Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Hello everyone. I need you to join me for a bit of "mind traveling" today. Imagine you are in the northeastern US.  Parts of New England had a wind chill of -15 yesterday. The whole area has had snow and ice too, winter has arrived.  Okay, now get ready, we are going to slowly start going south for a vacation. Come on, pass the singing snowman that sounds like Burl Ives.  Ooops, try not to get run over by that sledding electric razor. Definitely ignore Buddy the Elf when he offers you some gum! Tune them out and think more like the Price is Right and "come on down". Pass NJ, wave to the Cape May Victorians. Careful of the speed traps in Maryland...hey, why are you speeding anyway? Be careful. Ah, hitting the eastern shore of Virginia now? Make sure you stop at Stuckey's and get some chocolate covered coconut patties. Now, get out your wallets and be prepared to be shocked at the $12 toll to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. At least it is picturesque and interesting if you are going to the bottom of the bay at the exact time a ship is going over. Keep going.

In North Carolina yet? Good, stick as closely as you can to the coast. Notice all those bridges? Why if you are driving close to the coast are there all those bridges? One word, marshes! Yep, all those places where the ocean tries to go inland, or rivers try to get to the ocean are marsh lands. Now you might ask what is the difference between a marsh and a swamp? Ahhh, that is using the old canoodle!  A swamp has more woody things like stumps and trees, but a marsh is more grasslands. Marshes are nutrient rich wetlands that support all kinds of animal and plant life. Now I know you think I'm more off my rocker than usual and about to break into some kind of song probably from School House Rock but no, I've just read a great book about a marsh in North Carolina.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens is an amazing book, set in the marshes of coastal North Carolina. It is beautifully written, almost lyrical in parts, while still being an interesting, easy to read story. That story is epic in its journey following a little girl, abandoned in the marsh as she learns how to not only survive but live. The reader is witness to the hardships and bravery of little Kya Clark as she grows up and learns about the world and herself. There is a mystery in this book that is interesting but the strength of it is how enchanting the story is as a whole. This is not that much of a who-dun-it and definitely not a thriller. Amazing, and sweeping in scale, the pacing is excellent and writing superb. The way the author handles things like Kya's childhood innocence reminds me of Tom Sawyer, and I can think of no higher compliment than that.

As Christmas approaches, I keep saying books would make an excellent gift. Different books for everyone's taste. Where the Crawdads Sing would be an excellent gift for those that like a little emotion in their story, something quiet and thoughtful. Almost a classic. For the right person, this would even be a great hostess gift when you've forgotten that pricey bottle of wine. Where the Crawdads Sing is smoother, fuller bodied and will linger longer, too.

Green Zone Jack by I. James Bertolina

Hello everyone. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

Now that you've been shopping or refusing to shop (as we do) and are probably in turkey sandwich heaven, loosen your stretchy pants and read on.  Let's face it, we all have so much to be thankful for. No matter how bad things are, they can always get worse. I hope things are always sunshine and daisies for you, me too, I love it when things hum along.

Something I am always grateful for is our military. Whether you agree with what conflict the US is currently in or not, I cannot imagine anyone not being in awe of people that are willing to put their family life on hold and are literally facing the possibility of laying down their life so that we can enjoy a nice Thanksgiving. I am not that brave. To be honest, I cannot even fathom that kind of bravery. I see it all the time though. My grandfather was on a ship in WWII and my uncle was literally on the beach at Normandy on D-Day. In addition, I live in a huge military area. I see the families left behind, the wives with kids, dealing with car repairs, hurricanes or a case of the flu, all alone. Even if there is no war, accidents happen. Bravery, all around. I don't know how they do it, military or their families.

It is with the military in mind that I have to tell you about a book, Green Zone Jack. Now, I read a lot of psychological thrillers, but every once in a while, I need a palette cleanser. I can only take so many 'did their husband, wife or lover do its' before I need a brief break. This time, I turned to I. James Bertolina for some solid action adventure. Good thing too, because he totally delivered! This story reeks of the dangerous, lawless Old West, but on steroids, in the modern day Middle East. Diplomatic Security Service agent Payton Ladd is charged with finding the missing nephew of a U.S. Senator, and has little time to do so. The writing is solid and stays on the plot, which I completely adore and makes the story fast-moving. As the novel unfolds, the reader is presented with a large cast of likely suspects.  With Sam Spade-like fortitude and help from heroic U.S. service members, Ladd weaves his way through a minefield of criminal and political intrigue as bullets and grenades fly. If you want romance and loads of emotion, don't look here, if you want a great thriller filled with adventure and quick pacing, this book is for you. A great ride and read!

Looking for a gift for a husband or boyfriend, Green Zone Jack would be an excellent choice. Looking for a gift for a wife or girlfriend who is need of a break from puppies and PTA meetings, Green Zone Jack will meet the challenge. This book is definitely a well-written, action-packed thriller. You'd be smart to pick it up!

Nevermoor The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

Hello everyone.  You may not believe me, but I know why you come here. You want to read about a book you are interested in and see me yap on about how cleaning the toilet is such a crappy job (ahem, yes, I saw it and yes, it is a bad job I dislike, you probably do too). However, like last time I have to tell you a story that relates to today's book.

I have a niece. She is in her early twenties. My niece was the first "kid" in our family so in an effort to be her favorite aunt I did some things I now don't know whether to be ashamed of or proud of.  Given how many thrillers I read perhaps I should pause here for effect, letting your mind wander. No, these things do not involve shovels, drives to the barren woods, or missing people. Possibly worse. I watched Ren and Stimpy. Think that is bad? Hold on to your chair...I learned all the songs from Blues Clues. Oh, yes, shutter you should! I know the mailbox song, complete with flag arm movement. You want to know about Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper, I'm your girl! I know, it is shocking.

When my niece was a teen, I read the Twilight series with her, despite her completely bailing after the first book. I have whole series-itis and had to read all of them. Then there is Harry Potter, we read the whole series together. It was bliss. Sometimes she'd get the book on her own, or it would "magically" appear from Amazon. One time, hubby and I braved the dreaded line at midnight at Walmart. I remember her calling me, saying she had been reading late at night, hidden in the bathroom so as not to bother her family, in tears. She was reading about Dumbledore dying. It was a bond, shared over books that I am so grateful for. No matter how old she gets or where she goes, those shared moments will always be with me and I hope with her.

Now my niece is in a famous design school, either destined for Disney or game design. She can draw, paint, sculpt anything from characters to realistic, from landscape to the intricacies of the human body. Sadly, I don't think she realizes how amazing she is, and she definitely is amazing. My niece is stunningly beautiful both inside and out, not only super creative but absolutely brilliant at math and science. She is funny and sweet, kind and thoughtful. She is the bravest person I know, in so many ways. Despite her young age, she is possibly the most inspiring woman I've ever met and I am in CONSTANT awe.

When I talked to my niece a while ago, we were talking about book genres and she was saying how much she liked fantasy. Given her chosen profession, this is not a surprise. Fantasy is not my favorite. To me it just takes longer to get into a book if I have to go through all that "world building" too.  However, as you've seen in the past sometimes the "buzz" on a book gets the better of me and I have to read it. Such is the case with the kids fantasy book, Nevermoor The Trials of Morrigan Crow, described as being the new Harry Potter.

I loved this book. Thankfully, you are immersed in the story and world easily and quickly. The reader instantly likes and has empathy for the little Morrigan Crow and a chuckle or two for her quick wit and sarcasm. The story progressed quickly, describing just enough of the setting for your brain to take over without over doing it and slowing the plot. Obstacles and tasks are handled efficiently with neither too little nor too much time spent on each one. The pacing is perfection. Needless to say, despite it's 461 pages, I didn't want it to end. And it is a fantasy...I didn't want to end....461 pages...with lots to do at the holidays...461 pages...didn't want to end.  You get the point.

So, Thanksgiving is next week with Christmas close behind. I have cooking galore, cleaning and decorating to do. Something is going to have to go undone. The Nevermoor sequel, Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow was released this week. After finishing Nevermoor I had to immediately order it with it's 545 pages. Thankfully, my niece is also great in the kitchen, think I'll leave the cookie baking undone and get her help, she'll understand...maybe I can trade her a book for her help. I know just the one!

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

Hello everyone. Hope you are well. Also, hope you have a hot cup of coffee as I have a bit to say today.

I had the world's best parents. Yes, I know it is a bit like saying my kid is the best, when everyone thinks their own child is the most amazing thing on the planet. Honestly, I had great parents. Despite having four kids they were always a couple. Of course, they constantly had their parental hats on, but it was common to walk past the kitchen and see them leaning against the kitchen sink, kissing...in their 50s. We had a finished basement with fireplace and if the mood struck, they'd be slow dancing while the stereo played and fire crackled, often while it snowed outside. How romantic is that? It is with this never-ending love and adoration for my parents that I must tell you about what my father often gave my mother for a gift. Blue eyeshadow. Now, he gave her gifts all the time, brought flowers, etc. But for regular gift giving occasions, Dad couldn't quite figure it out. Sometimes he got it right, but often you'd find him at the drug store buying blue eyeshadow. Now after many years, my mother, having accumulated every shade from Glacier Blue to Night Sky, began to buy her own gifts. She could do anything creative with thread or yarn from sewing our clothes to knitting hats for the homeless and every kind of needlework. Mom would order herself some needlework kits for her birthday and Christmas and call it a day.

Now, I know you are saying this is a book blog and despite the housewife angle this is a bit more off track than normal. But alas, I give you this story as a gift and a warning. The holidays are fast approaching, and you husbands out there may be looking for a gift for your wife, or your secret girlfriend. Often as a gift of last resort, men these days have progressed past the drug store blue eyeshadow to the spa gift certificate. If your wife is a reader, I warn you to avoid this gift at all costs, especially if your wife is a fan of Liane Moriarty.

The new Liane Moriarty book, Nine Perfect Strangers, has so many of the magical traits readers have come to expect in her books. They are so normal, in character and setting. Wives, husbands, neighbors, PTA meetings, neighborhood parks, cookouts...normal everyday things. People that could be any one of us at any time. That is what makes her books so spellbinding, that it could be me...you.... your wife or husband. In Nine Perfect Strangers, Liane takes her characters to a spa. You know I don't restate plots, read the jacket, but it is not your everyday run-of-the-mill spa. Things are a bit rigid and get more so. If you think spas are all relaxation and facials, guess again.  This book gives us the back story of the characters, as always, and brings them together masterfully. However, it has a bit of a thriller edge. I think this makes the pacing of this book faster than her usual stories. The tension is unfurled slowly but steadily, building to a place you won't see coming. As I've said in the past, I have read all Liane Moriarty's books and enjoyed them all, but I think she constantly is improving. This is my favorite and I think her best.

Now back to you husbands, remember, shop early for something your wife actually wants, perhaps a book like Nine Perfect Strangers. For those of you that are naughty with a girlfriend on the side, may I recommend a 10 day stay at a spa.