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Hello to all of my happy readers!!!
Wahoo!! I am writing this note a little early, because this Sunday I leave for Iceland for 8 beautiful days, and then we go to Scotland for 10 days. I am so beyond excited. At first I was just happy for the opportunity to travel again, and I was feeling stressed about getting everything done. However, now with just days to go... I am truly STOKED. I will have the most wonderful support in the world here at the shop, so I really feel that I can go and not worry too much--instead I may go on a true adventure.
Funny Janet story: She's 8, and she asked when Easter was, and I told her it was Sunday, April 9th. She said, "Where will we be then?" and I answered, "Scotland." She was concerned about the Easter Bunny finding her away from home. I assured her that she will be taken good care of, and then I made a HUGE sticky note that said "Pack for Easter away!!!!" Hahahaha! Nailed it.
We return mid-April, and then we fly right into store anniversary. I can NOT believe that 5 years have flown by. It seems like yesterday it was the Pandemic (hahahah--too soon?). Please think about us and our health and safety while we are away. I am most looking forward to the snow and cold weather and the potential of seeing the Northern Lights. I also want to see puffins. And once we are in Scotland, I am looking forward to hearing local music and drinking good beer. I want to see the historic sights that the Highlands have to offer.
I finished reading Rachel Linden's latest manuscript-it was 400 pages and I made notes and suggestions for her. Her latest book is called Recipe for a Charmed Life, and it looks like it will have a January 2024 release date. It was definitely a light, cozy, and romantic read. The majority of this story takes place on San Juan Island. This book is about family, love, loss, and the big question of whether or not we can forgive those who have hurt us. I also read Gender Queer: A Memoir, by Maia Kobabe--this is a Young Adult Graphic Novel and I liked it. I learned more about non-binary and gender fluid humans. I will say that it was not my favorite book on the subject. It had this feeling of being all memories, and then sort of choppy recollections. For my personal, preferred style...I appreciate a more in-depth, descriptive format. I did really love the graphics/artist's work. I also read The Many Assassinations of Samir, The Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri. This is a middle grade read and I really enjoyed it. This book also contains some really lovely illustrations. I would say this is a mature middle-grade read--for 10 and up, because of the subject matter. Also, it speaks to old, almost biblical times. Very entertaining and clever. Samir is a liar and a thief and a manipulator, but he saves a 12-year-old from a stoning, and then the 12-year-old feels compelled to save him from all the people who try to assassinate him after he has cheated or deceived them. I also listened to Mad Honey, by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. This was a very good listen, and very compelling. I did not have any idea what this book was about before I listened to it, I just knew that I tend to really like Jodi's books and therefore I should give it a listen. I am glad I did...surprisingly is was about a transgender teenager who moved to a new town to sort of start over fresh; she ends up dead. The story starts to unfold, and it goes from looking like an accident to possibly being murder. Her boyfriend is looking like a suspect and I won't say anymore, only that I did not see the ending coming. Nicely done.
I am going to take 3 books with me on my trip. When I am in Iceland I will be reading Secrets of the Sprakkar: Iceland's Extraordinary Women and How They Are Changing the World, by Eliza Reid. This title is out this month and I am excited to read about these powerful women of Iceland. I am going to read The Lost Queen, by Signe Pike. This title is a historical fiction book set in Scotland, using real figures from history. I am looking forward to it. I also am taking Tender is the Flesh, by Agustina Bazterrica--this book looks soooooo creepy and dark, something about a town that can no longer eat meat except after several years they can start to eat human...ewwww! I am so intrigued! This month I hope to listen to Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice For Murderers, by Jesse Q. Sutanto. I have enjoyed these lighthearted, fun, and engaging murder mysteries...This one is reminding me of
The Thursday Murder Club. I am also going to listen to Homebodies, by Tembe Denton-Hurst. I don't know very much about it, except it is abuzz and I am curious. Seems like a lot of booksellers liked it.
Please stay safe, happy, and healthy...Happy Reading!!
Brandy~
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