I’ve had one of my best reading months ever! Several books that I had on hold at the library for months suddenly came available, and so I’ve been on a reading roll! This month alone, I’ve read four 4- and 5-star books! Here they are: 1. I just finished Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. I loved the people and the octopus. Books about people and their relationships are generally my fave. 2. The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel. An excellent WWll book about survival. 3. Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult. Another good people story. Didn’t really

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As a writer of fantasy, I like to read it too. With one of my Christmas gift cards, I bought the entire Crimson Shadow series by R. A. Salvatore (on sale, of course). I really enjoyed another book by him (The Highwayman), so I decided it wasn’t much of a risk to buy the entire series. So far, I wasn’t wrong. The characters are well done and the story moves. Although the coming-of-age story tends to be overdone in the fantasy genre, the Crimson Shadow is a fresh take on this type of story. I think it’s a keeper.

I almost feel bad saying this book was entertaining. A couple of bad things happen to a couple of kids. But their uncle (I find it beside the point that he happens to be gay) comes to the rescue and helps them through a difficult time. I enjoy books about family and relationships, and this one has some characters you can cheer for. There were some things I didn’t love, but it made me laugh out loud a few times, so I recommend the book!

I recently spent an afternoon at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. First, I walked through my favorite French Impressionist gallery, which I rediscover each time I go to the Nelson. I still had extra time, so next I went to the Nelson’s special exhibit on Art Deco. One of my book clubs recently read Appetite for America, by Stephen Fried, about the Fred Harvey empire. I was surprised and pleased to see that the Art Deco exhibit featured a dress worn by Betty Drage Harvey in 1933. She came to a tragic end, but she must have enjoyed

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This review warmed my heart. The fact that a reluctant reader liked it and wanted to share it with his 3rd grade class makes it all worth it! kathyjperry.com BECAUSE I SAID SO … AND OTHER ADVENTURES IN PARENTING, OCTOBER 6TH, 2021 CONNIE HILL (CONNIE CARPENTER) Bandana Acres: Nibbler and Captain Make Peace is written by Kathy J. Perry. This is part of the Bandana Acres series. While you will see all the same characters in the books, they are all stand alones. This book is great for ages 5-8. My son is 8 and in 3rd grade and was

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I was in the Woodneath Branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library recently and walked through their Read Local section where they feature books by local authors. Three of my books were on the shelf — Forever Mine, My Hope Secured, and Now I’m Found. My other two novels, Lead Me Home and Safe Thus Far, must be checked out because they are also in the Read Local collection. The books look well used. I’m glad. I love libraries, and I am delighted that the Mid-Continent Public Library has purchased my books. Do you read books by local authors? If there’s

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Kept seeing this one on social media, so decided to give it a read. I enjoyed the topic of a woman making her way in the world of science and academia. Unpopular opinion: I did not love the unexpected interspersing of the dog’s point of view into the story. But I liked the characters, and the story held my interest all the way through! The chemistry-cooking show was fun!

One of my book clubs has chosen Appetite for America: How Visionary Businessman Fred Harvey Built a Railroad Hospitality Empire That Civilized the Wild West, by Stephen Fried, as our next book. As a writer of historical fiction about the American West, I’ve done some research into the era covered by this book. But Fried’s book has taught me a lot more. Fred Harvey was an entrepreneur who made travel through the West much more palatable to generations of Americans. The book is engagingly written, and it is as much a history of railroads, restaurants, and other aspects of Western

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This was my first Colleen Hoover book. I’d seen many recommendations, and overall it did not disappoint. It was a little crass in some places, and there were quite a few convenient coincidences. But I liked the characters and basic storyline and wanted to see the outcome. Four stars!