Indeed, what a week. Sad and terrifying. ~ And what a job you had. I'm relieved you're a novelist now. Here is a little fun fact: a gazillion years ago, I worked as a museum guard (BTW, extremely boring!) in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence.
The crash was awful!! Life is hard right now for so many people, and that is why I love books. They help make life more bearable for me. A much-needed escape. ONYX STORM was everything I wanted, and everything I didn't know I needed. I'm in the middle of THE DROWNING GAME by Barbara Nickless. A breathless ride thriller about the world of the ultra-wealthy, and a family that is renown in their line of building luxury yachts. It's about political intrigue in China and missing Jewish heirlooms lost to the Nazis. It's completely different than ONYX STORM and that is deliberate as I didn't think I'd be fair to any other fantasy book right now. I, also, have to confess. Barb and I were in the same SinC chapter in Colorado. She lived outside of Colorado Springs, and I have long wondered if she worked for the CIA. This book only increases that curiosity. I haven't finished it, but if it continues to be this good, I'll be recommending it. Ironically, it was recommended to me by another friend as I had no idea Barb had another book out. One of the things I'm missing by staying off social media more.
It has been another very long week. My reading has been a little slow. I’m about 1/4 of the way through Jackal by Erin Adams. Really liking it so far. Next will probably be the February work book club pick The Measure by Nikki Erlick.
Grateful to have so many wonderful books to escape into when the “real world” is too much.
This week’s list has been a perfect anecdote to the recent news.
The Aosawa Murders by Riku Onda
At the Bottom of the Garden by Camilla Bruce
Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as A Woman by Brooke Shields
Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me (Dark Lord Davi #2) by Django Wexler
Havoc by Christopher Bollen
Brooke Shield’s memoir is entertaining, funny, smart, infuriating, empowering, and informative. It feels like having coffee or tea with a close friend.
Havoc is, to quote my coworker, “delightfully unhinged!” An older woman and a young boy are in a battle of wits of sorts at an Egyptian hotel. Definite Bad Seed vibes, but really funny, too. There are some animal deaths discussed.
Dark Lord #2 is delightful. I love those characters so very much. Sassy, funny, and smart.
The crash is DC was so terrible. My sister was a competitive ice skater for 7 years. She never reached the "elite" level where you had sponsors and traveled by plane. We did drive all over the Midwest for her competitions....St Joe, KC, Tulsa, Wichita, Denver, Colorado Springs, Dallas...just to name a few. The figure skating world is a small world. Just not your local club. You get to know your competitors as you more than likely compete against them several times a year. It's just so sad.
I also lived in DC for a couple of years after college. I only flew into Reagan once and it's pretty coming in but looking back at it...there must be little room for error. I used to work in the mall at Crystal City, VA...this was basically across from Reagan.
On a much happier note, I took my granddaughter to a college visit on Mon. We went to Creighton Univ in Omaha, NE. I was born and raised in Omaha but I'd never stepped foot on the campus. It's lovely and small. My granddaughter loved it! It's pretty expensive so we'll have to see what scholarships she receives. She wants to be a Dr and if you graduate with Pre Med from there,you're automatically accepted into their medical school...kind of a big deal!
I finished ONXY STORM last night. To say I'm in a book hangover is an understatement. I think I'm going to re-read FOURTH WING and IRON FLAME next. Yes, I should have re-read them before...just an amazing series!
I, too, am saddened by all the news in the world right now. It's so hard, but it's the lovely things that keep me going and a college visit with a grandchild is right up there. My husband's stepmother did the same thing for my two older children. I'll keep her in my prayers so she can get into med school too.
Okay ladies, ONYX STORM!!! J.T. was right, I hit a certain point and sailed to the end on Sunday evening. I agree with all your guys' thoughts and double yes to book hangover.
It really is. What a fascinating background on skating you’ve given us. I know the elite skaters have to sacrifice so much. DC is such a great place to live though - and happily iy looks like they’ve made the decision to close the helicopter routes that put so many in danger. A sad lesson learned.
I’ve heard great things about Creighton! Congratulations and here’s hoping she can make it work - that’s a nice bonus to be able to go all the way through in one place. Hurrah for her!
Wasn’t it WONDERFUL? To see this world grow and become even more complex is making me very happy.
My sister skated before/after school plus on weekends. She had no social life outside of skating. All of her friends were skaters, coaches and family of skaters. Most elite skaters don't go to "regular' school....they're home schooled or have tutors. It's a different world for sure!
I skated as well but I was too afraid to learn how to jump...I didn't want to fall. Meanwhile my sister was fearless, so she continued. If she would have started younger, maybe 5 or 6 instead of 11/12 she probably would have made it further.
Indeed, what a week. Sad and terrifying. ~ And what a job you had. I'm relieved you're a novelist now. Here is a little fun fact: a gazillion years ago, I worked as a museum guard (BTW, extremely boring!) in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence.
The crash was awful!! Life is hard right now for so many people, and that is why I love books. They help make life more bearable for me. A much-needed escape. ONYX STORM was everything I wanted, and everything I didn't know I needed. I'm in the middle of THE DROWNING GAME by Barbara Nickless. A breathless ride thriller about the world of the ultra-wealthy, and a family that is renown in their line of building luxury yachts. It's about political intrigue in China and missing Jewish heirlooms lost to the Nazis. It's completely different than ONYX STORM and that is deliberate as I didn't think I'd be fair to any other fantasy book right now. I, also, have to confess. Barb and I were in the same SinC chapter in Colorado. She lived outside of Colorado Springs, and I have long wondered if she worked for the CIA. This book only increases that curiosity. I haven't finished it, but if it continues to be this good, I'll be recommending it. Ironically, it was recommended to me by another friend as I had no idea Barb had another book out. One of the things I'm missing by staying off social media more.
That sounds fantastic! Thank you for sharing. What a fun pivot.
It has been another very long week. My reading has been a little slow. I’m about 1/4 of the way through Jackal by Erin Adams. Really liking it so far. Next will probably be the February work book club pick The Measure by Nikki Erlick.
Two new to me books—thanks Erin!
Grateful to have so many wonderful books to escape into when the “real world” is too much.
This week’s list has been a perfect anecdote to the recent news.
The Aosawa Murders by Riku Onda
At the Bottom of the Garden by Camilla Bruce
Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as A Woman by Brooke Shields
Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me (Dark Lord Davi #2) by Django Wexler
Havoc by Christopher Bollen
Brooke Shield’s memoir is entertaining, funny, smart, infuriating, empowering, and informative. It feels like having coffee or tea with a close friend.
Havoc is, to quote my coworker, “delightfully unhinged!” An older woman and a young boy are in a battle of wits of sorts at an Egyptian hotel. Definite Bad Seed vibes, but really funny, too. There are some animal deaths discussed.
Dark Lord #2 is delightful. I love those characters so very much. Sassy, funny, and smart.
Books are the best medicine!
The crash is DC was so terrible. My sister was a competitive ice skater for 7 years. She never reached the "elite" level where you had sponsors and traveled by plane. We did drive all over the Midwest for her competitions....St Joe, KC, Tulsa, Wichita, Denver, Colorado Springs, Dallas...just to name a few. The figure skating world is a small world. Just not your local club. You get to know your competitors as you more than likely compete against them several times a year. It's just so sad.
I also lived in DC for a couple of years after college. I only flew into Reagan once and it's pretty coming in but looking back at it...there must be little room for error. I used to work in the mall at Crystal City, VA...this was basically across from Reagan.
On a much happier note, I took my granddaughter to a college visit on Mon. We went to Creighton Univ in Omaha, NE. I was born and raised in Omaha but I'd never stepped foot on the campus. It's lovely and small. My granddaughter loved it! It's pretty expensive so we'll have to see what scholarships she receives. She wants to be a Dr and if you graduate with Pre Med from there,you're automatically accepted into their medical school...kind of a big deal!
I finished ONXY STORM last night. To say I'm in a book hangover is an understatement. I think I'm going to re-read FOURTH WING and IRON FLAME next. Yes, I should have re-read them before...just an amazing series!
I, too, am saddened by all the news in the world right now. It's so hard, but it's the lovely things that keep me going and a college visit with a grandchild is right up there. My husband's stepmother did the same thing for my two older children. I'll keep her in my prayers so she can get into med school too.
Okay ladies, ONYX STORM!!! J.T. was right, I hit a certain point and sailed to the end on Sunday evening. I agree with all your guys' thoughts and double yes to book hangover.
It was so incredible. Hard to keep getting better like this.
It really is. What a fascinating background on skating you’ve given us. I know the elite skaters have to sacrifice so much. DC is such a great place to live though - and happily iy looks like they’ve made the decision to close the helicopter routes that put so many in danger. A sad lesson learned.
I’ve heard great things about Creighton! Congratulations and here’s hoping she can make it work - that’s a nice bonus to be able to go all the way through in one place. Hurrah for her!
Wasn’t it WONDERFUL? To see this world grow and become even more complex is making me very happy.
My sister skated before/after school plus on weekends. She had no social life outside of skating. All of her friends were skaters, coaches and family of skaters. Most elite skaters don't go to "regular' school....they're home schooled or have tutors. It's a different world for sure!
My mother was determined for me to become a skater and gave up after two grueling years. I had no talent. Zero. 😃
I skated as well but I was too afraid to learn how to jump...I didn't want to fall. Meanwhile my sister was fearless, so she continued. If she would have started younger, maybe 5 or 6 instead of 11/12 she probably would have made it further.
Loved this fascinating glimpse into your past life. I feel like there is some book fodder there!
Thank you friend. It was a fun job.