Book Review: Galinda: A Charmed Childhood by Gregory Maguire

My Review

Galinda: A Charmed Childhood is a prequel to Wicked.  It tells the story of Galinda's childhood.  She is the youngest child and only daughter of a high born family who are facing some challenges.  Galinda believes she was born for more.  She dances in competitions and dreams of tiaras and pursuing her dreams - although she isn't sure what they are yet.  

I wanted to read Galinda: A Charmed Childhood because I love Wicked.  It's one of my top 10 favorite novels.  Learning about Galinda's childhood was intriguing!

This is a very interesting novel.  Surprisingly, it took me a little bit to get into the story but then I was immersed and really enjoyed the read.  It's a leisurely paced book with a lot about Galinda's family - her father, who is a businessman, her mother, who is often absent, and her grandmother, who may or may not have some magical powers.  Her brother Ham also has a subplot that runs through the story as well.

I have always been an Elphaba fan, but this novel gave me more empathy for Galinda.  Her childhood was definitely not a completely rosy picture.  I loved her flights of fancy when she had an imaginary playmate, when she dreamed big, when she wondered "what if."

The writing is, of course, vivid and lovely, with descriptions like:

"She was a fluster of pretty impatience, that child. She arrived at any doorway prepared to deliver a full sentence, an opening line, as if conversation was always stalled until she sailed into the room to initiate it. (eBook location 160)

and

" . . . interfered with the sealed globe of her own private Essence of Galinda. Which was like a bespoke perfume— it announced her and it completed her at the same time. If her father’s hand rested on her head, she could think about his hand, but when it withdrew, she’d waft on, forgetful, even oblivious. She was eight." (eBook location 193)

I recommend Galinda: A Charmed Childhood for readers who enjoyed Wicked and the other books in this series.  This novel brings something unique to the Wicked narrative that I think you will enjoy.

Thanks to William Morrow and Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book.

Weekend Window Shopping at Birdhouse Books - Vintage Advertising Postcards

I am still going through the big estate of postcards I found last year.  They are so much fun to research and to list!   The postcards featured today are all advertising cards - you'll find them in my shop.

This 1907 Stanley Steamer car postcard is an advertisement for Citizens and Southern Banks in Georgia and their available car loans.

I have two Ken Holmes illustrated postcards with a little cartoon about old timey service stations.  On the back of each card you will find an ad for the Big Bend Service Station in Van Horn, Texas ... with a listing of how far different travel destinations are from Van Horn.  Card 1 ... Card 2

Another Mid-Century card is an advertisement for National Awnings in Atlanta.  

I have many more unique postcards to list, and will post more updates here!

Book Review - Love Felt Like This by Julie Olivia

My Review

Love Felt Like This is the story of Beverly and Griffin.  Beverly is a sunny puppeteer.  Griffin is a gruff musician who is a single dad to a two year old daughter, Ava.  They come together, unexpectedly, over work and discover they work surprisingly well together.  Griffin travels to Beverly's small North Carolina mountain hometown with his daughter.  They stay with Beverly's family so he can work on some children's songs for the TV show she is working to revive;  Griffin also is working on original music after a long writing block.  They begin to connect personally, despite many obstacles.  What happens next is their story.

I wanted to read Love Felt Like This because I loved the author's If It Makes You Happy last year.  The characters in this story sounded appealing and unique.

I am now putting Julie Olivia on my list of authors that I always look for.  I have absolutely loved her last two novels.  Love Felt Like This is such a fresh and utterly original love story.  Beverly and Griffin felt so real.  Their story is warm and sincere.  They meet while working on their respective careers - which are both in a challenging place.  A relationship is the last thing either of them is looking for.  

Olivia had a long and difficult relationship with her high school sweetheart turned musician.  Griffin's priorities are getting his songwriting back on track and taking care of his young daughter.  I loved the friendship that sparks first between them, with sparks they both resist.  These are characters I genuinely liked.  Olivia's work was fascinating;  I have to say I've never read a book about a puppeteer before, especially with a lot of behind the scenes work details.  I also really loved her family, who are an important part of this story.  (And Pudge the Basset Hound!)

I enthusiastically recommend Love Felt Like This for anyone who wants to enjoy a heartfelt back and forth love story between two quirky and likable characters.  Five stars!

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Company and Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book.

Book Spotlight and Giveaway - One of Our Darcies is Dead: A Hawthorne Cove Mystery by Grace Caldwell

Book Synopsis

The residents of Hawthorne Cove are determined to prove their seaside town deserves a place on every literary lover’s travel list. With a brand-new Jane Austen Festival, charming boutiques, and enough Regency flair to satisfy even the most devoted Austen fan, they’re ready for their grand debut. But when opening night ends with a dead Mr. Darcy, literature professor Chloe Sinclair, in town to escape a life that hasn’t gone to plan, learns that the most captivating stories aren’t always the ones written in books.

Author Bio

Grace Caldwell writes cozy mysteries for people who’d bring a book to a murder. An award-winning screenwriter and a professor of creative writing and literature, she’s published across more genres than she can reasonably list at a dinner party, but cozy mysteries are where she feels most at home. She lives in Central Florida with two fluffy feline assistants, Elsa and Anna, who supervise every page and approve of none of her deadlines.

Author Links

Website https://www.gracecaldwell.com/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590292063669

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gracecaldwellbooks/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@gracecaldwellbooks

Purchase Links: https://www.gracecaldwell.com/shop  AMAZON 

Giveaway 

Book Review - 'Tis the Season to Be Scary by Vicki Delany (A Year-Round Christmas Mystery)

My Review

Merry Wilkinson, who owns a Christmas shop in Rudolph, New York, is excited about a big Halloween season fundraiser at the local inn.  Her best friend, Vicky, is providing baked goods for the event - all from her new cookbook, which is about to be published.  Unfortunately, a guest dies - after eating one of Vicky's cake pops.  As danger (and spooky happenings!) increases, Merry tries to solve the mystery.

I wanted to read 'Tis the Season to Be Scary because I love cozy mysteries and enjoy the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series.  

As always, I enjoyed the holiday theme in this book -- with Halloween as well as plenty of Christmas references, thanks to Merry's shop.

I like Merry as an amateur detective.  She's smart and resourceful, even in the face of danger (and there is a scary car chase in this book).  I also like her boyfriend Alan, her friends, her family, and - of course - her Saint Bernard dog Matterhorn.

This is a well written, lively paced mystery.  There were several strong suspects and I enjoyed sleuthing along with Merry.  (I was suspicious of the killer!)

I recommend 'Tis the Season to Be Scary for fans of cozy mysteries, and especially for readers who enjoy small town settings and holiday themes.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book.