Another Turn of the Page: Busy Days

By jlheuer on June 22, 2024

"The summer solstice is a time for strength and vitality for action and movement."
― Carole Carlton, Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers: A Celebration of Pagan Festivals, Sacred Days, Spirituality and Traditions of the Year

As of this writing, it is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. It is rainy and cool so it doesn't feel like Summer. But it was in the upper 80's and humid the past week. Since it has been an interesting Spring, I expect Summer will be weird too. I have filled up these longer days of the end of Spring with all the cleaning, sorting, packing, account closing, and bill paying that came when my mother passed away in April. Then came the planning and organizing of her memorial service, which was this past Monday. There was company to feed and appointments to make with family who would only be here for a few days. In between, we never knew when our contractor was going to call and announce they were coming to start our addition. ( we've been waiting since April). This project required us to completely vacate a large back entry, a basement area, part of the kitchen and a first floor bathroom. So places had to be found for coats, shoes, shelving, dishes, garbage cans, recycle bins, three shelves of cookbooks, and cleaning supplies. Built in shelves and hooks had to be removed. And since we would not have access to our basement for about 6 weeks, we had to look into a crystal ball and divine what we might need that was stored there and then find a new home for those items. All of this came to a head in the last three days, memorial completed on the 17th, family left on the 18th, construction began on the 19th. Today I can finally sit down and just hope no one shows up at my door with their hair on fire. I actually think I will be able to read without being interrupted by phone calls, texts or emails. So, here's to a weird Summer, whatever it throws at me has got to be better than Spring.
Here is what the bookies read this month.

The Good, the Bad and the Aunties (Aunties #3) by Jesse Sutanto (2024) 304p. Well, we have Nathan and Meddy, who are just ending their honeymoon and are spending time with Meddy's extended family in Singapore. This leads to them being caught up with criminal families, investigations with meddling aunties, and racing around to stop these criminals. Recommend for cozy mystery lovers who like unrealistic and fun plots.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi (2016) 229p. A moving memoir by a young neurosurgeon faced with a terminal cancer diagnosis who attempts to answer the question 'What makes a life worth living?'
Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon (2023) 432p. This historical fiction was inspired by Martha Ballard (February 9, 1735 – June 9, 1812), a midwife who delivered hundreds of babies and kept diaries about her personal life as well as her experiences as a midwife. Her diaries have proven to be educational and have provided insight into the lives of women during her time/life.
Marcel's Letters: A Font and the Search for One Man's Fate by Carolyn Porter (2017) 352p. The author, a graphic designer in Minnesota, buys five letters written in French from an antique store because she likes the handwriting and decides to make a font based off of them. She does read French but years later she decides to get the letters translated and becomes completely obsessed with Marcel's life.
Unsolaced: Along the Way to All that Is by Gretel Ehrlich (2021) 256p. This collection of memories, observations, and narratives is a wondrous meditation on how water, light, wind, mountain, bird, and horse have shaped her life and her understanding of a world besieged by a climate crisis. The author lives in Wyoming and chronicles her travels to Alaska, Greenland, Kosova, Africa and Japan.
The Women by Kristin Hannah (2024) 480p. This is the story of one woman gone to war, but it is intended to focus on all women who put themselves in harm's way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel, set during the Vietnam War, about deep friendships and bold patriotism.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (2014) 544p. This story is about Marie-Laure, a blind girl, who lives in Paris near the Museum of Natural History, where her father works, and Werner Pfennig, an orphan, who becomes an expert at building and fixing radios and is enlisted to use his talent to track down the resistance. Their paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II.
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. In 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.
Wedding Planner by Danielle Steel (2023) 228p. Yes, Danielle Steel is still writing. In this one, Faith, an unmarried wedding planner, hopes to lead her clients to happily ever after. But weddings are not always all champagne and roses, and in no time, she is dealing with private quarrels, unplanned pregnancies, family scandals, dark secrets, and the possibility of cancelled ceremonies.
Payback in Death (In Death #57) by J.D. Robb (2023) 368p. Yes, Nora Roberts is still writing, this one is under her pseudonym, J.D. Robb. When a retired police officer is found shot dead in his home, Eve and the team are called to the scene to investigate. The victim is Martin Greenleaf, former Captain of Internal Affairs. At first glance it looks like suicide but there could be more to this carefully laid scene than meets the eye.
The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin (2012) 426p. This debut novel features Talmadge, a quiet, compassionate man who tries to befriend two feral and pregnant runaway girls, who show up at his farm. They were orphaned very young and have suffered terrible abuse. Basically, the story is about his intense connection to his orchard and also his attempts to love, care for and protect these two damaged women and one of their offspring,
One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware (2024) 385p. A high-paced thriller following five couples who are dropped off on a remote island to film a reality TV show. A severe storm hits changing this from a relationship show to one of very real survival because they are completely cut off from the mainland. And then the first body is discovered.