Carole Knits

october zinnia
october zinnia
martinis with a view
martinis with a view
gettysburg fence for
gettysburg fence for
germinate shawl on rocks
germinate shawl on rocks
field of flags 2
field of flags 2
color affection with edge
color affection with edge
cedar leaf shawlette 2
cedar leaf shawlette 2
3_27_2014
3_27_2014
3_18_13
3_18_13
2_24_2014
2_24_2014
1_11_13
1_11_13
peony-bouquet-for-carole-knits
peony-bouquet-for-carole-knits
dale-and-jackie-for-carole-knits
dale-and-jackie-for-carole-knits
nightshift-progress-for-carole-knits
nightshift-progress-for-carole-knits

ABC Along Adventures of Dale and Carole Arthritis Ask Me Anything Birthdays Bloggers Books Buy More Yarn Charity Knitting Circular Sock Machine Contests Crochet Dyeing Epic Sock Blanket Eye Candy Friday Feeling Crafty Fiber Festivals Food Good, Bad, Ugly Hmmm Joyful Wednesday Knitting Knitting Olympics Macro Monday March Money Madness Memes Mittens Monday On My Mind Monthly Intentions Movies Museum of Me Mutterings My Backyard NaBloPoMo One Little Word Patterns Photography Project Spectrum Quilting Random Ravelry Read With Us Reenacting Run For Your Life Saturday Posts Selfies Sewing Show & Tell Sock Knitting Spinning Style School Sunday Funnies Swaps Ten on the Tenth Ten on Tuesday Thankfulness That's Life Think Write Thursday Three Things Throwback Thursday Thursday Things Uncategorized Vacations Wordless Words in the Wild

  • Home
  • Carole Julius Photography
You are here: Home / Books / For The Love of Reading: Mid August to Mid October

For The Love of Reading: Mid August to Mid October

October 13, 2020 By Carole

It’s been a little while since I shared a book update so let’s get caught up today with what I’ve read, hmmmm?

The Book Woman of Troublesome CreekThe Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I wanted to love this book but I found it tedious until about the last 1/3. And then that part felt rushed. I did enjoy Cussy Mary’s dedication to getting books and materials to her library patrons and I thought the book illustrated the hatred people have for those who look different than they do, but over all I felt it missed the mark.

How to Be an AntiracistHow to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“We know how to be racist. We know how to pretend to be not racist. Now let’s know how to be antiracist.” An excellent approach to the work we need to do to become antiracist. I liked how Kendi used stories from his own life to illustrate the history of racism and the work we all need to do to counter it and become antiracist.



The Vanishing HalfThe Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A beautiful story of race, identity, lies, and love, I was captivated by the story and the writing.





Cape CodCape Cod by William Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the way Martin wove legends, facts, and historical figures into this novel about the settling of Cape Cod. A little long but still highly recommended for anyone who has ever wanted to know more about the Cape.



The Giver of StarsThe Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this historical novel about the pack horse librarians of Kentucky. It was more romance than anything but the descriptions of the mountains are beautiful and the recognition of the importance of delivering books to those who need them warmed this librarian’s heart. It’s a bit predictable and the villains are stereotyped but I would recommend it for anyone looking for a fast read with a heartwarming ending.



HamnetHamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, this book. The writing is gorgeous, every description is precise and important, each character is drawn with compassion and wisdom, as O’Farrell fictionalizes the short life of Hamnet Shakespeare and the impact his death had on his parents, particularly his mother. I devoured it and wish I hadn’t so that I could still be caught up in this time period, in the woods and by the river, in the home of the Shakespeare family, in Agnes’ garden and yes, even in her grief because it’s incredibly spectacular. I haven’t read a book this wonderful in a very long time and I highly, highly recommend it.

The Women of Brewster PlaceThe Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This collection of intertwined short stories is exceptional. The women in these stories are real and full of life, love, pain, heartbreak, and loss. I have to admit, though, that the ending didn’t work well for me and that’s why I gave this 4 stars instead of 5. I can appreciate the symbolism of what Naylor does but it just didn’t fit well with the realism of the rest of the book for me. Highly recommended and I’m looking forward to discussing this one with my online book club.

All the Devils Are Here (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #16)All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After reading the last Armand Gamache book I just wasn’t sure where this series was headed and I started to fear that it had gotten stale. Now that, I can unequivocally say, the magic is BACK. New characters and a new setting but all of Penny’s style and charm are here and I highly recommend this one.




Redhead by the Side of the RoadRedhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Short and powerful, Tyler does what she always does with this book: turns the ordinary into extraordinary by shedding light on the details of life. Highly recommended.




Deacon King KongDeacon King Kong by James McBride
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh, this cast of characters! They are real and full of life and heart, they struggle and fight and ultimately come together in a completely satisfying and profound ending. Recommended most assuredly.




Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our OwnBegin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is good but a tad too academic for me. I think the author does a great job of using biography, literary criticism and social criticism to connect the writings of Baldwin with the things we are experiencing today and I appreciate how he exposes America as a racist nation. Honestly, though, I think my time would be better spend reading Baldwin himself.



The Bass RockThe Bass Rock by Evie Wyld
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book, comprised of 3 separate storylines (2 historic and 1 current), had great potential but was ultimately disappointing for me. The earliest story was sketched out without enough detail to really connect to the characters or understand what was happening. The other historical story was better but again, details were sketchy and the trail of bread crumbs meandered too much. The current storyline was filled with unlikable characters with self destructive behavior that was very frustrating to witness. And then there were these vignettes of acts of violence against women. I thought they were flashbacks that involved the main characters and that it would all come together in the end but I’ve ultimately concluded they had little to do with the plot and were just meant to illustrate the proliferation of violence women experience. There are nuggets of greatness here (hence the 3 star rating) but it’s just too uneven for me to recommend.




The Guest ListThe Guest List by Lucy Foley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A fast paced and easy read, the story is entertaining even if it’s not great literature. It was a little repetitive but it kept me guessing (almost) right up until the end.




And there you have it. I hope you are reading great things right now!

Blog Widget by LinkWithin

Related posts:

Default ThumbnailReading Update: September through Mid October Default ThumbnailFor The Love of Reading: Late August & Early September Default ThumbnailFor the Love of Reading: September and October Default ThumbnailFor the Love of Reading: September and October 2018
« Eye Candy Friday
Rambling Wednesday »

Filed Under: Books

Comments

  1. Bonny says

    October 13, 2020 at 6:59 am

    Oh, Hamnet (still my best favorite book this year)! I wish I could read it again for the first time, but since I can’t do that, I will reread it at some point and see what I garner from my second read. I hope to get The Vanishing Half from the library soon.

  2. Kat says

    October 13, 2020 at 7:48 am

    Hamnet was all that and MORE! Yes, I too loved it 🙂

    Great reads and, as always, I have added a few to my “TBR” list!

  3. Sarah says

    October 13, 2020 at 8:50 am

    With each great review of Hamnet, I get more and more excited to read it (I think I have about three more weeks to wait from the library). I haven’t read The Giver of Stars, but when I read The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, I heard there was a lot of controversy about the two and even suggestions of plagiarism on the part of Jojo Moyes. Aside from the fact that they’re both about a horseback librarian in rural areas, did you find them to be similar?

  4. Kym says

    October 13, 2020 at 9:16 am

    Hamnet will be hard to top . . . like maybe forever??? I loved it! I’m reading another book by Maggie O’Farrell (Hamnet author) right now — an earlier book of hers (obviously) called “The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox.” It’s very good (not Hamnet-good, but very good) and I think you’d really like it. XO

  5. Geri says

    October 13, 2020 at 9:58 am

    I always look forward to your book reviews! More has been added to my reading list. Thanks!

  6. Patty says

    October 13, 2020 at 10:42 am

    Always love this post Carole! And I can’t wait to read Hamnet. Saving it for the holiday relax week between Christmas and the New Year. (But not thinking one bit about how soon that will be here!)

  7. Mary says

    October 13, 2020 at 11:53 am

    I’m so excited for Hamnet! … and Brewster Place. I started it a couple of weeks ago, but had a library book come in. Happily, I finished that one last night, so now it’s Brewster Place!

  8. Bonney says

    October 13, 2020 at 12:00 pm

    I always love your book reviews. I’ve found many a good read in your recommendations! Thanks so much!

  9. Becky says

    October 13, 2020 at 5:53 pm

    I have told you so many times that I love these posts, and it continues to be true! I have read most of these, but I added a couple to my TBR list. I have been waiting for my library to get Hamnet, but I think I am just going to go ahead and buy it. I really like Maggie O’Farrell’s books, and from what all of you have said, I must read this. A silver lining to 2020 is that I have had a lot more time to read. Thanks again, Carole.

  10. Margene Smith says

    October 15, 2020 at 7:56 pm

    You read a ton of great books! This has been a wonderful year for reading not just because there were some fantastic books published, but also because we have more time to read!

Archives

carole AT caroleknits DOT net
my read shelf:
Carole's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)

2022 Reading Challenge

2022 Reading Challenge
Carole has read 70 books toward her goal of 75 books.
hide
70 of 75 (93%)
view books

carolejuliusphoto

After a stressful morning of learning NOT to play After a stressful morning of learning NOT to play with momma’s knitting, these two are taking a well deserved rest. The squirt bottle is doing wonders and I can see their internal struggle of wanting the yarn so badly but also hating the spritz of water. 🤣 We’re definitely making progress and I’m so glad. #fredandgeorgethecats #siamesecatsofinstagram #siamesecats #siamesecorner
Oh hey, FriYay. #fridaynightsnacks #cheeseandcrack Oh hey, FriYay. #fridaynightsnacks #cheeseandcrackers #cheeseboard #martinitime #cocktailhourathome #happyhourathome #tgif
We’ve social obligations the last few Friday nig We’ve social obligations the last few Friday nights and that was fun … but I’ll just say this … there’s no place like home. #fridaynightsnacks #theresnoplacelikehome #martinitime #eastbridgewaterbicentennial #eastbridgewaterbeer #blackhatbrewworks #cocktailhourathome #friyay #mycozyhome
New Year’s Eve at home with music and food is pe New Year’s Eve at home with music and food is perfection. Oysters to start and a dinner of steak and baked potatoes and lobster, easy and delicious! Happy New Year to all! #happynewyear #newyearseve #justthetwoofus #steakandlobster #dinnerathome #welcome2023
It’s the most wonderful DAY of the year! The wor It’s the most wonderful DAY of the year! The work of Christmas is over, there are no lists of things to do, my heart is full from gatherings and gift giving, fridge is loaded with delicious leftovers, and I’m reading in bed with a hot cup of coffee. Hurrah for Christmas vacation! #thedayafterchristmas #christmasbedroom #godjul #readinginbed #wintersolstice #christmasvacation
When your husband is a kid at heart you make him a When your husband is a kid at heart you make him a pancake snowman for Christmas breakfast. Merry Christmas, everyone! #christmasbreakfast #pancakesnowman #pancakes #foodcreations
When Christmas Eve eve meets Friday Night Snacks! When Christmas Eve eve meets Friday Night Snacks! #fridaynightsnacks #christmaseveeve #cheeseandcrackers #martinitime #cheeseislife #bestnightoftheweek
I may be a shiksa but I make pretty good latkes! H I may be a shiksa but I make pretty good latkes! Happy Hanukkah to all! #latkes #hanukkah
Just one week until Christmas Eve! #christmas #chr Just one week until Christmas Eve! #christmas #christmastree #jeweledchristmastree #christmastree2022
Fred & George and Santa Kitty have the right idea, Fred & George and Santa Kitty have the right idea, snuggled on the couch on this rainy Friday. #fredandgeorgethecats #siamesecatsofinstagram #siamese #siamesecorner #christmaspillow #snuggledonthecouch
The pictures you find when you look at old photo a The pictures you find when you look at old photo albums: a bunch of Wheaties from 37 years ago.
We were supposed to go out tonight but our friends We were supposed to go out tonight but our friends had to cancel at the last minute due to Covid. (It’s not over, friends.) As much as I wanted to see them, having a bonus night at home is also wonderful. Good thing I always have cheese and crackers on hand! #fridaynightsnacks #cheeseandcrackers #martinitime #christmasnapkins #christmasdishes
Morning yoga is better with cats and a Christmas t Morning yoga is better with cats and a Christmas tree 🎄 #morningyoga #findwhatfeelsgood #yogawithadriene #siamesecats #yogawithcats
I dare you to resist rubbing that furry belly! #si I dare you to resist rubbing that furry belly! #siamesecat #siamesecatsofinstagram #catsofinstagram #kittybelly #siamese #siamesecorner
Pies are done! #thanksgiving #thanksgivingpies #ho Pies are done! #thanksgiving #thanksgivingpies #homemadepies #givemeallthepie #pumpkinpie #applepie #mincemeatpie #cranberrypecanpie #imadethemmyself
Just a little snack, I’m making pizza in a bit, Just a little snack, I’m making pizza in a bit, but I wanted to show off the napkins. We’re on to Thanksgiving. #fridaynightsnacks #martinitime #pimentocheese #gobblegobblegobble #thanksgivingiscoming
There’s the potential for a hard frost tonight s There’s the potential for a hard frost tonight so I picked all the dahlias in bloom. There are still loads of buds so this might not be the end, but it very well could be. I’m so thrilled with my first season growing dahlias and I’m excited to expand next year. Stay tuned for 2023 featuring more varieties! More color! More bouquets! #dahlias #dahliaseason #dahliabouquet #octoberflowers #flowersaremagical #dahliasfordays
Friday Night Snacks with a spooky twist, we’re r Friday Night Snacks with a spooky twist, we’re ready for the last weekend before Halloween! #fridaynightsnacks #cheeseandcrackers #martinitime #charcuterieboard #halloweencharcuterieboard #friyay #helloweekend
My mystery bag from @themossyapothecary arrived to My mystery bag from @themossyapothecary arrived today and it’s full of magickal goodness. #magickalherbs #mossyapothecary #witchyvibes
Today’s picks - I had to fight the bees to get t Today’s picks - I had to fight the bees to get them! The dahlias are still coming thanks to this great fall weather we are having. I know their days are numbered so I’m savoring every blossom. #dahliaseason #dahlias #flowerfarmer #flowersaremagical #igrewthis
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Categories

ABC Along Adventures of Dale and Carole Birthdays Bloggers Books Charity Knitting Contests Eye Candy Friday Feeling Crafty Fiber Festivals Food Good, Bad, Ugly Hmmm Knitting Knitting Olympics Macro Monday Memes Monday On My Mind Monthly Intentions Movies Museum of Me One Little Word Photography Project Spectrum Quilting Random Read With Us Run For Your Life Saturday Posts Selfies Sock Knitting Spinning Sunday Funnies Swaps Ten on Tuesday Thankfulness That's Life Think Write Thursday Three Things Throwback Thursday Thursday Things Uncategorized Vacations Wordless Words in the Wild

Copyright 2014 Carole Knits · Log in