#SerialSunday: Updates

#SerialSunday: a quick blog feature where I post Serial Reader progress updates and highlight a recently read selection. For more information about the Serial Reader app, click here: https://www.serialreader.org

CURRENTLY READING //

“The Five Orange Pips” (Sherlock Holmes) by Arthur Conan Doyle, 1891, Quick Bite: Sherlock Holmes investigates a series of sudden deaths connected with an apparently omnipotent secret society. PROGRESS: 35%

“The Five Orange Pips” (Sherlock Holmes) by Arthur Conan Doyle, 1891, Progress: 35%

IN THE QUEUE //

“Ten Days in a Mad-House” by Nellie Bly, 1887, Quick Bite: The result of an undercover investigation into the brutality and neglect at the Women’s Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell’s Island.

“Ten Days in a Mad-House” by Nellie Bly, 1887, Status: To Be Read

“Wired Love” by Ella Cheever Thayer, 1880, Quick Bite: Romance is sparked across telegraph lines between people who have not even seen one another. Can you imagine?

“Wired Love” by Ella Cheever Thayer, 1880, Status: To Be Read

“Why Is the Negro Lynched?” by Frederick Douglass, 1895, Quick Bite: Douglass attacks the concept of “the negro problem” in post-Civil War America, showing how it is instead “a great national problem” with racism entrenched in the systems of society.

“Why Is the Negro Lynched?” by Frederick Douglass, 1895, Status: To Be Read

RECENTLY READ //

Title: “Anne of Avonlea” (Anne of Green Gables #2)

Author: L.M. Montgomery

Year: 1909

Genre(s): Classics / Canadian Literature / Children’s / Young Adult / Romance

Format: novel

Read on the Serial Reader app

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Read: July 3, 2020

Notes: can’t put down, classics, novels, new-to-me author, ebook, digital reads, Serial Reader app

Quick Synopsis: The second chapter of Anne Shirley’s life, following her years teaching at Avonlea school. Includes everyone’s favorite foul-mouthed parrot!

Comments: I enjoyed the second book almost as much as the first. Great series; I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to get caught up in Anne Shirley’s world!

Book Review: “The Fourth Rising” (A Peter Brandt Thriller) by Martin Roy Hill (via Reedsy Discovery)

Discovered Nazi gold and a dead man’s dirty secrets. A grotesque political machine running strong. A trip to Mexico to investigate missing pieces of history. Encounters with Evil. A romance simmering on the back-burner. A vigilante kitty purring on the couch. Martin Roy Hill’s “The Fourth Rising” has a little bit of everything. For more information about the book and author, click here.

NOTE: A DIGITAL COPY OF THIS BOOK WAS GENEROUSLY PROVIDED BY REEDSY DISCOVERY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW

Discovered Nazi gold and a dead man’s dirty secrets. A grotesque political machine running strong. A trip to Mexico to investigate missing pieces of history. Encounters with Evil. A romance simmering on the back-burner. A vigilante kitty purring on the couch. Martin Roy Hill’s “The Fourth Rising” has a little bit of everything.

While reading this novel and getting acquainted with main character Peter Brandt, I became aware of a genre of novels known as “conspiracy thrillers.” While this book fits in perfectly with that genre, it is so much more than a “conspiracy thriller” and was a great introduction to Hill’s work. If you enjoy history (particularly World War II), military/war thrillers, and yes, conspiracy theories, you need to add this book to your list.

The writing is great, the pace is pitch-perfect, and the plot serves up plenty of action and adventure. There’s also a side dish of romance, and a cat named Jack who serves justice to one of the bad guys. Brandt’s encounters with the villains lurking throughout the novel (and there are plenty) are heart-pounding and intense.

It speaks to the quality of the novel when I say that I don’t usually read books like this but I dove right in to this one and couldn’t stop reading. “The Fourth Rising” is part of a series starring former war correspondent Peter Brandt, but also serves as a stand-alone. Although the book makes some references to events in the previous two Peter Brandt novels, not once did I feel lost with the narrative, characters, or plot. It wasn’t easy to put the book down, but it was easy to decide that I’d like to read the other books in the series.

There’s always something “they” don’t want us to see, and Peter Brandt is on the trail of a hidden agenda that will shock and enrage you. Highly recommended for lovers of history and those willing to entertain other versions of historical events. You won’t be disappointed.

NOTE: Logan and I have almost met our 2020 Goodreads Reading Challenge goal of 50 books! We are so proud of ourselves for reading so much this year 😉

Pressed Between Pages,

Allison xoxo

Book Review: “Starbuck, Nantucket Redemption” by Garth Jeffries (via Reedsy Discovery)

Garth Jeffries’ debut novel is a whale-of-a-tale adventure on the rollicking high seas, blending science-fiction time travel with commentary on today’s working-ourselves-to-death society. For more information about the book and the author, click here.

NOTE: A digital copy of this book was generously provided by Reedsy Discovery in exchange for an honest review. For more information about this book on Reedsy Discovery, click here.

Garth Jeffries’ debut novel is a whale-of-a-tale adventure on the rollicking high seas, blending science-fiction time travel with commentary on today’s working-ourselves-to-death society. Main character Peter Bois surfaces on a 19th century whaling ship with no recollection of how he arrived there, and spends the novel trying to return to modern-day Nantucket to redeem himself to the most important people in his life. It’s a critical mission he’s wholly unprepared for, and there’s much at stake beyond an enticing case of rum — although that will come very much in handy before he makes it back to shore.

The novel, while in need of careful editing and general refinements, supplies a fictional jump-start for a conversation about how many of us are living our daily lives. The story presents several questions some of us, like Peter, are not ready to answer. Are we truly living our most functional, beneficial lives? What choices must we make in order to secure long-lasting happiness and still provide a secure foundation for ourselves and loved ones? What do we walk away from in order to preserve the more important elements of our humanity? Peter Bois faces these questions and more throughout “Starbuck: Nantucket Redemption,” and is one of the lucky ones in finding his answers at the end of the novel.

Jeffries takes the sci-fi time travel genre through a sea portal, making good use of his main character to show that even the most seemingly irredeemable characters can turn themselves around when given the right motivation. Although some parts of the narrative suffer in terms of originality, the story is strong enough to float a much-needed issue to shore. At the end of the day, and ultimately at the end of our lives, we all benefit from changing our focus from greedy self-promotion to loving ourselves and our families in the purest way possible: by simply being there.

More reviews on the way; it’s been a busy reading season!

Always Reading,

Allison xoxo

Book Review: “Our Dried Voices” by Greg Hickey (Review request from the author)

Greg Hickey’s 2014 science-fiction novel “Our Dried Voices” feels like the lovechild of George Orwell’s “1984” and Ira Levin’s “This Perfect Day.” For more information about Mr. Hickey and his work, click here.

NOTE: A digital copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review

Greg Hickey’s science-fiction novel “Our Dried Voices” feels like the lovechild of George Orwell’s “1984” and Ira Levin’s “This Perfect Day.” Having read both of those wonderful dystopian classics many years ago, I found Hickey’s book to be heavily atmospheric and of both a despairing yet ultimately hopeful mood. Most importantly, I found myself deeply involved with main character Samuel. It was tough watching him fight an uphill battle to bring himself and his people to a higher plane of understanding and living. Samuel’s discomfort and regret were palpable as he was faced with the realities of living
in a future world filled with so much possibility, so much greatness — and yet so many limitations. The irony of one determined man trapped by the restrictions of a blind, unseeing society also reminded me a little of Howard Roark from Ayn Rand’s monument “The Fountainhead.”

Samuel has a unique, singular vision, and this vision takes him on a quest. He can see beyond the limitations of his community; he has innovative ideas and knowledge that was only gained by his innate curiosity and craving to know, learn and discover. Without these qualities, our hero would not have stepped beyond the confines of the Colony or ever questioned reality; he would never have learned of another life or thought it possible to live that life. The book constantly reminds the reader that these qualities are both a blessing and a curse, as Samuel’s long, hard journey proves throughout.

This gritty work of fiction is relevant to today’s events, as we seem to be creeping ever closer to the vision eerily imagined by George Orwell. Samuel, Penny and the Colonists face a real catastrophe of human thought, ambition and validation. Hickey’s novel
asks the important philosophical question: are we truly validated as human beings if we are deprived of the very things that make us human? Flesh and blood on the outside, dead souls within — this is not what the Creator intended for us, and Samuel is on a quest to prove it.

Readers will find Hickey’s narrative as intelligent and descriptive as Orwell’s, with a message speaking to the modern-day consequences of collectivism, “groupthink” and mass hysteria. We are living this reality right now in the wake of COVID-19. We as a society are being manipulated by a not-so-secret evil force pulling the strings of our humanity. We will either wake up like Samuel and strive for greatness and freedom, or continue to rest in the pasture like the sheep we’ve been programmed to be. I highly recommend taking this journey with Samuel and Penny. You’ll finish the book in awe of how a work of fiction can highlight what’s happening in the real world in the eeriest of ways.

I can’t help my shelf! I’ll start Mr. Hickey’s novella “The Theory of Anything” soon; I also look forward to reading his next book “Parabellum” (coming Fall 2020). More reviews on the way; please stay tuned!

Forever Between Pages, now more than ever —

Allison xoxo

#SerialSunday: Recently Read (Adventures of Sherlock Holmes)

#SerialSunday: a quick new blog feature where I highlight a recently read selection from Serial Reader. For more information about the Serial Reader app, click here: https://www.serialreader.org

Title: “The Adventure of the Three Students” (Sherlock Holmes Chronicles #27)

Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Year: 1904

Genre: Classic British Literature

Format: short story

Read on the Serial Reader app

Rating: 4 / 5 ⭐️

Read: April 17, 2020

Notes: One-sitting reads, new-to-me author, classic literature, digital reads, ebooks

Quick Synopsis: Three students, about to undergo a rigorous exam for a scholarship, are suspected of cheating. Sherlock Holmes uncovers the unlikely culprit.

Comments: I’m pleased to discover how much I enjoy the adventures of Sherlock Holmes. I started reading these stories earlier this year and have now read 4 of them in the app.

I love the rhythm and routine of each story and the OCD-like attention to detail always paid by the sophisticated Sherlock. The narrator-sidekick Watson provides second-fiddle observations (often of Sherlock himself) and a muted humility to Sherlock’s exaggerated bravado. Perfectly exquisite British literature.

Looking forward to reading more Sherlock Holmes stories with an online book group next month!

HAPPENING NOW: #Deweys24HourReadathon and Book Snails Book Group first official Read-a-thon

Good afternoon, friends 🌼 Don’t know that I’ll get to actually settle down for #Deweys24HourReadathon today; we are in Hour 6 now. I hope to make some more progress with the pictured book, and I’ll also be moderating Hours 18-19 on the official Dewey’s #Goodreads page. Who’s doing the RAT?!

#books #bookcrazy #booklovers #inprogress #currentlyreading #doorstoppers #Goodreads #Deweys24HourReadathon #readathon #readharder #today

Also starting today is the Book Snails Book Group first official Read-a-thon!! We are calling it our Quarantine Week-Long Read-a-thon and you can find more information here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/21343654-bsbg-week-long-quarantine-read-a-thon

Be safe and be good. Happy weekend Reading!!

Reading in the Time of Coronavirus: A Motivational Update

Dear Reader Friends,

Just a quick hello and update from Reader Land during Covid-19 statewide lockdown.

This is obviously a deeply unprecedented state of affairs (and of mind) we all find ourselves in these (strange) days. We have so many things to worry about and so many more opportunities to complain and despair. However, let’s try our utmost to rise above. Easier said than done, right?

Perhaps, and while we don’t recognize the world we now live in, let’s try our best to continue lifting up those around us — while safely maintaining social distancing. As much as books and reading inform our identities, we are human beings first and foremost. We can do this. We ARE doing this.

Personally, I’m bouyoed by the love and compassion of those in my beloved reading community. We’re making the best of a truly disastrous situation. Most importantly, although we’re distracted and concerned, we’re doing our best to keep turning pages.

We’re still discussing book plots and character development and generally bonding over the written word on the page. We’re doing this because losing such a huge part of our daily lives would completely devastate most of us avid readers, and we honestly can’t afford to lose this critical function.

It’s probably never been more difficult to concentrate on the book in front of us, but we need the power and comfort of books and reading now more than ever!

Stay safe out there and take this time to reconnect with the simple pleasures of life. As the generally empathetic people we are, we are well equipped to adapt and adjust and get through this hard time together — alone together, through our imaginations and our strong fighting spirits. May books and coffee (or tea) forever be our refuge in the violent seas of life.

Sincerely,

Allison (Readage)

Banned Books Week 2019: “Censorship Leaves Us In The Dark. Keep The Light On”

Banned Books Week is an annual reading celebration/challenge/event where readers are encouraged to pick up challenged and banned books. Books are still being censored in this country–but we can always do something about it.

Hey Book Lovers 📚❤️

It’s Banned Books Week 2019, an annual reading celebration/challenge/event where readers (and non-readers) everywhere are encouraged to pick up challenged and banned books. What exactly ARE challenged/banned books? I’m so glad you asked!

The American Library Association (ALA) has a lot to say on the subject, and this week is the perfect time to investigate for yourself. Here’s a quick blurb from the official ALA website:

Banned Books Week (September 22-28, 2019) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. It brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted for removal or restriction in libraries and schools. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship.

Click here for a list of recently (within the last few years) challenged or banned books, so you can know exactly which titles to pick up and read!

Now that you know a little more about BBW and the awesome organization behind this great event, you can join the fight against censorship and celebrate the books you love. Even if you decide to read a book precisely because it has been targeted, you are still fighting the good fight to keep our beloved books on the shelves!!

So, tell me…which targeted titles excite you the most? Feel free to comment with your picks for this special week. And, of course, make a habit of reading banned books all year long!!

Happy “Forbidden” Reading,

2-minute Book Review of Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple”

Hello, long-lost book friends! Long time since I updated 😏 Today felt like a good day to finish a book I’ve been working on forever, so I buckled down and read the last few chapters. It was such a fulfilling read, and a rather long time coming, I decided to hop on the much-neglected blog and do a very quick review.

TITLE: THE COLOR PURPLE // AUTHOR: ALICE WALKER // GENRE(S): CLASSICS, AFRICAN-AMERICAN LITERATURE, WOMEN’S FICTION, EPISTOLARY, etc.

4/5 ⭐️ for the following elements:

1. I feel it reaches beyond African-American literature; it felt “important” in the canon of Western/American literature

2. Despite the difficulty of reading aloud African-American vernacular, the language is downright beautiful

3. The characters of Celie, Nettie and Shug Avery are examples of strong and powerful women, some of the best in literature

4. Beautiful representation of two women characters falling in love and exploring the physicality of said relationship (Celie and Shug)

5. The perseverance of the human spirit is on full display in this novel, rendered convincingly but not without elements of despair and brokenness

6. The only reason I didn’t give it the full 5 ⭐️ is because this novel is told in the epistolary style and I’m just not a huge fan of that technique. That said, it does not detract from the novel in a major way for me. My first Alice Walker and I’m definitely interested in her backlist 😁 Highly recommend!!

BLOGGING & LIFE UPDATE: Finished this classic novel this afternoon. It’s only my 8th completed book of the year, so not very impressive, as far as my reading goals are concerned. My reading hours over the past few months are finally picking up after a VERY sluggish start this year. In addition to getting back into my reading groove, I’m trying to get back into blogging, even though my life will be kicking into SUPER-HIGH gear in the next few weeks. (I’m expecting my first child in September and am on my way to new motherhood!!) That said, I always miss blogging and am trying to come up with new ideas for the blog. I will TRY to be more active, even though life with baby will naturally mean less time for past pursuits. I’m so excited I’m reading regularly again, but of course I’m much more excited to start this new CHAPTER in my life!! Time to TURN THE PAGE 😌

2-minute book review: “The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice & Virtue” by Mackenzi Lee (audiobook)

2-minute book review: 

It’s much better than I initially thought; it is filled with adventure and passion and characters I really enjoyed. It’s my first read where the main characters (Monty and Percy) are gay/bisexual and it expanded my diverse reading experience quite a bit. It’s also my first diverse read of 2018 and there’s a sequel coming out in October. That’s a long time to wait but I think it will be worth it. Try this one–especially on audiobook! I think it might surprise you.

4/5 ⭐️ on audiobook

PICK UP THIS BOOK IF: you enjoy a mildly rapscallion main character with a forbidden love interest and an annoying little sister (damn you, Felicity, with all the answers!)

AVOID THIS BOOK IF: you’re not into historical pieces and a dramatic love entanglement (and annoying little sisters)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29283884-the-gentleman-s-guide-to-vice-and-virtue

Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men.

But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.

Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.