Just A Second

Share Four Somethings - October 2024

WQ - Superstitious

WQ - Celebrating the Harvest

10 on the 10th - Celebrating Birthdays

Currently . . . October 5, 2024

WQ - Showing Love and Kindness

This post will be linked at the current BookWorms Monthly link-up hosted by At Home A Lot; and at Share Your Shelf hosted by Slices of Life.

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Friday, October 25

Recent Reads - The Word is Murder

The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz - This is one of the cleverest and most entertaining takes on a crime detective novel that I've ever read. Author Anthony Horowitz writes himself into the story, as himself, a best-selling author who is talked into writing a novel about a former police detective working on a murder case. Daniel Hawthorne is a private investigator working on a curious murder case and approaches Horowitz to write about it. Questioning his own judgement, Horowitz is intrigued by the case and by the challenge of writing about Hawthorne's brilliant but unconventional methods and finds himself tagging along and taking notes as Hawthorne visits crime scenes and interviews people associated with the victim.

The story is an account of the investigation, told in first person by Horowitz, interspersed with an account of his writing decisions and reactions to Hawthorne. The murder case itself is an interesting one, with a woman planning her own funeral and then being strangled later the same day. Is it related to an automobile accident years earlier, or to the woman's son who is a well-known actor, or something else? The funeral service turns out to be quite bizarre, and then the son is also murdered, and the whole time Horowitz is trying to help process the clues while also trying to understand enough of Hawthorne's character and methods to make a novel out of the case. And to convince himself and his agent that the story idea is a good one.

From the publisher:

New York Times bestselling author of Magpie Murders and Moriarty, Anthony Horowitz has yet again brilliantly reinvented the classic crime novel, this time writing a fictional version of himself as the Watson to a modern-day Holmes.

A woman crosses a London street. It is just after 11 a.m. on a bright spring morning, and she is going into a funeral parlor to plan her own service. Six hours later the woman is dead, strangled with a crimson curtain cord in her own home.

Enter disgraced police detective Daniel Hawthorne, a brilliant, eccentric man as quick with an insult as he is to crack a case. And Hawthorne has a partner, the celebrated novelist Anthony Horowitz, curious about the case and looking for new material. As brusque, impatient, and annoying as Hawthorne can be, Horowitz―a seasoned hand when it comes to crime stories―suspects the detective may be on to something, and is irresistably drawn into the mystery.

But as the case unfolds, Horowitz realizes that he's at the center of a story he can't control, and his brilliant partner may be hiding dark and mysterious secrets of his own.

This is a book with a self-insert by an author (#47) for The 52 Book Club's 2024 Reading Challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2024

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Monday, September 30

Monthly Bookshelf Review - September 2024

. . . we must read, not only for what we read but for what it makes us think. ~ Louis L'Amour

I'm still moving slow but steady through the pages of my books, but I feel like this is the new normal for my reading life. At least for the next couple years perhaps. But I will say that what I'm reading is often making me think and wonder and muse about possibilities.

September's Books Completed and Reviewed

Find Momo Across Europe by Andrew Knapp - This interesting photography book presented a pet-friendly trek through Europe. (Read my review HERE.)

Blood of Adam by Rachel S. Neal - This novel painted the picture of a possible background and character for Japheth's wife, and for the other members of Noah's family. (Read my review HERE.)

During September I started reading:

Harvest of Gold by Tessa Afshar - I really enjoyed Harvest of Rubies, so I got started on the follow-up novel just a couple days ago.

During September I continued reading:

Sisters of Fortune by Anna Lee Huber - A historical novel about three sisters traveling on the Titanic. Unfortunately, I've been moving very slowly on this, mostly because I've chosen to take my Kindle to work for reading rather than this physical book. I find myself eagerly turning the pages in suspense but with some trepidation because I know what will happen to most of the passengers. I think I struggle to get invested in the characters because at least some of them won't make it.

Where My Books Took Me in September . . . Here's where I've traveled through the pages during the month, along with One Word to sum up the ones I finished.

Find Momo Across Europe is all over Europe!

One Word: Adventurous

Blood of Adam is set somewhere in ancient pre-flood Mesopotamian region.

One Word: Faith

Harvest of Gold is set in ancient Persia.

Sisters of Fortune is mostly set on the Atlantic Ocean.

Coming Up in October!

Last month I declined to even predict, since I'm reading more slowly these days. All those great books sitting in my To Be Read stack, a couple of favorite authors with new books out that I want to read, but it's taking me a long while to get through the TBR. Well, I will list a couple books that are coming up this time. I feel pretty confident that I will read the novel next because I'm picking it up from the library tomorrow, and I don't think I'll have the luxury of renewing it so I will need to focus! I'm also pretty confident that I'll get started on the other book because I just purchased it and it is on my kindle so it's one I'll be able to easily take with me.

The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz

Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health by Casey Means, MD with Calley Means

On my blogs recently . . .

Besides the reviews, here on Just A Second you'll find:

What I'm Reading - September 16, 2024

On Homeschool Coffee Break:

From the High School Lesson Book - Labor Day

And on A Fresh Cup of Coffee:

The Steady Rhythm of September

Share Four Somethings - September 2024

Wednesday Quotes Returns!

Tell Us About . . . Favorite Things: Coffee, Of Course!

A Moment's Peace

Currently . . . September 7, 2024

WQ - Labor Day

Share Four Somethings - August 2024

This post will be linked at the current BookWorms Monthly link-up hosted by At Home A Lot; and at the weekly reading list meme hosted at Book Date, and at Share Your Shelf hosted by Slices of Life.

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Sunday, September 29

Recent Reads - Blood of Adam

Blood of Adam by Rachel S. Neal - This book has been in my kindle library for a very long time, and I finally got around to reading it. And wondering why I waited so long. The Biblical account of Noah and the great flood does not give the names of Noah's wife or his son's wives, and we don't really know any details about them. Author Rachel S. Neal imagined names, personalities, and backgrounds for these very important women.

Denah, the wife of Japheth, is the subject of this story. She is imagined as the daughter of a merchant that had grown up with Noah but had not chosen to follow the One God. The story opens on Denah's wedding day, when she becomes Japheth's bride amid her doubts and questions about whether she would be accepted by his family and what it would mean for her future. Most people believed there was some kind of curse on Noah's household because of the ark project and their insistence that only the God of Adam should be worshiped. As far as the people in town were concerned, the sons of Noah were cursed because their wives still had no children. Denah hoped she would be the one to have the first son.

Building and preparations on the giant ark continue throughout the story, as the backdrop to Denah and Japheth clumsily navigating their relationship. Denah feels out of place with her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law, and misses parts of her old life, such as making beautiful colored dyes for clothing. Her desperation for a baby grows as the months go by. She learns more about the One God from Noah's teaching and from what grandfather Methuselah tells her, but the ways of her father's household and everyone else she has known seem to be more successful. Denah's choices lead to hurt, betrayal, and even blackmail; but will she choose the right way before it's too late?

I really enjoyed the story telling and world building in this novel, and appreciated that it was solidly based in what the Bible does say about this family and the times of the flood. I'd never thought much about these women, and it was interesting to wonder how much they were really "on board" with preparing an ark for a great flood and what they might have expected. And what of their extended families? The households of these wives were not saved from the flood, and how would they have felt about that? I did find the writing style to be a bit uneven in places - the story telling was so good, and the writing was good in some places, but in other passages the word choices seemed clumsy or confusing, almost like the author was trying too hard.

From the publisher:

Before the earth splinters into continents, before the first raindrops fall from the sky, only one family is destined for salvation. Denah is not among them by choice. Her husband is a disgrace, her sisters-in-law are cursed, and the family adheres to the rigid demands of an outdated God. Denah simply wants the life she deserves. She will follow her own forbidden path to fulfillment, encountering blackmail, jealousy, and betrayal along the way. What she deserves turns out to be far different than what she imagines, and she must face the tumultuous consequences of her decisions before the past and future of all mankind collide in the shadow of Noah's ark.

This is a book with more than 40 chapters (#3) for The 52 Book Club's 2024 Reading Challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2024

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Monday, September 16

What I'm Reading - September 16, 2024

This weekly reading list meme is hosted at Book Date. Join in to see what others are reading and maybe get some ideas of what to read next! Although the Book Date link-up happens weekly, I don't update that often, because what I'm reading doesn't change a great deal from week to week, and I seldom find time any more to participate in book-related link-ups. I do try to do this summary around the middle of the month and link up, and also link up my Monthly Bookshelf Summary. Here's what I've been working on since my last update.

I finished reading . . .

Once Upon A Prince by Rachel Hauck - Susanna is cautious about getting into a relationship so soon after her long-time boyfriend broke up with her, but her connection to the charming Nate is undeniable. But they're just friends, right? Especially once she discovers he's a prince, she knows it can't possibly be more than that. Nathaniel is falling for this ordinary American girl, but his future is determined by his duty to his kingdom. (Read my review HERE.)

Harvest of Rubies by Tessa Afshar - Sarah's is rewarded for her service as the chief scribe to the queen of Persia with an arranged marriage to a nobleman. Their married life starts with a humiliating wedding dinner and Sarah must learn that her worth doesn't lie in what she can do, but on who she is. (Read my review HERE.)

The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden - Clara's insightful journalism shines a light on injustices, and when it exposes the bitter rivalry between her dear friend Daniel and a business rival, the trouble escalates. (Read my review HERE.)

Find Momo Across Europe by Andrew Knapp - An entertaining photography book that combines travel tips with gorgeous scenery, with the added fun of finding Momo the border collie in each photo. (Read my full review HERE.)

I'm currently reading . . .

Sisters of Fortune by Anna Lee Huber - a historical novel that follows a wealthy Canadian family and the people they meet on their voyage on the Titanic.

Blood of Adam by Rachel S. Neal - A novel centering on an imagined name and character for Japheth's wife, and what life may have been like for Noah's family in the years leading up to the flood.

Up Next . . . On the TBR stack . . .

The stack grows faster than my ability to read it, especially lately! No guarantees, but these are the top contenders for me to pick up next:

The Goodbye Cat by Hiro Arikawa

A Deceptive Composition by Anna Lee Huber - Next in the Lady Darby series and on the top of my TBR pile.

On my blogs recently . . .

Besides the reviews, here on Just A Second you'll find:

Monthly Bookshelf Review - August 2024

Monthly Bookshelf Review - July 2024

On my main coffee break project, A Fresh Cup of Coffee:

Currently . . . September 7, 2024

A Moment's Peace

W.Q. Labor Day

Share Four Somethings - August 2024

Tell Us About . . . Vacations: Family Vacation Memories

Currently . . . August 11, 2024

W.Q. - Sunrise, Sunset

Share Four Somethings - July 2024

WQ - Tell Us About . . . Blogging

And on my "first cup blog", Homeschool Coffee Break:

From the High School Lesson Book - Labor Day

***************

What are you reading?

This post will also be linked at What's On Your Bookshelf? #whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge hosted by Deb's World.

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Friday, September 6

Recent Reads - Find Momo Across Europe

Find Momo Across Europe by Andrew Knapp - Let me start by saying I bought this book with the intention of sharing it with our dog-crazy granddaughter. When we showed her the book she recognized Momo (the dog) because she has a 'find Momo' book geared to children. We have spent some time with our granddaughter picking out Momo in the photographs, and some are quite challenging. I initially hesitated on including this book in the 52 Book Club Reading Challenge because it looks like a children's picture book, but it's full of information and insights about traveling in Europe.

Author and photographer Andrew Knapp travels with his faithful border collie named Momo and has a series of Find Momo books about their adventures. The photos feature breathtaking landscapes, rural villages, bustling cities, historic sites, and more; and in each photo the reader is invited to find Momo posing somewhere. It's not always easy! I found myself studying the details of architecture and landscapes and even the people while wondering where Momo might be.

Knapp includes brief commentary on the places visited, giving tips on places to see that might be off the usual beaten path of tourists, and he makes a point of telling readers which places are dog-friendly. I don't have a dog and don't have plans to travel in Europe in the near future, but I found it interesting that it seems like European cities are much more amenable to patrons bringing their dogs into cafes and other places than most American cities.

This book has a cover without people on it (#24) for The 52 Book Club's 2024 Reading Challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2024

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Saturday, August 31

Monthly Bookshelf Review - August 2024

Never put off till tomorrow the book you can read today. ~Holbrook Jackson

And yet, this is what I continue to do. I love to read, and I keep saying that I still love to read, but I don't know that it's very convincing when it takes me so very long to finish a book! It occurs to me that I probably spend time blogging (on A Fresh Cup of Coffee) that could be spent reading, but I haven't had a great deal of time for that this summer either. Anyway . . . I do a little bit of reading, and here's what I've been working on recently.

August's Books Completed and Reviewed

Harvest of Rubies by Tessa Afshar - Sarah's "reward" for her service as the chief scribe to the queen of Persia is an arranged marriage to a nobleman that starts out disastrously. Sarah has to learn that her worth is not determined by what she cam do, and must build trust in order to do good to her husband. (Read my review HERE.)

The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden - Clara tries to use her journalism to shine a light on injustices, but her story exposing the bitterness her dear friend Daniel has towards a business rival may cause more problems than it solves. (Read my review HERE.)

During August I started reading:

Blood of Adam by Rachel S. Neal - This is one of those books I've had in my Kindle library for ages but I'm finally getting around to reading it. A very intriguing premise - it explores a possible background and character for Japheth's wife, a mother of nations, but someone the Bible really doesn't tell us about.

During August I continued reading:

Sisters of Fortune by Anna Lee Huber - A historical novel about three sisters traveling on the Titanic. It took me awhile to get invested in it and obviously it's taking me awhile to read it, but it is good. Knowing the fate of the ship and wondering what the fates of the novel's characters will be is a bit unsettling, I think!

During August I shelved . . .

Find Momo Across Europe by Andrew Knapp - I forgot that I intended to officially finish this photography book so I could review it! Now that I've been reminded I'm going to try and get that done in the next couple of days!

Where My Books Took Me in August . . . Here's where I've traveled through the pages during the month, along with One Word to sum up the ones I finished.

Harvest of Rubies takes place in ancient Persia.

One Word: Trust

The Lady of Bolton Hill is set in the city of Baltimore, a city I'm somewhat familiar with!

One Word: Courage

Sisters of Fortune is mostly set on the Atlantic Ocean.

Blood of Adam is set somewhere in ancient pre-flood Mesopotamian region.

Find Momo Across Europe roams all over Europe!

Coming Up in September!

Who am I kidding, I have no idea! I've got some great books sitting in my To Be Read stack, and a couple of favorite authors have new books out that I want to read, but I'm not reading anything very quickly these days. So we'll see! It will be a surprise!

On my blogs recently . . .

Besides the reviews, here on Just A Second you'll find:

well . . . nothing else this month, I'm afraid!

And on A Fresh Cup of Coffee: