A Bookish Life In AK

What am I starting my year off with and what are my plans?

I am starting off the year with 3 very different books. One is a women’s lit that feels like a Gilmore Girls season, one is my absolute, al-time favorite book, and one is book club read that reminds me of Kodiak.I also want to tell you about one of the last books I read for 2023. I am also working on “The Literary Life” podcast 2024 reading Challenge, “Books of Centuries.” (Affiliate links included, which means that if you buy the book from the link, I may get a small commission)

First up, “We Three Kings” by Crystal Caudill, Cara Pitman, and Angela Ruth Strong. This trilogy takes us through 3 generation of the Weise family. In Crystal Caudill’s story, “Star Of Wonder,” we met up with Josiah Isaacs and his sister, Celestia, from her Counterfeit Series as they join Aldrich Weise and his family on the maiden voyage of the Star of Wonder. This voyage was meant to instill confidence in their investors, however there are problems. He and Josiah must stop a criminal and protect his love, Celestia. After being introduced to Crystal’s writing this summer, I was excited to see that her story was first in the set. I loved that she had her other characters in this story. When I read “Counterfeit Faith” I was hoping that Celestia would find a special someone. She was so wonderful. In Cara Putnam’s story , “Beauty Bright,” Aldrich and Celeste’s grandson is in the Army serving in the Monuments Men at the end of WWII and working to return priceless art to its rightful owners. Lieutenant Charles Weise and Captain Lillian Thorsen work together to fix return the art and help the town around them. This is one of my favorite time periods and especially anything to do with the Monuments Men and the art that they saved. Cara Putnam wove the previous story into hers so beautifully. And finally, in “Perfect Light,” by Angela Ruth Strong the family continues in Brendon Wise, the owner of a huge essential oil company, and Lacey Foster the event planner planning their Christmas festival. Lacey’s ex has just married someone else after finding out she was pregnant and now she doesn’t feel like she is worthy of a relationship. Her and Brendon develop a friendship through the season. It was a great story that showed compassion and love. All three of these were wonderful and really made me want to go find more from all 3 authors.  Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/47Gb9Mt

Next is “The Book Club Hotel” by Sarah Morgan. This was a “The Book Girls Guide” Christmas Book Challenge. I wasn’t sure about this book but I am loving it so far. There are 3 friends who meet up once a year at a hotel that one them picks as well as the book. This year is Erica’s turn and she picks a hotel that is completely not like her, a quaint little inn in Vermont instead of a high end expensive hotel. The owner ,Haddy, whose husband has recently passed away, is left to run The Maple Sugar Inn and see of it’s more difficult employees and raise her little girl. All the ladies in the book are facing different challenges but they face them together as friends and family. I have found myself listening to this and cheering when there are little wins for the characters. I do believe that anyone who reads it will find themselves in a character, I really do understand Anna and her situation.She is a Stay at home mom whose kids are growing up and getting ready for college and she is struggling to find her purpose now. Claudia has lost her long time boyfriend and just recently her job and isn’t sure what she wants to do now. I am so excited to finish it. Amazon Link:https://amzn.to/4aJnj9Z

And then we have “Beartown” by Fredrik Backman. I originally picked this as the winter read for my university book club. I have just started reading this am very intrigued so far. Beartown is a hockey town. Everyone, pretty much, lives and breathes hockey. The characters are very well written, the setting is so much like Kodiak and I do know that there is a violet act coming up. Beartown is dying and hockey is the only thing that the people think will save it. I will let you all know how it turns out. So far it’s pretty good.Alert:There is swearing and drug references. Amazon Link:https://amzn.to/47vA310

And finally, my all-time favorite book, “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte. It’s dark and tragic. Catherine and Heathcliff’s relationship is violent and traumatic. The family dynamics throughout the whole book are so wild, there’s a maniacal brother, neighbors who try to help, a maid and caretaker that are strange. I love the setting of this book so much so that going to Scotland is on the top of my bucket list. I think that this is my favorite book because it is one of the first classic books that I read and understood as a teenager. My wonderful husband bought me this beautiful fabric cover copy from our local bookstore. Amazon Link:https://amzn.to/48MhXZR

These 3 books are so completely different but there are all good in their own ways. The only one I am not confident in recommending is “Beartown” because I haven’t finished it yet.

If you are looking for a good book challenge, I do have a couple ideas. I follow The Literary Life podcast and this year their challenge is called Books of Centuries. You can download their list here, https://www.theliterary.life/reading-challenges/ , they have an adult version and a kids version.If you like classical books I highly recommend this podcast they are on Apple and Spotify. I listen on on Apple here, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-literary-life-podcast/id1460580357 Here is my list that I am planning on reading this year.

I also am following “The Book Girls Guide” ‘Through The Decades” challenge. They also have an “Around The World” challenge, an “In Case You Missed It” challenge, and an “Around the USA” Challenge. https://bookgirlsguide.com/reading-challenges/. All their challenges include great books.

I am really looking forward to reading really diverse books this year. I set my Goodreads goal as 55 books. I highly encourage you to stretch your reading muscles this year. Read things that challenge you.Let me know what you pick.

Prayers and Blessings, Becky  Psalm 16;8-9

I have set the LORD always before me:
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth:
my flesh also shall rest in hope.