I can’t do justice to this book with a review. It is one of the most moving stories I’ve ever read from a Holocaust survivor.

Michael Frank interviewed Stella for 6 years on Saturdays to learn her history from the beginning on the Greek island of Rhodes to the horror of Auschwitz and Dachu to her immigration to America.

At the time of publication in 2022 she was 98 years old. I found a YouTube video from 2024 where she was awarded the Pomegranate Lifetime Achievement Award at 100.

Her story is one to take in a few chapters at a time and then reflect. If you aren’t moved by the horrors experienced and the trials and tribulations she experienced the rest of her life (still alive today I believe) then you have no heart and zero empathy and/or sympathy.

I shared two of my favorite quotes from Stella Levi. Basically accept each other and love each other. We are all human.

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What a fun read!

Lida Mae is the youngest of the three Beiler girls. She has grown up as her dad’s right hand man helping with the breeding and training on their horse farm. All is well until her mother puts her foot down and demands Lida Mae to act like a proper Amish woman. She may continue her stained glass art but not the horse breeding and training. Her father brings up a young man from Texas, Tom, whose family has given their farm to their oldest boy. Tom and Lida Mae see the best in each other and understand what the other feels when their life is being ran by others. Can they find a way to help each get what the other wants?

I enjoyed everything about this book. It was fun to read the stained glass portion as I knew exactly what Lida Mae was explaining to Tom. Last year I took a few stained glass classes through our local extension office.

Lida Mae is a strong-willed character who knows what she wants but also understands as an Amish woman she must defer to her parents especially her dad. She needed someone like Tom who could see her for who she is and not be intimidated.

I can’t wait to see how their story unfolds. Hoping we get a glimpse when we get Rhoda’s story.

I received a complimentary copy from the author with no requirement to leave a positive review. The review above is in my own words.

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Lady Frances is happily engaged to George until a woman Irena, claims to be George’s wife. She also claims to the illegitimate daughter of Russian royalty. Lady Frances is aghast until George shows up and puts the world right by declaring Irena is not his wife! Unfortunately, a few days later Irena is found dead in Lady Frances’ garden. Now Lady Frances and George must clear their names before tragedy strikes again.

I find this series so fun. It is funny what was shocking in Victorian times compared to now. I am not sure much is shocking anymore. Can you imagine at night attending balls and operas on the regular? I find it vey tiring. Although those seem to be the places that have the best gossip.

I have listened to this series more than read due to what is available through my library. The narrator is enjoyable to listen to and gets all the scandalous parts correct with her inflection.

I will continue this series.

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If you like family drama stories then The Wedding People is for you.

I had to sit with my thoughts a bit before attempting a review. I enjoyed so much I gave it 5 stars. It’s a story that stays with you.

If you follow on IG and saw my recent story where I mentioned I wasn’t sure how to feel about it let me explain. I compare it to a horrible event that you are a witness to and you can’t not look. You try not to but you keep turning your head to watch everything unfold.

Let me give you a very brief synopsis. Phoebe has decided she is done with life and books a room at the Cornwall Inn in Rhode Island. Unbeknownst to her there is an exclusive wedding (week) starting the night she checks in. Lila has put together a $1 million wedding to Gary. We follow Lila and Phoebe through the entire wedding week.

First, who has an entire week of wedding events? Second, who spends a $1 million dollars on a wedding??? I was so thrown by both aspects. If we spent over $3000 for ours (George Strait concert included) I would be surprised. And I thought it was the best day ever. Family and friends that meant something to us were there and everyone enjoyed themselves.

I was not a fan of Lila. Spoiled, bratty, and childish. For being late 20s she has so much growing up to do. I would be embarrassed to act the way she did.

Phoebe was a character that you wanted to avoid but at the same time wrap her up and promise that life is not so bad. I would love a second book and see how she fared with her decisions she made at the end.

Theresa are a lot of possible triggers in this book. Suicidal thoughts, death of a parent/spouse, death of a pet, depression, and divorce. Nothing extensive or gory.

Prepare to be immersed in a story of drama that makes you think about your own life.

The second picture is from our wedding reception when we opened the quilt my mamaw made by hand.

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What is home to you? Home was always wherever my parents were. It was the place I felt the most love. It is now where my hubby is. Wherever he is I am loved.

Vanessa’s family has a beautiful ruby ring that her great-grandfather found in France during WWII. It is handed down to the next generation at a special time. Unfortunately during a ski vacation with her daughter after her military husband died heroically she loses the ring. She never gave up hope of finding it.

Four years later after dropping her daughter off at college she stops in an antique store. There she meets Ben. A friendship develops that’s hints at more. Is she ready to move on? Will the ring find her again one day?

Military love stories never grow old in my eyes but this one hit especially close to the heart. Our state has tragically lost two young soldiers in the past month to war. Vanessa talks about losing her husband while he was deployed and you couldn’t help but be sniffly. Her daughter has a tense night when she doesn’t hear from her boyfriend who is deployed himself. The fear comes off the page which I think is fantastic writing.

This is a quick read with shorter chapters so it was perfect for the treadmill. A read that is worth reading at anytime of year not just Christmas.

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Days at the Morisaki Bookshop is a love story to readers everywhere.

Takako has recently broke up with her boyfriend and to heal she moves to help her uncle at his bookshop. Takako is not a reader until she finds THE book. The book that makes her a reader.

Everyone can relate to something in this book. The thrill of staying up late into the night to read just one more chapter. The book that you read over and over again because it makes you happy. The comfort of walking into your favorite bookstore.

While this is a love letter to readers it is also a story about finding yourself.

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I won’t pretend and say this is a book I would have randomly picked and read. My county extension office book club has a requirement to read one art book a year. This was my choice.

I’m not a huge fan or art and art museums. I’ll look at art and say oh that’s pretty or what in the world??? Maybe I’m not sophisticated enough to grasp the beauty.

I found this interesting. I took copious notes (mainly so I would pay attention). I did learn a few things.

If you want to learn about art and the different periods without taking classes this is a good book to start learning.

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I can’t knit or crochet worth a hoot but sure do enjoy reading cozy mysteries centered around those hobbies. We are settling in nicely this round of cozy mystery book bingo. Week 2 was a cozy with a cat on the cover. Perfect opportunity to start this 3 book series and read a book off my own bookshelf.

Lia has moved to Crandalsburg after the death of her husband and has found a way to get to know the community and sell the creations from her old community. She sets up at the Crandalsburg Craft Fair every weekend. Her best friend runs the fair and comes under suspicion of her ex-husband’s death when he is found in the barn that holds the fair. As Lia tries to help find the real murderer her daughter returns home and agrees to help.

I am already a fan of this series and am disappointed it is only 3 books. If you like Peggy Ehrhart’s Knit and Nibble series I think you will like this as well. A cozy series set in a quaint cozy town, filled with “grandma” hobbies, and friends.

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Dinner at the Night Library upon first glance looks like a light and easy read but once you get to the end you realize how deep the story goes.

Otoha has accepted a position with the Night Library in the outskirts of Tokyo after being fired from her local library. An unfair firing. Once at the Night Library she finds a group of eclectic people with stories of their own. They all have one thing in common: they are hiding from something in their past. What they don’t realize is there is one person who believes in them…the anonymous library owner.

This could have been a quick read but I’m glad I read a chapter a day and thought on it. Each chapter seemed to have a life lesson hidden in it if you really looked. Was it a life changing read? No. Was it enjoyable? Yes. Did I learn from reading it? Yes.

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