Author Sunday-Jodi Picoult

 

I’m beginning to think that Jodi Picoult may be one of my favorite authors. Although, on some levels I have a love/hate relationship with her novels. 

As of today I’ve only read three of her books-Leaving Time, The Book of Two Worlds, and Wish You Were Here. 

Now it’s very obvious that Picoult puts a lot of time and research into her books and shares that information with her readers. Now in my opinion this can sometimes be to a fault. 

However, that being said I can’t help but admire her breadth of knowledge, and her willingness to devote the time necessary to do the research. It adds a whole different level to her writing. (One I secretly admire and wish I had the tenacity to do so as well.)

What I’m finding with her books, though, is there always seems to be an unexpected twist in each one. 

Although, I have found myself struggling through at times I’ve never been disappointed that I continued to read. Perhaps her book on Egypt, The Book of Two Worlds, may be a little intense on Egyptology, but the plot and characters keep you engaged.

 

If you haven’t read my posting about Leaving Time, and the unusual, but very satisfying way I read it you might want to scroll back and find that on my blog. 

Wish You Were Here takes place during the pandemic in New York City. After reading about the author’s personal experience and the experiences of the characters it was so amazing how different my experience was. I wish I had chronicled it while I was going through it. Sadly, I don’t think we had any idea how long it would have lasted. 

Have any of you read a book by Jodi Picoult. If so what is your opinion about her writing?

I’m including a quote from Wish You We’re Here that I enjoyed reading. 

“According to Darwin’s Origin of Species, it is not the most intellectual of the species that survives; it is not the strongest that survives; but the species that survives is the one that is best able to adapt and adjust to the changing environment in which it finds itself.”

Leon C. Megginson

The Land of Knowledge

 

Author Sunday- Martha Hall Kelly

 

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly is a  World War II novel that tells the story of Polish young women who were sent to Ravensbruck, a concentration camp exclusively for women. 

It also is the story of an American socialite who works tirelessly to help those who are affected by the war. It is a story that is well worth reading. In fact it is well worth researching how Kelly came about writing this novel when she visited the real life home of Caroline Ferriday, one of the heroines of the story. 

Kelly has since gone on to publish two more novels, The Lost Roses, a prequel to Lilac Girls, and Sunflower Sisters which takes place during the Civil War. 

Her latest book, coming in April of this year is Golden Doves which centers around post WWII, and two female spies who hunt down a Nazi doctor. 

I had the pleasure of attending a book talk given by Kelly a few years ago in Dallas. I always enjoy author talks, and am inspired and fascinated by their writing process. 

Let me know if you have a favorite author that I could showcase on Author Sunday. 

Audible Books

I’ve only listened to one audible book in my lifetime. Chuck and I were taking a road trip and decided to try an audible book along the way. 

Back then you actually bought a set of cds that you played in the CD player in your car. Today my car doesn’t even have a CD player, and audible books are now being streamed. 

Recently I was speaking with a new friend from my book club, and she was telling me how she enjoyed listening to audio books. She got her books from several library services that she had access to. 

I had never really considered this before, and was intrigued because I have library privileges at two local libraries. She also told me she paid for library privileges from a larger city library as well. 

I didn’t even know that was a possibility. Not every library has the same streaming service so she had basically covered all her bases. 

What I do remember from listening to the book 40 Autumns on our trip was that Chuck and I really enjoyed the format. The book itself tells the story of East Germany and the forty years of communism after World War II. It was based on a true story and was an excellent book. It was a nice break from talk radio or music to help pass the time. 

I also know that you can subscribe to Audible, a streaming service, for $14.95 a month with a free three month trial period. I’ve wondered how many books I might actually listen to in a month’s time, and if it would be worth the cost?

I think I might try to get one from my library first, and see if it works for me, and then reconsider. I’m not sure I would want to completely give up reading actual books. This actually was a concern when I got my first Kindle. I found that I preferred actual books, although there were benefits of being able to store and order books instantly in the middle of the night when I finished the first Hunger Games book.

 

Although,  I do know that as my Aunt reached into her nineties her eyesight was prohibitive for reading. I suggested audible books, but I think the technology was over her head by that time. Maybe by learning it now it can allow me to continue reading into my later years.

How about you? Do you listen to audible books or are there other subscription plans or ways to listen? I’d love to hear your thoughts. 

Author Sunday-Lisa See

 

My fascination with books about China began in my teenage years when I read The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. I was completely fascinated with this ancient culture that I knew nothing about. I enjoyed it so much that I actually took two Chinese history classes in college. I didn’t fully think that one through, because it was kind of like learning a foreign language when it came to answering test questions. 

Fast forward to 2005 when I picked up a copy of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. I was once again hooked on books about China. This book was followed by Peony in Love. I thoroughly enjoyed them both. 

Perhaps my most favorite books of hers, though, were the May and Pearl series which included Shanghai Girls and Dreams of Joy. These need to be read in sequence, and I highly recommend them. The stories of this mother daughter relationship is so full of the history of the time, and was so eye opening to me. 

That is why I love historical fiction so much. You get to experience a time period through the eyes of each character. It helps you to better understand where we have come from, and maybe why we are where we are today. Hopefully, we can learn to not repeat the same mistakes of the past. 

Lisa See’s book The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane sits on my bookshelf right now waiting for me to read it soon. 

If you have never read any of See’s books then I suggest starting with Shanghai Girls. I don’t think you will be disappointed at all. 

Are you familiar with this author?

Golden Books

I don’t really remember growing up with Golden Books in my home, however I do remember their trademark golden spine. 

As a teacher I think sometimes I was a literary snob when it came to children’s literature. I didn’t read Golden Books in my classroom much. 

My disinterest in Golden Books turned to obsession after attending a Golden Book exhibit in Abilene at the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature.

I immediately fell in love with Golden Books after viewing the charming illustrations and the sweet stories, which I must have heard during my elementary school years.

Before we left I had purchased ten shiny new Golden Books for my personal library. Over the last few months I’ve been collecting them as I find them at my local used bookstore, and at library sales. I’m really drawn toward the vintage books, and my collection has more than doubled. 

I’ve also started a Golden Book collection of Super Hero books for my middle grandson. 

Did you grow up with Golden Books? Do you have a favorite you remember?

Author Sunday- Kristin Hannah

 

I thought I might feature some of my favorite authors on Sundays. I was late to the party in discovering Kristin Hannah, but she has definitely become one of my all time favorites. 

The first book of hers that I read was The Nightingale. I highly recommend this one if you are interested in checking her out. 

I personally have read The Four Winds, The Great Alone, and Winter Garden. Although, Winter Garden was not my all time favorite I learned so much about the German Invasion of the Soviet Union during WWII. In fact, Hannah’s historical fiction brings to life each of the time periods of which she writes. However, it’s her characters that really drive her stories.

 

I’m including a short video about Kristin Hannah below:

                                                                                                                                          

https://youtu.be/uBifUtWB14Y

An Unsuspecting Book Store

 

When I moved to my new home one of the first things I was on the lookout for was a bookstore close by. After a quick Google search I was happy to find a place in Stephenville named Frames Etc.

I was even more pleased when I made my first trip there. It is located just off the downtown square at 221 N. Belknap St., and not only does it have a huge supply of used books, it also includes an awesome gift shop if you are needing to purchase a gift. 

Each book is priced at $3.77 after Hwy 377 which runs through Stephenville. The thing I especially like about a used bookstore is that it’s like a treasure hunt each time you visit. 

Not too long ago I found a hardback copy of Kristen Hannah’s Four Winds, which had only recently come out. It’s a wonderful story if you haven’t read it yet, and I highly recommend it. 

I try to stop by at least once a month to check out what’s new, and rarely leave empty handed. At $3.77 a piece you can’t go wrong here. 

If you make a special trip down to Stephenville you might enjoy grabbing lunch on the square at Greer’s Ranch Cafe. They are known for their southern comfort food, and it’s pretty yummy.