Throwback Thursday Book Review: 9/10/23

Welcome to my weekly post where I look back at some of my four and five star reads before I started Nicole’s Nook.

This week’s book: Mr. Knightley’s Diary by Amanda Grange

Publisher: Berkely

Publication Date: August 31, 2006

Goodreads Synopsis:

Relive Jane Austen’s Emma – from Mr. Knightley’s point of view.

Between managing his estate and visiting his brother in London, Mr. Knightley is both exasperated and amused by his irresistibly beautiful, outrageously mischievous neighbor, Emma Woodhouse, whose misguided attempts at matchmaking are wreaking havoc in the village of Highbury.

But when a handsome newcomer arrives and catches Emma’s attention, Mr. Knightley is shocked by his reaction. Amusement gives way to another emotion entirely-for his unreasonable dislike of the handsome newcomer seems suspiciously like jealousy.

My Thoughts:

Usually I give my date read but this one is so far back, that I hadn’t started tracking my reading on goodreads yet. As the title implies, this one retells the story of Emma from Mr. Knightley’s perspective. I enjoy this entire series by Amanda Grange. But, this is my favorite. I just love how it’s so obvious to the reader that Mr. Knightly is in love with Emma (and not because of the original story), yet he is oblivious to his own feelings. I enjoyed seeing that side of Mr. Knightley.

September 14, 2023

My Favorite Read of June 2023: The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

“Please try to remember that books aren’t always an escape; sometimes books teach us things. They show us the world, they don’t hide it.”
― Sara Nisha Adams, The Reading List

Goodreads Synopsis:

Widower Mukesh lives a quiet life in the London Borough of Ealing after losing his beloved wife. He shops every Wednesday, goes to Temple, and worries about his granddaughter, Priya, who hides in her room reading while he spends his evenings watching nature documentaries.

Aleisha is a bright but anxious teenager working at the local library for the summer when she discovers a crumpled-up piece of paper in the back of To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s a list of novels that she’s never heard of before. Intrigued, and a little bored with her slow job at the checkout desk, she impulsively decides to read every book on the list, one after the other. As each story gives up its magic, the books transport Aleisha from the painful realities she’s facing at home.

When Mukesh arrives at the library, desperate to forge a connection with his bookworm granddaughter, Aleisha passes along the reading list… hoping that it will be a lifeline for him too. Slowly, the shared books create a connection between two lonely souls, as fiction helps them escape their grief and everyday troubles and find joy again.

Reasons I loved this book:

It celebrates that a great book can mean different things to different people.

I love a intergenerational friendship story.

I learned more about Indian culture.

I love creating my own book lists.

July 1, 2023

Throwback Thursday Book Review: 6/28/23 The Boyfriend of the Month Club by Maria Geraci

Welcome to my weekly post where I look back at some of my four and five star reads before I started Nicole’s Nook.

Publisher: Berkley Books

Publication Date: December 7, 2010

Date Read: December 11, 2010

Synopsis:

This sexy, funny new novel asks: Can a woman find a modern-day Mr. Darcy in Daytona Beach?

At thirty, Grace O’Bryan has dated every loser in Daytona Beach. After the ultimate date-from-hell, Grace decides to turn her dwindling book club into a Boyfriend of the Month Club, where women can discuss the eligible men in their community. Where are the real life twenty-first century versions of literary heroes such as Heathcliff and Mr. Darcy?

Could it be successful and handsome Brandon Farrell, who is willing to overlook his disastrous first date with Grace and offers financial help for her parents’ failing Florida gift shop? Or maybe sexy dentist Joe Rosenblum, who’s great with a smile but not so great at commitment? Unfortunately, like books, men cannot always be judged by their covers…

My Thoughts:

This is a fun contemporary romance for anyone who loves classic love stories. Grace and her book club categorize the men in their lives as Austen and Bronte characters. But real people are more complex. This results in some misteps on the road to true love. These modern characters made me look at their classic versions with new eyes.

June 29, 2023

Throwback Thursday Book Review: 6/22/23: Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer

Welcome to my weekly post where I look back at some of my four and five star reads before I started Nicole’s Nook.

Publishers: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: June 1, 2012

Date Read: December 8, 2013

Favorite Quote: “The act of reading is a partnership. The author builds a house, but the reader makes it a home.”
― Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer, Between the Lines

Goodreads Synopsis:

Delilah is a bit of a loner who prefers spending her time in the school library with her head in a book–one book in particular. Between the Lines” may be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is brave, adventurous, and loving. He really speaks to Delilah.

And then one day Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. He’s a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence and hates that his entire life is predetermined. He’s sure there’s more for him out there in the real world, and Delilah might just be his key to freedom.

Delilah and Oliver work together to attempt to get Oliver out of his book, a challenging task that forces them to examine their perceptions of fate, the world, and their places in it. And as their attraction to each other grows along the way, a romance blossoms that is anything but a fairy tale.

My Thoughts:

Who hasn’t dreamed of a favorite book character coming to life? This is a fun diversion from Picoult’s usual issue driven fiction. While is aimed at YA readers, book lovers of any age will enjoy it.

June 22, 2023

Throwback Thursday Book Review 6/15/23: Austenland by Shannon Hale

Welcome to my weekly post where I look back at some of my four and five star reads before I started Nicole’s Nook.

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Publication Date: May 29, 2007

Date Read: September 14, 2012

Favorite Quote: “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a thirty-something woman in possession of a satisfying career and fabulous hairdo must be in want of very little”
― Shannon Hale, Austenland

Goodreads Synopsis:

Jane is a young New York woman who can never seem to find the right man-perhaps because of her secret obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of “Pride and Predjudice.” When a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-obsessed women, however, Jane’s fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become more real than she ever could have imagined. Is this total immersion in a fake Austenland enough to make Jane kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?

My Thoughts

This is my favorite Jane Austen fan fiction that isn’t a retelling. While it pays homage to Austen, it’s really more of a tribute to Janeites. Which of us hasn’t dreamed of living in Austen’s world for just a moment? While this is a dream come true, it also brings in the reality of what it would’ve really been like to live at that time. Part of the reason there are so many busybodies running around is that gossip is the main form of entertainment. Since most of the characters in the book are actors catering to women’s Austen fantasies, the line between fantasy and reality is blurry, and keeps you on your toes throughout the book.

If you’ve seen the movie, it strays from the book, and I didn’t like it nearly as much.

June 15, 2023

Picture Book Review: The Little Books of the Little Brontes

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with a free digital advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Little Books of the Little Brontes

Author: Sara O’Leary

Illustrator: Briony May Smith

Publisher: Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books

Publication Date: October 17, 2023

Book Description:

Many years ago, the four motherless children of the Brontë family — Charlotte, Branwell, Emily, and Anne — lived in a windswept house by the moors with their father. Although their lives were often filled with sadness and their world was only as large as the distance they could walk, their INNER worlds were bound only by their imaginations. Hungry for stories, these children devoured novels and poetry, history, and fables. And with the gift of a group of toy soldiers, they were inspired to make their own stories and their own tiny books . . . a passion that would last them a lifetime.

A moving and atmospheric story about the power of imagination, the joy of storytelling and the love of books, The Little Books of the Little Brontës will enchant both those who love these literary sisters and those who are learning about them for the first time. Includes an author’s note, timeline of the Brontës’ lives and a fun craft with instructions on creating your own little book.

My Thoughts:

This tells the story of the Bronte siblings before they were famous writers. Kids do not need to know their work (Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books, but I won’t be recommending to any 5-7 year olds) to appreciate the story. The siblings lose their mother and two older sisters at a very young age. This book is the story of how the power of storytelling helped them deal with the tragedies surrrounding them. The siblings shared stories and created their own little books. The end of the book also includes directions for kids to make their own little books. I am a firm believer that picture books are not just for kids. Any adult who likes classic literature would love this book.

The illustrations give the book a classic feel and reminded me of the works of Chris VanAllsburg.

March 7, 2023

Top Ten Tuesday 2/28/23: Genre freebie

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly post sponsored by That Artsy Reader Girl . This week’s topic is a genre freebie.

While this isn’t an official genre, I wanted to share my favorite “books for booklovers”.

This is one of my favorite books ever. The UK version is Little Shop of Happily Ever After (which makes more sense given that there is no bookshop on a corner in the novel).

My Review

This is a great romance between a literary agent and publisher. I liked the “behind the scenes” view of the book industry.

The Library Book by Susan Orlean

Orlean tells the story of the 1986 fire in the Los Angelos Public Library, while also looking at the history and future of all libraries.

The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson

My Review

This book really highlights the role of libraries in a community beyond just providing books.

I’d Rather be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life by Anne Bogel

The title says it all for this one.

The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan

The Bookish Life of NIna Hill by Abbie Waxman

Sometimes booklovers need a little push to come out of their shell. Nina learns to embrace life and finds love.

Novel Destinations: Literary Landmarks from Jane Austen’s Bath to Ernest Hemingway’s Key West by Shannon McKenna Schmidt and Joni Rendon

A great travel guide for the world’s best literary locations.

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer

Imagine a book character speaking to you. This is what happens to Delilah which starts her quest to rescue Prince Oliver from his existence as a book character.

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

Suffering from a rare condition that makes her skin blue, Cussy Carter becomes a librarian in the Pack Horse Library Project of Kentucky.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

At the end of WWII a writer is looking for an idea and discovers the story of an eclectic group of literature lovers bound together during the German Occupation.

February 28, 2023

Favorite Read of September 2022

The ones that speak to me are those whose final pages admit there is no going back. That every good thing must end. That every bad thing does too, that everything does.

That is what I’m looking for every time I flip to the back of a book, compulsively checking for proof that in a life where so many things have gone wrong, there can be beauty too. That there is always hope, no matter what.
Emily Henry, Book Lovers

Goodreads Synopsis:

Nora Stephens’ life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby.

Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away—with visions of a small-town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute.

If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.

My Thoughts

I read a lot of great books this month. So much so that I am planning on adding and honorable mentions post. Book Lovers took the honor because I felt the deepest connection. I love Hallmark movies, but I keep thinking that I want a twist where they don’t want to stay in the small town. That’s what this is, a look at the other side. The person who usually gets dumped in the movies because they love their jobs and city life. Even though I’m more of a small-town girl, I loved the way Nora and Charlie were so dedicated to helping their family. As someone dipping her toes into the writing world, I also really liked the behind-the-scenes view of the publishing industry.

What I liked about this book

Nora and Charlie are both great characters
The book is a good mix of humor and sentiment
Even though Charlie and Nora had bad first impressions of each other, they didn’t drag it out too long once they finally realized they had a lot in common
The relationship between Nora and her sister Libby

My Favorite Read of August 2022

“Libraries are like a net, there to catch those of us in danger of falling through the cracks.”
Freya Sampson, The Last Chance Library

Goodreads Synopsis

June Jones emerges from her shell to fight for her beloved local library, and through the efforts and support of an eclectic group of library patrons, she discovers life-changing friendships along the way.

Lonely librarian June Jones has never left the sleepy English village where she grew up. Shy and reclusive, the thirty-year-old would rather spend her time buried in books than venture out into the world. But when her library is threatened with closure, June is forced to emerge from behind the shelves to save the heart of her community and the place that holds the dearest memories of her mother.

Joining a band of eccentric yet dedicated locals in a campaign to keep the library, June opens herself up to other people for the first time since her mother died. It just so happens that her old school friend Alex Chen is back in town and willing to lend a helping hand. The kindhearted lawyer’s feelings for her are obvious to everyone but June, who won’t believe that anyone could ever care for her in that way.

To save the place and the books that mean so much to her, June must finally make some changes to her life. For once, she’s determined not to go down without a fight. And maybe, in fighting for her cherished library, June can save herself, too.

My Thoughts

There’s no lack of books featuring an introverted millennial who spends their life absorbed in books, avoiding real life. That is until their beloved bookstore or library comes under threat, and they must step out of their comfort zone to save it. Naturally, a handsome potential love interest will show up as well, and they must learn to risk their heart. While it might be turning into a cliche, there’s a reason these books are so popular. They leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling and a sense of belonging with the reading community. The Last Chance Library was both funny and touching. I really liked the way it emphasized the role of a library in a community beyond just providing books.

What I liked about this book:

the group of “pensioners” occupying the library was so funny
the way June and Alex shared books with each other to convert the other to their favorite genre
even the minor characters were well developed and showed different sides
it’s about the love of books!

My favorite Read for September 2021

One of the first metaphors we learn as children is “Do not judge a book by its cover”. In the case of The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak, I made the mistake of judging a book by its title.

I saw the title The Bookstore on the Beach, would be a perfect end of summer read. I assumed it would be a light “beach read” for booklovers. In reality, neither the bookstore nor the beach are significant to the plot, other than providing a setting, and the issues are anything but light.

The conflicts in the novel are a refreshing contrast to secret affairs that permeate women’s fiction. Shifting between four different points of view, Novak follows the typical themes of family secrets and self-discovery with unique twists. Mary (the matriarch), Autumn (Mary’s daughter), Taylor (Autumn’s daughter) and Quinn (Autumn’s high school crush and new love interest) each experience issues, which would be national-news-worthy.

One of my biggest pet peeves in literature is when minor problems are turned into major issues that could’ve been easily solved if the character simply told the truth. There were plenty of secrets, but the characters had solid reasons for keeping them. When secrets were revealed, the others were upset enough to be realistic, but ultimately empathetic and forgiving. Therefore, even though there were serious issues in the book, I still got the warm fuzzy feeling I wanted.

If you want a book that is pure lighthearted fun, this probably isn’t the book for you. However, if you want more grit to the story, while still keeping the warm-hearted feel of a Hallmark movie, this is the book for you.

October 2, 2021