On My Bookshelf: The Night Before the Night Before Christmas by Natasha Wing, Illustrated by Mike Lester
While sorting through my bookcase of children’s books, I came across this gem that I used to read with my children. Every year we looked forward to certain holiday books, and this was one of them. The Night Before the Night Before Christmas by Natasha Wing has a humorous charm to which parents and children can surely relate. Two days before Christmas and everything goes wrong. How will the family get ready for Santa in time? With mom sick, Dad saves the day, and the family time together is what matters most. The pictures, by Mike Lester, are fun, colorful, simple and add so much to the joy of reading this book.
On My Bookshelf: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth has, admittedly, sat on my bookshelf for several years, and only recently have I been able to read it. It may be several more years before I fully grasp his meaning. If you keep a journal, as I do, you may discover that Tolle offers several points to consider in your daily reflections. That was my experience. I found the concepts profound, unlike any other book that I have read, and I needed to underline many sentences throughout. But that was not enough; I also needed to copy sentences into my journal and then write about them. There was so much to think about – and a new way to think about them. Looking for gaps, separating myself from my thoughts, recognizing labels as limiting, and much more come from this one book. The mind must be open to receive the message – as I was looking for understanding of how my mind works – and then work must be done to grasp it, and put it into practice. I’m still working on that part.
What I’m Reading: The Art Thief by Michael Finkel
The Art Thief by Michael Finkel is a welcome change from other novels I’ve been reading. It is narrative non-fiction – a true story written like a novel. I consider it a cross between The Thomas Crown Affair, and Catch Me If You Can. The hard part is deciding if Pierce Brosnan or Leo DiCaprio should play the main character. Decisions, decisions… But I digress. A modern (1990’s) story of the greatest art thief in history, this book details the criminal behavior and mindset of Stephane Breitwieser, who, with his girlfriend, lived in France in his mother’s house. The thought processes of each of these people was fascinating to read; their denial of what he was doing, justification for the crimes, and addiction to the thefts create suspense and intrigue. He will be caught, and then what will happen? I recommend The Art Thief for readers or teachers looking for something different, fast-paced, and psychological.
Bookstores & More: The Bear and the Books
On a recent excursion to the quaint town of Hopewell, NJ, I found a children’s bookstore called The Bear and the Books. Their motto is “Books to grow up with” and I find that to be so true – that the books we read as children become part of our identity (I’m channeling Kathleen Kelly of You’ve Got Mail here). Reading opens our minds, our hearts, and our vision of the world. It changes how we interact with others, and gives us so much to appreciate. People who read notice more about the world around them, and have a greater sense of gratitude. Children who read have the opportunity to escape to a fantasy world free of screens, where they can just be themselves. The Bear and the Books offers a “Bear Mail Books” subscription where the owner, Bobbie Fishman, selects one book per month to send to a child. What a fantastic gift! Check out their website, and if you happen to be nearby, drop in to The Bear and the Books.
What I’m Reading: Closer Together by Sophie Gregoire Trudeau
On a recent visit to the Strand NYC bookstore, I met Sophie Gregoire Trudeau who was signing copies of her memoir/self-help book, Closer Together. Sophie was easy to talk to, relatable, and kind. Readers will feel her warmth and compassion on every page of her book as she interviews professionals in various fields and combines this data with her personal experience of being a teenager, young adult, new mom, and present-day mom of young adults. Sophie delves into topics such as how the brain works, hormones, eating disorders, creativity, play, and more. Her belief is that if we understand how our own minds work, we will be better able to connect with others, have more fulfilling lives, and be mentally and physically healthy. That’s a lot to pack into one volume, yet she does. Take a look; I’m sure you will be inspired.
What I’m Reading: Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Daisy Jones and the Six, by Taylor Jenkins Reid, is a fast-paced story about the formation of rock band in the 1970’s. The writing style is unique in that it is written interview style, similar to a script. There are no paragraphs of description or backstory, only testimony from the different characters. As a writer, I can’t help but wonder if this method was fun to work with or a nightmare. It was definitely fun to read, and the pages turned so quickly, the story flew by. I found the story to be entertaining, surprising at times, and different from anything else I’ve read recently. There is a love interest – a couple of them – but it is not a love story. I’d consider it more of a coming-of-age story for the mid-20’s age group. If you enjoyed Bohemian Rhapsody, I think you would enjoy Daisy Jones.
On My Bookshelf: Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns is one of my favorite novels. It begins in July of 1906, three weeks after the main character’s grandmother has died. Grandpa has an announcement: he is engaged to another woman. The main character, Will Tweedy, is fourteen at the time, loves his grandfather, misses his grandmother, but doesn’t want to spend his summer in mourning; he wants to go fishing. All of this makes for an entertaining family drama that is hard to put down. The town, the characters, the situations that Burns has created are endearing, funny, and heart-wrenching. This is a great summer read without being a beach read. It has weight and heart, and the pages keep turning. If you haven’t read it, consider picking up a copy and taking it on the plane, in the car, or to the pool. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Happy Reading!
What I’m Reading: Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles
Looking for something patriotic to read this Memorial Day? Kick off your summer reading with Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles. Set during WW1 in France, Miss Morgan’s tells the story of a group of women, most of them volunteers, who helped the citizens of France while the country was at war. In particular, the novel tells the story of real-life Jessie “Kit” Carson who promoted reading, created bookmobiles, and made connections with many women, children, and elderly French citizens. This is an historical fiction novel about people who are not included in most history books, and it sheds light on what women were doing to help each other and to survive during The Great War. Happy Reading!
What I’m Reading: Italian American by Luigina Vecchione
If you are looking for a great story about family, perseverance, love, tradition, jealousy, and the American dream, look no further than Luigina Vecchione’s Italian American, the much-anticipated sequel to Greetings From Asbury Park. Both novels are inspired by real-life events and tell the story of when the author’s parents met during World War 2 in Italy. Readers will follow Mariella and Jack’s love story and become immersed in German-occupied Rome, and in the aftermath of the war. In Italian American, readers follow Mariella again as she travels with her husband to a new and strange life in America. The warmth and kindness she felt in her small Rome apartment are replaced by American suburban housing developments, ladies’ lunches, and rude doctors. Mariella is more than a character in a novel, she is someone readers know and cheer for every step of the way. Both books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books. Happy Reading!
What I’m Reading: Careful What You Wish For by Hallie Ephron
I don’t usually read “novels of suspense” but I am an Ephron fan (especially of Nora Ephron), so I gave this book a try, and I’m glad I did. Yes, it was suspenseful but not at Silence of the Lambs intensity – although it does involve a storage locker. There was enough suspense to keep me interested, to guess how it would turn out, and to hope for the protagonist to win. And I was able to sleep at night. A win-win. I’d recommend this for teen readers, anyone looking for something lighter for a vacation, or anyone looking to escape into a story that is not a love story, war story, or chick-lit. I followed the clues Ephron drops throughout, and anything that I questioned, she came back to later in the book. An enjoyable, satisfying read.
What I’m Reading: Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout
I’ve just finished reading Elizabeth Strout’s Lucy by the Sea, and as with her other novels, I enjoyed its calm pace and window into the domestic lives of its characters. Strout’s “Lucy” series is not for readers who prefer more action-driven novels. Lucy is a protagonist who readers watch doing very domestic, simple things, and then thinking about them. She reflects on conversations, walks by the sea, long drives around Maine, phone conversations – or lack thereof – with her daughters. Lucy is a writer, so as I writer, I enjoyed reading how she imagines who might live in the run-down hovels they pass on a long drive, and then she creates those people in her mind, and writes stories about them. I like to do that too. And she take pleasure in simple things, notices the words people say and how they say them. She is not one to dwell on materials possessions or drama; she would rather have simple furnishings that she loves. But Lucy herself is anything but simple.
What I’m Reading: Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
I’ve just finished reading Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr, who is the author of one of my all-time favorite novels, All the Light We Cannot See. Cloud Cuckoo Land is a different kind of novel, a different kind of story. It is about an ancient myth where a man turns into a donkey; it is about a boy and a girl living in medieval Constantinople; it is about a man who survives being a prisoner of war in Korea; it is about a girl living in the future on a space station; and it is about a boy who loves an owl and the library. Their stories all entwine where the power of the myth links them together. An homage to the written word, to sacred texts, and to libraries, in particular libraries as places of refuge for children. It is not a book for everyone, but if you are looking for a thought-provoking, intellectually-engaging, challenging novel about the power of story, this is the book for you.
What I’m Reading: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Fans of Miss Benson’s Beetle, also by Rachel Joyce, will quickly become fans of Harold Fry. Harold embarks on a journey to see an old friend whom he has just learned has terminal cancer. His walk is spontaneous, and since it is across the country of England, he is more than a little unprepared. The people he meets along the way become gateways to humanity that Harold has been isolated from since he retired. While he wants to be no trouble to any one, he finds himself listening to strangers who share intimate details of their lives with him just because he is there. This novel is not about fast-paced action, but rather a slow walk where the main character learns about himself as much as he learns from the people he meets. Readers looking for novels with more mature characters would enjoy this book.
On My Bookshelf: Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland
I toured the New York Historical Society recently where they have a two-floor display of Tiffany stained glass lamps. Few things in life are more exquisite than a Tiffany lamp. The wisteria lamps were my personal favorite, although the daffodil, tulip, and dogwood were just as fabulous. If you’ve read Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland, you would enjoy the exhibit, and if you haven’t read it, you should. It’s an historical fiction account of the creating of these lamps, many of which were created by Clara Driscoll who worked for Louis Comfort Tiffany. In the museum, her name appears on almost every sign as a probable creator. Tiffany got the fame, but so much of his success came from her creativity and hard work. It was also interesting to read about how Thomas Edison’s invention of the light bulb around this time made her work even more relevant. If you can, I encourage you to see the lamps in person, and to read the novel if you haven’t already.
What I’m Reading: Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach
This is the time of year when we may be looking to change our habits, become more productive, or try something new. Over the past year, I have read daily meditations from Sarah Ban Breathnach’s book. Her message of Simple Abundance is to cultivate joy, gratitude, creativity from our daily lives – doing what we are already doing, just tweaking our mindset, or a practicing a skill, or taking a risk. I have found the majority of her essays feel as though she knows me and knows just what I needed to hear on that particular day. Treat yourself to a daily dose of fun, thoughtfulness, and positivity in the New Year with Simple Abundance. Happy Reading, and Happy New Year!
On My Bookshelf: A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles M. Schulz
When decorating for the holidays, I savor the memories that each ornament or decoration holds. This slim paperback edition of Charlie Brown was a gift from my Aunt, who always made Christmas, and especially Christmas Eve, that much more exciting. The book is worn, and has a few scribbles in it, but it’s a word-for-word match with the cartoon we watched every year. I remember turning the pages of the book to follow along with the cartoon. This book is one of many special Christmas items that are unpacked annually and mean so much. Happy Holidays, and Happy Reading to all!
On My Bookshelf: The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling
Looking for a fun, seasonal, adventure story to read with your students, children, or grandchildren? Try JK Rowling’s The Christmas Pig for something different. Published in 2021, it’s not a new book, but it is a new take on a Christmas miracle story. It also touches a sensitive subject for many children: what happens when their favorite toys are lost? Where do they go? Can they be replaced? The illustrations in the book are charming, and who doesn’t love a good quest for lost treasure? Make The Christmas Pig part of your December reading!
A Classic to Consider: The Birds’ Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin
While at the library looking for something else, I came across this thin Christmas novella. Kate Douglas Wiggin’s The Birds’ Christmas Carol is a charming and less popular holiday story that may be just what you are looking for. Wiggin, who also wrote the Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm series, tells the story of little Carol Bird, born on Christmas Day. The story emphasizes the joys of giving to others. It is a sweet story, but, spoiler alert, it does not have a happy ending. I’m guessing this is why it is not as poplular as Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and other holiday stories. Still, I think it is worth checking out, with the bonus of detailed illustrations that capture the old-fashioned Christmas feel of the book.
Cookbook Signing with Gina Homolka
Last night I got to meet the author of a series of cookbooks who has made my life easier and tastier since I discovered her during the Covid lockdown. Gina Homolka is the author of seven cookbooks, most recently of Skinnytaste Simple. Not only do her recipes taste good, they are easy to make, add veggies for nutrition, and cut fats and sugars for additional health benefits. Several of her recipes are regulars in our house, and everyone likes them. During the Covid lockdown, her tacos, bolognese, and chicken with broccoli kept four teenagers, my husband, and myself fed. The books themselves are well-written, easy to follow, and have beautiful pictures of each recipe. If you don’t know Skinnytaste, you don’t know what you’ve been missing. Check her out – you will love her recipes as much as I do!
August Reads
Still catching up from a fast-ending summer…In August I read two middle-grade novels and two adult novels. Ashes to Asheville by Sarah Dooley is a book I picked off the shelf at a bookshop/toy store in Waynesville, North Carolina, while on vacation, and I’m so glad I did. The story takes place in about 24 hours time during which two sisters drive across multiple states to bring their mother’s ashes back to Asheville where they used to live. Like other journey-stories they meet people who help and people who don’t. The pacing and characterization make this an excellent read. Lauren Wolk is new on my list of favorite middle-grade authors, and Wolf Hollow is new to my list of favorite MG novels. An updated Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Prairie combo with much more added to it, this story pulls the reader into the protagonist’s struggles with bullies, creepy people, and small-town gossip.
Greetings from Asbury Park is written by writer and friend Luigina Vecchione. It is a beautifully written love story inspired by her own parents’ meeting in Rome during WW2, her mother a young Italian woman, and her father a young American soldier. Fans of WW2 fiction who want a new perspective will enjoy this book. Loving Frank by Nancy Horan was about the love affair between Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Cheney, a scandal in its time. Fans of Wright will enjoy the story of his career unfolding, and while I am a fan of Wright’s work, seeing him in this light has me thinking differently of him. This would be a great book club choice, as the ethics involved raise questions about happiness, divorce, women’s rights, and parenting. What did you read in August?
Bookstores & More: Battery Park Book Exchange
While vacationing in western North Carolina, I visited the The Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar in Asheville. I think I’m in love. Forget the coffee & book combo. This place knows how to keep readers inside. A beautiful setting to sip bubbly from crystal glasses while browsing the shelves or sitting with a vintage volume on their lovely couches. I found the children’s section at the highest level, next to a hidden bar, The Gatsby, which had the atmosphere of a speak easy. Champagne, charcuterie, pastry, and books…a book lover’s dream come true. The Book Exchange is a must see for book lovers, or pretty much anyone, visiting Asheville. Address: 1 Page Ave #101, Asheville, NC 28801.
What I’m Reading: the Bear Town trilogy by Fredrik Backman
I’ve finished reading Fredrik Backman’s trilogy, Bear Town, Us Against You, and The Winners. Backman is one of my favorite contemporary authors. Readers get to know his characters in their day to day routines: what they eat; if they walk, run, or drive; if they’re good at hockey or not. Backman breaks the rule about not writing about the weather by making the weather a character in the story. Themes of survival, friendship, loyalty, and trust are entwined with heartache, loss, and grief. I’ve lost count of how many characters are in each volume of the trilogy, but my guess is close to thirty. And we get to know all of them – what they’re thinking, where they’re from, and what drives them. If you haven’t read this trilogy, I recommend it not only as a great story, but also as an example of great writing. I believe that Bear Town could be added to high school curriculum. It is more relevant and relatable than some of the classics currently on the list. Have you read it? What did you think?
On My Bookshelf…books about motherhood
I’ve been thinking about books that explore the relationship between mother and child. Pictured are volumes pulled at random from my own bookcase. Once I started pulling, I realized I had more than I thought – many more that are not in the picture. The mother-child relationship keeps readers engaged…do we see ourselves in the story, or are we looking for answers? One day I hope to write a bookshelf-worthy book that delves into the mother-child dynamic. What are your favorite mother-child books? Happy Mother’s Day to all who celebrate!
April Reads
Because of travel, April was not as reading-strong as I would have liked. The Wilder Boys Saving Cody by Brandon Wallace is the third in this middle-grade series which is the genre I write in, and the protagonists are two brothers, which is another similarity to my own manuscript. Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote is a classic I’ve always wanted to read. The Essay by Robin Yocum was so good that I wrote a separate blog post for just that book when I finished reading it. At the moment, I’m reading non-fiction, and other two novels, and I hope to share them with you by the end of May. Happy Reading!
March Reads
The Paris Bookseller and Fried Green Tomatoes contain strong bonds between women who work together, live together, and even love together. In Remarkably Bright Creatures, the hero for me was the female protagonist, Tova, more so than the octopus, Marcellus, although I did enjoy seeing what he was up to. In her memoir, The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls works and works and works. She starts when she is three years old, cooking hot dogs, and never stops working, despite everything – literally everything – going wrong around her. All were incredible stories of perseverance, following dreams, and never giving up hope.
January Reads
My January Reads were 5 – 0. All winners. In adult fiction, Miss Benson’s Beetle and Lucky Stiff were laugh-out-loud entertaining while also grappling significant issues in the characters’ lives. Us Against You is the second in a trilogy about a hockey team from a hockey town, and I never thought I’d enjoy reading about hockey this much. Looking forward to the third in this series. For middle grade and young adult fiction, I read Northwind and Pax, the Journey Home (sequel to Pax). Both engaging stories of survival in different settings with a young male protagonist. I learned craft, pacing, and point of view techniques from both of these master authors. On to February!
Friday Fishtales
Posted onPosted inFriday FishtalesEdit
In this section of my blog, I will share pictures, memories, and messages that involve family, fishing, and fun, all of which are themes in my middle-grade novel. I plan to create a new post two Fridays per month, or more if I am so inspired. I hope you enjoy the posts, and please share a memory of summer vacation, cousins, or fishing with me using the form on my Contact Jill page. Tight Lines!
November 11, 2022
Oct. 21, 2022
I received a message from a dear friend who shared her memories of fishing with her cousins. I have posted an excerpt here. It is precisely this feeling that is the central theme in my novel, which I hope to publish and share with you all one day very soon.
“As a girl growing up on LI I have many memories of fishing with my cousins. My mom took us on a charted fishing boat out of Captree, LI every year. She took my brother, me & our best friends who were also brother & sister. It was great fun with winners for first caught, biggest fish etc. it was even more special because my mother worked full time in NYC but took the day off each year to take us. We looked forward to it so much.”
October 7
I posed a question to one of the fishing groups I follow on Facebook about fishing with children, the stories adults tell them about ‘the one that got away,’ and the memories made. One gentleman shared a memory of fishing with his grandfather. With his permission, I’ve copied it here.
“I don’t know where I heard this but I adopted it long ago and have told my sons many times… “fishing is not about the fish, it’s about the -ing”. Good luck with the novel. I’d love to read it someday. I fish today because my grandfather started taking me some 45+ years ago! He’s been gone since 1993, but I carry a pic of him attached to my fishing bag each and every time I’m out.”
I appreciate this man’s words, and his willingness to share. Time spent with a grandparent is special, and time spent fishing with a grandparent is even more special.
If you have a fishing-with-a-grandparent/child-story, please share it with me on the Contact Jill page.
Tight Lines!