Reading Diary, 9/9/19

I got a little clip book light to clip to my headboard and it is wonderful! On a perfect night, I turn out all the lights but the little book light, shower with a candle in the bathroom, then lie on top of the covers (in warm weather!) and read. The cozy mystery search has … Continue reading Reading Diary, 9/9/19 →

Cozy Mysteries: New-To-Me Series

I do love a cozy mystery: as a kid I had my requisite Agatha Christie phase, and my sister introduced me to the Lord Peter short stories when I was a baby reader, though I didn’t get into the novels until high school. I'm looking for a new cozy mystery series to get into, to … Continue reading Cozy Mysteries: New-To-Me Series →

Katie’s Big List Of Camp Books

Here's a paradox that might not be unfamiliar to bookish folks: I hated camp, but I loved camp books. Still do, it turns out. Among the many gifts of Gabrielle Moss' "Paperback Crush" was being reminded of that classic camp book, "There's a Bat In Bunk Five," by Paula Danziger. It had completely left my … Continue reading Katie’s Big List Of Camp Books →

What I’m Working On

So here's what I've been working on: 1) The Middle School Hangout. I inherited a Monday-afternoon program for local middle schoolers to have a snack, do a craft or play a game. It's been wildly unsuccessful. I'm in the process of working my ass off to get more kids in, and simultaneously question why we're … Continue reading What I’m Working On →

Review: Grit, by Gillian French

Grit, Gillian French, 2017 Darcy works the Maine blueberry harvest and tries to solve they mystery of her ex-friend's disappearance the summer before. I loved this book for its depiction of rural poverty, prejudice against migrant workers, a complicated and loving family, and an entertaining mystery. In addition, Darcy's good-natured but extremely reluctant participation in … Continue reading Review: Grit, by Gillian French →

The Summer Country (Formerly Reading Pleasure and Complicity)

UPDATE 8/2/2019: Very soon after writing this post I should have come back here and corrected this entry, but I knew no one was reading, and I didn't bother. Now I'm about to begin promoting the blog so I'd better do it: Yes, this book has a bit of the exotic fantasy about it, but … Continue reading The Summer Country (Formerly Reading Pleasure and Complicity) →

My Excuse for Reading Kids’ Books

I've never stopped liking kids' books. Middle grade novels will always be my first love. Several months back I bought The Inquisitor's Tale, and I said to myself, "why am I reading this anyway? It's not for me, and I'm not going to share my experience of reading it with anyone, so why am I bothering? I shouldn't … Continue reading My Excuse for Reading Kids’ Books →