This week we dipped into the low 20’s, which is pretty cold for this area, especially in November. I thought I was ready for sweater weather, but it turns out I was wrong. I actually hate winter pretty strongly. The only upside to freezing temps is that it creates perfect conditions for hiding inside with a stack of books. During late spring/summer/early fall I can sometimes be persuaded to go out and do things, but once it starts to get cold I go into hibernation mode.
I’m curious to know if this is true for most other folks or if temperature tolerance varies widely the way it does in my family. My husband and my oldest daughter are virtually impervious to the cold. They will stay out and play in the snow until their hands and noses are bright red from the cold. My younger daughter, on the other hand, is creature similar to myself. Last year we were outside playing in the snow and she said to me, “Mama, I think I want to go inside and read books in my bed.”
Me too, kiddo. Me too.
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Just Finished:
I wrote a review of this book earlier this month which you can read here, but the bottom line is I love Kristy Cambron and all of the books in her Lost Castle series. The Painted Castle, just like the first two in the series, is a split-timeline novel following three courageous women who each lived in the castle on the Parham Hill estate during different times in history and the present day.
Parents everywhere be like, what should I worry about this week? I decided to worry about my children’s emotional, social, and spiritual milestones and borrowed this book to help me analyze our family shortcomings in those areas. This book was just ok for me. I did gain some valuable insight into why my girls say and do some things, as well as some suggestions for guiding them through emotional rollercoasters, but overall I didn’t feel that it was an indispensable parenting resource. I do like that the authors were taking time to address something other than physical and academic development, because I think most people have a pretty good grasp on what success looks like in those areas.
Ranger McIntyre: Small Delightful Murders
I picked this one up on a whim, and it was a fun, short read. Keywords for this story are park rangers, Chicago mobsters, trout fishing, and speakeasy. You’ll find all that and more in this historical cozy mystery surrounding the attempted murder of a lodge owner in Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s Ranger Tim McIntyre’s job to investigate the attempts and whether or not they are connected to the appearance of a black sedan full of tough-looking strangers. Using his wits and the help of a few trusty side-kicks, Ranger McIntyre does his best to wrap up the mystery without taking too much time away from his regular fishing trips.
In Progress:
Moment of honesty here: I don’t know if I’m going to finish this one. I’m about a chapter in and it is really boring so far. My plan is to give it a couple more chapters, and if things don’t pick up then I’m going to have to say ‘bye Felicia and move on because life’s too short to read books that don’t interest you. I really hope that doesn’t happen though, because it has great reviews and was endorsed by a friend with similar reading taste to me. Fingers crossed it gets better soon.
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
This book is definitely not boring! It is the compelling story of Cussy Mary, a young women descended from the blue people of Kentucky (look it up, it’s fascinating), who rides an ornery mule to deliver books and other reading material to the mountain people in her Kentucky community. Plagued by superstition and bigotry, it’s a dangerous job for her, but she finds meaning in brining joy to impoverished, mostly illiterate people. I’ll go ahead and give a trigger warning here that there are instances of sexual assault in this story, so practice self-care and skip this one if that’s a sensitive area for you.
Everywhere I look on the internet people are always raving about Tana French’s books, so when I stumbled across this one at the library I scooped it up and determined to see what all the fuss is about. I’m literally only like one chapter in, so I haven’t really formed an opinion yet. Stayed tuned for my thoughts next month, but in the meantime you can look at the plot summary and see if you think it sounds as intriguing as I did.
This is me squeezing in a few more Christmas books for my annual list coming out a little over a week from now (you can read last year’s list here). I’m not usually a huge fan of Amish stories, but I received this one from the publisher and decided to give it a try. So far I’m liking it! At this point I’m about 95% it will make it onto the list.
Up Next:
Anyone else here fans of Knox and Jamie from the Popcast podcast? If so, you’re probably already aware that Knox published a b-word earlier this year about his growing up years and the impact pop culture had on him. I placed a hold on it months ago and it just came in so I can’t wait to get started on it! I anticipate that it will be filled with humor, just as the Podcast is, and I could use a good laugh.
I know I’m probably the last person alive who hasn’t read this book. It’s been widely publicized and so far I haven’t heard any negative opinions about it, so I’m hopeful that it will be an amazing read. My only concern is that I have heard so many summaries and interviews of the author that I might have already heard most of the story. Have you read this book? What did you think?
Giving It All Away…And Getting It All Back Again
The hubs read this book a while back by Dan Green, CEO of Hobby Lobby (aka the most magical place on earth). He enjoyed it, so I decided to give it a try for nonfiction November. It’s pretty short, right around 200 pages, so I don’t think it will take me very long to read it once I get started.
Another winter/Christmas inspired choice, I’m hoping to get through this one before the list comes out, but if not then I’ll just enjoy it at a slower pace later one. It’s part of a series and there are two more books after this one, so that gives me plenty of reading material if I want it.
What are you reading right now? Does your reading time increase at all when it’s cold outside?
Thanks to Modern Mrs. Darcy for hosting a quick lit link up! Go check her out if you want to see what even more bloggers are reading right now.
Jordan, hi! Yes, Inheritance is fabulous … you won’t put it down. Haunting, inspiring, mesmerizing, all those good things!
Good to know! I figured it was getting all that hype for a reason 🙂
So many great books! I can’t read more than one at a time, my mind goes crazy lol.
I like being able to switch them out depending on what kind of mood I’m in.
Ohhh the Christmas ones look nice, love a good story for this time of the year
Me too!
I love reading and am always looking for new books! These are awesome I need to add them to my list.
Hope you found something new to enjoy!
So many great books here! I’m currently reading Family of Origin by CJ Hauser. So far, I’m loving it!
I’ve never even heard of that book!
I love learning about new books, One of my goals this year is to join a book club!! Great List!
That sounds fun! I’ve actually never been a member of a real book club myself.
Good recommendations! My opinion – I LOVE Tana French, but The Witch Elm was not my favorite. The Dublin series (starting with In the Woods) is truly fantastic.
Into the Woods is the one I always hear mentioned when someone talks about Tana French. I’ll have to check it out! I liked the Witch Elm pretty well – definitely was surprised by the ending!