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.
Surprisingly, the pace of my reading has picked up appreciably. Granted, my reading pace is not quite where it once was, but I’m beginning to think this is going to be my regular pace from now on. Not that I’m really complaining, because the books that I have been reading have been really good. So far this month, I’ve read two books - one that was actually a reread for me from four years ago, and another that has been on my TBR pile for just over two years.
I have the distinct impression that the book that I was originally looking for will actually take ages for me to find. Mareena told me that she was certain that it was on the bookshelf just outside my bedroom door, but when she looked for it at the same time that she found the other two books, it wasn’t there. Oh well, I’ll keep searching.
I just found out that 'The Exorcist' will be starting its second season on Friday, September 29th at 9:00 P. M. I'm delighted to see that the show was renewed and want to know where it goes from here. As far as I know, the two main characters are now traveling exorcists and will be dealing with a case somewhere in Seattle, Washington.
I'm immersing myself in sum-doku and sudoku puzzles as well: so far, I finished at least two sum-doku puzzle books in August. I immediately started another sum-doku puzzle book on Friday, August 18th. As of today - Sunday, September 17th - I’ve finished a total of 62 puzzles in this book.
As regards my own reading, the most recent book that I've read was The Kitchen House: A Novel by Kathleen Grissom, which I finished on Thursday, September 14th. I immediately started reading The Worst Thing I’ve Done: A Novel by Ursula Hegi on Friday, September 15th. So far, the premise of the story is very intriguing, but I’m not quite sure how it is going to work out.
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight
Sunday, September 17, 2017
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Kathleen Grissom - The Kitchen House: A Novel
Length: 377 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Started: 6 September 2017
Finished: 14 September 2017
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 historical fiction and Kathleen Grissom is a new author for me.
When a white servant girl violates the rules of plantation society, she unleashes a tragedy that exposes the best and the worst traits of the people she has come to call her family.
In 1791, Lavinia McCarten is almost seven years old when she arrives on the steps of a tabacco plantation in Virginia. Having lost both her parents during the voyage from Ireland, she is subsequently placed with the family of the ship's captain - the Pykes - as an indentured servant. As one of the few white members of the household, Lavinia is raised by Captain Pyke's slaves: Jacob, Mama Mae, Papa George, and the master's illegitimate slave daughter, Belle. Soon, she learns to cook, clean, and serve food with the slaves of the kitchen house; all while being guided by the quiet strength and love of her new family.
In due time, Lavinia is also accepted into the world of the big house, caring for Martha, the master's opium-addicted wife and befriending his impetuous son Marshall - someone who is as dangerous as he is protective. As Lavinia attempts to straddle both worlds of the kitchen and the big house, she begins to realize just how much her skin color will always set her apart from Belle and the other slaves.
However, when she is forced to make a choice that she never thought she would have to make; loyalties are brought into question, dangerous truths are laid bare, and lives are put at risk. Ultimately, everything that Lavinia holds dear will be threatened. Through the unique eyes of Lavinia and Belle, Kathleen Grissom's debut novel unfolds into a heartbreaking yet ultimately hopeful story of class, race, dignity, deeply buried secrets, and familial bonds.
Actually, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I learned more about slavery than I thought I would. In my opinion, this was a beautifully written but heartbreakingly sad story - poignant and thought-provoking. I would certainly give this book an A+! and will be on the lookout for more from this author in the future.
A+! - (96-100%)
When a white servant girl violates the rules of plantation society, she unleashes a tragedy that exposes the best and the worst traits of the people she has come to call her family.
In 1791, Lavinia McCarten is almost seven years old when she arrives on the steps of a tabacco plantation in Virginia. Having lost both her parents during the voyage from Ireland, she is subsequently placed with the family of the ship's captain - the Pykes - as an indentured servant. As one of the few white members of the household, Lavinia is raised by Captain Pyke's slaves: Jacob, Mama Mae, Papa George, and the master's illegitimate slave daughter, Belle. Soon, she learns to cook, clean, and serve food with the slaves of the kitchen house; all while being guided by the quiet strength and love of her new family.
In due time, Lavinia is also accepted into the world of the big house, caring for Martha, the master's opium-addicted wife and befriending his impetuous son Marshall - someone who is as dangerous as he is protective. As Lavinia attempts to straddle both worlds of the kitchen and the big house, she begins to realize just how much her skin color will always set her apart from Belle and the other slaves.
However, when she is forced to make a choice that she never thought she would have to make; loyalties are brought into question, dangerous truths are laid bare, and lives are put at risk. Ultimately, everything that Lavinia holds dear will be threatened. Through the unique eyes of Lavinia and Belle, Kathleen Grissom's debut novel unfolds into a heartbreaking yet ultimately hopeful story of class, race, dignity, deeply buried secrets, and familial bonds.
Actually, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I learned more about slavery than I thought I would. In my opinion, this was a beautifully written but heartbreakingly sad story - poignant and thought-provoking. I would certainly give this book an A+! and will be on the lookout for more from this author in the future.
A+! - (96-100%)
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight
Monday, September 11, 2017
How Come I Have Missed Out on Reading so Many Good Books!
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.
Surprisingly, the pace of my reading has picked up appreciably. Granted, my reading pace is not quite where it once was, but I’m beginning to think this is going to be my regular pace from now on. Not that I’m really complaining, because the books that I have been reading have been really good. So far this month, I’ve only read one book that was actually a reread for me from four years ago and I’m currently reading a book that has been on my TBR pile for just over two years.
I have the distinct impression that the book that I was originally looking for will actually take ages for me to find. Mareena told me that she was certain that it was on the bookshelf just outside my bedroom door, but when she looked for it at the same time that she found the other two books, it wasn’t there. Oh well, I’ll keep searching.
I just found out that 'The Exorcist' will be starting its second season on Friday, September 29th at 9:00 P. M. I'm delighted to see that the show was renewed and want to know where it goes from here. As far as I know, the two main characters are now traveling exorcists and will be dealing with a case somewhere in Seattle, Washington.
I'm immersing myself in sum-doku and sudoku puzzles as well: so far, I finished at least two sum-doku puzzle books in August. I immediately started another sum-doku puzzle book on Friday, August 18th. As of today - Monday, September 11th - I’ve finished a total of 50 puzzles in this book.
As regards my own reading, the most recent book that I've read was Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island by Michael Phillip Cash, which I finished on Tuesday, September 5th. I immediately started reading The Kitchen House: A Novel by Kathleen Grissom on Wednesday, September 6th. According to Goodreads - as of Monday, September 11th - I've read 171 pages out of 369 or 46 percent of the story. Since my copy of The Kitchen House: A Novel by Kathleen Grissom actually has 377 pages in it, reading 171 pages means that I've read 45 percent of the story.
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight
Surprisingly, the pace of my reading has picked up appreciably. Granted, my reading pace is not quite where it once was, but I’m beginning to think this is going to be my regular pace from now on. Not that I’m really complaining, because the books that I have been reading have been really good. So far this month, I’ve only read one book that was actually a reread for me from four years ago and I’m currently reading a book that has been on my TBR pile for just over two years.
I have the distinct impression that the book that I was originally looking for will actually take ages for me to find. Mareena told me that she was certain that it was on the bookshelf just outside my bedroom door, but when she looked for it at the same time that she found the other two books, it wasn’t there. Oh well, I’ll keep searching.
I just found out that 'The Exorcist' will be starting its second season on Friday, September 29th at 9:00 P. M. I'm delighted to see that the show was renewed and want to know where it goes from here. As far as I know, the two main characters are now traveling exorcists and will be dealing with a case somewhere in Seattle, Washington.
I'm immersing myself in sum-doku and sudoku puzzles as well: so far, I finished at least two sum-doku puzzle books in August. I immediately started another sum-doku puzzle book on Friday, August 18th. As of today - Monday, September 11th - I’ve finished a total of 50 puzzles in this book.
As regards my own reading, the most recent book that I've read was Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island by Michael Phillip Cash, which I finished on Tuesday, September 5th. I immediately started reading The Kitchen House: A Novel by Kathleen Grissom on Wednesday, September 6th. According to Goodreads - as of Monday, September 11th - I've read 171 pages out of 369 or 46 percent of the story. Since my copy of The Kitchen House: A Novel by Kathleen Grissom actually has 377 pages in it, reading 171 pages means that I've read 45 percent of the story.
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight
Friday, September 8, 2017
I’m Still Reading up a Storm!
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.
Surprisingly, the pace of my reading has picked up appreciably. Last month, I read a total of six books and finished two sum-doku puzzle books. So far this month, I have read one book that actually was a reread for me from four years ago. This was one of the books that I was looking for and Mareena found it for me about two months ago.
I have the distinct impression that the book that I was originally looking for will actually take ages for me to find. Mareena told me that she was certain that it was on the bookshelf just outside my bedroom door, but when she looked for it at the same time that she found the other two books, it wasn’t there. Oh well, I’ll keep searching.
I just found out that 'The Exorcist' will be starting its second season on Friday, September 29th at 9:00 P. M. I'm delighted to see that the show was renewed and want to know where it goes from here. As far as I know, the two main characters are now traveling exorcists and will be dealing with a case somewhere in Seattle, Washington.
I'm immersing myself in sum-doku and sudoku puzzles as well: so far, I finished at least two sum-doku puzzle books in August. I immediately started another sum-doku puzzle book on Friday, August 18th. As of today - Friday, September 8th - I’ve finished a total of 44 puzzles in the book.
As regards my own reading, the most recent book that I've read was Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island by Michael Phillip Cash, which I finished on Tuesday, September 5th. I immediately started reading The Kitchen House: A Novel by Kathleen Grissom on Wednesday, September 6th. This book has been on my TBR pile for just over two years.
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight
Surprisingly, the pace of my reading has picked up appreciably. Last month, I read a total of six books and finished two sum-doku puzzle books. So far this month, I have read one book that actually was a reread for me from four years ago. This was one of the books that I was looking for and Mareena found it for me about two months ago.
I have the distinct impression that the book that I was originally looking for will actually take ages for me to find. Mareena told me that she was certain that it was on the bookshelf just outside my bedroom door, but when she looked for it at the same time that she found the other two books, it wasn’t there. Oh well, I’ll keep searching.
I just found out that 'The Exorcist' will be starting its second season on Friday, September 29th at 9:00 P. M. I'm delighted to see that the show was renewed and want to know where it goes from here. As far as I know, the two main characters are now traveling exorcists and will be dealing with a case somewhere in Seattle, Washington.
I'm immersing myself in sum-doku and sudoku puzzles as well: so far, I finished at least two sum-doku puzzle books in August. I immediately started another sum-doku puzzle book on Friday, August 18th. As of today - Friday, September 8th - I’ve finished a total of 44 puzzles in the book.
As regards my own reading, the most recent book that I've read was Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island by Michael Phillip Cash, which I finished on Tuesday, September 5th. I immediately started reading The Kitchen House: A Novel by Kathleen Grissom on Wednesday, September 6th. This book has been on my TBR pile for just over two years.
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Michael Phillip Cash - Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island
Length: 231 pages
Genre: Horror
Originally Read: 5 July 2013
Reread Finished: 5 September 2017
Where did it come from? Originally from Michael Phillip Cash, then from my "keeper" shelf.
So, I was once again trying to find something to read and actually couldn't locate my first choice. As I've said before, I had about four books on my radar already and Mareena said she would try to help me find them, since I seem to have mislaid at least two of them. I was actually looking through a canvas bag of books, and although I didn't find the book that I was looking for, I did find a whole bag of books that I had completely forgotten about. So, I've picked several of these books to read next.
Mareena told me that she thought that she had seen two of the books that I was initially looking for. She found this particular book approximately two months ago - sometime towards the end of July. It was actually sitting on a bookshelf outside my bedroom door, as was the book that I first read about twenty years ago. Mareena has tried to locate that other book, but it seems to have disappeared again since she last saw it.
Anyway, I received this book from Michael Phillip Cash himself back in July of 2013 - July 3rd, to be exact. I immediately started reading it on July 4th and it only took me a day to read - from July 4th, to July 5th, 2013. My reread of the book took place four years later, over three days in September of 2017 - from September 2nd, to September 5th, 2017! I've since sent the book off to someone else on September 12th, 2017,
Mareena told me that she thought that she had seen two of the books that I was initially looking for. She found this particular book approximately two months ago - sometime towards the end of July. It was actually sitting on a bookshelf outside my bedroom door, as was the book that I first read about twenty years ago. Mareena has tried to locate that other book, but it seems to have disappeared again since she last saw it.
Anyway, I received this book from Michael Phillip Cash himself back in July of 2013 - July 3rd, to be exact. I immediately started reading it on July 4th and it only took me a day to read - from July 4th, to July 5th, 2013. My reread of the book took place four years later, over three days in September of 2017 - from September 2nd, to September 5th, 2017! I've since sent the book off to someone else on September 12th, 2017,
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight
Sunday, September 3, 2017
I’m Actually Doing Very Well With my Reading!
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.
Surprisingly, the pace of my reading has picked up appreciably. As of Wednesday, August 30th - I have finished a total of six books and two sum-doku puzzle books. Granted, I still haven’t found the book that I was looking for originally, but Mareena has managed to locate at least two books that she thinks that I will enjoy reading. One book is actually a reread for me from just over four years ago, and the other has been on my TBR pile for almost six years.
I have the distinct impression that the book that I’ve been looking for will actually take ages for me to find. Mareena told me that she was certain that it was on the bookshelf just outside my bedroom door, but when she looked for it at the same time that she found the other two books, it wasn’t there. Oh well, I’ll keep searching.
I just found out that 'The Exorcist' will be starting its second season on Friday, September 29th at 9:00 P. M. I'm delighted to see that the show was renewed and want to know where it goes from here. As far as I know, the two main characters are now traveling exorcists and will be dealing with a case somewhere in Seattle, Washington.
I'm immersing myself in sum-doku and sudoku puzzles as well: so far, I finished at least two sum-doku puzzle books - one that was in my collection for approximately ten years, and another one that I finished on Wednesday, August 16th! I immediately started another sum-doku puzzle book on Friday, August 18th. As of today - Sunday, September 3rd - I’ve finished a total of 34 puzzles.
As regards my own reading, the most recent book that I've read was The Girl on the Train: A Novel by Paula Hawkins, which I finished on Wednesday, August 30th. I immediately started reading Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island by Michael Phillip Cash on Saturday, September 2nd. This is actually a reread for me from about four years ago.
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight
Surprisingly, the pace of my reading has picked up appreciably. As of Wednesday, August 30th - I have finished a total of six books and two sum-doku puzzle books. Granted, I still haven’t found the book that I was looking for originally, but Mareena has managed to locate at least two books that she thinks that I will enjoy reading. One book is actually a reread for me from just over four years ago, and the other has been on my TBR pile for almost six years.
I have the distinct impression that the book that I’ve been looking for will actually take ages for me to find. Mareena told me that she was certain that it was on the bookshelf just outside my bedroom door, but when she looked for it at the same time that she found the other two books, it wasn’t there. Oh well, I’ll keep searching.
I just found out that 'The Exorcist' will be starting its second season on Friday, September 29th at 9:00 P. M. I'm delighted to see that the show was renewed and want to know where it goes from here. As far as I know, the two main characters are now traveling exorcists and will be dealing with a case somewhere in Seattle, Washington.
I'm immersing myself in sum-doku and sudoku puzzles as well: so far, I finished at least two sum-doku puzzle books - one that was in my collection for approximately ten years, and another one that I finished on Wednesday, August 16th! I immediately started another sum-doku puzzle book on Friday, August 18th. As of today - Sunday, September 3rd - I’ve finished a total of 34 puzzles.
As regards my own reading, the most recent book that I've read was The Girl on the Train: A Novel by Paula Hawkins, which I finished on Wednesday, August 30th. I immediately started reading Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island by Michael Phillip Cash on Saturday, September 2nd. This is actually a reread for me from about four years ago.
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight
Friday, September 1, 2017
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 1,068 books lying around the house and ended the month with 1,062 books unread. All the books that I acquired this month came from Bookmooch and Paperback Swap.
Let me try to break down the influx for you:
Changes to the TBR pile
Rereads
- Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King
Read from my TBR pile (Yes! I am a reading machine :))
- Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close
- All Unquiet Things: A Novel by Anna Jarzab
- Shelter Me: A Novel by Juliette Fay
- Brother, I'm Dying by Edwidge Danticat
- The Girl on the Train: A Novel by Paula Hawkins
Added to my TBR pile (oh well, you win some and you lose some! Not too bad though, I suppose:))
- The Affair by C. P. Snow
Taken off my TBR pile and sent to a new home (Yay! Happy Dance! :))
- See Jane Die: A Novel by Erica Spindler
- Ascent Into Hell by Andrew M. Greeley
Well, there it is...the breakdown! All in all, a very good reading month for me. Here's a further breakdown:
Books Read: 6
Pages Read: 2,222
Grade Range: A+! to A!
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
- Ascent Into Hell by Andrew M. Greeley
Well, there it is...the breakdown! All in all, a very good reading month for me. Here's a further breakdown:
Books Read: 6
Pages Read: 2,222
Grade Range: A+! to A!
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
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