Code Girls by Liza Mundy

Title: Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II

Author: Liza Mundy

Publisher: Hachette Books 2017

Genre: Nonfiction - U.S. History

Pages: 416

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Popsugar - Puzzle; Nonfiction Bingo - Science and Technology

Recruited by the U.S. Army and Navy from small towns and elite colleges, more than ten thousand women served as codebreakers during World War II. While their brothers and boyfriends took up arms, these women moved to Washington and learned the meticulous work of code-breaking. Their efforts shortened the war, saved countless lives, and gave them access to careers previously denied to them. A strict vow of secrecy nearly erased their efforts from history; now, through dazzling research and interviews with surviving code girls, bestselling author Liza Mundy brings to life this riveting and vital story of American courage, service, and scientific accomplishment.

Wow! How did I not know about these amazing women and their contributions to the war effort? Oh right, the military kept most of this information classified for years. Thank goodness many of these women have now been encouraged to tell their stories. The book is information heavy, but great at telling the story of code-breaking both before WWII and during. We make connections to many specific women following their stories through specific units and projects. I thoroughly enjoyed the narrative even when it covered topics or events that I have a fair bit of knowledge of. It was still nice to put everything together into one story. I even took pages of notes about the story. So good!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

The cold! We were at the western edge of the polar vortex this week, but that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t cold. School was canceled yesterday due to the weather.
Finishing up my 29th book of the year so far. I don’t think my Goodreads goal of 175 book is going to be hard to attain at this rate.
Broke my promise to not get more books from the library. I have a bag full of comics sitting by my chair. Oops!
Searching for a new pajama set is proving to be surprisingly difficult… I might just have to go back to Victoria’s Secret.
Q’s diaper rash (was really bad two days ago) has gotten a lot better. Here’s hoping for dry bottoms.
I hate dealing with health insurance. That is all.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Skirting the Grave by Annette Blair

Title: Skirting the Grave (Vintage Magic Mystery #4)

Author: Annette Blair

Publisher: Berkley 2011

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 288

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Finishing the Series; Seasonal Series - Cold Hearted Character

Maddie Cutler thought she was taking on a new design intern for her boutique. But instead she finds her dead at the train station under suspicious circumstances. Now, Maddie is determined to iron out the wrinkles of this mystery.

Another fun cozy mystery. I loved adding another great character into the mix. Isabel is fun and very knowledgable when it comes to clothes. I’ve never loved Eve as a character and counterpoint for Mad, so Isabel is a much better choice. The big mystery was amazing and I was a bit disappointed at the reveal. (I’ve read some of Blair’s other books and it felt a bit like a rip-off.) I’m a bit disappointed as to the resolution of the Nick-Mad-Wener situation. I hope the last two books change the situation.

Vintage Magic Mystery:

#1 A Veiled Deception
#2 Larceny and Lace
#3 Death by Diamonds
#4 Skirting the Grave
#5 Cloaked in Malice
#6 Tulle Death Do Us Part

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

Title: The Fifth Season (The Broken Earth #1)

Author: N.K. Jemisin

Publisher: Orbit 2015

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 496

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Random TBR Pick; Women Authors; Dancing with Fantasy/Scifi - By a Woman of Color

This is the way the world ends...for the last time.
A season of endings has begun.
It starts with the great red rift across the heart of the world's sole continent, spewing ash that blots out the sun.
It starts with death, with a murdered son and a missing daughter.
It starts with betrayal, and long dormant wounds rising up to fester.
This is the Stillness, a land long familiar with catastrophe, where the power of the earth is wielded as a weapon. And where there is no mercy.

It took me years to finally pick this one up, but my goodness, why did I wait so long? This was just amazing. I was sucked into the world and the story within the first few pages. Jemisin creates a compelling world. I immediately had to know what was going on and what was going to happened. I fell for Damaya, Syenite, and Essun and had to know them more. I loved how each woman’s story progresses and we learn more and more as the pages go on. The reader is thrown into the world without much preparation, but Jemisin make is easy to understand what is happening. (There’s also a small glossary at the back of the book to help the reader) The last 75 pages of this book I read in one sitting, not being able to wait to find out what happens. The next book in the trilogy is going on my shortlist.

The Broken Earth:

#1 The Fifth Season
#2 The Obelisk Gate
#3 The Stone Sky

Next up on the TBR pile:

Zorro by Isabel Allende

Title: Zorro

Author: Isabel Allende Translated by: Margaret Sayers Peden

Publisher: Harper Perennial 2005

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 390

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: UnRead Shelf; Alphabet Soup - A; Popsugar - Clothing on Cover

Born in southern California late in the eighteenth century, he is a child of two worlds. Diego de la Vega's father is an aristocratic Spanish military man turned landowner; his mother, a Shoshone warrior. Diego learns from his maternal grandmother, White Owl, the ways of her tribe while receiving from his father lessons in the art of fencing and in cattle branding. It is here, during Diego's childhood, filled with mischief and adventure, that he witnesses the brutal injustices dealt Native Americans by European settlers and first feels the inner conflict of his heritage.

At the age of sixteen, Diego is sent to Barcelona for a European education. In a country chafing under the corruption of Napoleonic rule, Diego follows the example of his celebrated fencing master and joins La Justicia, a secret underground resistance movement devoted to helping the powerless and the poor. With this tumultuous period as a backdrop, Diego falls in love, saves the persecuted, and confronts for the first time a great rival who emerges from the world of privilege.

Between California and Barcelona, the New World and the Old, the persona of Zorro is formed, a great hero is born, and the legend begins. After many adventures -- duels at dawn, fierce battles with pirates at sea, and impossible rescues -- Diego de la Vega, a.k.a. Zorro, returns to America to reclaim the hacienda on which he was raised and to seek justice for all who cannot fight for it themselves.

My UnRead Shelf Project pick for January. This has been sitting on my shelf, not for years only months, but for whatever reason, it keeps gets passed over. I finally picked it up and really enjoyed Allende’s style of writing. I love her construction of the story, focusing on different time periods during Diego’s life. I enjoyed the flow of the narrative. Definitely done well! And yet, I wasn’t completely engrossed in the story and and characters. Something about all the characters created a big gap for me. I just didn’t love it. But, a really good historical fiction.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon

Title: Whiskey in a Teacup: What Growing Up in the South Taught Me about Life, Love, and Baking Biscuits

Author: Reese Witherspoon

Publisher: Touchstone 2018

Genre: Memoir

Pages: 304

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Nonfiction Bingo - Celebrity Memoir; Creativity

Reese’s southern heritage informs her whole life, and she loves sharing the joys of southern living with practically everyone she meets. She takes the South wherever she goes with bluegrass, big holiday parties, and plenty of Dorothea’s fried chicken. It’s reflected in how she entertains, decorates her home, and makes holidays special for her kids—not to mention how she talks, dances, and does her hair (in these pages, you will learn Reese’s fail-proof, only slightly insane hot-roller technique). Reese loves sharing Dorothea’s most delicious recipes as well as her favorite southern traditions, from midnight barn parties to backyard bridal showers, magical Christmas mornings to rollicking honky-tonks.

A random library pick. This volume is a mix of recipes, how-tos, and memoir essays. I enjoyed reading about Reese’s background and family life growing up. The recipes were fun (must make a few of them) and the how-tos were interesting. Plus, the photographs were gorgeous! My favorite sections were the one about dinner parties and the one about book clubs. Loved these two! The one negative piece that I kept coming back to was the emphasis on life in the South. Unfortunately the Southern lifestyle described really only belongs to middle class (and above) whites. Overall, a decent collection of topics and essays.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Ghost "Dance Macabre"

This band’s sound and look are in opposition for me, but I still love this song!

Life Right Now #2

On my bedside table: In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire; Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

On my TV: Wrapping up our movie month this week. Plus I watched a few episodes of Riverdale S2 Friday night while J was out.

Listening to: Podcasts, podcasts, and more podcasts. Slowing catching up with This Podcast Will Kill You.

On the menu:

Monday - Pulled Pork Hawaiian Nachos
Tuesday - Broccoli Beef
Wednesday - Chicken Ranch Tacos
Thursday - Spinach and Feta Grilled Cheese
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - Monterrey Chicken Skillet
Sunday - Pesto Stuffed Shells

On my to do list: Still have a few tasks to do from last week…

Happening this week: We’ve got a few Romp n Roll classes scheduled for this week. Plus a visit to the Children’s Museum. And I have book club on Tuesday night. Really looking forward to that.

What I am creating: I finished my big craft project on Thursday. Now I’m transitioning over to starting to catch up Quentin’s 2017 Project Life album. And I want to make at least three cards for February.

My simple pleasures: Being warm (seriously, I’ve been so cold lately), Apple Cinnamon Tea, comfy socks, fresh fruit

What I’m planning: Working on hotel accommodations for April’s convention.

Looking around the house: I want to sort the rest of the random stuff in the TV room. And I need to sweep and swiffer the kitchen today.

Looking forward to: Book club! We read The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. Not the best, but I think it should translate to a good discussion. We’re meeting at a library themed bar, so I’m excited!

From the camera: Aftermath of dinner prep the other night.

Low Vol. 4

Title: Low Volume 4: Outer Aspects of Inner Attitudes

Author: Rick Remender, Greg Tocchini

Publisher: Image 2017

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 112

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Tajo returns to her family home on Salus, to find a city on the brink of devastation. There is no food, no air, no hope for mankind's last great dome city. Now, Tajo must band together with IO, a man carrying a secret millennia old, and Mertali, a brave mermaid from the gladiator pits of Poluma, to fight for a better future for everyone. But death stalks the desolate streets of Salus, a ruthless killer who will stop at nothing to see the city drown in its own blood—a killer that Tajo created, and now must face again one final time. Collects LOW #16-19

Loved reconnecting with Mertali and Io in this volume. Plus we get to see pretty big developments in Salus. Oh my! Just what is going to happen next?

Next up on the TBR pile:

Low Vol. 3

Title: Low Volume 3: Shore the Dying Light

Author: Rick Remender, Greg Tocchini

Publisher: Image 2016

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 136

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Stel Caine rises from the depths to the surface of the Earth, the first human in millennia to walk on the sun-blasted wasteland. Her daughters aren't far behind, and not everyone shares Stel's hopeful outlook for the future. Will this family reunion reveal the key to mankind's salvation? or snuff out the light forever? Collects LOW #11-15

I’m really here for the relationship between Della and Tajo. Such a great dynamic. And I’ve been dying to see the world above the water. And it is pretty horrific. I can’t wait to see what happens next to our explorers.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Low Vol. 2

Title: Low Volume 2: Before the Dawn Burns Us

Author: Rick Remender, Greg Tocchini

Publisher: Image 2015

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 112

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Will Stel Caine rise from the depths to become first human in millennia to set foot on the surface of the Earth? Who is the relentless Minister of Thought on a quest to put an end to Stel's attempt to restore the light to a dying world? Collects LOW #7-10.

This volume starts with a bang. Wow! I didn’t know where the story was going to go at the end of the first volume. I love that we finally get to see more from Tajo and Della. Plus there are some significant developments in the overall world story. Really enjoyed it!

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Autumnlands: Tooth and Claw

Title: The Autumnlands Volume 1: Tooth and Claw

Author: Kurt Busiek and Ben Dewey

Publisher: Image 2015

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 184

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

When the wizards of the Autumnlands reach through time to bring back a legendary hero, they don't get the savior they expected. But in a shattered, besieged city, he's their only hope of survival-and possibly their entire world's, as well.
Collects THE AUTUMNLANDS: TOOTH & CLAW #1-6.

A rare comic series that I don’t think is for me. I was intrigued by the world building, but didn’t connect to the characters. I wasn’t really rooting for anyone or anything. And the art was not pulling me in like I wanted it to.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Guidebook to Murder by Lynn Cahoon

Title: Guidebook to Murder (Tourist Trap Mystery #1)

Author: Lynn Cahoon

Publisher: Kensington 2014

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 208

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; Monthly Motif - New to Me Author; Cloak and Dagger

In the gentle coastal town of South Cove, California, all Jill Gardner wants is to keep her store--Coffee, Books, and More--open and running. So why is she caught up in the business of murder?

When Jill's elderly friend, Miss Emily, calls in a fit of pique, she already knows the city council is trying to force Emily to sell her dilapidated old house. But Emily's gumption goes for naught when she dies unexpectedly and leaves the house to Jill--along with all of her problems. . .and her enemies. Convinced her friend was murdered, Jill is finding the list of suspects longer than the list of repairs needed on the house. But Jill is determined to uncover the culprit--especially if it gets her closer to South Cove's finest, Detective Greg King. Problem is, the killer knows she's on the case--and is determined to close the book on Jill permanently. . .

I picked this volume up on a whim at the library and I’m so glad I did. This is a very cute cozy mystery full of red herrings, twists, secrets, and ultimately a good conclusion. Jill is a great main character and amateur detective. And South Cove is a great little setting for murder. I can just see the main street full of old cottages serving as business locales. And all the great random side characters. I’ll definitely keep reading this series.

Tourist Trap Mystery:

#1 Guidebook to Murder
#2 Mission to Murder
#3 If the Shoe Kills
#3.25 Rockets’ Dead Glare
#4 Dressed to Kill
#5 Killer Run
#6 Murder on Wheels
#7 Tea Cups and Carnage
#8 Hospitality and Homicide
#9 Killer Party
#9.5 A Deadly Brew
#9.75 Santa Puppy
#10 Corned Beef and Casulties
#10.5 Mother’s Day Mayhem

Next up on the TBR pile:

Videos for a New Year

This looks terrifying!

Hilarious and yet depressing.

And one that’s more depressing…

Thank you Deadpool.

Such an amazing athlete! A joy to watch!

Hmmm… maybe

I cannot wait! We love both of the other movies, can’t wait to see what happens in 3.

Winter Solstice by Elin Hilderbrand

Title: Winter Solstice (Winter #4)

Author: Elin Hilderbrand

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company 2017

Genre: Romance

Pages: 297

Stars: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Finishing the Series; Seasonal Series - Set in Winter

It's been too long since the entire Quinn family has been able to celebrate the holidays under the same roof, but that's about to change. With Bart back safe and sound from Afghanistan, the Quinns are preparing for a holiday more joyous than any they've experienced in years. And Bart's safe return isn't the family's only good news: Kevin is enjoying married life with Isabelle; Patrick is getting back on his feet after paying his debt to society; Ava thinks she's finally found the love of her life; and Kelly is thrilled to see his family reunited at last. But it just wouldn't be a Quinn family gathering if things went smoothly. A celebration of everything we love--and some of the things we endure--about the holidays,

Goodness! What an ending to this series! I admit, I was in tears by the end of the book. The Quinn family really got under my skin. I wanted to see each and every one of them happy and settled by the end of the series. That didn’t quite happen, but I was still very satisfied with the ending. I loved seeing Ava make up her mind, finally! I loved seeing Bart find a place once again. I was very interested in Jennifer and Norah’s stories. The only part that felt a little flat for me was Eddie’s story and narrated chapters. But his perspective did move along the rest of the characters’s stories. Overall a very good series.

Winter:

#1 Winter Street
#2 Winter Stroll
#3 Winter Storms
#4 Winter Solstice

Next up on the TBR pile:

Open House by Elizabeth Berg

Title: Open House

Author: Elizabeth Berg

Publisher: Random House 2000

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 240

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Popsugar - Meant to Read in 2018; Women Authors

Samantha's husband has left her, and after a spree of overcharging at Tiffany's, she settles down to reconstruct a life for herself and her eleven-year-old son. Her eccentric mother tries to help by fixing her up with dates, but a more pressing problem is money. To meet her mortgage payments, Sam decides to take in boarders. The first is an older woman who offers sage advice and sorely needed comfort; the second, a maladjusted student, is not quite so helpful. A new friend, King, an untraditional man, suggests that Samantha get out, get going, get work. But her real work is this: In order to emerge from grief and the past, she has to learn how to make her own happiness. In order to really see people, she has to look within her heart. And in order to know who she is, she has to remember—and reclaim—the person she used to be, long before she became someone else in an effort to save her marriage.

Quite a disappointing read for me. This was recommended by Oprah and a few other bloggers that I follow. I had previously read another of Berg’s novels, Tapestry of Fortunes, and found it fairly charming. This one just fell a bit flat for me. I could not stand the main character and wasn’t all that inspired by her boarders. Struggled to finish this one. Just not for me.

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Precious Jewel by Mary Balogh

Title: A Precious Jewel (Stapleton-Downes #2)

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: 1993

Genre: Romance

Pages: 338

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: UnRead Shelf; Monthly Key Word - Jewel; Finishing the Series

She was unlike any woman he’d ever met in the ton or the demimonde. But Sir Gerald Stapleton frequented Mrs. Blyth’s euphemistically dubbed “finishing school” for pure, uncomplicated pleasure–and nothing else. So why was this confirmed bachelor so thoroughly captivated by one woman in particular? Why did he find himself wondering how such a rare jewel of grace, beauty, and refinement as Priss had ended up a courtesan? And when she needed protection, why did Gerald, who’d sworn he’d never get entangled in affairs of the heart, hasten to set her up as his own pampered mistress to ensure her safety–and have her all to himself?

For Priscilla Wentworth, the path leading to Sir Gerald’s bed had been as filled with misfortune as it suddenly seemed charmed. But Priss couldn’t allow herself to believe she’d ever be more to a man like Sir Gerald than a well-cared-for object of pleasure. Now, despite Gerald’s deep distrust of marriage, neither scandal nor society’s censure can keep them apart–only the fear of trusting their hearts.

Another disappointing read. January is really ending up to be a very mixed bag when it comes to books. But anyway… I was not a fan of either of the main characters in this book. Priss was extremely wooden throughout every encounter with other people. I really wanted her to have some kind of personality. And Gerald was a bit of a naive yet pompous ass. For all of Priss’s talk of the worth of Gerald, I just couldn’t really see it. I just really wanted better characters. The previous book, The Ideal Wife, was such a delight. This was the opposite.

Stapleton-Downes:

#1 The Ideal Wife
#2 A Precious Jewel

Dark Angel:

#1 Dark Angel
#2 Lord Carew’s Bride
#3 The Famous Heroine
#4 The Plumed Bonnet
#5 The Ideal Wife
#6 A Precious Jewel
#7 A Christmas Bride
#8 Christmas Beau

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #1

Reading: The Fifth Seasonby N.K. Jemisin. Somehow this book kept getting pushed to the bottom of the TBR pile, but so glad I picked it up last week. Oh so good!

Watching: Slowly slowly working my way through Riverdale S2.

Listening: I listen to a ton of podcasts, but the Apocalist Book Club is my current favorite. Such fun!

Making: Working on some card kits for a friend’s craft retreat later this spring.

Feeling: The kids keep waking up in the middle of the night and early in the morning. I’m super run down right now…

Planning: Why does my family always need to eat? Argh! Back to meal planning…

Loving: My little escape lately has been working on my planner and memory planner. Looking through my planner stickers really makes me happy.

Next up on the TBR pile:

January Movie Month Update #2

A few years back, we used to celebrate the new year by watching a month of movies. We decided to resurrect the idea for 2019. I went through a huge list of movies and made a slightly shorter list for us to pull from every night. There’s a little bit of everything on the list. Let’s see what we watched:

#10 The Station Agent — Very intriguing character study-like movie. Enjoyed this one.

#11 Central Intelligence — Mildly entertaining, but not amazing.

#12 High Sierra — So so good. I haven’t watched this one in years. Definitely lived up to my memories of it!

#13 How to Lose Friends and Alienate People — J recommended this one. Wasn’t amazing, but I don’t think it deserves a 37% on Rotten Tomatoes. That is way too harsh!

#14 A Band Called Death — Fascinating documentary. I learned so much!

#15 Somm: Into the Bottle — I liked this one much better than the first Somm. More information, less reality tv.

#16 Jackie Brown — Somehow I’ve never seen it. Very entertaining.

#17 The Petrified Forest — Continuing with Bogart. Really love this one.

#18 The Man Who Knew Infinity — Really good biography film.

#19 Zero Days — Fascinating, yet depressing documentary about Stuxnet.

Next up in the TBR Pile:

Music Monday - Bring Me the Horizon "MANTRA"

Every time this song gets played on Octane, I must stop and listen. So good!