AfterBefore Bones and Books I’ve always thought of books as the foundation of everything—knowledge, escape, curiosity. So many have gone into solidifying who I am today. It wasn’t until reading Freya Sharp’s collection of poetry that I began to think of the books that have shaped my bones. piece by piecei crumble to the floor – Freya Sharp Books like A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle gave me a heroine that I could see myself in. Harry Potter let me bring the joy of reading to my children. The ending of The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth—well, I’m still upset about that. And Deborah Harkness brought the realization that there can be well-written fantasy for adults, not just the under twenty-somethings. In Between These Bones Freya Sharp offers a captivating collection of poetry that dives deep into the essence of self-discovery and personal transformation. The book’s concise, cutting-to-the-bone prose guides you through the thoughts of a young girl growing into a woman, battling to reclaim her power and identity. Sharp’s words takes you into her innermost struggles and offers a view into the journey of finding oneself. Between These Bones explores what shapes us, what we believe, and how we ultimately use that understanding to navigate our lives. you still linger in my mouth like the aftertaste of burnt toast – Freya Sharp From Madeleine L’Engle all the way through to Deborah Harkness, and countless other authors, each of these books left an imprint on me, shaping my identity and influencing my worldview. Freya Sharp’s Between These Bones made me stop and realize just how profoundly literature intertwines with our lives, once again, instilling in me a gratitude for all the authors who are brave enough to share their stories. Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.
Category: Read
Food & Mystery? What Could Go Wrong?
Hope Early, food blogger and amateur sleuth, is deep into recipes, remodeling, relationship challenges, and a murder. A Corpse at the Witching Hour by Debra Sennefelder (sixth in series) I began this book with much hope – for a new series to binge and anxiously wait for the next installment, to become so attached to the characters that I’m constantly wondering what will happen next in their imaginary world. And … while this is a light and fun read, it didn’t hit the right note for me. I’m pretty good at believing the fantastical, but some of the setups in the mystery, the conversations, and the character development fell into the unbelievable category. Such as – why Hope seems to always be the one to apologize (for everyone’s behavior) or would a grown man be that self-absorbed and childlike (Drew)? (Maybe I’m lucky with the people I know.) There is a lot of “telling” in the writing, rather than showing through the action and conversations. The pieces of the mystery do fit together, albeit a bit clunky with a not too-surprising conclusion. I do wonder if I began with book one, would I have a different opinion? I will be testing that theory out! Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book. Find Debra Sennefelder here. #ACorpseattheWitchingHour #NetGalley
Owls: In My Backyard and Books
Forget February – October is the month of love. I love autumn – specifically October. In all the places that I have lived, October is a month of blue skies, crisp air, and an electric energy that holds a hint of the change to come. It’s exciting. Did you know, it’s also the month of love? That is, for owls. In my case, Great Horned Owls. For the past 5 or so years, I’ve been fortunate to have a handful of Great Horned Owls as neighbors. Beginning in October, the mated pair begins their “duets” or mating rituals. It is thrilling to hear them vocalize in the early evening twilight or in the dark dawn before the light has broken. This dance has produced at least 3 sets of owlets. In What An Owl Knows, Jennifer Ackerman provides you with a book journey to understand owls – their hunting skills, communications, and survival adaptations. She takes you into the heart of current research in the field, forest, and cities to try to understand these magnificent creatures. They are secretive masters of disguise, amazing predators, and more connected to environmental changes than most people have realized. Ackerman provides an engaging account of what an owl (might) know through around-the-globe travel experiences. Her flowing prose doesn’t shy away from the science – but delivers it in a personable, easy-to-understand way. If you are interested in learning about our backyard neighbors, I highly recommend reading What An Owl Knows by Jennifer Ackerman. I can’t wait to see what this year’s October duets will bring come February. 🦉