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April 2023 Book Report

Last month, I read and reviewed four books. I hoped to keep my momentum going through April, but alas, I only finished one book. On the plus side, it was an excellent read, and I highly recommend it.

Search by Michelle Huneven tells the story of a woman who is invited to join her congregation’s search committee for a new minister. She belongs to a Unitarian Universalist church which attracts people from all religious backgrounds to their community. While this denomination is unfamiliar to me, the personalities and politics involved in seeking a new spiritual leader are pretty universal. I enjoyed listening to this fictionalized memoir (meaning the names are changed, but the story is the real deal. My experience working in the Jewish community as a communications professional has allowed me to interact with fantastic people with different priorities and opinions who all have one thing in common—a love for their congregation. That same love and desire for what’s best for the future of their community are what drive this particular search and this book. And if you aren’t involved in a congregation, you will still enjoy this book for its relatable characters and stay until the end when they choose a minister and the effect that decision has on the committee members, including the author.

I listened to the book on Audible, and the narrator did an excellent job distinguishing between the various characters. This is no easy task because the reader needs to follow along with each person’s back story and contributions to the committee’s work. Because the narrator did such a fantastic job, I enjoyed the book even more as I listened to everything unfold. If you read this one, let me know. I’d love to talk about it with you!

In Other Book News:

I am four books behind on reaching my Goodreads goal of 40 books read by the end of the year. But I’m not too worried. Summer is coming, and my pretty back patio will soon beckon me to sit outside, enjoy the nice weather, and read some fantastic books.

Right now, I’m in the middle of reading several books, hoping to finish three of them in May. The books I’m reading right now are:

  • This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub – I’m about halfway through this time-travel novel. I stopped reading a while back because I simply lost interest. But I’ve heard so many rave reviews about this book, and I want to see how it ends.
  • I’m Wearing Tunics Now: On Growing Older, Better, and a Hell of a Lot Louder, by Wendi Aarons – I just started this funny memoir about “second acts, self-acceptance, and celebrating what happens when a woman gets older.” I’m only a few chapters in, but I can relate to this author; her experiences are mine too. I’m sure I’ll finish this one quickly.
  • Beartown, by Fredrick Backman – I know. I know. I haven’t read this one yet, and it’s a lot of people’s favorite 5-star book. Sometimes I think the hype leads to my disappointment, but I hear it’s well-deserved in this case.
  • Defending Britta Stein, by Ronald Balson – This World War II novel is our next book club pick. I just downloaded it yesterday from Amazon after being unable to find it at my local indie bookstore.

Speaking of indie bookstores, I visited one of my favorites yesterday and purchased two books: “The Most Likely Club” by Elyssa Friedland and “The School for Good Mothers” by Jessamine Chan. I also got an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of William Landay’s “All that is Mine I Carry With Me.” His last book, “Defending Jacob” (a limited TV series), was one of my favorite five-star reads several years ago. I thought I had the book downloaded on Audible and also wanted a hard copy. I realize now that I have it on Kindle, so I’ll probably give this copy away. This is one of the occupational hazards of having too many books to read—you may acquire more than one copy. Good thing it was free.

One More Thing

This is the last post for the April Ultimate Blog Challenge. I didn’t quite make 30 posts, but I’ve written more than I have in months. I’ve also met some excellent writers and read their terrific blogs. This writing community is so supportive, and I always appreciate having the opportunity to write with them four times a year. I am also incredibly grateful to all of you who continue to read my blog posts and subscribe. Just because the month is over, I’m not done blogging. Stay tuned for more in the coming weeks.

XO,
Elisa

Coffee and Friends

I work from home, so water cooler talk or stories in the office kitchen are not part of the culture. I miss the chit-chat about what we did last night, how was vacation, and what the kids have been up to lately. Now, it’s just me and my Keurig, and it isn’t much of a talker.

So, if I were sitting in a cafe with you, I’d love to hear what’s happening in your world. How is the family? What are you reading now? How’s work? Where are you going on vacation this summer?

And maybe I’d ask you a personal question or two, like How are you doing? What’s on your mind? How can I help? And perhaps you would ask me the same questions in return. Here is how I would answer you.

How am I doing? Not too bad, actually. Although I’m feeling my age a little because I haven’t exercised in a while. Scott and I went for a walk in the park a couple of weekends ago, and it wore me out. There were a bunch of hills in that park, and I need to get back in shape. I also need new sneakers.

What’s on my mind? My book. I’m thinking of going in a different direction. I still want to raise awareness about Parkinson’s Disease, but as I look at my life, there are other things I want to write about. Like how my relationships and friendships have changed as I get older. And how I’m parenting my adult children and trying not to parent my parents. I might want to write about the challenges I’ve faced and the lessons I learned. I’ve lived long enough now to put it down on paper. And even if it doesn’t ever get published, it will be something my family will have as a keepsake – and I will still be known to future generations.

How can you help? Maybe we can make more of an effort to go out for coffee or dinner. I miss my friends, and now that we have a little more time on our hands, we should get together more often and not take our friendship for granted. I love spending time with you and always feel better when we talk. Let’s make that happen soon.

What do you think?

XO,

Elisa

Visit Your Indie Bookstore

Friends! This Saturday is one of my favorite days of the whole year. It’s a day where I get to go to one of my favorite places and impulse buy to my heart’s content.

Or until I run out of cash…

It’s Independent Bookstore Day!

If you have read any of my monthly book blogs, you might remember me encouraging you to support your local indie bookstore. And if you haven’t done it yet, here’s your big chance!

Why do I love shopping at independent bookstores? First, the staff is knowledgeable and friendly. They are book nerds just like you and me who decided to open up their own brick-and-mortar store chock full of stories. The bookstore owners and staff are the perfect people to help you pick out your next 5-star read. And the customers – who are otherwise complete strangers to you – are exchanging book recommendations left and right. It’s like an AWESOME book club meeting for the public. The coffee and book talk is free-flowing, and these small literary businesses feel supported by their neighbors. There is a kind of magic here that you won’t find in a Barnes and Noble, a Costco, or an Amazon website. From author meet and greets to curated bookshelves with plots set in your neck of the woods, readers of all ages will find something to read (and hopefully purchase) in their indie bookstore.

And If you aren’t in the market for a new book, that’s okay. They sell more than books. Buy a bookmark, a pair of cute reading glasses, some fuzzy socks, a jigsaw puzzle, a fancy notebook, or a gift card for another book lover.

So hold on to your TBR piles! Whatever your plans are this weekend, please stop by and check out your indie bookstore and report back. You will be glad you did!

XO,
Elisa

 

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