Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote

 

Title:  Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Author:  Truman Capote

Narrated by:  Michael C. Hall

Publisher: Audible Studios

Length: Approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes

Source: Purchased from Audible

What is your favorite breakfast?  I love omelets, but oatmeal is the breakfast I eat the most.

 Young writer is trying to get his start in New York City when he meets his eccentric neighbor, Holly Golightly.  Holly is a young woman in her late teens who “socializes” with older rich men to make her living.  As the author gets to know her more, he finds surprising depth.  Who is she and what will she become? 

My thoughts on this book:

·       Michael C. Hall was a great narrator of the audiobook.

·       I read this in September for the What the Dickens Book Club on Facebook.  I hadn’t read this for over 20 years ago for a classics book club I was in while I lived in Milwaukee.  It was great to read it again.  Unfortunately, the What the Dickens Book Club was paused, and we did not discuss this book.

·       This was a novella and a short read.

·       I was not sure if I liked Holly Golightly.  Is she a prostitute?  She seemed like a manic pixy girl to me.  She was very unique and different which drew men to her.

·       There was some rough language in this novella about those of different ethnicities and sexuality.

·       This story was set in the WWII era.  Holly’s brother Fred serves overseas.

·       Holly was a child bride after her parents died and she and her brother Fred were put with abusive relatives.  They ran away and made their own way in the world.

·       The story was sanitized for the 1960s movie starting Audrey Hepburn.  I need to rewatch it – it’s been a while since I’ve seen it!

·       I couldn’t hardly stand it when Holly throws her cat out and kicks it to make it run away before she leaves the country.  The cat in a way seemed to symbolize Holly.  She was “kicked” in life, but always lands on her feet.

·       The story was well written and had true observations on life.

·       I can understand Holly’s yearning for a better life.

·       This was first published in 1958.

Overall, Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote is a unique story and a great snapshot in time of New York City in the 1940s.

Murder in Matrimony by Mary Winters (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Are you addicted to a particular genre, or you do read all sort of genres?

Countess Amelia Amesbury keeps herself busy writing an anonymous column.  A blackmailer has threated to reveal her identity.  Her sister, Marge, has announced her engagement and asks to hold her wedding breakfast at Amelia’s home.  As Amelia helps to plan the wedding, she is stunned when her friend and vicar, Mr. Cross, is found murdered.  Who murdered Mr. Cross and why?  Will Amelia uncover the blackmailer?  Will Amelia’s relationship with Simon move to the next level?  With all of this going on, can she plan and host a high society wedding that involves her large family?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This novel was the 4^th in the Lady of Letters mystery series.  I have just read the third novel in the series, and I need to go back and read the first two.  This novel starts right where the 3^rd novel ended.  It is probably best to read this after book #3 as a major plot point is from the previous novel. 

·       I enjoyed this cozy historical mystery.  It was a perfect book to read during a stressful month.

·       Lady Amelia is a delightful character.  I loved that she is a strong woman who wants to keep her own independence.

·       There was a great romance and chemistry between Simon and Amelia.

·       This was a clean romance.

·       There was a lot going on with family drama.  I loved Lady Tabitha versus Amelia’s family.  I also loved that Lady Tabitha took on planning the wedding breakfast.

·       The mystery was intriguing and engaging.

·       I enjoyed the Lady Agony letters at the start of each chapter.

·       I loved the great ending.

·       Will there be another book in this series?  I hope so.

·       The acknowledgements section described the sad real historical event that was the inspiration for the mystery.

Overall, Murder in Matrimony by Mary Winters was a witty and engaging historical mystery with great characters.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @marywintersauthor @severnhouseimprint @austenprosefor a review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. 

The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

What is your favorite thing about fall?  I love when the temperatures get crisp and the leaves turn beautiful colors.  We may be at peak colors where I live, my town and the countryside look beautiful.

In New River Virginia in 1904, Lizbeth Bennet lives on her family’s farm on the outskirts of an Appalachian coal mining town.  Together with her parents and four sisters, they work to make the ends meet.  As the mine in New River goes up for sale, coal barons arrive in town to size up the mine and make offers. The deluxe private train car, the Pemberly, arrives with its mysterious owner William Drake who is evaluating the mine for purchase.  Callum Brydolf, Drake’s best friend and lawyer, quickly finds himself smitten with Lizbeth’s oldest sister, Jayne.  Will true love find its way between the wide gap in classes between them?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       The cover is absolutely beautiful.  I love the fall colors.

·       I thought this was a unique and inventive retelling of the Pride and Prejudice story.  I really loved the Appalachian setting and the fact that Pemberly was now a deluxe train car.

·       I enjoy reading stories about mining, so I loved the coal mining details in this book, although I kept thinking about the poor mules who lived underground in mines. 

·       The romance was delightful between Lizbeth and Drake and Jayne and Brydolf.  The story remained true to the original but gave new aspects to the characters in their new time and setting. I enjoyed it.

·       I loved the Mr. Bennet was a geologist who worked for the mine, while also farming on the side.

·       Having the ball become a barn dance was a lot of fun.

·       The story was told through a dual point of view from Lizbeth and William’s perspective.  I enjoyed the story being told in this fashion.

·       This is a clean read and a sweet romance.

·       There is a great afterward that describes how the author was inspired to write this novel through her love of the original Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

·       The novel also included fun book club questions.

Overall, The Heart of Bennet Hollow is a charming historical romance that retells the story of Pride and Prejudice in a new and delightful way.  It’s been a hectic month for me at work and in life, and this cozy read was a nice way to end my day and relax.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @joannebischofdewitt @tyndalehouse @austenprose for a review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. 

The Elopement by Gill Hornby (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

What is your favorite fall flavor?  I love pumpkin everything, especially baked goods.

Miss Fanny Knight of Godmersham Park was Jane Austen’s beloved niece.  As the eldest in a large clan of eleven children, she found herself running the household after her mother’s death when she was fifteen.  Now at age twenty-seven, she has received an offer from a widowed neighbor, Sir Edward Knatchbull.  She wants time to think upon it, but soon finds herself quickly wed to a domineering man.  She wants to love her stepdaughter, Mary Dorothea, but can’t warm to the girl.  Mary Dorothea grows up into a lovely young woman. Will she follow her family wishes when it comes to love, or will she take destiny into her own hands?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This novel was a slow burn read that I slowly immersed myself into.  I enjoyed reading it and felt I couldn’t put I down as I got closer to the end.

·       The book was told in four sections.  Section 1 was Fanny’s proposal and marriage, Section 2 was Mary Dorothea growing up, Section 3 was Mary Dorothea’s proposal and elopement, and Section 4 was her marriage and life.

·       I felt for Fanny at first, but I was disturbed that if Sir Edward or Fanny did like a match for any reason, they could break up a happy couple.  It did not seem fair. 

·       I loved that Cassandra Austen was in the novel at times, especially in the last section.

·       I felt immersed in the world of Austen’s family as it continued on after her death.  Fanny was her beloved niece, but seemed to veer off the path that she was on during Jane Austen’s life.

·       Childbirth was so dangerous for women back then.  These were real women and so many lost their lives.

·       I liked that Mary Dorothea went for her happiness.

·       There is a great author’s note at the end of the novel that gives information on the real history.

·       I also enjoyed Miss Austen and Godmersham Park by this author.  I can’t see what she writes next!

Overall, The Elopement by Gill Hornby is an excellent novel with riveting characters that makes one feel that they have stepped into the world of Jane Austen’s family.  I highly recommend it for all Jane Austen or historical fiction lovers out there.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @gill.hornby @pegasus_books @austenprose for a review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. 

Requirements for Love by Heather Moll

 

What do you think is the most important requirement in a relationship?  For me, I think honesty is high on the list.

Elizabeth Bennet is visiting her Aunt and Uncle in London. Her sister Jane is hoping to reunite with Charles Bingley, a young man she had fallen in love with who has left the neighborhood before an expected proposal.  Elizabeth slips on ice after being jostled by some young men and hurts her ankle.  A kind gentleman that witnesses the incident takes her to his nearby cousin’s house.  His cousin is Mr. Darcy, a man that Elizabeth is prejudiced against.  Will these two grow to a better understanding while she must stay as his place for two weeks?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       Requirements for Love is a Pride and Prejudice variation.  The characters are true to Austen’s creation and were a joy to read about. 

·       I loved the romance.  It was great having Elizabeth and Darcy in a forced proximity in the same home.  They slowly got to know each other and work through the prejudices that they had.  There was great character development.  I loved the banter between Elizabeth and Darcy.

·       Darcy had to carry Elizabeth from room to room which was very romantic.

·       Georgiana and Elizabeth strike up a great friendship.  Georgiana helps Elizabeth write up a list of requirements for what she needs in a husband.  Georgiana is excited to help matchmake.  Darcy invites over some eligible friends but realizes when one seems to be a match that he may having feelings for Elizabeth himself.

·       Darcy also shares his requirements for a wife.

·       This was a nice story to read with low angst during a very busy time in life for me!

·       Requirements for Love was a very well written novel. 

·       I didn’t realize that forearms could be so sexy until I read this book.  Elizabeth highly admires Darcy’s forearms when he has his sleeves up. 

·       This was a clean read with a slow burn and forced proximity romance.

Overall, Requirements for Love by Heather Moll was a delightful Pride & Prejudice variation and a lovely Regency romance.  I really liked the set-up of the story and thought it was an interesting point for a variation. It was like reading another Jane Austen novel.  I enjoyed it.

Book Source:  Thank-you to author Heather Moll for a review copy of this novel as part of the Book Tour. 

 

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

 

Title:  The Great Gatsby

Author:  F. Scott Fitzgerald

Narrated by:  Sean Astin

Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC

Length: Approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes

Source: Checked out from the Kewaunee Public Library through Hoopla.  Thank-you!

What is your favorite party scene in a book or movie?  Whenever I think of a rip-roaring party scene, I think of The Great Gatsby and his Roaring 1920’s parties.

Jay Gatsby is a very wealthy man, but his love, Daisy, married another while he was stationed overseas during WWI.  His one obsessions is winning back Daisy’s love.  By chance, Daisy’s cousin Nick is staying in a home next door to Gatsby.  As Nick gets involved in their lives, he realizes that not everything is better with wealth.  Will Gatsby win back Daisy’s love?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       The writing in this novel is so beautiful and descriptive.  It is F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece.

·       The audiobook narration was excellent.  Sean Astin was an expressive narrator with difference voices depending on the character.

·       I read this in September for the Back to the Classics Book Club pick for the Kewaunee Public Library.  We had a fun discussion the book which ranged from bootlegging to Robert Redford as Gatsby.  We are going to watch the 1974 movie at the end of this month as a tribute to the late Robert Redford.

·       We also discussed how The Great Gatsby became popular as it was sent by the War Department to soldiers in WWII.  It harkened back to happier times in the 1920s, discussed the American dream, and also pointed out that even rich people have problems.

·       The parties at Gatsby’s house are just crazy.  The book describes the roaring 20’s excess perfectly.

·       Gatsby was the American dream.  He reinvented himself from his humble American beginnings.  He did all he could to amass great wealth.  He dreamed of the beautiful Southern girl with a voice “full of money.”  He very nearly had it all, before it all came crashing down.

·       The plot really showed how money drives society.

·       I read this for class in high school and twice in college, but I still love it every time I reread it.

·       I enjoyed how the book has the mystery of Nick finding out who Jay Gatsby truly was and where he came from as well as a slight murder mystery at the end as well.  It was an interesting story.

There are so many great quotes in this book.  A few of my favorites include:

“Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter--tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther.... And one fine morning-- So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”

“They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made.”

“So we drove on toward death through the cooling twilight.”

Overall, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald has an engaging and unique plot with vividly drawn characters.  This book is a classic for a reason.

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy

 

Title:  The Scarlet Pimpernel

Author:  Baroness Orczy

Narrated by:  Bill Homewood

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Length: Approximately 9 hours and 54 minutes

Source: Checked out from the Kewaunee Public Library through Hoopla.  Thank-you!

Who is your favorite action hero/heroine?  I have always liked Wonder Woman.  The Scarlet Pimpernel is an early action hero and the basis for many modern action heroes with secret identities.

During the French Revolution, one man from Britain in helping French men, women, and children to escape the guillotine.  He evades capture and is known as the Scarlet Pimpernel.  French agent Chauvelin is on the case and will do anything to hunt him down.  Who is the Scarlet Pimpernel, and will he escape?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I read this in September.  I was running behind as it was the August pick for the What the Dickens Book Club and there was a great discussion about it on Facebook.

·       This novel was published it 1905.  It was originally a successful play and then the author made it into a book. 

·       I loved the adventure in this novel and the great romance between husband and wife.

·       The audiobook narrator was excellent.  He did great voices and accents for all the characters.  I loved it.

·       Towards the end of the book, a Jewish character comes in and is not treated that well.  He is called all sorts of slurs. It was uncomfortable reading. 

·       I love my 1960s classic paperback.  I bought it many years ago at the Kalamazoo Michigan Public Library and book sale.

·       I didn’t realize this was a series!  I need to continue reading more in the series.

·       I had watched and enjoyed a couple of the movies in my teens.  I need to rewatch them.

·       This was a great adventure novel   I loved the hero and heroine.  I also loved all the Scarlet Pimpernels disguises.

·       The romance was unique.  Can an estranged married couple learn to understand each other and fall in love?

·       Marguerite is the smartest woman in Europe, but is married to dull, foppish, but extremely rich Sir Percy Blakeney.  Chauvelin blackmails her to help him look for the Scarlet Pimpernel or his brother will be excited.  I love her character.

Overall, The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy is an excellent historical fiction novel full of romance and adventure.  I highly recommend it if you haven’t read it!

At Bertram’s Hotel by Agatha Christie

 

Title:  At Bertram’s Hotel

Author:  Agatha Christie

Narrated by:  Stephanie Cole

Publisher: HarperAudio

Length: Approximately 6 hours and 44 minutes

Source: Purchased from Audible

Do you have a favorite hotel or place to stay for vacation or a place that you would like to stay?  I have always wanted to stay at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

I am participating in the #ReadChristie2025 Challenge.  The challenge this year is exploring Agatha Christie’s works through her characters and their careers.  The theme for September was religious figures.  The missing man in this story is Canon Pennyfather, a scholarly clergyman who is staying at the Bertram Hotel.

Miss Marple is staying at Bertram’s Hotel in London for a vacation.  Her nephew Raymond has gifted her the trip.  When Canon Penny father goes missing, will Miss Marple be able to help find him?

My thoughts on this book:

·       This novel had a great setting.  It set up the scene perfectly at the start of the book.  It is a very English hotel that Americans like to stay at for the ambience.  English patrons are given discounts to have them stay there to be a part of the ambience.  It is old fashioned, but with modern amenities that Americans like such as showers, toilets, and central heating.

·       Miss Marple wants to visit the hotel as she hasn’t been there since she was a girl, and she has very fond memories of the hotel.

·       Betram’s Hotel is thought to be inspired by Brown’s Hotel in London which was a favorite of Agatha Christie’s.

·       This novel was first published in 1965 and has a fabulous 60’s setting.

·       I did not guess the ending of this one.

·       I enjoyed all the different characters such as the forgetful Canon Pennyfather, Chief Inspector Davy, flamboyant Bess Sedwick,  her daughter Elvira, and many more.

·       This was a more character driven story.  Miss Marple turned out to be a secondary character with Chief Inspector Davy driving the investigation.  The murder did not take place until well into the story.

·       This was a good cozy mystery to listen to on audiobook.

Overall, At Bertram’s Hotel by Agatha Christie is an interesting cozy mystery that is perfect for fall with a great setting.

Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks

 

Title:  Counting Miracles

Author:  Nicholas Sparks

Narrated by:  Holter Graham, Nicholas Sparks

Publisher: Random House Audio

Length: Approximately 10 hours and 45 minutes

Source: Checked out from the Kewaunee Public Library through Libby.  Thank-you!

What has been a good book that you have read through a book club this year?

Tanner Hughes was raised by his grandparents and spent his life in the military and on pursuits afterwards that had him traveling around the world.  He has never settled down anywhere or had a long-term relationship.  He takes time out of his travels to care for his Grandma when she is dying.  She tells him his father’s name and where to locate him.  After her death, he travels to Asheboro, Northa Carolina to look for his Dad.  Through a series of events, he meets Kaitlyn Cooper, a doctor and single mother.  They instantly connect, but can a man who has never settled down, settle down?  Will he find his father?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I read this book in August for the Page-turners Book Club at the Kewaunee Public Library.  We had a great discussion on the book.

·       I like how the story was of a mature romance between two people in their forties.

·       Jasper is an elderly man who lives alone in a cabin with his faithful dog, Arlo.  He has lived a sad life that mimics that of Job in the Bible.

·       The story was told through Tanner, Kaitlyn and Jaspers points of view.

·       I guessed the ending of this novel almost immediately, but I enjoyed the journey along the way.

·       The characters were very realistically written, including the teenagers.  Sparks writes good characters who seem true to life.

·       This was excellent on audiobook.

·       I like how the three main characters had to find where they belonged.

·       It was suspenseful at the end of the novel. I don’t want to ruin it with details – but it was excellent.

·       A mysterious white deer appears in the wood which brings out nefarious people.

·       Arlo the dog has his own moments of heroism.

·       I liked the references to faith and the Bible verses.

·       There was a great quote/section in the text about what marriage really means that stood out to myself and many of my fellow book club members.

Overall, Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks was a great story about family, faith, and finding yourself.

The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin by Alison Goodman

 

What is one of your favorite books you’ve read so far this year?  The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin by Alison Goodman was my favorite read of August and is sure to be in my top ten books for 2025.

Lady Augusta (Gus) Colebrook and her twin sister Julia are in their forties and firmly on the shelf in Regency England.  They put their minds and hearts to good use by protecting vulnerable women and children.  When Lord Evan, a highwayman that captured Gus’s heart in Book 1 needs help hiding his sister Hester from his evil brother, Gus and Julia are on the case. Will they be able to hide both Lord Evan and Hester from those that pursue them?  Will they be able to clear Lord Evan’s name?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I loved this book and couldn’t put it down!

·       This was one of the JASNA Northwoods Book Club selections for August.  We all enjoyed it!

·       This novel picks up right where the first book ended.

·       There was a great romance between Lady Augusta and Lord Evan.  It was a kisses only romance but looks between them mean everything.

·       There was a great look at social issues of the day.  It had a feminist spin on historical fiction.

·       There was a lot of action and adventure.

·       It most have been very hard for educated and ambitious women to live during such a time and to be under the control of men who didn’t appreciate them and unable to challenge themselves intellectually.

·       I would recommend reading this series in order as I think you are missing a lot if you just pick up book 2 without reading book 1.

·       Gus and Julia make an excellent pair of twin sisters to work through their adventures.  Gus is more than flamboyant and ready to plunge into adventures.  She does not care much for the feelings of others.  Julia is quieter and much more in tune with people’s feelings.  I like how they both have slow burn romance in this novel.

·       This novel has both humor and suspense.

·       I loved the character of Beau Brummel.  It’s fun to have a real person as a character in a novel.  I like how he used his societal power for good and was an ally.  I liked the silent conversations between characters.

·       I enjoyed the detailed authors note at the end of the novel.

·       I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Overall, The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin by Alison Goodman is an excellent novel with great characters, romance, and adventure all with a feminist spin.

Book Source:  Purchased from Amazon.com.