Introverted Reader

Weekly Update for May 23, 2021

Welcome to my weekly update for May 23, 2021! My husband and I haven't watched very many sunsets since we've been on the Gulf coast of Florida, which is a shame. I do love a good sunset. We're trying to make up for lost time now that we've only got a few weeks left here. Last Sunday, we watched it from Lido Beach. Last Monday, we took a Segway tour of Anna Maria Island. I've always wanted to ride a Segway and it was so much fun! I was timid with it at first but quickly got more comfortable and felt like an old pro within 30 minutes. If you get the chance to try it out, go for it! Anna Maria Island was gorgeous. We drove up on a Saturday when we first got here in March but couldn't find parking anywhere, so this was the first time we'd really gotten to explore. The water is indescribable. When I post these pictures from the week, do you prefer a slideshow or the smaller, fixed pictures? Both formats are easy but I don't know if people have strong preferences. Slideshow: The clear, aquamarine water surrounding Anna Maria Island and sunset from Lido Beach Reviewed/Posted: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark Ten Book Titles That Are Complete Sentences The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson The Trials of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor #1) by Jessica Townsend Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists: A Graphic History of Women’s Fight for Their Rights by Mikki Kendall, illustrated by A. D'Amico Read: Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists: A Graphic History of Women’s Fight for Their Rights by Mikki Kendall, illustrated by A. D'Amico Anahita's Woven Riddle by Meghan Nuttall Sayres The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut’s Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt by Kara…

18 Comments

May 23, 2021

Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists by Mikki Kendall: Book Review

4 Stars. The framework for this graphic novel seems a bit odd at first. An artificial intelligence guides the girls through important times and places, beginning with Sumer in 3000 BCE. That framework does serve to tie everything together though. The "story" basically consists of brief biographical sketches of women from all over [...]

The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend: Book Review

4 Stars. First of all, who can resist that cover? I just love it! This was a fun, quick read. It definitely starts off pretty dark. Morrigan's father makes it clear that he finds her and her curse to be nuisances at best. Her stepmother couldn't be less interested in Morrigan. Everyone else is happy to have a scapegoat for their [...]

The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson: Book Review

3 Stars. I can see the reason that this book is rated so highly on GoodReads. I understand why the author included some events, but my own history of grief led me to interpret them in a different way than intended. To explain further would give away some major plot points so I'll have to leave it there. Part of me admires [...]

Bookish Miscellany

Ten Book Titles That Are Complete Sentences

Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl invited us to share ten book titles that are complete sentences this week. I was afraid it would take me forever to find books for this post! It did take longer than I would have liked but I obviously found enough. Apparently, if you want me to read your book, you should title it "I Am..." because I had to cut out several of those to add a little more variety. And now I'm worried that I may have chosen some that aren't actual sentences! This was a pressure-filled post for me! I Should Have Honor by Khalida Brohi Our Time is Now by Stacey Abrams I Am One of You Forever by Fred Chappell Everything is Going to be Great by Rachel Shukert I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English by Natasha Solomons I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers In Odd We Trust by Dean Koontz and Queenie Chan You Suck by Christopher Moore That's my list! Have you read any of these? Which books did/would you choose? Link up every Tuesday at That Artsy Reader Girl! I have an affiliate relationship with Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe in beautiful Asheville, NC. I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase merchandise through links on my site.

20 Comments

May 17, 2021

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark: Book Review

4 Stars. This was a short, accessible classic but it packed a punch. I would love to discuss it with a book group. I looked around to find out if it's ever been banned (references to "sexual intercourse" in a book published in the 1960s seems like a recipe for a challenge) but if it has, I can't find evidence of it. The group of

Bookish Miscellany

Weekly Update for May 16, 2021

Welcome to my weekly update for May 16, 2021! Well, the CDC announcement that fully-vaccinated people in the US can pretty much go back to life as usual was a bit of a surprise, wasn't it? My husband and I will probably continue wearing our masks inside for a while but at least we won't feel as uncomfortable when we see other people without theirs. If, like me, you're struggling with resuming a relatively normal life, I recommend reading this article about irrational covid fears in the New York Times. I read it a few weeks ago and it's helped me put my fears and the risks in perspective. I do advocate following CDC guidance and doing what feels best for you and your family though. We've definitely gotten more active ourselves since I passed my fully-vaccinated mark (my husband was fully vaccinated in January since he's a healthcare worker). We've been to botanical gardens, the aquarium, taken a kayaking tour, and we have a Segway tour planned for tomorrow. This is why we started traveling with my husband's job in the first place so it's nice to get back to activities that we love! I can't even decide which picture to post this week. Sunset, a tricolored heron, a green heron, mangrove tunnels, sand sculptures...it's been a week of photography here! (L) Downtown Sarasota, the John Ringling Causeway, and Sarasota Bay from Bird Key Park (R) Kayaking through the mangrove tunnels in Ted Sperling Nature Park Posted: The Flight of the Phoenix by R. L. LaFevers--4 Stars Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran--3 Stars Amari and the Night Brothers by B. B. Alston, read by Imani Parks--4.5 Stars Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer: 4.5 Stars Ten Books with Nature on…

18 Comments

May 16, 2021

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer: Book Review

4.5 Stars. If you look at all six of the genres I've placed this book in, you can tell that it defies description. The title sounds boring to me. I had to take a plant taxonomy class in college. While I enjoyed learning the names of things, I didn't like learning about the plants themselves. Photosynthesis, xylem and phloem, or [...]

Amari and the Night Brothers by B. B. Alston: Book Review

4.5 Stars. Oh my goodness. This was so much fun! But it also had a lot of depth. And just look at that gorgeous cover!I loved Amari. She's a fighter. Life is hard and unfair for her, largely because of things completely outside her control, but she keeps hanging in there. Cruel adults or mean girls, she meets each challenge the [...]

Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran: Book Review

3 Stars. The title and the official synopsis led me to believe that I was going to read a book centered on Queen Lakshmi of Jhansi, "India's Joan of Arc." Imagine my surprise when I started reading chapter after chapter describing Sita's life in a small village. It was interesting enough but I honestly chose the book to meet the [...]