Books Etc.

Shelf Stories! Almost seven years ago I read Jo Baker's LONGBOURN, which tells the story of Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE from the servants' perspective. I remember liking it, but not loving it, even though I absolutely ADORED the idea behind the story.... Not long after the book was published, TIFF Bell Lightbox was holding an event featuring an interview between Baker and Eleanor Wechtel, from CBC Radio, and a screening of the 2005 Pride and Prejudice film starring Keira Knightly and Matthew MacFadyen. Since I live a bit far from Toronto, I couldn't quite justify buying a ticket for a movie I owned but then I ended up winning two tickets! I convinced my friend Lydia to come with me and we had a lovely time surrounded by other Austen lovers. I have a full event recap on the blog (search for Longbourn) and I'll share more photos and tidbits in my stories. Have you read this one? What's your favourite Austen novel and adaptation? #ShelfStories #SundayShelfStories #shelfstory #bookevent #shelfie #bookshelfie #bookshelf #bookstagram #signedbook #bookish #bookenablers #booklover #booksofinsta #booksofinstagram #bookblogger #bookreviewer #PrideandPrejudice #Longbourn #TIFFBellLightbox

Messy bun secured (for now), mug of tea in hand, ereader(s) at the ready, cozy blanket to burrow into. Check. Check. Check. And check! This bookworm is ready to take on the weekend after a week that left a lot to be desired. How are you spending this last weekend of summer? Yes, it is STILL summer here even if it doesn't feel like it. I'm opening a bottle of rosé later because I'm hanging onto the summer feels for as long as possible. I think it will pair nicely with THE ONE ...THAT GOT AWAY by Karina Halle, which I'll start reading today. #weekend #weekendvibes #bookstagram #bookworm #saturday #teacup #tea #booksandtea #teaandbooks #bookenablers

Happy hour is looking a lot different these days. I miss being able to sit on the back deck in the sunshine and warm weather. Now I'm curled up on the couch under a cozy blanket. I suppose some would say the weather lends itself better to a book like Gilly Macmillan's upcoming novel. To Tell You the Truth comes out on Tuesday - is it on your TBR? I'm about a quarter of the way through and have absolutely no idea what is going to happen. What are you reading and drinking on th...is Friday Jr.? #amreading #currentlyreading #currentread #bookstagram #bookblogger #happyhour #wineandbooks #booksandwine #wine #drinklocal #longweekendwine #ToTellYouTheTruth #booksofhcc #bookenablers

Does anyone else have fun ordering cards and postcards that you're then going to send to friends? Just me? I have a lot of happy mail to send out now that I have this awesome set of 100 postcards featuring bookstores from around the world. SO COOL.... I ordered the cards, which are made by @chroniclebooks, from @curiosasociety - a store I've followed on social from the beginning but have yet to visit in person. Maybe someday... Do you like sending happy mail to friends? PS that bookstore cat's name is Frodo. Because of course the cards give us important information like that! #postcard #happymail #snailmail #mail #quarantineshopping #curiosasociety #curiosa #postcards #bookstore #bookshop

Happy Sunday! I'm going to start the next book in Nina West's Dirty Empire series today and I cannot wait to see what happened after the MAJOR cliffhanger in GABRIEL FALLEN. http://booksandstuff-kstar.blogspot.com//review-gabriel-fa

Shelf Stories! This week's featured book is a really, really special one. I've known Samantha M. Bailey for over seven years (having finally met her in person almost exactly seven years ago - thanks, Facebook memories!) I'd heard her stories of working on a thriller, something new for her, and cheered her on as she accomplished each milestone. I was overcome with joy when I was finally able to hold a finished copy of her bestselling novel, WOMAN ON THE EDGE, in my hands. (Als...o, I actually squealed when the publisher sent me an ARC.) And then I was blown away when I realized she had thanked me, along with other lovely bloggers, in her acknowledgements. How sweet is that? Last November I went to Sam's launch with Lydia Laceby - Author, an author herself, and we both had giant grins (and sometimes happy tears in our eyes) for the entire night as we watched Sam and her novel being celebrated. It was one of the happiest, most wonderful book launches I've ever been to. This book is a must read for anyone who likes a good, well written thriller. I can't wait for Sam's next novel! #ShelfStories #SundayShelfStories #shelfstory #shelfie #bookshelfie #bookshelf #bookstagram #signedbook #bookish #bookenablers #booklover #booksofinsta #booksofinstagram #bookblogger #bookreviewer #WomanOnTheEdge

Did you see the gorgeous cover for Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye by Jacquelyn Middleton? It's being published on November 26, 2020! Add it to your Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2QIWI57

Happy release day to THE NIGHT PORTRAIT by Laura Morelli! This dual timeline historical fiction novel takes place during the 15th and 20th centuries. I had never read a WWII book that was also connected to Leonardo da Vinci and that was what drew me to the story. Plus, the history behind the works of art that were stolen by the Nazis and recovered by the Monuments Men is one that is quite fascinating to me. Ultimately this one missed the mark for me but so far I seem to be in... the minority. My full review is on the blog today so check it out if you want to hear more on why this one wasn't as amazing as I'd hoped. What's your favourite kind of historical fiction to read? (And, obviously, it's OK if that's not your genre!) #bookstagram #newrelease #TheNightPortrait #historicalfiction #booksofinstagram #booksofhcc #booksofig #bookenablers

Need a great historical fiction novel in your life? I read Julia Kelly's THE WHISPERS OF WAR back in March and loved it so much it was hard to sit down and write about it. I finally did and you can read all the gushing here: https://booksandstuff-kstar.blogspot.com//review-whispers-

Shelf Stories! The next book I'm showcasing also has a connection to my internship at Random House. I was finishing up my three months when I heard Kate Atkinson would be at an event in Toronto that April. The publicist got me a ticket so I took myself to the city. I was really looking forward to it as LIFE AFTER LIFE was so amazing and has one of my favourite covers of all time. Honestly, I don't remember much about the event. I was a bit starstruck because I knew how huge A...tkinson was. What I do remember is it was April 15, 2013. Seems strange to know the date and not much about the event, right? I remember it because I had the radio on as I drove into Toronto and all of a sudden there were reports of bombs at the Boston Marathon. It seemed a bit...frivolous, I guess, to be at this wonderful book event when so many people had been injured for no reason. That event will always be tied into a tragic day in my mind but I'm so thankful I was able to attend the talk and hear from such a talented author. #ShelfStories #SundayShelfStories #bookstagram #signedbook #bookish #bookenablers #booklover #booksofinsta #booksofinstagram #bookblogger #bookreviewer #KateAtkinson #LifeAfterLife #bookcover

It's feeling a little like fall these days so it's a perfect time to pick up A SWEET ALASKAN FALL by Jennifer Snow (and the rest of the books in her Wild River series). https://booksandstuff-kstar.blogspot.com//review-sweet-ala

My ereader got a NSFW upgrade thanks to @naughtyflorals. I first spotted Naughty Florals at a @ooak_toronto show and knew at some point I'd have to buy all of the things from her. A few weeks ago I finally made an order that was full of stickers for gifts and cards to mail (mostly for Christmas) - and one sticker for me! The quality and originality of her work is great and I already look forward to ordering more gifts from her (and, yes, likely gifts for myself as well). Now ...my kobo is as potty mouthed as I am and ready for more reading adventures! Anyone else a big fan of stickers? Is this a holdover from being a child of the 90s? You all had sticker books too, right? Right?! #NaughtyFlorals #stickers #ereader #bookstagram #bookenablers #bookblogger #booklover

Somehow we're three weeks away from the Welland Historical Museum 's event with Genevieve Graham, Author ! I'm trying not to stress but: 1. I'm planning the event with my colleagues; and 2. I'll be the one interviewing Genevieve on the 23rd.... There's a lot going on in my brain! I am really, really looking forward to it though and I hope everyone else is too. It's going to be a virtual event so anyone, anywhere can participate. We'll talk about her amazing (and bestselling) novel, The Forgotten Home Child, and the history behind the inspiration for it - the British home children who were shipped to Canada in the thousands many years ago. Locals can buy a copy from Someday Books and get a signed bookplate from Genevieve. And it's ok if you don't finish the book in time for the fundraiser! There will be no spoilers! I hope you can join us - check the Museum's website for details!

It's only Tuesday (I think?) but it's already been a week! However! Today my colleagues and I submitted a massive grant application so I am celebrating with my last bottle of @longweekendwine rosé and my first book of the month. I've been wanting to read THE GUEST LIST and it finally came in for me from the library. Have you read this one yet? I feel like I've been seeing it everywhere! What will your first read of the month be?... #roseallday #wineandbooks #booksandwine #wine #drinklocal #TheGuestList #booksofhcc #amreading #currentread #currentlyreading #bookenablers #booksofinstagram #booksofig #booksofinsta

Shelf Stories! Way back in early 2013 I was interning at Random House Canada in the publicity department. There was murmuring about finding out who the author was behind the book S.E.C.R.E.T., a feminist erotic novel. It was the first in a series that featured a woman trying to get her life back on track and getting involved with a secret society whose purpose was to help women fulfill their every desire. It was revealed the author was Lisa Gabriele and when the second book w...as published, S.E.C.R.E.T. SHARED, RHC held a lunch event for bloggers and reviewers with Gabriele. It was a great time and meeting Gabriele was so fun. I probably could have spent all afternoon with her, and the rest of the women, chatting about anything and everything over a glass of wine or three. Over the years I've suggested these books to those looking for sexy, intelligent reads and I imagine they'd hold up, even several years later. #ShelfStories #SundayShelfStories #bookstagram #signedbook #ReadCanadian #ReadRomance #CanadianAuthors #bookish #bookenablers #booklover #LMarieAdeline #booksofinsta #booksofinstagram #bookblogger #bookreviewer

Happy weekend! Looking for a sweet romance? SUNSHINE ON SILVER LAKE might be for you! (I don't know if it was exactly for *me* but that's ok!) http://booksandstuff-kstar.blogspot.com//review-sunshine-o

I always love getting book mail from the lovely folks at @pgcbooks. This ARC of EVENING, by Nessa Rapoport, arrived in the mail yesterday and I was happy to see an interview with the author in today's Globe & Mail. The novel, which is out on Tuesday, follows Eve as she goes home after the premature death of her sister. As the family sits shiva, they have no idea the sisters fought two weeks before Tam died and never spoke again. Sounds intriguing, doesn't it? Side note: If yo...u haven't received any book mail lately, or even if you have, may I suggest you mask up and visit your local bookstore today, on independent bookstore day? #bookmail #bookhaul #bookstagram #bookblogger #booklover #booksofinstagram #ReadCanadian #bookenablers

TGIF, am I right? Tonks has no idea what day it but I am thankful it's the weekend. Lots of time for reading and wine drinking. And obviously I must pay close attention to Her Majesty and bestow many pets and treats. The things we do for our animals, right? I'm going to start Sweet Mercy by Nina West this weekend because a sexy romance pairs very well with a glass (or four) of wine. Also because the third in the series comes out next month and I'm really looking forward to bi...ngeing all three like I did with her Wolf Hotel series. What will you be reading and drinking this weekend?

Confessions of a reader: I tend to treat ARCs terribly. Dog ear pages? Yep. Toss around the house? Sometimes. Splay open even when a favourite bookmark is *right there*? Absolutely. I only do this with advanced copies, though. They're not exactly made to last - I've had a couple over the years that have had pages fall out. All of my other, finished books? They're my precious babies and sometimes the read ones look like they've never been opened.... What about you? Do you have bad reading habits? PS Confessions of a Forty-Something was such a fantastic read and I highly recommend it. #bookstagram #bookenablers #readinghabits #bookmark #reader #readersofig #readersofinstagram #bibliophile #bookblogger

Want to become more financially literate and not feel like a complete idiot? Read Lisa Leong's HAPPY GO MONEY. She breaks down everything in a way that's easy to understand and, dare I say it, fun.

I have a confession: HERE AND NOW will be my first Santa Montefiore novel. I've seen her books and been interested but just haven't read one yet. Thankfully, the lovely folks at Simon & Schuster Canada sent me a copy of her latest, which is described as "a touching and bittersweet intergenerational story about family and the power of memory" so I can see what her books are all about. I'm very much looking forward to starting it today - a little belatedly as today is the publi...cation date. (So many books, so little time, am I right?) Second confession: I most definitely brought this with me on my road trip this weekend to have a different background to play with. Worth it. Have you read any of Montefiore's novels before? What are you reading this week? Any new books you're looking forward to? #bookstagram #bookenablers #NewRelease #amreading #currentlyreading #currentread #HereandNow #bookblogger #booksofinstagram #igreads #bookish #booksofig #bookishcanadians #bibliophile #booklover #gifted

Things I've learned during the pandemic: I like detective mysteries set in small English towns. We finished watching Broadchurch and I read Ann Cleeves' THE LONG CALL. I enjoyed both even though I was well behind the times on both. Cleeves has so many books so I have lots to look forward to!

I'll admit I was a *bit* wary of reading Beth O'Leary's new book because I loved The Flatshare so much. I shouldn't have worried. I ADORED The Switch.

Introducing: Shelf Stories! A few weeks ago I was telling a story of how I had met a particular author and @megmcreads told me I had such interesting author stories. So, I thought, why not share them? We're not having events like we used to so I'm going to take a trip down memory lane. Every week for the foreseeable future I'll take a book off my signed bookshelf and tell you about how I met the author. The loose plan is to go alphabetical on this shelf (which is how I have t...hem organized because you can take the girl out of the library and bookstore but you can't take the need to alphabetize out of the girl) and talk about most of the titles. Not all because there are A LOT (I think over 100?). How about you? What are some of your interesting "met the author" stories? #ShelfStories #SundayShelfStories #shelfie #bookshelf #bookblogger #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #booksofig #bookenablers #bookblogger #bookspines #bookshelfie

Thursday mood. It's been a week so I haven't picked up a book (or an e-reader) since Monday. I think I also had a bit of a book hangover from my last read that I really, really liked. I don't know how much I'll get read tonight but, for now, I'm going to sip my wine and start @audreycarlan 's WHAT THE HEART WANTS.... What was the last book to give you a book hangover? Anyone else feeling the nuttiness of this week? #bookstagram #bookenablers #amreading #currentlyreading #currentread #WhattheHeartWants #wineandbooks #wine #drinklocal #romance #romancereader #wineandwords #readbetweenthewine #CanadianGothic #rosebush #FridayJr

This feels like the Mondayest Wednesday ever but I have tea, I have an adorable furry coworker, and I have wine and a book for the end of the work day. Things could be worse! What are you reading today? I have to choose a new book to read from the MANY on my TBR. #bookstagram #tea #MorningTea #teaandbooks #bookshelf #shelfie #DoWhatYouLove #bookenablers

Happy weekend! You should read LOVEWRECKED by Karina Halle. Yes, it's about a shipwreck and a deserted island but it's full of sexy times and deep conversations. It's wonderful.

Happy Friday! Here's today's edition of "this is not my actual reading view"! I've been working from home since March but today I had to head to work for a photo opp with the local newspaper. After that was taken care of, I wandered down to the canal, which is right across from the museum. I haven't had the chance to explore since I haven't really worked in the building. I definitely could have stayed there all afternoon with my book but, alas, I went home to get some more wo...rk done. I'm going to start my ARC of @alexandrapotter 's CONFESSIONS OF A FORTY SOMETHING this weekend (thank you to @pgcbooks for the copy and @lifeloveandadane for helping me choose between two titles for my next read). What will you be reading this weekend? Where would you rather be reading? (Unless you're in an ideal spot which means I am both jealous of and happy for you.) #bookstagram #bookenablers #currentread #bookblogger #bookreviewer #bibliophile #igreads #confessionsofafortysomethingfkup #reader #canadianbibliophiles #canadianbookworm #bookcommunity #readersofinstagram #readersofig

"Literature has been the ruling passion of my life." - David Hume Just before things went bonkers in North America, I went on a quick trip to Scotland with my sister. While wandering the streets of Edinburgh, I dragged her into the National Library of Scotland, as one does. I very much enjoyed the Scottish Enlightenment exhibit they had on at the time and couldn't leave without taking a photo of their stairs. Who else can agree with this quote?... #tbt #throwbackthursday #vacation #edinburgh #scotland #bibliophile #booklover #wanderlust #VisitEdinburgh

Take me out to the ball game... Baseball has been back on our TVs for a few weeks now but today is an important day for Jays fans...the Toronto Blue Jays are finally about to play in their "home" park! It was a tense time when no one knew where the team would be playing once the federal government denied their request to play in Toronto. Buffalo (where the Bisons, Toronto's minor league affiliate, plays) stepped up in a big way and have totally overhauled their minor league s...tadium so it's fit for both major league play and COVID required distancing. Short story long, I thought it was a good day to share a few of my baseball books...and show my face which isn't often featured on here. It's usually buried in a book I find there aren't nearly enough contemporary novels featuring baseball (football and hockey seem to be most popular) but I've read a few over the years. These ones were all tucked away on various shelves in my house. Are you a baseball fan? Who's your MLB team? Any baseball books to recommend? PS who can do the math featured on my (amazing) baseballism shirt? #bookstagram #baseballisback #baseballisbackstack #bookstack #baseball #TorontoBlueJays #BlueJays #WeAreBlueJays #baseballism

Today was my last day of a much needed vacation. I don't think I realized how much I *really* needed a week off from thinking about anything other than what to read, eat, or drink. Today I read a good chunk of Ann Cleeves' THE LONG CALL, ate some homemade (by the BF) lemon zucchini loaf, and had some rosé with a friend in a long overdue physically distanced backyard visit. It was a good day. What are you reading to start the week? (Or eating...or drinking!)... #bookstagram #bookblogger #bookreviewer #amreading #currentlyreading #staycation #vacationmode #vacation #bookenablers #bibliophile #TheLongCall #mysterybooks

I really liked Kristin Rockaway's last novel so looked forward to SHE'S FAKING IT. I read it in an afternoon and was so entertained!

Did you know today is #BookLoversDay? That's pretty much every day in my world but I will happily celebrate a day dedicated just to us book lovers. My August reading started in a flurry as I picked up two books from the library that had to be read in a week (thank goodness I was on vacation!). Yesterday I sat down and figured out the next few books I wanted to get to and, shockingly, a good number of them are print copies! I think these four book pretty much sum up my reading... tastes - I'll have romance, comedy, mystery, and drama. All I'm missing is historical but I did get an egalley of one the other day that I'm really looking forward to! What are you planning to read this month? #bookstagram #bookblogger #bookreviewer #bookstack #toberead #booklover #bookenablers #bibliophile #igreads #booksofinstagram #NationalBookLoversDay

The mailman remembered where my house is this week! He delivered this lovely title courtesy of @pgcbooks . FRESH WATER FOR FLOWERS is @valerieperrin_ 's English-language debut and it has been translated from French by Hildegarde Serle. The story immediately interested me. The protagonist is the caretaker of a small cemetery whose usual day to day is thrown off when a police chief comes along and insists on scattering his mother's ashes on someone else's grave.... Have you read many translations? It's not something I normally read, simply because I find they're not as promoted as other titles. Happy weekend! #bookstagram #bookblogger #bookreviewer #bookmail #bookhaul #bookenablers #booklover #bibliophile #bookworm #booksofinstagram #igreads

Sometimes books are winners, sometimes you want to rant about them. THE FRIENDSHIP LIST was the latter. (And I could have ranted far more than I did in this review!)

I've been reading historical fiction for a long time now and, personally, love the time period between and during both World Wars. That said, I absolutely adored Sally Christie's Mistresses of Versailles series when I read it a number of years ago. I wanted to highlight these older books because I know a lot of historical fiction fans may have missed them the first time around (the first was published in 2015) and I think that's a shame because they're so enjoyable. Christie ...wrote a series that was so well researched AND entertaining AF. They take place at Versailles about King Louid XV so the opulence and gossip is a delight! Are you a historical fiction reader? Any time periods draw you in more than others? Have you read this series? #bookstagram #bookblogger #bookreviewer #MistressesofVersailles #historicalfiction #history #ReadCanadian #bookenablers #booklover #bibliophile

A staycation definitely isn't as sexy as a trip to Italy so, if you're like me and sticking around the house, pick up Karina Halle's latest - ONE HOT ITALIAN SUMMER. Pro tip: have a bottle of white wine chilling in the fridge.