"Outside a dog a book is man's best friend, inside a dog it is too dark to read!" -Groucho Marx========="The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid." -Jane Austen========="I don’t believe in the kind of magic in my books. But I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book."-JK Rowling========"I spend a lot of time reading." -Bill Gates=========“Ahhh. Bed, book, kitten, sandwich. All one needed in life, really.” -Jacqueline Kelly=========

Friday, July 31, 2026

Paris in July Challenge - Finale

Host Emma@Words and Peace

Books /Livres
Children's Books (my level)

Je Suis Une Grenouille! by Mo Willems
My husband and I read this with our grandson, age five. He was very patient with our poor French and when we needed to look up what words meant. Sweet! It is about a pig pretending (faire semblant) to be a frog. The English version is titled: I'm a Frog!

La Porte A4 by Naomi Shihab Nye
This is Naomi Shihab Nye's poem: "Gate 4-A", about a time she had to translate, in her broken Arabic, for a woman who was worried when it was announced the flight was delayed. The woman was in distress because she thought the flight was canceled. I've read the poem before but enjoyed it in French (and a bit of Arabic) this time. There is no English version of this children's book.  
Theme: A community can be formed around cookies and stories. 
"Tout n'est pas perdu." (All is not lost.)

Petit Bonheur by Yue Zhang
Yue Zhang is a young Chinese author and illustrator. This book about what happens on the eve of Chinese New Year is a sweet little story about magic and helping others. It is not published in English.

Madeleine by Ludwig Bemelmans
Originally published in 1939 this has been a favorite children's book my whole life, but the first time reading it in French. After a little research I learned the book was originally written in English, not French, as I assumed. Unfortunately google translate, which I had to turn to occasionally, took all the poetry out of it so I was forced to find a person on YouTube who read the English version to remind myself of the lovely cadence of the prose. Ah! Parfait! (One other interesting difference, the English version is spelled Madeline.)

Food

Zucchini and Bacon Quiche / Courgettes et Bacon Quiche


My garden runneth over with zucchini so tonight we feast on quiche filled with zucchini and bacon. My husband helped me make this dish. I had an appointment so after I made the crust and helped mix up the eggs and milk, he sauteed the vegetables and compiled everything. It has been a long time since we've made quiche and it was delicious and a wonderful ending to another a successful 'Paris in July.'

-Anne
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Thursday, July 30, 2026

Review: YEAR OF WONDER: CLASSICAL MUSIC FOR EVERY DAY (Friday56 LinkUp)

Cue the music to listen to as you read this post: Gregorio Allegri -Miserere


Title: Year of Wonder: Classical Music for Every Day by Clemency Burton-Hall

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday quote from introduction:


Friday56 quote  (56% of sample):


Summary:
Year of Wonder is a unique celebration of classical music by an author who wants to share its diverse wonders with others and to encourage a love for this genre in all readers, whether complete novices or lifetime enthusiasts.

Clemency chooses one piece of music for each day of the year, with a short explanation about the composer to put it into context, and brings the music alive in a modern and playful way, while also extolling the positive mindfulness element of giving yourself some time every day to listen to something uplifting or beautiful. Thoughtfully curated and expertly researched, this is a book of classical music to keep you company: whoever you are, wherever you're from. (Publisher)

Review: This past week I spent at a family reunion with 20 others. At one point I asked each person to tell me what they were currently reading, their favorite book of the year, and how they would describe themselves as a reader/ what they prefer reading. Among the 20 of us several people, including myself, described themselves as reading omnivores -- as long as a book is interesting, we will read it. I think the fact that I read this book (and loved it) is proof of my status as an omnivoric-reader (I think I just made up a word.) Not only did I read it, but nerded out on it.

As you see from the Friday56 sample, each day highlights one specific classical piece. It didn't take me long to figure out to enjoy the book, I'd have to listen to each piece in addition to reading the information about the piece and the composer. Luckily for me someone else took the time to place all 365 pieces on a Spotify playlist and all I had to do was push play to hear and enjoy them. Here it is: Year of Wonder on Spotify. Now here is where the real nerdiness came into play -- I had the audiobook for Year of Wonder, so I would listen to Clemency Burton-Hall read her own text on my phone while I listened to the Spotify playlist on my computer. It absolutely drove my husband crazy when he walked into the room while I was juggling the two. I couldn't listen to the book with my headphones or I couldn't hear the music or vise versa. So he just had to put up with it or leave the room himself.

Since the book is designed to be a daily activity for a whole year and I only had the book for the three-week checkout time from the library I really had to listen to at least 18 entries a day to stay on a completion schedule. In doing this I never, or rarely, was able to listen to all the pieces in their entirety. I would listen to the song until the narration of the text was complete and I'd skip on to the next piece. Since I sped through all 365 days in 21 days, I have vowed I will go back and relisten to the whole playlist at a more leisurely pace since I can access it any time. For example as I am writing this I am listening to the "Oboe Concerto in D Minor, Op. 9, No 2: II Adagio" by Tomaso Albinoni, (January 17th) which is a personal favorite, one I've heard before.

When I think of classical music I tend to think Bach, Mozart, or Beethoven, and these three are certainly represented on the list, but my definition was expanded well beyond these popular three. Classical music is a broad tradition in Western music from the 11th century to the present which uses formal compositions, standard notations and traditional instruments. This collection had examples of music from all the musical eras: Medieval/Renaissance; Baroque; Classical; Romantic; and Modern (20th Century to today.) Burton-Hall also highlighted music from all over the world and explained how the folk traditions of those regions factored into the pieces. I really enjoyed my musical education while I listened to each piece.

At one point while I was listening to the book in the presence of my husband, he wondered if he had heard a piece before. I thought I had to and we asked our daughter, who has a lovely soprano voice and has sang in several choirs over the years, if she was familiar with a piece or composer. This simple question opened up a whole new dialogue with her. She talked about the composers whose choir pieces she has sung and her favorites. It was like a whole new aspect of her emerged before our eyes. One of those modern composers, Morten Lauridsen, she lovingly referred to as "Morty" and knew he was born in our state, Washington. I love it when when reading projects lead to get-to-know-you better moments among family and friends. (If you want to listen to a Morten Lauridsen piece try "Les Chanson des Roses"  from the January 18th offering.)

I didn't love every piece, some of that modern atonality is pretty weird to me, but most of the pieces were the perfect accompaniment to my days and I never would have found them without this project. Clemency Burton-Hall did a great job including female composers in this list, which I really appreciated. (An example you might like to try: Paradis: Sicilienne by Maria Theresia von Paradis / or Trio for Piano, Violin, and Cello in D Minor by Ethyl Smyth.) Smyth and Paradis are two female composers I've never heard of before.  Women's contributions have been so downgraded over the years it was good to see them elevated to the places they deserve in musical history.

My rating: 5 stars.

At 416 pages this book is my first Big Book of Summer 2026.


__________________________________________________________




Sign up for The Friday56 on the Inlinkz below. 

RULES:

*Grab a book, any book
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader (If you want to improvise, go ahead!)
*Find a snippet, but no spoilers!
*Post it to your blog and add your url to the Linky below. If you do not add the specific url for your post, we may miss it! 
*Visit other blogs and leave comments about their snippets. Expand the community. Please leave a comment for me, too!  


Also visit Book Beginnings on Friday hosted by Rose City Reader and First Line Friday hosted by Reading is My Super Power to share the beginning quote from your book.


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

-Anne
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Sunday, July 26, 2026

Sunday Salon -- My family and books


Mom with her great-grandsons, telling stories.

This week we are in Central Oregon for a family reunion. I thought it would be fun to find out what everyone was reading and what books they have enjoyed this year so far. It has been fun collecting their information and stories. And now I'm sharing what I've learned with you. Enjoy! (Links lead to Goodreads so you can read more about the variety of books!)

Anne (me) I'm a reading omnivore: I like literary fiction, poetry, narrative nonfiction, historical fiction, graphic novels, YA, Children's books but I will read it all -- mysteries, fantasy, Sci-Fi, even horror.

Kathy (sister) Enjoys reading literary fiction and inspirational nonfiction.

Don (husband) Prefers reading nonfiction.

Tom (brother-in-Law) Enjoys both fantasy and Sci-Fi.

Kaylyn (niece) Romantasy is her go-to genre.
  • Currently reading: 
    • Silver Elite (Book 1 of series "Silver Elite") by Dani Francis. (Romantasy, dystopia) 
  • Favorite of the year: 

Bobby (nephew-in-law) Bobby is a reading omnivore but 2/3rds of what he reads is nonfiction especially on the topic of business and leadership. When he reads fiction he prefers Classic Lit or Stephen King novels. Bobby reviews books and articles on his blog: Bobbypowers.com

Dan (son-in-law) Dan enjoys Grimdark Fantasy, a new subgenre to me.

Rita (daughter) Like me Rita is in two book clubs. She reads a lot of contemporary fiction, and especially enjoys romance and Romantasy novels. She also reads to her children every night so is always up to her eyeballs in middle grade and children's books.

Working on a puzzle together.


Jamie (grandson, preschool) Jamie likes being read to as long as there are good illustrations.

Ian (grandson, upper elementary) Ian is a reader! He devours his favorite series in no time flat, he especially likes those which feature magic and dragons.
  • Currently reading:
  • Favorite book/series of the year:
    • Dragonborn (Book 1 "Dragonborn" series) by Struan Murray (MG, Fantasy)

Tony (brother) Tony considers himself an omnivore reader and almost exclusively listens to audiobooks.

Becky (sister-in-law) Likes historical fiction and thrillers

Shirley (my mom, age 97) Is currently making her reading selections from the on-site library at her retirement home
  • Currently reading: 
    • A Reader's Digest compilation of condensed books (Remember them?)
  • A book she has liked this year: 

Carly (daughter) Likes to alternate between these genres: fantasy, thrillers, historical fiction, and romance. She almost exclusively consumes books in the audio format

Rock (brother-in-law) Likes to read Christian nonfiction

Brent (nephew) Likes Classic and literary fiction and philosophical nonfiction
  • Currently reading:
  • Favorite so far:
    • The Road by Cormac McCarthy (Literary fiction)

Grace (sister) Enjoys historical fiction and as a preschool teacher is all about great easy books for children

Michael (nephew-in-law) As a father of young children he doesn't have a lot of extra time on his hands to read but when he does he likes to read practical books where he learns something and Sci-fi
  • Recently completed:
    • A 1950s Navy tools handbook (Informational, historical)
  • Favorite book of the year:

Rachel (niece) Is a reading omnivore as long as the book is a page-turner and that includes all kinds of nonfiction. The mother of two young boys she admits that most of her reading is for the kids.

Wesley (my sister's grandson, toddler) He had a pile of books with him to consume this week. He loves books!
  • Favorite book right now: 

Oh boy this was a fun activity and it really got everyone talking. I learned things about my beloved family members like my nephew who loves to read classic lit (like me) and my brother who almost exclusively listens to audiobooks (like my daughter). Notice there are very few people with similar tastes. The girl cousins all like romance or Romantasy and the sisters/sister-in-law all like historical fiction. Other than that there isn't a lot of crossover. I usually keep up on what my daughters are reading and will often ask my sisters what is on their nightstands. We all help keep Mom in books now that she doesn't go to the public library. My husband reflected on this project and wondered aloud if it unusual for everyone in a family to consider themselves readers. I think so!

Old and young: everyone loves to swim.


Well, we're off to go float the Deschutes River and will try to avoid as much forest fire smoke as possible. (It seems that all of Oregon in on fire.) Tonight we will celebrate my oldest sister's birthday. It will be our last meal together before we start to disperse to points south, north, east, and west after another fabulous family reunion.

Thanks for reading.

-Anne



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Thursday, July 23, 2026

Review: ENORMOUS WINGS (+Friday56 LinkUp)



Title: Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel

Book Beginning/First Line Friday blurb, p. 1:

Friday56 blurb, p. 33 last page of sample:


Summary: Pepper Mills is 77 when her adult children encourage (force) her to move into the Vista View Retirement in Austin, Texas and to give up her driver's license. She doesn't expect it, but she finds that she makes new friends and falls in love. Then she starts feeling sick, exhausted, and confused. Pepper worries that she has something very serious like a brain tumor. But when she goes to the doctor she finds she does have something serious... and inexplicable... she's pregnant. How can that be?

Review: In the book's blurb the publisher sums up the book this way:
Enormous Wings is an urgent novel about female agency and bodily autonomy, morality and mortality. It’s about what happens when you don’t get to choose anymore.
OMG. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this book. Pepper Mills, a retired English teacher is my kind of gal. She is long divorced, happily so, and enjoys her independent life. When she moves into Vista View she is not thinking about love and yet it happens. Then she is not thinking about pregnancy. What 77-year-old would?  But now that it has happened she is suddenly confronted with the laws in Texas which make getting an abortion a crime, even if the person getting the abortion is 77 and a pregnancy may very well kill her.

The lack of consideration for personal choices and the morality and mortality issues involved all make this book very complex and thought-provoking. Yet, the dialogue and the characters are all filled with charm and humor. Heavy topics with a light touch. I think the book would make a great book club, for sure.

Lest you think I am giving away spoilers, I haven't told you anything you can't find on the book's blurb by the publisher. I guess the surprises aren't in the physical details but in the conversations and relationships with the characters.

I was attracted to the book initially because I am a Laurie Frankel fan, in fact I've met her. She wrote a fantastic book, This Is How It Always Is, about a family with a trans kid which was the first time I'd read anything on the topic. I found it eye opening. I was also attracted to the book because my siblings and I just finished helping our mother move into a retirement apartment. She has since given up her driver's license. I felt like I could relate to Pepper's dilemma about moving and making new friends because I've seen it happen with my mom. Even though I had read the blurb, I wasn't really prepared for the emotional impact the other main theme of the book would hit me. Egads, why are non-doctors making decisions about laws which affect so many people and then treat them as if every situation is the same? Women everywhere should be fighting for their rights to personal autonomy and for making decisions about their own health.

I tell you what -- this book really got me going!!! I just bought a copy for my sister. Can't wait to talk to her about it.

My rating: 5 stars.

__________________________________________________________




Sign up for The Friday56 on the Inlinkz below. 

RULES:

*Grab a book, any book
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader (If you want to improvise, go ahead!)
*Find a snippet, but no spoilers!
*Post it to your blog and add your url to the Linky below. If you do not add the specific url for your post, we may miss it! 
*Visit other blogs and leave comments about their snippets. Expand the community. Please leave a comment for me, too!  


Also visit Book Beginnings on Friday hosted by Rose City Reader and First Line Friday hosted by Reading is My Super Power to share the beginning quote from your book.



You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
-Anne
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Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Tanka Reviews

Thanks to Lark Writes for giving me the inspiration to write short, poetic book reviews. Hers are called 'Haiku Reviews.' I'll make mine a little longer and call them tanka-poetry reviews. Similar to haikus, tanka poems are short, using only 31-syllables in the cadence pattern of 5, 7, 5, 7, 7. I'm catching up here on past-due reviews.


The Red Notebook
 by Antoine Laurain, translated from French by Jane Aitken and Emily Boyce
2014.

A man finds a purse. 
He searches for its owner.
Only clue: notebook.
He finds her apartment but
where is she? Sweet love story.

My rating: 4 stars

_________________________________________________  


The Raven Boys: A Graphic Novel
by Maggie Stiefvater, adapted by Stephanie Williams, illustrated by Sas Milledge
2025.

A popular book.
One I liked a lot, redone.
Now graphic novel.
Many details shortened up,
Leaving me wishing for more.

My rating: 3 stars

_______________________________________________________


Brokeback Mountain 
by Annie Proulx
1997.

Reread short story.
Two ranch hands, Ennis and Jack,
Come together one summer.
Their relationship is doomed.
Men in love? Impossible. 

My rating: 5 stars

__________________________________________________


And Yet: Poems
by Kate Baer
2022.

Poems about life, 
mothering, exhaustion.
I met this poet
through book: Hope This Finds You Well.
This collection very good.

My rating: 5 stars

_____________________________________________________


Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr.: Citizen Printer 
edited by Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr.
2024

Big, heavy art book.
Kennedy doesn't think of
himself as artist
but a printer of posters --
Black experiences in America.

My rating: 4 stars

__________________________________________________
-Anne
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Monday, July 20, 2026

TTT: Books That Live In My Head Rent-Free



Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Live in My Head Rent-Free

I think of that term "rent-free" as something negative. I tried to find negative situations which remind me of certain books. Not the books fault, though, just association. When I ran out of negative ideas, I threw in a few positive ones just to confuse everyone.


STATION ELEVEN by Emily St. John Mandel
I think about this book ALL the time, almost every single day. The book is set before and after a worldwide pandemic which wipes out almost everyone, over 99% of the population. It seems to me that our ending may be similar and it causes me to think of what life may be like after such an event. Depressing little thoughts, huh?

THE HANDMAID'S TALE by Margaret Atwood
Every time politicians (all men) talk about removing or limiting health care options for women (abortion), I think of this book and it makes me cringe.

LORD OF THE FLIES by William Golding.
Boys are marooned on an island and have to fend for themselves and make rules to govern how they live. Within days everything falls apart and lawlessness reigns to the point of murder. The ICE raids that end on murder is one example of current affairs which cause me to think back on the message of this book...left to their own devises most people do not govern their own behavior well. 

THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA by Philip Roth
This is an alternate history of America where the Fascists beat FDR in 1932 and things go downhill immediately after the election for almost everyone, especially for Jews. Trump's fascist tendencies make me want to shove this book in his face and scream "Read it." So maybe he would finally see what a dangerous path he is trotting down. 

THIS IS HOW IT ALWAYS IS by Laurie Frankel
When people try to vilify trans individuals I always think about this book about a family which tries to keep their trans child sex change a secret until the secret keeps them. 

PEACE LIKE A RIVER by Leif Enger
This book is about families and hope and miracles. It is full of poetry and warmth. I think back on this book often and find myself wanting to reread it. It speaks to me on a spiritual level.

UNDER A WHITE SKY: THE NATURE OF THE FUTURE by Elizabeth Kolbert
In this nonfiction book Kolbert uses examples of things humans have done to solve problems in nature, which made worse problems. Every time I hear about some effort being attempted to avert some other problem I think about this book and roll my eyes. Except the news that they have reintroduced beavers back to Scotland and it has already solved some flooding problems. Hmm. Mother Nature knows best?

THE OVERSTORY by Richard Powers
Snatches of this book comes to me unbidden whenever I am among trees, which is often.

LIFE AFTER LIFE by Kate Atkinson
I think of this book often as I contemplate what I would do if I could go back in time and correct a mistake, mine or someone else's.

THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY by Douglas Adams
Lest you think I only contemplate serious topics, this book, one of the funniest ever written, often knocks on the door of my head reminding me to laugh at something.


-Anne
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