Joanna here, on this day after Thanksgiving, thinking about what I'm grateful for.
Good books come near the top on the list.
"I cannot live without books." Thomas Jefferson
"When I have a little money, I buy books. If I have any left over, I buy food and clothing." Erasmus,
"Good books. Nom nom nom." Me
So here's what the Wenches are reading in November. Today . . . Susan, Cara, and Nicola. Tomorrow we'll hear from Anne and Mary Jo.
What Susan Is Reading:
Reading time has been hard to find this month, but I'm currently working my way through some very interesting books as quiet opportunity rises. First up is a book I was reading earlier and was determined to pick up again, and I'm so glad I did.
Bill Bryson's At Home is his very thorough, very entertaining exploration of the history of his own home, a former rectory in Norfolk, England. Going room by room, space by space through the old house and property, Bryson delves deeply and with fascinating detail into every aspect of the history of the house and the region–and life, too. He expands well beyond the garden or the scullery or the parlor to bring in the long tail of accumulated history, social, cultural, medical, scientific, that supported the evolution of some part of the house. He comments on gardening, cleaning, servants, house parties, medicine and illness, even the physics of climbing stairs; his remarks about the Victorians, the Georgians and whatever and whoever crosses his meandering path are insightful, erudite and often amusing.
I've read a good bit of his work –
A Walk in the Woods is one of my favorite nonfiction books – and
At Home is pure Bryson – clever, witty, funny and fascinating. "Nothing–really nothing–says more about Victorian Britain and its capacity for brilliance than that the century's most daring and iconic building was entrusted to a gardener," he writes in examining Joseph Paxton's Crystal Palace, which touches tangentially on some aspect of his English
home.
I've also started
Elizabeth Gilbert's The Signature of All Things. Her
Eat, Pray, Love is another of my favorite books (I've read it twice), and I was very keen on reading more of her stuff. Historical fiction is a new direction for Gilbert, and she brings her own distinctive, soft and honest voice to the story of Alma Whittaker, an amateur botanist in early 19th century America, a book based on an actual family of remarkable botanists. Written with exquisite detail–I'm learning so much about plants and early botanical discovery–and with great character depth, so far it's a very interesting read. I'm not deep into the book as yet, but the characters and story and historical revelations are bringing me along. I always find Gilbert's style refreshing, frank and full of unexpected and enjoyable insights into every aspect of life, and she brings that to this hefty novel as well.
Cara/Andrea here,
Between madly working on promo material for my upcoming January/February/March releases, as well as polishing up a new proposal, I’ve been a bit of a slacker in reading this month. However, have been having great fun catching up on Rick Riordan’s Heroes of Olympus series. I loved his first Percy Jackson series, and this continuation of the teenage demigods is equally fabulous. I’ve just finished Book Three, “The Mark of Athena” and can’t wait to move on to the next one.
Basing his story concepts on a hip modern-day interpretation of the classic Greek myths, Riordan crafts a wonderfully imaginative world of monsters, high tech gizmos, cranky and quarrelsome Gods who need their half-human kids to step in and help save the day. I find his characters are beautifully draw, with each teen cleverly reflecting the attributes of his/her Olympian parent. There’s rollicking humor and action. But what I think gives the books great appeal to readers of all ages is how well he captures the very human emotions of self-doubt, inner fears, friendships and how we make moral choices.
I will just mention that the Wenches have been backchannel chatting about Riordan. Those of us not recommending him are planning to 
read him.
Nicola here.
Last month I gave my husband a copy of An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris as a birthday present. That meant I had to wait my turn to read it but fortunately he enjoyed it so much he finished it in record time. I love Robert Harris's books and find them compulsive page-turners. I am swept away by his versatility in writing a varie 
ty of historical periods from the Roman era to the Second World War. An Officer and a Spy is a fictionalised account of the Dreyfus Affair of 1894 when a French army officer was convicted of treason for giving military secrets to Germany. The case became one of the most famous examples of a miscarriage of justice and Robert Harris writes it as a thriller that totally drew me in. Brilliant characterisation and a story that kept me turning the pages when I should have been writing!
My other fabulous read this month is Sleighbells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan. I't's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Sarah's books and I snapped this up the moment it was available. I have a confession to make here – I don't usually read Christmas stories but this one totally got me in the mood for fairy lights and family celebrations. It's funny, poignant and very romantic with a wonderful cast of characters and a gorgeous snowy setting in Vermont.
So … What book did you read this Thanksgiving … Or what book fills you with gladness because someone wrote it?
I too read Sleigh Bells in the Snow, which is a wonderful romance of changes and second lives.
Miss Mistletoe by Erin Knightley was a sweet treatment of a girl and a boy grown up, both with embarrassing memories of a very public kiss under the mistletoe.
I also took recommendations and read The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn with an interesting theme of responsibility to friends and family. Especially delightful is an incident where the hero watches a silent conversation between the heroine and her cousin.
I’m currently reading Sarah MacLean’s No Good Duke Goes unpunished. Thus far our herione knows her hidden life as Mrs. McIntyre is coming to an end, and Temple want to remember what really happened on the pivotal night he became the killer Duke.
I’m also rereading the 5 volume Exordium of Sherwood Smith and Dave Trowbridge which has become a comfortable old friend complete with an assortment of twisted, evil villains and a clever, subtle hero. It even has an love triangle.
I too read Sleigh Bells in the Snow, which is a wonderful romance of changes and second lives.
Miss Mistletoe by Erin Knightley was a sweet treatment of a girl and a boy grown up, both with embarrassing memories of a very public kiss under the mistletoe.
I also took recommendations and read The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn with an interesting theme of responsibility to friends and family. Especially delightful is an incident where the hero watches a silent conversation between the heroine and her cousin.
I’m currently reading Sarah MacLean’s No Good Duke Goes unpunished. Thus far our herione knows her hidden life as Mrs. McIntyre is coming to an end, and Temple want to remember what really happened on the pivotal night he became the killer Duke.
I’m also rereading the 5 volume Exordium of Sherwood Smith and Dave Trowbridge which has become a comfortable old friend complete with an assortment of twisted, evil villains and a clever, subtle hero. It even has an love triangle.
I too read Sleigh Bells in the Snow, which is a wonderful romance of changes and second lives.
Miss Mistletoe by Erin Knightley was a sweet treatment of a girl and a boy grown up, both with embarrassing memories of a very public kiss under the mistletoe.
I also took recommendations and read The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn with an interesting theme of responsibility to friends and family. Especially delightful is an incident where the hero watches a silent conversation between the heroine and her cousin.
I’m currently reading Sarah MacLean’s No Good Duke Goes unpunished. Thus far our herione knows her hidden life as Mrs. McIntyre is coming to an end, and Temple want to remember what really happened on the pivotal night he became the killer Duke.
I’m also rereading the 5 volume Exordium of Sherwood Smith and Dave Trowbridge which has become a comfortable old friend complete with an assortment of twisted, evil villains and a clever, subtle hero. It even has an love triangle.
I too read Sleigh Bells in the Snow, which is a wonderful romance of changes and second lives.
Miss Mistletoe by Erin Knightley was a sweet treatment of a girl and a boy grown up, both with embarrassing memories of a very public kiss under the mistletoe.
I also took recommendations and read The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn with an interesting theme of responsibility to friends and family. Especially delightful is an incident where the hero watches a silent conversation between the heroine and her cousin.
I’m currently reading Sarah MacLean’s No Good Duke Goes unpunished. Thus far our herione knows her hidden life as Mrs. McIntyre is coming to an end, and Temple want to remember what really happened on the pivotal night he became the killer Duke.
I’m also rereading the 5 volume Exordium of Sherwood Smith and Dave Trowbridge which has become a comfortable old friend complete with an assortment of twisted, evil villains and a clever, subtle hero. It even has an love triangle.
I too read Sleigh Bells in the Snow, which is a wonderful romance of changes and second lives.
Miss Mistletoe by Erin Knightley was a sweet treatment of a girl and a boy grown up, both with embarrassing memories of a very public kiss under the mistletoe.
I also took recommendations and read The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn with an interesting theme of responsibility to friends and family. Especially delightful is an incident where the hero watches a silent conversation between the heroine and her cousin.
I’m currently reading Sarah MacLean’s No Good Duke Goes unpunished. Thus far our herione knows her hidden life as Mrs. McIntyre is coming to an end, and Temple want to remember what really happened on the pivotal night he became the killer Duke.
I’m also rereading the 5 volume Exordium of Sherwood Smith and Dave Trowbridge which has become a comfortable old friend complete with an assortment of twisted, evil villains and a clever, subtle hero. It even has an love triangle.
I’ve read a couple of Maggie Robinson’s books, after discovering her here. And I started e-reading the first of Ashley Gardner’s Captain Lacey mystery series, “The Hanover Square Affair”, and so far, so good. But mainly I’ve been studying the New Jersey Register of Historic Places Preliminary Application, because there is a building in my home town that I believe needs to be saved from the bulldozer!
I’ve read a couple of Maggie Robinson’s books, after discovering her here. And I started e-reading the first of Ashley Gardner’s Captain Lacey mystery series, “The Hanover Square Affair”, and so far, so good. But mainly I’ve been studying the New Jersey Register of Historic Places Preliminary Application, because there is a building in my home town that I believe needs to be saved from the bulldozer!
I’ve read a couple of Maggie Robinson’s books, after discovering her here. And I started e-reading the first of Ashley Gardner’s Captain Lacey mystery series, “The Hanover Square Affair”, and so far, so good. But mainly I’ve been studying the New Jersey Register of Historic Places Preliminary Application, because there is a building in my home town that I believe needs to be saved from the bulldozer!
I’ve read a couple of Maggie Robinson’s books, after discovering her here. And I started e-reading the first of Ashley Gardner’s Captain Lacey mystery series, “The Hanover Square Affair”, and so far, so good. But mainly I’ve been studying the New Jersey Register of Historic Places Preliminary Application, because there is a building in my home town that I believe needs to be saved from the bulldozer!
I’ve read a couple of Maggie Robinson’s books, after discovering her here. And I started e-reading the first of Ashley Gardner’s Captain Lacey mystery series, “The Hanover Square Affair”, and so far, so good. But mainly I’ve been studying the New Jersey Register of Historic Places Preliminary Application, because there is a building in my home town that I believe needs to be saved from the bulldozer!
I loved Sleigh Bells in the Snow. It was my first Sarah Morgan book, but I’m really looking forward to the rest of the series.
Since I review, I usually run a few months ahead on romance novels. I recently gobbled up No Place for a Dame by Connie Brockway and Three Weeks with Lady X by Eloisa James and adored both of them. I’m currently reading Susan Mallery’s third Blackberry Island book. Non-romance reading includes Julia Spencer-Fleming’s Through the Evil Days (I had some niggles about this one, but it is still an amazing story) and Unveiling Fashion: Business, Culture, and Identity by Fredric Godart (a fascinating look at the sociology of fashion). I’ve been reading a lot of contemporary poetry this year, but I always reread Gerard Manley Hopkins in November. His “Pied Beauty” is my favorite Thanksgiving poem.
I loved Sleigh Bells in the Snow. It was my first Sarah Morgan book, but I’m really looking forward to the rest of the series.
Since I review, I usually run a few months ahead on romance novels. I recently gobbled up No Place for a Dame by Connie Brockway and Three Weeks with Lady X by Eloisa James and adored both of them. I’m currently reading Susan Mallery’s third Blackberry Island book. Non-romance reading includes Julia Spencer-Fleming’s Through the Evil Days (I had some niggles about this one, but it is still an amazing story) and Unveiling Fashion: Business, Culture, and Identity by Fredric Godart (a fascinating look at the sociology of fashion). I’ve been reading a lot of contemporary poetry this year, but I always reread Gerard Manley Hopkins in November. His “Pied Beauty” is my favorite Thanksgiving poem.
I loved Sleigh Bells in the Snow. It was my first Sarah Morgan book, but I’m really looking forward to the rest of the series.
Since I review, I usually run a few months ahead on romance novels. I recently gobbled up No Place for a Dame by Connie Brockway and Three Weeks with Lady X by Eloisa James and adored both of them. I’m currently reading Susan Mallery’s third Blackberry Island book. Non-romance reading includes Julia Spencer-Fleming’s Through the Evil Days (I had some niggles about this one, but it is still an amazing story) and Unveiling Fashion: Business, Culture, and Identity by Fredric Godart (a fascinating look at the sociology of fashion). I’ve been reading a lot of contemporary poetry this year, but I always reread Gerard Manley Hopkins in November. His “Pied Beauty” is my favorite Thanksgiving poem.
I loved Sleigh Bells in the Snow. It was my first Sarah Morgan book, but I’m really looking forward to the rest of the series.
Since I review, I usually run a few months ahead on romance novels. I recently gobbled up No Place for a Dame by Connie Brockway and Three Weeks with Lady X by Eloisa James and adored both of them. I’m currently reading Susan Mallery’s third Blackberry Island book. Non-romance reading includes Julia Spencer-Fleming’s Through the Evil Days (I had some niggles about this one, but it is still an amazing story) and Unveiling Fashion: Business, Culture, and Identity by Fredric Godart (a fascinating look at the sociology of fashion). I’ve been reading a lot of contemporary poetry this year, but I always reread Gerard Manley Hopkins in November. His “Pied Beauty” is my favorite Thanksgiving poem.
I loved Sleigh Bells in the Snow. It was my first Sarah Morgan book, but I’m really looking forward to the rest of the series.
Since I review, I usually run a few months ahead on romance novels. I recently gobbled up No Place for a Dame by Connie Brockway and Three Weeks with Lady X by Eloisa James and adored both of them. I’m currently reading Susan Mallery’s third Blackberry Island book. Non-romance reading includes Julia Spencer-Fleming’s Through the Evil Days (I had some niggles about this one, but it is still an amazing story) and Unveiling Fashion: Business, Culture, and Identity by Fredric Godart (a fascinating look at the sociology of fashion). I’ve been reading a lot of contemporary poetry this year, but I always reread Gerard Manley Hopkins in November. His “Pied Beauty” is my favorite Thanksgiving poem.
You have two books on that list I’m intending to buy just as soon as I get my act together … the Quinn book and the MacLean book. I’ll take your recommendation to heart and hurry to pick them up.
The Smith/Towbridge series I’m not familiar with. I’ll look into that.
You have two books on that list I’m intending to buy just as soon as I get my act together … the Quinn book and the MacLean book. I’ll take your recommendation to heart and hurry to pick them up.
The Smith/Towbridge series I’m not familiar with. I’ll look into that.
You have two books on that list I’m intending to buy just as soon as I get my act together … the Quinn book and the MacLean book. I’ll take your recommendation to heart and hurry to pick them up.
The Smith/Towbridge series I’m not familiar with. I’ll look into that.
You have two books on that list I’m intending to buy just as soon as I get my act together … the Quinn book and the MacLean book. I’ll take your recommendation to heart and hurry to pick them up.
The Smith/Towbridge series I’m not familiar with. I’ll look into that.
You have two books on that list I’m intending to buy just as soon as I get my act together … the Quinn book and the MacLean book. I’ll take your recommendation to heart and hurry to pick them up.
The Smith/Towbridge series I’m not familiar with. I’ll look into that.
Hi Karin —
Oh! Excellent work. Go save that building. Yes!
If you tweet that to me I will retweet it for you.
Hi Karin —
Oh! Excellent work. Go save that building. Yes!
If you tweet that to me I will retweet it for you.
Hi Karin —
Oh! Excellent work. Go save that building. Yes!
If you tweet that to me I will retweet it for you.
Hi Karin —
Oh! Excellent work. Go save that building. Yes!
If you tweet that to me I will retweet it for you.
Hi Karin —
Oh! Excellent work. Go save that building. Yes!
If you tweet that to me I will retweet it for you.
I love GMH, and love that poem —
‘ … All things counter, original, spare, strange …’
Just lovely, all his writing.
I love GMH, and love that poem —
‘ … All things counter, original, spare, strange …’
Just lovely, all his writing.
I love GMH, and love that poem —
‘ … All things counter, original, spare, strange …’
Just lovely, all his writing.
I love GMH, and love that poem —
‘ … All things counter, original, spare, strange …’
Just lovely, all his writing.
I love GMH, and love that poem —
‘ … All things counter, original, spare, strange …’
Just lovely, all his writing.
Thanks so much! I shall be doing a guest post at thehistorygirl’s blog soon(she specializes in NJ history) and will take you up on your offer when that gets published.
Thanks so much! I shall be doing a guest post at thehistorygirl’s blog soon(she specializes in NJ history) and will take you up on your offer when that gets published.
Thanks so much! I shall be doing a guest post at thehistorygirl’s blog soon(she specializes in NJ history) and will take you up on your offer when that gets published.
Thanks so much! I shall be doing a guest post at thehistorygirl’s blog soon(she specializes in NJ history) and will take you up on your offer when that gets published.
Thanks so much! I shall be doing a guest post at thehistorygirl’s blog soon(she specializes in NJ history) and will take you up on your offer when that gets published.
I had to finish the first draft of the novella, but last night I finally started reading Sabrina Jeffies, ‘Twas the Night After Christmas.
I had to finish the first draft of the novella, but last night I finally started reading Sabrina Jeffies, ‘Twas the Night After Christmas.
I had to finish the first draft of the novella, but last night I finally started reading Sabrina Jeffies, ‘Twas the Night After Christmas.
I had to finish the first draft of the novella, but last night I finally started reading Sabrina Jeffies, ‘Twas the Night After Christmas.
I had to finish the first draft of the novella, but last night I finally started reading Sabrina Jeffies, ‘Twas the Night After Christmas.
This is the time of the year for those holiday novellas. They always feel like just a crisply little bite of the apple.
This is the time of the year for those holiday novellas. They always feel like just a crisply little bite of the apple.
This is the time of the year for those holiday novellas. They always feel like just a crisply little bite of the apple.
This is the time of the year for those holiday novellas. They always feel like just a crisply little bite of the apple.
This is the time of the year for those holiday novellas. They always feel like just a crisply little bite of the apple.
I’m always looking forward to these posts…
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving 🙂
I have to say thet I’ll be going broke because of MJP! As I type this, I’m on No Longer a Gentleman Audible [my second Audible from MJP, not second book, mind you] and I’ve already stocked my wish list with almost every WW book…
I’m also reading a few Christmas stories for b2b’s blog posts and I’ll make sure to check Sleighbells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan.
HUGS!
Mel
I’m always looking forward to these posts…
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving 🙂
I have to say thet I’ll be going broke because of MJP! As I type this, I’m on No Longer a Gentleman Audible [my second Audible from MJP, not second book, mind you] and I’ve already stocked my wish list with almost every WW book…
I’m also reading a few Christmas stories for b2b’s blog posts and I’ll make sure to check Sleighbells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan.
HUGS!
Mel
I’m always looking forward to these posts…
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving 🙂
I have to say thet I’ll be going broke because of MJP! As I type this, I’m on No Longer a Gentleman Audible [my second Audible from MJP, not second book, mind you] and I’ve already stocked my wish list with almost every WW book…
I’m also reading a few Christmas stories for b2b’s blog posts and I’ll make sure to check Sleighbells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan.
HUGS!
Mel
I’m always looking forward to these posts…
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving 🙂
I have to say thet I’ll be going broke because of MJP! As I type this, I’m on No Longer a Gentleman Audible [my second Audible from MJP, not second book, mind you] and I’ve already stocked my wish list with almost every WW book…
I’m also reading a few Christmas stories for b2b’s blog posts and I’ll make sure to check Sleighbells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan.
HUGS!
Mel
I’m always looking forward to these posts…
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving 🙂
I have to say thet I’ll be going broke because of MJP! As I type this, I’m on No Longer a Gentleman Audible [my second Audible from MJP, not second book, mind you] and I’ve already stocked my wish list with almost every WW book…
I’m also reading a few Christmas stories for b2b’s blog posts and I’ll make sure to check Sleighbells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan.
HUGS!
Mel
Melanie, I don’t think stocking up on books is ever a bad thing — it’s not “spending money” — it’s saving for the future. Like squirrels stocking up on nuts for the winter, a stockpile of books is essential for future happy times. And unlike nuts, you can read good books again and again. 🙂
Melanie, I don’t think stocking up on books is ever a bad thing — it’s not “spending money” — it’s saving for the future. Like squirrels stocking up on nuts for the winter, a stockpile of books is essential for future happy times. And unlike nuts, you can read good books again and again. 🙂
Melanie, I don’t think stocking up on books is ever a bad thing — it’s not “spending money” — it’s saving for the future. Like squirrels stocking up on nuts for the winter, a stockpile of books is essential for future happy times. And unlike nuts, you can read good books again and again. 🙂
Melanie, I don’t think stocking up on books is ever a bad thing — it’s not “spending money” — it’s saving for the future. Like squirrels stocking up on nuts for the winter, a stockpile of books is essential for future happy times. And unlike nuts, you can read good books again and again. 🙂
Melanie, I don’t think stocking up on books is ever a bad thing — it’s not “spending money” — it’s saving for the future. Like squirrels stocking up on nuts for the winter, a stockpile of books is essential for future happy times. And unlike nuts, you can read good books again and again. 🙂