It’s time for the What’s On your Bookshelf? link up! I’m looking forward to you sharing what you’ve read at our monthly link up co-hosted with my friends Deb from Deb’s World, Donna from Retirement Reflections and Jo from And Anways. Remember to check out what has been on their bookshelves as well.
It’s a brief post this month as we have only arrived back in Brisbane yesterday after a 10 day cruise to Papua New Guinea.
52 Book Club Reading Challenge
Books read for the challenge this month included:
Anatomy – a love story by Dana Swartz – My rating ✭✭✭✭
Prompt #1 – A Book with a Subtitle
I saw this book reviewed by Jennifer Jones on Jennifer’s Best Bookish Blog for her What’s On Your Bookshelf? last month. This took me a couple of attempts as I was too busy to read – not a good way to start a book. However, after chapter 1 I was hooked. This book is the first of a duology and falls into the genres of historical fiction, romance, mystery and fantasy. Set in Edinburgh 1817, Hazel Sinnet is a lady who does not want to live an idle life – she wants to be a surgeon!
Goodreads summary: ‘A gothic tale full of mystery and romance about a willful female surgeon, a resurrection man who sells bodies for a living, and the buried secrets they must uncover together.‘
Date with Poison by Julia Chapman – My rating ✭✭✭
Prompt #32 – Published by MacMillan
If you love cozy crime you will enjoy The Dales Detective Agency series with Samson & Delilah (yes, those are their names). Set in the Yorkshire Dales, this duo enjoy a love/hate relationship whilst working together to solve crimes. Date with Poison is the 4th book in the series, and whilst there is a continuing personal storyline for Samson, each book can be read as a stand alone. Great for a holiday read or snuggling up with a cuppa on a cold, rainy day.
Becoming Mrs Mulberry by Jackie French – My rating ✭✭✭✭✭
Prompt #52 – Published in 2023
Another book reviewed by Jennifer Jones on Jennifer’s Best Bookish Blog for her What’s On Your Bookshelf? last month. The story appealed to me and I added it to my TBR pile. I thoroughly enjoyed this book for several reasons.
- It is an historical fiction set in the 1920s post WW1 mainly in the Australian bush near the Blue Mountains in NSW.
- A strong woman ,
- A good storyline which held my interest,
- The good and bad traits in people
- The relationship between humans and nature and
- The resilience of people overcoming tragedy and horrific events.
Other books I’ve read during the month
Miss Cecily’s Recipes for Exceptional Ladies by Vicky Zimmerman – My rating ✭✭✭✭✭
I enjoyed this book immensely. Kate is nearing 40 and not where she thought she would be. A boyfriend unable to commit, a job she doesn’t enjoy and a shock when her boyfriend asks her to move in only to tell her on holiday ‘he isn’t sure and needs more time’. Kate meets Miss Cecily a feisty centarian living in an aged care home and author of ‘Though for Food’. Through conversations and Miss Cecily’s cookbook, Kate finds her way and realises that she is enough and deserves more.
Goodreads summary: ‘An unlikely friendship between two stubborn, lonely souls anchors this big-hearted book and dares us all to ask for more. A feel-good summer read with a wicked sense of humor, Vicky Zimmerman’s book will teach you that food is for feasting, friends are for savoring, and the way to a man’s heart is…irrelevant.‘
Be Brave, Lose the Beige Finding Your Sass After 60 by Liz Kitchens – My rating ✭✭✭✭✭
Are you feeling a little beige? Feeling that you’ve lost your ‘sass’, the colour has faded from your life? Liz Kitchens, founder of What’s Next Boomer? and the author of Be Brave, Lose the Beige can help. Liz was a guest on the Women Living Well After 50 Podcast and I found her delightful, energetic and yes Sassy! A short book, Liz relates stories from her life and others as she introduces us to ‘Beige’ who is reliable, practical and sensible compared to ‘Magenta’ who is rich, dynamic and certainly not overlooked.
If you would like to listen to the podcast or watch the video interview CLICK HERE
This is a must read if you feel that life after 60 is not as bright and colourful as you thought it would be. Liz is entertaining and it’s a fun read.
Goodreads summary: ‘The stories and creative techniques outlined in this book are guaranteed to introduce color, sass, and a lightness of spirit into your later years. Are you ready to start coloring outside the lines, even if a few pesky rules get trampled in the process?’
Currently Reading
Our book club is currently reading Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. I’m not even sure that I actually read the book growing up but it certainly is a book that is not just for children. I’ll share my thoughts next month after our Book Club meeting. I wonder what our Book Club Baking recipe will be?
Well that’s what has been on my bookshelf during the month, What’s been on yours? I would love you to share with me.
Happy reading and remember to pop over to read what books have been on my co-hosts shelves.
The next #WOYBS will be Thursday July 20/Friday July 21. I’m looking forward to seeing and reading What’s Been on your Bookshelf? during the month.
22 Comments
Hi, Sue – You have highlighted some great sounding books here. Although I haven’t read any of them yet, I am especially interested in Mrs. Cecily’s recipes.
Thank you for being an awesome cohost. I greatly look forward to discussing ‘Alice’ with you and our bookclub.
Hi Donna, I haven’t started ‘Alice’ yet but will enjoy our discussions at the next Book Club meeting, I’m sure xx
There’s a few on this list I think I’d really love – Miss Cecily, Mrs Mulberry, and Hazel… and as you know I love my Dales adventures.
I’ve finished the Dales adventures now, Jo and I miss Samson and Delilah already! xx
Hi Sue, thanks for the shout outs. I’m very pleased that you enjoyed the books I reviewed. I agree with all you say about them. The books that you mentioned here all look interesting, so they are going on my tbr. Thanks for the recommendations.
Hi Jen, my pleasure and I’m always keen to read about the books you have selected. I enjoyed Anatomy and now about to start the second one. x
Hi Sue, after reading your post and listening to your podcast I purchased Be Brave, Lose the Beige. Thanks for the recommendation.
Oh that’s great, Bernadette! Liz is so lovely and has some great reminders for us all not to live our life in ‘beige’. Have a lovely day xx
The premise of the Miss Cecily book reminds me of “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe” by Fannie Flagg, which I loved. I am putting it on my list. Thanks, Sue!
Deb
Oh Deb, you are spot on with the comparison of Miss Cecily to Fried Green Tomatoes. I’m sure you will enjoy Miss Cecily xx
Oh I hope your trip was fabulous!! I’ve heard great things about Miss Cecily’s. The Anatomy book sounds really good too.
Hi Joanne, we arrrived home yesterday and had a wonderful time. Papua New Guinea is such a fascinating place and the people are beautiful. I’m sure you will enjoy Miss Cecily and the Anatomy book. I’ve just read a few more good books on the cruise which I will include n our July WOYBS edition. x
These all look very interesting, Sue x
Hi Toni you should join our link up with what you’ve been reading. I’m sure your book reviews would be wonderful xx
Have so enjoyed your photos from your trip. Hope you are rested up…I think you are probably home now. Not sure if it’s more accurate to think you rested on your cruise or are resting now that you are home.
I really enjoyed Miss Cecily’s. The book club is reading The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise. I think you might like it, too. Has made me chuckle more than once. That was refreshing.
Pinned a couple of these books you’ve mentioned. I just wish I read faster.
Will try to put together a reading post tomorrow.
Hi Leslie I have you to thank for the Miss Cecily’s book which I really enjoyed and have downloaded The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise. We had a great time on our cruise and PNG certainly is beautiful. x
Hi Sue, thanks for these great reviews for WOYBS. I’m a huge Jackie French fan so will be looking out for this one. In fact I’ve added all of these to my ‘want to read list’ on Goodreads! You’re a fabulous co-host and am so glad you enjoyed your cruise. Can’t wait to catch up xx
Hi Deb, thanks for your lovely comment and I hope you enjoy Becoming Mrs Mulberry. I can’t wait to catch up either. x
I hope your trip was wonderful! There’s something magical about reading while traveling.
I know what you mean, Janet. Relaxing on the cruise ship with good books was perfect for me. x
I like the bit about breaking the rules in the last book. Sounds good!
Liz is a lovely woman Lydia and I’m sure you would enjoy her book. x