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Patty F rated a book.

• Rated 4 stars

Patty F rated a book.

• Rated 4 stars

Patty F reviewed a book.

“I had not planned to bring this book with me on my vacation, but apparently I needed to finish it. Turns out it is very relevant to my journey towards retirement.

I like the fact that Sarton calls her journal "a" solitude. It is clear to me that each opportunity for solitude,...”

“I had not planned to bring this book with me on my vacation, but apparently I needed to finish it. Turns out it is very relevant to my journey towards retirement.

I like the fact that Sarton calls her journal "a" solitude. It is clear to me that each opportunity for solitude, aloneness, would be and should be very different. It has been true for me. I have gone on retreat several times lately and each time there is something different I need to work on.

Sarton was 58 at the start of this journal. My present age. We are in different places in history and in our own lives. She has coped with trying to establish her own framework for her craft. I have always had work to frame my life, to set my schedule. Soon I will have to do it for myself. I did not do it well thirty years ago, the last time I was unemployed. The question of course is will I be able to do it now?

Much of this journal includes thoughts about women's places in the world. Something we still struggle with, but times have changed. It was fascinating to see the changes of the 1970's through Sarton's eyes.

Glad I read this, need to read more by and about May Sarton. I recommend this book to anyone interested in writing, women or recent history.
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Patty F reviewed a book.

“I downloaded this book for free as one of Amazon's daily deals. I visited Vietnam almost two years ago and I would like to know more about the country and the people. I thought a novel written by a Vietnamese-American might tell me something about both.

The story was fine and I am not...”

“I downloaded this book for free as one of Amazon's daily deals. I visited Vietnam almost two years ago and I would like to know more about the country and the people. I thought a novel written by a Vietnamese-American might tell me something about both.

The story was fine and I am not sorry that I read it. The premise was interesting and the writing good enough to hold my interest. I am not sure that I actually learned any more about the history of Vietnam, but that did not really matter. I fell into one woman's life and enjoyed it while I was there.

I recommend this to folks who enjoy family sagas and to those who like to experience time periods and places that are difficult to actually visit.”

Patty F reviewed a book.

“Thank goodness for serendipity. On the Fiction_L listserve, someone mentioned that this book would make a good choice for a book discussion group. I found that hard to believe; looked it up in my library's catalog and took it home that night to read. I was intrigued with the premise of the...”

“Thank goodness for serendipity. On the Fiction_L listserve, someone mentioned that this book would make a good choice for a book discussion group. I found that hard to believe; looked it up in my library's catalog and took it home that night to read. I was intrigued with the premise of the book, but even more intrigued with the thought of an adult book club talking about a mystery narrated by rabbits.

This is a hoot. There are several layers to Mrs. Bunny's story so adults and children will both find things to laugh about. Horvath does a great job of translating Rabbit so that all readers know about the mystery and cheer on the protagonists as they try to solve it. All the characters, humans, rabbits, foxes and even marmots are wonderful.

I am still not sure if most book groups would find enough to talk about, but I can't think of many people young or old that wouldn't find something to amuse them in this story.

I recommend this mystery to parents who are looking for an easy chapter book to read with their kids, to folks who need a good laugh and to husbands and wives who may see themselves or their spouse in this tale.

This is great fun. You shouldn't miss it.”

Patty F added a book. (see 2 more books added to shelf)

Patty F reviewed a book.

“This book was so much fun. Huff drops her readers right into the story with no explanations. So when I encountered a woman playing with yoyos, I had no idea where I was and what would happen next. For much of the book I was unsure of exactly what was going on. That, however, was fine. I...”

“This book was so much fun. Huff drops her readers right into the story with no explanations. So when I encountered a woman playing with yoyos, I had no idea where I was and what would happen next. For much of the book I was unsure of exactly what was going on. That, however, was fine. I liked Allie, the protagonist immediately and I found her family fascinating. Without thinking about it too much, I was ready to be surprised.


If I had known that the story was going to teach me what I needed to know as we went, I am not sure I would have picked it up. Usually I want a clue about the characters or the world they are in. In reality most books do present only what you need at the beginning. It is just that the Gale family are so different that anyone I have encountered before.

As I have said here before, I read to discover new people, new worlds and new ideas. Tanya Huff provided me with all three of those things. She just gave me only the information I needed when I needed it. No foreshadowing and no long explanations or world-building. Huff seems to think that her readers are smart and can put two and two together to get the right answer.

Since I have never read Huff before, I have no idea if this story is written in her usual style. If so, I will definitely be reading more of her books. I am at least going to try the next volume in this series.

I recommend this novel to readers of urban fantasy, those who like their magic with a twist and anyone interested in strong, unusual women. The Gale family is definitely worth a visit.”

Patty F is now reading a book. (see 2 more books added to shelf)

Patty F reviewed a book.

“It has been awhile since I read the first volume of this trilogy. I have read a lot of Hoyt's romances and I have enjoyed them all. Hoyt always draws me into the story, creating a world I am happy to live in for awhile.

As in The Raven Prince, there are events in this book that seem...”

“It has been awhile since I read the first volume of this trilogy. I have read a lot of Hoyt's romances and I have enjoyed them all. Hoyt always draws me into the story, creating a world I am happy to live in for awhile.

As in The Raven Prince, there are events in this book that seem very unlikely for the time period. That doesn't matter. I found the characters intriguing enough to suspend my disbelief.

If you are a romance reader, looking for a fun way to spend a little time in historical England, you will have a great time with Lady George and Mr. Pye.”

Patty F reviewed a book.

“I couldn't pass up the opportunity to reread Quindlen's graduation speech. I know that main reasons this book got published is that Quindlen is a popular author and many people like to give inspirational books as graduation presents.

As much as I enjoyed reading this, Quindlen says...”

“I couldn't pass up the opportunity to reread Quindlen's graduation speech. I know that main reasons this book got published is that Quindlen is a popular author and many people like to give inspirational books as graduation presents.

As much as I enjoyed reading this, Quindlen says nothing new. Graduation is an opportunity to pass on pearls of wisdom and those don't change much over time. Spend time with the people you love; realize life is short; seek happiness, etc., etc. I am not complaining - I like Quindlen's writing. It is just very easy to slip back into the unaware life and not notice much that is around us.

I recommend this to folks who have lost track of the important things, to folks looking for a good graduation gift and to anyone needs a bit of inspiration.”

Patty F reviewed a book.

“I have had this book for many years and have read at it, but not read the whole book. This is fairly sad since it is only 80 pages. However, the text is powerful and the reader needs to read slowly and carefully. Norris has a lot to say.

Each section of this meditation looks at a step...”

“I have had this book for many years and have read at it, but not read the whole book. This is fairly sad since it is only 80 pages. However, the text is powerful and the reader needs to read slowly and carefully. Norris has a lot to say.

Each section of this meditation looks at a step in bread baking and relates it to loving. The transformations that bread goes through from mixing to dough to the oven are linked by Norris to the changes that love and relationships can bring to our lives. Norris has questions about loving others and loving God that she works through in this book. She has linked spiritual and physical nourishment in a way I had not encountered before.

I know I will revisit these 80 pages. Norris has given me things to consider and I want to read her words again. I know I have more to learn.

I recommend this book to spiritual seekers, to people who are trying to be truly present in their own lives and to those who might be planning a retreat. I can see real advantages to reading this and talking through the questions with others.”

Patty F reviewed a book.

“I have been working my way through Agatha Christie's mysteries for about three years. I decided that these were novels that I wanted to read - actually to listen to. I have now gotten through ten of them and I still like Hercule Poirot best. His little gray cells are excellent at solving...”

“I have been working my way through Agatha Christie's mysteries for about three years. I decided that these were novels that I wanted to read - actually to listen to. I have now gotten through ten of them and I still like Hercule Poirot best. His little gray cells are excellent at solving crime.

This time Poirot needs to solve a locked room mystery. How could Mr Lee have been murdered when no one could get in or out of his room? With the help of Simeon Lee's sons and a local cop, Poirot manages to figure out the crime.

It is hard to imagine anyone who has not met Hercule Poirot. If you haven't encountered him, you should consider this tale. I also recommend this book to readers of cosy mysteries, to people who like good audiobooks and to folks wanting a light diversion from real life.”

Patty F rated a book.

• Rated 3 stars

Patty F is now reading a book. (see 2 more books added to shelf)

Patty F rated a book.

• Rated 4 stars