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A Narrow Door
A Narrow Door by Joanne Harris. OrangeSky Audio It’s the beginning of a new school year at St. Oswald’s Academy and the way of things has changed considerably. Roy Straitley, the long-standing master of Latin is still there but the latest change might be a step too far. The school now admits girls and the new headmaster is a woman, Rebecca Buckfast. Straitley’s Brody boys come to see him the day before classes begin and report having found a body on the site of the new swimming facility that is under construction. After a number of scandals in recent years, Straitly is reluctant to report this incident but goes to…
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Klara and the Sun
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro. Penguin Random House Klara is an AF, or artificial friend, who is waiting to be chosen by a child or teenager. She sits in her store and takes in the world as she sees it, learning more and more as time passes. Eventually, Klara is chosen by Josie and goes home with her. Her “life” is much changed with Josie and much of it revolves around how unwell Josie is. I really enjoyed much of the first part of the book. Klara had a charming innocence about her along with a desire to learn so much. The latter parts were not as appealing…
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The Alchemist
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Santiago is a shepherd who is happy with his life. But he’s been having a recurring dream and when he seeks answers to its meaning, he is sent off on a life journey to discover his “Personal Legend” and this takes him to from Spain to Egypt. The story is supposed to be some sort of parable full of life lessons. This is another of those books I’ve heard about for many years and is supposed to be a modern classic. The blurb didn’t really interest me that much but I thought perhaps it would move me in some way if I read it. Unfortunately,…
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The Bookbinder’s Daughter
The Bookbinder’s Daughter by Jessica Thorne. Bookouture Audio Sophie is an accomplished bookbinder, taught by her father, also a bookbinder. It happens that her mother was also one too. Once upon a time, they lived at Ayredale and life was good. But then, some trauma occurred where Sophie’s mother disappears and Sophie forgets most of the details of her life before the trauma. Since then, Sophie has never been back to Ayredale, mostly due to her father’s wishes. But after her father dies, Sophie is contacted by her uncle Edward, brother to her mother, and offered a job at what is called the Special Collection. There are a few aspects…
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How To Talk to a Goddess
Nearly four years ago I was browsing shelves at a local library and The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Real Magic by Emily Croy Barker caught my attention. It was a paperback and rather thick, as these sorts of fantasy books tend to be. Anyway, I checked it out and read it and I was in love. It was a fantasy book about magic, unlike anything I’d read. There was action, drama, and a bit more than a suggestion of a blooming romance. I really loved the writing: it was just a joy to read the words. I have read it a couple more times since then and still take delight…