"Waiting's exhausting."― Toba Beta, My Ancestor Was an Ancient Astronaut We spend a lot of our life waiting. Waiting in a doctor's office, waiting for a ride, waiting for things we have ordered, waiting for paint to dry, waiting for the sno… | jlheuer May 21 | "Waiting's exhausting." ― Toba Beta, My Ancestor Was an Ancient Astronaut We spend a lot of our life waiting. Waiting in a doctor's office, waiting for a ride, waiting for things we have ordered, waiting for paint to dry, waiting for the snow to melt, waiting for Spring. The list goes on and on. Last year we decided to quit looking for a new house to purchase. Our current house is a two-story and because we are not getting any younger, because my knees are not getting any nimbler and because my husband has Parkinson's, climbing up stairs to the bedroom is getting harder and harder. So instead of going through the trouble of finding a house, buying said house (with a whole new set of issues, yes, there would be issues), downsizing and packing and moving, we investigated the possibility of remodeling this house. We called a builder and to the skepticism of my husband, the builder found a way to add on a first floor bedroom and expand the bathroom. Plans were drawn up, changes were made, plans were revised, decisions were made, loans were acquired, money exchanged hands and we were told that construction could start as early as April 2024. We were excited. It is now close to the end of May, June is just around the next bend but nothing has started. We are still waiting. I know construction comes in stages. Before the back of the house can be removed, the builder needs to know when the excavator can dig hole and pour the foundation. Last we heard, we were 4th in the queue. So,we wait. We picked out flooring but there are no floors yet. So,we wait. We picked out paint. But there are no walls yet. So,we wait. I guess I am going to do the same thing I do when I am waiting for my car to be serviced or I'm waiting for my doctor or I'm waiting for my flight to take off, I read. Here's what the group was reading in May, probably while they were waiting. - The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff (2017) 342p. A novel of historical fiction that combines a tale about a traveling circus in Europe during World War II and the friendship and sorrow of two women aerialist performers from the circus.
- Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney (2022) 338p. After years of avoiding each other, the Darker family assembles for Nana's 80th birthday party on a remote tidal island. At the stroke of midnight, as a storm rages, Nana is found dead. And an hour later, the next family member follows… Trapped on the island till the tide goes out, the family must find out who is killing them, one by one, and why.
- Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters by Susan Page (2024) 464p. The definitive biography of the most successful female broadcaster of all time whose personal demons fueled an ambition that broke all the rules and finally gave women a permanent place on the air.
- Ghosts of Bungo Suido (WWII Navy #2) by P.T. Deutermann (2013) 343p. Looking for a good submarine story, well you've found it. It is WW II and an American sub is tasked with taking the fight right to the Japanese. While there they must also complete a little secret side mission. Sorry, no spoilers, you'll just have to read it for yourself.
- The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann (2023) 331p. This historical non-fiction book is an amazing account of the British naval ship HMS Wager. In 1741, as part of Commodore George Anson's squadron, they set out to intercept Spanish galleons carrying treasure from South America. With treacherous tides and storms through the passage between Cape Horn and Antarctica, the Wager runs aground on a desolate island. With little resources, the crew faces starvation and freezing temperatures along with mutiny and betrayal.
- Journey of the Pharoahs (Numa Files series) by Clive Cussler (2020) 432p. In 1074 B.C., vast treasures disappear from the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs. In 1927, a daredevil American aviator vanishes on an attempted transcontinental flight. And in the present day, a fishing trawler--along with its mysterious cargo--sinks off the coast of Scotland. How are these three mysterious events connected? Just another wild ride from the pen of Clive Cussler.
- Little Girl Blue: The Life of Karen Carpenter by Randy Schmidt (2010) 368p. An in depth biography, based on exclusive interviews with Karen's innermost circle of girlfriends and nearly 100 others, including professional associates, childhood friends, and lovers. The book reveals her family struggles, her quest to go solo and finally her hopeless fight with anorexia.
- Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (2012) 369p. Louisa takes a job as a caregiver for a quadriplegic named Will. He was the victim of a horrible accident when he was at the height of his career and appreciating his youth. Together Louisa and Will examine what is good in life; what is important in life; what makes life worth living. More than a romance novel, this book deals with some very ethical issues.
- Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning by Liz Cheney (2023) 372p. I never thought I would read a book by Liz Cheney. I am a life long Democrat and I disagree with 98% of her politics. But it was very interesting to read a first-hand account by a staunch Republican from inside the halls of Congress as Donald Trump and his enablers betrayed the American people and the Constitution--leading to the violent attack on our Capitol on January 6th, 2021.
- Bono: The Amazing Story of a Rescue Cat who Inspired a Community by Helen Brown (2018) 288p. The author was having a bit of a midlife crisis and decided it was a good time to travel to New York City from Australia to promote her latest book. Her publisher told her that it would be good for her recovery if she would foster a homeless cat from a local shelter while in NYC. Little did she know what she signed on for, this was no middle-aged kitty who slept all day.
- Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (2023) 309p. Set in Spring 2020 amid the COVID-19 lockdown, the story revolves around former actress Lara Kenison who lives and works with her husband in their family cherry orchard in Michigan. The pandemic has brought her whole family together as they shelter in place and help in the day-to-day operations of the orchard.
- The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams (2021) 368p. A story about an unlikely friendship between Aleisha, a teenager working at the library for the summer, and Mukesh, a widower trying to move forward with his life while still dealing with his grief. Aleisha finds a reading list in one of the library books and decides to read all the the books on the list as an escape from her challenging home life. She recommends the books to Mukesh after he seeks suggestions at the library. Their shared reading creates a connection and helps them escape their grief and everyday troubles.
- If the Creek Don't Rise by Leah Weiss (2017) 305p. This debut novel is set in a small remote mountain settlement in North Carolina where many can't read, education is unheard of and catastrophic poverty is the norm. The main character, Sadie, lives with an abusive husband and all that entails. But as the chapters unfold the reader is introduced to an extraordinary cast of players and how their lives intertwine. An amazing first novel.
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