Category Archives: Books

Spellbound

Books, Needlework

Author: Jeanette Baker

This is one of the books included in Kathryn’s 2025 birthday bag. I saw the idea on Facebook and decided to pass it along. On her birthday Kathryn received a bag of books (second hand that I’ve pre-read) each wrapped in brown paper. The idea is that once a month (on her birthdate) she can pick a book to read. Each book includes a bookmark of some sort.

I found this book in one of the little neighbourhood book shelves. It was an easy read; although the ending was never in doubt the journey to the end was entertaining.

Mollie has returned to Inishmore after living most of her life in California. When her parents divorced she and her mother moved from the island leaving her father and brother behind. Mollie has arranged a one-year teaching position in Inishmore hoping to reconnect to her family. The sudden death of her brother and his wife turns all of her plans upside down.

Goodreads Rating: * * *

Until I Find You

Books

Author: John Irving

I’ve read and liked other books by this author but I can’t find any reviews on this website or on any older versions of the website. A few months ago Pat was sorting through some books for donation and this one was in the box. I hate to admit it but I pulled it (and a couple of others) from the donation because I thought I might like to read them.

Jack Burns was raised by a single mother (a tattoo artist) and never knew his father; this book is a memoir of Jack’s life. The first half of the book is Jack narrating his life through school and into the acting business in Hollywood. Among his memories are the stories his mother told him about his father. After his mother’s death stories come to light that cause Jack to question everything his mother told him.

This is a big book (800+ pages) and there was very little in it that amused me. This time the book will definitely be donated.

Goodreads Rating: * *

the language of sisters

Books, Needlework

Author: Amy Hatvany

This is one of the books included in Kathryn’s 2025 birthday bag. I saw the idea on Facebook and decided to pass it along. On her birthday Kathryn received a bag of books (second hand that I’ve pre-read) each wrapped in brown paper. The idea is that once a month (on her birthdate) she can pick a book to read. Each book includes a bookmark of some sort.

I picked up this book when our favourite used book store was closing. It wasn’t until I read the Author’s Notes that I realized how close to home the story was.

Nicole and Jenny are sisters. They have a very close relationship in spite of Jenny’s overwhelming disabilities. When Nicole finishes school she can hardly wait to get out of her hometown and start a new life. She doesn’t return until Jenny’s circumstances change dramatically and she returns home to take care of her.

Goodreads Rating: * * *

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Books

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

I was looking for an e-book to take with me on a recent trip. Several books that were on my list weren’t available on Libby but when I saw this one I remembered that I had heard of it even if I hadn’t added it to my “To Read” list.

Evelyn Hugo is an aging Hollywood star. She hasn’t granted an interview or been photographed for several years so it is quite an surprise when a popular magazine is asked to send Monique Grant (and no one else) to interview the star. When Monique arrives she finds that she is not being asked to write a single interview; Hugo wants to tell her life story to Monique but it isn’t to be published until after Hugo’s death. It is a very interesting story with a twist at the end.

I dug a little deeper and the author has said Evelyn is loosely based on Elizabeth Taylor, who was married eight times to seven men.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *