Monthly Archives: October 2024

Reader’s Log 009: Book Stacks Part 3

Posted on by
2

Acquiring books and reading them are entirely two different hobbies. I must say in the last few years, I have been working on curating my home library and working out what criteria I want to set to grow my stacks.

In this book stack series, I’m sharing books I’ve previously read and reviewed from NetGalley and want to obtain a physical copy for my home library.

I reviewed, “The Summer Before the War” by Helen Simonson back in March of 2016 and remember enjoying it very much. At that time, I had not read many stories centered around World War I and this story inspired me to study the history more in-depth.

I believe this book will be a nice addition to my home library. I also would like to read the book again-of course. I’m curious as to what I would think of the story now.

Stephanie Hopkins

The Summer Before the War

by Helen Simonson

Pub Date: Mar 22 2016 by Random House

About the Book:

East Sussex, 1914. It is the end of England’s brief Edwardian summer, and everyone agrees that the weather has never been so beautiful. Hugh Grange, down from his medical studies, is visiting his Aunt Agatha, who lives with her husband in the small, idyllic coastal town of Rye. Agatha’s husband works in the Foreign Office, and she is certain he will ensure that the recent saber rattling over the Balkans won’t come to anything. And Agatha has more immediate concerns; she has just risked her carefully built reputation by pushing for the appointment of a woman to replace the Latin master.

When Beatrice Nash arrives with one trunk and several large crates of books, it is clear she is significantly more freethinking—and attractive—than anyone believes a Latin teacher should be. For her part, mourning the death of her beloved father, who has left her penniless, Beatrice simply wants to be left alone to pursue her teaching and writing.

But just as Beatrice comes alive to the beauty of the Sussex landscape and the colorful characters who populate Rye, the perfect summer is about to end. For despite Agatha’s reassurances, the unimaginable is coming. Soon the limits of progress, and the old ways, will be tested as this small Sussex town and its inhabitants go to war.

Check out the previous book picks:

Reader’s Log 002: Book Stacks Part I

Reader’s Log 005: Book Stacks Part 2

May this series inspire you and perhaps you will discover books you want to add to your stacks.

Stephanie Hopkins

Book Review: A Feast of Folklore by Ben Gazur

Posted on by
4

The Bizarre Stories Behind British Food

Pub Date Sep 26 2024 by Unbound

About the Book:

Folklorist Ben Gazur guides you through the dark alleys of British history to uncover how our food habits have been passed down through generations of folklore.

Who was the first person to throw salt over their shoulder? Why do we think carrots can help us see in the dark? When did we start holding village fairs to honour gigantic apple pies? Or start hurling ourselves down hills in pursuit of a wheel of cheese? Gazur investigates the origins of famous food superstitions as well as much more bizarre and lesser-known tales too, from what day the devil urinates on blackberries to how to stop witches using eggshells as escape boats.

My Thoughts:

I’ve never really thought of food in people’s homes to be some sort of aspect of folklore until coming across this book. Or maybe I have in passing, but I have thought of or know of foods of having traditional meanings-such as when religious traditions are practiced, dietary needs, or for warding off sickness and healing. It is safe to say we incorporate these things into our lives often without stopping to think of its origins, cultural significance or if they come from superstition. Without a doubt, like many things in history, it is lost to us but now we have, “A Feast of Folklore” to enlighten and entertain us in the most perfectly written way.

When you read this book, you will soon realize that there is a folklore for everything! I could not stop laughing and I have to say the absurdity of us humans are brilliantly displayed throughout in this book. There are also the fabulous illustrations throughout and not only that, “A Feast of Folklore” has a truly engaging narrative that keeps you turning the pages for more. Truth be told, I still can’t get over how many folklore’s there are that comes from food. For example: Who should or should not make butter because of the color of their hair. Or what you can do to get free cheese and why one should eat walnuts or when you should plant crops. And why a family would keep a half-cut onion in their pantry. The list goes on…

What an outstanding book! I can’t praise it enough. I will definitely be adding a physical copy to my book stacks and reading its pages many times over.

Stephanie Hopkins

I obtained an ARC from Unbound through NetGalley for an honest review.

Book Review: The Bad Neighbor by Jenifer Ruff

Posted on by
Reply

I love a good mystery and thriller story! When I first got back on NetGalley, I spotted this book and glad I chose this story as my fist book to review. It has been a while! This one really took me by surprise. I haven’t always been a fan of FBI stories.Be sure to read my thoughts below!

The Bad Neighbor

Agent Victoria Heslin Series Book 9

by Jenifer Ruff

Pub Date Oct 01 2024

About the Book:

For newcomers Chris and Zoey Hamilton, the affluent community seems like the perfect location to build a life together. Instead, history repeats itself when Zoey vanishes without a trace—just like the previous homeowner five years ago.

Enter FBI Special Agent Victoria Heslin, known for her relentless pursuit of the truth. Her investigation uncovers a history of lies and betrayal festering beneath manicured gardens and picture-perfect smiles.

The more Victoria digs, the clearer it becomes: the secrets in Mountain Meadows run deep, and the greatest threats aren’t lurking in the shadows…they’re hosting dinner parties, attending parent-teacher conferences, going to yoga, and waving hello from behind their perfectly trimmed hedges. One of those polite, smiling individuals will stop at nothing to keep the past buried.

My thoughts:

When I spotted this title, it piqued my interest and I did a little further investigating. I love a good mystery thriller and it has been a while since I’ve come across a modern day one, I really enjoyed. There are a few factors I consider as a praise worthy read. Everyone is a suspect; motives are running rapid; opportunity is the icing on the cake. Those things are easily contrived but not always easily blended in with the flow of the story. Too much misdirection can make things a bit chaotic and before you know it the plot is lost to say the least. There is also the “it factors” when it comes to the right amount suspense, pacing, trickery and well-drawn out characterization. Most of all, a solid plot to keep the readers interest.

Did this book meet all the requirements? Yes, and more! I came into this series with the ninth book. To be honest, I’m a bit taken back I have not heard of this series before or the author. I made the right decision to choose this book to read and can’t wait to read the others!

Ruff assembles a great cast of characters and the pacing, suspense, the crime, the victims, the neighbors, the neighborhood and the brilliantly written twist and turns had me completely glued to this story until the end. When I thought I knew who had done it, other developments would happen that made the suspense all the more intriguing. There was a detail in the end about one of neighbors and her family that wasn’t fleshed out and I’m hoping it is because it will be included in the next book in the series. I do hope Ruff is continuing the series. I’m hooked!

I like Victoria Heslin no nonsense attitude when finding out Zoey was missing. She could have easily shrugged it off as a couples spat but she had a good head on her shoulders about the situation and reacted the way all law enforcement should. Victoria has good instincts and Ruff does a great job in portraying that attribute. Ruff also does an amazing job at making you really dislike a character(s). There was this one character who thought the worse of everyone and everything it seemed and it was great to see her come to the realization of just how wrong she was and her reaction to it figures with people like that. You’ll just have to read the book to find out more about what I’m talking about. I would also like to add that It was so refreshing to read a story without profanity and explicit scenes.

A great stand alone and an intriguing mystery with all the right elements!

Thank you Netgalley for a copy to read for an honest review.

Stephanie Hopkins