people can identify with. It also makes the story a lot more interesting or it helps add elements that both male and female heroes will dare to fight for.  Whether or not romances add or take away from the stories depends on a story being told and it also depends on an authors writing skill. Most of time romances add more depth to the characters and stories. After all, Gone with the wind wouldn't be the same without romantic elements. Yet there are books that feel, well, fake when it comes to romance. ( I want to say Mansfield Park by Jane Austen or Comet Se

 This week's neglected book: A history of Japan: from stone age to superpower  Published date: 1999 Publisher: Palgrave  Why did I add A History of Japan to my bookshelf?  At the time I found it in half price books and it seemed a good solution to have something short and complete, so to speak. At least that's what I desired. I wanted to learn a bit more about Japan at the time, and if I remember right, I bought this book in early 00s, so it didn't seem out of date at the time. 

Title: On Gold Mountain; The One Hundred Year Odyssey of my Chinese-american family Author: Lisa See Published: 1995  Length: 394 pages  Summary: How and when I got it:  I am pretty sure I  bought it in half price books, merely out of curiosity rather than anything else. I remember trying to read it it for one reason or another I abandoned it. 

 Outside reading and reviewing, I sort of have a semi life as well. I am not sure if it will be the top ten, but it's worth a try.  1. Listening to oldie music. Something I love to do is listen to old K-pop. ( How old? 90s to 00s.) I also listen to old K-indie music like Humming Urban Stereo for instance.  2. Watching old Korean dramas. It's a bit inevitable: if I love Korean music, then I love Korean Dramas, or K-Dramas. Dramas I love watching aren't "cute" rom-coms, but instead they are cerebral/emotional that are serious in tone and subject. ( La Dolce Vita for instance...)  3. Play Love Nikki. In real life, I don't care for clothing or fashion, so it seems odd that I love Love Nikki, a fashion game that I dedicated almost three years to. ( Logging on, collecting stuff, and amassing hundreds of clothing and costumes.)  4. Play Dragon vale. I also have began to love a game called Dragon Vale where one collects very cool and awesome dragons. ( my favorite are

Places I've taken my body by Molly McCully Brown 177/ 208 The Kennedy moment by Peter Adamson 72/345 Hello darkness my old friend by Sanford D. Greenberg 61/228 

 For a sweet lover, Halloween is a favorite holiday. Free candies of all sorts, walking around, admiring decorations and free candies. As a child it was one of my favorite holidays. As an adult, I dreamt of having a child that I can take trick or treating with me. In 2016 that wish came true, but the child wasn't quite ready for experience. In 2017 and 2018 we didn't go trick or treating either due to weather or something else. 2019, the child experienced his first trick or treat and he loved it. ( No, did not let him eat candy...) and ever since he has been bugging me about next time. 2020 came around, and the world flushed into a virtual potty as life we took for granted changed and shifted. I didn't go trick or treating with him this year. Instead, I was lucky that his lovely aunt sent him a marble run toy which he fell in love with, and that is how he spent his Halloween. 

 Wow, it's November already and the year is still not over? Pity. I am hesitant in asking about the future, about December. This month there will be at least two book tours, both from France Book Tours as well as a book spotlight. All I think of is that I should really write some reviews this month, which will be good news for my readers I imagine.  Book Tours/ Spotlights  The Witch Hunter  Spotlight by Max Seeck  Alina a song for the telling by Malve von Hassell ( November 6th, 2020)  The education of Delhomme by Nancy Burkhalter (TBD) Possible Reviews:  A SNAKE LIES WAITING by Jin Yong  Don't you know there's a war on by Janet Todd  Possible Reads:  Lonesome you by Park Wansuh  Burnt toast makes you sing good by Kathleen Flinn  Flight of the sparrow by Amy Balding Brown  The lost girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff  The lover by Marguerite Duras  God has no grandchildren by Kim Gyung UK  Does anybody else look like me by Donna Jackson Nakazawa  Spring by Leila Rafei  The invisib

 The Kennedy moment- Peter Adamson SR: October 29th, 2020 FR: November 23rd, 2020 The invisible bridge- Julie Orringer  SR: November 5th, 2020 FR:  Spring- Leila Rafei  SR: November 10th, 2020 FR: November 24th, 2020 Nobody's angel- Karen Robbards  SR: November 23rd, 2020 FR: Styx and stones- James W Ziskin SR: November 24th, 2020 FR:  Non-fiction Places I've taken my body- Molly McCully Brown  SR: October 28th, 2020 FR: November 5th, 2020 Hello darkness, my old friend; how daring dreams and unyielding friendship turned one man's blindness into an extraordinary vision for life- Sanford D. Greenberg  SR: October 31st, 2020 FR:  November 5th, 2020

 For this week, i got one book: Spring by Leila Rafei. Next few weeks, highly doubt I will get anymore new books...

 I am often of opinion that "coming of age" is a term that is thrown a lot when it comes to books. I often identify coming of age as change and maturity, of someone growing up and experiencing a life changing event.  As sad as it sounds, I can't recall any coming of age stories that had a profound change on me. I am still in the same place as I was when I was a teenager, and if anything, I have been taught by society and family that unless you work or make money I am not supposed to have a voice. Therefore it's hard for me to gauge how much books have changed me. Few decades back, I want to say, Marguerite Duras North China Lover and Susan Chois novels have had an effect on my writing, but then I gave up writing fiction over seven years ago.  I think good ingredients for coming of age tales are characters and their personalities as well as their resistance to it. It's A compelling read when a character has to change or is forced to change, but they resist that cha

 This week's neglected book:  The Winthrop Woman by Anya Setton  Publication date: 1958 Publisher: Pyramid Fiction Summary:  Why did I add The Winthrop Woman by Anya Setton to my bookshelf?  I love historical fiction, ( the more ancient the better!) I got it at a thrift store with a former friend, and there is somehing exciting and appealing about the early colonial days. I will still read it though. 

 Title One night with a prince Author: Sabrina Jeffries  Published: 2006 Length: 384 pages  Summary: How and when I got it: I used to be friends with niece of the author and she mentioned that her aunt writes romance novels. I wanted it to connect to Only a Duke will do, and therefore I got the trilogy.  Why I want to read it:  Mainly for escape from 2020. Or maybe I will read it in the future. 

 So it's Halloween, almost and I really wracked my brain about this topic: I used to read horror but not anymore. Maybe supernatural? But what? Can I make it to ten? Then I think, 10 supernatural books I own. Enjoy and happy Halloween!  1. The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu: ghosts, body possessions and anthromorphic emotions as well as fate and hints of Death. Minus horror, sounds like a supernatural novel to me.  2. The Golem and the Djinni by Helene Wecker: so it's a fantasy, but still, mysterious creatures coming to life and the meaning of reincarnation, faith and karma as well as a wonderful possible relationship.  3. Whisper of Death by Christopher Pike: tied somewhere between suspense and horror, I loved this story of Death, life and isolation.  4. The silver kiss by Anna Curtis Klause: okay, so vampires and a sweet yet tender love story. ( was written in 1990, way before Twilight...) obviously the vampire elements.  5. Blood and chocolate by Anna Curtis Klause: I had

 The game of hope by Sandra Gulland 194/345 Spring Forward 319/427 A SNAKE LIES WAITING by Jin Yong 271/424

I am exhausted, seriously exhausted from politics, fighting, 2020 and hell. I am tired of opening up my mailbox and seeing political advertisements ( I live with my son and my parents.) I am tired of thinking of WWIII that should erupt sometime next year, and I am tired of being conflicted. Why can't things sometime be black and white without the grey? I don't know who is right or wrong; I don't know who will bring hell. All I can see is that USA has become a cult for democrats and republicans, and if you don't believe to the letter you become a pariah. Whatever happened to agree to disagree? Whatever happened to moderation? It no longer exists, and while I am not an Oracle, it's not good when extremism begins to rule the land...

 Much to mine surprise, my mom picked up two free books at her job; they are Nobody's Angel by Karen Robards and Amanda Rose by Karen Robards. 

For obvious reasons, discussion of diverse literature is something dear to my heart. Diverse equals different, it equals something that doesn't follow the norm. What is the norm? Norm is Western European powers ( England in particular) and USA. Norm is not diverse.  As an ethnic minority of Eastern European population ( maybe I should say Soviet Union,) stories that are written by authors and people from Eastern Europe are diverse because our experiences and history are different; the way our lives are lived is a lot different than the norm, and that pertains to food as well.  If an author writes about a Spanish character set in Spain, will that be diverse? My question might be, where will the book be bought and background of an author? If a book is bought in Spain, I don't see it as diverse because it's speaking to people who have similar experiences. Background? What is authors background? If it's a marginalized background like maybe a Roma gypsy or a Jew, I would see

This week's neglected book:  After the scandal by Elizabeth Essex  Published Date: March 2014 Publisher: St Martins Griffin Paperbacks   Why did I add After the Scandal to my bookshelf?  In February of 2014, ( highly likely Valentine's Day,) my favorite author of the time, Jade Lee, was coming to my state for a visit. After meeting her, I recall walking around and meeting Elizabeth Essex, who gave me the ARC of this book when she learned I was a blogger. I am embarrassed to say that I hadn't read it still...

 Title: The MacGregors Lady Author: Grace Burrowed  Published: 2014 Length: 406 pages Summary: How and when I got it: Wow, six years have passed already? I was contacted by a publicist asking if I wanted to do review for its sequel/standalone, WHAT A LADY NEEDS FOR CHRISTMAS. I agreed, wrote review and enjoyed the story a whole lot. Being a completionist, I needed to get prequels, and this is one of them.  Why I want to read it:  With all the hell that 2020 has spawned, I need something light and fluffy for my brain to take. I love serious works, but sometimes my mind needs to rest and enjoy the lighter side of life. 

 Unfortunately I don't have reader friends that I can talk to now. In the past though, I did get some recommendations, many unread than read. But here are some books that were recommended.  1. The silver kiss by Anna Curtis Klause- in middle school I was going through a vampire phase and I ended up talking to a girl who told me about this wonderful hidden gem, which I ended up enjoying.  2. Whisper of Death by Christopher Pike- one of my sister's ex friends sister was reading Christopher Pike, and when she learned I liked R.L Stine she recommended the author to me. It took me until I was in high school to fully fall in love with Christopher Pikes early works.  3. White Oleander by Janet Fitch-  I was talking to someone on the bus who was in complete awe of the book, and I ended up being intrigued and deciding to read it. So I am in minority when I say I read it and couldn't stand it.  4. The fault in our stars by John Green-  So i read it because at the time few of my frien

Name of Book: Truths I never told you  Author: Kelly Rimmer  ISBN: 978-1-525-80460-1 Publisher: Graydon Type of book: Washington, 1950s-1960s, 1996, motherhood, dreams, post partum depression, journal, artist, secrets, siblings, relationships,  Year it was published: 2020 Summary: From the bestselling author of The Things We Cannot Say comes a poignant novel about the fault in memories and the lies that can bond a family together—or tear it apart. With her father recently moved to a care facility for his worsening dementia, Beth Walsh volunteers to clear out the family home and is surprised to discover the door to her childhood playroom padlocked. She’s even more shocked at what’s behind it—a hoarder’s mess of her father’s paintings, mounds of discarded papers and miscellaneous junk in the otherwise fastidiously tidy house. As she picks through the clutter, she finds a loose journal entry in what appears to be her late mother’s handwriting. Beth and her siblings grew up believing their

Don't you know there's a war on? By Janet Todd 38/275 Spring forward by Catherine Anderson 199/427 A SNAKE LIES WAITING by Jin Yong 151/424

 So, did anyone miss me? Last Gd knows how many months have been, well, hell filled. Thankfully physically we are well and healthy. My son has grown by leaps and bounds, enjoying dinosaurs, and currently using his imagination a whole lot. He also began Pre-K and seems to enjoy and thrive there. It's safe to say that 2020 didn't go as I had hoped. Before COVID, I had a lot of plans, but yeah, those plans have died. For the time being, I'm not writing reviews, although I plan to start back again soon, in November. The last half of 2020, I am barely getting any books. ( when was the last time? Oh October 2nd I believe.) 

 Honestly, I hadn't gotten any books since my birthday few weeks back, but here is hoping that I might get some soon. For my birthday, from my beloved and beautiful sister, I received A Good Family by A.H. Kim and THE COLOR OF AIR by Gail Tsukiyama.  I hope to get On Fragile Waves by E. Lily Yu, which I won as well as Spring by Leila Rafei.  

I am ashamed today that my TBR list is pretty long...years long...countless years ago. I always come up with a theme and then try to find books that fit into the theme. Some examples? Books that take place in 50 states, but I want them to reflect racial and religious and LGB diversity. Also, let's remember that men and women experience the world differently. Another theme? Four elements titles ( air, earth, water fire) 4 seasons titles (spring, summer, autumn and winter) mysteries written by East Asian men and women. Mostly I go for women's fiction, romance, historical fiction, thrillers and suspense as well as literary. Also one more TBR, historical fiction from prehistoric times to modern times around the world.  To an extent I do keep it organized, that is a lot of books I got in the past are my priorities for reading. Overall, don't keep it organized, sorry to say. It used to be that book tour books were first, but now I guess what will be my priority are books I got fr

 This week's neglected book MIDDLEMARCH by George Eliot  Publication: 1871-1872 Publisher: Oxford?  Why did I add it? Few years back, I read FREE FOOD FOR MILLIONAIRES by Min Jin Lee, ( yes, the same author who wrote PACHINKO) and for some odd reason, despite my low rating for the book, I became curious about MIDDLEMARCH and when I saw it was for sale in the library, I decided to buy it. 

 So I realize I'm posting this late...way way late. but there's no harm in some publicity right?  Book: The Rose Code Author: Kate Quinn Pages: 656 Publisher: William Morrow  Date Published: March 2021 Summary: The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Huntress and The Alice Network returns with another heart-stopping World War II story of three female code breakers at Bletchley Park and the spy they must root out after the war is over. 1940. As England prepares to fight the Nazis, three very different women answer the call to mysterious country estate Bletchley Park, where the best minds in Britain train to break German military codes. Vivacious debutante Osla is the girl who has everything—beauty, wealth, and the dashing Prince Philip of Greece sending her roses—but she burns to prove herself as more than a society girl, and puts her fluent German to use as a translator of decoded enemy secrets. Imperious self-made Mab, product of east-end London poverty, wor

  Book: Ties that Tether Author: Jane Igharo Pages: 336 Publisher: Berkley Date Published: September 2020 Summary: When a Nigerian woman falls for a man she knows will break her mother's heart, she must choose between love and her family.  At twelve years old, Azere promised her dying father she would marry a Nigerian man and preserve her culture, even after immigrating to Canada. Her mother has been vigilant about helping--well forcing--her to stay within the Nigerian dating pool ever since. But when another match-made-by-mom goes wrong, Azere ends up at a bar, enjoying the company and later sharing the bed of Rafael Castellano, a man who is tall, handsome, and...white.      When their one-night stand unexpectedly evolves into something serious, Azere is caught between her feelings for Rafael and the compulsive need to please her mother. Soon, Azere can't help wondering if loving Rafael makes her any less of a Nigerian. Can she be with him without compromising her identity? Th

 Due to technological malfunctions ( and me not being aware that uninstalling a program equals my hard work is kaput...) I started to write list of books I have and which boxes they are in, by hand. At the moment I don't have the book next to me.  Title: The Lost Wife Author: Alyson Richman Published: 2011  Pages: 368 Summary:  How and when I got it:  Honestly I can't remember if it was in a local library or if it was a gift from a dear friend who passed away in 2016... Why I want to read it:  At the time, it was a popular and intriguing WWII novel and I am curious to see how it will be. 

 Who hasn't come across long book titles? And what makes a long book title? Mine would be 7 words or more that I possibly read and have in my library. I think I will do 10. I know I have more, but these are long titles, aren't they?  1. I want you to know we're still here  2. The plot against the pom pom queen  3. Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban  4. Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets  5. Starring Sally J Freedman as herself  6. It's not the end of the world  7. Pilgrim footprints on the sands of time  8. A history of the Jews in Modern Times  9. 50 secrets how to meet people and make friends  10. Tammy the little cat with a big attitude 

 Spring Forward by Catherine Anderson 99/427 A SNAKE LIES WAITING by Jin Yong 62/424 The human past by Chris Scarre 613/720  

 Technically I am writing in almost the middle of October. My birthday was ok, literally only got birthday wishes from people. (Got gifts early actually...) and yes I have gotten two books I wanted: A GOOD FAMILY by A.H Kim and THE COLOR OF AIR by Gail Tsukiyama. I also got A SNAKE LIES WAITING by Jin Yong and have begun reading it, which is pretty good in my opinion. I might start writing reviews next month, or maybe this month for A SNAKE LIES WAITING.     Book tours/Spotlights:  Late cover reveal for THE ROSE CODE Spotlight for TIES THAT TETHER by Jane Igharo  Possible reviews:  A SNAKE LIES WAITING BY JIN YONG ( If I will be finished with it)  Possible Reads:  The lover by Marguerite Duras  God has no grandchildren by Kim Gyung UK  Don't you know there's a war on by Janet Todd  The game of hope by Nicole Galland  The color of air by Gail Tsukiyama  A good family by A.H Kim  Pumpkin flowers by Matti Friedman  The seat of the soul by Gary Zukov  The sharecroppers by Denisa Ni

The Kennedy moment- Peter Adamson SR: October 29th, 2020 FR:   Spring Forward-Catherine Anderson SR: October 4th, 2020 FR: October 28th, 2020 The education of Delhomme- Nancy Burkhalter SR: August 24th, 2020 FR:  October 1st, 2020 The game of hope- Sandra Gulland  SR: October 22nd, 2020 FR: October 29th, 2020 Don't you know there's a war on?- Janet Todd SR: October 20th, 2020 FR: October 22nd, 2020 Alina a song for the telling-  malve von hassell  SR: September 27th, 2020 FR: October 4th, 2020 A Snake Lies Waiting- Jin Yong SR: October 1st, 2020 FR: October 31st, 2020 Nonfiction: Tree of Souls-Howard Schwartz SR: February 10th, 2014 FR: N/A The human past; world prehistory and the development of human societies- Christopher Scarre (editor) SR; August 26th, 2020 FR: October 19th, 2020 Places I've taken my body; essays- Molly McCully Brown SR: October 28th, 2020 FR:  Hello darkness, my old friend; how daring dreams and unyielding friendship turned one man's blindness into

 It's September, a month before my birthday. Am I looking forward to it? No. Why? Here is a counter question: what is there to look forward to, besides me aging? Gifts from friends? What friends? Even before COVID-19 no friends. Meeting someone special? Umm that person is located in South Korea and COVID prevents us from seeing one another. Honestly, nothing new or positive to say, aside from the fact we have health and can survive so far.  Books/ spotlights:  Spiritual Adventures of Russell the dog by Trisha Watson  Copy Boy by Shelley Blanton-stroud  Possible reviews:  Although I have plenty, most likely won't post them this month. ( possible exception is A SNAKE LIES WAITING by Jin Yong, if I get and read the copy.)   Possible reads:  God has no grandchildren by Kim Gyung UK   Titans by Leila Meacham  Living treasures by Yang Huang  My half of the sky by Jana McBurney Lin  Don't you know there's a war on? By Janet Todd  Does anybody else look like me by Donna Jackson

The education of Delhomme- Nancy Burkhalter SR: August 24th, 2020 FR:  When Christ and his saints slept-Sharon Kay Penman SR: May 1st, 2020 FR: September 27th, 2020 Salt Creek- Lucy Treloar  SR: June 4th, 2020 FR:  Alina a song for the telling-  malve von hassell  SR: September 27th, 2020 FR: Nonfiction: Tree of Souls-Howard Schwartz SR: February 10th, 2014 FR: N/A The human past; world prehistory and the development of human societies- Christopher Scarre (editor) SR; August 26th, 2020 FR: 

Name of Book: The Spiritual Adventures of Russell the Dog Author: Trisha Watson ISBN: 978-1-7333374-0-3 Publisher: Stone and light publishing  Type of book: spiritual realm, other world, reincarnation, dogs, pets, humans, Colorado, going above and beyond  Year it was published: 2020 Summary: By reading this newly released book for the dog lover’s soul, you are about to take a remarkable journey through the eyes of Russell the dog. At times you will find that reading about his spiritual adventures takes an open mind, and a willingness to laugh and cry. By choice, Russell has come into this life with a unique dual purpose: to experience his present lifetime as a dog and to review his previous lifetime as a man. His journey is multidimensional; taking him through numerous challenges triggering a spectrum of emotions which he resists. One of his special abilities is to telepathically hear and communicate with other animals, his Spirit Guides, and even people when necessary fo