Shrinking the TBR Pile (To Be Read) #OpenBook Blog Hop

March 25, 2024

Is there a book in your TBR pile that you’re more excited about than the others?

Really? You want me to pick one? Is it okay if I narrow it down to two? How about one that’s pure entertainment and one that’s on the serious side?

First, one from one of my favorite authors, Jenna Bennett. She’s got a new mystery series, set in the 1920s. I read the first one already, Secrets at Sutherland Hall. The second, Death at the Dower House, is loaded on my kindle app, ready for the trip I’m going on this week. (I may have read it by the time I release this post.) The first book was a fun read and set up all the components to make the series delightfully entertaining. I’m really looking forward to the next one.

The second book has been languishing in my TBR stack for three years.

I keep telling myself I’ll get it read. It’s The Time Is Now, A Call to Uncommon Courage, by Joan Chittister. The author is a socially active Roman Catholic nun, and I took classes from her in high school, back in the Dark Ages. I own the book in hardback, but I’ve got it my suitcase, even though I’m traveling light.

In the dedication, Sister Joan says “Everywhere there are people who, despite finding themselves mired in periods of national darkness or personal marginalization, refuse to give up the thought of a better future or give in to the allurements of a deteriorating present. . . These people, the best of ourselves, are legion and they are everywhere.”

According to one reviewer, “Today more than ever we are called to be prophets. To call attention to and fight for change: the poor, the sick, the lonely, the marginalized, the oppressed. This is a template on how to do it, with faith, love and charity. Sister does not mince words or add sugary sentiment to the needs of the people. Walls, incarceration, abandonment, living wage, freedom to move about, loneliness, access to medical…the list is long. We will all be judged on the stand we took.” You can find out more about Sister Joan by checking out her website. https://joanchittister.org/

Not a light read, by anyone’s definition. I hope I have time to get a good start in reading the essays.

To find books to add to your To Be Read list, follow the links below and visit the other authors on this hop.

As always, please stay safe until next time.

P.S. I finished the first book, Death at the Dower House, while on a plane between Atlanta and Florida. As expected, it was a light read with a satisfying ending, and great foreshadowing for the next book in the series. 

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March 25, 2024

Is there a book in your TBR pile that you’re more excited about than the others?