Space Station Mir

I'm focusing on books that give a cozy feeling, aren't hard reads, but leave you feeling satisfied, and maybe gently challenged along the way--mostly mysteries, romance, and whatever amazing, cozy sci-fi/fantasy amalgams Becky Chambers produces. And there's something cozy about books that literally teach you how to create an atmosphere of coziness too :-)  Happy Top Ten Tuesday! Cozy Reads Friday the Rabbi Slept Late by Harry Kemelman The Latke in the Library & Other Mystery Stories for Chanukah by Libi Astaire The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers Fresh Water for Flowers by Valérie Perrin--this might not be an obvious pick, since the protagonist has dealt with a tragedy, but it's really about the life she's built for herself, and her cozy future Once and For All by Sarah Dessen--similar to above, the protagonist has dealt with tragedy, but this is about moving on and a subsequent fun romance Devotions: The Selected Poems o...

 I have a lot of series I've read with books that recently came out that I want to catch up on, but frankly, feeling a little overwhelmed! With everything I have going on, I'm turning more to TV shows than books, and some of these series/trilogies, I feel like I want to reread the whole series or at least the previous book before I pick up the new ones. Anyway, I am lucky that a lot of long-awaited books have finally, finally come out and they will be there when I am ready! Happy Top Ten Tuesday over at That Artsy Rader Girl ! Top 10 Series I'd Like to Catch Up On (or Start) 1. Dreams Bigger Than Heartbreak, #2 in the Unstoppable series by Charlie Jane Anders!!!!! These first two came to mind immediately because I've been thinking about reading them and love both these authors so much--but I do feel like I have to reread the previous books because I feel like there are so many intricate details, and the Unstoppable series has a huge (amazing...but...huge) cast, since, y...

 Halloween approaches, as the air gets cold, and the leaves are in full color. As I feel like I reiterate often around here, I don't really do seasonal reads, though I like the idea, and Halloween reads--does that mean a scary read? Books set during Halloween? Fall books? Books involving costumes? I'll try for a blend of the above. For a Jewish twist, I suppose the appropriate term might be Sukkot books, the Harvest holiday which recently ended. So, here are some books that remind me of Halloween, fall, October, and Sukkot. Top 10 Halloween/Fall/Sukkot Books  Happy Top Ten Tuesday! 1. The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks--This one definitely has fall and winter vibes and setting (wandering around an icy forest) as well as magic users and characters who aren't what they seem. 2. The Kings of Nowhere by C.G. Drews--This one is set during fall in Australia, and definitely has school year vibes as well as a darker tone. 3. Court of Venom by Kristin Burchell--This one is set in...

What a clever prompt! Words are my métier, but I am having some trouble because there are so many that intrigue me. I'm sure I will think of a ton after I post this.  Happy Top Ten Tuesday! Top Ten  Eight Words I Love to See in a Book Synopsis 1. Jewish--Even for someone who subscribes to the Jewish Book Council newsletters, this is rare enough that it gets a second look from me. Not necessarily a third, but I have found some great books this way. 2. Rabbi--See above. Friday the Rabbi Slept Late caught my eye at a Bookcrossing table and led to me buying and reading most of the series! 3. Wizard--I love spellcasters (and play them exclusively in D&D😛). Wizards especially, but witch, warlock, or sorcerer would also work! 4. Epic--Despite the fact that this is so overused, when it's appropriately used, especially paired with 'fantasy,' I'm often a fan. 5. Boston--Still probably the city I know best, at least at one time, and I'll always give a book that takes ...

 *Rubs hands together*. I have a lot of favorite bookstores, all over the country and the world. Here are some of my favorites, and I hope to have more someday! Happy Top Ten Tuesday ! Favorite Bookstores Daedalus Books in Charlottesville, VA--I loved the name and appropriately labyrinthine nature of this used bookstore--there are also a ton of other used bookstores in Charlottesville, but this is my fav. The Book Loft of German Village in Columbus, OH--Also a labyrinthine store, but in another way--this one has rooms and rooms of books, similar to the Strand in length, but better organized--each room has its own curated music! Plus there's a lovely outdoor area to read in the warmer months. Shakespeare & Company in Paris, France--This was on my bucket list. I'm glad I got the chance to peruse this famous English language bookstore across from Notre Dame.  The Seminary Co-Op in Chicago, IL--I got to see both the original and the new co-op space, and I love them both. The o...

I would say it's weird to not be starting the school year this September, since my new full-time job is not in education, but I am sort of starting a school year this September--my first as a Hebrew school teacher. That is not something I ever imagined saying, but my synagogue really needed teachers, and the education director heard I was one. I told him my Hebrew isn't that great and Hebrew school was often a terrible experience for me--and he said, me too! (On the latter thing--he is very good at Hebrew). We bonded over the idea of making this a better experience for these kids, so I will try. I don't know that this is going to be a regular thing, but it's a way to help my community, stay connected to education, and hopefully give these kids better memories than I have. Anyway, with one FT job and two part-time teaching gigs, I'm not sure how much time I'll have for the blog, but I'll keep chronicling whatever non-work reads I manage to finish (will probab...

 It's been a crazy month, and I don't tend to be a seasonal reader but publishers tend to put out their biggest books in the fall. So, happy fall and happy Rosh Hashanah next week (I won't be participating in TTT since it falls on the second day of Rosh Hashanah). Shana tova u'metuka--a sweet new year--to anyone else celebrating or anyone who just needs a fresh start. Happy 5783! Happy Top Ten Tuesday! Top Ten Books on My Fall 2022 TBR When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill--Did you see the title? Fair Play by Eve Rodsky (methods/card system fo r   chores ) The Cloisters by Katy Hays Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry--As a '90s kid, I think I'm obligated to read this. The Fixer Upper by Lauren Forsythe The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell--Intriguing review in WaPo on this fiction about a lesser known de Medici. Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott--I once went as Baba Yaga for Halloween. ...

 I love this topic idea! I feel like there should be plenty of mountains and forests and islands and maybe oceans. Would Howl's Moving Castle count as a geographical feature? Here are some of my favorite books, or books that sound like they could be my new favorite books, with exciting geographical terms in the title! Happy Top Ten Tuesday! Books With Geographical Terms in the Title The Farthest-Away Mountain by Lynne Reid Banks--This was one of my favorite books as a kid, it involves a journey up a mountain, and it's a one-off fairytale/fantasy. The Grim Grotto by Lemony Snicket (A Series of Unfortunate Events #11)--I loved these and there are plenty of great geographical names throughout the series (Lake Lachrymose, Briny Beach, Swarthy Swamp!), but this one gets the whole book. Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel--on my list, but I've heard good things and I like her other books The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern--same as above Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgo...