This week I finished the last book in the Dalton trilogy by Shannon Bowring.
In a Distant Valley by Shannon Bowring, a buddy read with Susan at The Cue Card. This is the last book in the Dalton trilogy and what a wonderful series. Bowring brings the characters to life. You can visualize them, hear them, anticipate what they may say or do and hope to encourage them. She made them real. Can't wait to see what she comes out with next. I'll do a more detailed review on Goodreads.
Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin is scheduled to be published in March 2026. I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC from LibraryThing.
This book starts in 1986 with the explosion of the Challenger and Oliver Ines' birth. Little Ollie is growing up in a small English town, his bedroom ceiling and wallpaper are covered with stars which glow at night. Around age 10 he cycles to a neighbor's home at the request of his mother to trade off produce and meets a girl named Philly. The children have a connection and become friends, their lives weaving in and out of each others paths after a chance meeting at a London College.
Between the chapters are log book entries from Commander Oliver Ines as he is on a ten year mission, in charge of a spaceship and crew headed to Jupiter.
Ines is an astronaut employed by a private company owned by a billionaire. Hmmm....
He reflects on events in his life, his childhood, university days, the career in the Navy and his love of Philly and family. It's introspective as he considers his relationships and regrets, reconciling choices he made. This is a well fleshed out character study of a man who wonders if he made the correct choices and if they were worth it.
Themes are family, friendship, belonging and compassion. 4 stars.
This is a book blog...mostly. I try to keep frustrations on the state of our country out of my writing but this week was bad. So....rant.
Political news - this sums it up. I honestly hope the damage can be reversed one day. Hopefully in my lifetime.
The Agriculture Secretary actually suggested Americans can save money on food by eating "one piece of chicken, one piece of broccoli and a tortilla" - see here.
You know what I suggest? These politicians who enjoy free health care and have financial security have to trade places with a family trying to make ends meet for an entire month. Trade places with individuals experiencing financial insecurity during the days of rising costs, those experiencing food insecurity, without health care or the cush benefits these politicians enjoy and take for granted.
Put the names in bowl and draw = making sure a quarter of those names are those who are struggling with homelessness, those who sleep in their cars, those who struggle to feed their children especially when some states have pulled the free lunches for kids. See what they think about some real life issues.
Don't get me started on Greenland.....
Rant over.
Ok, let's end with more book chat. Just picked up The Ferryman and His Wife, a translated book by Norwegian author Frode Grytten and started it yesterday. As you can see by the photo I was able to sit outside a bit.
Tonight brings a wintery mix, as the weather station calls it, so I will be once again covering my plants as freezing temps are back again. All week apparently. Being inside means bread making, puzzles and reading.
Hope your week will be a good one. Lots of good reading and anything that makes you happy.
