Or as I like to title this image: Wendy, Working a Sunday Shift at the Library. Seriously. Just. Like. This.
+++++
I burned through Anne of Green Gables on audiobook, which I enjoyed. I think I'm going to go through the rest of the series, but am taking breaks in between so I don't gorge myself on Americana Goodness and hit saturation levels.
I'm also pretty well invested in Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist, despite reading reviews on GoodReads that made my head explode. Gist has been moving away from inspirational with her last few books, but trust Auntie Wendy on this one - it's not like she's putting on latex, carrying a whip and going full blown Fifty on us.
Ladies, I know filthy naughty times and this is so far away from that - well let's just say please do not come over to the Bat Cave and go merrily traipsing through my bookshelves. The shock would either 1) kill you or 2) lead you to call a priest to perform an exorcism on me. Wait, does the priest look like Ewan McGregor in Angels & Demons? Maybe?
Anyhoodle.....
The "feel" of this story reminds me quite a bit of the Americana "sub genre" that existed in the 1990s and early 2000s. Folks like Pamela Morsi, Stephanie Mittman and Stef Ann Holm. That kind of vibe. So while I wouldn't say this book is inspirational per se, I'd still classify it as a gentle read (thus far). Time will tell, of course. I mean, I've got several hundred pages left. Full-length review will follow, I just need to read the whole book first.
I'm also finding myself hankering for Harlequin - which should shock no one. Looking back at my reading year thus far, I haven't really read that many category romances yet and Lord knows the last Harlequin Historical I read. I've got a couple library books I want to try, see if they hold my attention, but then I might go on a bit of a category binge. I certainly have plenty to choose from.
13 comments:
I'm so glad you are reading again--baby steps are good, it's inertia that kills you.
As I'm not a fan of inspirationals (of any stripe), I would not think to take a look at Ms Gist's latest if left to my own devices. However, all these canny hints are intriguing, so I await the full review fairly impatiently.
And Wendy? Thank you for always calling them as you see them.
Ooh, be careful of the Anne books. I read them in one huge binge and was so ready to move to a cottage by the sea and bake lemon cake for the rest of my life.
Tiffany Girl sounds great. The only other book I've read by Deeanne Gist is The Measure of a Lady, which was so interesting and well done.
I think the thing that makes Anne of Green Gables last is the similar to what makes Jane Austen last. Both authors understood how people in a small, enclosed community act and were able to portray those characters in a way that was funny and mostly kind. There is the occasional real villain or barbed remark, but what stays with me are the characters like Rachel Lynde.
Wendy, you make me happy. :)
After reading this, I of course had to go check out Goodreads. I read and often enjoy some inspies, but holy cats! Some of those GR reviews were..erm....maybe not so helpful to me.
Another squee for Anne of Green Gables! I so love those books. The Emily of New Moon trilogy is also good.
Wendy, I'm so glad you're reading, just be certain we'd like to know all about your opinions!!!
As for Deeanne Gist's book, well I haven't read this one but I did others by her. I totally understand what you mean about reviews on GR, there's one in particular that's...well, neutral or fair isn't what I'd call it. lol
Happy reading!
Inspies aren't really my cuppa, although I've read the odd one here and there that were quite good - mostly the stories were decent and the Inspy parts were well integrated so I didn't feel as they were being rammed down my throat!!
I've read quite a few good Harlequin Historicals lately, so when you get around to them, there's some good stuff in store. Marguerite Kaye's Strangers at the Altar and The Soldier's Dark Secret, Georgie Lee's A Debt Paid in Marriage and Sarah Mallory's A Lady for Lord Randall have all been B grade and above reads for me.
If you enjoyed Anne of Green Gables, try the Betsy Tacy books. And start with Betsy Tacy. Like the Little House books, these are a fictionalized memoir. On my last vacation, I actually had the opportunity to see Betsy's and Tacy's houses! It was a stellar moment and the high point of my trip. I even sat on THE BENCH (not the original, this is definitely new).
I've read a couple of Deanne Gist's books and really enjoy them. They've always been light on the inspirational stuff, as far as I can tell.
Does anyone know why inspies have such a wide range of historical periods vs. the annoying fixation on Regency/Victorian England that you get in regular historicals?
AL: I love westerns (as you know), but I really wish there were more "Americana"-type romances out there. This new one from Gist is reminding me of that.
Kate: Bwahahaha! Which is why I think I need to take it easy on the Anne books. I was ready to run away to Prince Edward Island at the end of the first book. Lord knows what would happen if I binge-listened / read the entire series back-to-back.
Jill: Agreed. There is a truth to those characters. How many of us truly have known pure evil? We're more likely to have spent our lives dealing with the Rachel Lynde's and Josie Pye's of this world.
PK: Be honest, it was the killer Batgirl image, right?
Lynn & Sonia: I need to stay the heck away from GR when it comes to inspy reviews. They always toss the p word around like they actually know what p0rn is. I feel like leaving a comment, "Honey, I know what p0rn is and trust me....this ain't it. Not even close." And then, just for kicks - offer to send them a Black Lace novel. Bwahahahahaha!
Caz: I have both of those Marguerite Kaye titles (she's a favorite of mine) along with the upcoming Cheryl St. John and Michelle Willingham. Plus, I know I have others. I just need to find them on my K*ndle. An excuse to make an HH folder perhaps?
Jill: This is the second mention of the Betsy Tacy books I've seen in as many days and....I don't think I've ever heard of them? I probably shouldn't say that out loud. They might revoke my Librarian Card!
Goerikgo: I honestly have NO idea, and believe you me it's a major gripe I have with secular publishing. Also the fact that the inspirational covers do a better job with costumes etc. I'm at the point where I literally tune out women falling out of prom dresses and guys who can't find a shirt to put on. But the historical inspirational covers? Happy sigh. The period dress, the focus on a CLOTHED heroine? I love that stuff.
I like the new Batgirl :) does that mean you're changing your image and updating the blog a little? :P
Are you going to review Tiffany Girl?
Nath: Are you saying I need to update the blog a little? LOL I think about it, have even tinkered with creating a new banner - just haven't come up with something that I like / doesn't look too amateurish. I do like that new Batgirl image tho. I should tinker again....
And yes, I will review Tiffany Girl just as soon as I finish it. Sigh. It's good. I'm enjoying it. I'm almost done with it. Just hard to find snatches of reading time this week.
LOL. Nope, I think your blog is good :) however, if you were feeling like updating it, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so :)
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