December Books

December has been busy with concerts, sewing projects, super cold weather, and Covid for Mr. M & me.

After I finished The Cloisters I read All the Broken Places recommended by Mr. M.

It was written by the author who wrote The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

Interesting, disturbing, sad but I had to see how it ended.

As soon as I could get to the library I found this new book about the Darling Dahlias.

It takes me back to the time of my mother's childhood. A very comforting read.

I hope to get to these two before the year ends.

I have a new sewing book.

I successfully made two blocks.

More about sewing on my sewing blog.

Two new sewing books.

I'm trying a new technique that I thought I would never try.

One final book.

I made this cloth book for Kenton for Christmas.

That is it for 2022.

Looking forward to a great new year.

 

Just read The Cloisters/Sharing photos of recent visit to the Cloisters

I just finished reading The Cloisters by Katy Hays.

It was a great read. Not a traditional mystery with a detective but several mysteries were revealed.

In October Martin and I visited the Cloisters for the second time.

Photos from our visit follow.  

There may be more photos added later.

 

November Books

I have read mostly book club books this month.

The Book to Screen group read the book below.

I really enjoyed the book. The movie was not as satisfying. 

The changes made by the movie makers did not show the whole journey of the main character.

The two books below were my choices after finishing the book club selections.

The John Grisham was a surprise because it was 3 novellas. Okay, but not what I had in mind.

The book below was such a surprise.

When I read the blurb, I was sure I would not like the book.

Definitely liked this and recommended it to friends.

Last book club selection.

Germantown UMC book club for November.

I had no idea what this book was about.

Short summary - back story of Doctor Zhivago.

I didn't know anything about that book and now I am thinking about reading Dr. Z.

What are you reading these days?

 

October Reading

This month I joined 3 book clubs.

Two are at the local library, one in person and one online.

The third is at a church we are visiting.

The online book club read Black Cake. Last month they read Mika in Real Life.

The books are celebrity suggested titles. Both are books I would not usually read.

Both were good reads!

Death on the Nile is the Book to Screen selection for 1st Monday in November.

I used to read Agatha Christie mysteries all the time but I don't remember reading this one.

This book has been made into a movie twice and a TV show at least once.

Even after watching the TV show and movies the book was a surprise.

It had so much more details that are lost when made into video.

The Latehomecomer was the October book for GUMC book club.

This was my first time to meet with this club. They were very welcoming.

I had not finished the book but I had so many connections since I had taught Hmong students

who were refugees like the author.

My recent adventure with paper piecing in my sewing room led to my purchase of this book.

Look on my sewing blog for posts about this one.

The Stargazey is my second Richard Jury mystery. I don't remember when I bought this but

I took it on our trip to NYC. It was hard to put down. The first book I read in this series was

a learning experience. There are so many characters to keep up with.

This second one was much easier and understandable.

Next month the Book to Screen group is reading the book above.

I enjoyed watching the series on PBS and it was on my 'to read' list.

I look forward to reading it in November.

Between reading, sewing, exercising, and picking up grandchildren I am staying very busy.

Have you read a really great page turner lately?

 

September Reading

September is a birthday month in our family - Ava, Kenton, Doreen, and I have birthdays this month.

Just a note that has nothing to do with the rest of this post. ;-)

Martin discovered this book in our new local public library.

One of the main characters is Queen Elizabeth II. 

There are only two books at this time but I predict the author will go back in time

and have the queen investigate things in the past.

I joined two book clubs that our library hosts.

The Gray Man is the first book that one in-person book club is reading this month.

The Old Silent caught my eye as I cruised the stacks.

The other book club I joined meets by zoom at the same time as my quilt group.

I read the book Mika in Real Life before I realized I wouldn't be able to zoom with them.

It was a good read. Sorry I don't have a cover photo.

I am going to yoga classes at our new fitness center.

I was wondering how long I have been trying to have a yoga practice.

I remembered that the book above was how I started doing yoga.

Below is a photo of the first day page in my copy of Yoga: 28 Day Exercise Plan.

I started on May 31, 1976. I faithfully did the plan and really liked many of the poses.

I remember that I didn't care for the bits of 'philosophy' included in each day's session.

Over the years I have had times when I practiced yoga and times when I tried other exercises like Pilates, walking, and swimming. Lately I am feeling the benefits of yoga classes and yoga on my own. 

In October Martin and I are going to NYC to help with Liam and David while Emily is on a two week

painting retreat in the Mississippi Delta. The boys love their cats and science. When I saw this book I had to buy it for them. It has some great fun activities to do with cats. I learned a lot just skimming it.

This book and homemade molasses cookies are on the packing list for our trip.

Below are two more books I read this month.

The one on the left is the second queen investigates book.

The one on the right was written by a favorite author. 

It is a compelling read, not a typical mystery but there are lots of questions to be answered.

September has been good. We are enjoying new activities in a new town and more time with grandkids.

What are you reading?