S E P T E M B E R ♥ book club gathering & O C T O B E R ♥ book announcement

Oh, dear cozy wallflowers! How delighted I am to be chatting about this book with you all today!

Where to start?

Let me begin by saying that I absolutely loved this book. It was totally different than what I was expecting and yet everything I wanted and needed in a book at the time. I found this story to be enchanting and charming and sweet and captivating. 

Meeting Lucy was, for me, like meeting a kindred spirit character. That doesn't happen too often for me when I read a book, but it did with Lucy. I just really loved her gentle spirit and kindness towards everyone, but especially towards Bunty, the spunky 90-something woman living next door to her cottage, as well as her compassion and understanding and listening ear towards Freya, the good-hearted, but a bit confused, teenage girl in the village. Lucy found herself a little close-knit circle of friends that all supported each other and were a sort of family to one another, and that warmed my heart to no end.

 

Bunty was a firecracker of a character. She cracked me up on more than one occasion. And oh my goodness, her pet snake, Stanley! It's a wonder I didn't have nightmares after reading about him lying all coiled up on her windowsill. Eek! Her stories of World War II were part of what grabbed my attention as I do love stories from the homefront during the war. Her storytelling brought things to life for Lucy, and for me, too. I loved her spunk and pizazz and sharp mind of her own. She is one of the reasons why I, along with so many others, love books with "old lady characters". She was a hoot! 

And finally, I loved the relationship between Lucy and Bunty. It started out a tad bit rocky, but much sooner than I expected, it turned to a nice warm friendship of them caring for each other, Lucy learning from Bunty, Bunty getting a daily dose of sunshine with Lucy's visits, especially when her dog, Hamish came along. I especially really appreciated this relationship because it showed that friendship knows no age boundaries. The old and young can very well be friends with each other, and oftentimes, those relationships are some of the sweetest and richest, because each one brings something really special to the other. And that was my most favorite aspect of this novel. 

This book did have a bit of romance and such, and I did like Sam, the male love interest to our Lucy. I appreciated how their friendship grew slowly and sweetly and then a romantic relationship took time to evolve from that. The story took place over six months or so, and the relationship took that long to get really established. I don't care for fast, speedy relationships...in real life or in fiction, so it was nice to see a slow, gentle relationship for once.

 

There wasn't a darn thing that I did not enjoy about this book. The characters, as you know, were some of my most favorites that I've met through a story. And the story itself, of Lucy seeking refreshment and rest in a small village by renting a delightful little cottage next to spirited, feisty Bunty with the agreement to look after her and help her as needed, which turned out to be less of her helping Bunty and more of the two of them just becoming friends. The story of Bunty's past with the war and what exactly went on with her back then and all her diary entries (so fun to read!), to the possible removal of an old historical piece in town full of tradition, memories and a rich past...the telephone box, and of how the village came together to keep it and turn it into a village library. This was just my cup of tea...all of it.

Though this was my first ever book to read by Rachael Lucas, it will definitely not be my last. This has become a top favorite book of mine, and I am looking forward to reading more from her.

I also felt that this was the perfect end-of-summer, tip-toe-into-autumn read. It was a cozy read and one that just made me feel good. I admit I was so sad when it ended...but that's how I know it was a really good book. 

 So, fellow book clubbers...

did you enjoy this story as much as I did?

Who were your favorite characters?

What did you enjoy most about this story?

And would you want to live in Little Maudley?

Finally, what is ONE book you would add to their village telephone box library?

Do share with me in the comments!

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For the October book club pick, I have chosen a cozy mystery with loads of autumnal and cozy vibes. I think it's the perfect book for Halloween time and October. Oh, I can't wait to read this with you all!

About the book...

When a guest dies in the B&B she helps her aunts run, a young witch must rely on some good old-fashioned investigating to clear her aunt's name in this magical and charming new cozy mystery.

For four hundred years, the Warren witches have used their magic to quietly help the citizens of the sleepy New England town of Evenfall thrive. There's never been a problem they couldn't handle. But then Constance Graves--a local known for being argumentative and demanding--dies while staying at the bed and breakfast Brynn Warren maintains with her aunts. At first, it seems like an accident...but it soon becomes clear that there's something more sinister at work, and Aunt Nora is shaping up to be the prime suspect.

There's nothing Brynn wants more than to prove Nora's innocence, and it hurts her to know that even two years ago that might have been easier. Brynn, after all, is a witch of the dead--a witch who can commune with ghosts. Ghosts never remember much about their deaths, but Constance might remember something about her life that would help crack the case. But Brynn hasn't used her powers since her husband died, and isn't even sure she still can. Brynn will just have to hope that her aunts' magic and her own investigative skills will lead her to answers--and maybe back to the gift she once thought herself ready to give up forever.

This book may very well be accessible in your local libraries. And if you, like me, prefer to read a copy you own, I have found some great deals on Abe Books (as always), which you can find here. I have also found 2 copies for great prices on Pango Books; you can find those here. Of course, there's always Amazon as well; you can find that here.

We will be gathering to discuss this book on Thursday, October 24th. I will also be announcing November's books (yes, there will be TWO!) a few days before that, with plenty of time for you to grab a copy (of one or both reads) for yourself. 

 

 Do let me know if you'll be reading along! I've wanted to read a cozy mystery in the book club ever since it began, and October is the perfect time! I hope you'll be joining me!

Happy reading, cozy wallflowers!

a song for autumn

Song for Autumn

by Mary Oliver

Don’t you imagine the leaves dream now

how comfortable it will be to touch

the earth instead of the

nothingness of the air and the endless

freshets of wind? And don’t you think

the trees, especially those with

mossy hollows, are beginning to look for

the birds that will come—six, a dozen—to sleep

inside their bodies? And don’t you hear

the goldenrod whispering goodbye,

the everlasting being crowned with the first

tuffets of snow? The pond

stiffens and the white field over which

the fox runs so quickly brings out

its long blue shadows. The wind wags

its many tails. And in the evening

the piled firewood shifts a little,

longing to be on its way.

before an autumnal immersion . . . my summer reading wrap-up

Welcome to the last summer post of 2024, dearest readers! Before we begin a full autumnal immersion in a wee bit, I wanted to share a wrap-up of all the books I read over the summer.

If you remember, I shared about some reading prompts I gave myself for some fun, light summertime reading earlier in the year. I told myself no pressure and that this was just for fun. Not a challenge, but rather, just a way to read some books off my shelf. And, of course, allowing flexibility and wiggle room in case my mood reading tendencies took over. You can check out my prompts here. I am pleased to report back that I did complete a number of my prompts and even found a few favorites along the way. I did hit a couple duds, which quickly became DNFs. And seeing as how it was the first time I did this little reading method, I really enjoyed it. It's definitely something I want to do again!

Below are all the books I read over the summer months. I am sharing some thoughts and such on each one as well as which prompt they fulfilled. I hope you enjoy some bookish ramblings...here we go.

The Choice

by Nicholas Sparks

Prompt: A Nicholas Sparks novel

My rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Though I have seen many of the movies inspired by Nicholas Sparks' books, I hadn't read any of his books yet. I picked up this one because I enjoyed the movie by the same title. The book went pretty much perfectly along with the movie, so there weren't any major spoilers or changes that I noticed. And I did quite enjoy the writing style and storytelling of the novel. However, the reason why I gave this one just 3.5 stars was simply because there was a part of the story that I just did not love. I didn't appreciate how it was handled and the message it tried to get across. I knew about this aspect of the story going in, because, like I said, I watched the movie. That was my only problem with this book. Nicholas Sparks made the setting come to life with absolutely stunningly gorgeous descriptions of the coast and beach and small Southern town. I really enjoyed that aspect of the book.

Finding Love at Mermaid Terrace

by Kate Forster

Prompt: A beachy novel

My rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

This was my first book by Kate Forster, and I did really enjoy the story. The setting (which is always important to me in books!) was exquisite. She really made me feel like I was on the Cornish coast and visiting Mermaid Terrace, an adorable little cottage in town. There was one scene (if I remember correctly) that was a bit too sexually graphic for my taste, and I didn't love that. But again, I really enjoyed the overall story. However...at the end of the book there was one incredibly heartbreaking and sad thing that happened that I felt was completely, 100% unnecessary. I felt like it was just thrown in there out of nowhere. It really put a damper on the book for me. Along with that, I must say that I have never in my life read a book with so many typos. It was literally insane! Even the characters names were spelled different ways numerous times, along with many other typos, which honestly, made the book a bit hard to read at times. There was also so many arguments in the book that I felt like could have been avoided with two little things I like to call: maturity and communication. That got to the point of annoying. Overall, just an okay read for me. I do have one other book by this author on my shelf, but I'm in no hurry to get to it anytime soon.

The Beach House

by Jenny Hale

Prompt: A Jenny Hale novel

My rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

I already shared all my thoughts on this book during our July book club discussion. You can read all about this one here.

The Marlow Murder Club

 by Robert Thorogood

Prompt: A mystery

4 stars out of 5

I read this one because the new TV show inspired by this book series comes out in October and I wanted to read the book first. I really enjoyed this mystery. I did not figure it out as I was reading, which I really appreciate about mysteries. This was not a gory or graphic sort of mystery, but it also wasn't a cozy mystery. It was simply a small village mystery set in England about a trio of unlikely new friends as they solve murders taking place in their village. I am going to continue this series, but I do think I prefer a cozier vibe. However, I must say that I am very much looking forward to watching the TV series on PBS. I'm glad I read the book first!

A Cross-Country Wedding

by Courtney Walsh

Prompt: A Courtney Walsh novel

4.5 out of 5 stars

As with most Courtney Walsh books I’ve read, which is quite a few, I didn’t love the main female character. She always writes sarcastic, sassy, super trendy female leads, which I never love. But, boy, can Courtney Walsh tell a story. That’s why I keep coming back to read more of her books. Her storytelling skills are superb, and I love how she makes you feel like part of the story, too. This was a fun sequel to a favorite Christmas book and even though I found the concept of a “road trip wedding” weird and not necessarily a sweet way to get married, the general road trip theme was fun for a summer read.

Love and Other Great Expectations

by Becky Dean

Prompt: An armchair travel novel

4.5 out of 5 stars

This book came recommended by my sister. She knows how much I enjoyed Love and Gelato a few years back and said this one had similar vibes. I basically never read YA books, nor does she. But sometimes, there are exceptions, and this book is one of those times. I loved this book! While I really didn't care for the main character, Britt, much for the same reasons why I don't like Courtney Walsh's main female characters, I adored this story. The whole concept of doing a sort of scavenger project around the UK was so much fun. It was the perfect armchair travel story and the way the author described all the places and landmarks and the food and just all of it...it was as if I had my passport stamped and was right along for the ride. I also must say that I rarely like male characters in books. Most of the time they are super stereotypical and full of toxic gender-norming tendencies, but I was very pleasantly surprised with Luke in this book. He was such a gentle, kind-hearted, nurturing, considerate, understanding, compassionate, caring guy. He really stole my heart! I will definitely be making more YA exceptions when it comes to Becky Dean's books. This was one of my favorites in this list!

The Telephone Box Library

by Rachael Lucas

Prompt: A slice-of-life novel

5 out of 5 stars

I will be sharing all about this on the 26th with our book club chat. I can't wait! 

Hint: I LOVED THIS BOOK!{{smiles}}

The Tale of Despereaux

by Kate DiCamillo

Prompt: Middle-grade novel

2 out of 5 stars

This was the August book club choice for The Cozy Wallflowers Book Club, so I shared all about it then. You can read my thoughts here.

There you have it. All the books that I read from the middle of May to the end of August. I enjoyed most of them thoroughly, found a couple new favorites, hit a few duds along the way that I had to DNF, but overall, I greatly enjoyed my summer reading...

But, now it's time for autumnal books. And for that, I am awfully excited! I've been enjoying them since September began and oh, what a delight it's been.

I'll be sharing an autumnal bookstack soon. 

What were some of your favorite books that you read over the summer? Do share with me!

the color of summer's end

Just like that, summer falls into September. 

As we welcome September, shades of violet are all around me. It is as though violet is the color of summer's end. The lushness and vivid green of the trees and all the leaves everywhere are dying down, and flecks of golden brown are scattered on the grass nearly everywhere I turn. There isn't much color right now in nature where I call home, autumn's glory is still being anticipated. But, if I pay attention and look down and n o t i c e...there it is. Little bits of violet here and there. If I don't really choose to slow down and notice it, I will miss it. And then when I find it, oh, what a gift it is. Violet, the color of summer's end. At least to me and my heart. I noticed this to be true during our first year at Shady Cottage. In our other home, bright, vivid, hot pink was the color of summer's end. It seems as though the end of summer chooses to present itself in a variety of colors and hues depending on the plants, flowers, and weeds...or as I call them, nature's hidden gems, that are near you. Perhaps the color of summer's end for you is green or pink or yellow or red or any color of the rainbow. For me, though, right here at Shady Cottage, it is violet. And I, for one, am not complaining, for violet is one of the colors that I love most. Seeing it always makes me happy and peaceful and yet, excited with eager anticipation, too. For I know, that when I see little bits of violet scattered around our garden, autumn is surely on the way. But not before summer gives us one last bit of magic.

September's skies are so full of justifiable melancholy,

with summer's end and autumn's anticipating,

creating a bittersweet moment.

~ Unknown

Reader friend, might I encourage you to slow down and choose to really look and n o t i c e the last bit of summer's beauty around you. It may mean looking up and finding some magic there, or it may mean looking down, sometimes even kneeling down and poking around a bit, and discovering some sort of hidden gift there. But it is there, I promise you that. Finding the color of summer's end near you is nature's gift to you. It is the earth speaking to you and saying that there is always some bit of beauty and magic and wonder if you would just slow down and no t i c e.

When you discover the color of summer's end near you, I invite you to come back here and tell me all about it...I'd love to hear about Mother Nature's gift to you as we begin to bid summer farewell and prepare to welcome autumn in.

five little things from august . . .

five little things from A U G U S T . . .

♥ reading an absolute delight of a story. I'll be sharing all about my summertime reads in a wrap-up post come autumn. 

♥ my sister's birthday dessert...pictured above. homemade chocolate chip skillet cookie made with wholesome ingredients, homemade maple date ice cream, homemade chocolate hardening syrup made with wholesome ingredients, freshly whipped cream sweetened with a drizzle of honey, and chopped pecans. obsessed.

♥ vera. i've slowly become obsessed with this show. i thought for a long time i preferred shetland, but now i'm changing my mind. i love them equally.

♥ chicken and rice. one of the simplest recipes on the planet but i just love it. come autumn and winter, it's going to be a regular...as if it's not already. simple really is the best, and this recipe just proves it. let me know if you want me to share the recipe.

♥ and violet. more on that next week, though. 

what are five little things from your august? do share!