Let's mourn only for our losses. And never for the things we haven't lost quite yet. We already have an entire language that would be dead if you were.

Let's make it last.

This just might be one of my favorite final lines (Fine. Technically two lines.) in any book every. So good. Ugh. Lyndsay Faye is rapidly climbing my list of must-read authors. 

Everything about this book was just. so. good. The characters were brilliant, complicated, hot messes. The interwoven story lines about the struggles of the Paragon Hotel residents and Nobody's time with the Mafia kept me on my toes. More than once I had to force myself to only read two chapters so I wouldn't get lost in this book. I actually had places to be this week. 

And then there was that end. I've gotten pretty good at predicting how things are going to end. Wow was I wrong. I did not see that end coming. 

Read 6/14/2020-6/24-2020

Book 41/75

"We go through our lives, so many of us, as fractions of ourselves, with all the other puzzle pieces buried where no on can see them. But there's the paradox and do forgive me for flights metaphorical - we're all of us fractured jigsaws, but we're also the entire picture no matter how far away we walk from what's hidden." 

This book is a hard read. Not because it's not well written or because the characters aren't lively, emotional human beings. It's hard because it's too relevant. The book takes place in 1921. However, the way people of colored are being treated by the world around them? It doesn't seem all that historical. 

Apparently I finished five books in February. I find that a little funny since it felt like I didn't actually read anything during February. February is always kind of a funny month for me. I think it's the weather. Of course, compared to the epic tantrum Mother Nature had last year, this February has been delightful. 

I was able to finish books so rapidly at the beginning of the month because I was working a long-term sub position with a lot of downtime. Once I was back at home, I had a harder time justifying sitting around and reading all the time. I also think starting The Name of the Rose has been a partial road block. It's just one of those books that takes so much energy, I have nothing else to give to other books. Typically I bring a book with when I am waiting to get my girls off the school bus. For the last few weeks I haven't even done that. Is it considered a slump even if you're still reading? 

Anyway- Books from February

Seven for a Secret (Timothy Wilde #2) - Lyndsay Faye

*4 and a half stars. I can't recommend this series enough

Ribbons of Scarlet - Various Authors

*5 stars. The best book I've read so far this year. Go back and see my review and reading updates. I can't talk about it again. I'll cry.

Bringing Down the Duke (A League of Extraordinary Women #1) - Evie Dunmore

3 and a half stars. Not my normal genre but not a bad read.

A Vision of Light (Margaret of Ashbury #1) - Judith Merkle Riley

3 and a half stars. Not sure what it is about this book that puts it on the list of historical fiction must reads, but it was an enjoyable book.

The Samurai's Wife (Sano Ichiro #5) - Laura Joh Rowland

3 Stars. This series is going downhill fast. I'm hesitant to read the next installment. 

I'm devastated that this next book is the last book featuring Timothy Wilde and his tales of the first police force in 1840s New York City. Timothy Wilde and his brother, Valentine, are quickly making their way up my list of favorite characters. 

"I'd prefer you ravenously jealous...because if you can't be jealous once at least, you can never love me. Can you? You could love me on paper, perhaps. From an ocean's distance. In theory. With a quill in your hand, meditating on the breadcrumb-teakettle-washboard little details of my life in New York. None of it would be enough. I can live as a mere idea to you. But minute of your every hour and if you don't want the same of me, in the flesh, then I can't need you any longer and live as I should. So I'll allow myself to think that if you never come back, I'll survive it." 

Letter from Timothy to Mercy.

After reading it again, I realize that passage sounds a little stalker-ish. I promise that within the context of the novel it's beautiful. Like most of this book. It's beautiful and gritty all at the same time. 

Read 1/31/2020 - 2/4/2020

"This is the way I understand folk who accept a leg up from time to time: it isn't that we aren't industrious, or that we expect charity we don't deserve. It's mainly that human creatures want to live, and-when we can't come by the flour, or heat in the silvery frosts-we fight.....

Most Bible-fearing benevolent types figure that poverty is a sign of moral weakness and disease evidence of God's thorough dislike for your person. And best not to cross God, after all, not when He handpicks the wicked meant to writhe for their sins."

Lyndsay Faye's writing is something else. I'm trying my best to proceed slowly with these books because I know there's nothing left when I'm done.