Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Moonshine and Watermelons, Van Patten

Moonshine and Watermelons, Van Patten | 140 pages

A fun look at growing up in the Missouri Ozarks a few decades ago. Van Patten moved to the Steelville area when he was a young teen, showing up on his grandparents' doorstep unannounced after leaving a tumultuous life in California. He makes friends with the locals and learns their ways, from moonshine-soaked watermelons and trout fishing to preteens driving trucks and blowing up fields.

It's interesting to see what's similar and what's very different - while no 14yo would get away with "John Wayne-in" anymore, these Missouri gravel bed creeks are still incredible and the best place to spend a day.

What you are looking for is in the library, Michiko Aoyama


What you are looking for is in the library, Aoyama | 304 pages

"Yes, I want to try and change. Thanks to this book."A broad smile light Ms. Komachi's face. "You may say it was the book, but it's how you read a book that's most valuable, rather than any power it might have itself."

Translated from Japanese. A small library is in the corner of the Community House. Various patrons stumble in, each to have a life changing meeting with the head librarian and her simple but profound question: "What are you looking for?"

It's beyond me to find words to capture this novel that isn't really a novel - it's short stories loosely connected. All feature the librarian and her assistant; at the end many of the character's stories touch each other in minor ways. Some significant, but in a real life, understated way.

It's quirky and very philosophical. I loved it, but I think there are many layers I've missed. I'm going to try and read it again sooner rather than later.

Monday, March 25, 2024

Divine Rivals

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross | 357 pages | 2023

After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.
To combat her worries, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish—into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes Iris back, the two of them forge a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love.
(Synopsis from Goodreads)

Ross writes such a beautiful story, and this book is no exception. I loved the idea of writing anonymous letters back and forth, and Iris and Roman's relationship was so sweet. It's the first in a duology and I'm eager to start the next one!

The Unmaking of June Farrow

The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young | 320 pages | 2023

The Farrow women are known for their thriving flower farm—and the mysterious curse that has plagued their family line. The whole town remembers the madness that led to Susanna Farrow’s disappearance, leaving June to be raised by her grandmother and haunted by rumors. It’s been a year since June started seeing and hearing things that weren’t there. Faint wind chimes, a voice calling her name, and a mysterious door appearing out of nowhere—the signs of what June always knew was coming. But June is determined to end the curse once and for all, even if she must sacrifice finding love and having a family of her own.
(Synopsis from Goodreads)

This was a beautiful story full of romance, mystery, and magic. Young writes a very immersive world, and the premise of this story with it's mysterious curse is really original. I thought the fantasy elements were very well done. It slows down a bit in the middle while the authors tries to draw out the mystery a bit too long, but overall I really enjoyed reading this.

Tots! by Dan Whalen

Tots! 50 Tot-Ally Awesome Recipes by Dan Whalen -- 160 pages
The Tator Tot Casserole Cookbook by Kerrie McLoughlin -- 134 pages

These two cookbooks were donated to the library and I had to read them.  I love tator tots and need to find more recipes for them.  Tots! was definitely the better of the cookbooks.  I found several recipes in it that I want to try out.  I wasn't as impressed with the Tator Tot Casserole Cookbook. 

The Magnificent Book of Creatures of the Abyss by Bethanie Hestermann

The Magnificent Book of Creatures of the Abyss by Bethanie Hestermann -- 80 pages

I read this book in preparation for a homeschool class on ocean creatures.  I found it to be completely fascinating.  Some of my favorite deep sea animals are the Zombie Worm, Piglet Squid, and Bloody Belly Comb Jelly.  I would highly recommend this informational book to everyone.
 

Dune (#1) by Frank Herbert

 


Dune (#1) by Frank Herbert, 883 pages, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, heir to a noble family tasked with ruling an inhospitable world where the only thing of value is the “spice” melange, a drug capable of extending life and enhancing consciousness. Coveted across the known universe, melange is a prize worth killing for....

When House Atreides is betrayed, the destruction of Paul’s family will set the boy on a journey toward a destiny greater than he could ever have imagined. And as he evolves into the mysterious man known as Muad’Dib, he will bring to fruition humankind’s most ancient and unattainable dream.

I saw Dune part 2 in theaters so, like everyone else, I decided to read the books. I am just in love with the world and storyline of Dune, especially for the time that the series was written. There were some parts of the book that I found confusing just because of all the sci-fi words, but there is a very useful glossary at the end of the book full of words specific to this series. I think the main thing that kept this book from being 5 stars is that I'm not the biggest fan of Herbert's writing, it definitely takes some getting used to. It won't deter me from reading the rest of the series though and I'm excited to read the (much shorter) next book!