Stories for Mothers and Daughters Anthology 🥰👩🏻📘👧🏻🧡

 A new favorite British Library Women Writers title!! 😍❤️💜💙🧡

"From forthright mothers and very modern daughters to the quiet dreamers on either side of the generational divide, this anthology sketches a joyous, fraught and ultimately tender portrait of mother-daughter relationships throughout the twentieth century. It brings together the talents of Richmal Crompton, Sylvia Townsend Warner, Jeanette Winterson, Jamaica Kincaid, A.S. Byatt, Inez Holden, Winifred Holtby, Maeve Brennan, E.M. Delafield, and Tillie Olsen to embrace the mother-daughter bond in all its lovely, imperfect forms." —from the back cover of Stories for Mothers and Daughters

Although my top favorite in the series so far is probably still O, The Brave Music by Dorothy Evelyn Smith, Stories for Mothers and Daughters is certainly a super close second. In my top three is also Lady Living Alone by Nora Lofts.

I'm not sure if it's because I love the theme of mothers and daughters (since I am both!) or because these short stories are just brilliant. But, either way, I seriously LOVED this new addition to the Women Writers collection. 

Rating: 5🌟

Short stories are such a joy for me because my brain wanders easily and short stories (and, also short chapters) help to my interest fresh and steady. I also find it fun and interesting to have a "taste" of authors I've never read before.

In this collection, I hadn't read any books by most of the authors, so it was such a treat.  Although I truly enjoyed all of the stories, these are my favorites (in order of preference):

❤️ Week-End by Richmal Crompton
❤️ The Battle-Field by Phyllis Bottome 
❤️ The End of the Fairy Tale by Maud Egerton King
❤️ The Silver Cloak by Winifred Holtby
❤️ Mothers and Daughters by Frances Gray Patton
❤️ The Shadow of Kindness by Maeve Brennan 
❤️ History Again Repeats Itself by E.M. Delafield

Love the color of the French flaps—so vibrant!

Overall, I'm over-the-moon excited about this British Library short story collection. Every one in the series so far has been super good. Many thanks to the British Library for sending me this book to read and review! Reading this anthology brought me so much happiness and caused me to be very thoughtful about my relationships to my mother and my daughter.

Stories for Mothers and Daughters is definitely a must-have for fans of British literature, women writers and domestic fiction...any mothers and daughters. 

Tell me friends, which is YOUR favorite British Library Women Writers book? Do you have a few books or the entire collection? I'm dying to know! 

Keep an eye out for upcoming reviews of The Tree of Heaven by May Sinclair, Dangerous Ages by Rose Macauley, and one more British Library Women Writers title! 🤩

Wishing you the most wonderful day and happy reading!! 💕🌸🤗🌸💕

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POSSIBLE SPOILER: I don't want to say much about each of the stories because I think it would spoil your enjoyment of them. So, I'll just share a few feelings/thoughts on each of the stories:

Week-End: breathless energy, riding the waves and finally relaxation and sweetness

Maternal Devotion: a little chuckle

The Value of Being Seen: confusion, ethereal, slightly abstract 

Psalms: stubborn, hint of religion, doing what mother says

The End of the Fairy Tale: initial selfishness, devotion, joy, loving choices 

The Pictures: being grateful for the little things, mindful of the present moment

The Silver Cloak: jealousy, understanding, maturity, allowing someone else to have the limelight

History Repeats Itself: modern and independent vs. old fashioned ideas during holiday season

Mothers and Daughters: disappointment, frustration,  growing up, nostalgia

The Shadow of Kindness: haunting, strangely comforting

Rose-Colored Teacups: thoughtfulness, imagination, memories

Life is Not a Pie: unconventional relationships, unsettling feelings, love is love 

The Battle-Field: healing, anxiety and hope

The Step Mother: eagerness, disgust, keeping up appearances

My Mother: abstract, transformation, connection

It's strange how the first story was my favorite and the last was my least favorite 🤔 But, perhaps that was on purpose? Let me know your thoughts on these stories, if you've read them!

My Manderley Press Collection! 🤩📚🌈✨

I’m finally sharing my small but lovely Manderley Press Book Collection!

After buying and reading this enchanting feature in 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 magazine about Rebeka’s home and publishing journey, I was in awe and very much inspired! (Such a gorgeous magazine, too.)

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT MANDERLEY PRESS BOOKS:
🌟 Absolutely breathtaking cover art
🌟 Exquisitely constructed
🌟 Topics that are incredibly interesting and/or unique
🌟 Excellent and personal customer service
🌟 A joy to hold and collect!

One day, I hope to own ALL of these beautiful books!! For now, I’m super excited to read Tales from London Town!!

 The Armourer's House by Rosemary Sutcliff 5🌟

China Court by Rumer Godden 3.5🌟 

The House in Cornwall by Noel Streatfeild 4.5🌟

Much love to Rebeka at Manderley Press for sending adorable bookmarks, postcards, and notes to me. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate her generosity and bookish friendship! ☺️💙📘

Do you have a favorite book from Manderley Press? (Mine, so far, is The Armourer's House.)

Happy Wednesday, awesome friends! 💕🌸🤗🌸💕

Love this magazine!

 

 

 

What a great pic of Rebeka!

She has such a beautiful home!!

Luckier Than Most - NEW Dean Street Press Autobiography! 🤩🎬🎩

Woo! Today, I'm celebrating the debut of Dean Street Press' newest book—Luckier Than Most by David Tomlinson! 🥳❤️✨

If you're in the mood for a mannerly memoir with a sprinkle of marvelous old Hollywood movie magic, you will love the musings of this modest and multi-talented man!

A surprisingly enjoyable read!

I have to admit that I was a bit wary (and also nervous) to read this book. I have very little knowledge of the old Hollywood scene in general and I only recognized David Tomlinson as "the father from Mary Poppins" and "the magician from Bedknobs and Broomsticks".

So, after reading the first couple of chapters, I was scared that I wouldn't be able to keep reading. Oh, no!! (Not because of the DT's writing style, but because I felt completely and utterly out of my depth.)

I tend to feel overwhelmed by any book (fiction or non-fiction) that starts off by describing a lot of people/characters who I know nothing about. I try scratching out a rough family tree on a piece of scrap paper for reference and then I end up in despair. [Plus, the only pre-1970s British actors I'm familiar with have been from Agatha Christie (or Alfred Hitchcock) movies. I might recognize a face, but not always a name.]

But, after a helpful suggestion from Caro to do a Google search of the name of an actor/director/movie as I read, I began to feel more invested in Luckier Than Most. I was able to match faces with names and that was a turning point. (Thanks, Caro!!) Once I past the halfway mark, I was considerably more interested and flew through the rest of the autobiography.

Things I Truly Admire About David Tomlinson:

• Extraordinary ability to adapt to stressful and difficult situations
• Sense of humor, loyalty and affection for his friends and family
• Skill at being polite in even the most challenging circumstances
  
• Continuing zest for life...from humble beginnings in a small, windowless room near Charing Cross  looking for any sort of acting job to owning his own property in the country after years of theatrical success.

Favorite Parts From the Book:

• "Often Julie Andrews, a new mother, took me under her wing as well. She cooked for me while I occasionally held the baby."
• "On my birthday, May 7th, 1960, Audrey presented me with our third son—an especially beautiful, especially perfect little boy." (My daughter, Rose, was also born on May 7th!)
• When Walt Disney assisted in bringing in a consultant for David and Audrey's third child for possible deafness (which he did not have).
• Finding the best person to aid his autistic son when professionals were discouraging and unhelpful.
• Wonderful photographs in two sections of the book.
  

My Favorite Quotes From the Book:

"I spent six months at a recruit depot at Caterham where to say the discipline was rigid would be like saying the Equator is quite warm or that the monsoon season brings light showers to the tropics."

"'Lie down, ' she shouted, throwing herself to the ground. I was wearing a new suit. Not in this suit, I thought to myself. I dragged her to her feet and we continued on our way."

"They were exuberant company although I resisted their attempts to get me to accompany them to observe an amputation. What I needed was a job, not nausea."

"Perhaps the most important thing I learned was that the vital thing an actor must have is courage....Not yesterday, not tomorrow—but now."

"When asked , "Is that an Oscar?", I always say, "No, better!" (Referring to when David received an 'Eddy'—an award given by the American Cinema Editors for the best debut in a US film. )

This is not a book I would normally choose to read, but lovely Victoria (Director of the Dean Street Press Ltd. team) thought I would enjoy it. And she was right! Now, I have the urge to watch more of David Tomlinson's movies. I'm pretty sure my dear friend Caro would be happy to watch one his movies on our crochet/movie date night! 😁🧶📺

Overall, I really appreciated learning about DT's life. It completely changed my view of him— in the most positive way. Reading about the human being behind the actor is a powerful thing. I very much encourage you to give this book a try!

It's time to get your copy!!

Please check out Caro's excellent and thoughtful review of this book on her website and on Instagram.

Many thanks to DSP for sending me an advance copy of this book to read and review! I'm almost always reading a Dean Street Press book and they never fail to delight me in some way. Yay! 😍

Let me know in the comments which David Tomlinson movie is your favorite 😁

Happy Reading, Friends!! 💕🌸🤗🌸💕

 

Flavia de Luce #11 Book Review! 👧🏻📙🔍☠️🧪

What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust by Alan Bradley 🤩

A gem!! I forgot how much I love this character created by Alan Bradley!

Book Rating: 4.5🌟 

Oh, what an amazing addition to the series! I've read at least six books so far and I was in love from the very beginning. Flavia de Luce is the most charming and hilarious character. 

It's impossible not to be charmed by her youth, awkward nerdiness, sharp intelligence and overactive mind. Although I was classified as "nerdy" in high school for my love of mathematics, I don't think I have even a quarter of her talented and brilliant mind.

Following Flavia, her sisters, her kooky cousin Undine, helpful Mrs. Mullet and loyal Dogger was such a treat. You never knew what will happen next! But, that's the beauty of this mystery series. The country village of Bishop's Lacy was also wonderful to come back to, especially because it takes place in the 1950s (one of my favorite time periods).

I love everything about this book...such a gorgeous edition!

Overall, I loved the pacing, the plot and all of the seemingly random (but also very clever) details sprinkled throughout the narrative. I found myself slightly overwhelmed at times because there was so much going on, but it was for the very best reasons. Plus, the ending was perfect.

Now, I need to go back and read 7-10!!

Many thanks to Penguin Random House Publishing for sending me this book to read and review! I can't wait to read the next in the series! 😍❤️

So many amazing titles!! One of my absolute FAV mystery series!