Links I love

 

I hope that everyone had a good holiday! We're getting into my favorite time of year - my son's birthday (which is on Christmas), the holidays and end of year book lists!!  I've been doing a lot of rowing and lifting weights now that I'm done with running and we were able to get an erg for $50.00 for our home!!

• NPR staffers pick their favorite plot driven books of 2025. 
• Can you match the Oscar winner to their role?
• What happens to your brain after you turhn 50.
• 15 fast paced novels for a quick escape.
• NPR's interactive best of 2025 book map has arrived. You can find the link here.
• A new Minestrone soup recipe that I want to try. 
• 100 NYTimes notable books. 
• Non candy stocking stuffers for kids.
• Time's must read books from 2025.
• Find a book club!
• If you like You've Got Mail, you like this list.
• Stranger Things is back. Does everything old still feel new?
• One way to use your turkey leftovers.
• Is this nutrient deficiency making your anxiety worse?
• Can you name the Disney movie by the animal?
• 7 US towns that inspired famous books and movies.
• Gift ideas for WDW fans.
• WHy do people string popcorn on Christmas trees?
• Great 2025 non fiction that didn't appear on lists. 
• The best history books of 2025. 

I hope that everyone had a great holiday!

REVIEW A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan

 

I saw this book on my recent trip to Saratoga Springs for a regatta and it looked interesting, so I picked it up. This is a tale about how the KKK became big in the Heartland - Indiana, Illinois, Ohio - in the 1920's.  And it is terrifying and mortifying, although perhaps not shocking given recent events. The main "character" was a real person - DC Stephenson - who was the Grand Dragon of the KKK during this time period.  He had his aspirations set upon the White House (and owned just about every politician and local law enforcement agent up until that point). 

The book begins with a history of the KKK, which is, I think, important  as it provides the context in which these acts occurred. If it hadn't provided the background, I think that DC Stephenson and the story of his "movement" would have been in a vacuum. The book itself was obviously meticulously researched but also was extremely readable.  I found myself compulsively reading it and couldn't put it down. It was definitely a page turner. 

I found myself wanting more about Madge, the woman that is credited in bringing down the KKK. I felt that the book didn't do her justice, instead using her as a pawn in the games that men play to maintain or disrupt systems of power and that disappointed me to no end.  Egan really had the opportunity to not only educate us about a hate organization but tell us the story of the life of a brave, groundbreaking woman and he fell short. 

Generally speaking though, this was a wonderful and necessary book that I would still recommend that all read, particularly in the current political climate. 

Links I love

 

As Ed Stark said "winter is coming," so here is a picture of Mt Washington.   We're getting ready for the upcoming holiday here and that's overwhelming!  The holidays are both lovely and stressful. I'm currently reading a non fiction book about the KKK in the midwest by Timothy Egan and listening to Project Hail Mary, both of which I'm enjoying!

1. Home Alone turns 35 this year!
2. Name the iconic Christmas song in just one lyric!
3. Boarding school mysteries for all ages. 
4. Mt. Washington could break record for snowiest November.
5. Five novels set in the Moors and five novels about living near serial killers.
6. How well do you know the history of Thanksgiving?
7. Best books of the year on BookRiot. They also have their best true crime books and historical books. Nonfiction too. 
8. The winners of the National Book Award are announced.
9. The Dublin 2026 longlist is announced!
10. Mostly bookish gifts for the holidays.
11. The NY Public Library's best books of 2025.
12. 9 movies that take place at Christmas.

I hope that everyone has a great holiday!

REVIEW Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

 

I was absolutely long overdue in reading this book but I'm glad I did because Eleanor Zott, the main character, has to be one of my favorite main characters of all time. My hesitancy in reading books like this is that the hype far outpaces how good the book actually is - but that wasn't the case here. It was every bit as good as the hype. 

Eleanor Zott is a chemist but in the 50's this is seemingly impossible for a woman. In her PhD program, Zott is brutally blocked from getting her degree, even though she's infinitely smarter than the men in that program. As a result, she becomes a lab tech that is often mistaken for a secretary. That doesn't stop her - she's smart, determined and a tad oblivious which leads her to meeting a brilliant scientist that works in the same lab, leading to a life that is unusual and brilliant. 

I really loved Garmus' writing style - it was easy and moving and free wheeling and led to the pages just turning on their own. The characters, including a dog named six-thirty - were memorable.  I loved the feminist aspects and the magical realism (the dog actually is a POV character). I also really enjoyed the novel's take on female-female friendships.  The book really drove home that women can really move forward in all aspects of life if we support each other instead of looking at each other as competition and tearing each other down. This really came through in this novel. 

Very much recommend. 

Links I love

 

Holiday shopping is in full swing here.  I've started getting items for the people in my family.  I've also started doing a lot more rowing and lifting now that I've retired from running.  I owe you a review which will come this week!  Upcoming - my son's final fall crew awards ceremony.  I am sure that I will be a crying hot mess. 

1. Advent calendars for 2025.
2. The winner of the 2025 Booker Prize has been announced. 
3. 17 exemplary and translated books from university presses. 
4. I'm always down for a new workout. Since I've gotten a severe arthritis in my ankle diagnosis, I've been doing more rowing, going on the elliptical and lifting.  
5. 2025 National Book Award finalists. 
6. Choosing book gifts your friends will love.
7. Alien Earth renewed for season 2.
8. Ken Burns has a new documentary out.
9. Barnes and Noble announces its book of the year. Time also announced its 100 best books of 2025.
10. 9 Divorce memoirs that are actually quite positive.
11. Gift ideas for Jane Austen fans.
12. The 15 most viral titles on BookTok currently.
13. 5 Road trips based upon Famous books and movies. 

I hope that everyone has a great week!

Review My Name is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende

 

Anything by Isabel Allende is sure to be beautiful and this book was no exception. This historical novel seemed to have a bit of everything: adventure, violence, romance, you name it. It's told as an autobiogrpahy from Emilia's vantagepoint and takes place at the end of the 1800's, post civil war. Emilia travels to Chile during their civil war as a war journalist to cover the war during a time when women had very few if any rights and where their natural roles were seen to be as mothers and wives. 

This novel also tells the story of the Chilean civil war, making it as much a main character as Emilia herself. This was clearly  a fight for power between the President of Chile, José Manuel Balmaceda and the country’s legislative congress. Wealthy European settlers generally support Balmaceda while impoverished and indigenous people side with Congress. Like the American Civil War, this was a savage conflict. 

Allende's language is so beautiful. It always is. All of the passages are so vivid that it's like you are in the scene and experiencing it all - the love, the pain, the violence.  SO GOOD. A must r ead. 

Links I love

 

I hope that everyone had a good week!  It was a long week for me.  I don't do well with extra darkness either so there's that as well!

• Margaret Atwood has a memoir.
• Eight everyday phrases with bizarre origins.
• Where to donate food during the government shutdown in NH.
• Nonfiction November book ideas. 
• Secret Santa gifts under $25.00
• Gift guide for the readers in your life.
• 7 US parks that look straight out of a fairytale.
• 36 new movies and shows streaming on Disney Plus
• Some new books are out this week, including one by John Irving.
• 9 early signs of dementia that are overlooked. 
• Women's soccer coach let ChatGPT run her defense.
• Best novels of 2025.
• 15 family drama recs. 
• A Disney Christmas store is up on Amazon.
• In praise of librarians in trying times. 
• Non fiction ideas for my book club. Also, these books look fascinating. 
• Thanksgiving sides here.
• I'll try to make this I think.
• Four coping mechanisms for intrusive thoughts.
• 7 of the biggest art heists in history.
• Gen X and the menopause conversation.
• Ten songs based on historical events.

Please don't forget that I have a store on Pangobooks. Go here for a code  to get $5.00 off your first order. I also love Book of the Month Club. Please consider joining by going here.