cknightkc
Johnson County Library
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cknightkc's rating:
Added Mar 23, 2024
Quotations
- “Home is where the heart is, and the heart could be a dark and damaged place.” - p. 347
- “Words… could be as tricky as people: seeming to say one thing, when all the while another, secret meaning lay beneath the surface.“ - p. 117
- “Morality is a funny thing. It often has little to do with lawfulness.“ - p. 438
- “…fear is the doorway to opportunity.” - p. 46
- “Home, she’d realized, wasn’t a place or a time or a person, though it could be any, and all of those things: home was a feeling, a sense of being complete. The opposite of “home“ wasn’t “away” it was “lonely.“ When someone said, “I want to go home,” what they really meant was that they didn’t want to feel lonely anymore.” - p. 543“Home, she’d realized, wasn’t a place or a time or a person, though it could be any, and all of those things: home was a feeling, a sense of being complete. The opposite of “home“ wasn’t “away” it was “lonely.“ When someone said, “I want to go…
- “Kurt,“ said Percy. The pointed edges of the name stuck in his throat only four letters long, and yet weighted with all possible love and hope and dreams. Setting it out there felt like blasphemy. Percy wanted to reach up and catch it in his hands; keep it for himself and away from the gaze of this policeman from the city.“ - p. 63 “Kurt,“ said Percy. The pointed edges of the name stuck in his throat only four letters long, and yet weighted with all possible love and hope and dreams. Setting it out there felt like blasphemy. Percy wanted to reach up and catch it in his hands;…
- Polly liked the way old things looked. She found their small signs of damage reassuring: the scratches, the imprints from long-ago pens, the flaking paint. They understood that everybody had their bruised edges and private pasts.” - p. 314
- What did it mean to be of rather than merely from somewhere?“ - p. 288
Video: The Importance of Storytelling / Homecoming
Bestselling author Kate Morton talks us through the dark family secrets of her book Homecoming, and some of the most important elements of storytelling.
cknightkc's rating:
Added Mar 12, 2024
Comment:
GLASS HOUSES is the 13th installment and one of the best so far* in this popular mystery series. *To clarify, I’m reading the books in order which is something I recommend to get the most out of this series. Armand Gamache, now Chief Superintendent of the Sûreté du Québec, must wrestle with his own moral conscience while he puts his life and career on the line in the name of justice. Intricately plotted by author Louise Penny, this exceptional story involves murder, courtroom drama, and war on major drug crime. A sudden, explosive scene near the end will have major repercussions for Gamache, his family, team, and all the inhabitants of the village of Three Pines.GLASS HOUSES is the 13th installment and one of the best so far* in this popular mystery series. *To clarify, I’m reading the books in order which is something I recommend to get the most out of this series. Armand Gamache, now Chief Superintendent…
Quotations
- “University was a time of education, and not all of it in a classroom. It was a time to experiment. To grab life. To consume at random, like the first time at a buffet. And then to stagger to a stop, overstuffed and nauseous. And sometimes unable to pay the bill.” “They got the drugs, the booze, the random sex and the consequences out of their system. And began to make more thoughtful choices.” “But some never quite managed to push away from the buffet.“ - p. 166 “University was a time of education, and not all of it in a classroom. It was a time to experiment. To grab life. To consume at random, like the first time at a buffet. And then to stagger to a stop, overstuffed and nauseous. And sometimes unable to…
- “There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supersedes all other courts.” (Quote attributed to Gandhi) - p. 147
- “A lie didn’t necessarily make someone a killer. But it hurried the sorting process. The truthful from the untruthful. Those with nothing to hide and those with a secret.” “A lie was a light. One that grew into a floodlight, that eventually illuminated the person among them with the biggest secret. The most to hide.“ - p. 172“A lie didn’t necessarily make someone a killer. But it hurried the sorting process. The truthful from the untruthful. Those with nothing to hide and those with a secret.” “A lie was a light. One that grew into a floodlight, that eventually…
cknightkc's rating:
Added Feb 27, 2024
Comment:
THE LONDON SÉANCE SOCIETY gets mixed reactions from me. Having previously read and enjoyed author Louise Penner’s debut novel THE LOST APOTHECARY, I was eager to embark on another historical fiction mystery with this, Penner’s sophomore effort. Once again, the author nails it regarding the setting and period detail (Victorian London 1873). If you read this, be sure to check out the Author’s Note, Victorian Mourning Customs, and Recipes at the end of the book. What doesn’t work as well for me is the story. Two alternating POVs and shifting timelines intermittently muddle the plot. As in her first book, the author inserts a strong theme of feminism in THE LONDON SÉANCE SOCIETY. Unfortunately, the female lead character is mostly unlikeable. Still, with spiritualism, séances, and murder this book rewards the reader with moments of suspense and tension. I will add there is an original and fitting comeuppance for the villains at the end.THE LONDON SÉANCE SOCIETY gets mixed reactions from me. Having previously read and enjoyed author Louise Penner’s debut novel THE LOST APOTHECARY, I was eager to embark on another historical fiction mystery with this, Penner’s sophomore effort. Once…
cknightkc's rating:
Added Feb 21, 2024
Comment:
ENOUGH is a fitting title for this fascinating memoir by former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson, who on 6/28/22 at the age of 25, made national news when she publicly testified before the US House Select Committee on the January 6th Attack. In this book Hutchinson provides readers a firsthand account of the happenings and chaos inside the West Wing during the final few months of the Trump Administration. ENOUGH also takes an enlightening look at Hutchinson’s humble upbringing (she was the first in her family to graduate college), her complicated relationship with her father, and her early bond with Washington DC. The author does not shy away from describing how she struggled emotionally, financially, and morally on and after January 6th. What emerges is the portrait of a young woman who is goal-driven, hardworking, organized, intelligent, yet naive in some ways. She seems to have an incredible sense of responsibility in whatever she undertakes, but not always in a healthy way. It’s interesting to note how much Bob Woodward’s book, THE LAST OF THE PRESIDENT’S MEN, resonated with Hutchinson that she read it multiple times. It’s the story of Nixon aide Alexander Butterfield who disclosed the secret White House taping system that in time led to Nixon’s resignation. It’s déjà vu, history repeating itself. While I do not agree with her politics, I am grateful for Cassidy Hutchinson who withstood the pressures to remain “loyal” to the Trump Administration and ultimately put country over party.ENOUGH is a fitting title for this fascinating memoir by former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson, who on 6/28/22 at the age of 25, made national news when she publicly testified before the US House Select Committee on the January 6th Attack. In…
cknightkc's rating:
Added Feb 13, 2024
Comment:
I was unaware of the Christian historical fiction genre until I read this book. If I had to describe THE MOONLIGHT SCHOOL in two words, they’d be “earnest” and “wholesome”. The title intrigued me, and as a retired educator I wanted to learn more about the novel’s real-life inspiration, Cora Wilson Stewart, who opened the first Moonlight School in rural Rowan County, Kentucky in 1911. Her goal was to eliminate adult illiteracy by teaching grown-ups at night in schools where children studied during the day. The program was largely successful and spread across all of Kentucky. Cora Wilson Stewart was a pioneer and unusual figure in early 20th century America. Three times divorced, she was the first female school superintendent in eastern Kentucky. Unfortunately, Stewart is relegated to supporting character status in this book. Much of THE MOONLIGHT SCHOOL focuses on a young fictional heroine who comes to the region searching for purpose and finding romance. The Moonlight Schools concept does not even appear until well into the second half of the book. The plot also contains a mystery from years ago that is ultimately solved, but is a bit far-fetched. There is an underlying spiritual/religious theme throughout this book which at first glance seems to be a common feature of author Suzanne Woods Fisher’s works. Fisher does a fine job in capturing the look and feel of Appalachian life in 1911. Her writing shows a fondness for the land and the people. The story also contains many topics worthy of discussion by book groups. These include: educational challenges/practices, women’s rights/roles, the rural/urban divide, and the environmental/economic impacts of the logging industry. THE MOONLIGHT SCHOOL is an easy, predictable read - good, but not great.I was unaware of the Christian historical fiction genre until I read this book. If I had to describe THE MOONLIGHT SCHOOL in two words, they’d be “earnest” and “wholesome”. The title intrigued me, and as a retired educator I wanted to learn more…
cknightkc's rating:
Added Feb 08, 2024
Comment:
Author Anthony Horowitz has concocted yet another delicious homage to the classic golden age of British crime novels. MOONFLOWER MURDERS is an entertaining and worthy followup to his bestseller MAGPIE MURDERS. Once again, there are two storylines featuring Susan Ryeland, modern-day literary editor turned amateur sleuth, and her historical/fictional counterpart, Detective Atticus Pünd. It’s a very clever mystery within a mystery, labyrinthian in its plotting, with multiple suspects, and clues sprinkled throughout. Yes, it’s long (nearly 600 pages), but for me, the pages just flew by. Mr. Horowitz, I hope you’ll have a third offering in this series. In the meantime I’ll have to content myself with the upcoming 2024 adaptation on PBS Masterpiece.Author Anthony Horowitz has concocted yet another delicious homage to the classic golden age of British crime novels. MOONFLOWER MURDERS is an entertaining and worthy followup to his bestseller MAGPIE MURDERS. Once again, there are two storylines…
Quotations
- “Everything in life has a pattern, and a coincidence is simply the moment when that pattern becomes briefly visible.“ - p. 259
- “The greatest evil occurs when people, no matter what their aims or their motives, become utterly convinced that they are right.” - p. 134 Atticus Pünd Takes the Case
- “…, but I think you’ve always been mistaken about crime fiction… I don’t think Alan’s books ever did anyone any harm… People enjoyed them, and they knew perfectly well what they were getting when they read them. Not real life so much as an escape from it – and God knows we’re all in need of that right now. Twenty-four-hour news. Fake news. Politicians calling each other liars when they aren’t actually lying themselves. Maybe there’s something a little comforting in a book that actually makes sense of the world in which it takes place and leads you to an absolute truth.“ - pp. 150 & 151 “…, but I think you’ve always been mistaken about crime fiction… I don’t think Alan’s books ever did anyone any harm… People enjoyed them, and they knew perfectly well what they were getting when they read them. Not real life so much as an escape…
cknightkc's rating:
Added Jan 25, 2024
Comment:
A STELLAR LESSON IN HISTORY!
With PREQUEL Rachel Maddow employs her considerable skills as a storyteller and journalist to recount the fascist plot by Nazi Germany to undermine American democracy in the 1930s and 1940s.
“Hitler’s lies spread misinformation that was favorable to Germany, and unfavorable to us, and our allies, and sowed dissension among the American public, not just about the war effort, but about our own basic system of government. His very well-funded propaganda mission in the United States was twofold: to try to keep the United States from getting into World War II, and also to soften us up, to mess with us, to make us less effective as a country, by finding and exploiting what the Germans called ‘kernels of disturbance’ in the United States.“ - p. 237
“… The Nazi game plan aimed to disunite the United States by tearing at the weakest, political and cultural seams in American society: the divide between haves, and have-nots, fear and hatred of immigrants, white supremacist race hate, and antisemitism.“ - p. 287
Does this sound uncomfortably familiar? The author never explicitly states the relevancy to today’s world but allows readers to connect the dots and make their own judgements.
One of the things I found most interesting were the people on either side of this fascist plot — those who aided and abetted it, including a radio priest and several US Congressmen, and the unsung heroes who opposed it, interestingly with a direct mail marketing expert in their ranks. A list of the large “Cast of Characters” appears at the beginning of the book and helped me keep track of who was who. Photos appear throughout the text. I would also recommend listening to Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra podcast which inspired this book as well as exploring the archive material on the Ultra website.
For me, this book serves as a powerful reminder as to how fragile democracy can be and how important it is to not take it for granted.
“If we’re willing to take a harder look at our American history with fascism, the truth is that our own story in this wild, uncertain twenty-first century has not an echo in the past but a prequel. For our own turn in history—and for the next time this comes around, too—we have the advantage of knowing that which preceded us.” - p. 310A STELLAR LESSON IN HISTORY!
With PREQUEL Rachel Maddow employs her considerable skills as a storyteller and journalist to recount the fascist plot by Nazi Germany to undermine American democracy in the 1930s and 1940s.
“Hitler’s lies spread…
Quotations
- “If we’re willing to take a harder look at our American history with fascism, the truth is that our own story in this wild, uncertain twenty-first century has not an echo in the past but a prequel. For our own turn in history—and for the next time this comes around, too—we have the advantage of knowing that which preceded us.” - p. 310 “If we’re willing to take a harder look at our American history with fascism, the truth is that our own story in this wild, uncertain twenty-first century has not an echo in the past but a prequel. For our own turn in history—and for the next time…
- “… The Nazi game plan aimed to disunite the United States by tearing at the weakest, political and cultural seams in American society: the divide between haves, and have-nots, fear and hatred of immigrants, white supremacist race hate, and antisemitism.“ - p. 287 “… The Nazi game plan aimed to disunite the United States by tearing at the weakest, political and cultural seams in American society: the divide between haves, and have-nots, fear and hatred of immigrants, white supremacist race hate, and…
- “Nazi lawyers regarded America, not without reason, as the innovative world leader in the creation of racist law.” - p. 21
- “One big appeal of fascism, if nothing else, was its unapologetic embrace of cruelty. Cruelty, toward others, coupled with hypersensitivity toward any slight to oneself.“ - p. 47
- “Hitler’s lies spread misinformation that was favorable to Germany, and unfavorable to us, and our allies, and sowed dissension among the American public, not just about the war effort, but about our own basic system of government. His very well-funded propaganda mission in the United States was twofold: to try to keep the United States from getting into World War II, and also to soften us up, to mess with us, to make us less effective as a country, by finding and exploiting what the Germans called ‘kernels of disturbance’ in the United States.“ - p. 237 “Hitler’s lies spread misinformation that was favorable to Germany, and unfavorable to us, and our allies, and sowed dissension among the American public, not just about the war effort, but about our own basic system of government. His very…
- “You have only one recourse,… and as you know enough about psychology of peoples, you have got to appeal to their emotions, and not their reason. The avenues to reason are closed to us.” “That is what Hitler said in Mein Kampf,…” - p. 131
- “The Washington Post editorialized. However, the post went on, ‘in the career of Huey Long is epitomized the essential weakness of democracy — the pathetic willingness of the electorate to trust, a glib tongue and a dynamic personality. Quite justifiably he was called a forerunner of American Fascism.” - pp. 39-40 “The Washington Post editorialized. However, the post went on, ‘in the career of Huey Long is epitomized the essential weakness of democracy — the pathetic willingness of the electorate to trust, a glib tongue and a dynamic personality. Quite…
cknightkc's rating:
Added Jan 16, 2024
Comment:
Author Kate Quinn introduces readers to the real-life heroine, Lyudmila “Mila” Pavlichenko, in THE DIAMOND EYE. As a single mother and student, Mila became a lethal sniper nicknamed ‘Lady Death’ who served on the frontlines in Russia’s fight against the Nazi invasion in WWII. She also developed a great friendship with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Her story definitely needed to be told, but my first impression was that this historical fiction seemed to rely heavily on the fiction and not the history. I appreciated the Author’s Note at the end of the book where Kate Quinn provides background and explains her choices in presenting Mila’s story. I would recommend everyone who reads this book, read this section too.Author Kate Quinn introduces readers to the real-life heroine, Lyudmila “Mila” Pavlichenko, in THE DIAMOND EYE. As a single mother and student, Mila became a lethal sniper nicknamed ‘Lady Death’ who served on the frontlines in Russia’s fight against…
cknightkc's rating:
Added Jan 06, 2024
Comment:
ZERO DAYS is a departure for author Ruth Ware. While I prefer her locked room, Gothic mysteries, Ware’s latest book still kept me turning pages. It’s a mix of the classic cat-and-mouse thriller, The Fugitive, and modern day cyber security intrigue. It’s clear Ware did her homework, and I learned a lot about technology. Although I guessed the culprit early on, and the story events became repetitious, there was enough tension and fast-paced action to hold my attention to the end.ZERO DAYS is a departure for author Ruth Ware. While I prefer her locked room, Gothic mysteries, Ware’s latest book still kept me turning pages. It’s a mix of the classic cat-and-mouse thriller, The Fugitive, and modern day cyber security intrigue.…
cknightkc's rating:
Added Dec 31, 2023
Comment:
CARRIE SOTO IS BACK is another riveting character-driven work of historical fiction by author Taylor Jenkins Reid. It’s set mostly in the tennis world of the 1970s-1990s. At the center of the story is Carolina “Carrie” Soto, a legendary athlete, who at the age of 37 is trying to make a comeback when most experts think she’s past her prime. Carrie Soto is a force. She’s also a deeply flawed individual. As the plot progresses she learns some valuable lessons in personal growth. With an outstanding cast of supporting characters, this story explores ambition, family, love, talent, and the hard work and dedication it takes to become a champion. The author has a talent for making the sport of tennis understandable and thrilling. Highly recommend!CARRIE SOTO IS BACK is another riveting character-driven work of historical fiction by author Taylor Jenkins Reid. It’s set mostly in the tennis world of the 1970s-1990s. At the center of the story is Carolina “Carrie” Soto, a legendary athlete, who…
Quotations
- “We live in a world where exceptional women have to sit around waiting for mediocre men.”
cknightkc's rating:
Added Dec 23, 2023
Comment:
CRYING IN H MART is a deeply moving memoir about mother-daughter relationships, love, grief, and identity. As a Korean-American, author Michelle Zauner uses food to reconnect with memories of her mother and with her heritage. Her vivid descriptions of Korean cuisine make this memoir special. Powerful, honest, and brutally raw, CRYING IN H MART proves Zauner’s exceptional writing and storytelling skills. I very much recommend it.CRYING IN H MART is a deeply moving memoir about mother-daughter relationships, love, grief, and identity. As a Korean-American, author Michelle Zauner uses food to reconnect with memories of her mother and with her heritage. Her vivid descriptions…
Quotations
- “I wondered if I should try to explain how important it was to me. That cooking my mother‘s food had come to represent an absolute role reversal, a role I was meant to fill. That food was an unspoken language between us, that it had come to symbolize our return to each other, our bonding, our common ground.“ - p. 98 “I wondered if I should try to explain how important it was to me. That cooking my mother‘s food had come to represent an absolute role reversal, a role I was meant to fill. That food was an unspoken language between us, that it had come to…
- “Food was how my mother expressed her love. No matter how critical or cruel she could seem—constantly pushing me to meet her intractable expectations—I could always feel her affection radiating from the lunches she packed and the meals she prepared for me just the way I liked them.” - p. 4 “Food was how my mother expressed her love. No matter how critical or cruel she could seem—constantly pushing me to meet her intractable expectations—I could always feel her affection radiating from the lunches she packed and the meals she prepared…
- “It felt like the world had divided into two different types of people, those who had felt pain and those who had yet to.” - p. 160
- “My first word was Korean: Umma. Even as an infant, I felt the importance of my mother. She was the one I saw most, and on the dark edge of emerging consciousness, I could already tell that she was mine. In fact, she was both my first and second words: Umma, then Mom. I called to her in two languages. Even then I must’ve known that no one would ever love me as much as she would.” - pp. 197-98 “My first word was Korean: Umma. Even as an infant, I felt the importance of my mother. She was the one I saw most, and on the dark edge of emerging consciousness, I could already tell that she was mine. In fact, she was both my first and second…
- “Some of the earliest memories I can recall are of my mother instructing me to always ‘save ten percent of yourself.’ What she meant was that, no matter how much you thought you loved someone, or thought they loved you, you never gave all of yourself. Save 10 percent, always, so there was something to fall back on. ‘Even from Daddy, I save,’ she would add.” - p.18 “Some of the earliest memories I can recall are of my mother instructing me to always ‘save ten percent of yourself.’ What she meant was that, no matter how much you thought you loved someone, or thought they loved you, you never gave all of…
To the Land of Long Lost FriendsTo the Land of Long Lost Friends, Book
by McCall Smith, AlexanderBook - 2019Book, 2019
cknightkc's rating:
Added Dec 16, 2023
Comment:
TO THE LAND OF LONG LOST FRIENDS is the twentieth book, and my least favorite, in the usually reliable No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series. It suffers from overdoses of both the author’s meandering writing style and the characters’ frequent philosophical musings. Even the main storylines or “cases” are not that interesting and did not hold my attention. Yet this book, like its predecessors, is about relationships. And it ends with the introduction of 2 intriguing story threads regarding Charlie’s future and a new orphan in Mma Ramotswe’s life. Hopefully author Alexander McCall Smith will get the series back on track in book #21.TO THE LAND OF LONG LOST FRIENDS is the twentieth book, and my least favorite, in the usually reliable No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series. It suffers from overdoses of both the author’s meandering writing style and the characters’ frequent…
Quotations
- “…some people thought that progress was synonymous with the cutting down of trees, and the planting, instead, of concrete. They were wrong, she felt: concrete, cut you off from the land and stopped the earth from breathing.“ - p. 89
cknightkc's rating:
Added Dec 10, 2023
Comment:
This book proves that good things do come in small packages. THE PRESIDENT’S HAT belongs to French President Francois Mitterrand who accidentally leaves it in a Parisian brasserie. What follows is a series of vignettes as 4 strangers each temporarily possess the hat, then randomly pass it on to the next person. While they wear the hat, their individual circumstances seem to magically improve. A blurb on the book’s back cover asks, “Could a felt hat have the power to change lives?” The short answer is yes. But author Antoine Laurain lets readers decide whether the power is within the hat itself or whether the hat brings out the power within the wearer. The 4 separate plot threads eventually connect before the book comes to a satisfying end. A lot of the story’s charms are its setting, 1980s Paris, and Laurain’s effortless writing that evokes the feel of France during this period. In addition, the English translation is very good. When you’re between heavier and more serious tomes, the light and entertaining THE PRESIDENT’S HAT is the perfect choice.This book proves that good things do come in small packages. THE PRESIDENT’S HAT belongs to French President Francois Mitterrand who accidentally leaves it in a Parisian brasserie. What follows is a series of vignettes as 4 strangers each…
Quotations
- “Wearing a hat confers undeniable authority over those without one.” —Tristan Bernard The Epigraph
cknightkc's rating:
Added Dec 06, 2023
Comment:
Not your typical Christmas story, SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE explores one man’s struggle with his conscience during a particularly dark chapter in Ireland’s history. Although this novella can easily be read in one or two sittings, its powerful message will linger with the reader. Do we have the courage to confront injustice and do what’s right, or do we look the other way? Simply and beautifully written by author Claire Keegan, it perfectly captures the look and feel of life in a small Irish town in 1985. Evocative and touching, SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE reminds us there are still good people in this world. Highly recommended.Not your typical Christmas story, SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE explores one man’s struggle with his conscience during a particularly dark chapter in Ireland’s history. Although this novella can easily be read in one or two sittings, its powerful message…
Quotations
- “The worst was yet to come, he knew. Already he could feel a world of trouble waiting for him behind the next door, but the worst that could have happened was also already behind him; the thing not done, which could have been – which he would have had to live with for the rest of his life.” - p.114 “The worst was yet to come, he knew. Already he could feel a world of trouble waiting for him behind the next door, but the worst that could have happened was also already behind him; the thing not done, which could have been – which he would have…
- “…he found himself asking was there any point in being alive without helping one another? Was it possible to carry on along through all the years, the decades, through an entire life, without once being brave enough to go against what was there and yet call yourself a Christian, and face yourself in the mirror?” - p.113 “…he found himself asking was there any point in being alive without helping one another? Was it possible to carry on along through all the years, the decades, through an entire life, without once being brave enough to go against what was there and…
- “Why were the things that were closest so often the hardest to see?” - p.104
- “It was easy to understand why women feared men with their physical strength and lust and social powers, but women, with their canny intuitions, were so much deeper: they could predict what was to come long before it came, dream it overnight, and read your mind.” - p. 24 “It was easy to understand why women feared men with their physical strength and lust and social powers, but women, with their canny intuitions, were so much deeper: they could predict what was to come long before it came, dream it overnight, and…
The Book of CharlieThe Book of Charlie, BookWisdom From the Remarkable American Life of A 109-year-old Man
by Von Drehle, DavidBook - 2023Book, 2023
cknightkc's rating:
Added Dec 04, 2023
Comment:
In THE BOOK OF CHARLIE author David Von Drehle takes an episodic look at the life of a 109-year-old man. The book’s based on the author’s conversations with his Kansas City neighbor, Charlie White, who he met when he was a robust 102. I live in greater Kansas City and appreciate the references to actual locations in the area. Von Drehle tells Charlie’s story against the backdrop of the 20th century and the sweeping changes in transportation, culture, science, medicine, and technology that occurred over his lifetime. At times, the author gets a little too in the weeds when it comes to history, and I wish there were photos. This is a short book about a life long- and well-lived. While Von Drehle points out lessons from Charlie’s experiences, Charlie’s philosophy of life is best summed up in his own words in the final pages of this book:
“Think freely…
Practice patience.
Smile often.
Savor special moments.”
“Feel deeply.
Observe miracles.
Make them happen.”
“Be soft sometimes.
Cry when you need to.
Make some mistakes.
Learn from them.”
“Work hard.
Spread joy.
Take a chance.
Enjoy wonder.”In THE BOOK OF CHARLIE author David Von Drehle takes an episodic look at the life of a 109-year-old man. The book’s based on the author’s conversations with his Kansas City neighbor, Charlie White, who he met when he was a robust 102. I live in…
Quotations
- “Another president, Harry Truman, said: ‘Imperfect action is better than perfect inaction.’ There is value in making decisions, right or wrong, and moving on. Perfectionism, by contrast, can become an enemy of life itself, freezing using place while the world goes on without us.” - pp. 164-65 “Another president, Harry Truman, said: ‘Imperfect action is better than perfect inaction.’ There is value in making decisions, right or wrong, and moving on. Perfectionism, by contrast, can become an enemy of life itself, freezing using place while…
- "All memory is selective and all autobiography is abridged.” - p. 48
cknightkc's rating:
Added Nov 30, 2023
Comment:
THE WHITE LADY is a new standalone historical thriller by one of my favorite authors, Jacqueline Winspear. Like her acclaimed Maisie Dobbs series, Winspear once again explores women’s contributions in WWI and WWII. Unlike Maisie Dobbs, this book is darker and grittier. The story follows the heroine, Elinor “Linni” White / De Witt, as she trains and becomes a member of a real-life Belgian resistance group, La Dame Blanche—the White Lady. Winspear is a master writer, inserting historical detail that effectively conveys the look and feel of the time period. This book also has some edge-of-your-seat scenes that kept me turning pages. Still, it’s Winspear’s haunting observations of the human condition that stayed with me as I followed Linni navigating the dangers and heartbreak of war and its aftermath. A well done nuanced read.THE WHITE LADY is a new standalone historical thriller by one of my favorite authors, Jacqueline Winspear. Like her acclaimed Maisie Dobbs series, Winspear once again explores women’s contributions in WWI and WWII. Unlike Maisie Dobbs, this book is…
cknightkc's rating:
Added Nov 24, 2023
Comment:
I’m a fan of mysteries, especially British mysteries, but THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB by author Richard Osman isn’t one of them. Oh, I admit for the first few chapters I found the premise of four septuagenarian sleuths to be charming and original, however, the main story soon wanders off course. Too many subplots and supporting characters emerge. Warning: you’ll need to take notes to keep track of it all. Unfortunately, I did not. The majority of chapters are blessedly short, but to me, they make the book feel choppy. Despite having some humorous and poignant moments, as well as some worthy quotes, there weren’t enough positives to redeem this book in my eyes. I heard THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB may be adapted for the screen. Perhaps I’d like it better in that form, but in my opinion, it’ll require serious editing and rewrites. For now, this is most likely the first AND last book in this series I’ll read. I cannot recommend.I’m a fan of mysteries, especially British mysteries, but THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB by author Richard Osman isn’t one of them. Oh, I admit for the first few chapters I found the premise of four septuagenarian sleuths to be charming and original,…
Quotations
- “I know the difference between alone and lonely,…” - p. 90
- “If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.” - p. 40
- “After a certain age, you can pretty much do whatever takes your fancy. No one tells you off, except for your doctors and your children.” - p. 20
cknightkc's rating:
Added Nov 19, 2023
Comment:
A GREAT RECKONING is the 12th installment in author Louise Penny’s celebrated mystery series. Armand Gamache comes out of retirement to command the Süreté Academy du Québec. Corruption has infiltrated this police training facility, and Gamache takes on the challenge of restoring order and honor within its ranks. This is made all the more difficult when Gamache himself becomes a prime suspect in a murder at the Academy. Meanwhile in the village of Three Pines, an old map has been uncovered, leading to questions about the map’s strange symbols, its purpose, its maker, and its connections to the local church’s stained glass window. It’s not long before the mystery of the map becomes entangled with the murder at the Academy. This is yet another complex work by Penny with layer upon layer of plot and character development. Add to this the author’s nuanced and descriptive writing, and you’ll know why many readers like me return again and again to this series.A GREAT RECKONING is the 12th installment in author Louise Penny’s celebrated mystery series. Armand Gamache comes out of retirement to command the Süreté Academy du Québec. Corruption has infiltrated this police training facility, and Gamache takes…
Quotations
- “The lines of his face were the longitude and latitude of his life.” - p. 9
- “It’s so easy to get mired in the all too obvious cruelty of the world. It’s natural. But to really heal, we need to recognize the goodness too.” - p. 341
- “It strikes a man more dead than a great reckoning in a little room.” —William Shakespeare The Epigraph
cknightkc's rating:
Added Nov 13, 2023
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A troubled marriage, a raging snowstorm, a remote atmospheric setting in the Scottish Highlands, secrets, and “Prosopagnosia” (face blindness) are some of the ingredients in the psychological thriller, ROCK PAPER SCISSORS. Author Alice Feeney tells the story using multiple points of view and unreliable narrators. Despite a slow start, this is a quick read with short chapters that are full of twists. While some of the plot details are improbable, overall ROCK PAPER SCISSORS is an entertaining escapist read.A troubled marriage, a raging snowstorm, a remote atmospheric setting in the Scottish Highlands, secrets, and “Prosopagnosia” (face blindness) are some of the ingredients in the psychological thriller, ROCK PAPER SCISSORS. Author Alice Feeney tells…
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie PostThe Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post, BookA Novel
by Pataki, AllisonBook - 2022Book, 2022
cknightkc's rating:
Added Oct 15, 2023
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As I see it, the theme of THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST can be summed up in this quote from page 364: “How could I be a woman of such good fortune, and yet have the worst luck of all when it came to the men I loved?” Incredibly, author Allison Pataki only touches on Marjorie Merriweather Post’s astute business sense, her trailblazer leadership, and generous philanthropy. Much of the book’s focus is on Post’s 4 marriages, her wealth, and her lavish lifestyle, including endless descriptions of her many possessions. Additionally, the story is told in the first person using an affected style that sometimes makes the subject unlikeable. Overall, THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST presents a superficial portrait of a singular woman. What a missed opportunity! Marjorie deserved better.As I see it, the theme of THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST can be summed up in this quote from page 364: “How could I be a woman of such good fortune, and yet have the worst luck of all when it came to the men I loved?” Incredibly, author…
Quotations
- “How could I be a woman of such good fortune, and yet have the worst luck of all when it came to the men I loved?” - p. 364
cknightkc's rating:
Added Oct 08, 2023
Comment:
Sensitively written, MAD HONEY will open hearts and minds in many ways. It’s amazing that it’s by 2 authors, Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Finney Boylan. The chapters flow seamlessly. Only the shifting timelines take some getting used to. This is an engrossing and emotional character-driven drama. In addition, readers will learn some fascinating facts about bees and beekeeping. I highly recommend MAD HONEY.Sensitively written, MAD HONEY will open hearts and minds in many ways. It’s amazing that it’s by 2 authors, Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Finney Boylan. The chapters flow seamlessly. Only the shifting timelines take some getting used to. This is an…
Quotations
- “People always talk about how their love for you is unconditional. Then you reveal your most private self to them, and you find out how many conditions there are in unconditional love.“ - p. 174
- “I don’t think it’s an invisible, chromosome, or the inability to get pregnant, or anything else, that makes people so cruel to transgender folks. I think what they hate is difference. What they hate is that the world is complicated in ways they can’t understand. People want the world to be simple.“ - p. 218 “I don’t think it’s an invisible, chromosome, or the inability to get pregnant, or anything else, that makes people so cruel to transgender folks. I think what they hate is difference. What they hate is that the world is complicated in ways they…
- “Daughters are somebodies, not somebody’s. - p. 126
- "The secret weapon of mad honey, of course, is that you expect it to be sweet, not deadly. You're deliberately attracted to it. By the time it messes with your head, with your heart, it's too late." - p. 343
- “Do not listen to anyone who tells you a broken heart is a metaphor. You can feel the cracks in the fissures. It’s like ice splintering under your feet; like the cliff crumbling beneath your weight.“ - p. 125
cknightkc's rating:
Added Sep 24, 2023
Comment:
Wow, what a guilty pleasure! THE HOUSEMAID is a shocking and twisty psychological thriller that I can easily see adapted for film or television. It’s my first book by author Freida McFadden, and most likely won’t be my last. With short chapters and good pacing, it’s a fast read and hard to put down. The ending with its touch of dark humor is particularly satisfying. THE HOUSEMAID is a deliciously creepy page-turner for mystery and suspense fans who enjoy reading late into the night.Wow, what a guilty pleasure! THE HOUSEMAID is a shocking and twisty psychological thriller that I can easily see adapted for film or television. It’s my first book by author Freida McFadden, and most likely won’t be my last. With short chapters and…
cknightkc's rating:
Added Sep 10, 2023
Comment:
The title NO TWO PERSONS is explained in the epigraph: “No two persons ever read the same book, or saw the same picture.” — The Writings of Madame Swetchine, 1860
Told in a series of vignettes NO TWO PERSONS is about 1 book’s impact on 10 different lives over a 9-year period. It begins slowly, but the characters are well-drawn and as the plot progresses author Erica Bauermeister cleverly connects some of the seemingly separate storylines. Yes, it may be contrived, but it works. NO TWO PERSONS is emotional, reflective, and heartwarming and will appeal to book lovers like me.The title NO TWO PERSONS is explained in the epigraph: “No two persons ever read the same book, or saw the same picture.” — The Writings of Madame Swetchine, 1860
Told in a series of vignettes NO TWO PERSONS is about 1 book’s impact on 10…
Quotations
- “Guilt is easier to drown in than any sorrow.” - p. 245
- “No two persons ever read the same book, or saw the same picture.” — The Writings of Madame Swetchine, 1860 The Epigraph
- "Books spoke to specific people for specific reasons, and it had everything to do with where they were in their lives.” - p. 277
- “We're all caretakers of the stories, Alice. Writers are just the lucky ones that get to know them first.” - p. 30
cknightkc's rating:
Added Sep 05, 2023
Comment:
Can a plot be too fast-paced with too many storylines? When I discovered HANG THE MOON is set in Prohibition-era rural Virginia, I was intrigued. Unfortunately, once I started reading, I felt I was being taken on a wild ride in the heroine’s rum runner Tin Lizzie careening between never-ending plot twists, family drama, tragedies, and deaths. There never seemed enough time to connect with any of the characters, including the main protagonist, Sallie Kincaid, whose spunkiness and naiveté, frequently annoyed me.
After reading the Epigraph I wondered whether a personal connection to the world of liquor smuggling may be one reason author Jeanette Walls wrote this book:
“Quality? Hell, the only time our whiskey aged was when we got a flat tire.” — Rex Walls, the author’s father, who ran bootleg liquor in the late 1940s and early 1950s
And after reading the Acknowledgments I have no doubt Jeanette Walls did her research of this time period. She acknowledges that actual people and events inspired some of HANG THE MOON’s scenes and characters. But in my opinion, she just included too much for a book this size. After thoroughly enjoying Walls’ moving memoir THE GLASS CASTLE several years ago, I was disappointed with her latest work. Sadly, HANG THE MOON is one historic fiction I cannot recommend.Can a plot be too fast-paced with too many storylines? When I discovered HANG THE MOON is set in Prohibition-era rural Virginia, I was intrigued. Unfortunately, once I started reading, I felt I was being taken on a wild ride in the heroine’s rum…
Quotations
- “There are two kinds of family, those you’re born into, and those you put together from pieces that don’t go anywhere else, and this is one of those families.“ - p. 324
cknightkc's rating:
Added Aug 20, 2023
Comment:
LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY earns an A+ and 5 shiny gold stars for originality. Author Bonnie Gramus has discovered a winning formula in this debut novel: memorable characters (including an anthropormorphic dog) + a well-paced storyline + thought-provoking themes = ONE TERRIFIC READ!!!LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY earns an A+ and 5 shiny gold stars for originality. Author Bonnie Gramus has discovered a winning formula in this debut novel: memorable characters (including an anthropormorphic dog) + a well-paced storyline + thought-provoking…
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