Book Review: The Measure by Nikki Erlick

The Measure by Nikki Erlick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

WOW!  This is an incredible book!  Grabbed me from the first chapter and it was difficult to put it down.  I was a little hesitant about the book, and it's definitely not one that I would have selected myself.  It's categorized as science fiction and dystopic fiction, two genres that I typically don't like.  However, this one really worked for me. 

The premise is that one day everyone in the world receives their own box containing a string and a message - "The measure of your life lies within."   The length of the string indicates the length of their life.  There are short-stringers and long-stringers.

The story is told through short vignettes spotlighting about a dozen different characters.  Some of their lives are connected (siblings, partners) and some are complete strangers.  Some have long strings, some have short strings, and some have chosen not to open their boxes.  

What really worked for me was the interaction of all the characters.  We see them at their best and their worst, elated and depressed, hopeful and hopeless, loved and loveless.  It shows how they work through the knowledge of how long they have left and what they do with that time.  The book focuses on the haves and have-nots, social and healthcare inequalities, politics, quality of life, and more.  

I would highly recommend this book.  It is definitely going to be on my short list of good reads for 2023!  I read this for one of my book clubs and am anxious to discuss it with others.  

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

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Book Review: The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd

The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Immerse yourself in the world of maps and cartographers; phantom settlements and copyright traps.

The story takes place in two time frames. Present day Nell was unceremoniously fired from the New York Public Library Map Room seven years ago due to her discovery of an old New York state highway map in the basement of the library. It was her father who had her fired, an esteemed cartographer and scholar. The second story line involves an influential clique of seven students at the University of Wisconsin 30 years ago. The students band together during their undergraduate work in cartographer and remain close friends during their PhDs, also in cartography at Wisconsin. Two of those clique members are Nell's mother and father.

The story jumps back and forth between present day and 30 years ago. We learn the backstory of the highway map and why it caused such an uproar to Nell's father. We also learn an incredible amount about cartography and map-making. The book is told from various points of view -- Nell in present day and each of the seven students 30 years ago. Because of this, it was difficult to keep all of the characters and events straight in my mind at times.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It contained many of my wheelhouses: books, libraries, scholarship, mystery, plus the New York Public Library! There's even some magical realism thrown in. Jump in and enjoy the ride. You'll need to suspend your disbelief, but I think you'll enjoy this book.

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

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Book Review: Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand

Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another compelling book by Elin Hilderbrand. I downloaded this book right before leaving for vacation. I knew I needed a book that would pull me in immediately (on the plane) and allow me to read in small spurts over the course of six days (before bed each night). This book definitely fit the bill, as I knew it would.

Vivi (Vivian) Howe is a best-selling author living on Nantucket; she is divorced and has three adult children. I don't think that it is a spoiler to say that she is killed in a hit-and-run accident while out running one morning (this happens in the second chapter). She goes to The Beyond and is given the ability to watch what is happening with her family, both in current time and in previous years (a '75-day viewing window'). She is also allowed three 'nudges' to change the outcome three times.

Each chapter is told from a different point-of-view of the various characters. We get to know her children, ex-husband, friend, relatives and various Nantucket residents. We find out about their hopes, lives, challenges, and relationships with Vivi. We also learn about Vivi's backstory and her high school boyfriend, who figures prominently in her upcoming book which is about to be published. I have never visited Nantucket, but it certainly sounds like a fantastic place to visit (or live!).

All in all, a wonderful family saga. Highly recommended.

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

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Book Review: Julia's Kitchen Wisdom: Essential Techniques and Recipes from a Lifetime of Cooking by Julia Child

Julia's Kitchen Wisdom: Essential Techniques and Recipes from a Lifetime of Cooking by Julia Child
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wanted to read this book after I went to the Julia Child exhibit at my local museum; this is one of the books that was recommended.  I downloaded the Kindle version from my library, which is the only format that they had.  This is a wonderful book to have as a reference in your kitchen.  However, you would definitely want to have it in print instead of electronic.  It's a short book (144 pages) but packed FULL of everything you need to know about cooking almost anything and everything -- techniques, oven temperatures, length of cooking time, etc.  It's not really for the beginning cook because it doesn't give much detail, but I would highly recommend it for someone who has been cooking for awhile and just wants quick reminders about techniques.  I'm definitely going to look for it the next time I'm in a bookstore.

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

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Book Review: Happy Bonsai: Choose It, Shape It, Love It by Michael Tran

Happy Bonsai: Choose It, Shape It, Love It by Michael Tran
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an incredible book, packed full of everything you need to know about growing bonsai.  It's published by DK so you know it's going to be well laid out and have wonderful photos and illustrations.  I checked this book out of the library right after I went to a Bonsai show.  I was so impressed with the plants and wanted to know more about the 'care and feeding' involved.  After reading the book, I realize that there is no way that I will ever be able to care for a bonsai plant.  In fact the one that I bought at my local nursery lasted only about 3 months before it started looking so sad and dry.  I will stick to appreciating bonsai at the local botanical gardens instead.  But I would highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to try their hand at raising bonsai.

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

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Book Review: The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn't, and Get Stuff Done by Kendra Adachi

The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn't, and Get Stuff Done by Kendra Adachi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kendra Adachi is a very busy woman - married, three young children and working.  She was overwhelmed with what she felt she should be doing and wasn't accomplishing much at all.  She developed the Lazy Genius Way, which is exactly what the sub-title indicates -- "Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn't, and Get Stuff Done." 

The Lazy Genius Way is based on 13 Principles which include:  decide what matters, decide once, start small, put everything in its place, and schedule rest.  This system works for each individual person because you decide what matters to you and then focus on those priorities.  Her writing is very humorous, conversational and supportive, like your best friend is talking to you.  She incorporates a lot of personal examples to help give you ideas.  She also has a podcast, which I'm going to check out -- https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/lazy.    

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

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