Book Chatter

Sunday Matters

As the year flies by, I am over here in my happy little corner reading like a crazy person. Often four books at a time. This seems to be working well for me. Usually at the end of the year I start to taper off but I don’t see that happening this year. I have just been reading so much good stuff.

Add to that the re-read/read-along for 1984. Whew! I’ve read the book at least three times before but this time. Wow. It’s a little alarming and mirroring what I’ve seen of that “project” that everyone talks about since the election. It is definitely a book for our times but it was written in 1948!

Right Now:

My Sundays are pretty static. Student ministry. Fueled by coffee. Post church nap.

This Week:

This is a short week for me. We have a work party on Wednesday, and then I am out from Friday well into January. End of the year vacation is always so nice. I do try to take time off during the year but I don’t want to take time just to take it. You know?

On Saturday 12/14 we do the annual Christmas Light tour with friends. I need to make molasses cookies for that. Add it to my list.

My adult kids will be down 12/23-12/25. Super short visit.

Reading:

Like Mother, Like Mother by Susan Rieger
1984 by George Orwell (read along)
Burn by Peter Heller
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll (book club)

Watching:

Christmas movies here and there. So far, Christmas with the Kranks, and Christmas Vacation. Both seen a million times but always funny.

Grateful for:

My Spotify wrapped, year of listening was ALL Chappell Roan. Her music is like a Girl Anthem for all girls.
Time – part of my vacation will be purging the garage. I joined a site on FB where I can post stuff and people will come right away to pick it up. Let’s get rid of stuff!!
Tamales. Especially the green chile and cheese ones. We have friends that sometimes bless us with tamales at Christmas. They are delightful.

Recently reviewed books in case you missed them:

Something new! I started a Bookshop on Bookshop.org! It’s fun to add books and I’ve been a supporter of Indie stores for a long time but this is too cool.

What are you plans for the holidays? Any trips or family visiting? Have you chosen your “first book of the year” yet? I have not.

The Lonely Hearts Book Club
By Lucy Gilmore
Sourcebooks Casablanca, 9781728256214, March 2023, 368 pp.

The Short of It:

Probably my favorite book of the year. Books featuring other books win me over every time.

The Rest of It:

Sloane is naturally curious by nature which makes her an excellent librarian. As excellent as she is, she likes to keep to herself. She’s engaged to a successful chiropractor and their plans for the future seem promising.

Enter Arthur McLachlan. An old, crotchety patron who finds Sloane to be terribly insipid and boring. He dismisses everyone he meets and sends all the other librarians running for cover. Sloane’s love of books and reading encourages her to spew forth with banter that is not at all welcome. Or is it?

When Arthur’s regular visits to the library stop, Sloane grows worried and seeks his whereabouts. This leads to the introduction of many, wonderful characters. I won’t name them because you must meet them yourselves. As these people gather around Arthur, they all realize that although they do okay on their own, they are really meant to do life together, in community so a book club is formed.

It’s SO MUCH MORE than a book club. These are wonderful, flawed characters, all searching for love and friendship. It’s a feel good read and we all need those these days. Highly recommend.

Do yourself a favor and read this book. Books about books get me every time. You can thank me later.

Source: Borrowed
Disclosure: This post contains Bookshop.org affiliate links.

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