Yeah Stay With Me is a pretty sad book, so I don’t blame you and you have a lot of other purchased books to read. But it was good to get the author’s perspective into her characters. I don’t know enough about Africa or Nigeria so that’s why I’m glad I picked it up. I sort of want to read her second book but I don’t know when I’ll fit in. We both have too much to read! which I guess is a good dilemma.
Happy reading.

You asked if I was interested in reading Stay with Me. The answer is Yes and No. It sounds good, if sad, and Nigeria is another country I haven’t read much about. On the other hand, before the end of 2024 I purchased a lot of books that I want to read in 2025 and I don’t know how this will fit. So, probably yes, someday, since it is not a long book, and I can probably eventually find a copy.

Thanks Tracy, good to hear your thoughts on these and I’m interested to know about Rachel’s Holiday. I have not read Marian Keyes before. I think 500 page books could often be better if they were cut. Still I’d like to read her.
And I look forward to the Vera Wong novel. It looks cute & good. Unfortunately I had to return the library book but plan to get it back. I just had too much. I will see what my husband thinks of the Joseph O’Connor book.
Are you interested in reading Stay With Me? It has some hard times in it but I wouldn’t mind reading the author’s follow-up novel. I often like African set books.
I’m glad you are against these darn awful tariffs which I totally don’t get. How does it help either side? blah. I hope you have a nice weekend and I plan to stop by your site soon. Cheers.

I am appalled at the tariffs (and everything else that is going on). Since you wrote this on the eighth, I can’t remember all the related things which happened and which was more recent. Much as I would like to I can’t ignore all the news. I had not hear about Louise Penney’s decision but I think it is a good one.

In your library loot, I have read Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice and loved it. It is not a typical mystery and I don’t know if that woull be good or bad from your point of view. I have only one book by Joseph O’Connor, which I must have had a long time because my notes say I bought it new at Borders. I haven’t read it yet. I want to read to read Creation Lake by Kushner, but I don’t have a copy yet.

In the long list for the Women’s Prize for Fiction… I will definitely read Tell Me Everything (this year I hope) and I have The Ministry of Time.

I am interested in The Safekeep but don’t know when I will get a copy. I haven’t read much about the Netherlands, and it is under 300 pages, so definitely worth a try.

I just finished Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes last night. Overall, I liked it. It gave me a lot to think about, and I like books that do that. It was 570 pages and I could have cut at least a hundred, but it was a good read and I was eager to get back to it each night.

And I nearly forgot to mention the lovely picture of the dogs. Always good to see them.

Hi BIP Marcie, glad you’ve stopped by. Thx I think my reading year is going steady but there’s so many more good ones I need to get to. I will stop by your site to see which books on the Prize list you’ve read & your thoughts.
You make a good point about more companies & media need to stand up against the US policies. Everyone seems financially afraid, sigh. But I really want Canada to stand firm and strong against these tariffs, which is so undeserving.
I’m glad I finally read The Leavers this year … and it’s still so relevant!
Hope you have a nice weekend … and I look forward to seeing your recent reads. Cheers.

Thanks Jinjer, the dogs will be pleased to hear the compliment, lol.
And that’s cool about your Mom. I’m not a big mystery reader, so I have not read Louise Penny either. But as a Canadian I need to. I applaud her move too!
Enjoy your weekend.

Thanks JoAnn, the dogs will keep appearing to help lift spirits.
Glad you liked The Safekeep too. I liked her writing style and look forward to what she writes next.
I can’t bear to see what’s going on in politics now — so bad in the USA. Sigh. Hang in there! Enjoy the beach walks.

Louise Penny’s decision made me cheer. I wish the Big Tech companies, and the journalists who kept quiet when the AP was banned from the American press pool (because their own access remained intact…for now) would stand up for principle with just this kind of spirit.

The Leavers is one that I really enjoyed. It kept me turning the pages for sure.

My Mom was a huge Louise Penny fan but I’ve never read her books. I support her decision re the US 100%

The Safekeep was an impressive novel – 4.5 stars for me, too. There are several more titles included in this post that I would like to read.

Keep the photos of Stella and Willow coming! They always make me smile.