*Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for gifting me a copy of “The Wartime Sisters.”*

”The Wartime Sisters” follows the lives of two Jewish sisters growing up in Brooklyn, and later at an armory in Springfield during WWII. Ruth is the practical, plain, older sister. Millie is their mother’s darling, the perfect child. Much of this book focuses on the complicated relationship between these two sisters, but there are also two other story lines involving the wife of the commanding officer at the armory and an Italian singer who works in the cafeteria.

Lynda Cohen Loigman provides just enough historical details to satisfy readers of historical fiction, but the focus is clearly about complicated family ties, the bonds of friendship, and solidarity between women. I found myself emotionally invested in the characters. This book was hard to put down. I think I read it in two sittings.

“The Wartime Sisters” is sure to satisfy one’s craving for a book about sisters and women’s issues that is firmly rooted in historical fiction as well.

This is was a solid 3⭐️ read!

The Clockmaker’s Daughter is a rich and layered book about the malleability of time. This story jumps back and forth across several different points in time. Each character seems of equal importance, but we discover early on that the main character is the clockmaker’s daughter, Birdie. This is the story of her life and death, sometimes told by her in first person narrative and at others by the people connected to her across time. It is a story of love, loss, and the connection between people and places.

Kate Morton explores that which is impalpable—time, light, ghosts. In one scene Birdie attempts to capture light in a tin, only to discover that light (like time) is elusive. The Clockmaker’s Daughter binds together characters who have experienced loss, have their own ghosts they carry with them. Some of these characters are artists or photographers, forever trying to capture the intangible. Others have experienced the deep ache of loss and are attempting to fill it.

Ar the center of the story is a place, Birchwood Manor. Every single main character has experienced this place, and perceived it to be magical in some way. This place is what connects the characters through the threads of time.

Once these tangled threads have been worked through, Birdie’s story is complete and the confused muddle evaporates.

This is was a deeply moving, meaningful book for anyone who has experienced loss or felt an intense pull towards a particular place or person.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with a free galley to review.

4.5 ⭐️

Arden’s lyrical and sumptuous debut novel, The Bear and the Nightingale, transports readers to medieval Russia. History and folklore blend together seamlessly in this dark fairytale.

The story centers around Vasya, a girl who inherited her grandmother’s magical abilities. She lives with her father, four older siblings, and nurse in the harsh countryside where winter lasts most of the year. The fairy tales her nurse, Dunya, tells are only entertaining stories for everyone but Vasya. She has the ability to see and communicate with the nature and household spirits. Although the others can’t see these spirits, the old Pagan beliefs still linger, and offerings are left for them.

Everything changes when Vasya’s father returns from a visit to Moscow with a new bride, a woman who shares her ability to see the old Gods and spirits. Unlike Vasya, who sees them as friends, Anna perceives them to be evil. The new village priest bands together with Anna in an attempt to stamp out the old Pagan ways, forcing the villagers to ignore the local deities. This has terrible consequences. The once joyful villagers now live in fear, which the evil creature (known as the Bear) thrives on. Dark forces have awoken, the benevolent deities begin to fade away, and Vasya must use her powers to save her village.

This is a book to be savored. The pacing is slow, the main character compelling, and the language utterly enchanting. There were a few story threads that were left unfinished, and one can only hope that these will be explored in the sequel.

​4.5 ⭐️

”Master of His Fate” is the first book in a new series by the well renowned author of historical fiction, Barbara Taylor Bradford. It centers around James Falconer, and Alexis Malvern. Their two story threads run parallel before seamlessly merging together. This was a character driven novel, set in Victorian London. It explored themes of sex, class, and coming of age. The characters were lovable, if a bit too perfect. This is the perfect “escape from reality” book—as every single main and secondary character were noble, just, and charmingly captivating. There were a few unpleasant incidents, but mainly everything turned out perfect for every character with little to vex them.

The historical details were fascinating, adding a rich layer to the book, and were obviously well thought out. The mention of some famous people of the time also helped bring the book to life.

The initial promise of delving into some vital feminist issues, which are just as valid today, fizzled out. It would have been an important book, rather than just an entertaining one, had these issues and story threads been more fully developed.

“Master of His Fate” was an engaging, richly executed work of historical fiction. I look forward to the next book in the series.

3.5 ⭐️

**Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Get Red PR for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Many of you have been following and contributing to my Instagram hashtag #enchantedsimplicity so I thought I would share a bit more about what this term means to me as well as tips for keeping the magic alive as 2018 dissipates and 2019 begins to unfurl.

ENCHANTED SIMPLICITY:
Acknowledgment of the magic present in all things. A slow-living lifestyle in which the everyday transforms into joyful enchantment.

Here are some ways in which I embrace enchanted simplicity:

​ 1. Spontaneous morning tea parties with my six-year-old. I make a pot of loose leaf tea, fill a fancy cream jug, get out the good bone china and let him pour his own tea. That little bit of magic first thing in the morning seems to set the tone for our entire day.

2. Go on a sacred walk in nature. This is an activity I suggested for participants in one of my workshops. The idea is that by walking in the same place on a regular basis you will begin to form a meaningful relationship with place. The first step involves walking and observing from a multi-sensory level. What can you see, smell, taste, touch, hear? Record your experiences in a journal.

3. Collecting nature treasures. Another walk, this time one in which you gather little nature treasures as you walk. Is there a particular acorn calling out to you? A smooth river rock with an enticing glow around it? A sweet smelling pine cone?

4. Playing dressing up. This is something I encourage my son to do on a regular basis, but it’s also important for me to engage in this activity every now and again. I get dressed in a nice outfit, do my makeup, add glitter, spray on some perfume. Even if I don’t have anywhere to go, it makes my day special when I dress as if something amazing is just around the corner. Try it! You’ll be amazed at how you feel. This is useful for everyone, but especially stay-at-home, or work-from-home mamas.

5. Planting seeds, or potted plants. We’ve had the same potted geraniums for at least four years now. Once the first frost arrives we bring them inside. Last winter, in February, I noticed one of the geraniums was about to bloom. It was such a magical sight—red flowers blooming in the middle of winter. As I write this I can see two of my potted geraniums are blooming—one pink and one red.

6. Take a long bath, or shower. Use fragrant soaps, oils, bath salts. If you don’t have a tub (like me), try a foot soak in a large basin instead.

7. When you first awaken, notice how you feel. What are you thinking? Is your mind already rushing ahead to all of the things you must accomplish this day? If so, take a few deep breaths and speak words like the following: I recognize the enchantment in the everyday. I am open to receive and recognize magic.

8. Make lunch or dinner special. Take a few extra moments to set the table in a beautiful way, arrange your food in an aesthetically pleasing manner, light a candle. These little touches really don’t take long and they make a world of difference. We always say a mealtime blessing. Whatever your spiritual beliefs, it’s nice to take a moment to appreciate the food before you and to acknowledge how it nourishes your body.

9. Evening ritual. Perhaps you are busy all day long, but have some time to unwind in the evening. Make this time special. Dress in your most comfortable clothes, light candles (or a fire in the fireplace if you are lucky), journal, read books, create a collage, sip tea, take time to reflect on your hopes and dreams, let go of stress and negative thoughts, concentrate on deep breathing, do yoga. These are just suggestions. Take what works and discard the rest.

Of course I have lots of other ideas, but I hope these suggestions will help you continue to embrace the enchanted simplicity as winter continues and the earth slumbers. Winter is a time of hushed quiet, inner contemplation and reflection.

Share some ways you embrace enchanted simplicity, and thank you for continuing to tag your photos which highlight the magical in the everyday with #enchantedsimplicity.

​www.instagram.com/explore/tags/enchantedsimplicity/

How is it possible that this year is almost over? Did it seem to fly by for you too? This was the first year I managed to keep track of my reading (for the most part) through www.goodreads.com/challenges/7501-2018-reading-challenge --and I am glad I did, as it makes it easier to look back on my reading year.

I read some truly amazing books this year, so it was difficult to narrow down my top favorites. I decided to limit most of my reading picks to books which were published this year. I rated all of these with 4 or 5 stars (out of 5). So without further ado, here are my five favorite books of 2018!

1. Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield.  Genres: Historical Fiction, Magical Realism. Publication date: December 4, 2018. Atria Books.
This exquisite book wasn't published until December 4, 2018, but I was lucky to receive a free galley from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It may very well become one of my favorite books of all time. My review can be found here: book-review-once-upon-a-river-the-most-enchanting-exquisitely-rendered-fable.html

2. Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance by Ruth Emmie Lang. Genre: Magical Realism. Publication date: November 14, 2017. St. Martin's Press.
Magical Realism is by far my favorite genre to read and write, but that being said I find it is rather hit or miss. I was pleasantly surprised by this fantastic book. The characters stayed with me long after I read the last page. My review can be found on Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2480950585?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

3. The Rain Watcher by Tatiana de Rosnay. Publication date: October 30, 2018. St. Martin's Press. Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction. This book was gifted to me by the publishers via NetGalley. The writing was eloquent and hauntingly beautiful. I honestly can't wait to read another book by this author. My review can be found here: the-rain-watcher.html

4. The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton. Publication date: February 8, 2018. Raven Books. Genre: Mystery, Crime, Thriller.
This was a brilliant book! It was a fresh and unique mystery. It's almost like a more sinister version of the film Groundhog Day. This was another book I was grateful to receive from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. My review can be found here: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2521218878?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

5. Circe by Madeline Miller. Publication date: April 10, 2018. Little, Brown and Company. Genre: Fantasy, Retelling, Historical Fiction, Mythology. I know I am not alone in listing this as one of the top books of 2018. This book is phenomenal! Review here: book-review-circe-by-madeline-miller.html

Tell me, what were your top five books of the year?

The Bookshop Girl is a charming book about a young girl who was abandoned in a bookshop when she was five-years-old. The proprietor's son (Michael Jones) discovers her and puts her in the lost property cupboard, but she is soon taken out again by his mother, Netty. She is promptly adopted by Netty, and named Property Jones.

The three members of the Jones family seem to have a cozy life, and enjoy living in a bookshop despite not having any money. Every evening they share a ritual in which each of them read the same book. It never occurs to Netty or Michael that a five-year-old child might not know how to read. At first Property is content to just mimic Netty and Michael, and then she comes to love this ritual too, but feels ashamed that she never shared her secret with them. She is clever and soon figures out how to excel at helping out in the bookshop, so that no one guesses that she is illiterate.

Six years later, their cozy life is interrupted when they decide to take their chances and enter their names in a contest to win a famous bookshop in London. To their absolute amazement, they are chosen as the winners. Property feels a sense of loss at having to leave the little bookshop behind, but shares in her mother's obvious joy. The new bookshop is wondrous and magical. They fall in love with it immediately. Property is curious as to why the owner of the bookshop, a charming man named Mr. Montgomery, would choose to give up such an extraordinary and famous shop. It isn't long before the answer becomes apparent. The Jones family have to find their courage and do something a bit unorthodox if they are to keep possession of their precious shop.

There was so much to love about this book. For one, it had just the right blend of whimsy, darkness, and humor. For another, the characters were quaint and charming. This middle grade book is perfect for any bibliophile, young or old.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free galley to review. This was a 5 star read for me.