January 2020 Book List

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This was a charming book about a older woman taking a long walk through New York City on New Year's eve. I happened to read it on New Year's eve so that made it even more poignant for me. I adored the main character and her determination and grit to see life through a positive lens even when difficult and challenging situations arose. She did not live an easy life, but she worked hard and made a good life. I loved this book and read it in one sitting.

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Written by one of my favorite historical fiction authors, I had high expectations for this book. It did not disappoint. I enjoyed the characters and the journey through a difficult time in Britain between the two World Wars. The strong woman was determined to life her own life free from the expectations and limitations of others. It had so interesting twists and turns that kept it authentic. I also enjoyed that stitching and embroidery were a constant theme throughout the book. Obviously, I enjoyed that part. I would recommend any books by the author.

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This book is magical. It is so beautifully written I didn't want to put it down. I also happen to love that it has quotes and information from history to support and frame the story. It takes place in post WW2 Spain, a place under a brutal dictatorship, still reeling from a revolution.

There is a hotel in Madrid where many Americans stay/live and enjoy the culture while they try to establish business relationships.  The stories of the Americans as well as the Spanish who work there are both interesting and heart breaking. How the characters interact and learn about themselves and each other is the focus of the story.

This might be my favorite book of the year and it's only the third book I've read. It's THAT good!

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I'm listening to this book on CD even though the hard copy is sitting on my shelf. I do that sometimes when I really want to read a book and I know I'm going to be driving a lot in the next week. I have a driving trip to teach in SC and wanted to be sure to have good listening for the journey. Barbara Kingsolver has been a favorite author of mine for 30 plus years. I adore everything she has written and this book is no different.

Set in two different time periods, it hops back and forth in the same house. The lives of the people in the house are both interesting and a bit infuriating. Because of that, I fell completely in love with them. I adore their complicated live and messy relationships and how they love each other and drive each other a bit nuts. The prose is beautiful and the CD is read by the author, I happen to love her voice as much as her writing!

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I wanted to read this book after reading The Giver Of Stars by Jojo Moyes because the two are both about the book women of Kentucky who battled incredible odds to get books to the isolated families of the mountains in remote areas of the state. Beyond the physical elements of riding horses over rough terrain and in all kinds of weather, they faced the human element of discrimination and threats of various kinds. These women were determined!

I loved so much about this book because I learned so much about things I had no idea existed. It was so informational as well as interesting to follow the stories and lives of those in the book. And while it was about the same subject matter as the other book, it was totally different. I would highly recommend both books. I'm really glad I read them!

I'm currently listening to another book on CD and reading one but they won't be finished until after this post so I'll share them next month. Happy listening and happy reading!

Enjoy every page,
Diane