Let’s Talk Books: THE SUMMER BOOK CLUB

Published on by Live Vi-Carrie-ously

Susan Mallery is one of my writing icons. Not only is she prolific, putting out several books a year, but the books are (darn her) all so good and so different.

I understand that it takes a great deal of discipline to build a career like Mallery’s and it’s also apparent I don’t have that particular work ethic/talent/entrepreneurial gene.

That’s okay. It just means I get to appreciate Mallery and other writers like her.

Today, I’m talking about Mallery’s latest book that released Feb. 13, THE SUMMER BOOK CLUB. It’s full of the kind of layering and foreshadowing and depth I love.

From the description:

The Rules of Summer Book Club are simple:

No sad books

No pressure

Yesssssss, wine!

Besties Laurel and Paris are excited to welcome Cassie to the group … Since Laurel’s divorce, she feels like the Worst Mom Ever. Her skepticism of men may have scarred her vulnerable daughters … Cassie has an unfortunate habit of falling for ridiculous man-boys who dump her once she fixes them … Paris knows good men exist. She’s still reeling after chasing off the only one brave enough — and and foolish enough — to marry her.

As Laurel, Paris, and Cassie read their summer books (this year it’s romances from the 1980s), they also work through their man-issues and they learn about themselves and their relationships. At the beginning, Laurel believes that all men will let her down. Paris believes she’s incapable of mature love. Cassie believes a man wouldn’t be interested in her for herself, only for what she can do for him.

All three women learn they were oh, so wrong.

I enjoyed this book, light enough for the beach, but with enough meat on its bones to make a great book club discussion. Especially with a glass of rose’.

I loved how each character grew, then failed, then grew some more, and prevailed. The male characters aren’t caricatures, but feel like real, living humans.

I highly recommend THE SUMMER BOOK CLUB for anytime of year.

(Content: Closed door. Some language.)

I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher, but it did not induce me to review the book, favorably or otherwise.

Book Talk Tuesday: ALL MY KNOTTED UP LIFE

Published on by Live Vi-Carrie-ously

Okay. So anyone who reads my blog posts semi-once-in-a-while, know I’m a big Beth Moore fan. I’ve done most (all?) of her Bible studies. I’ve admired the way her theology understanding has grown and her willingness to say that what she believed when she recorded (insert issue/topic) was before she fully studied the Scripture regarding (same issue/topic)

Long story to say, Beth is someone I respect and someone I look to for teaching.

So it’s disappointing, that we’re currently members of a church that has no official “position” on Beth Moore. But, they closely follow a prominent teacher in the conservative Christian community who has publicly dismissed Ms. Moore, both her ministry and her personal life, not to mention her teachings. I believe God is sovereign and we’re at the church we’re meant to be, and, of course, liking a teacher or author is not a condition for salvation, so I’m okay.

God gave me the Spiritual Gift of Discernment. It’s taken me a long time to understand what that means and entails. Sometimes, I’ll hear a snippet of something, or notice a behavior, and tuck it away to think about later. Many times, something else happens, maybe a year or three after, and I’ll realize that earlier inkling was a red flag to my discernment.

I’ve read a LOT of Beth’s material, including her Bible studies, her non-fiction books, her fiction, (Hey! I even posted a non-4-star review. Because, in my opinion, it didn’t deserve one.)

All that to say, I loved ALL MY KNOTTED-UP LIFE, the memoir Beth released last year.

It’s honest, vulnerable, and transparently authentic. She talks about her past, the abuse she suffered as a child, struggles in her marriage, and some of the issues she and her husband faced together.

After purchasing the book in hardcover (which I rarely do anymore), and reading it, I passed it on to one daughter and gave the other a copy of the audio book. Whatever you’re preferred reading medium is, I highly recommend you grab a copy.

I’d love to know what you think! Feel free to drop me a line at carrie@carriepadgett.com!

Media Monday: Endeavor

Published on by Live Vi-Carrie-ously

We’ve been on a British TV show watching kick.

Escape to the Country for late night/exhausted no-brain-needed viewing.

Great British Baking Show, Holiday episodes, ditto. But just me. We do enjoy the regular seasons together, but the Holiday editions aren’t shared.

We were caught up with Midsomer Murders and Father Brown (though both may have new seasons by now), so we went looking for something similar and found Lewis. Lewis is a detective in Oxford who was trained by Morse, who first appeared in books by Colin Dexter. We started with Lewis, then I figured we’d back up to Morse.

One day a couple months ago, Stud Muffin was telling a friend that we were watching Lewis and the friend stopped him and said we needed to start with Endeavor. It’s actually a newer show, but it’s about Inspector Morse as a young policeman and the detective who trained him.

So we put the brakes on Lewis and went to Endeavor. It begins in the late 1960s, in Oxford, England. We see Endeavor as a young officer, confident in his abilities to solve crimes. His trainer/mentor, DI Thursday, tells him he’s a good detective, but not a very good policeman.

Endeavor then learns to be both.

We’re almost to the end of the series, up to the early 1970s. We see Morse struggle to find his place in policing and life. We see him drink too much, sleep around too much, and fall into deep holes. But we also see him loving easily, stopping violence, and being a voice of truth to others.

If you enjoy British Who Done Its, Endeavor is an excellent addition to your viewing list!

Food Talk Friday

Published on by Live Vi-Carrie-ously

I’ve been twice and I’d go back anytime. It’s a fun and unique restaurant.

I’m talking about Black-Out Dining. I first heard of this distinctive restaurant concept from two friends who’d been and highly recommended it. There seem to be a few of these around the country (and world), but I’m talking about the place in Las Vegas. (A London version is in the movie, About Time, which I watched before my first visit and is very fun!)

I happened to be in Las Vegas back in May and suggested it to the friends I was meeting/retreating with. 5 of us made the bold decision to visit a restaurant where we wouldn’t be able to see (or know) the menu, choose our food, or even see our food when it was served. We’d be eating completely in the dark.

A few things to know:

Yes, you will be eating completely in the dark. You’re given a locker to stow purses, phones, and watches.

The menu is prix fixe and vegetarian-based (and absolutely delicious).

As you check out/pay, you’re shown a copy of the menu, so you can then figure out what you ate. But you can’t take a picture of it. 😦

The women I was with in May all enjoyed the experience and we had a blast. I wanted to bring Stud Muffin, but it didn’t work for that trip. But last month, we found we were going through Las Vegas, so I made dinner and hotel reservations and we started off.

Some of the courses seemed similar to what I’d had in May, but others were completely different.

Again, I had a blast and Stud Muffin didn’t complain too much. In fact, I think he kind of enjoyed it too.

Because I don’t eat a lot, the first few courses, I’d take two or three bites, then ask for his hand and put the rest of my portion in his hand.

There were seven courses and even Stud Muffin was full by the time dessert arrived.

It really is completely dark. Which likely saves on interior decoration and styling costs. The servers wear night vision goggles, so they can help you to your table (you go conga line), and out, and where to place your food in front of you. They give clear instructions about where to find your napkin, flatware, and drinks. There’s even a panic button on the table if someone gets totally freaked out.

If you’re ever in Vegas for a show or whatever, I highly recommend dinner at Black-Out Dining. If you go, be sure and let me know what you think!

Bonus Review: WELCOME TO BEACH TOWN

Published on by Live Vi-Carrie-ously

Whew! The Tuesday riches keep coming.

As I said in a previous post, I received a free copy of WELCOME TO BEACH TOWN by Susan Wiggs through Goodreads. I promised a fuller review when it released, which is today!

I really enjoyed this.

Talented surfer Nikki left her small Central California Coast town, Alara Cove, right after graduation when she decided to tell the truth and call out the corruption and double standard in her town that resulted in a tragedy. She joins the surfing contest circuit.

Nikki returns to Alara Cove a decade later due to another personal tragedy.

Wiggs explores themes such as family, authenticity, loyalty, and friendship. Nikki grows and changes and finds the courage to go on, to dream a new life and pursue it.

I happily recommend this one, too.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through a Goodreads giveaway. This did not induce me to read it or write a review.