Thursday, June 30, 2022

2022 - Second Quarterly Review

To assist my blog readers, I summarize my reading four times a year, providing a brief description, the page count, and a grading scale (💖5 thumbs up - highly recommend, 4 thumbs up - enjoyed, 3 thumbs up - good, 2 thumbs up - meh, and 1 thumb down - regret, wishing I could get back the time invested). I read the following books during the second quarter of 2022 (links to full reviews can be found in the side-bar, or after 2022, found through the search bar at the right):

The Quilter's Legacy by Jennifer Chiaverini - Sylvia Bergstrom Compson goes on a quest to find her deceased mother's quilts, learning much about her heritage and her heart along the way. 336 pages (I listened in audio form, 9 CDs, 10-1/2 hours), 👍👍👍

These Precious Days by Ann Patchett - A collection of essays about relationships, writing, and reading. Writers should be sure to read "To the Doghouse" for its humorous take on writing lessons from Snoopy. 320 pages, 👍👍👍👍

Circle of Quilters by Jennifer Chiaverini - Elm Creek Quilt Camp seeks two new instructors. Who will get the jobs? 338 pages (I listened in audio form, 9 CDs, 10-1/4 hours), 👍👍👍-1/2

Walter the Farting Dog: Banned from the Beach by William Kotzwinkle - This is the final book in a hilarious series that follows a dog with a flatulence problem who saves the day despite his difficulties. 34 pages, 👍👍👍

The Master Quilter by Jennifer Chiaverini - Secrets abound as the Elm Creek quilters gather blocks for a surprise wedding quilt for Sylvia. 352 pages (I listened in audio form, 9 CDs, 10-3/4 hours), 👍👍👍

Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood - A children's novel in verse about a young boy stranded in a lifeboat after his ship is torpedoed during the war. Clear demonstration of the tangible power of story. 336 pages (I listened in audio form, 3 CDs, 3-1/2 hours), 👍👍👍-1/2

Out of the Rain by V.C. Andrews (ghostwritten by Andrew Neiderman) - Saffron flees Hurley to seek out her father, who once again abandons her anew by insisting she pose as his orphaned niece instead of acknowledging her as his daughter. 291 pages, 👍👍

I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After Twenty Years Away by Bill Bryson - As The Wall Street Journal declares, "Wonderfully droll... Bryson is unparalleled in his ability to cut a culture off at the knees in a way that is so humorous and so affectionate that those being ridiculed are laughing too hard to take offense." Or from The Chicago Sun-Times, "Bryson could write an essay about dryer lint or fever reducers and still make us laugh out loud." 288 pages (I listened to an abridged audio version, 5 CDs, 6 hours), 👍👍👍👍-1/2

The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection by Alexander McCall Smith - In this 13th installment, Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi encounter many troubles, but face them with the assistance of the "famous" Clovis Andersen. 289 pages (I listened, with book in hand, on Hoopla, 10-1/2 hours), 👍👍👍-1/2

The Quilter's Homecoming by Jennifer Chiaverini - Book ten in the series, like the others, weaves quilts and conflicts into a tapestry of intrigue. 336 pages (I listened in audio form, 9 CDs, 10 hours), 👍👍👍

Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson - Publisher's Weekly writes of this British travelogue, "Immensely entertaining... Bryson's trenchant, witty, and detailed observations on a variety of towns and villages will delight Anglophiles." 324 pages (I listened to an abridged audio version, 5 CDs, 6 hours), 👍👍👍👍-1/2

With Love from London by Sarah Jio - "When a woman inherits her estranged mother's bookstore in London..." - hooked from the start. 367 pages, 👍👍👍

The Good Pilot Peter Woodhouse by Alexander McCall Smith - An English girl, an American pilot, a rescued dog, and a German soldier all converge in a sweet story of friendship during wartime. 369 pages, 👍👍👍-1/2

Rascal: A Memoir of a Better Era by Sterling North - Set in 1918 Wisconsin, recounts the adventures of a 12-year-old boy and his pet raccoon. Great nostalgic feel. Tender story. 193 pages (I listened in audio form, 4 CDs, 4-1/4 hours), 👍👍👍-1/2

Every Day in Tuscany by Frances Mayes - Excellent choice for those who love Italy - its food, artists, and atmosphere - and poetry. 271 pages (I listened in audio form, 7 CDs, 9-1/6 hours), 👍👍👍

Neither Here Nor There: Travels in Europe by Bill Bryson - Not as wholesome as the other two in my set, but the section on Italy was marvelous. 254 pages (I listened in abridged audio form, 5 CDs, 6 hours), 👍👍-1/2

There and Back: Photographs from the Edge by Jimmy Chin - Marvelous photographs of adventures with a National Geographic photographer - an eye-feast! 309 pages, 👍👍👍👍

Encouragement in the Waiting (For Your Prodigal to Return to God) by Tami Winkelman - Small doses of encouragement to fortify you in your journey with a rebellious or wayward child. Loved the emphasis on scripture and prayer. 245 pages, 👍👍👍👍-1/2

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