Monday, June 13, 2022

From Hilarious to Heartbreaking!

 
No, it doesn't describe my life! It describes the books I've been reading.


I don't like doing book reviews because I'm always afraid I'll reveal too much about the story. I actually liked doing book reports in school but then, I've always loved to read.

So I'm going to mention some of the books I've read lately and intersperse my comments with wildflowers that I've seen this week.


Let's start with Hilarious! 


The 100 year old man who climbed out the window and disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

That's the title and even the title makes you want to snicker! And once you start reading it you will NOT want to stop. I read it in a couple of days. 

So how can I describe it? It's quirky!


And then we'll pick up the next book that I checked out of the library. (I actually check them out as ebooks and read them on my IPAD with the Kindle App)


This is one of the best books I've read this year!


The Book Woman's Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson

This is the second book in this series and I recommend you read the first one, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek first to get to know the characters.


I loved the setting in rural Kentucky. It reminded me of the mountains of NC. 

But I warn you. It will break your heart and you'll be in tears more than once as you read this story, much of it based on true events that took place back in the early 1950s in rural America.


Now I am reading a series of mysteries by Sarah Shaber.


Louise's War is the first in this series and the best place to start. I'm on book 5 in the series and have loved them all! My husband is reading them now too. 


So let me know what you are reading this summer? 
I'll put it on my wish list or hold list at the library. 
Happy Reading!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too! 


52 comments:

Tom said...

...I'm still reading the pictures!

ann said...

The last book I read--I get too distracted to really sit down and read these days--was Jefferson's Daughters showing the relationship between Thomas Jefferson and his 4 daughters, 3 by his wife and 1 by his slave mistress. It is eyeopening about the founding father and his way with his slaves. I read, too, Where the Crawdads Sing, soon to be a movie, and the Time Traveler's Wife, both fascinating fictions. I'm trying to pick my way through Outlanders' last book Go Tell the Bees that I'm Gone. Once a good book sucks me in, I don't do anything else but read, including sleep. Love your wildflowers.

MadSnapper said...

I just checked out Lee Childs last two books in the Jack Reacher series, # 25 and 26 and am half way through 25. I lived in Appalachian Kentucky in the 50's and when we moved there in Jan of 1953 from Savannah it was like stepping into 1880. no running water, outdoor wells and outhouses, 3 room school, with 4 grades per room, I loved it there but not the outhouse

MadSnapper said...

i just went to amazon and I can get the bookwoman free with my kindle unlimited. I added it to my library, but have to finish my two Reacher from the library first.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Beautiful flowers
Books to read are always a delight to read about.

Caroline said...

Nice photos of the flowers.

Debbie said...

All of the books sound interesting. Once I get these boxes unpacked, I should like to be able to get some reading done. LOVE the photos!! xxoo

Ed Rosack said...

Those look like good book recommendations - I haven't read any of them, but I'll put them on my todo list!

Nice flower photos too!

Gillena Cox said...

Lovely wildflowers. Not in a book reading
mood these days.

The first one shown, the pink puff looks like a wildflower we have here in Trinidad🇹🇹 that we call ti marie or sensitive plant

Have a nice week Diane

Much❤love

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

The books you've read Diane all sounds interesting and I'll check them out. I am now in the middle of reading Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and I hope you have a nice week Diane.

Debbie said...

i am not a reader but one of my knitting friends loves to read, i am going to send this to her. i think these reviews are great, not giving anything away but letting people know that you enjoyed them!!

beautiful wildflowers, now those i adore!!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

love your wildflower photos - beautiful - right now I'm re-reading a series called Cassie Coburn Mysteries - currently on book 6 out of 9. Last book was published last Oct and I hope there is a new one before end of the year. Fun and easy to read. I have kept books I love on my Kindle and when I read a new book, I usually delete those that are not keepers. Have a great week!

Creations By Cindy said...

Oh I love to read but Marty not so much. He says to me, "I wish I liked to read like you do and I always tell him it's not too late to start! Sounds like some interesting reads. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Sandy said...

2 of my more recent reads that I liked was Haven Point by Virginia Hume. I would highly recommend that one. I also read a rather sad one but really good...Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. I too use the library online site a ton.

EricaSta said...

Fantastic blooms. What is the first one? I don`t know this plant.
Have a good week.

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

I enjoyed your flower-book post. Lovely flowers. I read the 100-year-old man book and, like you, enjoyed the quirkiness. Haven't read any of the other books you suggest, but they sound most interesting.

What I'm reading this week... I was clearing out one of my bookshelves, found a few books I'm done with and packed them up for the thrift store. I came across one I've had for eons but never read. I thought it was going in the same direction as the others, except I felt a slight tug to flip through it. And guess what, I was drawn in. It's now on my bedside table. It's Julia Cameron's 'The Sound of Paper'. Little essays on the creative life. I loved her book 'The Right to Write' --Rick's aunt recommended it to me years ago. In this volume, Julia usually begins each essay with a glimpse of the world around her. She's obviously written it during the springtime, for she makes mention of many of Spring's delights. Which seems perfect to read now as we now head towards summer.

Thanks, Diane, for a lovely post. Wishing you a beautiful week ahead.

Barbara said...

The flower in your very first picture is stunning! It looks like fireworks!

What am I reading this summer? James Dobson's "When God Doesn't Make Sense", blogs and recipes.

eileeninmd said...

Beautiful collection of wildflowers. Thanks for the book suggestions.
Have a great day and happy new week!

Lea said...


Beautiful photos!
Thanks for the book recommendations.
Right now I am reading "The Beekeeper's Apprentice" by Laurie R. King. I just finished "The Chase" by Clive Cussler. Both very good!
Have a great week!

Jeanie said...

I've heard about the 100 Year Old Man. On my list. So is the new mystery series. I'm always looking for one of those!

I just posted my books, too! Mst be the time for it!

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Thank you for your book list.
Over this way just started reading Hilary Mantel's
"The Mirror and the Light." Finished "The Historians" by Cecilia Ekback recently. A good one.
Have a good week...

Happy@Home said...

That first wildflower is so pretty with the yellow tips. Wonder what it's called?
As someone who loves to read, I enjoyed your suggestions. I read the first Bookwoman book and absolutely loved it. I didn't know there was a 2nd. Now that I do I'll be adding it to my list of books to be read.
I just finished "What She Left Behind" by Ellen Marie Wiseman. I found it hard to put down. Riveting and disturbing.

Marcia said...

I remember reading the first book you named a couple of years ago. the second book I need to look for because I read the first in that series and though it excellent. I haven't heard of the third series of books but will note them to look for. As you know I like to read too. Currently finishing up These Precious Days by Ann Patchett and The Farfarers by Farley Mowat. I have on hold waiting for me to pick it up the latest by Candice Millard that has to do with the search for the headwaters of the Nile River (nonfiction). There are even more books checked out by me in my to read stack.

happyone said...

I've always loved to read but never liked doing book reports.
Reading the Harmony series by Phillip Gulley.
Also books by Anne Perry - love all her books.

Vee said...

The only book I am listening to is via Tipper Pressley's vlog. She reads a chapter or so on Friday evenings about Appalachia.

Cloudia said...

Thanks!

Angie said...

Diane - thanks for the book recommendations. My daughter and I are going to start reading "Call the Midwife" together. It sounds like we might enjoy the Book Woman series.

I read several on the beach, but the only one worth mentioning is "The Boy in the Photo" by Nicole Trope. Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

stardust said...

This is an interesting post, mixture of books and wildflowers. I got interested in the “quirky” story and The Book Woman series. I love the last image; graceful, simple white flowers and their reflection.

Yoko

Irma said...

Beautiful photos of the flowers.
I also like to read, but I have not read these books, I like regional novels.
Greetings Irma

Jill Harrison said...

The wildflowers are lovely, and I can see a couple of books there that might interest me, so thanks. Stay safe, enjoy your week, and thankyou for visiting my blog last week.

Ann said...

I've read book on both ends of the scale. Some make you laugh and some make you cry
All the flowers are beautiful

Ann said...

I've read book on both ends of the scale. Some make you laugh and some make you cry
All the flowers are beautiful

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I am re-reading, for the third time, David Quammen's magnificent book, "The Song of the Dodo." If you have not read it, rush to the library and get it, and then buy your own copy because you will want to refer to it over and over again.

Red Rose Alley said...

I can relate to the 100 year old man who climbed out the window and disappeared. I think we all feel like doing that from time to time. It's good that you read so much. These tired eyes don't read that often, as the font that sometimes appears small on books can be hard to read. Louise's War sounds interesting. I watch movies on Netflix sometimes about the times of war, as that is history, and it's good to know. Your wildflowers are pretty, especially that first PINK one. Enjoy your reading, Diane.

~Sheri

Su-sieee! Mac said...

The wildflowers your way are very lovely. I especially like the pink flower outlined in yellow dots. You’ve got me interested in all 3 books. I’m heading to the library later this week. Maybe they’ll have one of them. I just finished the latest book in the Daniel Pitt series by Ann Perry. I can’t recall the title. Have you read the suspense novel by Hillary Clinton and Louise Penney? That one was a doozy of a tale and most, if not all, of the female characters were seize-the-day kind of people.

Lorrie said...

Beautiful photos interspersed with book talks. I just finished The Strawberry Thief by Joanne Harris - it carries on from Chocolat.
And I have a couple of mysteries by Charles Todd on my piano (where I keep my library books). I love both the Ian Rutledge series and the Bess Crawford series. I'll be hunting up the mystery series you featured here!

Tanza Erlambang said...

beautiful wildflowers ...

# I am reading books about wild critters in Louisiana

Linda said...

Beautiful pictures! I can’t deal with any tragic books right now because the news keeps me upset.

Linda said...

I love this kind of post! Books and photos!
Right now I am reading True Blue by David Baldacci.....

handmade by amalia said...

Thanks for the recommendations, Diane! I've not read any of them and they all sound so interesting, put them on my list. I've just finished The Gilded Shroud by Elizabeth Bailey. It is the first in a series and I definitely want to continue, a gentle summer read.
Amalia
xo

Jeevan said...

I've never seen such lovely book introductions! Beautiful wildflower. I downloaded the film with the same title (The 100-Year-Old Man...) a long time ago but never saw it. But, on your advice, I should watch it sometime, though I'm not sure it was as enjoyable as reading. I'm currently reading Ponniyin Selvan, a classic historical Tamil novel!

BeachGypsy said...

Oh Diane you always have the most beautiful pictures of the pretty wildflowers!!those pink ones up first look like fireworks!! I've heard those "bookwoman" books are good!! I have a big stack of summer reads-- I will try to blog it. MERCY summer heat has sure arrived !!

Edna B said...

The flowers are beautiful. Enjoy your day, hugs, Edna B.

Lowcarb team member said...

Beautiful flowers in your photographs.
Thanks for sharing the books.

All the best Jan

Mae Travels said...

Lovely wildflowers! I’d be happy to read more detailed book reviews.

best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Janey and Co. said...

Okay I am embarrassed. I read in spurts. Meaning I read a lot then slack off and none at all. I will blame Netflix. Hubby and I are now watching Lincoln Lawyer.

Sharon Wagner said...

Flowers and books. I love them both. Please put THE LEVITATION GAME on your hold list! (That's my soonish-to-be-published novel) I definitely want to know what happens to the old man once he climbs out that window. I'm reading 8 or 9 books, including Where the Crawdads Sing and The Ursulina.

Janey and Co. said...

Me again Diane,

It is not the movie we are watching. Netflix has come out with a series….My husband has read all of the books..but I haven’t . I like your suggestions better!

Teresa said...

Preciosas flores silvestres, los libros parecen interesantes y bonitos. Besos.

Danice G said...

It has been quite a minute since I have read a book, ha ha. Yours sound really interesting. That first photo looks like pink dandelions- very pretty.

Rain said...

The books sound interesting Diane! And the flower are gorgeous!

Jeannie said...

I put the "100-year-old man" on hold. Three people are ahead of me. I need something fun to read.
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry