Category: Uncategorized

The Gilded Hour by Sara Donati…historical and long and an e book bargain

The Gilded Hour by [Sara Donati]Where the Light Enters by [Sara Donati]The Gilded Hour is a very long novel coming in at 742 pages.  If your dream is to read an absorbing story that will keep you going for days, this one is worth reading.

The  Gilded Hour is the first of two books with Where the Light Enters also having been published. 

The two main characters of the series are Anna and Sophie Savard.  Anna and Sophie are both physicians in turn of the century New York.  The city itself is portrayed in all its classes, from the poorest immigrants to the ballrooms.  Anna and Sophie are surrounded by a rich cast of characters, most fictional and a few historical.  Their relationships and work form the focus for the story.

Around this structure, there is something happening in New York.  If what I write next offends you, this will not be the book for you.  Women did not have access to much in the way of contraceptives at this time.  This led some to seek help in terminating pregnancies.  Anna and Sophie see that women are dying from procedures done by someone, but who? Who has done this will be a part of both of these novels, though I have only read the first.

I enjoyed The Gilded Hour and plan to read Where the Light Gets In.  Let me know what you think…have you read books by this author?

Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope

A good friend of mine recommended Trollope’s Barchester series to me and so this has been, in part, a Barchester summer. I just finished Barchester Towers and found it to be delightful. In this novel, Trollope creates a world and community in which it was easy to spend time.

There are many characters in this story, a number of whom were in The Warden. They felt like old friends when I came upon them. To the mix, Trollope adds a new Bishop, his domineering wife, an oily chaplain, a flirtatious invalid, suitors for a character from The Warden and more.

There are moments in the story that were very funny. At times, it also felt somewhat modern.

There is a lot about the structure of the Church, the politics behind appointments and questions about how things will work out. Readers will hope for the best for those they have come to like.

Trollope is an interesting narrator. At times, he breaks the fourth wall and intrudes into the story. Somehow it works.

Anyone looking to read some classics, give this a look. I plan to move on to the third in the series.

The Warden by Anthony Trollope

Tinkerbell and the Magic of Rushy Marsh Farm

by Monica McCourt

#TinkerbellandtheMagicofRushyMarshFarm #NetGalley

This book tells the story of Tinkerbelle and her rider. It is a conventional story of a horse and girl going to a show with an underlay of mindfulness techniques. Children who dream of riding in shows will enjoy this one. The illustrations are delightful, the story is sweet and the mindfulness suggestions may help young riders who feel a tad nervous.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Rushy Marsh Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 29 July 2025

38 pages

Children’s non fiction

The Beginner’s Cursive Handwriting Workbook by Connie Sloane

#TheBeginnersCursiveHandwritingWorkbook #NetGalley

While it is true that more and more is done on computers and devices, there is still something to be said for having cursive handwriting that is legible. Here, Sloane sets out to make what could be tedious practice a bit more fun.

I like that the author speaks directly to kids in the book’s beginning. There are then many exercises involving the tracing of letters, words and sentences. For kids who stick with it, there are some puzzles and games, along with writing prompts as they get further in the book. For those who get to the end, there is an achievement certificate.

In my opinion, this book would best be used for a few minutes each day. By the end of the summer, there just might be beautiful handwriting.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Cider Mill Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 15 July 2025

115 pages

Love on a Book Shelf by Kiah Thomas

I am always drawn to books that are about books so was quite interested in reading this novel. It was delightful.

Clarrie is trying her best to keep her grandmother’s bookshop open although it has not been easy. On one of her more difficult days, in walks author Declan. They snipe at each other a bit.

Fast forward to when Declan has a very successful novel out, and there are questions about who was the one to whom he dedicated it. It is a bit of a mystery.

But, the bigger mystery is the workings of love. Fans of the enemies to lovers trope will, I think, very much enjoy this one. Relax with this romance this summer, see how it goes, and brighten your day a bit.

This is Thomas’s first book for adults. I look forward to seeing what she writes next.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Pub date: 05 June 2025

Romance-Women’s fiction

368 pages