Title: Start Without Me
Author: Joshua Max Feldman
Publication: William Morrow, Trade Paperback, 2018 (originally published 2017)
Genre: Fiction
Plot: This novel explores questions of love and choice, disappointment and hope in the lives of two strangers who meet by chance in a story that unfolds over one Thanksgiving Day.
Adam is a former musician and recovering alcoholic who is home for Thanksgiving for the first time in many years. Surrounded by his parents and siblings, nieces and nephews—all who have seen him at his worst—he can’t shake the feeling that no matter how hard he tries, he’ll always be the one who can’t get it right.
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Five Things
I found the missing wine in the freezer! I remember now I popped it in to chill for a few minutes before my book group arrived. . . several weeks ago. It’s lucky they were satisfied with the first bottle – usually we can polish off two to three. And also lucky it did not explode.
I just made Pumpkin Pie as well as the Caramel Cashew Bars my friend Jen served at the last Betsy-Tacy party. Cross your fingers they pass muster!
Fun book – Josh & Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating.
Most emotional moment: Monday night when Harvard coach Tim Murphy awarded the Yale game ball to former player Ben Abercrombie who had traveled from Alabama to Boston for The Game.
My brother’s new puppy Chloe, just eight weeks old, is the cutest dog ever. I can’t wait until he and his family go on a trip so I can puppy sit and have her all to myself.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
I just made Pumpkin Pie as well as the Caramel Cashew Bars my friend Jen served at the last Betsy-Tacy party. Cross your fingers they pass muster!
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| I concentrated the cashews on the left in case anyone dislikes nuts |
Fun book – Josh & Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating.
Most emotional moment: Monday night when Harvard coach Tim Murphy awarded the Yale game ball to former player Ben Abercrombie who had traveled from Alabama to Boston for The Game.
My brother’s new puppy Chloe, just eight weeks old, is the cutest dog ever. I can’t wait until he and his family go on a trip so I can puppy sit and have her all to myself.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Friday, November 16, 2018
A Dangerous Duet (Book Review)
Title: A Dangerous Duet
Author: Karen Odden
Publication: William Morrow, trade paperback, November 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction
Plot: Nell Hallam lives in 19th century Victorian London with her brother Matthew, a young Scotland Yard detective. A gifted pianist, she wants to study at the Royal Academy, and to earn the tuition she has taken a position at the Octavian music hall, disguised as a man. Two men guess her secret: Jack, the taciturn son of the owner, and Stephen, a well born musician down on his luck. However, when the crime ring Matthew is investigating intersects with Nell’s theater world, she is plunged into danger and must make life-changing choices.
Audience: Readers who enjoy quality historical fiction with some romance and suspense; authors such as Tracy Grant, Kate Ross, Diana Norman (all of whom I admire greatly)
My Impressions: What a delightful story! I don’t know how I missed this author’s debut, A Lady in the Smoke, but A Dangerous Duet is exactly the sort of book I like: well written and well researched historical fiction set in England, varied characters. an engaging heroine (you know how much I like orphans) who is poor but honest, ambitious, and loyal to her brother and friends. For an attractive young woman to operate in disguise as a man requires suspension of disbelief but, as I always say, a talented storyteller can either charm or distract you from thinking skeptical and disruptive thoughts. This is an enthusiastic recommendation, and I look forward to more from Karen Odden.
Purchase Links: Barnes & Noble * IndieBound * Amazon * HarperCollins
Off the Blog: It’s Harvard-Yale weekend and the 50th anniversary of the famous 29-29 tie! I ran into several members of the ’68 team at a book signing tonight and look forward to several fun days. Beat Yale!
Source: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and TLC Book Tours for review purposes. You can visit other stops on the tour and read the reviews by clicking below:
Author: Karen Odden
Publication: William Morrow, trade paperback, November 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction
Plot: Nell Hallam lives in 19th century Victorian London with her brother Matthew, a young Scotland Yard detective. A gifted pianist, she wants to study at the Royal Academy, and to earn the tuition she has taken a position at the Octavian music hall, disguised as a man. Two men guess her secret: Jack, the taciturn son of the owner, and Stephen, a well born musician down on his luck. However, when the crime ring Matthew is investigating intersects with Nell’s theater world, she is plunged into danger and must make life-changing choices.
Audience: Readers who enjoy quality historical fiction with some romance and suspense; authors such as Tracy Grant, Kate Ross, Diana Norman (all of whom I admire greatly)
My Impressions: What a delightful story! I don’t know how I missed this author’s debut, A Lady in the Smoke, but A Dangerous Duet is exactly the sort of book I like: well written and well researched historical fiction set in England, varied characters. an engaging heroine (you know how much I like orphans) who is poor but honest, ambitious, and loyal to her brother and friends. For an attractive young woman to operate in disguise as a man requires suspension of disbelief but, as I always say, a talented storyteller can either charm or distract you from thinking skeptical and disruptive thoughts. This is an enthusiastic recommendation, and I look forward to more from Karen Odden.
Purchase Links: Barnes & Noble * IndieBound * Amazon * HarperCollins
Off the Blog: It’s Harvard-Yale weekend and the 50th anniversary of the famous 29-29 tie! I ran into several members of the ’68 team at a book signing tonight and look forward to several fun days. Beat Yale!
Source: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and TLC Book Tours for review purposes. You can visit other stops on the tour and read the reviews by clicking below:
Review Stops
November 6th: Into the Hall of Books
November 7th: Jessicamap Reviews
November 8th: Write – Read – Life
November 9th: Literary Quicksand
November 12th: The Desert Bibliophile
November 14th: I Wish I Lived in a Library
November 18th: Ms. Nose in a Book
November 19th: Instagram: @biblio_files
November 20th: Thoughts From a Highly Caffeinated Mind
November 21st: Reading Reality
Monday, November 12, 2018
The Spite Game by Anna Snoekstra (Book Review)
Title: The Spite Game
Author: Anna Snoekstra
Publication: Mira Books, Trade Paper, October 2018
Genre: Fiction
Plot: Everyone does bad things when no one is watching
Mercilessly bullied in high school, Ava knows she needs to put the past behind her and move on, but she can’t—not until she’s exacted precise, catastrophic revenge on the people who hurt her the most.
Author: Anna Snoekstra
Publication: Mira Books, Trade Paper, October 2018
Genre: Fiction
Plot: Everyone does bad things when no one is watching
Mercilessly bullied in high school, Ava knows she needs to put the past behind her and move on, but she can’t—not until she’s exacted precise, catastrophic revenge on the people who hurt her the most.
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Tasting Italy: A Culinary Journey (Book Review)
Title: Tasting Italy: A Culinary Journey
Author: America’s Test Kitchen
Publication: National Geographic, hardcover, November 2018
Genre: Cookbook/Travel
Description: Explore Italy, region by region,
and recipe by recipe with stunning photography and mouth-watering recipes. The experts at America’s Test Kitchen in Boston and
National Geographic bring Italy’s magnificent cuisine, culture, and
landscapes–and 100 authentic regional recipes–right to your kitchen – or your
armchair.
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Massachusetts Election Haiku
Question 1
Better access to
Nurses is preferred until
Fear of high costs equals No

Question 2
Repeal Citizens
United so Koch Brothers
Can’t buy elections
Question 3
Discrimination
Is wrong when based on gender
Or any other time
or
Discrimination
(Gender-based identity)
Must be prevented
(Q3 needs work: the longer words are a challenge)
Early Voting
Early voting’s great
But even Nate Silver lacks
Knowledge who will win
Voting
Why don’t people vote?
When so many fought so hard
For the privilege
On Election Day
The Bay State will lead the way
Repudiating Trump
Will you vote today?
Send a message to DC
That hate won't prevail
Man in the White House
Is more appalling each day
Not my President
Politics is grim
Root root root for the Red Sox
Escape ‘till November
Midterms
If the Midterms fail
To send the needed message
We’ll feel even worse
It's harder than it looks! Anyone want to join in?
Better access to
Nurses is preferred until
Fear of high costs equals No

Question 2
Repeal Citizens
United so Koch Brothers
Can’t buy elections
Question 3
Discrimination
Is wrong when based on gender
Or any other time
or
Discrimination
(Gender-based identity)
Must be prevented
(Q3 needs work: the longer words are a challenge)
Early Voting
Early voting’s great
But even Nate Silver lacks
Knowledge who will win
Voting
Why don’t people vote?
When so many fought so hard
For the privilege
On Election Day
The Bay State will lead the way
Repudiating Trump
Will you vote today?
Send a message to DC
That hate won't prevail
Man in the White House
Is more appalling each day
Not my President
Politics is grim
Root root root for the Red Sox
Escape ‘till November
Midterms
If the Midterms fail
To send the needed message
We’ll feel even worse
It's harder than it looks! Anyone want to join in?
Marilla of Green Gables (Book Review)
Title: Marilla of Green Gables
Author: Sarah McCoy
Author: Sarah McCoy
Publication: William Morrow hardcover, October 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction
Plot: This book imagines the life of Marilla Cuthbert before she took in orphaned Anne Shirley, beloved heroine of Anne of Green Gables. In 19th century Prince Edward Island, Marilla and her older brother Matthew lived in Avonlea in the newly built homestead known as Green Gables.
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