Friday, April 14

Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines for April 14, 2023

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


I'm back, after taking a couple weeks break from Friday Fun. This week I'm featuring a book that I'm close to finished by now. It's not an easy read, in that it's heartbreaking and horrifying to think of the abuse the women suffered (because it's based on real events), but the narrative is wryly humorous and gentle, and told in a unique voice.

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Ona continues: Our children will be safe.
Greta has closed her eyes. She repeats the word "collectively," as though it is the name of a new vegetable she is unfamiliar with.
Mariche can contain herself no longer. She accuses Ona of being a dreamer.

~from page 56 of Women Talking by Miriam Toews


The basis of the Oscar-winning film from writer/director Sarah Polley, starring Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, with Ben Whishaw and Frances McDormand.

One evening, eight Mennonite women climb into a hay loft to conduct a secret meeting. For the past two years, each of these women, and more than a hundred other girls in their colony, has been repeatedly violated in the night by demons coming to punish them for their sins. Now that the women have learned they were in fact drugged and attacked by a group of men from their own community, they are determined to protect themselves and their daughters from future harm.

While the men of the colony are off in the city, attempting to raise enough money to bail out the rapists and bring them home, these women―all illiterate, without any knowledge of the world outside their community and unable even to speak the language of the country they live in―have very little time to make a choice: Should they stay in the only world they've ever known or should they dare to escape?

Based on real events and told through the "minutes" of the women's all-female symposium, Toews's masterful novel uses wry, politically engaged humor to relate this tale of women claiming their own power to decide.


The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your e-reader.
*Find a snippet, short and sweet.
*Post it, and share in the Linky.

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My name is August Epp―irrelevant for all purposes, other than that I've been appointed the minute-taker for the women's meetings because the women are illiterate and unable to do it themselves.

~From the beginning of Women Talking by Miriam Toews





Book Beginnings on Fridays is hosted by Rose City Reader.

*It's Book Beginnings on Fridays! Time to gather with our fellow book lovers and share the opening sentence (or so) of the books we are reading this week. Or share from a book that is on your mind right now -- whatever catches your fancy.

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RimSP button

First Line Fridays is hosted at Reading is My SuperPower

*Share the first line or two of the book closest to you, then visit other FLF participants.
*Please keep posts family friendly or clean reads.
*Link back to Reading is My SuperPower within your post or grab a button.

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And here is the weekly bookish question in the Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Billy at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer.  

This Week's Question: What is your go-to website to check out book reviews?

My Answer: I tend to look at reviews on Amazon more frequently, but it's the reviews and rating on Goodreads that I rely on. Often the Goodreads reviews are more thorough and I feel more confident that they are honest, especially when it comes to any negative aspects of a book. It helps that I recognize the handles of some reviewers, and that I'm more likely to see a review of another author on Goodreads too.


Book Blogger Hop

©2008-2023 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 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.



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Tuesday, April 11

Top Ten Tuesday - The One With Animals

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

On occasion I'll be joining in the Top Ten Tuesday posts hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, and although it's quite late on a Tuesday, I am participating this week!


This week's Top Ten Tuesday Topic is: Titles with Animals or Book Covers with Animals. I don't read a lot of stories about animals or featuring animals, so I thought it might be interesting to browse through what I've reviewed on my blog that featured animals in the title or on the cover. After scrolling for a bit, I realized that my animal-centric reading is really rare! I'll start with a couple of favorites, add some children's books that I've loved, and then include some honorable mentions and "to-read" titles. Here we go:

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa  - A stray cat becomes the perfect pet and traveling companion for Satoru, and proves to be one of his most loyal friends. One of my favorite books! (Read my full review HERE)



Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron - I read this ages ago, but I remember it being so sweet. An abandoned kitten finds a home in a small library, and becomes its mascot and a beloved celebrity.



Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry - As a young girl, I adored horse stories and read all of Marguerite Henry's books. Misty is the best known and the representative of the series. 



Black Beauty by Anna Sewell is another childhood favorite.



Charlotte's Web by E.B. White - Another children's classic that I loved.



The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - A classic that features the hound on the cover and the title, and of course the hound is at the center of the first Sherlock Holmes mystery.




Detective Trigger and the Ruby Collar by M.A. Owens is a clever and entertaining private eye story featuring a hardboiled chihuahua detective and a powerful cat crime boss. I reviewed it a few years ago and enjoyed it. If I remember correctly this is geared for middle grade readers. (Read my full review HERE.)




Off The Chain by Janice Thompson - I reviewed this one more recently, and it was fun too. Not quite my style, but it was cute and I recommend this and the rest of the series if you like a clean cozy mystery with a touch of romance. And featuring dogs, of course! (Read my full review HERE)



Undertones by L.S. Popovich - I reviewed this one quite awhile back and it's got a much darker wit. It features a whole cast of anthropomorphic animals in a humorous mystery. Dane is a jazz-playing anteater just trying to find out what happened to his polar bear girlfriend while kicking an ant addiction. (Read my full review HERE.)

   


Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt - And this one is on my to-read list! I've got a hold on it at the library, but so do a whole lot of other people, so I'm just waiting my turn, and hoping it's as good as the buzz!



This article will be linked at Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl .

And since I skipped Friday Fun last week, here is the weekly bookish question in the Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Billy at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer.  

This Week's Question: Do you spend your lunchtime reading?

My Answer: Absolutely! Most weekdays, anyway. In fact, I usually have a couple of books that I keep in the dining room for breakfast or lunchtime reading.



©2008-2023 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 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.



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Monday, April 10

What I'm Reading - April 10, 2023

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

 It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

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. Usually I do this around the middle of the month, and try to share my monthly bookshelf summary on the last Monday of the month. Here's what I've been working on lately.


I finished reading . . . 

I'm almost embarrassed to admit it, but I haven't completed and reviewed a book since I did my last "What I'm Reading" update! It surprised me to realize this, in a way, but I have been busy working on some other projects and although it seems like I've been reading almost as often, it appears I haven't spent as much time. I do have several books on the go right now too. I just finished this one and haven't had time to publish the review yet, but will do it this week.

In The Shelter Of Hollythorne House by Sarah E. Ladd - Charlotte Grey is a young widow who only wants to protect her infant son and give him a safe childhood, but she is in dangerous circumstances and under the protection of watchmen, one of whom is her first love, Anthony Welbourne. 



I'm currently reading . . .

When Tomorrow Came by Hannah Linder - Nan and Heath are siblings abandoned by their father when they were very young, but separated and grew up under very different circumstances. When their father finally returns, they are reunited but face turmoil and danger and heartache as a result.



Women Talking by Miriam Toews - After the movie based on this book got some Oscar buzz, I took notice of it because the author is from the town my Mom and grandparents lived in for most of their lives. In an isolated Mennonite community, a group of women gather secretly to decide for themselves their response to the abuse they've suffered.



A Perilous Perspective by Anna Lee Huber - Lady Kiera notices forged artwork while attending her cousin's wedding, and she and Sebastian Gage are soon involved in another mystery as a result.



This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession by Daniel J. Levitin - A look at how our music preferences may be shaped and how our brains process and respond to music. This non-fiction work is so interesting, but heavier reading than I really have time for right now. I had to put it on hold for awhile and I'm contemplating just giving up on it for the time being.



After the Boxes Are Unpacked: Moving On After Moving In by Susan Miller - This book was a gift from a friend and the encouragement and wisdom it contains are very timely and helpful! I'm also very close to finishing it.




Next on the stack . . . 

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
Murder Most Fair by Anna Lee Huber
A Certain Darkness by Anna Lee Huber

   

   


What I'm Highlighting . . . If you're interested, I'd love to have others joining me in my Everyday Images photo challenge and link-up. Near the beginning of the year, I decided to make a bi-weekly photo challenge for myself, since the one I had been participating in was taking a break. I figured since I was challenging myself to take photos more often, and not of the same subject all the time, I should invite others to participate and link up photo posts as well. The link-up opens every other Tuesday and you can join in whether or not you use my prompts. A link-up will open tomorrow. Here's the most recent:



On my blogs recently . . . 

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



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



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



What are you reading?

 ©2008-2023 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 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.



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Sunday, April 2

The Journey: A Music Special From Andrea Bocelli (Review and Giveaway) #TheJourneyTBNMIN

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


The Journey: A Music Special from Andrea Bocelli - Coming to theaters April 2-9, 2023 (Dates extended!)

See THE JOURNEY in theaters starting April 2nd! Buy tickets at: TheJourney.movie


"We journeyed by horse for over 300 kilometers along a path that was not always easy to travel, but absolutely beautiful, made of meadows and forests; sacred places filled with lasting testimonies of faith, full of art of incredible beauty, and views in front of which one can't but ponder about creation and the miraculous work of our Heavenly Father." ~Andrea Bocelli, talking about his movie, THE JOURNEY, in theaters beginning Palm Sunday, April 2.

What is Andrea Bocelli's hope for you when you see THE JOURNEY? "My wish is that the movie can offer an invitation to fully live and recognize our daily miracles."



Synopsis: Combining world-class musical performances with intimate conversations across the awe-inspiring Italian countryside, THE JOURNEY: A Music Special from Andrea Bocelli is an exploration of moments that define us, songs that inspire us, and relationships that connect us to what matters most in life.

From TBN comes THE JOURNEY, a sacred pilgrimage of hope, beauty, and song featuring Andrea Bocelli and other great artists. In addition to Bocelli, THE JOURNEY features Michael W. Smith, Tori Kelly, Tauren Wells, TAYA, and many others in amazing musical performances across majestic locations. You'll be swept away by the beauty of THE JOURNEY. Experience the awe of the music, the Italian landscape, meaningful conversations, and the reality of hope, faith, and love. Get your tickets at TheJourney.movie.  

This special theatrical event opens on Palm Sunday and continues through Holy Week: April 2nd through April 9th.


My thoughts:  I love Andrea Bocelli's voice and couldn't pass up the opportunity to hear him along with other wonderful musicians like Tori Kelly and Michael W. Smith. To also get a glimpse of some of the beautiful buildings and landscapes along Italy's Via Francigena and be introduced to musical artists I wasn't familiar with made it even more special. 

Andrea and his wife Veronica begin their journey along this ancient road of pilgrimage in Rome, and as they travel, they talk with each other and with some of the guest artists about their own personal journeys of faith. Childhood memories and experiences that shaped them, and how God worked to give them hope and purpose, and what they want to share with the world through their music. Bocelli's children, Matteo and Virginia, make appearances as well, and both of those segments are very moving. Bocelli singing his own "Ave Maria" while joined by his daughter is breathtaking.




There are mini-concerts throughout the movie's journey, with Tori Kelly, Tauren Wells, TAYA, Michael W. Smith, and Clara Barbier Serrano performing on their own and with Bocelli. Two instrumental groups that I hadn't heard before joined in as accompanists and performers. 2CELLOS is a Croatian cello duo, and 40 Fingers is an Italian guitar quartet. It was intriguing to see a young lady conducting the orchestra. Her name is Beatrice Venezi, and she is one of the few female conductors on the international stage. British soloist Katherine Jenkins joined Bocelli at the end of the journey performing a couple of beautiful songs. 





The music ranges from Schubert's "Ave Maria" to a version of Bernstein's "Hallelujah", and each artist brings their own style and composition to share as well. I especially loved the set with Katherine Jenkins near the end, and the very moving closing song that featured all of the artists singing "Amazing Grace".


See The Journey in theaters April 2nd through April 9th!

Purchase tickets at: TheJourney.movie

As part of this promotion, Momentum is generously allowing me to host this giveaway of a $10 Amazon gift card. Please note: This giveaway is open to US only, opens on April 2nd and closes on April 9th. The same giveaway form appears here and on A Fresh Cup of Coffee and Homeschool Coffee Break.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hashtags: #TheJourneyTBNMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork



Disclosure: Many thanks to TBN for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

©2008-2023 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 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.
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