September's Book of the Month

 

Hello Everyone! I chose the picture posted above because it reminds me of reading to my daughter Mareena when she was little. Every afternoon until she was about eight or nine years old, we would take one of her books that she wanted to read or that she was reading and we would curl up together on my big bed. 

We would spend an hour or so reading a chapter of her book, and then take a nap together. Her absolutely favorite author at that time was an English author named Enid Blyton. Ahh, nice memories... 

My picks for 'Books of the Month' will be decidedly more adult these days, but they will be from almost any genre. September's Book of the Month is:

Dancehall by Bernard F. Conners 

  Published as: Dancehall in March 1983

Publisher: Bobbs-Merrill Company 

Birth Name: Bernard F. Conners 

Born: in Loudonville, Albany, New York

Canonical Name: Bernard F. Conners 
Pseudonyms: None 

Dancehall by Bernard F. Conners was the fifty-seventh book that I read in 2015. I have had this book on my TBR shelf since July 10, 2012 and this reread took me two days to finish. This book is definitely a keeper for me.

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Erica Spindler - See Jane Die: A Novel

62. See Jane Die: A Novel by Erica Spindler (2004)
The Stacy Killian Series Book 1

Length: 377 pages 

Genre: Contemporary Mystery 

Started: 28 September 2015

Finished: 29 September 2015

Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 2 February 2013

Why do I have it? I like contemporary mysteries and had read and enjoyed Dead Run by this author in the past.

When fifteen-year-old Jane Killian accepts her older sister Stacy's dare to swim across the freezing lake, she has absolutely no idea just how much her life will change by the end of that March afternoon. Within the short period of time that it takes her to complete her swim and turn back towards the lakeshore, Jane is threatened by a boat speeding across the lake. She narrowly escapes being killed that day, but the shock and fear the encounter sparks in her soul will remain with Jane forever.

Now, seventeen years after the horrifying afternoon that changed her life so drastically, Jane Killian has so much to live for. A series of reconstructive surgeries has successfully restored her lovely face. As a sculptress, Jane has become the toast of the Dallas art community; her edgy sculptures are lauded by a variety of audiences for being both disturbing and beautiful. She and her husband, the renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Ian Westbrook, are completely in love - and overjoyed when Jane becomes pregnant.

Suddenly, Jane's blissful happiness is shattered. A woman with ties to Ian is found brutally murdered. Unbelievably, the police begin to focus their investigation on him, even going so far as to make Ian their prime suspect. Still reeling from this shock, Jane receives an anonymous note that reads simply: "I did it on purpose. To hear your screams."

The police, including Jane's estranged sister, Detective Stacy Killian - are all convinced the frightening message is probably from some crackpot, someone who has become aware of Jane's past through the media attention surrounding her controversial artwork. Yet, Jane knows better. The note has to have come from only one person...HIM! Somehow Jane is certain that the man who stole not only her face, but also her sense of security so long ago, has returned. He was the man who Jane has always believed deliberately hit her - and got away with it. And now, he has found her again.

Living with this terror, Jane digs into Ian's past in an effort to prove his innocence. Yet each new clue that she uncovers points not to her husband's innocence - but to his guilt. And as she struggles against doubt and suspicion, her mysterious stalker moves ever closer. His anonymous messages take a terrifyingly intimate turn, and no one close to Jane, it seems, is safe.

Fighting to save both her husband and the innocent life growing inside of her, Jane must face the devastating truth: Her tormentor apparently knows everything about her. Her likes; her dislikes; her daily routine. Most terrifying of all, he knows Jane's deepest fears...because he feeds on them. And he has no qualms - he will use them - until he can finally...See Jane Die.

I absolutely loved reading this book. I found myself getting really engrossed in the storyline, and avidly wanted to discover the culprit who had done it. I will say that to me, the mystery seemed just the slightest bit more complicated than I was expecting. I was still thoroughly intrigued by the book though, and I give it a very definite A!

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Katie Lee - Groundswell: A Novel

61. Groundswell: A Novel by Katie Lee (2011)
Length: 221 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction 
Started: 25 September 2015
Finished: 26 September 2015
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale 
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 1 June 2015
Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and Katie Lee is a new author for me.

In the scientific world the theory is known as the "Butterfly Effect". In the real world, it simply means that sometimes the biggest ripples in a person's life are caused by the smallest events. For Emma Guthrie - a novice PA who's just dropped out of college after losing her scholarship - that was the way everything began. One day she walks into the trailer of the world-famous movie star Garrett Walker; when she walks out the door, she's fast on her way to becoming Mrs. Emma Walker - the wife of an A-list actor.

Soon, Emma has made the seamless transition from relative nobody to red-carpet royalty, trading her generic-brand jeans and flip-flops for closets full of names such as Chanel and Birkin - the typical clothing and accessories worn by every celebrity who swishes past velvet ropes to attend every lavish party and charity gala held on both coasts. With her husband's encouragement, Emma soon pens a screenplay based on her life. Her movie memoir, 'Fame Tax', quickly becomes a blockbuster sensation. Through it all, Garrett is her ally and her mentor...until their relationship is thrown into question by an incriminating text message that Emma discovers on Garrett's phone the night of the all-important Met Costume Institute Gala.

Undeniably devastated by her husband's blatant infidelity and hounded mercilessly by the paparazzi, Emma must flee New York City to try and get away from it all. Choosing the furthest possible location she can in order to clear her head, Emma's perfect destination turns out to be a sleepy coastal town in Mexico where she can sink back into obscurity. Absolutely no one recognizes her and there is nothing to see but unspoiled beaches for miles. Here, she meets Ben, a gorgeous, native Californian - a surf instructor, who teaches Emma about the healing properties of surfing, shows her the joys of the simple life, and ultimately reopens her heart to the possibility of love.

In a story that showcases some of Manhattan's trendiest restaurants to the yacht-and-celebrity infested waters of the vacationer's paradise known as St. Bart's, Katie Lee's debut novel offers an irresistible insider's glimpse into a glittering world - and a captivating story about how losing everything you thought you wanted can often be the first step in the journey toward finding what you need. I must say that while I watch Katie Lee all the time on her television show 'The Kitchen' - and I assumed that she wrote several cookbooks - it never even crossed my mind that she wrote a novel as well. I was actually quite surprised to learn that Ms. Lee was a published author of contemporary fiction.

In my opinion, this was just the right type of book for me to read. It was fairly fast-paced, and an easy enough read - and it only took me a day to read. Yes, there was romance throughout the story, and as most of you may already know - I don't usually like reading stories that are so focused on romantic elements. Groundswell: A Novel by Katie Lee was slightly different though; I found myself really enjoying the story and would give this book an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight 

My Birthday Plans Come to Fruition...at Least Part Way!

Hello everyone! I hope that you're all just fine this morning - I certainly am! :) Anyway, I just wanted to give you an update on how I'm doing so far.

Well, I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things as regards better health. I finished the 750-piece panoramic puzzle of the lighthouse in two days - on Sunday evening, August 30th! I quickly moved on to doing the puzzle of the Victorian piano recital. I started this puzzle on Monday afternoon, August 31st and I actually finished the puzzle in little over a week later - on Tuesday afternoon, September 8th!

Since then, I've been doing the puzzle of the hot air balloon race. I only just started this puzzle actually; late on Wednesday night, September 9th! I'm maybe about halfway through this one, but only just...

As for my reading, I finished reading Love in Bloom: A Novel by Sheila Roberts on Sunday evening, August 30th! Since then, I've read seven books so far in September - Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin was my most recently finished book; on Thursday afternoon, September 17th! I've just started reading Criminal Conversation by Evan Hunter yesterday morning, September 18th! So far, it's pretty good!

Mareena and I have decided that we'll watch a movie together sometime early next week. We may even buy some Chinese food from the food court for a birthday treat. We just need to decide which movie we want to watch together.

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Ira Levin - Rosemary's Baby

Reread. Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin (1967)

The Rosemary Series Book 1

Length: 245 pages 

Genre: Horror 

Originally Read: 22 July 2011

Reread Finished: 17 September 2015

Where did it come from? Originally from a Library Book Sale, then from my "keeper" shelf.

Both Mareena and I have seen the 1968 movie adaptation of this book at least twice, but I had never actually read the book. Then we went to a Library Book Sale in July of 2011. I acquired this book from that Library Book Sale and read it for the first time over three days in July - from July 19th, to July 22nd, 2011.

My reread took place over two days in September of 2015 - from September 15th, to September 17th, 2015. As always, reading the book was way better than watching the movie, at least in my opinion. Since I read and thoroughly enjoyed this book both times that I read it, I have decided to post this book on all the book swapping websites that Mareena and I belong to - this is such a good book, that I'm sure that someone else would love to read it as well.

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Belva Plain - Heartwood: A Novel

Reread. Heartwood: A Novel by Belva Plain (2011)
The Werner Family Saga Book 5
Length: 311 pages 
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Originally Read: 30 December 2013
Reread Finished: 14 September 2015
Where did it come from? Originally from a Library Book Sale, then from my "keeper shelf".

Once again, this is another of Belva Plain's books that I hadn't read before I acquired it from a Library Book Sale that Mareena and I went to in November of 2013. I initially acquired this book on November 21st, 2013, but actually started reading it over a month later - from December 28th, to December 30th, 2013. My reread took place over two days in September of 2015 - from September 12th, to September 14th, 2015. Since this book has been on my "keeper shelf" for almost two years, I've decided to post it on all the swapping websites that Mareena and I currently belong to - I am sure that someone else would like to read this book.

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Judith Guest - Ordinary People

Reread. Ordinary People by Judith Guest (1976)
Length: 263 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Originally Read: 17 June 2010
Reread Finished: 12 September 2015
Where did it come from? Originally from Bookmooch, then from my "keeper shelf".

I was just telling Mareena this morning that I had promised myself some time last month, as soon as I finished reading a couple of unread books that had been languishing on my TBR pile for a little over a year, I would treat myself to a few rereads. These would be strictly books from a shelf on my bookcase that I've designated as my "keeper shelf".

So far this month, I've read five books; three of which have actually been rereads for me from anywhere between three to five years ago. I'm pretty sure that I will be keeping at least two of these books that I've recently reread on my "keeper shelf" for a little while longer; but I'll make that decision after I finish reading each book. This particular book has been a part of my collection for slightly over five years, so I think I can safely post it on all the book swapping websites that we belong to; someone else will certainly enjoy reading this book, I'm quite sure.

Mareena knows how much I love Judith Guest as an author, so she requested this book for me from Bookmooch. This became her 'just because' gift to me for March of 2010. While I received the book through the mail on March 29th, I actually read it for the first time over one day in June of 2010 - from June 16th, to June 17th, 2010.

My reread of this book took place over three days in September of 2015 - from September 9th, to September 12th, 2015. I think that makes this a reread from approximately five years ago. I enjoyed this book so much myself that I would be more than happy to share it with another person who might enjoy it as well.

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Bernard F. Conners - Dancehall

Reread. Dancehall by Bernard F. Conners (1983)

Length: 345 pages

Genre: Contemporary Mystery

Originally Read: 13 August 2012

Reread Finished: 8 September 2015

Where did it come from? Originally from Paperback Swap, then from my "keeper shelf".

I must say that I already have another copy of Dancehall by Bernard F. Conners somewhere in my massive library. Since I'm pretty sure the book is stowed away in the 'Glory Hole' - a small room under the stairs, where we've put everything (mostly books) that we don't have enough room for upstairs - Mareena actually got this particular book as a 'just because' gift for me from Paperback Swap in July of 2012. I received the book through the mail on July 10th, although I actually started reading this book in August of 2012.

It actually took me two days to read this book when I read it for the first time - from August 11th, to August 13th, 2012. My reread took place over two days in September of 2015 - from September 6th, to September 8th, 2015. It was a reread for me from just over three years ago, and I will definitely keep this book to read it again sometime soon.

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Mary Downing Hahn - The Old Willis Place: A Ghost Story

56. The Old Willis Place: A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn (2004)
Length: 199 pages
Genre: Horror
Started: 3 September 2015
Finished: 5 September 2015
Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 24 November 2014
Why do I have it? I like horror and Mary Downing Hahn is a new author for me.

The dilapidated Victorian house is empty, yet full of secrets. The locals call it 'The Old Willis Place', and it seems as if the decaying mansion has been there for years. Diana and her little brother Georgie have been living in the woods behind the house for quite a while now - sometimes it honestly feels like forever - and in all that time, the children have seen many potential caretakers come and go.

According to a strict set of rules, Diana and Georgie aren't allowed to leave the property, or even show themselves to anyone. For many years, they've followed the rules and nothing has happened to them. Recently though, Diana has begun to feel tempted to test these mysterious rules - perhaps even break them entirely - all in the hopes of making a new friend.

When the new caretaker and his daughter, Lissa, come to live in the mansion, Diana sees her first chance to make friends. Lissa is about Diana's age, so Diana is absolutely certain that the girls would have a lot in common; if only Diana could introduce herself. However, Diana and Georgie will quickly discover that breaking the rules can have dire consequences...

Mareena had actually requested this book for herself, since she had read Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story, another book by Mary Downing Hahn - when she was about ten or eleven years old. I actually acquired this book almost as soon as it arrived in the mail - with Mareena's blessing - and had wanted to start reading it much earlier than I did. Apparently, my eagerness to start reading this particular book kept meeting up with the myriad other interesting books I already have on my TBR pile.

Anyway, I found this book to be thoroughly intriguing and I really enjoyed reading it. It certainly was a very suspenseful story; much more suspenseful than I was expecting from a children's book. The plot was very well-developed, and the story well-written. In my opinion, Ms Hahn's treatment of ghosts and haunting was unusual, and I really appreciated her rather unique perspective. I would give this book a solid A!

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Kaye Gibbons - Ellen Foster: A Novel

55. Ellen Foster: A Novel by Kaye Gibbons (1987)
Length: 146 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 2 September 2015
Finished: 3 September 2015
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 9 April 2014
Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and had read and enjoyed Sights Unseen by this author in the past.

Eleven-year-old Ellen Foster is an old soul living inside the body of a youngster. She is wise, funny and courageous, taking things as they come; living her life with a remarkable bravery and heroism that is truly unforgettable. Describing herself as "old Ellen" - an appellation which is disturbingly accurate, considering how much Ellen has already gone through in her young life - she tells her own story with a poignancy, an honesty, a perceptivity, and a certain unselfconscious wit that is startling to find in one so young.

After her frail and unhappy mother dies, Ellen effectively considers herself an orphan. She still lives with her alcoholic father - who alternately neglects and abuses her - but only for a short period of time, until her situation becomes truly untenable. From that point on, Ellen is shuttled between the homes of various uncaring relatives - living for a time with a teacher, a grandmother who blames Ellen for her mother's marriage, then with an aunt.

Eventually, Ellen discovers a home where she is finally wanted; loved and treasured by her new family in a way she would never have believed was possible to experience ever again after her mother's passing. Ellen is a shrewd judge of character, developing friendships along the way that are lasting and heartfelt. She judges people shrewdly and well; bonding with a little girl named Starletta and the strength of those relationship ties are beautifully revealed throughout the story.

I must say that I found reading this book to be remarkably gripping; Ellen's life was harsh and tough and her story was heartbreakingly poignant. However, despite those first impressions, I still enjoyed this story immensely. Yes, I know this may sound unusual, but I generally do enjoy reading books with depressing themes. Ellen Foster: A Novel by Kaye Gibbons is just such a book; it was certainly worth an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Belva Plain - The Sight of the Stars

Reread. The Sight of the Stars by Belva Plain (2003)

Length: 342 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Originally Read: 3 October 2010

Reread Finished: 2 September 2015

Where did it come from? Originally from Paperback Swap, then from my "keeper" shelf.

Belva Plain is one of my favorite authors, but The Sight of the Stars was one of the very, very few books of hers that I hadn't read at the time that I acquired it. Mareena actually got the book as a 'just because' gift for me from Paperback Swap in February of 2010. I received the book through the mail on February 24th, although I actually started reading this book in September of 2010.

It actually took me five days to read this book when I read it for the first time - from September 28th, to October 3rd, 2010. My reread took place over three days starting in August of 2015 - from August 31st, to September 2nd, 2015. It was a reread for me from almost five years ago, and I will definitely keep this book to read it again sometime soon.

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Reading Wrap-up For August at Moonshine and Rosefire

Hello everyone out there and I hope that you all had a terrific reading month for yourselves. I am known as Rosefire around the Internet and this is my new personal reading blog. I originally posted my reviews over at my daughter's blog, Emeraldfire's Bookmark but am now in the process of transferring them all over to my own blog. My daughter makes blogging look like so much fun that I thought that I would try it out for myself! :)

Anyway, I started out August with 1,051 books lying around the house and ended the month with 1,048 books unread. Also, it appears that for the first time this year, I didn't receive any new books! My goodness! - :)

Let me try to break down the influx for you:

Changes to the TBR pile

Read from my TBR pile (Yes! I am a reading machine :))
- On the Ropes: A Duffy Dombrowski Mystery by Tom Schreck
- The Shack: A Novel by William P. Young
- Love in Bloom: A Novel by Sheila Roberts

Taken off my TBR pile and sent to a new home (Yay! Happy Dance! :))
- Small Town Girl by Lavyrle Spencer
- A Nice Place to Live by Robert C. Sloane
- Eye Contact: A Novel by Cammie McGovern
- Breathing Lessons: A Novel by Anne Tyler
- On the Ropes: A Duffy Dombrowski Mystery by Tom Schreck
- Impulse by Michael Weaver
- Intent to Harm by Stan Washburn
- Now You Know by Kitty Dukakis and Jane Scovell
- Nighttime is my Time: A Novel by Mary Higgins Clark
- Earthly Possessions by Anne Tyler
- The Tin Can Tree by Anne Tyler
- Mount Vernon Love Story: A Novel of George and Martha Washington by Mary Higgins Clark
- The Woods by Harlan Coben

Well, there it is...the breakdown! All in all, a very good reading month for me. Here's a further breakdown:

Books Read: 3
Pages Read: 894
Grade Range: A! to B+!

So, there you go! The reading month that was August. I hope that you all had an equally good reading month; if not a little better. :) See you all next month! :)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight