Hello friends. What is going on in your part of the world? I have been filling my time reading, walking around a nursery looking at plants and looking forward to a trip next month to see family.
One of my latest books was a nonfiction by Belle Burden titled Strangers. This was a buddy read with Susan at The Cue Card and also meets one of my nonfiction challenge categories hosted by Shelleyrae at Book'd Out. (published in 2026)
While I knew going into this book it was a memoir that mostly concentrated on Belle Burden's divorce, there was something a bit disingenuous about the reporting of "events" in my opinion.
I have a long review and more thoughts about this fractured relationship on Goodreads. If interested click HERE to read. My rating is a solid 3.5 stars. The writing was good and only a few times did I think it came across as whiney.
Anyone who has read in the beginning or the book flap knows the premise. Belle and James are hunkering down in isolation during Covid at their Martha's Vineyard home when Belle gets a text from a stranger. "Your husband is having an affair with my wife"...whaaat? Terrible way to find out about infidelity. James confirms it's true, states the affair has gone on one month and it's over. Belle double checks with the unknown wronged husband to see if that time frame is accurate...because that seemed to make a difference to her...the time frame. James states it's nothing Belle did or didn't do and he's sorry.
Then, an about face over night with James' saying he isn't happy and turns icy cold telling her he will file for divorce.
"Without warning or explanations, her husband of twenty years announced he was leaving her." Suddenly he was a stranger to her. As readers, are we now prepared to hate on James. I'm not totally convinced we have all the facts. Again, if you want to read the longer review check it out on Goodreads.
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The next book is Mozart in the Jungle by Blair Tindell. We watched all four seasons of the series on Amazon and I wanted to compare the book. Turned out the book is very different. Barely anything in common with the show but there are a couple of overlaps. I'll add a short review this week.
Watching/ Mozart in the Jungle on Amazon Prime. We enjoyed the orchestral scenes and look at the lives of some of the celebrated veteran musicians. There are behind the scenes with scheming, sex, drugs and the relationships in addition to the concerts and practices for the orchestra.. They had guest appearances in later seasons such as violnist Joshua Bell and pianists Emanual Ax and Lang Lang. Bernadette Peters was a hoot in this show. This is not a documentary, fictional but loosely based on some true scenarios.
I leave you with a photo of one of the resident kittens at the nursery. This guy is very curious and has loads of personality. He is interested in Loki and makes careful approaches while his siblings flee as soon as they see my big-eared pup.
Linking up with Shelleyrae at Book'd Out for the 2026 Nonfiction Reading Challenge. Category: Published in 2026
Also sharing with Deb at Readerbuzz for Sunday Salon.
