Halfway through, it began to feel October-like. Chilly, windy, leaves finally starting to change color, with that characteristic October scent in the air. I don't love October with the vivacity of an Anne of Green Gables, but I'm belatedly learning to appreciate the autumnal turn with the romantic maturity of an Anne Eliot. And I had the great good fortune to see Chesapeake Shakespeare Company's rendition of Persuasion as a play, adapted by Sarah Rose Kearns--I highly recommend both the particular production and the script, which was everything I could have dreamed of and more in a superb and thoughtful homage to Austen. She even referenced the sonnet I most associate with Anne's moment of melancholy in the woods, "Bare ruined choirs where late the sweet birds sang..."
- The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World by Sharon Brous--My rabbi referenced the central anecdote in a previous year's High Holiday sermon, so I thought this would be a good High Holiday read. I don't think that "the amen effect" is the answer to everything or even most of the problems in the world today, but it makes a compelling case for the power of presence and compassion--which I already believed in, but I appreciate all the research and Jewish philosophy backing me up 😊One thing that I'd heard before but really stuck: the idea that being with someone when they're sick and in pain is important because it takes away 1/60th of their suffering--or, in Talmud parlance, suffering can't be stopped but it can be alleviated just enough to be noticeable.
- Never Say You Can't Survive: How to Get Through Hard Times by Making Up Stories by Charlie Jane Anders--So, I've actually been reading this for years--I started reading it on Tor.com (now reactormag.com) during the pandemic when it was posted as a serial, and then on and off in sections for years but I finally finished it. I'm sure I'll be back for writing advice and exercises. This is the perfect book for anyone interested in writing sci fi or fantasy but also just anyone interested in being creative and using that creativity to lift themselves out of hard times or moments.
- You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson--Unfortunately, I didn't hear about Andrea Gibson until they died--all of a sudden, there were all these tributes and quotes from poems that resonated with me, so I went ahead and placed a hold at the library, which finally came through last week, since I'm sure I wasn't the only one. As I read, I realized I had read some of the quotes before but I'm glad I got to know them better, and I look forward to reading more of their poetry.
- Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas--Still enjoying this series! It's fast-paced, twisty, characters you care about, magic--I like that I have a sense of what's going to happen but I'm still interested in the details. Celaena really is a hero for the young adult fantasy canon (at least thus far!). I've ordered the next book from the library :-)
- An Amateur Witch's Guide to Murder by K. Valentin (LibraryThing review)--Gripping from the first page, immersive, fast-paced, with a hilarious third-person limited narrator and memorably unhinged characters! Mateo, Topher, and Ophelia make a fearsome threesome, and I can't wait to learn more about them--and what's the deal with Topher's driver Quincy?! This has the makings of an epically amusing series. There's some visceral descriptions of gore and blood magic, so not for the faintest of heart, but a perfect Halloween read with a vibe to suit your most dedicated witchy Goth friend. Highly recommend!
- A Bridesmaid's Guide to Murder by Abigail Scott (LibraryThing review)--This first book in the Emelia Walsh cozy mystery series has a compelling narrator in Emelia "Emmy" Walsh, who makes her living as a professional bridesmaid-for-hire. Emmy is not only likeable but incredibly prepared--whether for wedding mishaps or murder investigations!--and clever. Her inner monologue is definitely the best and most amusing feature of the book. I also enjoyed the premise and execution of the closed-hotel mystery with an entire wedding party as suspects. Looking forward to future books in the series!
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