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Tag: good reads


reading ahead

25
July

fiction on the beach

I am sharing a few soon-to-be released fiction titles I have read this summer that should make it to your reading list!

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

I was hesitant to read Celeste Ng’s second novel, wondering how I could possibly enjoy it as much as her first!  (Click here for more on her first.)  But, I had gotten the chance to meet her and she gave me a signed, advance copy of Little Fires Everywhere.  That was more than enough encouragement to give the second novel a shot!  And, you know what?  I may have enjoyed Ms. Ng’s second book even more than her first!  This one explores the weight of secrets and the dynamics of motherhood as well as examining the danger of believing that following the rules can avert disaster.  A fabulous read and a fabulous book group selection!  Release date:  September 12, 2017

Little Fires Everywhere pleasure in simple things read

The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

A new, smart thriller already in development as a major film.  The story of an agoraphobic woman in New York City who believes she witnessed a crime in a neighboring house.  Hearing the story told from inside one (rather colorful) woman’s mind, as she spies on her neighbors, gives this suspenseful novel a unique perspective.  Release date:  January 23, 2018

Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo

A first novel, written by a Nigerian author and set in Nigeria, the story gives a voice to both a husband and a wife as they tell the story of their marriage.  After meeting and falling in love in college, Yejde and Akin marry and agree polygamy is not for them, though the practice is accepted in their culture.  But, four years into their marriage, circumstances change.  A great emotional read that examines how much we can sacrifice for the sake of family.  This book makes for a great book group selection!  Release date:  August 22, 2017.

Note:  An advance copy of this book will be the giveaway for August – leave a comment on the August giveaway post coming on July 28th to be entered to win it!

Stay with me

The Misfortune of Marion Palm by Emily Culliton

A debut novel that tells the story of Marion, a Brooklyn Heights woman, who has embezzled from her children’s private school and makes a run for it when she is close to becoming discovered.  Told from the points of view of Marion’s husband, her two children, and Marion herself, this witty and engaging story makes for a quick read.  Release date:  August 8, 2017

The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

A previous giveaway selection, this story examines the special relationships and dynamics of siblings in a unique way.  Read more about this selection by clicking here.  Release date:  January 9, 2018

great reading on the beach

Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker

A smart, psychological thriller from the Connecticut author who gave us All is Not Forgotten, this title is a previous giveaway selection.  Read more about it by clicking here.  Release date:  August 8, 2017

Happy Reading!  Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things…like, reading a good book on the beach!  xo Jackie

Comments Off on reading ahead | good reads, inspiration

july book giveaway!

30
June

The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

This month’s giveaway is an advance copy of a wonderful new novel  The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin.  This is a super summer read – a ‘can’t put it down’ beach day read!

“If you were told the date of your death, how would it shape your present?  It’s 1969, and holed up in a grimy tenement building in New York’s Lower East Side is a traveling psychic who claims to be able to tell anyone the date they will die. Four siblings, too young for what they are about to hear, sneak out to hear their fortunes.

july book giveaway pleasure in simple things blog

We then follow the intertwined paths the siblings take over the course of five decades and, in particular, how they choose to live with the supposed knowledge the fortune-teller gave them that day.

This is a story about life, mortality and the choices we make: is it better to live a long and cautious life, or to burn brightly, but for the shortest time?”

This book makes for a great book club selection!  Read it first, then do your friends a favor and lend it out, because once it is released, there will be a long list of holds at the local library for The Immortalists!

sprinkles please

Leave a comment on this post (or a social media post for the giveaway) and you will be entered into the random drawing to win the July giveaway book!

Thank you to everyone who entered to win the June book selection Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker.  Congratulations to Lisa in Pennsylvania, the winner of the giveaway.  I am so excited about the book’s upcoming release and I know you will enjoy being one of the first to read this new novel!  Click here to read more about the book.

exploring

For those of you who use Instagram, read on!  This month, let’s share photos of the summer!  Anything that says summer to you is fair game!  I am starting us off with one of my favorite signs of summer – eating a soft serve overlooking the water!  Use hashtag #pleasuregram to share the things that say summer to you!

july instagram challenge pleasure in simple things blog

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things – like reading a great new book!  xo Jackie

4 comments » | good reads, monthly book giveaway

1,000 places to see before you die

24
August

field trip friday

This week’s field trip is to the bookstore.  Have you heard about the book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die?

In my very wildest dreams I could not visit the 1,000 places listed.  Who could?!   Who has the time, or more importantly, the resources to accomplish it?  Flipping through the book certainly makes me feel inadequate – I have seen very few of the places even listed in the U.S….heck, I haven’t even seen one of the four places listed in my state!

We live in a global society and I have seen very little of the globe.  I am lucky to live in a time when technology affords me the opportunity to discover many places I can’t visit.  I know watching television documentaries or reading a book is not the same as actually experiencing a destination with all five senses.  This was very obvious listening to Patricia Schultz talk about her travels at RJ Julias in Madison, CT where I saw her promoting the second edition of her New York Times bestseller, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.  Admittedly, she hasn’t seen all 1,000.  Although, I really started to believe she may have while listening to her, almost breathless, excitedly sharing all her knowledge of faraway places. It definitely seems like she has been everywhere!

As I sat waiting for the evening to start, I was sure I would be depressed knowing how many of these marvelous places I haven’t been.  But, it did not take long listening to Ms. Schultz to realize her presentation was more a reason to develop a love for travel, rather than a motivation to create a checklist of places visited.  Instead, she provides a list of opportunities…hoping to whet the reader’s appetite to discover someplace new.  Her enthusiasm is contagious.  And, although I don’t have much of a budget for travel, I came home inspired to try and visit more places.

A photo of Patricia Schultz discussing her book “1,000 Places to See Before You Die”…a signed copy will be Septembers giveaway selection.

Ms. Schultz decided to pick 30 of the 1,000 places from around the globe listed in the book and present them in the form of a slide show.  Yes, the photos were incredible….but, equally incredible was the knowledge and love Ms. Schultz has for travel..and her thirst for learning about other lands and cultures.  She tours the world extensively. ..a  far cry from the first journey she credits with the start of her love to travel…instilling a desire  for adventure – Atlantic City!  As a child, from her home in New York state,  she couldn’t wait for the annual family journey to the shores of New Jersey.

So, I didn’t come home depressed at all….I came home exhilarated.  Ms. Schultz was enchanting.  And her presentation left me with a feeling of wanting to experience so much more.  So, even if many of my ‘visits’ are merely reading from her book, I feel motivated to experience more of the world.

Like I did, I want you to share some of Ms. Schultz’s enthusiasm for world travel.  If she is in your area, be sure to see her.  A signed copy of her book will be the giveaway book for September…so you too can catch some of her love for travel.  It may just give you the inspiration to visit a place nearby that you were always meaning to visit….or you may just book that faraway place you always wanted to see – it will open your mind to 1,000 possibilities.

‘Like’ my facebook page, follow me on twitter, or leave a comment on a post anytime during the month of September for a chance to win a copy of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, signed by Patricia Schultz.  (During August is a chance to win Yes, Chef signed by Marcus Samuelsson)

Happy trails!

Thanks for visiting, Jackie

1 comment » | good reads

     

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