Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines for May 19, 2023

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Manhattan, May 1862

Edward Davidson had an odd fascination with pretending he was everyone but himself. The butcher. The baker. The candlestick maker.

~From the beginning of The Keys to Gramercy Park by Candice Sue Patterson

Secrets Sealed Within a Wall Come to Light in Lower Manhattan

Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical series of romance and adventure.

Investigative historical journalist Andrea Andrews is tired of waiting tables to make ends meet. If she could find and write the next breakout story, she could secure a promotion with Smithsonian Magazine as their writer-at-large. But not much happens in lower Manhattan out of the ordinary until she discovers post-Civil War counterfeit bills hidden in the wall of her historic district apartment.

Politics have always been Beau Davidson-Quincy's passion, despite his family's real estate empire. His clean image and single status make him a target in the media as he prepares to build his campaign for New York governor. He has nothing to hide until a cute waitress unravels a mystery that could destroy his family's reputation.

Two centuries earlier, wounded Civil War veteran Franklin Davidson lost everything―his house, his wife, his standing in society. In his darkest moment, he's awarded a position with the newly formed Secret Service to combat the spread of counterfeit U.S. currency. His life and new home in Gramercy Park are the envy of his peers, but nothing is as it seems. Secrets are meant to be kept, and Franklin will take his to his grave.

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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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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He'd failed to shelter Edward from the rage and wouldn't make that mistake twice. As often as he'd be away hunting counterfeiters, Franklin needed reassurance of his family's safety.

~from page 56 of The Keys to Gramercy Park by Candice Sue Patterson

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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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:  Have you ever attempted to repair a damaged book?

My Answer: It's been a long time since I attempted any repairs, but I have tried. I've taped in pages that were loose, and have tried reinforcing a broken spine. With some of my old books that are coming apart, I've decided to just treat them with extra care to make sure the loose pages aren't lost. 

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.

Down The TBR Hole #8

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

Welcome to my latest edition of Down The TBR Hole! Jody at the blog I'm Into Books has offered this solution to help remind us of all those books we added to our Goodreads list in the distant past and hopefully start managing the list. The idea is to start cleaning up our Goodreads TBR lists of all the books that have piled up over time, and share our progress in the link-up every Thursday. Here's how Jody explains it:

Most of you probably know this feeling, your Goodreads TBR pile keeps growing and growing and it seems like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. You keep adding, but you add more than you actually read. And then when you're scrolling through your list, you realize that you have no idea what half the books are about and why you added them. 

So here's what we'll do: On the Goodreads to-read shelf, order all your books ascending by date added. Look at the first four (or more) books on the list, read the synopses and decide whether the books should stay or go. Post in the link-up and share using the hashtag #DTTBRH and tagging @Jodyblogs.

I cut four of the five books I looked at this week, but I still feel like I'm not paring down the list very quickly. I only regret cutting one of these though. I've got to get my list down to a manageable size, especially since I can't read at the pace of an entire book a day!

Here's what I found on Week Eight:

Around the World in 80 Days: Companion to the PBS Series by Michael Palin - British actor and comedian Michael Palin follows in the footsteps of Jules Verne's fictional adventurer Phileas Fogg and circles the globe in 80 days.

This was a bit of a tough choice because this sounds charming and the reviews were good, but I decided to send it down the hole.

Round Ireland With a Fridge by Tony Hawks - Tony Hawks made a drunken bet and wound up hitchhiking round Ireland with a fridge. His foolhardiness led him to one of the best experiences of his life.

This sounds humorous and interesting, but I have no recollection of why I added it to the list so I didn't think it worth keeping at this point.

Murder At Mansfield Park by Lynn Shepherd - This is described as a twist on the Jane Austen novel, with Fanny Price as a rich heiress that is murdered, and Mary Crawford teaming up with a theif-taker from London to solve the crime.

The reviews were not good on this one, and I've been disappointed in so many Austen fan-fiction and retelling novels that I wasn't willing to take a chance. It's gone.

 

None But You by Susan Kaye -This one is also an Austen retelling based on Persuasion, with Frederick Wentworth as the viewpoint character rather than Anne Elliott.

I almost kept this on the TBR until I realized it was only the first of a two-parter. Sorry, I have not got time to add a two-part retelling to my list. This one is gone too.

Confessions Of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated by Alison Arngrim - Arngrim describes how playing this hated character inspired freedom and confidence, her experiences growing up in Hollywood with eccentric parents, her co-stars on Little House, and her life's challenges.

This is the one I decided to keep on my TBR and I hope I'll have time to look for it at the library soon.

This post will be linked at Down The TBR Hole hosted by Jody at I'm Into Books.

#DTTBRH

©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.

Top Ten Tuesday - The One With Obstacles (and the Book Blogger Hop)

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 today is one of those days. The occasions on which I have time and remember to join in are far fewer than I'd expected!

This week's Top Ten Tuesday Topic is: Things Getting In the Way of Reading. In other words, what's taking up your time right now - other than reading? Seems to me that there are probably things getting in the way of my attempts at writing blog posts too. Probably some of the same things! At any rate, in no particular order, here are the things that tend to chip away at my reading time.

Sleep - Although it's just as likely that I'll get caught up in a book and keep reading 'one more chapter' when I should be sleeping, very often I just can't stay awake or I decide to take a nap rather than read for a bit.

Games - I have a couple of puzzle games I like to play on my phone or Kindle, and sometimes I just want to conquer the game rather than pick up a book.

Internet - Pretty much everything I do on the computer will take longer than I expect or intend and there goes a reading opportunity.

Podcasts - I have several podcasts I like to listen to, and I don't like pausing in the middle. So I'll decide to finish the podcast and before I know it, no time left to read.

Housework - In a way this goes with the podcasts, because I can listen to podcasts while I do a lot of household tasks, but I obviously can't do that while holding a book. (Yes, I could listen to audio books, couldn't I? I've never really gotten into audio books, sadly.)

Homework - Either grading papers for the students I tutor or working on my own homework for a course I'm working on.

Darkness - Sometimes I'd like to read, but it's late and my husband is sleeping so I really need to turn out the light. If I don't have something on my Kindle that I feel like reading at the moment, then I don't read.

Trouble Concentrating - If there are things going on around me, I can have trouble focusing on my book.

Not Prepared - I hate when I get stuck just waiting somewhere but I didn't bring a book to work on. Or I don't have my reading glasses with me. Or I brought my Kindle but the battery is dead.

Not In the Mood - This is so weird, but yeah, there are times when I just don't have anything handy that I feel like reading in that moment.

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

And I skipped my Friday Fun post so 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 have a "trademark" that everyone would know it's you whether you said your name or blog name?

My Answer: I'm not sure that I do, except that I've tried to keep each of my blogs "branded" with a coffee theme. When I leave comments on book blogs, I often end my comment with "Happy Reading!" but I've noticed a lot of others do the same. So I guess my coffee cup button or avatar might be the closest thing to a "trademark" that I have.

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.

What I'm Reading - May 15, 2023

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

 

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 . . . 

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. This was finished at my last update but I hadn't yet posted the review. (Read my review HERE.)

Women Talking by Miriam Toews - In an isolated Mennonite community, a group of women gather secretly to decide for themselves their response to the abuse they've suffered and how they can protect themselves and their children. (Read my review HERE.)

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. (Read my review HERE.)

After the Boxes Are Unpacked: Moving On After Moving In by Susan Miller - An encouraging guidebook to settling into new surroundings and making a new place home. (Read my full review HERE.)

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt - I loved this story about a curmudgeonly octopus and his unlikely friendship with the cleaning lady that comes in after hours. (Read my full review HERE.)

I'm currently reading . . .

Fair As A Star by Mimi Matthews - Beryl returns to her small English village to marry her betrothed, but her deep friendship with his younger brother, now the curate, is more comforting to her as she copes with her melancholy.

The Keys to Gramercy Park by Candice Sue Patterson - A dual timeline story in which a modern day journalist discovers a stash of old counterfeit money in her apartment wall and sets out to find its origin.

A Perilous Perspective by Anna Lee Huber - As so often happens when I am reading library books or review books, the books that I own get put on hold no matter how greatly I'm enjoying them! That's been the case with this Lady Kiera mystery in which her discovery of forged art leads to a murder investigation and danger.

Next on the stack . . . 

Composition As Conversation by Heather M. Hoover

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 . . . My Mother's Day themed Wednesday Quotes post on A Fresh Cup of Coffee included some history on how this special day came to be. I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day weekend!

Next weekend is Victoria Day in Canada. so I'll also highlight an older post at Homeschool Coffee Break that shares some history on that holiday: From the High School Lesson Book - Victoria Day

On my blogs recently . . . 

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

Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines posts

Down the TBR Hole #7

Monthly Bookshelf Review - April 2023

Top Ten Tuesday - The One With Animals

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

Scripture and a Snapshot posts

Five Minute Friday posts

Everyday Images posts

WQ - Happy Mother's Day!

10 on the 10th - Do You Remember?

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Thoughts About Crowning Achievements

This Is What Bugs Me

Currently . . . May 4, 2023

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Thoughts On the Merry Month of May

WQ  - We're All Growing Up

Share Four Somethings - April 2023

Monthly Musings - All About Spring

What's Up Wednesday Hodgepodge - April 2023

WQ - Abstract Beauty

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Thoughts On Travel and Sports

WQ - In Honor of Gardens

Coffee Break Reading List - April 2023

Wednesday Quotes - Playing Tour Guide

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Seasonal Thoughts

Keeping It Clean and Would You Rather?

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

From the High School Lesson Book - Happy Mother's Day

From the High School Lesson Book - Coronation of King Charles III

High School Writing Tip Sheets - Scenes, Summaries, and Stories

Homeschool Coffee Break Reading List - April 2023

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.

Recent Reads - Remarkably Bright Creatures

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

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt - Who would have thought that a novel about a friendship between a lonely cleaning lady and a bored octopus would be so warm and engaging? This unusual relationship is at the heart of the story, and somehow even an aging aquarium octopus is a relatable and sympathetic character.

Tova Sullivan is a widow who still has unanswered questions about the death of her only son many years ago. To keep herself busy, she has taken a job cleaning the Sowell Bay aquarium after hours. Tova knows how to clean and she doesn't put up with any nonsense, but she's also made it a habit to greet each of the creatures as she makes her rounds. Over time she develops an odd affection for the Giant Pacific Octopus (his name is Marcellus), and after she rescues him from a predicament, he seems to trust and like her as well.

Other characters that play major roles are a young man named Cameron, who seems perpetually down on his luck; and Ethan, the crusty Scotsman that owns the grocery store and deli. Their friendships with Tova and how all the various storylines and characters intersect keep you turning pages and cheering each of them on. Cameron is on a chancy search for his father and for information about his missing mother and that's what brings him to Sowell Bay for the summer. Tova's social circle, a knitting group, is dwindling as the aging members move away to be with children, and Tova finally accepts that she won't be able to stay in her house alone forever and makes plans to sell. Ethan is the generous soul that takes Cameron in and helps him get a job, and that helps Tova out when he can because he doesn't want her to move away.

Interspersed with the present tense narrative of these viewpoint characters' stories are the shorter chapters that are rather like Marcellus' diary. Marcellus keeps count of the days of his captivity and records his observations about the humans around him. It is Marcellus that puts together the various pieces of information and has the answers Tova is looking for, but will he be able to communicate what he knows to her before it's too late? 

A definite must-read!

This is a book written in present tense (#37) for The 52 Book Club's 2023 Reading Challenge

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2023

©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.

Recent Reads - After The Boxes Are Unpacked

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

After the Boxes Are Unpacked: Moving On After Moving In by Susan Miller - A little time has passed since I finished reading this helpful guidebook, and I realized I hadn't written a review! I guess I'll try to keep  it short.

I received this book from a dear friend who discovered that it was given to wives of seminary students at a particular school, in order to help them navigate their experiences. It's also especially helpful for military wives who are so often on the move. Author Susan Miller had moved many times throughout her marriage and drew from her experiences, both positive and negative, to develop a ministry and this book that would help women in "Moving On After Moving In".

The biggest challenge that often faces us after a move is making the new place our home instead of just our new address. Learning the way around the new neighborhoods, figuring out new schools and shopping and doctors and churches, settling into the new house or apartment, and perhaps most importantly, making new connections and relationships can be daunting. It's all exacerbated if the move was unexpected or unwanted, or if it accompanies other losses. Miller gives permission to acknowledge all the losses and the grief that accompanies a move, but also firmly and gently points out that it's necessary to move on. She offers sound advice about planning logistics as well as adjusting thinking and attitudes to embrace the reality of a new situation gracefully. 

I believe this book was first published in the mid-1990s when internet resources and connections weren't quite as ubiquitous as they are now, but from my own experience I'd say the virtual connections and abundant online resources are both blessing and curse for movers. Finding information about a new locality and doing all the things like address changes and finding new doctors can certainly be done with ease thanks to the internet. It's also easier to stay in touch with friends "back home" and I didn't have to miss a beat with my online friends. But in my opinion, that also takes away some of the urgency of finding new friends and connecting personally at a church or other local community. 

If you or a loved one has recently made a move or will be making one soon, I do recommend this book. It's full of common sense wisdom from someone who has been there, both practical and spiritual. It's encouraging and kindly challenging in its reminders to keep growing closer to God during times of transition and transplanting.

This is a book that doesn't fit any of the other prompts (#51) for The 52 Book Club's 2023 Reading Challenge

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2023

©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.