Books, Link Ups

What’s On Your Bookshelf This September?

Retirement Reflections

How is it the middle of September already? Seriously!!

August was a whirlwind, and September has been rushing past at breakneck speed. Still, I did manage to sneak in a few books. My online book club finished reading and discussing The Tenant of Wildfelt Hall. As usual, we broke the book into four sections and read-discussed-read-discussed-etc-etc. And what spirited discussions they were! One book club member came up with the game of “Shag, Shoot or Marry?” (can I say this on a family-rated blog?). This referred to our thoughts on the Brontë sisters’ male characters. It was quite an entertaining game. Tragically, we sentenced most Brontë men to the second category. Next week, our book club will wrap up our reading of ‘Tenant’ by baking something that likely appeared on the characters’ plates. Stay tuned!

What I Read:

Without further ado, here’s what I read this past month. Each summary is short and to the point (except perhaps for ‘Tenant’…that one was complicated). I did mention that summer has been on-the-hop, right?

Bookshelf Collage

Summaries:

The Tenant of Wildfelt Hall, Anne Brontë 

The Warmth of Other Suns, Isabel Wilkerson

His Only Wife, Peace Adzo Medie

Maya and the Book of Everything, Laurie Graves

Sneak Preview: The Little Cafe by the Lake, Joanne Tracey

Without first seeking permission from the author (me bad), I’m sneaking this in. I just finished reading an advanced copy of The Little Cafe by the Lake (to be released November 4, 2021). In short, I laughed, I cried, I pondered…and I became completely immersed in the stories that unfolded.

As most of the main characters also appeared in other Joanne Tracey novels (i.e. Happy Ever After and Wish You Were Here), this reading felt more like catching up with old friends I have dearly missed. If you are looking for a break filled with fun, friendship, food…and some seriously sexy, fiercely independent characters, here’s the link. (My guess is that some other beta readers will also post about this book. Update: Us Bad!)

That’s a Wrap!

So that’s my September bookshelf in a nutshell. What’s been on your bookshelf lately? We’d love for you to share in the comments, with a blog post, or on other social media of your choice. Please include the hashtag #Whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge so that we can find you and include your link in our posts. If you haven’t yet grabbed a Contributor’s Badge, you can do so here (or email me if you prefer a jpeg version).

Other WOYBS Posts to Check Out:

Women Living Well Over 50 (Co-host)
Deb’s World (Co-host)
And Anyways (Co-host)
Natalie the Explorer
Reading Ladies Bookclub
Equipoise Life

#whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge

Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

53 thoughts on “What’s On Your Bookshelf This September?”

  1. Pingback: What’s On Your Bookshelf? – And Anyways…
  2. Pingback: What’s on your Bookshelf #2 – Deb's World

  3. Hi Donna, we did have some lively discussions re Tenant didn’t we? At least we all agreed on who we would slap! I was fortunate to also get a sneak preview of Jo’s new book and I loved it. Thanks for co-hosting #whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge. I haven’t read any of the books you suggested so will put them on my list. x

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  4. Hi Donna, you have been so busy with your summer and visitors galore that I’m surprised you managed to read anything this past month! Well done :). I continue to laugh at the ‘shag, shoot of marry’ idea and will be using that in future books! It’s great being a part of this #whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge with you Jo and Sue!

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  5. Well, as you know, you so generously passed on His Only Wife and Jo Tracy’s Happy Ever After to me just before I left your beautiful island. I finished Jo’s book (loved it!) and I’m so happy that some of the characters appear again in later novels. Her book left me wanting to know more. I am currently reading His Only Wife and am enjoying that very much too. The Warmth of Other Suns is on my TBR list.

    P.S. I love “shag, shoot, or marry” and it will be in the back of my mind as I read future books.

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    1. Hi, Janis – I’m so glad that you enjoyed Happy Ever After (I thought you would)! I now highly recommed Wish You Were Here and The LIttle Cottage by the Lake (in that order). There are other Jo Tracey books that I’m sure that you will love as well – but these two make a great start!
      Once you’ve finished His Only Wife, let me know what you think.
      Glad you and Paul made it home safe and sound. Miss you already!! 😀

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  6. I can’t believe September is half over either, Donna. Soon it will be 2022! I haven’t had much reading time these days, apart from craft books. I am going to add The Little Cafe by the Lake, Joanne Tracey to my TBR list. It sounds fabulous! Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Hi Donna – I’m so excited to see your post – I’m heading over to read your reviews. A lot of people at my library job have read and highly recommend The Warmth of Other Suns. I’ve never read The Tenant of Wildfelt Hall. Looking forward to what you have written!

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      2. Thanks, Barb – ‘Caste’ and ‘Warmth’ are awesome books. Friends who have read both have rated them highly. From my limited survey, they tend to like best the first of the two books that they read, whichever that one may be. Sadly, this is not a scientific study but seems to apply to my group of bookworm friends! 😀

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  9. For one of my book clubs, the hostess usually builds the meal and/or snacks around themes or locations of the book we’ve read. it’s not always possible but does add lots of interest! I may introduce your idea of “shag, shoot or marry” as an addition to our discussions!

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by. I love the idea of building food around the themes and locations of the book read. Our bookclub does a ‘baking wrap-up’ and its a huge highlight.
      Oh, and I do highly recommend ‘Shag, Shoot or Marry’. It is a very entertaining game!

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  10. Hi Donna the books you’ve read look interesting. I’ve been wanting to read Anne Brontes Tenant book for a while so that’s now on my list. I’m about to start Jo’s Happy Ever After which has been on my list for ages. Keenly waiting for Little Cage by the Lake. It’s a great title

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    1. Hi, Jennifer – I think that you will LOVE Happy Ever After and The Little Cafe by the Lake. Tenant of Wildfelt Hall is not always a pleasant read, but I am extremely grateful that I read it. It puts so much in perspective. Anne Bronte is noted as one of the first feminist writers.

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    1. Hi, Joanne – I greatly appreciate your comment. On ‘straight reading,’ I consider myself to be a fast reader. The problem is that I seldom do straight reading. There is always too much for me to ponder over, and way too many rabbit holes for me to explore. So my monthly book count is usually lower than my bookworm friends. I really do ‘live’ most of the books that I am reading – thus my tendency to avoid horror, murder, crime, and the like! 😦

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      1. I can relate. Since most of my reading time occurs at night before bed, I avoid those kinds of books too … although I’ve been known to get so deeply involved in a story I’ve read through the night. That’s caused a few problems when I was still working 😉

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  12. Pingback: Recent Reads and Golden Finds – Natalie the Explorer

    1. Hi, Natalie – Thank you so much for your contribution to WOYBS. I have added your link to the main body of this post. I’m delighted that you enjoyed Happy Ever After. I am confident that you will also love the other books in this series. (I inhaled them greedily)!

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  16. “Shag, Shoot or Marry”…why it only gotta be one? 😉
    Appreciate the book review/suggestions especially on a rainy day (and a rainy winter season to come). Thanks, Donna!

    Deb

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  17. I’ve been reading lots of light reading this summer, which I enjoy. My husband is a serious reader. He reads books about politics and foreign countries quite a bit, especially China. He encouraged me to read “Life and Death in Shanghai” which is about all of that. But since it’s also a memoir, I’m getting into more than I thought I would. I’m amazed at what I don’t know about China and it’s history (typical American, I guess.) I know you lived there many years, so are most likely familiar with this book. I wonder what people think of it there?

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    1. Hi, Tracey – Thanks so much for dropping by. I haven’t read ‘Life and Death in Shanghai’ so sadly cannot comment on it. I do have a Chinese friend who recently moved to Shanghai and is currently reading it. I’ll be interested in hearing what she has to say about it. I’d also love to hear what you think about it when you are finished.

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  20. Love your little book club game and I think you can definitely say this on a family-oriented blog – it’s not like most minors haven’t heard worse words. Maya and the Book of Everything sounds like it’d be a book I’d want to read.

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  21. Hi Donna – very late, but I knew I’d enjoy the post. Oddly I see you’re reading Villette soon – I’ve just given my copy to the 2nd hand books store, it’s been from the UK, to SA, back to UK … where it stayed when I was in Canada …I won’t rescue it now – but will pay attention perhaps for later.

    I had a look at the GoodReads site your books send us to for their summaries – I think perhaps I’d better start using it … read and summarise, before I forget as I’ve moved on to other reads. I’m looking forward to seeing what you cook from the book – and your next list of ‘what’s on your bookshelf’ … cheers always good to be here – Hilary

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    1. Thanks, Hilary – It is never too late for a comment, especially for a very thoughtful one like this. I love using Goodreads and always challenge myself to leave a review right after finishing a novel (otherwise I know I would never do it). It’s a great reminder to myself of what I’ve read (especially when I read in advance for book club). I also love reading what my friends have read. I’ve been introduced to some excellent books that way. We have divided Villette into four sections and will read/discuss, read/discuss…as usual. I’ve finished the first section and vote to make the Baked Pear (I am the remedial baker in the group). Stay tuned!

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  22. Hi Donna. I haven’t yet read any of the four books on your September list. What I have read recently are: “Heartburn” by Nora Ephron, “The Song of the Jade Lily” by Kirsty Manning, and “Greenwood” by Michael Christie. I’m presently reading “Petra” by Sheena Lambert.

    Jude

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