The It’s Monday! What Are You Reading meme is hosted at BookDate
I’m also linking to The Sunday Post @ Caffeinated Reviewer
And the Sunday Salon @ ReaderBuzz
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Life…
Aleah’s exams are done! Results come in mid December. She received another early entry offer to the other university she was interested in, but she has decided on attending University of Western Sydney. We finally found shoes at the very last store we went to, navy instead of the silver we wanted though. Her formal (prom) is on Tuesday night.
My parents organised a wonderful lunch party for our 25th Wedding Anniversary, even recreating my bouquet. It was also lovely to spend time with family and friends.
With one thing and another, the week got away from me a bit, this month is going so fast!
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What I’ve Read Since I last Posted…
Death in Daylesford by Kerry Greenwood
The Naked Farmer by Ben Brooksby
Anti-Social by Nick Pettigrew
The Shearer’s Wife by Fleur McDonald
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New Posts…
Review: Flying the Nest by Rachael Johns
Review: Truths From an an Unreliable Witness by Fiona O’Loughlin
It’s Time For Australian Reading Hour!
Review: Death in Daylesford by Kerry Greenwood
Review: The Naked Farmer by Ben Brooksby
AusReading Month 2020: Anticipation
Nonfiction November 2020 Week #3- Ask the Expert *Please vote in my poll*
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What I’m Reading This Week…
An unforgettable historical tale set in fifteenth-century England of a brilliant woman’s defiance, courage, and ingenuity—from the author of The Locksmith’s Daughter and The Chocolate Maker’s Wife.
1405: The daughter of a wealthy merchant, Anneke Sheldrake suddenly finds her family bankrupted when her father’s ship is swept away at sea. Forced to find a way to provide for herself and her siblings, Anneke rejects an offer of marriage from a despised cousin and instead turns to her late mother’s family business: brewing ale.
Armed with her mother’s recipes, she then makes a bold deal with her father’s aristocratic employer, putting her home and family at risk. Thanks to her fierce determination, Anneke’s brew wins a following and begins to turn a profit. But her rise threatens some in her community and those closest to her are left to pay the price.
As Anneke slowly pieces her life together again, she finds an unlikely ally in a London brothel owner. Determined not only to reclaim her livelihood and her family, Anneke vows not to let anyone stand in the way of her forging her own destiny.
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For almost 140 years, the author of Australia’s first book for children was a mystery. Known only by the description ‘a Lady Long Resident in New South Wales’, she was the subject of much speculation. It was not until 1980, after a decade of sleuthing, that legendary bibliographer Marcie Muir gave her a name: Charlotte Waring Atkinson. And not only a name, but an extensive creative family history, connecting her to two of the nation’s celebrated contemporary children’s writers, Kate Forsyth and Belinda Murrell.
To Forsyth and Murrell, Atkinson (also known as Barton) is great-great-great-great grandmother and the subject of the stories they grew up on—part of a thread of creative women that runs through the history of their family. Hers is one of the great lost stories of Australian history: a tale of love, grief, violence and triumph in the face of overwhelming odds.
In Searching for Charlotte, Forsyth and Murrell tell Charlotte’s story along with that of their own journey to discover her. In an intriguing account, the sisters join the reader in reacting to Charlotte’s actions: wondering what could have motivated certain choices; admiring the strength of spirit that pushed Charlotte through turmoil in the Australian colonies; and reviling attitudes that were common to the mid-1800s but are abhorrent in the twentieth century.
The extraordinary, long-buried life story of Australia’s earliest published children’s author, Searching for Charlotte combines elements of biography, recreation of history and rediscovery of family history. It is a sometimes confronting but ultimately heartwarming journey into the story of a family with writing in its blood.
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Retired detective Cal Hooper moves to a remote village in rural Ireland. His plans are to fix up the dilapidated cottage he’s bought, to walk the mountains, to put his old police instincts to bed forever.
Then a local boy appeals to him for help. His brother is missing, and no one in the village, least of all the police, seems to care. And once again, Cal feels that restless itch.
Something is wrong in this community, and he must find out what, even if it brings trouble to his door.
Our greatest living mystery writer weaves a masterful tale of breath-taking beauty and suspense, asking what we sacrifice in our search for truth and justice, and what we risk if we don’t.
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They find her just as the sun is beginning to rise in the early morning mist. They had begun at dawn, the group of searchers keen to get going. A missing child spurred everyone on. In the end, it was a flash of colour, a bright neon pink that caught her eye. They had been looking for pink.
Nothing tests your faith like being a mother. The first time your children walk to school alone, their first sleepover, when they finally fly the nest. As a parent, you have to believe that everything will be OK.
It’s why, when Lydia’s sixteen-year-old daughter Zoe goes on a school camping trip, she has no idea of the horrors that will unfold. It’s why, when Lydia gets a call saying that her daughter has disappeared, she refuses to give up.
As she searches the mountains, her voice hoarse from calling Zoe’s name, she imagines finding her. She envisions being flooded with relief as she throws her arms around her child, saying, ‘you gave us such a scare’. She pictures her precious girl safely tucked in bed that evening.
It’s why, when they find Zoe’s body, Lydia can barely believe it. It is unthinkable. Her little girl has gone.
Something terrible happened, she is sure of it. Something made Zoe get out of her sleeping bag in the middle of the night, walk out of the warmth and safety of the cabin, into the darkness of the mountains. Driven by the memory of her youngest child, Lydia needs to find out the truth. What kind of mother would she be if she didn’t?
A heartbreaking, redemptive and beautifully crafted novel which brings to life a mother’s worst nightmare, questioning how well we ever really know the people we love the most. Fans of Jodi Picoult, Kerry Fisher and Liane Moriarty will be blown away by this stirring, unforgettable tale.
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Happy anniversary.
Love the pictures.
You have some nice looking books there.
Happy reading and thanks for sharing!
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Happy anniversary! The Lady Brewer of London sounds so good😁
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Happy anniversary! Looks like a lovely party. I’m glad parties are happening somewhere in the world, they are not happening here. Enjoy “The Searcher” — I read (and reviewed) it last week and it was good.
be safe! … mae at maefood.blogspot.com
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We are lucky. We have had no new cases outside of o/s quarantine country wide for a week.
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That’s great news about your daughter and I LOVE the photos. Greta book suggestions for me here and I still havent read my new Tana French novel! We are going camping during our Thanksgiving holiday coming up and I hope to start it then. My husband wants to read it with me, like a book club, otherwise I would have read it already 🙂
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That’s kinda sweet!
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Happy anniversary! 25 years is a lifetime. How gorgeous is that table and the lovely thought with your bouquet. Lovely gesture.
Tana French’s The Searcher is doing the rounds at the moment. I will have to take a look. It’s right up my alley!
Have a wonderful week ahead.
The Sunday Post #18
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A very Happy Anniversary, Shelleyrae – what a beautiful wedding dress you wore – and an exquisite bouquet. And what a relief that your daughter’s exams are now over! My grandson is just beginning his GCSEs and rather dreading it… Have a great week.
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I love Tana french. I’m planning to read this. Happy Anniversary.I remember trying on 1k-3k dresses at David’s Bridal, just so I could dream.
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I bought the fabric and lace trim, and had it made, all up plus the headpiece & veil it cost me $700
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Weddings are so beautiful. I’ve cried upon learning a few of my friends were going to get married and I must have watched ‘Say Yes to the Dress’ religiously , that and My big fat Gypsy wedding. I love cultural weddings.
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Awww! Happy Anniversary! I love they recreated the flowers! What a great way to celebrate! 🙂
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That is awesome news about your daughter!! And Happy anniversary!
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Congratulations on the anniversary and glad that celebrations were possible and allowed.
I like the sound of the Karen Brooks Book. Must try to track that one. I am way behind on reading and reviewing though
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Happy 25th! Looks like a lovely celebration. Congrats to your daughter. I am behind on Tana French’s books.
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Congratulations on your anniversary! Glad you managed to share it with your family.
The books you are reading look good, enjoy your week!
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Congratulations on the anniversary. I bet you were so pleased that you could celebrate it with family in these strange times.
I was looking at your wedding outfit – that’s quite an unusual style, much nicer than the frothy concoctions lots of brides seem to favour
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I’m not a frilly person, and I’ve never liked white so I went with a golden cream. I wish it had been a bit more fitted but I was pregnant and we weren’t sure how big I’d be 🙂
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Searching for Charlotte sounds intriguing. What a great story. Happy reading!
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Happy anniversary! What a lovely party, recreating the bouquet, and showing the photos from then and now.
Your books look good. My copy of Flying the Nest should arrive this next week. I ordered the print version, as the e-book wasn’t available.
Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting my blog.
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Happy anniversary. And if I may say that, you both have not changed a bit! Thank you for the beautiful pictures *smile* Happy reading and stay safe and well!
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Lovely anniversary photos! Congrats! Enjoy those new reads!
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I remember being in school doing my exams and I can imagine her relief that they are over now haha, fingers crossed for her results in December, I wish her the best of luck.
Happy Anniversary, the pictures are so cute 🙂
Hope you enjoy the next few books on your TBR
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Happy Anniversary! 25 years is a big deal. I like your wedding dress. I also like the books you’re reading this week.
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Congratulations on celebrating your twenty-fifth anniversary! What a lovely lunch party your parents prepared.
And congrats to your daughter for choosing a school. I hope it’s everything she hopes for.
Searching for Charlotte sounds very interesting.
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Happy Anniversary! What a beautiful luncheon celebration.
I hope you have a great week!
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Happy anniversary!! Beautiful photos! How lovely that your parents organized a party in your honor and especially recreating the bouquet – lovely!!
Congratulations to your daughter on her college admits and selection – that is always a season of anxiety and anticipation.
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Happy 25th Anniversary! Looks like a great time. Congrats to your daughter — really exciting to go to University. Hope you have a great week …
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That’s amazing that your daughter had her pick of university! And happy birthday!
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How lovely to recreate your bouquet 🙂
I have post-lockdown fatigue and put on hold the more challenging books I had started (Fidler’s history of Prague and the new Ferrante), and instead have picked up Dolly Alderton’s light and funny Ghosts.
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Beautiful wedding and anniversary photos! I love getting a glimpse into the lives of the bloggers that I visit.
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Happy anniversary. It’s great that you got to see your family and friends. Have a great week!
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What a lovely 25th anniversary celebration. Your daughter has done so well, hope she loves her prom night. So special. Enjoy your reading.
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Congratulations on exams being done, finding shoes, and the college decision. Happy anniversary!!! Love the pictures.
The Lady Brewer of London and The Searcher both sound great. Hope you have a nice week.
http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2020/11/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-nov-16.html
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Happy Anniversary! The cover of that Karen Brooks book is beautiful! I definitely need that on my shelf!
I hope you have a fab bookish week.
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Happy anniversary! I love the then and now pictures, and it looks like a beautiful celebration. The Lady Brewer book sounds great, and I love the cover! Have a great week.
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Happy anniversary! Twenty-five years is quite an accomplishment. You have some nice looking books here too. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
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Great news for your daughter. And congrats on your 25th anniversary!
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I had never heard of Searching for Charlotte. Sounds good
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Yay for the end of exams! I hope she did well, and I hope she has a great time at her prom. Happy Anniversary! It sounds like a lovely celebration. I hope you enjoy your reading and have a great week!
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Happy Anniversary and congratultions to Aleah for getting into her chosen Uni. I went to Western Syd Uni (some time ago!) and I’m sure she’ll do brilliantly 🙂
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Happy anniversary! And congrats to your daughter!!!
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Congrats to your daughter and happy anniversary! The Lady Brewer sounds good.
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Happy anniversary! Your pictures are lovely! Congratulations to your daughter!
The Lady Brewer sounds good.
Enjoy your week!
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Happy Anniversary to you both! That was so thoughtful of your folks. Loving your books this week 🙂
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Happy Anniversary you two!! 25 yrs together is an achievement to celebrate for sure.
Mr Books and I clocked up 11 yrs married this month too.
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Congratulations all round, to your daughter and to you and your husband. What a beautiful time of celebration. I love your wedding outfit! Stunning!
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Happy belated anniversary, congratulations ! I hope the Tana French is good, I’m following that author attentively ^^
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Happy anniversary to you both. My wife and I are celebrating our 24th tomorrow. It’s hard to believe it’s been so long.
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