Catherine Ryan Hyde

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.

Jen Vincent, Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It’s Monday! a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels or anything in those genres – join them.

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Well just a little reading accomplished. I have other distractions – its been a busy week, and satisfying. I have also got into some viewing – I am loving The Crown. I like how they are portraying Charles but I think they have the Queen too severe. She has more of a sense of humour. I have also started watching Virgin River which is based on Robyn Carr’s book series. Loving it and of course we have a kiwi actor playing the lead role of Jack which is a plus. I think he suits the role.

I don’t have a smart TV. I kind of am reluctant as I dislike replacing usable equipment with the latest. However I did need to purchase a new iPad earlier this year and I find it great for watching Netflix on, so I don’t have to go to the bother of linking up my computer via a cord.

What I read last week:

Sarah Morgan writes a wonderful Christmas appropriate story.

What I am reading now:

Not too far into this one, but have been immediately pulled into it.

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And I did start up listening to my audio again – The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. I think its a little dark for this time of year so I have sort of just not picked it up. But getting back to walking will help with that. I stopped walking because I was getting such a pain in my hip – not a bad hip but muscular. Been to the physio and have been doing some good stretching which is really helping.

Up next:

This review book which publishes in January.

Last Week’s Posts

Stay. Catherine Ryan Hyde

November Wrap Up

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Review

Stay. Catherine Ryan Hyde

December 5, 2019 Kathryn

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Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Date: December 3rd 2019
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Stay by Catherine Ryan Hyde tells the story of Lucas a fourteen year old boy with lots going on around him. His parents who yell at each other, his friend Connor next door who is morose and has family parental things going on as well. Lucas has a brother Roy, away in the war in Vietnam. And that’s not a pretty story. What is a boy to do? Out in the woods one day he meets some dogs by a cabin and runs with them daily. And so he meets the owner of the cabin – Zoe Dinsmore who has a whole tragic history he has to find out about.

Zoe is a rather prickly woman but… she knows things and does something neither Lucas’ or Connor’s parents do. But that’s after Lucas does something for her.

The story is told by Lucas looking back at his life from the age of about sixty four. The story shows how Lucas has learned what is important in life, and throughout the story there are many places that are pithy little pointers about living a life with integrity.

The story explores friendship in many forms – same age and an older/younger person and brothers. It explores choices made, guilt and loss, people’s judgemental attitudes, and the awful effects of drugs and war.

It was refreshing to be with Lucas as he endeavours to understand his world around him. To experience his first girlfriend and be wise enough to see within to who she really is. To see how he cared and went the next step even when he was discouraged by others.

It is a heart warming read, with a theme of hope even in trying circumstances. Can the people Lucas comes to love stay, can he stay with what he can control and let be what he cannot. A thought provoking story.

Review

Have You Seen Luis Velez? Catherine Ryan Hyde

May 21, 2019May 21, 2019 Kathryn

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Published: Lake Union Publishing
Date: 21st May 2019
Source: Little Bird Publicity via NetGalley

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If you need an uplifting book, that invites you to reflect on life and your role in it, then pick this one up.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Raymond who feels as a seventeen year old like a bit of a misfit in his family. His step Dad doesn’t really accept him, his mother listens then forgets and his Dad has a new wife that doesn’t really like Raymond’s Dad paying any attention to him.

How Raymond turned out like he has is beyond me because he has the kindest of hearts. And one day he is rewarded because an older woman of ninety or so “sees” him. She is blind but when she calls out a question, Raymond stops to check on what that’s all about. How many people would stop and check? Too few most likely.

And so begins an unusual relationship between Raymond and Mrs G. At first I thought everyone needs a Raymond in their world. But then… a Luis Velez is good too and really Mrs G. is just so full of wisdom. So they all enriched me and each other.

This is really a very heart warming book, it speaks to what is wrong in our world today in so many ways. Life can be hard and challenging, people experience prejudice, hate, loneliness, helplessness, injustice and racial non acceptance. What is the answer? Well Raymond and Luis are answers. And they invite you and me to be answers.

#IMWAYR

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? Into May

May 6, 2019May 6, 2019 Kathryn

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Hope you all had a good week. Mine was. I did a variety of things like visit with family, visit with friends, went to craft night with friends, went to a Quilt show – read and may have done some basic housework!

What I read last week:

I finished listening to this audiobook – it was a reread, I loved it the first time and loved it in the audiobook version as well. So good

I also read

What I am reading now:

I am listening to this second one in this series. Listened to the first one awhile ago but should be okay.

I am reading a review book.

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Up next:

One from my recently bought shelf.

Last Week’s Posts

The View from Alameda Island Robyn Carr

April Reading in Review

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#IMWAYR

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

April 29, 2019April 29, 2019 Kathryn

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Well the end of April. I hear rain drumming on my roof as I write this. Last night I saw snow and tulips on Bookfan Mary’s blog. So we are getting a bit of weather! The sun will be out again tomorrow and a bit of rain is good.

I had a quiet week, one trip into the city and a few walks along by the beach. I have got quite lazy so I need to get going again. I have to admit the weather deters at times. I get inspired by seeing Debbie’s walk paths on instagram and think “Today is the day”.

Talking of Instagram this cute photo of my grand niece was on IG last night so just gotta share it as she is so cute. Just six years, a few weeks ago I shared the books I bought her for her birthday. I share today because she has cuddled around her the quilt I made her about three or four years ago.

They have had two weeks school break and go back today. Ouch with all that rain. I sit back with relief knowing I no longer have to make that dash from my car to the classroom in the rain!

photo of grand niece

What I read last week:

Two great books to read. A Month of Sundays was a real treat with four women in their sixties/early seventies who had been long time members of a skype online book club. Now they meet up together for a holiday and are to bring one book that says something about themselves. So that they can get to know each other better. They will spend a week reading each and then discussing. Sorry that this is Australian and that it may not be available worldwide.

What I am reading now:

Throughly enjoying this review book.

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Up next:

Last Week’s Posts

The Land Girls Victoria Purman

Join in Connect 5 Books Reading Challenge April – June

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