A Round Up of What I'm Reading.

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I thought I'd do a little round up of books in my life right now. I am a reader, through and through, and I always have a lot of books around me, around my bed, on my desk, traveling in my bags, on my phone, and at my table. I read before I go to bed, I read in the moments in between, and I listen to audiobooks while I'm cooking or painting or cleaning. 

The very first book I want to tell you about is written by a friend of mine! Cate M Ruane is the pen name of my friend Cate. We have traveled together and lived together in our wild life, and she has been an Auntie to my kids. We talk about books as often as we can, and now she has published her book, Telegram for Mrs. Mooney. I read one of the earliest drafts of this book, and I read the published book, and I thought the same thing both times: 

I love Tommy Mooney. He is one of the scrappiest, quirkiest characters I've ever come across, and he is so lovable, so adventurous that I can't help but adore him. Cate M Ruane's first book is a cleverly drawn picture of war, culture, art and a fascinating era, through the lens of a twelve year old boy. It is World War II mystery, but it is more. I highly recommend it! And soon more are coming. Even better. 

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What else have I read recently? For my book group, I listened to the audio of A Gentleman in Moscow, which was excellent. Both the book and the audio version were like returning home at the end of a long day. A Gentlemen in Moscow is refined, lovely, full of characters you actually like.

I also listened to Killers of the Flower Moon, The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, which is quite a title. I'm so glad I read it. The Osage murders happened early in the twentieth century to the Osage tribe, centering around, surprise surprise, racism, oil, and wealth. It's another glimpse of the horrific way Indigenous people have been treated in the Americas, but the book is easy to read/listen to.

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Also on my To Be Read list are two books that I missed reading for Book Group when I was in India: Manhattan Beach, by Jennifer Egan, and A Country Between: Making a Home Where Both Sides of Jerusalem Collide, by Stephanie Saldaña (a book that people have assured me I will love). I'll let you know how I like them. 

I'm brushing up on my teenager skills. I have two at the moment, and one approaching swiftly. This is what happens when you have three kids in three years, the teens just keep coming. I have always loved teenagers and get along with them really well, but that doesn't mean I am not misunderstanding and being misunderstood by my own. After a few locked-horn battles, I am reaching for some reading. I'm currently listening to How to Listen so Teens Will Talk and Talk so Teens will Listen. And I have yet to dip back into Boundaries with Teens and Parenting Teens with Love and Logic, but they are on my Kindle.

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Recently I read I'll Be Your Blue Sky, by Marisa De Los Santos. I always love her books, finding unexpected depth in her stories. I'll Be Your Blue Sky was the third in a sort of series about a girl named Clare and the people around her, and it was beautiful. 
 

Also on my Kindle TBR list:

The Spirit of the Disciplines, by Dallas Willard
Abide with me by Elizabeth Strout
The Omnibus of the Crosswicks Journals, by Madeleine L'Engle
32 Yolks: From My Mother's Table to Working the Line, by Eric Ripert and Veronica Chambers
The Sacred Enneagram, by Christopher L Heuertz (I'm a 4)
The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness, by Timothy Keller
 

What are you reading lately? Anything good?

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