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Friday, May 1, 2015

Bookish Nostalgia - May 2015




It's the beginning of a new month.  Wow, these days go fast.  I'm here to share my second Bookish Nostalgia post.  I was encouraged by the response last month to my first time talking about my favorite books from 20, 15, 10, and 5 years ago.  I'm going to continue this monthly event.  So, without further narrative, here are my favorite books from May...




May 1995 - Stitches in Time by Barbara Michaels - This book is a continuation of some of the storylines and characters from Ammie, Come Home and Shattered Silk by this author.  Barbara Michaels also wrote as Elizabeth Peters.  Stitches in Time is romantic suspense book with a supernatural tinge - an old quilt is brought into a vintage clothing store and Rachel, an assistant in the shop, tries to determine the history of the quilt itself and the people connected to it.  Can a quilt be haunted or evil?



May 2000 - The Road From Coorain by Jill Ker Conway - A memoir of this author's life growing up in Australia.  Jill Ker Conway became the first woman president of Smith College.  It is full of vivid descriptions of the Australian outback and of Conway's arid and bleak upbringing, similar to the land she was from.  I was totally fascinated.



May 2005 - To the Power of Three by Laura Lippman - This is one of Laura Lippmann's standalone novels.  It tells the story of 3 girls, friends since elementary school, Kat, Perri, and Josie.  When they are seniors in high school, something terrible happens in the girl's bathroom - Kat is dead, Perri is seriously injured, and Josie has been shot in the foot.  What has happened?  Honestly, I don't remember all that much except that I liked the book very much.  Guess I need to reread it.



May 2010 - Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese - This was an epic book taking the reader from India to Africa to the US and telling the story of twin boys, Marion and Shiva, born to an Indian nun and brought up in Ethiopia.  I discussed this wonderful book with my book group at the time and, though the story is long, it is well worth the time.  Such an unforgettable tale.

Have you read any of these books?  Let me know what you thought if you've read them.

28 comments:

  1. Gee, you kept great book logs Kay. I go back about 15 years with the titles I read but reviews only about the last 6/7 years.

    I did love Cutting for Stone.

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    1. My logs are only the author, title, date finished, and in the last few years, the kind of format. I wrote these little blurbs for this post, so they are not from my log. I wasn't that organized. LOL

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  2. I read Barbara Michaels years ago, but don't even remember the titles right now. Of course, I also followed her Elizabeth Peters "Peabody" series because I loved all the Egyptian stuff.

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    1. Oh, yes, the Amelia Peabody series is the best. I don't think I actually read all of those. Might be a good one to do on audio and start back at the beginning.

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  3. I haven't read any of these, but THE ROAD TO COORAIN and TO THE POWER OF THREE both sound like books I would enjoy.

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  4. The Road from Coorain and Cutting for Stone were both favorites the year I read them. I also went on to read True North, Conway's follow-up memoir... such an interesting woman.

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    1. I didn't know she did a follow-up, JoAnn. Thanks for telling me. I'll have to see if I can find it.

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  5. I haven't read any of them but I do read lots of rave reviews on CUTTING FOR STONE. I may want to add this to my wishlist.

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    1. It is very good, Melody. Was a great discussion book, but it is long.

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  6. Haven't read any of these this month, but I like the sound of both Cutting for Stone and the Barbara Michaels. I also find doing these posts makes me want to go back for re-reads, though I'm only going back over the last four years.

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    1. Putting these posts together makes me want to reread them too.

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  7. I haven't read any of this month's selections although I do like the Barbara Michaels book. Love the nostalgia and only wish I'd kept records for as long rather than just being able to reflect back to 2011.

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    1. I understand. I wish I had kept records back to my teens. I would love to be able to go back over those books.

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  8. I love Shattered Silk! Am re-reading it again (again again)... But didn't care much for Stitches in Time....

    Linda in VA

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    1. I didn't like Stitches in Time as well as Shattered Silk. And I liked Ammie, Come Home best of all. I should reread all of them. LOL

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  9. I've had Cutting For Stone on my tbr list for a while. I really should get to it!

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  10. Wow you've kept great records. Mine only go back 10 years, but I've kept note of childhood favourites. I'm embarrassed to say I haven't heard of The Road From Coorain but I'm adding it to my TBR list. I think I'd also enjoy your 2005 & 2010 picks. Great post Kay :)

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    1. Thanks so much! It's been fun doing these.

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  11. I am glad you are continuing with this series, Kay! I enjoy seeing what your favorites were over the years for each month.

    I never did manage to get through the audio of Cutting for Stone. I may try again at a later date--or maybe I'll have better luck if I read it.

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    1. I bet that was a long audio. Maybe one day, but we can't get to every book, can we?

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  12. It is interesting - taking a look back. Thanks for your post.

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    1. I'm definitely enjoying the process, Pat.

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  13. I haven't read any of these but I do have Cutting on my shelves, waiting...

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  14. Some brilliant choices on your amazing list - I like the sound of To The Power of Three very much. I just wish I'd kept a record for longer than my paltry few years.

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    1. Thanks, Cleo! I'm having a great time doing this. What a good idea your had that sparked my idea. :-)

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Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy to hear your thoughts and will respond as soon as I can. Happy Reading!