Saturday, July 23, 2022

Week in Review - What I've Been Reading



Another crazy week here with unexpected stressors.  I was having some leg swelling for past 6 months - just (1) leg usually and at the end of the day so my doctor set me up for a venous ultrasound which was on Tuesday.  They found a blood clot in my leg and ended up wheeling me over to the ER where I spent 6+ hours - they wanted to admit me as they found 2 smaller clots on lungs as well but, I ended up going home with blood thinners.  I'm so grateful my doctor had the insight to order that ultrasound.  It was scary but, I feel good though.  Then the following day my husband took a fall (no serious injuries - just sore.  When it rains it pours.  Life has to get better!

The temps have been in the low 90s all week so that made for more time indoors relaxing.  I posted reviews for Reputation; Vaughn and Tracy Flick Can't Win; Perrotta.  I was able to relax and enjoy the 600 page Shell Seekers; Rosamunde Piclher (review this week). It's a book I wanted to read --in summer -- for nearly 20 years. and it's of my 20 Books of Summer list as well. So happy I read it - very satisfying.


READING - I have a couple other really good books going right now that I hope to finish up this week.

            The Measure; Nikki Erlick 

I came by this book by chance on my library website and it had a unique premise which has appealed to me. I'm at he 70% mark and enjoying it.

(Description)

Eight ordinary people. One extraordinary choice.

It seems like any other day. You wake up, pour a cup of coffee, and head out.

But today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. This box holds your fate inside: the answer to the exact number of years you will live.

From suburban doorsteps to desert tents, every person on every continent receives the same box. In an instant, the world is thrust into a collective frenzy. Where did these boxes come from? What do they mean? Is there truth to what they promise?

As society comes together and pulls apart, everyone faces the same shocking choice: Do they wish to know how long they’ll live? And, if so, what will they do with that knowledge?

The Measure charts the dawn of this new world through an unforgettable cast of characters whose decisions and fates interweave with one another: best friends whose dreams are forever entwined, pen pals finding refuge in the unknown, a couple who thought they didn’t have to rush, a doctor who cannot save himself, and a politician whose box becomes the powder keg that ultimately changes everything.

Enchanting and deeply uplifting, The Measure is a sweeping, ambitious, and invigorating story about family, friendship, hope, and destiny that encourages us to live life to the fullest.


             
            Trailed; Kathryn Miles
               True Crime)

I'm about (3) chapters into this book and it's good but I'm also reading a couple other books at the same time.

(Description) 

A riveting deep dive into the unsolved murder of two free-spirited young women in the wilderness, a journalist's obsession—and a new theory of who might have done it.

They must have been followed. That’s the thought I return to after all these years . . .
 
In May 1996, two skilled backcountry leaders, Lollie Winans and Julie Williams, entered Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park for a week-long backcountry camping trip. The free-spirited and remarkable young couple had met and fallen in love the previous summer while working at a world-renowned outdoor program for women. During their final days in the park, they descended the narrow remnants of a trail and pitched their tent in a hidden spot. After the pair didn’t return home as planned, park rangers found a scene of horror at their campsite, their tent slashed open, their beloved dog missing, and both women dead in their sleeping bags. The unsolved murders of Winans and Williams continue to haunt all who had encountered them or knew their story.

When award-winning journalist and outdoors expert Kathryn Miles begins looking into the case, she discovers conflicting evidence, mismatched timelines, and details that just don’t add up. With unprecedented access to crucial crime-scene forensics and key witnesses—and with a growing sense of both mission and obsession—she begins to uncover the truth. An innocent man, Miles is convinced, has been under suspicion for decades, while the true culprit is a known serial killer, if only authorities would take a closer look.

Intimate, page-turning, and brilliantly reported, Trailed is a love story and a call to justice—and a searching and urgent plea to make wilderness a safe space for women—destined to become a true crime classic.

         Take My Hand; Dolen Perkins-Valdez

I read a review on Helen's Book Blog and added this one to my TBR list. The library hold became available and OMG what a wonderful (and sad) kind of story. It's so well written and I'm at about 55% point right now. 

(Descriotion)

Inspired by true events that rocked the nation, a searing and compassionate new novel about a Black nurse in post-segregation Alabama who blows the whistle on a terrible injustice done to her patients, from the New York Times bestselling author of Wench

Montgomery, Alabama, 1973. Fresh out of nursing school, Civil Townsend intends to make a difference, especially in her African American community. At the Montgomery Family Planning Clinic, she hopes to help women shape their destinies, to make their own choices for their lives and bodies.

But when her first week on the job takes her along a dusty country road to a worn-down one-room cabin, Civil is shocked to learn that her new patients, Erica and India, are children—just eleven and thirteen years old. Neither of the Williams sisters has even kissed a boy, but they are poor and Black, and for those handling the family’s welfare benefits, that’s reason enough to have the girls on birth control. As Civil grapples with her role, she takes India, Erica, and their family into her heart. Until one day she arrives at their door to learn the unthinkable has happened, and nothing will ever be the same for any of them.

Decades later, with her daughter grown and a long career in her wake, Dr. Civil Townsend is ready to retire, to find peace, and to leave the past behind. But there are people and stories that refuse to be forgotten. That must not be forgotten.

Because history repeats what we don’t remember.

Inspired by true events and brimming with hope, Take My Hand is a stirring exploration of accountability and redemption.


Book Club - Hoping to make our meeting this week - The Only Woman in the Room; Marie Benedict. Everyone has seemed to enjoy this one so I'm looking forward to our discussion.


Hope Everyone Has a Good Week!

44 comments:

  1. I need an uplifting book from time to time, and although I don't read fantasy/magical realism nowmally, I'd read The Measure.

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    1. The Measure isn't a book I'd normally been drawn to but, the description appealed to me and it's working out well.

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  2. Diane, I'm glad the doctor ordered the ultrasound, and I'm glad your clots were found before they could cause serious trouble. I hope your husband recovers quickly from his fall.

    You are reading some really interesting books. Both Take My Hand and The Measure sound intriguing.

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    1. Thanks Deb! I love when I find new books that work out well through blogging. Hope you have you have a good week.

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  3. I’m so glad you’re on a treatment plan for the clots. How scary!! I hope your husband is on the mend too. There are certain books I’ve had forever because I only want to read them in a certain season, then I run out of time, so I know what you mean about Shell Seekers. Take it easy!

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    1. Diana, I know what you mean about seasonal books and not enough time. Thanks for the well wishes.

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  4. I think The Measure sounds interesting, that would cause devastation in the world if death dates were revealed, I think many people would panic. That is good the blood clots were found so you are getting the right treatment.

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    1. Thanks Terra...there would be panic for sure if we all knew when our number was up. I'd be one that who wanted to know though LOL

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  5. Goodness me, you're going through it at the moment! I'm so sorry. I hope things settle down over the next few weeks. Good that you've found some good books to read. Look forward to your thoughts on The Shell Seekers. And Trailed definitely appeals to me. Take care, Diane.

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  6. Thanks Cath - yes, sometimes "when it rains, it pours"...just wish it was real rain LOL Shell Seekers was very good. I rate it 45.5/5 stars versus 5/5 stars for Winter Solstice but, I still enjoyed it a lot.

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  7. I am sorry to hear about your clots; what a scary thing to go through. But, I'm glad you didn't need surgery and that they hope blood thinners will take care of them (fingers crossed). I am also so glad you are enjoying Take My Hand. It is good though intense.

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    1. Thanks Helen and thank you for your review of Take My Hand - what a great story so far.

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  8. Glad that you are recovering. Must have been a scary time for you. Those books look good.

    Hope you have a good week next week and that you both continue to recover well.

    Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
    My post:
    https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2022/07/24/sunday-salon-14/

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  9. Oh, Diane!! I am so sorry to hear about all your health problems! Thank goodness the doctors found the blood clots. I'm sure you and your husband were very stressed and worried. And I'm sorry to hear about his fall. Yikes! That's scary, too. I hope you are able to relax a little bit now and that the blood thinners do their job.

    I've heard good things about The Measure and will look for it at my library later this year. I've done very well sticking to my summer reading list and want to continue reading exclusively from those selections.

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    1. Thanks Les, it's crazy the things that can happen more ofen as we get older of course.

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  10. Diane, I had an idea that you guys were having a 'not-so-good' week. So happy that the doctor ordered that ultrasound and that they discovered the clots and are treating them. Hope both you and your husband can recover nicely and please take care of yourself and enjoy your reading. Once upon a time, several years ago, my primary care doctor (who knew me very well) had just an inkling that something might be going on with me, sent me for an ultrasound and it was a very good thing. A large ovarian cyst and the beginnings of a malignancy. All taken care of and because she had the 'inkling'. I'm grateful every day.

    On another note, so happy you enjoyed The Shell Seekers. It's been many years since I read it, but may again one day. I have The Measure checked out of the library right now and hope to get to it soon. I've been on a happy journey lately with new books that are working out well for me. Just maybe a few too many to read, but I'm doing my best. Ha! Take care and big hugs to you!

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    1. Kay, I'm glad your health scare was caught by an extra cautious doctor as well; we need to be our our advocates when one now and then tries to brush us off. I'm glad you reading has been going well and that you loved the Shell Seekers when you read it - hard book not to love! I'll be curious as to what you think about The Measure - quite different in a good way.

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  11. You've got some very interesting-sounding books going there. Relax and enjoy them and heal completely from your health issues. Thank goodness your doctor had enough insight and sensitivity to recognize that there was a problem that needed treatment.

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    1. Thanks Dorothy and yes, I am so grateful to that doctor and actually sent him a personal note of thanks. I was a new patient and he spent 60 minutes with me! What doctor does that these days?

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  12. Glad the clots were caught early! Enjoy your books.

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  13. So sorry about your clots and your husband's fall! A girl I went to school with was taken to the ER last week for blood clots in her lungs, and swollen legs too.

    Looking forward to your reviews, the books sound good, I may end up getting copies.

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  14. Oh no! I hope you and your husband are doing better now. Your books sound good. Enjoy them and have a great week!

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  15. How very scary for you to have to go through this. Thinking of you, and hoping all will be better.

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  16. Sorry to hear about the blood clots! And your husband's fall too. glad that wasn't serious. and yes kudos to your doctor on ordering tha test- you don't want to miss something like that. Hope the blood thinners do the trick and you feel well this week...

    It's nice when you take a chance on a book and it turns out well. :)

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    1. Thank you Greg, sorry for my late response but I am now feeling well.

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  17. Diane, sorry to hear about the blood clots, but so glad your doctor caught them. Hope the blood thinners do their job and you are feeling better.

    I am hoping to read the Shell Seekers this summer too. I read it years ago and want to reread it. Glad you had some good books to enjoy this week!

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    1. Thank you for the well wishes Gretchen. Shell Seekers is just a lovely story.

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  18. We read The Only Woman in the Room for my book club a few months back. It isn't the best book, writing-wise, but we did have a very good discussion. I only wrote a tanka-review for it: The Only Woman In the Room by Marie Benedict
    (Sourcebooks Landmark, 2019)
    [SOTH Book Club selection for May 2021.]

    This is a novel
    about Hedy Lamarr who
    was very pretty
    but also smart. Invented
    the first GPS and more.

    Rating: 3 stars

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  19. Oh how scary about the blood clots! Glad the doc had them checked out. Sorry to hear about your husband's fall. I added The Measure and Trailed to my TBR. They both sound good!

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    1. Hi Jinger - thanks for the well-wishes and I just posted a review of Trailed!

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  20. I'm so glad your doctor ordered the ultrasound and you are home and getting some rest now. Also glad that your husband's fall wasn't serious. What a crazy week for you both! Hope this coming week is much calmer.

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    1. Katherine -- thank you and I'm sure sure are one twho knows how unpredictable life can be week by week. Hoping this is a good week for you and Will.

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  21. Hope this week goes much better for you and yours. Shell Seekers is one on my tbr also waiting for a summer reading session.

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    1. Shell Seekers was a great story; wish there was more books that beautifully written.

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  22. all of those sound so good! have a great week!

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  23. I'm sorry to hear about the blood clots, Diane. Glad the doctor ordered the ultrasound. It's always good to check early.
    You've some good books there and I'm intrigued by The Measure. Sounds like a good read to me.

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    1. Thanks Melody; feeling good right now. The Measure was a interesting read.

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  24. So sorry to hear of your blood clots Diane and so glad it was caught. Hope nothing like that ever comes back. What a scary thing. Glad you are all right and reading lots.

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  25. It was scary Susan but, I'm feeling good and now week #3 of blood thinners.

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