May is the cruelest month

Being an elementary school teacher can give me a case of the mean reds at any time of year but May is the worst. There is too much going on, too much to do, too many nights & weekends spent in my classroom, and too much pollen in the air. Also too much chocolate consumed.

But it is now Memorial Day and happily the end of May. I still have to write report cards and do a fair number of unpleasant end of the year tasks but it is less soul defeating because there are only 9 school days left.  I can do anything for 9 days!

Which leads me to this post of laziness. I've been reading over the past month I just don't want to stop and think and write about most of it at this point so here is my wrap up:

This was a fast paced & suspenseful romance novel with a mystery thrown in for good  measure. It was a good stress reliever.

I enjoyed all of these books on writing and they were easy to read little bits at a time while I was so busy with everything else. I liked The Writer's Idea Book and Pen on Fire the best.

I can't bring myself to post the covers for the next two books I read seeing as they feature burly Scottish men in kilts. But I did enjoy reading Lucy Monroe's Moon Awakening and Moon Craving. They were a clever mix of werewolf supernatural stuff with historical Scotland stuff. They were light and fun to read. These would join Be My Baby in the stress relieving category.

This is a book I loved! It is a hilarious semi-spoof of all the supernatural teen books out there and I had so much fun reading it. I was honestly laughing while reading and I can't wait to read the next one in the series. After I finished it I checked out Rachel Hawkins' blog which was pretty entertaining too.

Being pretty much antisocial I don't like developing relationships with bookstore employees. It's one of the reasons I love buying books online so much, it's why I love the self-checkout machine at the library, it's why I alternate going to Barnes & Noble or Borders so nobody gets too familiar. I just have no desire to talk books with the store people. They try to recommend things when they see what I'm buying and I shoot them down when I tell them I've already read whatever they are hawking at me. They keep trying. It gets embarrassing and turns into a conversation about how I must read so fast and aren't I lucky. I end up feeling like a stuck up rhymes with witch. Which leads me to Franny & Zooey.

There is a teeny tiny independent bookstore near my school that I hardly ever go to because they don't stock a lot, they have a cat that makes me sneeze, and it is so small that you are forced to interact with the 1 employee. I was buying some really random books (cozy mysteries, The Carrie Diaries, a few romance novels, etc)  that I did not want to talk about at all with this lady so I threw Franny & Zooey on top to confuse her. Which worked out well for me too since I really liked this book. I liked enough to give it its own post in the upcoming future.

 I adore Jennifer Echols so I was super excited that this sequel to The Boys Next Door was finally out! I loved it! I think there should be a new YA sub-category for romantic realistic fiction that features beaches (or lakes), summer activities (wake boarding or going to summer houses or lifeguarding, etc), and having crushes on boys you grew up with who are also your older brother's friends. One of my other favorite YA books, The Summer I Turned Pretty, fits in nicely too.

I think this could be like how there are a bunch of different vampire or werewolf YA titles or how the Harlequin rack at Walmart features 10 different books with titles created from Mad Libs that you know all have the same plot (The [Greek or Italian or Russian or sometimes even Sicilian] [Tycoon or CEO or Executive or Millionaire or even better Billionaire's] Virgin Bride. I also love the Harlequin titles that all feature doctors and their lovahs. How do I get the job crafting those titles? I want it!

Tryst, Elswyth Thane

"Sabrina had never picked a lock in her life, but it was done every day in books. She tiptoed along the carpeted upper passage and whisked around the corner to the second flight of stairs leading to the top floor of the house. Gripped tightly in one hand she carried her burglar tools- nail scissors with curved points, a button-hook, and some wire hairpins stolen from Aunt Effie's dressing-table." p.3

I loved this opening paragraph. I was instantly sucked in and had to know why Sabrina was out picking locks.

I wish I could remember which book list I saw this one recommended on so I could back and see what other lovely books I've been missing out on for my whole life! I got this copy from the library and it had been rebound in blank boards sometime in the past 71 years so I had no hints from cover art or jacket copy where this story was going. And I'm so glad I was able to read it with no glimmer of what was to come. I don't think I would have been quite so enthralled if I had already known the truth about Hilary's situation. That moment in the middle of the book was so stunning to me. Maybe I'm just a horrible guesser but I wasn't sure where the story would be going right up until the last pages. And, oh, the ending! I was crying but in such a happy, content way.

There's been so much fuss about supernatural romances written for teens over the past few years and I have definitely enjoyed my share (Hello, Twilight!) but this one is on such a higher plane. I think about Caitlin Flanagan describing her earlier reading life:

"...never have I had such an intense relationship with books as when I was a young girl. I raged inside them and lived a double emotional life (half real girl, half inhabitant of a distant world)."

 That is how I felt when I read Tryst. And I wonder how I would have felt if this book had fallen into my hands at age 12 instead of 28. If I was a librarian I would be foisting this on all the Twihard tweens I could find.

I loved that so much of Hilary and Sabrina's romance is developed through their shared love of books; Sabrina getting to know Hilary through his boyhood library, their mutual rereading of Kipling's Kim, and I love Sabrina's bookish questions for Hilary:

"Most of them were well worn, and looked very traveled. There were odd stains and injuries to their bindings. Some of them appeared to be have been chewed by mice or beetles. Some had got wet. It was hardly possible for books which had remained all their lives at Nuns Farthing to look like that unless he had slung them round the garden and dropped them in the bath.

If he came back that would be one of the first questions she would ask him- What have you done to your poor books?" p.26

At any rate I loved it. I need to find my own copy now and I am alternating between wanting desperately to find more of Elswyth Thane's novels to read and being really afraid they won't live up to my high expectations at this point.

The real thing that I keep wondering about is this:  are there more books like this out there? Tryst was perfect for me and, greedy and impatient reader that I am, my thoughts have turned to finding more books like this one. And I don't know how to find them. At this point I'll settle for rereading. And renting this:



Tryst Review
Amazon Reviews

The Carrie Diaries, Candice Bushnell

Monday was one of the worst days at school in a long time so I ended up having a self-pity fueled trip to the nail salon. While I forcing myself to relaxI read an excerpt of this book in Teen Vogue. I can honestly say I would not have bought this one if I hadn't read the excerpt first. I've only ever seen Sex & the City episodes in the past few years thanks to reruns on cable so I am by no means an expert or a super fan. But I did enjoy reading about teen Carrie.

My favorite part of the whole book came in that first chapter:
"Not that I think I'm so talented or anything, but for once in my life, I was hoping I was." p.3

I also loved this:
"I'm thinking that you probably won't like me because I've never been to Europe and I'm not sophisticated enough. "Have you ever been to Paris?" I ask.
"Sure," he says. "Haven't you?"
"Not really."
"That sounds like being a little bit pregnant. You either have been or you haven't."
"I haven't been there in person. That doesn't mean I haven't been there in my mind." p.94

I so relate to both of those quotes. The hoping you really are good enough at something and the being to Paris in your mind thing. I was reading a review of Weetzie Bat on jezebel the other day and the writer mentioned never wanting to go to Los Angeles because it could never live up to the LA Weetzie lived in and I'm starting to feel that way about Paris... except I would still go if I had the chance! But in some ways I do feel like I've already been there at least in my mind.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I especially loved the last section of the book when Carrie started writing her articles about high school. And I loved that she didn't take Lali back. Maybe I am not forgiving enough but Lali was a horrible, horrible friend. There is just no excuse for her behavior and I loved that Sebastien was his same loser self with her as well. I also really liked the last page with Samantha picking up the phone. It's making me want to read volume 2 now!

And I personally really loved the cover art with the whole homage to Stephen Sprouse. It has interesting textures that give it an almost trompe l'oeil effect.

The Body Finder, Kimberly Derting

This book freaked me out late last night! I finished reading it around 1am and was convinced I was hearing creepy noises. Of course, I needed to soothe myself by trekking out to the kitchen to scavenge for hershey's kisses before I could go to sleep in peace.

I loved the romantic story line in this book. Jay is the embodiment of the perfect teen boyfriend fantasy: best friends since childhood, neighbors, conveniently turned attractive over the summer, adorably romantic & protective... my favorite parts of this book were the sections with Jay & Violet.

The suspense in this book was so intense. I appreciated that the crimes were not graphically described but it was definitely enough to scare me. I am really glad that there are more books planned in this series. More Jay & Violet!

How I Write: Secrets of a Successful Author, Janet Evanovich

I love Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series and have always thought she seems like a very down to earth and fun person. My most recent book buying binge centered around books about writing so I couldn't resist adding this one to the pile and I'm glad I did.

This is a very straight forward, clear, and helpful book with tips and hints for all facets of writing. It also made me want to reread some Stephanie Plum and for Stephanie to commit to one of her gentlemen friends!

Fine, I'll Go Online!: The Hollywood Publicist's Guide to Successful Internet Dating

I think that I have convinced myself that the act of reading these dating self-help books will somehow count as me making an effort in the world of dating without me actually having to talk to real, living people. I can tell myself that I am getting out there without even leaving my house. It's a great plan!

I think I just need to get mentally prepared for the thought of actually going online and this book was a very optimistic and realistic guide to trying online dating. I liked Leslie Oren's tips for writing your profile and the tips for the first few emails as well. I just need to baby step my way into actually signing up somewhere.

Facing East: a Pilgrim's Journey into the Mysteries of Orthodoxy, Frederica Matthewes-Green

Every time I find myself daydreaming of going back to school to study something expensive, time consuming, dilettantish, that is completely unrelated to my career leading to no secure alternate career I always try to slap myself in the face with some advice I read once:

"I just think it would be fun to spend a few years in grad school."
"Remember...If you have a burning passion for Victorian poetry, you can probably satisfy this passion by yourself. Force yourself to read a few dozen academic books before deciding to dedicate your life to a subject. That is what one does in graduate school anyway. Most learning is unsupervised, independent, and onerous. Why pay or work according to an institutional timetable unless one needs an academic credential?"
-Thomas H. Benton, "So You Want to Go to Grad School?", Chronicle of Higher Education

So in the spirit of attempting to not become a grad student doing something like this (cause I'm sure they're looking to fill their quota of Mormon girls) I have a stack of books to make myself read starting with this one. I'm also going to read Lewis's Reflections of the Psalms, Joan Chittister's The Liturgical Year, and the Oxford History of Christian Worship.... we'll see how that goes in reality.

I really enjoyed Facing East. I want to get my own copy. It is definitely something I would like to reread and refer to. I was familiar with Frederica Matthewes-Green's writing in various articles I had come across and I enjoy her style. It was also fun to read this account of a new congregation being created while having the luxury of googling them to find out how things have turned out for them in the past 15 years or so since she was writing this.

Chapbook:

"The first generation is lit with a flame, but its task is to box that flame. The second generation is the curator of the museum-exhibit of its parents' passion. The third generation wonders where the fire went and longs for revival. So it goes, inevitably I suppose, and I don't see any way to prevent it. We have to box the flame; we have to build a church." p.42

"We are bowing before an image. In Protestant eyes, this is dangerous stuff."
look up Shusaku Endo's The Silence p.47

"Help, help, someone is trying to bring beans into the house..." p.54

"In Orthodoxy I'm always singing, 'I've got my Vespers in the morning and my Matins at night." p.58

"READER: What caused thee, O Judas, to betray the Savior? Did he set thee aside from the disciples?
PEOPLE: Did he deny thee the gift of healing?
READER: Did he take supper with the others and send thee away from the table?
PEOPLE: Did he wash the feet of the rest and pass thee by?
READER: Of how much goodness hast thou become forgetful?" p.63
I love that last line. It reminds me of "here's my heart, o take and seal it"

"In this drama we are moving from darkness to light very gradually; in a few moments we will be mourning again. It is a distinct departure from my experience as a Protestant...." I like the entire paragraph that follow this. p.71

I want to look up so many of the hymns mentioned, including this one:
"Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand,
Ponder nothing earthly-minded, for with blessing in his hand
Christ our God to earth descendeth
Our full homage to demand" p.75

"It's an odd gap between that small vignette of fear and retreat and all that came next: the Apostles' relentless courage unto death, unascribable to mere fond memories of a really nice dead guy; the preaching of the Gospel across the Mediterranean bowl, the persecutions and martyrdom, the establishment and rise of the Church, and finally the disintegration of Christendom in these times, perhaps a prelude to full-circle persecution and martyrdom. But at one mesmerizing  moment, the news of Christ's resurrection was held by a handful of women who were too scared to tell anyone. But tell they did, and the story went on unreeling, and now we are standing outside in the windy dawn, on a shabby street in a little town, half a world away and two thousand years later." p.84

Another hymn to look up:
"Before dawn the myrrh bearing women..." p.86

Look up: Howard Finster p.95, Hikari Oe p.137, bread for Artoklasia p.163, St. Euphrosynus, Romanian Christmas carol mentioning apple trees at the gates of heaven p.174

"I didn't know how much I didn't know; I didn't realize that most of what I needed to learn wouldn't be found already lodged inside my smug little heart." p.115

"To think that there were people who actually died for this faith I hold so comfortably, and I barely know their names." p. 169

And after all that typing I am only half way through all my little flagged sections. Needless to say this book gave me a lot to think about as well as several different "rabbit trails" to head down. I'll add more when I am in another typing sort of mood.

It's Not Summer Without You, Jenny Han

I have been waiting to read this book ever since I heard there would be a followup to The Summer I Turned Pretty. I was actually pretty surprised to learn there would be a sequel since it doesn't seem to happen with realistic fiction YA's as much as with the supernatural ones. But I was a very excited kind of surprised because I love, love, loved The Summer I Turned Pretty.

Where to start with my gushing? I love Belly. I love Jeremiah & Conrad & their fierce mom & even annoying older brother Stephen & especially sweet Susannah & not to mention how much I love the beach they get to spend their summers at. Last year's installment sent me into prolonged  and involved fantasies of a beach house vacation for several months to no avail. At least this time I expected to be obsessed with summer vacations spent at the seaside. I want to go to there!

This book surprised me. I thought I had a handle on where things were headed with Belly's love life at the end of the first book and well, I was wrong. As I was reading this plot twist was making me mad but by the time I finished (and after rereading book 1) I realized that this was exactly how Conrad would behave because in the end he is kind of a jerk. A jerk that is sensitive and still a good person in his way but definitely not the hero on a pedestal that Belly had created in her mind. And that is the problem. I was swooning and rooting for the Conrad Belly had imagined and he doesn't really exist.

I liked that sections of this book were in Jeremiah's point of view as well. It would have been interesting to hear from Conrad as well but then again that might have swung my sympathies back in his favor which would have left me in an even bigger knot of nerves about how this series will end. I like my happy endings so I am a little stressed imagining where the 3rd book will take things.

This book made me tear up in several places as well. The storyline with Susannah was so tender and bittersweet. I am so impressed with Jenny Han's writing to have a story that is romantic and beachy (in a good way, of course) but still has some big issues handled seriously as well.

I loved this book and I loved rereading The Summer I Turned Pretty. I'm just mad that I have to teach school for 6 more weeks and deal with a bunch of unpleasantness before I can begin my own summer. I need a beachhouse! Or maybe more realistically just a subscription to Coastal Living.

Julia Quinn Roundup

I've been reading over the past week or so but with no desire to record anything at all. I continued to love Julia Quinn's fabulous Bridgerton series and made it to Book #8 as quite a happy reader. I love that each book (as each Bridgerton) was unique and different but at the same type reliably entertaining with a satisfying happy ending. Reading these books brought out my inner BSC fangirl. Just like I knew I could trust Ann M. Martin's comforting consistency, I loved knowing what to expect in terms of the setting and background characters in these stories. And I continue to adore the pretty UK covers which have been arriving in my mailbox one at a time over the past few days. I'm just sad that there are no more Bridgertons left to read about.

Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, Julia Quinn

On the sixth of April, in the year 1812 - precisely two days before her sixteenth birthday - Penelope Featherington fell in love. But Colin Bridgerton certainly didn't fall in love with her in 1812 (and not in 1813, 1814, 1815, or - oh blast, not in all the years 1816-1822, either, and certainly not in 1823, when he was out of the country the whole time, anyway..' Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend's brother for well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret and fears she doesn't know him at all. Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought of as nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone's preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can't seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same - especially Penelope Featherington! The girl haunting his dreams. But when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide is she his biggest threat - or his promise of a happy ending?

This book is completely awesome. And I am completely serious. It is my new favorite Julia Quinn title. I loved everything about this one. And of all the adorable UK covers this is my favorite. I love the expression on Penelope's face and her cute red hair. Lady Whistledown's gossip paper has been one of my favorite elements to these books so the plot in this one made me so ridiculously happy. Penelope is such a likable character and after hearing her described as an overripe citrus fruit for the past 3 books you are definitely  going to be rooting for her from the first page. And after the whole overhearing Colin swear he would never marry her debacle in the last book I couldn't handle the suspense of wondering how this one would go. And happily I loved it!

As much as I love the happy ending I think the prologue is my favorite part- it is just perfectly written. I also loved Lady Danbury saying this, "Isn't it nice to discover that we're not exactly what we thought we were."
I also appreciated this from the last page, "happy endings are all I can do, I wouldn't know how to write anything else." I think that's why I've been enjoying Julia Quinn's books so much... in the end when I'm reading for stress relief (which I almost always am lately) I want a story that is funny and romantic with a little suspense but a lot of happy ending.

What I did not love and I find truly bizarre is the ordeal I went through to get my  hands on this book. I am on the waiting list at the library even though I currently have every other Julia Quinn title checked out... someone out there is probably irritated that I have them all but they were keeping me from reading more Bridgertons since I am compulsive and want to read things in their proper order! I gave up on the library and went to two separate bookstores on Saturday. Both had every other Bridgerton book but this one... then I called (I can't lie to my one reader- I had my unembarrassable sister call for me) bookstores to no avail. Finally I gave in and just ordered my own copies of the Bridgerton books but me being me I wanted the pretty UK covers so I ordered them from England, making my wait even longer.

Today was a trying day so I decided I could be wasteful and buy an American copy with its icky cover anyway except it is still out of stock everywhere. At that point I tried to order an ebook from the Harper Collins ebook store. Credit card in hand, ready to purchase, only to find out their ebook store is closed for maintenance. That is when I got really mad. Finally I was able to calm down when I realized I could buy it from the kindle store and read it while gaining eye strain since I don't have an ereader. I realize this book buying saga is longer than my thoughts on the book but I was (and still am a little bit!) mad! It should not be that hard to buy a book. I will say that this book definitely lived up to my expectations!

Dancing at Midnight, Julia Quinn

Lady Arabella Blydon has beauty and a brain, and she's tired of men who can see only one without the other.When a suitor tells Arabella he's willing to overlook her appalling bluestocking tendencies on account of her looks and fortune, she decides to take a break from the Marriage Mart. During an extended stay in the country, she never expects to meet Lord John Blackwood, a wounded war hero who intrigues her like no other man. Lord John has lived through the worst horrors of war, but nothing could have been as terrifying to his tormented heart as Lady Arabella. She is intoxicating, infuriating - and she makes him want to live again. Suddenly he's writing bad poetry and climbing trees in the pitch-dark nigh - just so he can dance with her. And even though he knows he can never be the sort of man she deserves, he can't help wanting her. But when the harsh light of day replaces the magic of midnight, can this tormented soul learn to love again?

I had to continue my interruption in the Bridgerton marathon since I couldn't get my hands on the next book in the series. Which left me reading this one and I'm glad I did. I loved that Arabella is a bluestocking. I remembered her and her alphabetical Shakespeare project from previous books and it was fun to read her own story. I also really liked her insistence that John write her a poem and all of his "attempts". So much better than The Lost Duke of Wyndham. This one was very entertaining. Julia Quinn is reliably fun to read.

Making Toast, Roger Rosenblatt

"How long are you staying, Boppo?"
"Forever."

When his daughter, Amy—a gifted doctor, mother, and wife—collapses and dies from an asymptomatic heart condition, Roger Rosenblatt and his wife, Ginny, leave their home on the South Shore of Long Island to move in with their son-in-law, Harris, and their three young grandchildren: six-year-old Jessica, four-year-old Sammy, and one-year-old James, known as Bubbies. Long past the years of diapers, homework, and recitals, Roger and Ginny—Boppo and Mimi to the kids—quickly reaccustom themselves to the world of small children: bedtime stories, talking toys, playdates, nonstop questions, and nonsequential thought. Though reeling from Amy's death they carry on, reconstructing a family, sustaining one another, and guiding three lively, alert, and tender-hearted children through the pains and confusions of grief. As he marvels at the strength of his son-in-law, a surgeon, and the tenacity and skill of his wife, a former kindergarten teacher, Roger attends each day to "the one household duty I have mastered"—preparing the morning toast perfectly to each child's liking.
With the wit, heart, precision, and depth of understanding that has characterized his work, Roger Rosenblatt peels back the layers on this most personal of losses to create both a tribute to his late daughter and a testament to familial love. The day Amy died, Harris told Ginny and Roger, "It's impossible." Roger's story tells how a family makes the possible of the impossible.

This was an interesting book and an interesting reading experience for me. How could anyone read that description and not be overwhelmed by sadness? Roger Rosenblatt and his wife, Ginny, are clearly wonderfully caring people to pick up the pieces for their grandchildren and son-in-law after their daughter, Amy's, unexpected death. The book was full of tender moments from the daily lives of the grandchildren. Those are the things that matter, the things that provide security and stability for young kids (well, really for everyone, but since I spend my days with the under 7 set it's what comes to mind more readily).

I loved the word of the day, the stories and songs (especially the Boppo national anthem), and all the glimpses into classrooms and birthday parties. Completely unrelated to the subject of death and grief it was interesting for me to read these little tidbits from schools on the East coast that are so clearly cut from the same cloth as the school I spend my days at. Rich people are rich people no matter where they are. I was thinking the whole thing throughout Caitlin Flanagan's book too. Little enclaves of privileged kids, everything so similar. And I completely agree with the author's take on the modern child's birthday party: rarely held at home, always at some type of event center (laser tag, games, gyms, build a bear, etc) and completely run by a staff of teenagers. He's totally right- they are weird. But that is beside the point.

It is a very spare, slim little book which made more sense to me when I realized it was originally a piece in The New Yorker. For me personally, the short, clipped sentences were abrupt and made me disconnect from the emotions involved. Mom read this a few days before I did and we talked about  it this afternoon before I read the last 20-30 pages. I kept saying how I admire what these grandparents are doing for their family and I am horrifed by their loss but something kept me from "liking" Roger... not that I think I need to like or agree with every author but something was just rubbing me the wrong way.

I think a big part of that dislike comes from the diametric opposite religious views we hold. Not that I think everyone should believe as I do but its hard for me to relate to someone who on the one hand says he doesn't believe in God or a higher power but then at the same time is angry at God, lashing out at Him and wanting to blame Him. To me if you don't believe it wouldn't make sense to be angry at what to you is a fictional construction. Whereas a true believer would struggle and ask why but ultimately come to find peace that God weeps with us in the midst of tragedies (p.151).

The last 20-30 pages of the book changed my opinion (of the writing and the author) dramatically. The writing seemed warmer and the outlook more reasonable... and maybe that is the point. That in the immediate aftermath of a catastrophic event like the death of your child you aren't going to make sense or seem rational but as time goes by you find ways to cope. I'm not sure but the end of the book was definitely more readable and relatable to me.

I loved this:

"I told the second graders that one of the sad and difficult things about children everywhere is that they have no power. Jessie raised her hand, 'That's not true, Boppo,' she said, 'We have the power of thought and kindness." (p.159)

I liked this too and now I want to look up Anne Sexton:

"In early November, the class took up Anne Sexton. I had never thought much of Sexton, judging her to be in a minor league compared to such contemporaries as Sylvia Plath and Adrienne Rich. But the students and I were getting into "The Truth the Dead Know," and I liked the poem better than I remembered. "This line, 'In another country people die.' What does it mean?" I asked the class. A young man said, "It means that death happens to other people." (p.112)

 "The Truth the Dead Know", Anne Sexton

Bookslut review ~ "days are to be happy in", Larkin

Washington Post review

The Lost Duke of Wyndham, Julia Quinn

Jack Audley has been a highwayman, a soldier, and he has always been a rogue. What he is not, and never wanted to be, is a peer of the realm. But when he is recognised as the long-lost son of the House of Wyndham, his carefree life is over. And if his birth proves to be legitimate, then he will find himself with the one title he never wanted: Duke of Wyndham.

Grace Eversleigh has spent the last five years toiling as the companion to the dowager Duchess of Wyndham. It is a thankless job, with very little break from the routine...until Jack Audley lands in her life, all rakish smiles and debonair charm. He is not a man who takes no for an answer, and when she is in his arms, she's not a woman who wants to say no. But if he is the true duke, then he is the one man she can never have…

This is the first Julia Quinn book I have read that I didn't like. Which was surprising to me because I have loved (to the extreme of ordering UK editions for their pretty cover art) all her other books I've read thus far. So this one was a let down.

I never cared about or believed the characters in this story. It was just tedious to keep reading. The weird thing to me is that I am usually willing to overlook characters with modern attitudes in historical fiction or crazy plot lines if the writer makes me care enough or believe in the characters. Julia Quinn has been so consistently entertaining to me that I was surprised I didn't like this one.

I will definitely be passing on the companion story to this one. In the mean time I think I'm stuck waiting for my box of Bridgerton books to arrive from England! And I am so impatient about things like this!

To Hell with All That: Loving and Loathing Our Inner Housewife, Caitlin Flanagan

I have wanted to read this book for a few years now, ever since I read "The Marriage Merchants" in The Atlantic but I had never gotten around to it. Then I read her article about Twilight ("What Girls Want") and finally got her book from the library. And I loved it. I have ordered my own copy and told my mom and Nora that they need to read it. The last chapter had me (and my mom when I read parts to her out loud) tearing up.

There is so much covered in the book and for now I'm just going to include a few of my favorite passages about modern weddings:

On weddings:

"Before World War II the idea that a girl of modest means would expect any of today's purchased grandeur would have been laughable. She would have been familiar with the elements of such a ceremony, would have seen lavish movie weddings and photographs of society and royal ones, but she would not have imagined that those events had much to do with her own plans. She would have been married much as her mother had been: with her best friend standing up for her and everyone looking forward to a nice party at the bride's home, the two mothers wearing corsages and ladling punch." (p.4)

"Genuine tradition is not for sale, because no one needs to buy it; it's moored in the customs of one's own family (remember them?). If Dad feels like a complete chump in his Sir Elegance tux, you've just learned something about your tradition. What the altar-bound of today end up buying from their numberless vendors is a dog's breakfast of bridal excess- part society wedding of the twenties, part Long Island wedding of the fifties. It's The Philadelphia Story and The Wedding Singer served up together in one curious and costly buffet." (p.12)

An Offer From a Gentleman, Julia Quinn

Sophie Beckett never dreamed she'd be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball -- or that "Prince Charming" would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight. Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other - except, perhaps, this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid's garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers her his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?

I am loving the Bridgerton series of books! I am just mad that I have to wait to read book #4 since no bookstores have it and there is a waiting list at the library.... frustrating! But this was another fun story. I liked the Cinderella elements and especially that Posy was saved at the end too. I love Violet Bridgerton and Lady Whistledown- I like the consistancy in the stories.  This was my favorite comment from Lady Whistledown:

"Miss Reiling can spot an unmarried bachelor at fifty paces. Unfortunately for Miss Reiling, she can't seem to land one." (p.202)

The Viscount Who Loved Me, Julia Quinn

Anthony Bridgerton needs a wife. Having spent his twenties in a rakish pursuit of pleasure (whilst taking care to ensure the financial security of his mother and seven younger siblings and mother) he knows it’s high time he settled down and ensured the continuation of the Bridgerton line.

Edwina Sheffield is considered the most beautiful debutante of the current season. She is also sweet, innocent and eminently biddable - Anthony is sure she’ll make a perfectly acceptable wife and vows to make her his.

The only obstacle in his way is Edwina’s older sister, Kate. Kate is determined to do all she can to allow her sister the chance to marry for love rather than convenience. And the roguish viscount is beginning to think he may have met his match in Kate’s keen wit and sharp tongue. Until, that is, he makes the mistake of kissing her…

This is the next book in the Bridgerton family series and it might just be my favorite of all the Julia Quinn books I have read so far! This one was really sweet and poignant but not so angsty or sad that it made my stomach hurt. I loved Kate and Anthony's conversations which were more like fights but very entertaining fights. The characters in this book were so well written and believable. I have really enjoyed all of these books and liked the characters but something about these two just seemed more real to me. I wish there was more to read! Hopefully they will feature in some of the other books. I loved Daphne coming back to play Pall Mall in this one.

The Duke and I, Julia Quinn

After enduring two seasons in London, Daphne Bridgerton is no longer naive enough to believe she will be able to be marry for love. But is it really too much to hope for a husband for whom she at least has some affection?

Her brother’s old school friend Simon Basset - the new Duke of Hastings - has no intention of ever marrying. However, newly returned to England, he finds himself the target of the many marriage-minded society mothers who remain convinced that reformed rakes make the best husbands.

To deflect their attention, the handsome hell-raiser proposes to Daphne that they pretend an attachment. In return, his interest in Daphne will ensure she becomes the belle of London society with suitors beating a path to her door. There’s just one problem, Daphne is in very real danger of falling for a man who has no intention of making their charade a reality…

I have given myself over to reading all of Julia Quinn's books, especially now that I have realized the library has all of them. I have enjoyed reading all of her books so far, some have been more endearing than others, and this one ranks high on the list.

I think I liked this one so much because I wanted to be friends with Daphne. She is such a fun character and  I am a sucker for books in a series so knowing that each of Daphne's siblings has a book and that she would most likely appear in them, had me quite content. It is so relaxing to me having such a big stack of books ready to read that I know will be stress relieving.

The Innocent, Bertrice Small

This book had such an interesting and suspenseful plot that I kept reading despite many 8-10 page smutty interludes that were sprinkled throughout. The only good thing with ickiness that is that rampant is that it is easy to skip them when they are so long and drawn out. And the historical time period, characters, and plot were intriguing enough to me to make up for having to avoid some raunch.

Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith, Deborah Heiligman

I've been interested in reading this book for awhile and hearing about it in the Battle of the Books and on Melissa Wiley's blog propelled me to the library. And I am so glad. This was such a well written and fascinating book. I kept stopping and reading out passages to my family all afternoon. This is definitely a book I want to own and plan to reread.

I really didn't know much of anything about Darwin's personal life and I knew nothing about his wife, Emma. Their relationship was so tender and I loved the many quotes from their letters to each other.

I love this quote from Charles about children:

"Children have an uncommon pleasure in hiding themselves and skulking about in shrubbery. When other people are about: this is analogous to young pigs hiding themselves." (p.13)

And this from Emma writing about her recently deceased sister made me cry:

"Oh Lord, help me to become more like her, and grant that I may join with Thee never to part again. I trust that my Fanny's sweet image will never pass from my mind. Let me always keep it in my mind as a motive for holiness. What exquisite happiness it will be to be with her again, to tell her how I loved her who has joined with me in almost every enjoyment of my life." (p.45)

Here is Charles anticipating his wedding day:

"Remember life is short, and two months is the sixth part of the year, and that year, the first, from which for my part, things shall hereafter date." (p.64)

That reminded me so much of one of my favorite Christina Rossetti poems:

"Because the birthday of my life
Is come, my love is come to me."

Mom and I happened to be talking about interfaith marriage this past week and how staggeringly hard that would be for a true believer of any faith. Emma's feelings are quite painful to read:

"Emma could not bear the thought of spending eternity without Charles, of Charles burning in hell." (p.71)

"I should be most unhappy if I thought we did not belong to each other forever. Emma to Charles, 1839" (p.96)

"Charles read the letter and cried. He was as in love with her as he could be; he wanted so much to make her happy. Alone in his study, he was committed to his theory of natural selection, the theory that would leave God out of creation. But he was committed to Emma, too, and so as he examined lily hybrids and dog breeds, as he worked out a new theory about how coral islands had evolved, he also agonized over the religion question and over the effects his work was having, and would have, on her. He felt-literally- sick to his stomach.

Yet even with the emotional pain it caused him, Charles thought Emma's letter was beautiful. "Every thing that concerns you concerns me" went both ways. He kept the letter safely preserved always. Sometime later he wrote at the edge of it:

When I am dead, know that many times I have kissed and cryed over this. C.D." (p.100)

Some of my favorite parts in this book were the chapter describing Charles and Emma settling into married life and all the descriptions of them as doting parents. I loved that Emma's family nicknamed her "Miss Slip-Slop" due to her messy habits and that she is described as having a "calm disregard for such details" in reference to keeping things neat. She and I have that in common.

This description of their early married life reminded me of Lori Gottlieb's description of the daily trivia of marriage that bonds a couple to each other:

"So the dance of a married couple had begun. She played the piano for him, and though he had a tin ear, he listened with enjoyment and love. He put up with her sloppiness; she understood his need for long hours at work. She agreed to go to fewer parties and dinners since he did not like them. He went to the theater with her, and to church." (p.94)

There is so much more that I marked up as I was reading but I am done with typing for this evening. I'll have to revisit this book again soon.

The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever, Julia Quinn

At the age of ten, Miranda Cheever showed no signs of Great Beauty. And even at ten, Miranda learned to accept the expectations society held for her — until the afternoon when Nigel Bevelstoke, the handsome and dashing Viscount Turner, solemnly kissed her hand and promised her that one day she would grow into herself, that one day she would be as beautiful as she already was smart.

And even at ten, Miranda knew she would love him forever.

Another cute Regency Romance from Julia Quinn. This one had a little bit more angst in the mix than my favorites but I really liked Miranda and Nigel. Miranda in particular was pretty hilarious. I just like my romances fluffy and funny with little to no angsty stress. So this was enjoyable but not a favorite for me. And having read What Happens in London first of all the Julia Quinn I've been reading I can't remember if Miranda and Nigel are mentioned in that one... I definitely remember Olivia though! I'll have to go check.