What’s on my Bookshelf – September
Another month has gone by since this challenge started and it’s been a bit of a slack one for me regarding books! I have read a couple but not as many as I normally do. Too much has been on the TV lately keeping me otherwise occupied.
I have just finished a marvellous book by Carrie Kablean, an author previously unknown to me.

I enjoyed this book so much and couldn’t wait to get back to it every night! It’s all about the youngest but one of the Bennet sisters from Pride and Prejudice. I have read similar books about Mary but not about Kitty. It starts at the end of Pride and Prejudice where everybody is still getting over the embarrassment and shame of Lydia’s running off with Wickham. Carrie Kablean describes each scene with wonderful detail and stays true to the style of Jane Austen. Definitely 5 stars from me.
A book from last month that I did not mention before was The Stars are Fire by Anita Shreve. I had forgotten I had downloaded this sample over a year ago and have no reason why it was never read! But I’ve rectified that now and it was an amazing read. There are several publications but this is the cover I like best.

This story is set around a true event in 1947 Maine, USA. A massive fire wiped out nine towns and killed 16 people. It has a very slow burn (excuse the pun) and build up to the actual fire itself. The main person is Grace, a young woman with two children in a stifling marriage. It was another satisfying read for me. Sad to say that Anita Shreve passed away a few years ago, but I’ve enjoyed many of her other books.
Books I’m reading now
I’m finding it hard to finish The Book of Lost Names by Kristen Harmel, set in wartime France during the occupation of the Nazis. It’s a bookclub choice so I must try and get on and finish it. It’s just not grabbing me.

The Hoarder’s Widow – Allie Cresswell is one I’ve just started – yes I always have two or three on the go at once! So far so good and I love this author.

I am enjoying this challenge first mentioned by Debbie from Deb’s world. I do like reading book reviews to see if I share these views or not. Sometimes I’m definitely a standalone in my views but as I mentioned before life’s too short to read a bad book. I find it hard to start a new book no matter how excited I am, especially after finishing a brilliant one.

[…] Alison from Travels with Ali […]
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It’s great to have you join us Ali and I love your book choices and descriptions. I’ve enjoyed a few Anita Shreve books over the years but wasn’t aware she had passed away. I’ve not read of any Allie Cresswell but will now have a look, thanks. The premise of the Kitty book intrigues me too!
Thanks for joining us and I’ve linked to your post in mine.
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Thanks Debbie ..I thought I had linked it?
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Yes you had but I also included the link in my actual post so others might visit you!
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Oh thanks
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Thanks for linking up Alison. I’m off to check out What Kitty Did Next. One of my fave books of last year was Charlotte Lucas’ story in The Clergyman’s Daughter.
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I’ll check that one out then. It’s interesting how many authors have carried on this story
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Thank you for sharing your books, Alison. I’ll see if I can borrow any of them from my library.
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I hope you enjoy them as much as I did 😊
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I will definitely have to read the book about Kitty- she is such an overlooked character and I’ve always wanted more of her story. 🙂
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Well I loved it for its simplicity, it was like settling down with comfy slippers and reading about old friends
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Fascinating Ali but I don’t think I could read more than one book at a time. So easily to lose the thread and get confused in one book let alone two!
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That is true Jonno, but sometimes I think I’ll go back to a book
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Thanks for the interesting list. There are so many titles that it becomes difficult to decide.
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Haha I know what you mean, i think I read more book reviews than books!
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I have added Kitty’s book to my must-read list, thank you, Ali! I don’t often read fiction, but I am a huge fan of Jane Austen. I, too, often read 2 or 3 books at once. That reminds me, I think I must have a book available at the library that I had put on hold . . . Have a good weekend! 🌞
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Hi Lisa ..I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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Hi Alison, have you read Darcy’s Story? 😉
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1139964.The_New_Illustrated_Darcy_s_Story
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No I haven’t, will take a look thanks
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